Stefan Kng was the standout performer in the time trial on stage 18 of the Vuelta a Espaa 2026. The Swiss rider set the fastest time over 32 kilometers between El Puerto de Santa Mara and Jerez de la Frontera, prevailing on a day made especially demanding by the conditions and the timing in the r...

Gravel is currently the most exciting cycling discipline. Gravel racing has changed rapidly from the realm of plucky amateurs to a full-blown professional racing scene and the tech has evolved to keep pace.The initial crop of specialist gravel race bikes were essentially road race bikes with slightly larger clearance and tweaked geometry. Thats all changed in the last couple of years, with the gravel bikes now offering massive clearance as riders realise that traction, stability and mud clearance are essential for success.At the same time, 32-inch wheels are bubbling under for gravel, as for XC mountain biking. Most brands are approaching 32in cautiously, held back by the lack of component choices, but an increasing number of 32in gravel bikes are being launched.Meanwhile, ultra-distance gravel riders are demanding more capable bikes for long-distance rides and suspension is becoming an important consideration.At present, barely a week goes by without an announcement of a new gravel bike that is lighter, faster or more capable, invariably with larger tyre clearance. Below are five new gravel bikes that have got us excited about the direction of travel in gravel bike design.Scott Addict Gravel Scott's new Addict Gravel is more capable and versatile than ever. Scott Bicycles While many of its competitors have gone aero with their latest gravel bikes, Scott has focused on low weight, shaving 75g off its previous-generation Addict Gravel to reach a claimed 794g for the HMX frameset, with a 7.8kg claimed weight for the top spec in size M.The frame is less stiff, too, which Scott says increases traction, and theres a new cockpit with a forward sweep and drops shaped to fit your palms.Tyre clearance has ballooned to 57mm, and both stack and reach have been increased, paired with shorter stems. Theres greater bottom bracket drop and increased fork rake, although the chainstays remain at a road-bike like 425mm despite the increased clearance. The bottle mounts are positioned on the inner edge of the fork to improve handling. Scott Bicycles Scott has hidden a tool kit under the down tube and more tools in the bar ends, while there are bags to match and fork-leg mounts that dont use the standard positioning and place the load further rearwards for better handling.Theres no 32in wheel version of the Addict Gravel though, despite Robin Gemperle winning this years Unbound XL on a prototype.Factor Elara The Factor Elara is claimed to handle like a road race bike, but on gravel. Factor While Scott hasnt gone aero with its new gravel bike, Factor has with the Elara, which replaces the Ostro Gravel and, Factor says, has aerodynamics on a par with road bikes.Its another gravel bike that can handle 57mm tyres, while keeping short chainstays in this case 423mm. Reach has increased from the Ostro Gravel, but trail has decreased and theres a wide-stance fork akin to that of the Factor One aero road bike. The Elara's fork design is based on that of the One aero road race bike. Factor Despite the clearance, the Elara can still be set up 2x as well as 1x, while in-frame storage helps keep draggy spares out of the way. Black Inc, Factors component brand, has supplied a new cockpit and 64mm-section, 30mm-internal-width wheels to match the Elara.Winspace G5 The Winspace G5 offers an impressive spec for its price. Winspace Winspace is one of a growing number of Chinese bike brands making their presence felt for Western riders. Its G5 aero gravel race bike costs around half as much as established brands offerings. It, too, has in-frame storage and big clearance, bettering Scott and Factor by 1mm at 58mm at the front, although with 53mm at the rear.Winspace says an unpainted size-M frame weighs 950g and a frameset costs only 1,650 / $2,200 / 1,933. You can buy a complete bike with carbon wheels and a Winspace Adventure one-piece carbon cockpit for between $4,799 with GRX RX825 Di2 and $5,999 with Force XPLR AXS. Pay an extra $500 and you can swap in a RockShox Rudy Ultimate XPLR 30mm-travel suspension fork.Mosaic GT i55 32 Mosaic has designed its titanium frame around the 32in wheel size. Mosaic While Scott has shied away from 32in wheels, theyve been embraced by Mosaic Cycles for its titanium gravel bike. Mosaic claims the bike has been designed from the ground up for 32in wheels, whereas it suggests other brands adapt an existing 700c frameset for the larger wheel size.It reckons it has overcome the disadvantages of the larger wheels: higher stack, longer wheelbase, increased toe overlap and longer chainstays. In return, 32in wheels offer potentially better roll-over of rougher trails, greater momentum and increased stability.A new carbon fork helps reduce stack and offers 55mm tyre clearance. A curved seat tube and 3D-printed chainstay yoke help keep chainstay length down to 445mm or less and retain a standard gravel chainline despite using Boost axle spacing.Quirk Kegety The Quirk Kegety includes 3D-printed parts and Columbus steel tubing. John Watson Mosaic says its gravel bike will in future move from custom to small-batch builds, but London-based Quirk Cycles already uses small-batch production with stock geometry for its steel Kegety gravel bike.Made of Columbus Life steel with a 3D-printed head tube, seat cluster and dropouts, its a bike focused squarely on gravel adventure riding and is based on owner Rob Quirks bike designed for the inaugural Silk Road Mountain Race.Theres 50mm tyre clearance, while Quirk fits an ENVE gravel cockpit and fork, with a Chris King headset. It prices the Kegety frameset at 4,999 with full builds from 10,550.

Primoz Roglic moved into second place at the 2026 Vuelta a Espana and kept his pursuit of a record fifth title alive with a strong Stage 18 time trial, although Red Bull BORA hansgrohe admitted they expected to gain more than 33 seconds on race leader Enric Mas. Roglic finished fourth across the...

At the 2026 Vuelta a Espana, the racing does not always end at the finish line. Sprint deviations, dangerous riding, drafting, sticky bottles, illegal feeding and littering can all lead to fines, time penalties, UCI points deductions, yellow cards or relegations once the commissaires have reviewed t...

Jeronimo Cycles has released its first 32 bike. Labeled a downcountry hardtail, the small brand's latest frame features clearance for 32 x 2.4 tires, aggressive geometry, and mounts for all kinds of cargo. Read on for more on this new frameThe post Jeronimo Cycles Lorenzo Ti 32 Hardtail appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Team Visma | Lease a Bike have emphatically dismissed reports that Jonas Vingegaard could reverse his decision to end his season and make a surprise return to racing in October. The Danes name had resurfaced in connection with both the European Championships and Il Lombardia following reports in It...

Previously available only as a custom order, South City Stitchworks in Missouri just added a standard full-length top tube bag in four stock sizes. Check out the South City Stitchworks Full-Distance Top Tube Bags here...The post South City Stitchworks Full-Distance Top Tube Bags, Now in Stock Sizes appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Crashes, illness and injuries can quickly reduce the Vuelta a Espana peloton, with some riders abandoning during a stage and others only ruled out after further assessment once the racing has finished. This live 2026 Vuelta a Espaa Medical Reports and Withdrawals hub will be updated throughout the...

Ten:07 Cycles from Haarlem, the Netherlands, just announced a fresh take on their Unicorn Pony modular mini cargo bike. The new Ten:07 Unicorn Pony Titanium features a quick-release platform and a space-metal construction. Learn more here...The post A Peek at the New Ten:07 Unicorn Pony Titanium appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Oscar Onley emerged from the decisive Stage 18 time trial at the 2026 Vuelta a Espana with renewed confidence in his form and a substantially stronger grip on the white jersey. The Netcompany INEOS leader recorded the 15th-fastest time over the flat 32.1-kilometre course between El Puerto de Santa M...