Almost exactly a year after joining FDJ United-SUEZ, the top-ranked women's WorldTour team, Lauren Dickson lined up to make her debut at the UCI Road World Championships in Montral, racing against her teammates, including Demi Vollering, who was destined to take the rainbow jersey. Dickson finished 18th in the women's elite road race, but representing Great Britain on the global stage and placing in the top 20 is just the latest chapter in an extraordinary story, which has seen the young Scot go from a promising triathlete working jobs in garden centres, offices and schools to becoming a professional cyclist riding alongside the very best in world, in the space of two-and-a-half years."I came through a British Triathlon Performance Centre, and right from 16 I was on a British athletics feature programme, a talent course," the Edinburgh-based rider, now 26, explained just ahead of her ride at the Worlds. During this process, she received physiotherapy and media training, and was taught about nutrition and so on, but she credits her exposure to 'real life' as a significant motivating factor during her journey to becoming a full-time cyclist."Having worked in an office, I can be even more grateful that this is my career, because I know that, for me, sitting in the office, all I'm thinking about is training before and after work. That's all I want to do. So then, when [cycling] is your job, it feels even more special." Lauren Dickson (centre) at the Worlds with Flora Perkins (L) and Pfeiffer Georgi (R) (Image credit: Getty Images)The dream-like odyssey Dickson has been on for the last couple of years was, in part, sparked by encouraging comments from Australian rider Anya Louw, which came about through pure serendipity. "My husband [fellow Scot Sean Flynn] is a professional cyclist, and I was training with him and his housemate, who was a WorldTour rider. [Louw] saw my numbers and she was like, You know, you really should try cycling," Dickson recalls. "I'd always loved riding, like it was always my favourite part of the training for triathlon on big group rides, you get to see different places but it was only when Anya said 'You really should give it a go, what have you got to lose?, [that's when] I started to do it and started to realise, actually, yeah, it's really fun."(Image credit: Getty Images)Her debut WorldTour season has not been without its challenges. Following a breakthrough ride at the Women's Giro - her first Grand Tour - where she was instrumental in Demi Vollering's overall win and took 11th herself, she sustained a collarbone fracture at Tour de Suisse. She came back at the Tour of Britain Women where she won Queen of the Mountains jersey, but two crashes ended her hopes of a top-ten finish.She bounced back in style with her first professional win on stage four of the Faun Tour Femme in early September, and says training and competing alongside riders like Vollering, with whom she shares a coach, has been a priceless education in itself. "It's one of those cliches, but if you learn from the best, it's the best way to do it, and I really think it's true," she said, explaining how exposure to more experienced elite riders and the FDJ team psychology has shaped the mindset she takes into races. "You're really ambitious and you know what your end goal is, and you really focus on having a plan to get there. We want to try and shape the race to play to our advantage. Learning how to do that, and learning by doing so what other teams might also do, so you're prepared mentally and like physically you're ready for what's likely to happen - it's really important." The Worlds are done and dusted, and her debut professional road season is behind her, but Dickson has even bigger goals in her sights, including the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. "It's really ambitious, but I guess I'm working towards that, she revealed. "I'm really trying to focus on the road and the time trial. It's something that we're going to invest in over the winter this year."In cycling, a lot of things can happen, so you make most of everything. Setting my sights on LA would be a huge dream."Dickson will be one of four British riders to compete at the European championships in Ljubljana, Slovenia, this weekend. She will ride the elite women's time trial while Ethan Hayter and Callum Thornley will ride the elite men's. Ben Wiggins will ride the under-23 time trial.

Italy has lots of bright riders on the up-and-coming, and in the 2027 season two more will join the World Tour ranks. Giovanni Lonardi and Tommaso Dati, two of the best sprinters who don't currently race in cycling's first division, have been confirmed to be on the move. We have been following Tomm...

