X-LAB looks ready to move into off-road racing with an impressive-looking XCO machine for the Kazakhstan National team ahead of the Asia Games. View this post on Instagram X-LAB Prototype Mountain BikeA new post shows what appears to be a full-suspension XCO MTB, giving us the clearest look yet at X-LABs move into performance mountain bikes.All X-LAB let out of the box in the post is: A world-class R&D machine never stops moving. Filament by filament, weve put forth a new platform unveiling at the Asian Games. The new X-LAB MTB for the Kazakhstan National MTB Team is finally racing.Looks like well see it on the course at the 20th Asian Games on September 24 and September 25, 2026, at Obata Ryokuchi Park in Nagoya, JapanX-LAB Goes Off-RoadThe interesting part is where this bike could sit in the market. Right now, X-LAB is the brand lots of riders are talking about. They have a very enticing value proposition with super lightweight (and darn good-looking) bikes starting at an actually approachable price.We reviewed the X-LAB GT8 gravel bike earlier this summer, and were pleasantly surprised with the value and ride experience. The bike in question looks to be a full SRAM XX Eagle build, without Flight Attendant. The suspension design is pretty vanilla, but echoes what weve seen from other high-end XC full suspension frames lately. The big test is how the newly minted dealers and the buying public will deem that value.Where From Here?Moving toward the race XC MTB category makes sense for X-LAB, but its a much harder space to play than road. However, it would also give X-LAB another place to use its vertically integrated approach.For now, though, this one stays firmly in spotted territory, but it looks like were gonna know more very soon.

If theres one thing Hope knows how to do, its make already expensive bikes even more blingy with the help of anodised aluminium.While at Sea Otter Europe, we spotted the Lancashire brand has turned its attention to the Brompton G Line.The bike on display at the show in Girona, Spain was dripping in anodised orange components, including several unreleased parts designed specifically for Bromptons gravel-oriented folding bike.Perhaps the biggest upgrade on view was a new 48-tooth Spiderless Chainring, paired with Hopes EVO cranks. The G Line was fitted with a Spiderless Chairing paired with Hope's EVO cranks. Nick Clark / Our Media While the components were in orange, it's likely Hope will offer a range of colours if they make it to market. Nick Clark / Our Media The setup uses Hopes shorter RX axle to achieve the required Q-factor and clearance for Bromptons folding frame.The most exciting additions were the aluminium roller wheels, which enable you to transport your Brompton when its folded.Theyre larger than the stock rollers and use bigger bearings, which should improve durability and help the bike roll over rougher surfaces. The headset is said to be compatible with G Line and T Line models. Nick Clark / Our Media Elsewhere, Hope has developed a new headset compatible with the G Line and T Line, alongside a new singlespeed chain tensioner for G Line bikes equipped with geared hubs. The XCR Pro X2 brakes aren't Brompton-specific. Nick Clark / Our Media Theres also a new machined saddle clamp, while the show bike was loaded with existing Hope components including XCR Pro X2 brakes, 160mm floating Center Lock rotors and a stainless-steel BSA bottom bracket. The chain tensioner adds some colour to a usually dull portion of the bike. Nick Clark / Our Media Hope hasn't confirmed when the Brompton-specific components will go on sale or how much they'll cost. Even the seatpost mount has been re-engineered. Nick Clark / Our Media However, if your G Line simply doesn't contain enough CNC-machined, brightly anodised aluminium already, Hope may soon have the answer. More from Sea Otter Europe Like it or not, 32in-wheel bikes are coming I've seen it with my own eyes Are motorbike brands finally taking mountain biking seriously? Honda and Ducati show off eMTBs at Sea Otter Europe Chinese drivetrain brand Whaleroad reveals 14-speed drivetrain at Sea Otter Europe

Imagine the pitch meeting for the Road World Championships. Once a year, we get the best bike riders to come to a city somewhere in the world, one they may never have been to before let alone to ride a bike in anger and we get them to race over an extraordinarily long distance. They wont be riding for their normal trade teams , of course, that would be silly. Theyll race in national teams, creating some odd mashups and squads with wildly different strengths. The peloton is huge, too, with different countries allowed different numbers of riders. Oh, and of course, there are no race radios, because any kind of organisation would be too normal.It creates a kind of anarchy wherever the Worlds lands. This year, its the turn of Montral in Canada, which is perhaps a bit more familiar due to the mens WorldTour race the Grand Prix de Montral, which takes place on a similar circuit. But nothing can be assumed when the UCIs flagship event rolls into town. The route this year is hard, but not the extreme brutality of Rwanda last season; as a result, the riders that could win it category is pretty wide open, from Isaac del Toro to Wout van Aert for the men, Demi Vollering to Cdrine Kerbaol for the women. There could also be someone no-one has thought of yet in the rainbows by the end.The stage is set for chaotic things to happen, whether thats Magdeleine Vallieres unexpected victory in Canada last year, or Mathieu van der Poels win after he crashed and broke his shoe in Glasgow in 2023. With the junior and under-23 races to come before the elites, too, theres a chance to discover the stars of now and the future, on a grander scale than usual. We might be familiar with the Mont Royal Circuit, but the race really could go any which way, especially as the women will ride 180km, and the men 273km.The mens race this year will be made different by the absence of Tadej Pogaar, and while the worlds best cyclist will be missed, it creates a much more open race. With the Slovenian not able to solo from incredibly far out, will someone try and ape him? Or will there be a group of favourites deep into the race? Will there be a final sprint? Again, until the kilometres are tackled, we wont know.The best women in the world, meanwhile, will be itching to make up for missed opportunities. There is a whole tranche of big names who have never pulled on the rainbow bands: Demi Vollering, Elisa Longo Borghini and Kasia Niewiadoma to name three, who have finished in the top 10 four, seven and six times, respectively. There are only so many chances to win the Worlds, and it would be career-defining for whoever wins it. Im looking forward to all of the road races, and my secret hope is that both the elite mens and womens events produce new winners I like seeing someone different in the rainbow bands. And, whatever happens, the anarchy should make for excellent entertainment. This piece is part of The Leadout, the offering of newsletters from Cycling Weekly and Cyclingnews. To get this in your inbox, subscribe here.If you want to get in touch with Adam, email adam.becket@futurenet.com.

