Five WorldTour teams have been announced for the 2026 Lloyds Tour of Britain Men, as part of 18 squads for the race which begins on 2 September in Lincoln.British team Netcompany-Ineos will be there, as they have for every Tour of Britain since 2010, along with recent Tour de France winners UAE Team Emirates-XRG. Also taking part are Belgium-based Soudal Quick-Step, the most successful team in the modern history of the event (having taken 27 stage wins), plus Decathlon CMA CGM (France) and NSN Cycling (Switzerland), who count British rider Lewis Askey among their ranks. This is one better than the number of WorldTour teams who took part in 2024, but its significantly down from the nine who competed in Britain's biggest bike race last year, with Visma-Lease a Bike among the top teams not returning in 2026. Because the Tour of Britain is a ProSeries event, rather than part of the WorldTour circuit, the UCIs elite teams are not obliged to be part of the race, and several factors influence sporting directors decisions about whether or not their squads should participate. For starters, the Tour of Britain overlaps with the Vuelta a Espana, which is a WorldTour event. Once upon a time, teams would toss up whether to use the Tour of Britain or the Vuelta as a warm-up for the UCI World Road Racing Championships, which are due to be held in Quebec, Canada, 2027 September. However, this year the British tour has been reduced to a five-day format to maintain equity with the Tour of Britain Womens race which has arguably reduced its appeal as ideal preparation event. Another undeniable factor impacting the decision-making process of teams based in the European Union, when contemplating the pros and cons of taking part in the Tour of Britain, are the significant additional costs and logistical hurdles caused by Brexit. (Image credit: swpix.com )Nevertheless, the competition for the green jersey will be intense, and joining the WorldTour teams will be several pro teams, including Pinarello Q36.5 who count 2022 Tour of Britain runner-up Tom Pidcock and current national road race champion Fred Wright among their squad and Swiss team Tudor, who finished third overall in last years teams classification. Flanders-Baloise (Belgium) are returning for their 13th time at the Tour of Britain, having won the first version of the modern race in 2004 and taken home the king of the mountains jersey in 2025, thanks to the climbing skills of Victor Vercouillie, while Modern Adventure Pro Cycling from the USA are making their debut.Eight UCI Continental teams are also taking part for the first time, including St Michel-Preference Home-Auber93 from France, who have a 30-year history in the sport and have participated in the Tour de France participations, and the Germany based squad Bike Aid, who promote cycling in developing countries and champion humanitarian and social causes.Completing the line-up is the Great Britain Cycling Team, participating in the tour for the 19th time, providing home fans with a chance to see the countrys most promising riders racing against the worlds best teams on home roads.With experienced teams and exciting emerging talent all represented, fans coming to watch can look forward to five days of world-class, competitive racing at the Lloyds Tour of Britain, said Lloyds Tour of Britain Race Director Jonny Clay. The line-up will showcase what makes Britain such a special place to race, producing some entertaining racing across five challenging stages. We look forward to another memorable edition of the Lloyds Tour of Britain that celebrates the best of cycling in this country.Full team line-up for the Tour of Britain UCI WorldTour Teams: Decathlon CMA CGM (France), Netcompany-Ineos (Great Britain), NSN Cycling (Switzerland), Soudal Quick-Step (Belgium), UAE Team Emirates-XRG (UAE).UCI Pro Teams: Modern Adventure Pro Cycling (USA), Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling (Switzerland), Flanders-Baloise (Belgium), Tudor Pro Cycling (Switzerland).UCI Continental Teams: APS Pro Cycling by Cadence Cyclery (USA), Bike Aid (Germany), BHS-PL Beton Bornholm (Denmark), Lucky Sport Cycling (Sweden), St Michel-Preference Home-Auber93 (France), Storck-MRW Bau (Germany), Tarteletto-Isorex (Belgium), United Shipping (Hungary).National teams: Great Britain Cycling Team

Good afternoon and welcome to the liveblog of the Tour de France Femmes. On the fourth day of competition, the peloton faces a race against the clock. Although the time trial will not decide the overall classification, it could provide the first clear indications in the battle for the yellow jersey....

