CyclistLook adds lighter, race-focused RS to its G85 Cezal gravel bike rangeLook has launched a new RS version of its G85 Cezal gravel bike designed for gravel racing. While the geometry and 57mm front/50mm rear clearance remain the same, the RS frameset weighs a claimed 1,050g, 200g less than the standard bike, and Look says its up to 20% stiffer too.There are just two SRAM XPLR AXS specs for the G85 Cezal RS, priced at 8,999 and 6,999, as well as a frameset-only option costing 3,290.Stiffer and lighterGuillem CasanovaThe G85 Cezal was launched in April this year with an all-rounder and bikepacking focus, but the new G85 Cezal RS tunes the formula for gravel racing.Look says the G85 Cezal RS marries the different requirements of track and road riders power transfer, low weight and efficiency and mountain bikers stability, geometry and ride feel. At the same time, it claims it retains compliance and ride comfort, also borrowing aero features from its third generation 795 Blade RS road race bike, also launched this year and ridden in the pro peloton by the Cofidis team.Looks experience is that low weight is important in gravel racing, with the first climb after the start crucial in making the front split. Gravel races are often won in sprints too, it says, where low weight and power transfer are vital.Guillem CasanovaThe G85 Cezal RS has an updated, higher modulus carbon layup than the non-RS bike that Look claims improves stiffness by up to 20% in the areas important for power transfer. At the same time, the frame is a claimed 200g lighter than the non-RS bike, at 1,050g for a size M, while the fork has a 470g claimed weight.The geometry mirrors the non-RS G85 Cezal, with 57mm tyre clearance at the fork and 50mm at the rear. Look says it has chosen these dimensions to keep the chainstays and wheelbase short and avoid compromising the bikes handling and the ride experience. As with Looks other bikes, it uses the brands 3D Wave seatstays that are designed to increase ride comfort and offer improved terrain control.Guillem CasanovaUnlike the standard G85 Cezal, theres no in-frame storage in the RS, which contributes to the weight loss. Look is standardising on a T47 bottom bracket and UDH dropout across its newer framesets, including the G85 Cezal RS. You can fit either a 1x with a 50t maximum chainring size or a 2x groupset, although 2x reduces rear tyre clearance to 45mm.The frame, as with the non-RS bike, is compatible with a suspension fork. Theres no effect on geometry when a 30mm or 40mm travel fork is fitted, but theres scope to fit a 60mm travel fork too.Look says rider position and cockpit are far more significant to aero performance on gravel than frame shapes, so it has designed the frame with light-touch aero features.Guillem CasanovaLook offers two cockpit options: the proprietary two-piece Look Aero Carbon Combo with a 5 flare and a two-piece Deda Superzero Gravel carbon bar on a Deda Superbox alloy stem. Theres the option to add extensions to the Deda cockpit.Looks gravel racing roster currently comprises Russell Finsterwald, the winner of the early season Belgian Waffle Ride Arizona in 2026, but it says other riders will be coming onboard to race the G85 Cezal RS in 2027.Look G85 Cezal RS specs and pricesLook will sell the G85 Cezal RS in two specs. Theres also a frameset-only option, priced at 3,290.SRAM RedGroupset: SRAM Red XPLR AXS, 44t chainringCockpit: Look RS3 handlebars on Aero Carbon stemWheels: Fulcrum Sharq C25, 42mm depthTyres: Hutchinson Touareg Race 45mmClaimed weight: 7.9kg size MPrice: 8,990SRAM ForceGroupset: SRAM Force XPLR AXS, 40t chainringCockpit: Deda Superzero Gravel handlebars on Deda Superbox Aero stemWheels: Fulcrum Sharq C25, 42mm depthTyres: Hutchinson Touareg Race 45mmClaimed weight: 8.3kg size MPrice: 6,990The post Look adds lighter, race-focused RS to its G85 Cezal gravel bike range appeared first on Cyclist.

Matteo Jorgenson has been on a stellar run of form, but has also often had teammates recently taking victories. At Tre Valli Varesine he found himself in the position to win, but could only take a podium result after being placed in an unusual situation. Visma had the numbers and with Giro dell'Emi...

The 2026 edition of Paris-Tours takes place on the 11th of October ( a day after Il Lombardia) and will be the final big one-day race of the year. On French roads, often explosive and featuring gravel sectors, the race will once again feature spectacular racing. Below, you will find the preview for...

