Former Giro d'Italia champion Tao Geoghegan Hart is hoping to re-find his winning touch as he leaves Lidl-Trek after three seasons at the team that has seen him struggle to reach his previous heights following a brutal injury suffered in 2023. According to journalist Daniel Benson, Geoghegan Hart wi...

Youve got the gear and done a shakedown trip. Now, youre ready for a proper test of your legs and bikepacking setup. Enter the Olney Overnighter! Youll pass through Ourimbah, []The post Olney Overnighter appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

If you want to win a bike race, you'll need a few things. Good legs, most importantly, but among the rest, good luck also ranks high up the list. Some riders seem to have no end of it, and until a week ago you would probably have counted Tadej Pogaar among them. The UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider was not exactly immune to crashing (remember his broken wrist at Lige-Bastogne-Lige in 2023?), but his Grand Tours have generally been untroubled by major upsets.That run ended last month on stage eight of the Vuelta a Espaa when Pogaar crashed heavily, taken out by a stone while drinking from a bidon on an otherwise innocuous piece of road. The toll was heavy: broken collarbone, concussion, multiple abrasions and a cervical fracture all of which saw him leave the race, and, at the weekend, announce that his season was over.Of course, this isnt the way I wanted my season to finish," said Pogaar in the team announcement. "Right now, the most important thing is to recover properly and give my body the time it needs. It has been a season with many special moments and Im proud of what we achieved together. Now Ill focus on getting healthy, supporting the guys from home, and coming back next year ready for whats ahead.It's an announcement that puts to bed any thoughts of the Slovenian expediting his recovery to line up at the UCI Road World Championships in Montreal, Canada later this month.Let's be clear a great champion having to miss a race through injury never increases its value, it only detracts. There isn't a rider on the Worlds start list (or currently riding the Vuelta), who would wish a bad crash upon Pogaar in order to help their own chances of winning. When Movistar's Enric Mas took over the lead of the Spanish tour after Pogaar's exit, he did so very reluctantly. He would of course have preferred to have earned it fair and square.But bike racing is messy at times, and crashing is part of it. Pogaar's absence has, without a doubt, opened up the Vuelta, and it's opened up the Worlds. There is now a sizeable list of riders feeling as though their chance of securing gold in the men's road race on September 27 has bettered even if it's not a situation they would have chosen beforehand.It's a classic Worlds course. Long (273km long) and attritional, featuring 12 laps of a hilly 13.4km city-centre loop, and a final tally of 3,803m of vertical ascent. Brutal and just the sort of parcours that Tour of Flanders, Il Lombardia, Strade Bianche and Lige-Bastogne-Lige winner Pogaar would have revelled in.But without the big favourite there, we have a phalanx of hopefuls for whom the dream just became a bit more real.At the top of the tree is surely 2023 champion Mathieu van der Poel (Netherlands) who, on a course like this, could have been considered right behind Pogaar on the favourites list. There's also Remco Evenepoel (Belgium), second in the Tour de France this year and another former winner. Then there are wunderkinds Paul Seixas (France) and Isaac Del Toro (Mexico) the latter of whom will be contending for his nation's first ever win in the race. Double Vuelta stage winner Wout van Aert (Belgium) will also be lining up next to his compatriot Evenepoel, while new mountain bike cross-country world champion Tom Pidcock will be hoping to add a second concurrent title to his palmars.Who will win? Who knows. At least not now. Van der Poel and Evenepoel might readily carry the 'favourites' tag with Pogaar out of the picture, but a distance of 270-plus kilometres, plus all that climbing, tends to lead to an all-bets-off kind of scenario. It may even be none of the above, and that is perhaps what is exciting about this year's Worlds there's no clear favourite.As arguably the best rider in the history of bike racing, Pogaar will undoubtedly have his day again next season, and we wish him the best with that. For now though, as he sits this one out, a level of unpredictability has been injected into the race that wasn't there before. Let's enjoy it.