The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift got underway with three stages in Switzerland, before heading into France for Stage 4, an individual time trial from Gevrey-Chambertin to Dijon. Mont Ventoux lies in wait on Stage 7.The Tour is a showcase for the big bike brands, but with seven wildcard teams also an opportunity for other brands to showcase their bikes and equipment on women's cycling's biggest stage.Here's a rundown of the equipment used by the 21 teams competing in this year's Tour de France Femmes, the 14 WorldTour women's teams and the seven wildcard teams. Bike brands represented at the Tour de France Femmes 14 bike brands are represented among the 21 teams participating in the 2026 Tour de France Femmes. The prize for the most teams on its bikes (and possibly for the overall win) goes to Specialized, with no fewer than four teams riding the S-Works Tarmac SL9 in the race. As usual, Canyon is also well-represented with three teams, while Cannondale and Factor each have two. There are two Chinese bike brands represented among the wildcard teams, XDS with Laboral Kutxa-Fundacion Euskadi and Winspace with Mayenne Monbana My Pie, who also use its Lun Hyper wheels. Cannondale (EF Education-Oatly, St Michel-Preference Home-Auber93) Canyon (Canyon//SRAM, Fenix-Premier Tech, Movistar) Cervlo (Visma | Lease A Bike) Colnago (UAE LImad) Factor (Human Powered Health, Ma Petite Entreprise) Lapierre (Picnic PostNL) Liv (Liv-AlUla-Jayco) Look (Cofidis) Orbea (Lotto Intermarch) Ridley (Uno-X Mobility) Specialized (AG Insurance-Soudal Team, FDJ United-Suez, SD Worx-Protime, VolkerWessels) Trek (Lidl-Trek) Winspace (Mayenne Monbana My Pie) XDS (Laboral Kutxa-Fundacion Euskadi) Whats new in Women's WorldTour tech?More custom paint SpongeBob SquarePants made an appearance on stages 1 and 2 of this year's tour. Factor There seem to be an ever-increasing number of custom paintjobs appearing at the Tour de France Femmes. Trek rolled out a special-edition Madone SLR 9 for both the Tour the France Femmes and the men's Tour this year and SD Worx-Protime started off on its multi-coloured Tarmac SL9 bikes, although it went back to black once things started to get hilly on Stage 3. Cofidis riders mixed black with the Iconic Prism scheme on their Look 795 Blade RS 3 bikes.But the prize goes to Factor for its SpongeBob SquarePants design for the bikes ridden by two teams, Human Powered Health and Ma Petite Entreprise. It seems to be confined to the One aero bike though, where there's plenty of real estate to colour in. The teams' Ostro VAM lightweight/aero bikes are raced in more conservative colours.A rare Ultegra appearance VolkerWessels is one of two wildcard teams riding Shimano Ultegra at this year's Tour de France Femmes. Pim Waslander/Soccrates/Getty Images All the WorldTour teams are on their brands top-tier groupset, but two of the wildcard teams are using Shimano Ultegra. As we pointed out in our Shimano Ultegra review, its not much of a sacrifice because the internals are the same, Ultegra just weighs a little more than Di2.There's no pro-level 54/40t option for Ultegra chainrings either, but Dura-Ace chainrings are interchangeable.There are eight teams riding with SRAM Red AXS this year, with one on Campagnolo and the rest on Shimano groupsets.Tour de France Femmes 2026 bikesAG Insurance - Soudal Team (AGS) AG Insurance - Soudal riders are on the Specialized Tarmac SL9. Luc Claessen/Getty Images Framesets: Specialized Tarmac SL9 / Shiv (TT) Drivetrain: Shimano Dura-Ace Wheels: Roval Components: Specialized/Roval Pedals: Shimano Dura-Ace Power meter: Shimano Dura-Ace Tyres: Specialized Other: Specialized saddles, Tacx bottle cages, Garmin bike computersCanyon//SRAM (CSR) Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney and her teammates are riding the Canyon Aeroad CFR. Luc Claessen/Getty Images Framesets: Canyon Aeroad CFR / Speedmax CFR (TT) Drivetrain: SRAM Red AXS Wheels: Zipp Components: Canyon Pedals: Time Power meter: SRAM Red AXS Tyres: Schwalbe Other: Ergon saddles, Elite bottle cages, Hammerhead bike computersCofidis Women Team Look's 795 Blade RS has an eye-catching paintjob. Alex Broadway/Getty Images Framesets: Look 795 Blade RS 3 / 796 Monoblade RS (TT) Drivetrain: Campagnolo Super Record 13 Wheels: Campagnolo Components: Look bar/stem Pedals: Look Power meter: Campagnolo Tyres: Vittoria Other: Selle Italia saddles, Elite bottle cages, Wahoo bike computersEF EducationOatly (EFO) EF Education-Oatly and French hopeful Cdrine Kerbaolare riding the Cannondale SuperSix EVO. Pim Waslander/Soccrates/Getty Images Framesets: Cannondale SuperSix EVO / SuperSlice (TT) Drivetrain: SRAM Red AXS Wheels: Vision Components: Cannondale/Vision Pedals: Wahoo Speedplay Power meter: SRAM Red AXS Tyres: Vittoria Other: Prologo saddles, Elite bottle cages, Wahoo bike computersFDJ UnitedSuez (TFS) Demi Vollering's attempt to reclaim her title is powered by the Tarmac SL8. Tim de Waele/Getty Images Framesets: Specialized Tarmac SL8 / Shiv (TT) Drivetrain: Shimano Dura-Ace Wheels: Roval Components: Specialized/Roval Pedals: Shimano Dura-Ace Power meter: Shimano Dura-Ace Tyres: Continental Other: Specialized saddles, Elite bottle cages, Garmin bike computersFenix-Premier Tech (FPC) Fenix-Premier Tech is one of three teams on Canyon bikes. Luc Claessen/Getty Images Framesets: Canyon Aeroad CFR / Speedmax CFR (TT) Drivetrain: Shimano Dura-Ace Wheels: Shimano Dura-Ace Components: Canyon Pedals: Shimano Dura-Ace Power meter: Shimano Dura-Ace Tyres: Pirelli Other: Selle Italia saddles, Elite bottle cages, Wahoo bike computersHuman Powered Health (HPH) SpongeBob popped up on stages one and two. Factor Framesets: Factor One SpongeBob