Tadej Pogaar's team has moved to quash any rumours that he might ride the European Championships road race, despite the Slovenian's apparent wish to do so.The UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider has a particular interest in this one, given it starts in the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana, and passes through his home village of Komenda on its way to a hilly finishing circuit on the edge of the Slovenian Alps. He is also the defending champion, and his name even appears on the longlist of starters on the official championship website.But Pogaar is still recovering from a heavy crash in the Vuelta a Espaa, in which he fractured his collarbone and a cervical vertebrae. He has already had to watch Enric Mas win the Vuelta, and grit his teeth through a World Championships. No wonder he wants to be racing again as soon as possible.However, UAE team boss Mauro Gianetti has put the issue to bed, expressing sympathy for Pogaar's plight, but insisting that he can't take any risks with his health.Speaking to La Gazetta dello Sport, Gianetti said: "His desire to be there is understandable, but it's too early. His health comes first, so it won't happen."We have to face reality," he added. "You can't rush anything, even though a European Championships in Slovenia is a unique opportunity for Tadej."Instead, the team is likely to be led by Primo Rogli, who looked in very good form at the World Championships in Montral, with back-up from Matej Mohori and Jan Tratnik, among others.Gianetti's comments underline a team statement, issued earlier in September, that announced a contract extension for Pogaar until 2032, and also stated he would not race again this season. Contacted by Cycling Weekly, UAE Team Emirates-XRG confirmed that Gianetti's comments also applied to Il Lombardia, and nothing had changed since the team's original statement.This means that, for the first time since 2020, there will be a winner in the season-ending Italian Monument who is not Tadej Pogaar. In addition, it will be a brand new winner who crosses the line in Como on 10 October, for nobody who won previous to Pogaar is actually still riding professionally that's how long ago it was.It would appear then, once and for all, that we will not see the Slovenian in action again until 2027.

The latest instalment of our sentencing round-up series, analysing the state of play when it comes to sentencing for driving and cycling offences in the UK

Tom Pidcock went to Montreal chasing another rainbow jersey and, it turns out, even his usual Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team equipment was not guaranteed a place on the start line. Rather than race the World Championships on the Zipp wheels supplied to his Pinarello Q36.5 trade team, Pidcock switc...

While weve become accustomed (or numb) to products that look like other products weve been using suddenly being gravel-specific, there are things that make a difference. Like widely flared drop bars. And Ill now add saddles to that list.The WTB Gravelier saddles launched in 2023, and Zach told the tale of his early miles on them. Somehow, his test saddle is 2g lighter than mine. Or maybe mines accumulated a little dirt over the past couple of years.What Makes this a Gravel Racing Saddle?Still looks new, but I swear Ive been riding it!Thats right, gravel racing, and the answer is a few things. Mostly the shape. Its available only in a one-size-fits-most 140mm wide x 246mm long; its a bit shorter than road saddles, and a bit narrower than the popular 143mm width.That said, the sit-bone area stays wider a bit further forward than some, which both supports me, but also helps roll the pelvis forward for a more powerful pedaling position.That shape, combined with slim padding, puts it in the race category. For longer, more casual rides, their Solano model is worth a look and has more padding and width options to support longer rides with lighter pedaling efforts.But the Gravelier is designed for hard pedaling days, where your efforts keep you from planting all your weight on the saddle.And with an extended clamping range, its perfect for riders (like me) who want to get a little more forward and over the pedals. If you use elbow rests and aero extensions, that feature is even more of a bonus.Yes, its still comfortableA fiber-infused nylon shell provides just enough give over bumps. Its not saggy, so I never felt like my perfectly managed pedaling position was compromised under my weight or impacts. But its not overly stiff like a full carbon shell would be. Importantly, they keep this same shell even on the carbon-railed model, so youre not trading ride quality for weight savings.And the back of the rails mount into flexible wings that add a bit more shock absorption. Oddly, WTB doesnt call this design feature out, but here it is, and it seems to work. Between those is an integrated tool mount for compatible tools, pouches, etc., from PRO and other brands.Theres a central cutout for perineal relief. Seems like that works too; no complaints from my bits. Even the padding feels like a normal amount of padding, despite their claims that its thinner.Its also easy to maneuver around. The tail doesnt rake upward dramatically, so I could slide behind the saddle on steep descents.The longer sit-bone area and wider mid-section are also more forgiving when I couldnt immediately return to my preferred spot over rough terrain. Meaning, those times when Im frequently standing over rough sections, then sitting for a few pedals. Standing, sitting, standing, sitting, and all the while trying to maintain speed. Landing a little off to the side, front, or back is fine; the shape doesnt fight you until you settle back in.Your Options are Weight vs. PriceFour models are available, all with the same dimensions, shell, and micro-fiber cover. Choose the price or weight that fits your needs:Carbon fiber rails 160g $250Titanium rails 210g $143Stainless rails 228g $120Chromoly rails 246g $96Overall, if youre looking for a lightweight, comfortable saddle designed for high-speed gravel riding and racing, the Gravelier is worth a look. WTB has a knack for making durable saddles that work for a wide range of bodies. While my butt is a sample size of one, Ive ridden plenty of their other models and can honestly say the Gravelier is one of my favorites from them.WTB.com

