Benjamn Noval faces one of the key dates of his season this Tuesday at the World Championships in Montral 2026. The Asturian is one of Spains main cards for the junior time trial and features among the contenders for gold over 20.3 kilometres. The Spanish rider arrives in Canada after specifica...

Further to yesterdays post about atonement, it included the following AI-generated image:.People find AI frightening and dystopian, but I think it would be a lot less intimidating if we simply referred to it as Fausse Intelligence.Though no matter what you call it this guy lurking in the crowd is going to haunt my dreams forever:Im pretty sure I met that guy in Portland with Stevil in like 2009.Also haunting my dreams in an Out, damned spot type of way is this faint stain on the bike path, which youll see in the lower right of the photo below:Thats liquid SPOG, and its now been there for nine (9) months, though blizzards, flash floods, heatwaves, and everything else Mother Nature has thrown at it. Here it is from back when it was fresh:And yes, thats the same stain, youre just looking at it from the opposite directionHere is the puncture that caused it:And while the glass that caused that puncture is long gone, fortunately the drunks who hang out on the bike path are constantly replenishing it, and there were plenty of fresh shards as of yesterday:Fortunately, the farther from the city you get the less glass you encounter, though youre increasingly likely to encounter obstructions of the ungulate variety:So it wouldWait for itbe-HOOVE you to be careful.Speaking of SPOG, I eventually sold the PRJCT GRVL bike in April:I enjoyed my time with it, but the Roadini is sufficiently gravel-able for my needs while also being better suited to all the non-gravel (or I suppose technically processed gravel) roads in between, as well as being generally attuned to my mechanical sensibilities:It also has a front derailleur, a component we all know is on borrowed time:Why? Because it creates excessive cognitive load, which is a polite way of saying its too much of a strain on the modern riders feeble intellect:But theres also another advantage. Cognitive load is the unspoken piece that actually created change on gravel, and its not always something people think about. Unlike gravel, on a road ride its easy to look at the cassette, or your computer, and manage what gear you are in. Modern groupsets can also, in theory, handle cross-chaining without too much complaint. That leaves it as merely a question of marginal gains. It might be easy enough to deal with a front chainring but what if you didnt have to? Up or down, easy or hard, thats it. There is no cross-chaining, just decide what change you want at any moment during a ride. Thats an advantage.Oh please. Cognitive load? This is just a load. If you can handle having more than one light switch in your home you can handle front and rear shifting. If we took this same approach to interior lighting youd just have a single dimmer that controlled every light in the entire house. But its not just the high cognitive load tripping the circuit in the modern Freds brain. It also isnt practical:The problem is that accessing those extra gears isnt practical. The first issue is that no one jumps around between the front chainrings to optimize cadence. When you ride a bike, you generally stick to the large chainring and you shift across the cassette. At a certain point, you change from the big front to the small front and you continue the progressionIm sorry WHAT? You dont shift front chainrings to optimize cadence? Of course you do, which is why 1x systems can be so annoying on the road. Heres how it works: you get to a hill, you drop into the little ring, you climb to the top, you shift back up into the big ring. This is way more practical than shifting across an entire 12-cog (or 13, is that where we are now?) cassette. I mean yes, I get that were now in the electronic age, and you can just press and hold your blip like a preschooler smashing the like button on a Baby Shark video, but still, being able to make that jump when you need to is way more efficient than the (LOL) 1.4-watt savings you get from ditching a front derailleur according to the article. Plus, any Fred worth his PNS jersey is using a front derailleur fairing anyway:So wait. A front derailleur adds 1.4 watts, but a front derailleur fairing saves 5.8 watts? If five gets ya ten, tenll get ya twenty. I love Fred math!But objectively speaking hes absolutely right, and the front derailleur is most definitely on borrowed time, because theres no way theyll let something so simple and effective stick around.

The history of the U23 World Championships time trial is full of riders who found in this category the first major showcase of their careers. Since its inception, the event has measured the worlds best young specialists and, in many cases, hinted at who would become benchmarks against the clock. So...