SquarePants / Ostro VAM / Hanzo (TT) Drivetrain: SRAM Red AXS Wheels: Black Inc Components: Black Inc Pedals: Wahoo Speedplay Power meter: SRAM Red AXS Tyres: Vittoria Other: Selle Italia saddles, Black Inc bottle cages, Wahoo bike computersLaboral Kutxa-Fundacion Euskadi Laboral Kutxa-Fundacion Euskadi is targeting a stage win on the X-Lab AD9. Tim de Waele/Getty Images Framesets: X-Lab AD9 / RT9 Drivetrain: Shimano Dura-Ace Wheels: Shimano Components: XDS Pedals: Shimano Dura-Ace Power meter: FSA Powerbox Tyres: Vittoria Other: Prologo saddles, bottle cages, Magene bike computersLidl - Trek (LTK) Lidl Trek riders are on the Madone SLR. Tim de Waele/Getty Images Framesets: Trek Madone SLR / Speed Concept SLR (TT) Drivetrain: SRAM Red AXS Wheels: Bontrager Aeolus Components: Trek Pedals: Shimano Power meter: SRAM Red AXS Tyres: Pirelli Other: Trek saddles, Trek bottle cages, Garmin bike computersLiv-Alula-Jayco (LIV) Liv is looking to build on a single stage win at the 2025 Tour, using the Langma Advanced SL. Tim de Waele/Getty Images Framesets: Liv Langma Advanced SL / EnviLiv Advanced SL / Avow (TT) Drivetrain: Shimano Dura-Ace Wheels: Cadex Components: Giant/Cadex Pedals: Shimano Dura-Ace Power meter: Shimano Dura-Ace Tyres: Cadex Other: Cadex saddles, Giant bottle cages, Giant bike computersLotto Intermarch Ladies The Belgian outfit is riding the Orbea Orca. Luc Claessen/Getty Images Framesets: Orbea Orca Aero / Orca / Ordu (TT) Drivetrain: Shimano Dura-Ace Wheels: Oquo Components: Orbea Pedals: Shimano Power meter: Shimano Dura-Ace Tyres: Vittoria Other: Prologo saddles, Tacx bottle cages, Garmin bike computersMa Petite Entreprise The Factor Ostro VAM has a somewhat more conservative paintjob than the One SpongeBob SquarePants. Tim de Waele/Getty Images Framesets: Factor One SpongeBob SquarePants/ Ostro VAM / Hanzo (TT) Drivetrain: Shimano Dura-Ace Wheels: Black Inc Components: Black Inc Pedals: Look Keo Blade Power meter: Look Keo Power Tyres: Hutchinson Other: Selle Italia saddles, Black Inc bottle cages, Wahoo bike computersMayenne Monbana My Pie Mayenne Monbana My Pie is one of two teams on Chinese bikes. Szymon Gruchalski/Getty Images Framesets: Winspace SLC 5.0 / TT5 (TT) Drivetrain: Shimano Ultegra Wheels: Lun Hyper Components: Winspace Pedals: Favero Assioma Power meter: Favero Assioma Tyres: Hutchinson Other: Prologo saddles, Winspace bottle cages, Wahoo bike computersMovistar Team (MOV) Movistar is another team using the Canyon Aeroad. Tim de Waele/Getty Images Framesets: Canyon Aeroad CFR, Speedmax CFR (TT) Drivetrain: SRAM Red AXS Wheels: Zipp Components: Canyon Pedals: Time Power meter: SRAM Red AXS Tyres: Continental Other: Fizik saddles, Tacx bottle cages, Garmin bike computersSt Michel-Preference Home-Auber93 The French team's riders are on the SuperSix EVO. Alex Broadway/Getty Images Framesets: Cannondale SuperSix Evo / SuperSlice (TT) Drivetrain: SRAM Red AXS Wheels: Mavic Components: Cannondale Pedals: Look Power meter: SRAM Red AXS Tyres: Michelin Other: Prologo saddles, Zefal bottle cages, Wahoo bike computersTeam Picnic PostNL (TPP) British duo Josie Nelson and Pfeiffer Georgi are on Lapierre's Xelius DRS. A.S.O./Gaetan_Flamme Framesets: Lapierre Xelius DRS / Aerostorm DRS (TT) Drivetrain: Shimano Dura-Ace Wheels: Ursus Components: Lapierre Pedals: Shimano Dura-Ace Power meter: Shimano Dura-Ace Tyres: Vittoria Other: Prologo saddles, Elite bottle cages, Wahoo bike computersTeam SD Worx - Protime (SDW) Lorena Wiebes, Lotte Kopecky, Anna van der Breggen and the rest of the SD Worx - Protime team are riding the Tarmac SL8. Tim de Waele/Getty Images Framesets: Specialized Tarmac SL8 / Shiv (TT) Drivetrain: SRAM Red AXS Wheels: Roval Components: Specialized/Roval Pedals: Time Power meter: SRAM Red AXS Tyres: Specialized Other: Specialized saddles, Tacx bottle cages, Garmin bike computersTeam Visma | Lease A Bike (TVL) Defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Prvot and her teammates are on Cervlo bikes. Tim de Waele/Getty Images Framesets: Cervlo S5 / R5 / Soloist / P5 (TT) Drivetrain: SRAM Red AXS Wheels: Reserve Components: Cervlo Pedals: Wahoo Speedplay Power meter: SRAM Red AXS Tyres: Vittoria Other: Prologo saddles, Tacx bottle cages, Garmin bike computersUAE LImad (UAD) Placed third in the 2025 WorldTour rankings, UAE LImad riders are equipped with Colnago's V5Rs and Y1Rs. Tim de Waele/Getty Images Framesets: Colnago V5Rs / Y1Rs / TT1 (TT) Drivetrain: Shimano Dura-Ace Wheels: Enve Components: Colnago/Enve Pedals: Shimano Dura-Ace Power meter: Shimano Dura-Ace Tyres: Continental Other: Fizik saddles, Elite bottle cages, Wahoo bike computersUno-X Mobility (UXM) The Norwegian team uses Ridley bikes. Alex Broadway/Getty Images Framesets: Ridley Noah Fast / Ridley Prototype / Dean Fast (TT) Drivetrain: Shimano Dura-Ace/FSA crankset/CeramicSpeed OSPW Wheels: DT Swiss Components: Ridley Pedals: Shimano Dura-Ace Power meter: FSA Powerbox Tyres: Continental Other: Prologo saddles, Tacx bottle cages, Garmin bike computersVolkerWessels Cycling Team VolkerWessels is another team supplied by Specialized. Luc Claessen/Getty Images Framesets: Specialized Tarmac SL9 / Shiv (TT) Drivetrain: Shimano Ultegra Wheels: FFWD Components: Specialized Pedals: Shimano Ultegra Power meter: Shimano Ultegra Tyres: Schwalbe Other: Specialized saddles, BBB bottle cages, Wahoo bike computers More on the Tour de France Femmes Tour de France Femmes: 8 key questions answered, from race favourites to must-watch stages How much does a Tour de France Femmes bike cost? SpongeBob SquarePants heads to the Tour de France Femmes aboard Factor One road bikes Padded bras cause controversy at Tour de France Femmes ahead of stage four time trial