Sigma Sports has officially opened the vault for its Warehouse Clearance Sale, and the savings are too good to ignore. It's stacked with huge discounts on everything from the best road and gravel bikes to some of our favourite cycling apparel brands like Castelli, Rapha, PAS Normal, and MAAP. If you've been holding out to upgrade your kit for less, now's the time. Shop the Sigma Sports Warehouse Clearance Sale.Since it's a warehouse clearance, it's the last of the stock, so quantities and sizes are very limited. I'd say if you see something you like, then pull the trigger fast, because these won't be around for long.Below, I've selected some key discounts, and standouts include our choice for best road bike, the Specialized S-Works Aethos 2, at a rarely seen 22% off. The Aethos is a bike we awarded a flawless review and called simply a sublime bike that's as comfortable as it is light, making it a superbike all-rounder par excellence.For gravel enthusiasts, there are sweet deals to be had, including the Specialized Diverge 4 Expert equipped with Shimano GRX Di2. This stunning example of the Diverge is 22% off.Sigma Clearance Bikes and Tech Deals Specialized S-Works Aethos 2 Dura-Ace Di2 Road Bike Colnago V4 Ultegra Di2 Road Bike Trek Madone SL 5 105 Gen 8 Road Bike Specialized Tarmac SL8 Comp Road Bike CUBE Litening Aero C:68X SLT Race Road Bike Specialized Diverge 4 Expert GRX Di2 Gravel Bike Cervelo Aspero 5 Force E1 AXS Gravel Bike Shimano Dura-Ace R9270 12-Speed Di2 Groupset Shimano GRX 825 12-Speed Di2 Bike Groupset Garmin Rally RS200 Double Sided Power Meter Pedals Continental GP5000S Road Bike Tyre Challenge Getaway XP Gravel Tyre Sigma Clearance Clothing Deals PAS Normal Studios Mechanism Long Sleeve Jersey Q36.5 Rain Shell Plus Jacket MAAP Team Evo Cargo Bib Shorts Castelli Arenberg Gel 2 Gloves Rapha Core Rain Jacket III Castelli Gabba R Short Sleeve Rain Jacket Castelli Prologo Lite 2 Cycling Jersey Rapha Pro Team Long Sleeve Jersey Assos Equipe RS Long Sleeve Jersey Gorewear Spinshift Gore-Tex Waterproof Jacket Castelli Nano Flex 3G Knee Warmers - S / Black Castelli Nano Flex 3G Arm Warmers

Dominic Loh went along to the 2026 Fulong Mountain Bike Festival in Chongli, China, and came away with some hot takes

On Sunday the 4th of October 2026, the peloton will take on the men's elite road race at the 2026 Ljubljana European Championships. Remco Evenepoel, Primoz Roglic and Mads Pedersen will be amonst the main favourites. Below, you'll find the favourites for the race, preview and its route. First held...

Michael Matthews left Montreal with a World Championship silver medal around his neck and, a few days later, found himself defending how he had raced for it. The Australian had already been one of the riders questioning the way the chase behind Brandon McNulty played out in the finale, joining Tom P...