Mountain biker, gravel rider, roadie, alt cyclist, bikepackercycling has a knack for sorting us into increasingly specific groups, each with its own bikes, clothes, rules, and expectations. In this piece, Miles asks where he fits among them and makes the case for being a civilian cyclist and how borrowing a little from each might make us happier...The post Identity Crisis: Are Cycling Labels Holding Us Back? appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Today, Fox Racing is introducing a completely redesigned Jackson Goldstone Signature Collection. The 22-year-old Canadian rider needs no introduction and has proven himself as one of the best downhill racers in the World. In fact, he recently defended his 2025 DH World Championship title, winning again in 2026, earning the coveted rainbow stripes for the second year in a row.Similar to last years Goldstone Signature Collection, the Fall 26 edition features a limited selection of Fox apparel and accessories. This time, however, Fox is calling it Woven By Nature. Fox says, Inspired by the qualities of carbon fiber and the foundational fibers of the forest that honed his natural ability, the JG6 Signature Collection creates a texture thats 100% Jackson. Dynamic, authentic, and infused with the ability to find speed where others dont see it.Compared to the somewhat busy design of last years Goldstone Collection, the new edition is more subdued, with garments and accessories in black with red highlights and gold Fox Head logos. The new collection includes Foxs Flexair Pants, Flexair Long Sleeve Jersey, Flexair Gloves, Vue Goggles, and more, making it possible for diehard fans to get outfitted in a full, matching Goldstone kit.Now you can dress like Jackson, even if you cant ride like himAvailabilityThe Fall 26 Jackson Goldstone Signature Collection is available now. Head to the Fox website to see the entire selection of limited-edition apparel and accessories, check prices, or purchase some fresh threads for fall riding.foxracing.com

Pirellis new Scorpion Gravity range includesnew treads, casings and compounds. The three new tread patterns are called Black Sting, Emperor and Red Claw.There are four casings, which Pirelli says are all eMTB-compatible, and three compounds colour-coded and named after those used by Pirelli in its Formula 1 tyres.Three-time downhill world champion Fabien Barel has had direct input into the development of the new range and says the Scorpion Gravity tyres offer "the kind of confidence you notice within the first few turns".Three tread patterns The three new tread patterns are named after different species of Scorpion. Pirelli The three tread patterns are named after species of scorpion and designed to work best in the terrain native to each animal. The Black Sting is designed for dry hardpack, the Emperor is an all-rounder and the Red Claw works best in loose or muddy conditions, according to Pirelli.The Emperor pattern is designed to replace Pirellis less creatively named RACE M tread pattern and the Red Claw replaces the RACE T.Four casings Four casing options mean riders can choose how much puncture protection they require. Pirelli With four casings on offer, there is plenty of choice, balancing weight and toughness. The casings are designed to work across every type of riding, from trail to downhill, along with enduro and even freeride.The lightest ProWALL casing features sidewall protection and Pirelli claims a weight of 700-900g. Its designed for climbing efficiency without compromising reliability and descending performance.The HardWALL casing has additional reinforcement and Pirelli claims it weighs 900-1,100g. It looks to be aimed at more aggressive trail riders seeking additional reinforcement to protect against pinch-flats.DualWALL is designed for enduro, bike parks and freeriding. Its dual-ply and weighs 1,100-1,300g.The DH+ is a full downhill racing-oriented casing, featuring a tougher dual-ply carcass with additional sidewall and bead reinforcement. Pirelli claims tyres with the DH+ casing weigh from 1,300g to over 1,500g.Motorsport compounds Coloured writing on the sidewall reflects the rubber compound of each tyre. Pirelli Pirelli is the sole tyre provider for F1 and will be for MotoGP too, from 2027. The compound names and colours for the Scorpion MTB range match the F1 compound names and colour-coded sidewall graphics.The hardest compound is the yellow-lettered 'Medium' compound, which is said to balance grip and durability. The intermediate compound is called 'Soft' and comes with red writing on the sidewall. The purple SuperSoft compound is the softest and Pirelli says it offers maximum grip and damping.Pirelli recommends the SuperSoft for the front, but says it can also be used on the rear for racing. Three-time downhill world champion Fabien Barel had a hand in developing the new Scorpion Gravity range. Pirelli The new Pirelli Scorpion Black Sting, Emperor and Red Claw are available now online and through selected bike shops.Prices range from 54.99 to 79.99, depending on spec.