Tour de France Femmes riders will be subject to breast cup size checks on Tuesday's stage 4 time trial after the UCI jury confirmed that rules around clothing will be enforced due to teams expressing concerns over riders 'faking' breast sizes. Known as 'chest fairing', several teams reached out to e...

When it comes to the Tour de France and pro cycling in general, nobody feels as strongly as I do that the womens races are just as important as the mens. This is why I ignore both equally. Its also why I didnt know about this until someone mentioned it in the comments yesterday:Yes, apparently you can get an aero benefit with the right kind of bra:According toWielerFlits, some teams believe a small number of riders might be wearing extra padding inside their sports bras during time trials to alter the shape of their chest and reduce aerodynamic drag. The practice is prohibited under UCI equipment regulations because it artificially changes a riders body shape.Aerodynamics expertBert Blocken, a professor at Heriot-Watt University in Scotland and LUT University in Finland, told the Dutch outlet that the concept is backed by science.Were talking about a chest fairing, which changes the airflow around the body and reduces pressure on the thighs, Blocken said. You wont gain tens of seconds. But think about a 20- to 30-km time trial can save enough seconds to make the difference.Bu dont worry, because the UCI is on it:By the way, just an editorial note on the HILARIOUS t-shirt:You dont need the for inspections, because its repetitive and redundant.Furthermore, it was only until I read about the chest fairings that I learned the UCI has recently banned jerseys with front pockets:Though Im a little confused by the reasoning:After observing teams using internal front pockets filled with nutrition products to improve aerodynamics, the UCI has decided to prohibit front-mounted pockets altogether starting July 1, 2026.The UCI claims the nutritional products were generally not consumed because they were extremely difficult, or even impossible in race conditions, to access. These pockets result in significant alterations to the riders body shape.The governing body said the practice was supported by aerodynamic studies and raised concerns about both sporting fairness and rider safety, arguing that speed gains can contribute to more severe crashes.Wait. Are they banning front pockets because its too hard to get at your food? Or are they banning front pockets because the speed gains are so tremendous that theyre contributing to more severe crashes? Oh, wait again, I dont carethough it did explain why this never took off:He doesnt seem to be having trouble accessing his food at all.Anyway, while the UCI may be able to get wind-cheating sports bras out of the pro peloton, its only a matter of time before they start turning up in your local mens masters races:There are few things faster than an old Fred in an AeroManzier and a PNS helmet: Does it come in fleshtone?Just make sure youre wearing one of these if you participate in any unfamiliar group rides:You cant be too careful.As for this old Fred, I dont need to worry about PNS protection because I ride alone, and my new granny gear is way more useful than a chest fairing on an incline strewn with Very Small Rocks:Yes, the rain finally stopped yesterday and I managed to squeeze in another quick ride on the Farbman, and while Im very pleased with the new drivetrain configuration, it is causing some tension at home:Thats because this is the point in the season when all my bikes start competing for the position as my Official Summer Vacation Bike, and up until now last years winner was the front-runner once again:Its the obvious choice, because not only did I conceive of the Roadini as my default vacation bike in the first place, but after a year and a half I have it exactly the way I want it:And yet the Farman does present a compelling alternative. In fact another reason I held back on making these changes to it was that I didnt want too much Farman/Roadini overlap, which I knew would lead to fraught decisions just like this one. But while they may be set up somewhat similarly at the moment, the Roadini will always be the more luxurious of the pair thanks to its less racy geometry, ample mounting points, and even ample-er tire clearance:Which is why it can easily assume any number of guises, from sporting to genteel:Oh great, now I want to redo the Roadini, and thats the last thing I need.No, wait, more stuff is the last thing I need:Maybe you can get something and I can live vicariously through you.

