UAE Team Emirates-XRG have moved to secure another substantial part of their squad for the coming seasons, announcing six contract renewals including several riders who have played important roles around Tadej Pogacar. Vegard Stake Laengen will continue through to the end of 2027, Felix Grossschartn...

Callum is back with another instance of e-bike misidentification to stoke the fire of the weekday live blog

Jonas Vingegaard is said to be doing well as he continues rebuilding towards 2027 following the Tour de France crash that brought his season to an early end. More than two months have now passed since the Team Visma | Lease a Bike leader fractured his collarbone on stage 15 of the Tour, ending his r...

Yesterday, on the official first day of fall, Castelli introduced three new jackets for riding in the cool temperatures and/or inclement weather that lie ahead. Building on the success of the Perfetto RoS 3, the new Perfetto 4, Perfetto Pro, and Gabba Pro are the next generation of jackets to feature the revolutionary Polartec AirCore fabric. Introduced last year, AirCore was developed in partnership with Polartec and is exclusive to Castelli (and sister company Sportful).Now, Castelli is incorporating this lightweight, breathable, windproof, and water-repellent fabric into three new jackets. The Perfetto 4 (mens and womens) adds more loft and insulation for everyday riders. The Perfetto Pro (mens only) takes a more streamlined, race-ready approach. And the Gabba Pro (mens only) introduces AirCore into the iconic, race-ready Gabba range. Lets check them out.Castelli Perfetto 4The Perfetto 4 comes in mens and womens versions.With the 4th generation of the Perfetto, Castelli chose to split it into two distinct models: the Perfetto 4 and the racier Perfetto Pro. According to the brand, rider feedback suggested that the Perfetto RoS 3 was lighter and therefore less warm than previous versions. Taking this into account, they introduced a new 219g AirCore fabric to give the Perfetto 4 more loft and insulation, which gives it a recommended temperature range of 4-12C / 39-53F.That AirCore fabric is PFAS-free with a semi-air-permeable membrane, and it reportedly breathes so well that Castelli removed the zippered vents found on the previous version. The tailored fit includes a redesigned splash tail to protect against road spray, along with metal drainage holes in the rear pockets. The Perfettos recognizable shoulder taping has also been updated, with the transparent chameleon tape providing a similar but fresh look.Fit: TailoredWeight: 286g (mens), 239g (womens)Sizes: XS-3XL (mens), XS-XL (womens)Colors: Black, Brilliant Orange, Steel Fade, and Twilight Blue (mens) and Black, Hibiscus, and Twilight Blue (womens)Recommended Temp. Range: 4-12C / 39-53FRRP 260 | $330 | 280Castelli Perfetto ProThe Perfetto Pro has a race-inspired fit and weight.The Pro version reimagines the Perfetto as a more streamlined, minimalist race piece with more of an emphasis on maximizing breathability and stretch. Its made with a 150g AirCore fabric, which delivers an optimal balance of breathability, stretch and protection for riders operating at higher speeds and sustained intensity. Castelli says the Soudal Quick-Step team has been using it since the start of the season.According to the brand, the Perfetto Pros lighter AirCore fabric has a temperature sweet spot of 6-14C / 42-57F, while fending off light showers and road spray. Transparent tape on the shoulder seams adds reinforcement and targeted rain protection without adding bulk. The two-way zipper allows you to dump heat on your terms, while the splash tail and floating pocket design have been refined from the Gabba R.Fit: RaceWeight: 226g (mens only)Sizes: XS-3XLColors: Belgian Blue, Black, Electric Lime, and ShadowRecommended Temp. Range: 6-14C / 42-57FRRP 280 | $350 | 300Castelli Gabba ProThe Gabba Pro has short sleeves.With the Gabba Pro, Castelli essentially took the same 150g AirCore fabric and body-hugging fit as the Perfetto Pro and made it into a short-sleeved jacket. As such, it looks nearly identical to the Perfetto Pro, but has short sleeves and only comes in Black or a Black Race Edition with pro racer-inspired logos. The Gabba Pro is only available online.Fit: RaceWeight: 196g (mens only)Sizes: XS-3XLColors: Black and Black Race EditionRecommended Temp. Range: 6-14C / 42-57FRRP 260 | $320 | 230Availability: Online exclusiveIts always an exciting moment introducing a new Gabba into the range, as its a jacket that revolutionized the cycling apparel market in the same way AirCore transformed how modern cyclists dress for colder conditions. This, and the Perfetto Pro, are jackets you want to wear when you need breathability, mobility, and a competitive edge, while the Perfetto 4 is everything you loved about our previous Perfettos, but taken to the next level. All three jackets provide excellent warmth, breathability, and protection against intermittent showers, but if torrential rain is forecast, wed recommend the Gabba R for complete waterproof coverage.-Steve Smith, Castelli Global Brand ManagerPolartec AirCoreHeres a quick refresher on Polartec AirCore. The AirCore fabric was co-developed by Castelli and Polartec. It is engineered from recycled polyester yarns with the goal of creating a tight membrane that blocks the elements but still allows air permeability. In the development process, breathability was prioritized over water-repellency. This is because they believe getting wet from sweat inside a jacket is just as problematic as getting wet from the rain.According to Castelli, AirCore was engineered to be both essentially windproof and waterproof. It blocks the majority of wind, but lets a nearly imperceptible amount of air in permeability is claimed at 0.7 cubic feet per minute. The hydrostatic pressure test score of 5,000 mm means that it is highly water-resistant essentially waterproof too.According to Castelli, AirCore actively ventilates sweat away from riders bodies using the natural power of airflow, creating a microclimate that keeps the core stable and performance high, even during the most intense rides.In the cycling industry, Castelli and its sister brand Sportful have exclusive rights to the use of Polartec AirCore fabrics. Were told that numerous other outdoor clothing brands will be utilizing AirCore technology and fabrics this winter.AvailabilityThe new Perfetto 4, Perfetto Pro, and Gabba Pro jackets made with Polartec AirCore fabrics are available now.Head to the Castelli website to learn more or find a dealer near you.castelli-cycling.com