The Elite Men's Elite Road Race is the highlight of the 2026 UCI Road World Championships and takes place this weekend in Montreal, Canada. The circuit follows the same roads used for the 1974 UCI Road World Championships (when Eddy Merckx took the rainbow jersey). Having won the last two editions, there is no Tadej Pogaar after his season-ending crash at Vuelta a Espaa. So the Men's rainbow jersey is set for new shoulders, and the 2023 World Champion Mathieu van der Poel will be amongst the favourites.If you are keen to watch, check out our how-to-watch the UCI Road World Championships 2026 guide. There, you'll find the best viewing options for your territory.However, if you're travelling and already subscribe to a cycling streaming service, the best way to watch continued uninterrupted coverage, as if you were sat at home, is to use a VPN.Grab huge savings on one of the best VPN services from NordVPN.Right now you can save up to 75% across NordVPNs Basic, Complete, and Prime optionsplus get 3 bonus months free with any two-year plan. TechRadar recommends it as the best VPN on the market, and it comes with an unbeatable deal backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.Complete + 3 months free: was $493.83 now $121.23Save 75% At just $4.49 a month, NordVPNs popular 27-month Complete Plan delivers top-tier speed and security and offers the biggest savings at 75% off. The Basic and Prime tiers have 69% off. Nords site includes a handy comparison table to help you pick the right package.Check out thebest VPN packages for you at NordVPN.View DealWhat is a VPN & how does it work? For frequent travellers or holidaymakers, a VPN is a simple piece of software that lets your devices appear to be in your usual location. So wherever you are, you can access your streaming services to enjoy the action at the World Championships. With a two-year plan, you'll be sorted for all the racing action for the rest of the 2026 calendar and more, including the World Gravel Championships that take place in Nannup, Western Australia (October 1011, 2026.If you subscribe to streaming services like HBO Max, Flobikes, Disney+, Netflix, or Peacock, you'll already know that viewing these while travelling can often result in your service being blocked due to geo-restrictions. The best way to negotiate these is by securing a reliable VPN service.DisclaimerWe test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

Remco Evenepoel could hardly have opened his World Championships week more convincingly. The Belgian stormed to a fourth consecutive elite time trial rainbow jersey in Montreal, stopping the clock in 44:53 and putting 57 seconds into Filippo Ganna after 39.2 kilometres. Chris Horner was suitably imp...