When Remco Evenepoel got around to his final training days before the 2026 Tour de France, he was able to see how his numbers stacked up against Jonas Vingegaard's - because his new coach Tim Heemskerk had worked closely with the Dane in previous seasons. The Red bull - BORA Hansgrohe rider put in a...

The transfer market has opened officially this Saturday, 1st of August, and plenty interesting moves have already been made public. On the CyclingUpToDate Podcast, Rben Silva and Gavin Quinn have discussed Netcompany INEOS' loss of Victor Langellotti; Mikel Landa's return to Euskaltel and, amongst...

In 2nd Life Bikes' latest video, Craig Lambard shares a look at the bike hes riding across England. Featuring some custom 3D-printed bits, a rack bag from Wizard Works, and much more, it's a fun look at his bikepacking setup. Watch it below for the full breakdown...The post Packing My Bike for 200 Miles Across England (Video) appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

There is a huge will to broadcast this race from start to finish, we need ASO to put it on, Chennaoui said, after Sigrid Haugsets stage-winning move took place before the TV cameras started rolling

Robert Gesink is a rider that turned pro in 2007 and retired in 2024. Throughout his years in the peloton, he has seen the sport become much clearer, assuring that in a recent interview where he tackled the topic frankly. When I joined the professional peloton, doping was the order of the day, Ge...