Ombraz is bringing back its annual sale for 2026 and has teamed up with 37 brands to offer big discounts on gear for the next three days. Participating companies include Hyperlite, Swift Industries, AllTrails, Astral, Topo Designs, MSR, and more. Learn more hereThe post The 2026 Built With Purpose Sale Includes Nearly 40 Brands appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

On the 8th of October, the Italian autumn classics continue with another one of its main races: Gran Piemonte. The hilly race has a history of sprinters, climbers and classics specialists winning in it - and this year it is wide open. Below, you will find the startlist of the race. Download the star...

Government says it remains committed to supporting active travel. Active travel funding includes safe routes to schools and greenways.Budget 2027s active travel funding amounts to a 29% cut once construction inflation is accounted for, campaigners and an opposition spokesperson have highlighted as the Government today outlined its spending priorities for the year ahead.To keep pace with inflation since October 2020, the 360 million-a-year investment in active travel would need to rise to over 510 million today. This is based on the Society of Chartered Surveyors Irelands construction Tender Price Index, as most active travel funding goes to planning and building walking and cycling infrastructure. The 360 million-a-year figure was negotiated by the Green Party when they became a junior coalition partner of Fianna Fil and Fine Gael in the last government. It was set as a yearly figure based on 20% of the transport capital budget in 2020. In real terms, it has declined every year since, including during the last governments term.The freeze in active travel funding comes as the overall transport budget was increased by 840 million year-on-year since Budget 2026.In its Budget day press release, the Department of Transport said: Government remains committed to supporting active travel for its contribution to achieving climate objectives and reducing congestion, as well as its benefits for health and wellbeing. Funding of over 360m in 2027 for dedicated infrastructure for walking and cycling, together with greenway and Safe Routes to Schools projects, support sustainable, active travel as part of our everyday lives.The Department was contacted earlier today about inflation effectively a budget cut. It did not respond with a comment ahead of the publication of this article. Ciarn Ferrie, a founder and spokesperson for I Bike Dublin, a campaign group, said: The Government has once again failed to invest adequately in active travel. The capital funding allocation of 360m for 2027 is exactly the same as it has been every year since 2020.When inflation is factored in, this is, in effect, a 22% cut in funding over that six-year period, he said.In 2013 the NTA published the Greater Dublin Area Cycle Network Plan which promised to expand the cycle network from 500km to 2,800km by 2021. Now, 13 years later, most of that network remains unbuilt as the plan gathers dust, he said. Ferrie added: If the government is really serious about helping people with rising fuel costs, they need to invest in sustainable transport to offer viable alternatives to the private car.Ciarn Ahern, Labours spokesperson for climate and transport and a TD for Dublin South-West, said: The Labour Party supports the measures taken on fuel prices to help people who have no alternative but to use petrol or diesel while prices are so high. The longer-term solution though has to be making public transport and active travel more accessible for more people, and crucially, keeping it affordableThat is the best way to protect people from high fuel costs. By failing to provide the necessary funding to stop public transport fare hikes going ahead, the Government is actively choosing to prolong our dependence on fossil fuels, he said.On active travel funding, he said: To add insult to injury, the active travel budget remains static once again. This effectively amounts to a cut in funding. Since 2020, there has been a 22% reduction in active travel funding when accounting for inflation. Instead, the Government has doubled down on their policy of building more roads, inducing more demand, and pushing us further and further away from meeting our climate targets.He added: Time and again, Fianna Fil and Fine Gael have shown us that they have no real interest in ending Irelands reliance on fossil fuels. They have shown no leadership on the climate issue. Ultimately, their failure to ensure that public transport and active travel are accessible and affordable is costing households by leaving us exposed to volatile fossil fuel markets. Budget 2027 has given no indication that that will change.Neasa Bheilbigh, chairperson of Irish Cycling Campaign, an umbrella group for most cycle campaign groups across the country, said the group welcomes the continued investment in walking and cycling in Budget 2027 but is disappointed that the allocation does not keep pace with inflation.At a time when we urgently need to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, investing in sustainable transport makes clear economic and environmental sense. Walking and cycling infrastructure can often be delivered quickly, provides people with affordable alternatives and build resilience against price shocks, she said.Bheilbigh added: We need to see sustained, real-terms growth in investment in walking and cycling if we are to build the safe, attractive and connected transport network that communities across Ireland.MAIN IMAGE: Commuters on the Royal Canal Greenway in Dublin cycling over a bridge over railway tracks just off North Strand Road.