The sight of Jonas Vingegaard on the ground after crashing during the Tour de France was a concerning moment for all. The second favourite for the race broke his collarbone as his Tour dreams ended in the midst of a day the Visma | Lease a Bike rider had shown attacking intent. Virtually sealing the...

Rapha has announced its clothing updates for the cooler weather coming up.There are new pieces in Rapha's Pro Team collection, designed to cope now the summer heatwaves have passed. The Brevet collection also gets some new cooler weather options which incorporate features such as the Air Pockets and reflective dots first seen in the Brevet pieces for warmer weather, launched last May.Together, they cover everything from rain jackets to overshoes. Heres a run-down of Raphas key new product offerings.Rapha Pro Team Thermal Jacket The Pro Team Thermal Jacket is designed for cool, dry conditions. 200 / $290 / 240As its name suggests, this one is for cold conditions. Although since its DWR coated rather than including a membrane, its more suited for dry rides. Theres a mix of two fabrics used, which together offer wind proofing and a close, stretchy fit.Rapha says it includes hi-vis elements, so its good for pre-dawn or post-work training rides. It claims the jacket fills a gap between its lighter-weight Pro Team Midweight jacket and more cold and wet resistant Pro Team Shadow winter jacket.Brevet Gore-Tex Rain Jacket The new Brevet Gore-Tex Rain Jacket is claimed to be ultra-packable. 350 / $540 / 420Rapha claims a mens size M jacket weighs 142g, making this its lightest ever ultra-distance waterproof, which it says can be carried in a jersey pocket.The three-layer ripstop fabric incorporates Gores latest ePE membrane, which replaces the forever chemical-based PFAS membranes formerly used in Gore-Tex jackets. Fully taped seams and a two-way AquaGuard zip are claimed to ensure complete water resistance.Brevet Long Sleeve Merino Jersey III The LS Merino Jersey III includes Rapha's Brevet Air Pockets, designed to be comfortable when loaded up. 195 / $275 / 230As the III in the name suggests, this is an update to a long-running jersey in Raphas Brevet range, which is geared to long-distance riding.Made of a fast-drying mix of merino wool and recycled polyester, Rapha has included its Brevet Air Pockets, first seen in the Brevet Lightweight Jersey III, which suspend the pockets away from the back for increased comfort.Rapha says the jersey is low in weight with a comfortable hand and odour resistance, while reflective dots, again also a feature of the previously released Brevet III pieces, increase low light visibility.Rapha Pro Team Lightweight Cargo Tights A dense weave is claimed to keep the chill off. 215 / $285 / 250Another one designed for cold, dry rides, the Lightweight Cargo Tights are made of a dense fabric that Rapha claims offers wind resistance. With two leg cargo pockets, the bit tights have room for extra food or to stash your cap if you start to warm up later in your ride.Rapha Overshoes Rapha's updated overshoes have a long ankle cuff to keep out the rain. 80 / $120 / 95Winter wouldnt be winter without squeezing into a set of overshoes and Raphas new numbers are made of 2mm neoprene, with a second, hard-wearing fabric layer on the underside to help reduce wear when walking or putting a foot down.Theres a high ankle to help keep rain out, while Rapha says that its overshoes are streamlined, so they shouldnt slow you down.Rapha Bascule Rapha's new Bascule. 50 / 57 / $75Also fresh out of the box are Pro Team Thermal Bib Shorts, a Brevet Lightweight Insulated Jacket and Gilet, Brevet Cargo Winter Tights, winter-weight overshoes, toe covers, reflective oversocks, Pro Team Shadow winter gloves and two Pro Team caps. There is also the new Rapha Bascule, which we imagine is an insulation patch a bit like the Albion Burner.

Oscar onley is taking the Vuelta a Espana in his stride, even if it's done its best to knock him down a peg over the course of the first two weeks. With just six stages to go, the Netcompany INEOS rider finds himself in fifth place in the general classification. The British rider wears the white jer...