Today, Pirelli Cycling is introducing a completely redesigned Scorpion gravity range of tires, covering everything from trail riding to downhill racing. The new lineup includes three all-new tread patterns: Black Sting, Emperor, and Red Claw, and a significant expansion of casing and compound combinations. Along with a revised naming system, this should make it easier for riders to find the tire setup that best suits their riding style, terrain, and preferences.According to Pirelli, the new treads and simplified naming of its Scorpion range make choosing the ideal tires a three-step process. First, choose your tread pattern, each of which is represented by a different scorpion species. Next, choose your casing construction based on the level of support and protection your riding style and terrain demands. Lastly, select your rubber compound to find the ideal balance of grip, efficiency, and durability to suit your needs.New Tread PatternsPirelli says its new Scorpion range was developed specifically for gravity riding with input from its pro riders, including 3x World Champion DH racer Fabien Barel. The lineup includes three all-new tread patterns designed for hardpack, mixed, and loose conditions. Each model has a scorpion-inspired name directly associating the scorpions environment with the conditions for which the tire is intended.Black StingPirelli says this tread was inspired by the lethal and lightning-fast Black Sting scorpions that inhabit deserts and arid environments. This is the brands new pattern for hardpack and/or rocky, dry conditions. It has been designed for riders seeking a fast-rolling tire that prioritizes speed without sacrificing control, and features low-profile, closely packed center and intermediate knobs, along with reinforced shoulder knobs. The fast-rolling Scorpion Black Sting tread pattern.Fast-rolling and responsive, this all-new tread pattern has been developed for riders looking for speed, precision, and responsiveness. Its new design combines low rolling resistance with controlled braking performance, making it particularly suited to hardpack and firm, compact terrain, where stability under high loads and at high speed is essential. Its riding character is solid, direct, and responsive.The Scorpion Black Sting comes in 29 and 27.5 diameters in 2.4 and 2.6 widths. Pirelli recommends it for use as a front and rear set for fast-paced trail riding, or as a rear tire paired with the Scorpion Emperor in the front.Lachlan Blair riding with Pirellis new Black Sting (rear) and Emperor (front) tire combo.EmperorNamed for the Emperor scorpion, which is known for thriving across diverse environments, Pirelli says the Emperor tread is the true all-rounder, and most versatile in the range. Building on the former Race M tread, it features medium-spaced knobs with a balanced pattern between the center and shoulders. It aims to balance rolling efficiency and predictable grip in mixed conditions and on variable surfaces.Designed to perform across mixed terrain and changing trail conditions, it delivers an outstanding balance of traction, control and rolling efficiency. Its riding character is balanced, predictable and versatile, making it the ideal choice for riders looking for one tyre that performs across a broad range of conditions.The Scorpion Emperor is available in 29 and 27.5 diameters in 2.4, 2.5, and 2.6 widths, depending on the casing. Pirelli suggests using the Emperor as a front tire and pairing it with the fast-rolling Black Sting for efficiency, as a rear tire with the aggressive Red Claw up front, or running it front and rear for a balanced all-conditions setup.Jack Moir riding the new Scorpion Emperor front and rear.Red ClawInspired by Red Claw scorpions that live in humid, tropical environments, this tread has been designed to provide traction in soft, loose, and unstable conditions. Based on the brands former Race T tread pattern, the combination of widely spaced knobs and sharp edges is meant to bite deep into soft conditions and self-clean while remaining stable, supportive, and delivering traction while cornering or under braking.Pirellis new Scorpion Red Claw tread pattern.Its tread pattern is widely spaced, featuring sharp-edged, broken-line knobs designed to penetrate deep into loose ground and self-clean at every rotation. Each knob is shaped to bite efficiently into the terrain, maintaining consistent control even in wet, light mud, or unpredictable conditions.The Scorpion Red Claw is available in 27.5 and 29 x 2.4 as well as 29 x 2.5. Designed as an aggressive front tire, Pirelli suggests pairing it with the Scorpion Emperor in the rear or running a complete set when conditions are super loose and unpredictable.Four casing options cover everything from trail riding to World Cup DH.Casing ConstructionsPirelli states that its new platform is an evolution of its four casing constructions, all of which are now eMTB-ready. The lineup provides casing options to meet the support and protection demands of trail, all-mountain, enduro, and downhill riders on analog and electric mountain bikes alike.ProWALL is the lightest casing in the range to feature sidewall protection, with weights under 1,100 g. It is designed for riders looking for responsiveness and climbing efficiency, while maintaining a smooth, precise ride without compromising reliability and confidence on the descents. The ProWALL casing offers lightweight protection for trail to light enduro riding with single-ply 60 tpi construction and sidewall reinforcementHardWALL provides full structural support together with additional reinforcement that helps reduce the risk of pinch flats from hard rim strikes. Weighing between 1,100 and 1,200 g, it has been developed to offer greater stability and impact resistance than ProWALL, while remaining efficient to pedal and responsive even in demanding terrain. The HardWALL casing offers enhanced support and protection for aggressive trail and enduro riding with a single-ply 60 tpi construction and bead-to-bead reinforcement. DualWALL is designed for more aggressive riding, including enduro racing, bike-park riding and freeride, with weights ranging from 1,200 to 1,300 g. Built around a dual- ply construction, it has been engineered to maximise stability, protection and durability in the toughest gravity applications. The DualWall casing steps up to a dual-ply 120 tpi construction with bead-to-bead reinforcement to add stability and protection for enduro racing and/or bike park use.DH+ WALL represents the highest level of protection in the range and is the casing of choice for top-level Downhill racing, with weights ranging from 1,300 to over 1,400 g. It also features a dual-ply construction, but uses even tougher base fabrics than DualWALL, together with additional sidewall and bead reinforcement, engineered to withstand the biggest hits and highest loads of elite DH racing. DH+WALL uses a dual-ply 60tpi construction and bead-to-bead reinforcement to meet the support, durability, and protection demands of elite-level DH racers.Updated rubber compound naming is easy to understand.CompoundsPirellis new Scorpion lineup is available in three rubber compounds with naming that carries over from Pirellis motorsport heritage and aligns more closely with other brands in the bike industry. Now offered in Medium, Soft, and Supersoft compounds, and identified by the color codes of yellow, red, and purple, respectively, it should be much easier to recognize and choose the compound thats right for you.MEDIUM delivers the ideal balance of grip, comfort, and durability, making it a strong choice for riders looking for predictable, long-lasting performance.SOFT has been developed to provide intuitive handling and consistent grip in both dry and wet conditions, without compromising durability. Designed for aggressive riding, it delivers downhill-ready performance while maintaining excellent control and longevity, even under intensive use.SUPERSOFT is the compound engineered for the most demanding conditions, offering the highest levels of grip together with outstanding vibration damping and impact absorption. It provides highly intuitive and confidence-inspiring feedback, allowing experienced riders to push right to the limit. It delivers maximum grip, both in dry and wet conditions, while also offering the highest level of damping. Although ideally suited to front-wheel use, it is equally effective on the rear for racing applications and on particularly technical and demanding terrain.Lots of combinations to choose from.More CombinationsLastly, the new Scorpion range is available in a wider range of casing and compound combinations than before. The expanded options should mean that most riders can find the tire setup that suits their performance needs, while the simplified and more intuitive naming should make it easier to do so. Additionally, all of the new tires are available withyellow or silver hotpatches.Pirelli Scorpion tread, casing, and compound combinations.AvailabilityPirellis new Scorpion gravity tire range officially launches today and is available now. Head to the Pirelli website to see the full range of sizes, available configurations, and tech specs, purchase some fresh tires, or find a dealer near you.pirellicycling.com

Crashing in a worlds isnt real hurt. Ive learnt a lot from my friends like Liam, who went through real stuff, 20-year-old Seth Dunwoody said