The Vuelta a Espaa 2026 reaches its final stage with Granada hosting the curtain call, but Alberto Contador is clear that the last day will not necessarily be the traditional parade to the line. The Spanish ex-rider has dissected a route he views as particularly delicate given the nature of the str...

The final lap of stage 21 of the 2026 Vuelta a Espana will have times neutralised as the organisers are set to announce that general classification times will be taken at roughly 10 kilometres to go. After pressure from many riders and teams about the dangers of racing the local Granada city circuit...

The Pas Normal Studios Mechanism Pro bib shorts represent the pinnacle of PNSs best cycling shorts range, utilising the lightest weight and fastest moisture-wicking materials in its range to produce a pair of bib shorts designed for use across high-intensity and hot-weather riding. The material on the straps is incredibly thin and lightweight (Image credit: Future - Andy Turner)Design detailsThe shorts use a structurally mapped, variable 4D-stretch fabric that hugs the body for a second skin feel. This material is incredibly lightweight and wicks moisture quickly for the demands of high-intensity riding or racing, and it's also designed to resist abrasion.The hems feature a woven-in, silicone-free gripper to keep the shorts in place without the risk of irritation. Meanwhile, the straps use a very lightweight mesh structure to support the shoulders while improving breathability. A radio pocket is stitched into the back of the straps. The pad is the four-layer ultralight foam chamois that PNS uses across its range of shorts. It features a variable number of foam layers, with more under the sit bones and fewer as you move outwards. This design avoids bulk around soft tissue areas, while the upper is antibacterial and low-friction to reduce discomfort on longer rides. Five colour options are available, as well as this PAS edition, and sizes span XXS to XXL. The large PAS logos are visible from the side and add to the visibility of the black shorts quite nicely (Image credit: Future - Andy Turner)PerformanceThe Mechanism Pro shorts feel very soft and lightweight. The material is incredibly thin but not see-through, and it feels very soft against the skin. The woven-in grippers keep the shorts in place, impressively given the low compression around the hems. This theme continues up to the bib straps and rear panel, which are again incredibly thin and lightweight but still supportive. Together, these make exceptionally good bib shorts for hotter environments. During peak heatwaves, these are the shorts I reach for when temperatures exceed 35C. They are also a favourite to use on the turbo for higher-intensity sessions thanks to the higher level of moisture wicking.They dont offer the same compression as the Mechanism shorts, but they are still plenty supportive for higher-intensity efforts. Early on in the ride before the salt stains started show through as temperatures peaked at 37C (Image credit: Future - Andy Turner)One area where the shorts can struggle a bit is a side effect of one of their strengths. The shorts have brilliant moisture wicking, which again improves warm-weather performance. However, the moisture transfer makes sweat very visible on longer rides. In the black colourway this is not apparent, but the Iron Grey version suffers in this area quite badly. Im still a big fan of the chamois. The graduated layers of foam padding, based on the amount of support required, mean the pad isn't bulky, but it still provides good cushioning and vibration dampening under the sit bone area. The lower volume around the rest of the pad means that there is no excessive bulk. Meanwhile, the antibacterial upper layer and fast-drying nature of the pad aid performance on longer, hotter rides. Overall, I've used these shorts on rides in exceptionally warm weather for five hours or more. In these scenarios, the shorts performed exceptionally well. Lightweight materials at the rear aid heat transfer nicely (Image credit: Future - Andy Turner)ValueAt 260/ $350, these are certainly a premium-priced pair of bib shorts. Given their high moisture-wicking and performance focus, comparable options include the Rapha Pro Team III shorts (250), Assos Equipe Bolide RSR S11 (295), MAAP Pro Bib 2.0 (260), and Q36.5 Dottore Clima Pro (300). However, outliers such as the Castelli Free Aero Race S (199) undercut those options by a fair amount.The standout performance element of the Mechanism Pro bib shorts is their performance in warmer conditions, as they excel beyond many of the competitors, and the only ones that come close cost a fair chunk more, with the Assos and Q36.5 offerings, plus the Rapha Ghost. However, the shorts dont offer anything particularly exciting compared to something like the Bolide RSR S11, as its pad is truly exceptional, especially in warm weather or in a more aggressive riding position. I also personally do like the greater compression of the standard Mechanism shorts, while they do a better job of not showing sweat in lighter colours.These are certainly a good pair of shorts; they just dont excite me particularly or stand out in the crowd. But at the same time, they are the pair I tend to reach for on hot rides and turbo rides. Tech specPrice:260/ $350Chamois style:RaceStorage:NoneLeg type:ShortsColours:Black (tested), Brown, Grey, Blue, Green, WhiteSizes:XXS, XS,S, M, L, XL, XXL

Tadej Pogacars crash at the Vuelta a Espaa proved far more serious than it first appeared. The Slovenian, who was leading the race, sustained a displaced collarbone fracture and a concussion that forced him to call time on his season. Now, Mauro Gianetti, the UAE Team Emirates-XRG boss, has told...

Follow Stage 21 of the 2026 Vuelta a Espana live as the peloton heads to Granada for the explosive finale of the Spanish Grand Tour. Enric Mas is on the verge of securing the red jersey, but the fight for the final stage victory remains wide open. The riders will tackle a 2.1-kilometre climb at 6.6%...

Wout van Aert will complete the 2026 Vuelta a Espana aboard a one-off green Cervelo after Team Visma | Lease a Bike surprised him with a bike designed to celebrate his unassailable lead in the points classification. The custom machine was unveiled in front of Van Aert and his team-mates ahead of Sun...

Arvid de Kleijn claimed victory at the 2026 GP de Fourmies, launching his sprint with 200 metres remaining to take his second win in the French one-day race. The Tudor Pro Cycling Team sprinter beat Tobias Muller of Unibet Rose Rockets into second place, with Ethan Vernon completing the podium for N...

Primoz Roglic is set to leave the 2026 Vuelta a Espana with the ninth Grand Tour podium of his career, but still sharing the races all-time victory record with Roberto Heras. Red Bull BORA hansgrohe prepared one final attempt to dislodge Enric Mas on stage 20, only for Roglic to lose another 38...

Sakarias Koller Loland claimed only the second professional victory of his career at the 2026 Trofeo Matteotti, beating Ludovico Crescioli and Benoit Cosnefroy after a rapidly changing finale around Pescara. The Uno-X Mobility rider emerged victorious after Romain Gregoire launched the sprint with a...

Excellent frameset with sorted geometry for the beginner and seasoned roadie alike... just ditch the tyres