Gravel shoes need to combine the on-bike performance of a road shoe with the off-bike abilities of a walking shoe. They need to be stiff yet comfortable, light yet durable, and still provide decent traction for any sections of hike-a-bike (and tricky pub beer gardens).Udog, or Underdog for long, is an Italian brand founded in 2021 that produces a small range of gravel and road cycling shoes. The Forza is its gravel option (with the Distanza being the lace-up version), and it is aimed at the mid-ground between casual and racing use.Design detailsUdogs USP is its Tension Wrap System, a design which uses straps that run underneath the foot and are then part of the lacing system, theoretically providing a more encompassing and secure hold on the foot while also spreading the load.On the Forza, the twist-dial lace system runs through two attachment points on the forefoot, then through the TWS straps and a third point before being tightened by the dial. Operation is simple - one way to tighten, the other to loosen - and the dial is see-through, so you can actually see the small cogs inside.Single dial closure pulls the TWS (Tension Wrap system) around the foot (Image credit: Tim Russon)The upper is made from a knit-style fabric with a huge pull loop on the rear and an equally large toe bumper on the front (that is really an extension of the sole). The padded tongue is attached to the upper on one side to prevent it from moving. Inside the shoe, the heel is lined with a silicone grip material for better heel retention and the basic insole is decorated with an image of a rider.As a gravel shoe, the nylon carbon composite sole unit is compatible with two-bolt SPD cleats and has a grippy rubber outsole that wraps up over the toe section. This gives the shoe a unique, slightly bulbous look, which might prove a bit Marmite. The outsole itself, though, isnt particularly aggressive, and the tread is not very deep, so mud-pluggers need not apply. There arent any bolt holes for toe studs either, further marking the Forza out as a more general option as opposed to a shoe for XC/CX/gravel racers.The knit fabric is very breathable, and the sole wraps up over the toes for protection (Image credit: Tim Russon)It is a unisex design available in whole sizes from EU38 to 48, in black, white or grey (as tested), and my pair of size 44s weighed 754g.PerformanceDespite their slightly ungainly looks, the Forza was instantly comfortable - the combination of soft upper and the TWS made my feet feel enveloped and secure; a bit like wearing a very stiff pair of worn-in slippers. The forefoot was not as wide as the bulbous design suggested, and in fact was probably on the slightly narrow side, which suited me just fine, holding my foot perfectly all round, with a neat feeling belied by the clumpy looks. The toe box does have some depth, but with the wraparound sole and extended protection layer, there is not much scope for give here.The Forzas definitely look different to most gravel shoes (Image credit: Andy Jones)The heel, too, was very secure-feeling and comfortable; the internal silicone dots kept the shoes feeling snug without causing friction or hotspots, whether on or off the bike.Even up here in deepest Yorkshire, the summer test period was dry and dusty, and I was able to put lots of miles in wearing the shoes. In fact, the dustiness highlighted how well-ventilated the mesh fabric is; the forefoot of my once-white socks was peppered with a matching mesh pattern of dirt after each dry ride. Ideal for warm summer rides, but I certainly wouldnt be reaching for the Forzas in sub-zero temperatures!Stiffness and power transfer were spot on too, ideal for enthusiastic-but-not-racing type rides, never feeling wasteful but not as unforgiving as something like Sidis rock-solid Physis. The TWS system was not intrusive but worked well to provide some support around the midfoot whilst allowing other areas of the upper to move, flex, and stretch with the foot rather than holding it rigidly in place throughout. The heel cup and TWS design provided lots of security when climbing (Image credit: Andy Jones)Ultimately, Id always prefer two dials instead of one for greater control and customisation, but in this instance, one dial did the job okay and is about par for the course at the price point.All was not quite perfect, though, as there were a couple of perplexing niggles with the Forzas. Firstly, I had to tighten them up a few times per ride, which was odd, though whenever I made a concerted effort to monitor them and the dial positions, it didnt happen. And secondly, the Shimano SH51 cleats I used wore out very quickly on the Udogs either I got my cleat position entirely wrong, Shimano is now using Cheddar rather than steel, or the rubber grips were so close to the cleats that I was entering the pedals at an odd angle every time. As yet, I dont have the answer.Tread isn't very aggressive, and there could be more room around the cleats (Image credit: Andy Jones)The final oddity is that the heel on the outsole is both a bit narrow and very short, which compromises stability when walking on rough ground. In fact, the rearmost section of the heel cup sits 3cm further back than the rearmost section of the rubber sole, so it is very easy to catch the shoe rather than the sole. Perhaps some of the excessive rubber over the toe box would have been better used further back on the shoe.Value Despite these criticisms, the Forzas were great to use, with a good balance of comfort and performance, and I have had no qualms about reaching for them for every gravel ride recently. The aesthetics might be a bit divisive, but you should be looking at the trail rather than your feet anyway!With a price tag of 175/ $230, Udog are operating in a very competitive arena, but despite the couple of perplexing issues mentioned above (which may not be the shoes fault), I think they are well worth a try. They feel neater in use than they look, and have proved themselves very comfortable no matter how long the ride. Breathability was excellent, and thus far they seem pretty durable.Overall, a good blend of comfort and performance for long rides (Image credit: Andy Jones)Similar in price and design to the Specialized Recon 2 and the Quoc Gran Tourer, but with a knit upper, the Udogs are in the right price range.As ever with footwear, fit is more important than anything else. I had wrongly assumed that the Forzas would be quite wide from their external looks, but in fact the opposite is true, so if your feet err towards the narrower, low-volume end of the spectrum and you want some comfortable, all-day shoes that still provide good performance, then they might be just the ticket.Tech specPrice: 175/ $230Weight: 754g (actual, size EU44)Outsole: Carbon-nylon compositeRetention: Single dial (Twist Tech)Colours: 3 (Grey, Black, White)Sizes: EU38-48

