Mavic has a new Comete Ultimate helmet, and this time around, the iconic French brand is putting aerodynamics front and center. Mavic says its newest aero helmet saves 9 watts, thanks to a slippery design and small raised sections they call AeroFlow disruptors. (All Photos/Mavic)Mavic Comete Ultimate Whats New?The new helmet is Mavics fastest road helmet to date, developed using a mix of CFD and wind-tunnel testing against a selection of current WorldTour-level helmets. But rather than building something that only tests well with a rider locked into a deep aero position, Mavic says much of the work went into making the Comete Ultimate fast across the positions riders actually use on the road.That means sitting up, climbing, attacking, and occasionally remembering that your elbows are supposed to bend.And Mavic is putting some fairly big numbers behind it.Mavic Says the Comete Ultimate Saves 9 Watts UprightMavic tested the helmet at 50km/h in both upright and aero riding positions, with yaw angles of 0, 10, and 20 degrees.In the upright position, Mavic claims the Comete Ultimate averaged a 9-watt advantage over the helmets included in its testing. In an aero position, Mavic says it was up to 7.5 watts faster than the next-best helmet and 15 watts faster than the test-group average. Those numbers come from Mavics own testing, so keep that in mind. The company also hasnt named every helmet used for comparison.Still, the upright number is probably the more interesting one.Aero road helmets can put up impressive numbers when everything is perfectly positioned, but road racing rarely works that way. Riders move around. They look up the road, sit tall on climbs, attack, eat, drink, and generally spend plenty of time outside the ideal wind-tunnel-TT position.Mavic says that broader focus could save around 11 seconds over a 50km race, based on a scenario where a rider spends 80% of the event upright at 300 watts and 20% in an aero position at 400 watts.What Are Those Bumps?Look closely at the shell, and youll notice the Comete Ultimate isnt completely smooth. Mavic calls the small raised sections AeroFlow disruptors, and theyre there to manipulate the airflow moving across the helmet.The idea is to energize the air before it separates from the shell, helping it stay attached longer and reducing the low-pressure wake behind the riders head. Mavic says the AeroFlow treatment alone can cut drag by up to 5 watts, and its not much of a visual penalty. Sometimes perfectly smooth surfaces arent the quickest, and sometimes it takes a reminder. Mavic says development included more than 750 hours of CFD work, including 108 hours specifically dedicated to optimization. That was followed by 25 hours of testing in the HEPIA wind tunnel in Geneva.Aero Helmet, Actual VentsThe challenge with making a fast helmet is keeping the rider underneath it from cooking while keeping airflow circulating. Mavics answer is its new AirChannel system.Large openings at the front feed air through internal channels before pushing it out through the rear of the helmet. Mavic says it developed both the helmets updated shape and the AirChannel system together.What about padding? Inside, Mavic uses Mips Air Node Pro paired with Coolmax padding. According to Mavic, the updated padding dries 23% faster than the previous Mips Air Node material. Sweat channels also direct moisture away from the forehead and, ideally, keep it out of your eyes. Hopefully it holds that sweat instead of channeling it down the forehead like some popular helmets. Mavics RS360 retention system handles the fit, wrapping around the entire head instead of simply pulling from the rear. The goal is more even pressure and better stability without overtightening the retention dial. The new Mavic Comete Ultimate also has an eyewear garage for stashing glasses, and were glad to see it back in vogue. (Photo/Mavic)Slightly Heavier Than Its Predecessor The Comete Ultimate comes in at a claimed 300g for a size medium. That puts it roughly 40g heavier than the outgoing Comete Ultimate 2 MIPS in the same size.The extra weight appears to be the trade-off for the new aero profile, internal channeling, retention system, and MIPS protection. Mavic Comete Ultimate DetailsThe new Comete Ultimate is available in three sizes:Small: 51-56cmMedium: 55-59cmLarge: 58-61cmClaimed weight: 300g, size mediumPrice: 239, $300 USDColor options include matte black, matte white, and matte grey.Mavic.com

Its not about pitting one mode of travel against another. No one is declaring war on this or that. And you definitely wont find me leading a charge of the Lycra brigade. I simply want to give people greater choice in their lives, Heidi Alexander said

A man in his 80s remains seriously injured in hospital after a collision involving a car driver in Clifden, Co Galway on Monday.A spokesperson for the Garda Press Office said: Garda are appealing for witnesses following a serious injury road traffic collision that occurred on the R341 Ballyconneely Road in Clifden, Co Galway on Monday 21st September 2026.The collision involving a car and a bicycle occurred at approximately 2:40pm, the spokesperson said.Garda said that the man in his 80s was brought by ambulance to University Hospital Galway for treatment of serious injuries. They said that he remains in a critical condition and that no other injuries were reported at the time of the collision.Garda are seeking anyone who witnessed the collision to contact them.A Garda spokesperson added: Road users who may have camera footage, including dash-cam, and were travelling in the area of the R341 between Ballyconneely and Roundstone between 2:15pm and 3:00pm on Monday 21st September 2026, are asked to make this available to investigating Garda.Anyone with information or footage is asked to contact Clifden Garda Station on 095 22500, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.