Sidi has announced the Prima 2 shoes for men and women cyclists, which it says are designed for effortless and efficient daily rides, with a design it claims is simple to use, comfortable and performant.The Prima 2 is the most affordable road cycling shoe in Sidis 2027 range, with uppers made of microfibre, which Sidi says is durable and comfortable.The uppers are paired with a 3D-mesh tongue for breathability and use Sidis Nuun 002M single-dial closure, with a flip-up adjustment lever. The Prima 2 uses a single Nuun dial closure. On the base, the nylon composite sole has a non-floating three-bolt drilling. This ensures simplicity, but may compromise cleat adjustability with Shimanos latest SPD-SLR pedal system. The nylon composite sole has fixed drillings and includes a replaceable heel piece. The sole is rated by Sidi at stiffness index 5 and is paired with a cushioning insole. Sidi positions the shoes fit as closer to recreational than performance, suggesting there should be a reasonable amount of wiggle room.It says the shoe components, such as the heel cleat and Nuun dial, are replaceable, increasing the shoes longevity. Women's shoe colours include this mulled grape option. The Sidi Prima 2 shoes are priced at 140 / $200 / 159 and come in mens sizes 38 to 50, with half sizes from 40.5 to 46.5. Theres a range of four colours for men: blue, cream, black and grey.Prima 2 Woman shoes are available in sizes from 36 and 43, with half sizes from 37.5 to 42.5. There are two colours: grey and a light purple mulled grape.

The return of a retiree to top-flight road competition is hardly unheard of Anna van der Breggen is currently having a lot of success in the Women's WorldTour doing exactly that. But the below-the-radar approach Michael Woods has taken has both surprised and delighted fans as he prepares to finish his road career properly, the way he originally wanted to, in Montral.The 39-year-old (he'll be 40 in three weeks) will line up on the Canadian team for the men's elite road race on Sunday. It is, he says, a "movie script" ending to a story that 12 months ago left him devastated, after surgery on a hernia left him unable to go full circle and sign off in the Qubois city.Woods turned to ultra-racing at the end of last year, and has since ridden Unbound and Leadville, as well as tried his hand at SkiMo ski mountaineering. But he kept the Worlds dream bubbling under all the while."I decided that I'd try and keep the the option open, but I didn't want to make any commitments until later on in the year because I wasn't sure how my fitness would be, not racing the WorldTour for an entire year," he told Cycling Weekly. "I kept training, and I'd say by the halfway point of this year, I felt like I wasn't in amazing shape, but I felt like if I did a big push, I could still get back to a level where I'd be competitive."Woods has already made that happen, with a major six-week training block that piggybacked on a chunk of altitude work at Leadville. He's maintained ties with his former NSN Cycling team (Israel-Premier Tech when Woods was in contract), and has been training with riders including Jake Stewart, George Bennett and Corbin Strong. Woods was nervous going into the Qubec-Montral double-header two weeks ago, he says, but going on his performances, his former team-mates appear to have licked him into shape. He was 66th at the GP de Qubec, but at the GP de Montral, where he was 18th, "went as well as I could ever have expected," he said. Predictably, the Canadian fans have welcomed Woods back like a returning hero give or take a few grumbles, he says, about his Worlds selection "But that's why I was really happy to have raced well in Montral, I felt like I justified my my place," he said."It's always cool racing at those races, Montral particularly. There's just so many fans, and you feel so much love. It's cool," he adds.(Image credit: Getty Images)And the fans aren't all that's welcoming Woods back to the Canadian city; his Worlds ride will also be presided over by an enormous mural of himself. To no small amount of ensuing controversy, Woods's former Israel-Premier Tech boss Sylvan Adams has the image of the rider painted on the side of a 10-storey building he owns. The controversy arose from the fact it was painted over a previous image of former Israel-Premier Tech rider Hugo Houle, who is a Quebeois, no less.Woods remains diplomatic, though. Adams, he says, changed his life by enabling him to turn pro, and says he considers the mural an honour, if a little surreal."It's a big mural it's quite impressive. I didn't realise it was that big until I saw it," Woods told CW. "It's crazy, especially considering I started my career really in Montral. I connected with Sylvan in 2013, and he really enabled me to become a pro cyclist. He gave me $15,000 and enabled me to quit my job when I first started, and it changed my life. So having started my career in Montral and now coming back, finishing it here with a giant mural of me there, it's just wild. I don't think you'd write a better movie script."Aside from his comeback-by-stealth, Woods has one more surprise in store when I ask him who is the big favourite for Sunday's men's race. After name-checking Isaac Del Toro of Mexico ("he's got to be one of the big favourites"), he adds, "Mathieu van der Poel's been playing things down, however, I think he's actually the guy to beat. The climb's hard, but I've seen him get over climbs that are much harder."Even a guy like Wout van Aert," adds Woods. "I mean, Wout's had such an amazing Vuelta. He's got to be a factor. I mean that's the beauty of there not being a [Tadej] Pogaar in this race and it's unfortunate that he's not here but the race opens up quite a bit."As for his own aims for this last hurrah, Woods says: "A top-20 would be amazing. I think that'd be a really cool way to finish things off and ideally try and be active in the race and show the maple leaf off and have a great race."The men's elite World Championships road races take place this Sunday, 27 September, with the women's the day before.