Belgium will head to the World Championships in Montral with one of the most formidable line-ups in the elite men's road race. With Remco Evenepoel and Wout van Aert designated as the team's two leaders, national coach Serge Pauwels knows that managing their respective ambitions could be just as im...

Release of submissions from TDs, councillors, sports clubs, schools and residents associations rejected.Transport Infrastructure Ireland has rejected a request for submissions on the planned Cork Luas tram line and active travel paths to be routed via Bishopstown GAA or Highfield RFC sports grounds, and a cycle route diversion planned to be routed via the religious grounds run by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart on Western Road.Despite Bishopstown GAA, Highfield RFC, and the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart making their feeling against sections of the project as currently proposed public, the transport body claimed that the release of their submissions would be against the public interest.IMAGE: A map of the Emerging Preferred Route, which was subject to a recent public consultation (TII).In May, echolive.ie reported that Bishopstown GAA club vows to fight Luas route to the end', while the Irish Examiner reported in June that Highfield RFC claimed the tram line was an existential threat to its future, and that doesnt just graze our boundaries it cuts through the very heart of our club.In both cases, it is understood that while the Luas and linked active travel route would run through what are now part of the grounds of the sports club and their car parks, their playing pitches would not be affected, although it is claimed by the clubs that it would be unsafe for children to cross the tracks.IMAGE: The draft project route as it passes the sports grounds.Then in July, the Irish Examiner also reported that Fr John Fitzgerald, the director of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in Ireland, said that the proposed cycle path route would be an unfair intrusion on elderly residents of the monasterys infirmary and cause huge health and safety problems for children and older people using the parish centre.Fr Fitzgerald added: We also want to ensure the safety of people using the entrance to our car park, which we feel will be obscured by the cycle path, so that we will have free entry into our own property, plus that we will have access to our sacred space in the Heart Field.The draft project plans show the cycle route diversion skirting the edges of the religious grounds along the River Lee before running along the side of its car park on Western Road.The exact issues the sports clubs and the religious institution have with the project were not detailed in the report, so IrishCycle.com used Freedom of Information Acts and the Access to Information on the Environment Regulations to seek the submissions from the groups as well as politicians and other groups who made submissions related to the sports and religious grounds. IMAGE: The cycle route (shown in light red) skirts along the edge of the religious grounds along the river and then alongside its car park, while the proposed tram route is shown in purple.These requests were rejected by the decision-maker, Andrew Moore, a senior regulatory and administration executive at Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). The decision was made July 31st, and Moore noted that the submissions would be published in September. Because of this, this website did not seek an internal review the start of an appeals process that can typically last over a year.The decision maker in TII said that the confidentiality of the proceedings of public authorities would be affected where such confidentiality is otherwise protected by law (including the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003 with respect to exempt records within the meaning of those Acts);Moore said: As the requested submissions