Shortly after launching our completely redesigned Bikepacking Routes map, weve already rolled out a host of improvements inspired directly by feedback from Bikepacking Collective members. The biggest is a new "Ideal Time to Ride" filter, backed by updated data across 550 route guides, making it easier than ever to find the right route for any time of year. Learn about all the updates here...The post Where Should You Ride This Fall? A Big Update to Our New Routes Map Can Help You Decide appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Continental has added a 32mm version of the Grand Prix, joining the existing 28mm and 30mm sizes ahead of shoulder season.The Grand Prix sits below the GP5000 family as Continentals more durability-focused road option, but it still borrows some key tech from the faster tires. Think of it as the classic Im not racing, but I still want to go fast tire: something for long miles, rough pavement, and days when the weather is less than ideal.(All Photos/Continental)Grand Prix vs. GP5000The Grand Prix still uses Continentals BlackChili Compound, but it pairs that rubber with a tougher 3-ply construction rather than the lighter, more race-focused casing and Vectran protection found on the GP5000 line.The result is a tire aimed more at daily miles and endurance riding than outright race-day speed. You still get the grip and low rolling resistance Continental is known for, but with more emphasis on durability and puncture protection.Why A 32mm Grand Prix?A 32mm road tire would have looked oversized not that long ago. Now it is pretty normal.Wider rims, bigger frame clearance, and lower tire pressures have pushed 30mm and 32mm tires into the mainstream. These will be a big hit for riders spending a lot of time on less-than-pristine pavement.The extra volume gives riders more room to lower pressure, improving comfort and grip without sacrificing much speed on real-world roads. It also makes the new Grand Prix a natural fit for endurance bikes, winter setups, and anyone who wants a little more cushion without crossing over into gravel tire territory.For the Grand Prix, 32mm feels like the obvious missing size; the new 32mm Grand Prix is available now through selected retailers.continental-tires.com

Specialized has launched the new S-Works Tarmac SL9 Remco LTD, a special version of its flagship race bike in tribute to Remco Evenepoel, limited to only 100 examples worldwide.Priced at 12,999 / $14,999 / 14,999 / AU$21,500, the Remco LTD is the most expensive Tarmac SL9 the top-spec S-Works Tarmac SL9 SRAM Red AXS costs 11,999 in the UK and $14,000 in the US.The bike includes Remco Evenepoels gold-imbued paint scheme, a reference to the Belgians Olympic road race champion status, Roval's Rapide Sprint CLX wheels, Specialized's Cotton TLR tyres and an S-Works Power with Mirror saddle. Remco Evenepoel has been riding a special gold colourway of the Tarmac SL9 since it launched. Maximilian Fries / Red Bull Content Pool The bike comes hot on the heels of Evenepoel winning the elite men's individual time trial world championship in Montral at the weekend, taking his fourth consecutive world title in the discipline.He now turns his attention to the elite men's road race this Sunday, where he is among the favourites for the rainbow jersey. We spotted the bike at the 2026 Tour de France Grand Dpart, albeit with a few extra gold adornments. Our Media The bike itself is based on the S-Works Tarmac SL9 launched earlier this year. For the Remco LTD, Specialized has taken the Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe team's Motion + Emotion bike design used during the 2026 season and added gold detailing.The paintjob splits the frame, with a deep gold front end transitioning into the team's now-familiar white rear section. The frame of the limited-edition bike is identical to Evenepoel's. Specialized As with other S-Works-spec Tarmac SL9s, the frame and fork use Specialized's top-spec Fact 12r carbon. The drivetrain is SRAM's Red AXS 12-speed groupset, the same as used by Evenepoel and the Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe team, complete with dual-sided power meter and 50/37-tooth chainrings.The bike rolls on Roval Rapide Sprint CLX carbon wheels, with offset 63mm-deep front and 58mm-deep rear rims, fitted with 30mm Specialized Cotton TLR tyres. The drivetrain is near-standard, missing the gold chain (and gold-bottomed saddle) of Evenepoel's Tour bike. That said, the race-spec SRAM cranks are included. Specialized At the front is Roval's Rapide integrated bar and stem, while contact points are completed by an S-Works Power with Mirror saddle.Specialized says the complete bike weighs 6.78kg in a size 56cm.The S-Works Tarmac SL9 Remco LTD is available to buy through Specializeds website and Specialized stores likely for a very limited period of time.Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL9 Remco LTD specification The S-Works Tarmac SL9 Remco LTD is priced at 12,999 / $14,999 / 14,999 / AU$21,500. Specialized Frame: S-Works Tarmac SL9 FACT 12r Carbon Fork: S-Works FACT 12r Carbon Groupset: SRAM Red AXS Crankset: SRAM Red AXS with Quarq power meter, 50/37t Cassette: SRAM Red XG-1290, 10-36t Bottom bracket: CeramicSpeed BB Alpha, BSA DUB Wheels: Roval Rapide Sprint CLX, tubeless Tyres: Specialized Cotton TLR, 30mm Cockpit: Roval Rapide, carbon Saddle: S-Works Power with Mirror Seatpost: S-Works Rapide Post, FACT Carbon, 15mm offset Weight: 6.78kg, size 56cm (claimed) Price: 12,999 / $14,999 / 14,999 / AU$21,500