Juan Sebastian Molano sprinted to victory on the opening stage of the 2026 CRO Race, beating defending Stage 1 winner Paul Magnier after a late two-man attack was finally shut down inside the final 500 metres in Seget Donji. The UAE Team Emirates - XRG sprinter took his second career CRO Race stage...

Cannondale has a new gravel film series out, and this one is more about the riders than the bikes.Beyond the Blur follows Mason, Sam, Blake, and Nathan as they prepare for the Unbound Gravel 200 in Kansas. The first episode is just over three minutes long and sets up the larger story: four riders heading toward the same 200-mile race for very different reasons.Sometimes you have to train in adverse conditions to be mentally prepped. (Photo/Cannondale)Training is part of it, but the series also gets into mental health, parenting, identity, and the role riding plays in each persons life. Unbound might be the finish line, but the bigger focus is everything that happens before they get there.Four Riders, Four ReasonsThe four riders inBeyond the Blurhave four very different reasons for the race. Thats what makes it different from the usual race-prep series, and refreshingly relatable.The riders are not framed as four versions of the same endurance athlete chasing one result. Each has a different reason for committing to the race. Episode 1 starts digging into what keeps them riding when work, family, stress, and training all compete for their time.A 200-mile gravel race will expose not only fitness, but a bad bike fit pretty quickly, so its best to get it dialed before training. (Photo/Cannondale) The Road to KansasWill the riders reach the finish line at Unbound 200only time will tell over the six-part series, but its a quick 3-min watch. Plus, it will inspire you to get out and ride, no matter what the conditions or time available.(Photo/Cannondale)Beyond the Blur | Ep.01 | Cannondale Gravel is available now on Cannondales YouTube channel. (Or you can watch it above)

When one cycling season ends, that means one thing: Getting your bike ready for the following season. It may seem counterintuitive, but the more you can do now, the more you can extend the bikes peak performance (and the faster you can hit the trails next year when that first nice day hits). Keep a few maintenance tips in mind before hanging up your ride for the off-season ahead.This edition of Tech Tuesday covers 10 key preventative steps to take before storing your bike, starting with the major wear items. Park Tools Truman Purdy details everything from inspecting components (notably the chain, cassette, chainring, brake pads, and tires) to cleaning and lubrication musts, plus how and where to hang your bike.Follow the tips so you know what to do if you notice chain elongation. Or how to maintain tubeless setups and storing suspension components upside down. And dont forget brake care, plus the considerations for electronic components, with smart recommendations for security, plus overlooked adjustments needed for cold (and high-moisture) climates.This article is sponsored by Park Tool.

Australian rider Cameron Rogers has said that cycling is "brutal" after he suffered a race-changing mechanical during the under-23 time trial at the UCI Road World Championships in Montral.The misfortunate incident for the 21-year-old happened early in his effort on Monday, and presaged an angry outburst, which was captured on camera. According to his maths, he would have ended up on the podium had he not had the mechanical, although this is impossible to ratify. Ryan Gal of the Netherlands was a surprise winner, winning in 37:26 over the 31.3km course, 3:24 ahead of Rogers.Rogers' chain dropped off his chainring, leading to minutes on the roadside as a mechanic tried to get his bike going again. As a result, he slammed his saddle and shouted "f*cking piece of sh!t" as his chances of a competitive time went up in smoke. He ended up having to finish on a road bike at one of the biggest events of his season.Posting on Instagram on Tuesday, he said: "This sport is brutal. 3:17 - lost time spent standing still. 3:24 - time from the winner.He said the facts of the incident were: "9.9km into the race, I lost my chain. It came off outside the chain guard, meaning the guard had to be removed with a tool before I could get going again."My derailleur had bent into the wheel and had to be bent back," he continued. "The damage put the derailleur into crash mode, leaving me unable to shift for the remaining 21.4km. I was stuck in my biggest gear: 66x11. With 3km to go, I was forced to switch to my road bike to make it to the finish.""It took everything not to throw it all away and get in the car," Rogers wrote. "But Im glad I didnt because afterwards I could look at the numbers and put the race into perspective. Despite everything that happened it showed me that it was possible, just wasnt meant to be yesterday."I want to thank everyone who helped get me here and gave me the opportunity to stand on that start line in the best possible shape. To Netcompany-Ineos, AusCycling, Boy Sanders, Simon Watts, Dario Cioni and everyone behind the scenes who has supported the work that went into this, thank you."Yesterday wasnt the result we came for, but Im proud that I kept racing through it. Theres more to come."A post shared by TNT Sports Cycling (@tntsportscycling)A photo posted by

Riding the biggest climbs can be made a little easier if you follow this handy advice...

Filippo Ganna bounced back from defeat to Remco Evenepoel in the individual time trial as Italy powered to victory in the Mixed Relay Team Time Trial at the 2026 UCI Road World Championships in Montreal. Ganna, Mattia Cattaneo and Matteo Sobrero laid the foundations with the fastest men's section of...

After a decade of riding nearly 100,000 kilometers around the globe, Tristan Ridley's latest video explores a paradox: the closer he gets to his ambitious goal, the less certain he feels. Watch the thoughtful eight-minute video here...The post The Problem with Achieving Your Dreams (Video) appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.