are currently under deliberation by the Luas Cork Team, these records are, therefore, being withheld, in accordance with section 29(1) of the Act, which provides as follows.Section 29(1) outlines: A head may refuse to grant an FOI request (a) if the record concerned contains matter relating to the deliberative processes of an FOI body (including opinions, advice, recommendations, and the results of consultations, considered by the body, the head of the body, or a member of the body or of the staff of the body for the purpose of those processes), and (b) the granting of the request would, in the opinion of the head, by contrary to the public interest,This provision typically protects unfinished documents from release, and even then rulings have shown that it does not include finalised drafts. No records produced or being produced by TII were sought; only final submissions were requested. Moore wrote: In circumstances where a public body considers that the provisions of section 29(1) of the Act apply to a record, the Act requires the public body to consider any public interest in releasing the information. While there is a general public interest in ensuring openness and transparency in the decision-making process and how a public body reaches a decision, the deliberative process of a public body requires that confidentiality should be preserved when this process is ongoing, to avoid contaminating, impairing and, therefore, prejudicing the integrity of the deliberative process involved.It is in the interest of the broader community that such deliberations, while ongoing, are protected and permitted to function, he said.IrishCycle.com did not seek any deliberations by TII, only submissions by groups and politicians.Moore said: Of particular concern here is that the premature release of the information withheld, could interfere with the ability of the Luas Cork Team to deliberate on the submissions received, without undue public interference. It is, therefore, the Decision Makers opinion, that any premature release of this information, is, therefore, contrary to the public interest.In reaching this Decision, the Decision Maker has also noted that a report on the submissions, in addition to the submission records requested, will be published online in September 2026, said Moore.Submissions not releasedAny rejection of a request should include a Schedule of Records, whichis a list of the names of documents which are not being released. In this case, the list includes the names of 22 submissions their inclusion in the list does not mean they objected to or supported any part of the project; submissions can be purely informative.Submissions which were deemed not fit to be released in July include those from Bishopstown GAA, Highfield Rugby Club, Highfield Squash Club, and Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, as well as from Jerry Buttimer TD, Donnchadh Laoghaire TD, Cllr Ciara OConnor, Cllr Albert Deasy, Cllr Colm Kelleher, Cllr Jack White, Cllr Peter Horgan and Senator Laura Harmon.Three schools made submissions Bishopstown Community School, St Catherines National School, and from both the board of management of Coliste an Spioraid Naoimh and the same schools patron and trustees, the Presentation Brothers Schools Trust (PBST).And six residents associations also made submissions Ballineaspig, Firgrove and Westgate Residents Association; Bishopstown Avenue West Residents Group; Glencairn Park & Melbourn Mews Residents Association; Melbourn Residents Association (Bishopstown); Residents Association Bishopstown; and Wilton Avenue, and Upper Bishopscourt and Merlyn Lawn Residents Association.

Georg Zimmermann has officially confirmed the next major step in his career, with the German rider joining Lidl-Trek on a three-year contract. The move had been expected for some time, but the American WorldTeam has now formally announced the arrival of the former German road champion. The 28-year-o...