Major outdoor retailer Backcountry today announced its acquisition of Velofix, a mobile bike shop network operating across the United States and Canada. Backcountry plans to integrate the network into its bike assembly and delivery operations, helping bridge the gap between a boxed bicycle arriving at a customers door and getting them ready to ride.Velofixs 96 certified technicians or bike mechanics work out of fully equipped vans, bringing the repair shop to customers front doors. "A rider in Boulder or Boston can order a bike from us and have a Velofix technician build it, tune it, and hand it over ready to ride," said Kevin Lenau, Backcountrys president.The transaction closed Sept. 17. Financial terms were not disclosed.The deal follows a series of acquisitions since CSC Generation bought Backcountry in September 2024. Backcountry added Utah-based Level Nine Sports in July 2025, then acquired Velotech, the parent company of BikeTiresDirect, Western Bikeworks and TriSports, later that year. With Competitive Cyclist already in the portfolio, Backcountry is assembling quite a collection of cycling businesses.Outside cycling, Backcountry acquired outdoor apparel and gear brand Coalatree in April 2026. It also launched Backcountry Garage, an incubator intended to help outdoor brands grow through access to its resources, expertise and distribution.Backcountry says it plans to expand Velofixs services but hasnt detailed those additions. It also hasn't yet revealed when it will integrate the mobile network into its operations.

Mathieu van der Poel has arrived in Montreal for Sundays elite mens World Championships road race, just two days after completing his final preparation in Europe with a remarkable 174-kilometre solo victory at the Tour de Luxembourg. The Dutchman travelled to Canada on Tuesday, only five days befo...

Italy won the mixed relay team time trial at the UCI Road World Championships in Montral on Tuesday 22 September, beating France by 8.63 seconds over 40.6km.Filippo Ganna, Mattia Cattaneo and Matteo Sobrero rode the mens leg before handing over to Elisa Longo Borghini, Vittoria Guazzini and Monica Trinca Colonel, the Italians finishing in 51:32.28 at an average of 47.266km/h. France took silver with Bruno Armirail, Remi Cavagna, Jordan Labrosse, then Juliette Berthet, Marion Borras, Cedrine Kerbaol.Switzerland were third at 19.90 seconds, with Australia fourth at 40.48 and Germany fifth. Fifteen teams started after Ukraine withdrew.Several of the medallists had already raced the individual time trials this week. Ganna took silver behind Remco Evenepoel in the mens elite event on Sunday, when Longo Borghini was fourth in the womens race, Kerbaol fifth and Guazzini tenth.Ireland did not enter the relay. Freddie Winkley, Rian McCrystal and Emer Heverin ride the junior time trials later on Tuesday.ResultTTTResult Mixed Relay Team Time TrialTue 22 September 2026 Montral 40.6km 15 teams1ITALYITA 47.266 km/h 51:32.282FRANCEFRA 47.135 km/h +8.633SWITZERLANDSUI 46.964 km/h +19.904AUSTRALIAAUS 46.655 km/h+40.485GERMANYGER 46.533 km/h+48.746SPAINESP 46.209 km/h+1:10.777NORWAYNOR 45.652 km/h+1:49.308POLANDPOL 45.651 km/h+1:49.389CANADACAN 45.392 km/h+2:07.6810ESTONIAEST 44.316 km/h+3:25.8711CHINACHN 42.979 km/h+5:08.4212MAURITIUSMRI 42.535 km/h+5:43.9713WORLD CYCLING CENTREWCC 42.494 km/h+5:47.2414MEXICOMEX 42.220 km/h+6:09.5615JAPANJPN 41.818 km/h+6:42.85Medal-Winning TeamsITA Italy 51:32.28 47.266 km/h31Mattia CATTANEOmen32Filippo GANNAmen33Matteo SOBREROmen34Vittoria GUAZZINIwomen35Elisa LONGO BORGHINIwomen36Monica TRINCA COLONELwomenFRA France 51:40.91 47.135 km/h11Bruno ARMIRAILmen12Remi CAVAGNAmen13Jordan LABROSSEmen14Juliette BERTHETwomen15Marion BORRASwomen16Cedrine KERBAOLwomenSUI Switzerland 51:52.18 46.964 km/h21Stefan BISSEGGERmen22Stefan KUNGmen23Mauro SCHMIDmen24Jasmin LIECHTIwomen25Marlen REUSSERwomen26Noemi RUEGGwomenPhotosPhotography by B Sutton IrishCyclingNews.comThe post Ganna and Longo Borghini Power Italy to Mixed Relay Gold Road Worlds 2026 appeared first on IrishCyclingNews.com | Irish Cycling News | IrishCycling.

We recently ran a poll that asked a simple question: Chamois or No Chamois? With well over 1,000 responses, we now know where our audience stands on padded cycling shorts. For more on the results, dig in below...The post Chamois or Not? The Results Are In appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.