The UCIs management committee said there was a pressing need to ensure the widespread deployment of GPS trackers, though failed to provide a timeline for their implementation

Primoz Roglic will carry much of Slovenia's hopes into Sunday's World Championship road race in Montreal, but the 36-year-old admits he does not yet know whether his strong Vuelta a Espana has left him in ideal condition or pushed him too far at the end of a demanding Grand Tour block. Tadej Pogacar...

The owners of Castelli and Sportful have announced the acquisition of Tailfin, the Bristol-based technical bikepacking equipment company.MVC Group says the acquisition represents a significant acceleration in its development strategy and that Tailfin will complement its cycling portfolio.Founded in Bristol in 2017 by Nick Broadbent, Tailfin is known for its premium bikepacking bags, racks and accessories. The company has developed its proprietary technologies in-house, and they are protected by more than 20 granted and pending patents.10 million in revenue Tailfin achieved almost 10 million in revenue last year. Scott Windsor / Our Media If the proprietary tech wasnt enticing enough for MVC Group, Tailfins company has also achieved an average annual growth of approximately 50% and it reached almost 10 million in revenue in 2025.More than half of this revenue was generated in the US, UK and Germany, and Tailfins growth will now be supported by MVC Groups presence in 75 countries.As well as complementing Castelli and Sportful, MVC Group adds that the acquisition has broader benefits to its triathlon and outdoor sports brands, Zoot and Karpos.Emilio Fo, CEO of MVC Group, says: With Tailfin, we are not simply adding a new product category: we are integrating a leading brand whose positioning around excellence and strong focus on innovation are fully aligned with our own brands, while also being complementary to their offering.We are also integrating a strategic asset: the companys distinctive technological expertise and extensive intellectual property, which could generate product innovation across the different disciplines in which we operate, from cycling and triathlon to outdoor sports.Broadbent, Tailfins CEO, mechanical engineer and product designer, says: Since Tailfin was founded, we have invested heavily in innovation to develop products that set the standard within the rapidly growing category of bikepacking and adventure cycling.Joining MVC Group will allow us to accelerate this journey further, leveraging the Groups industrial strength and international presence, while preserving the identity, autonomy and innovation culture that have made Tailfin so successful.Fourth expansion in a yearThe acquisition of Tailfin is the fourth in a series of expansions MVC Group has made in the last year. In July, it launched its 10th international subsidiary in the UK; it created MVC Benelux through the acquisition of Wolvenberg; and Zoot acquired its European distributor last October.MVC Group says its latest acquisition has a positive impact on its proposed development path and three-year industrial plan, which targets 150 million in revenue by 2028.You may like Tailfin CargoPack review: a new standard for bikepacking saddle bags I tested the new Tailfin Journey Rack on a punishing 600km audax here's why you should consider it over a saddle bag

Two months ago, Florian Lipowitz was fifth overall at the Tour de France and still building on a season that had established him among the strongest stage racers in the peloton. On Sunday in Montreal, he will line up for a World Championship that appears unusually open, but with no certainty that hi...