Fresh from his Richard E. Grant appreciation viewing last night, Callum is revitalised for one more day of live blogging before Ryan returns to spare us all!

Marcel Camprub has explained how he experienced the crash caused by a police motorcycle during the race descent. The Spanish rider was travelling at around 70 km/h alongside several teammates when the group came face to face with the motorcycle at a roundabout open to traffic during the Tre Valli V...

Brandon McNulty is UAE Team Emirates - XRG's new World Champion and a rider that, in 2027, will have more responsibility and leadership opportunities within the team. Team manager Mauro Gianetti has spoken about the American, his abilities, expectations and even if Grand Tours could become a priorit...

Giro introduced the Montaro Pro back in mid-August, replacing the longstanding Manifest Spherical as the top-of-the-line half-shell in its MTB helmet lineup. With this new lid, Giro has consolidated its mid- and top-tier helmets under the somewhat iconic Montaro name. While design features and elements of the Manifest carry over, they also gave it bolder, more angular styling that aligns more consistently with the design language of its more affordable sibling, the Montaro III.Ive been testing the new Giro Montaro Pro since it became available a couple of months ago. Ive been wearing it on mountain bike rides and eMTB rides, in hot weather and in cooler temperatures, and so far, so good. Well, mostly. I think the Montaro Pro is damn near perfect, but theres just one thing holding it back from greatness.Giro Montaro ProCheck Price at Performance BikeSpecificationsMSRP: $300Weight: 465 g (Medium)Rotational Impact Protection System: Mips SphericalAdjustable visor: YesNumber of vents: 23Available sizes: S, M, LVirginia Tech Helmet Safety Rating: Not ratedProsVery comfortableWell-ventilatedMips Spherical design seems effectiveNTA e-bike certifiedFidlock buckleLooks pretty goodConsExpensiveVisor doesn't block low sun anglesNot test by Virginia techJeremy BensonMontaro Pro ReviewAs mentioned above, the Montaro Pro carries over some of the features of the Manifest Spherical it replaces, with a bolder style closer to the Montaro III. Its positioned as the top-tier half-shell mountain bike helmet in Giros lineup, with the $299.95 price tag to match. You can learn the details in our first look coverage here.The Montaro Pro fits me well and is very comfortable.Fit and ComfortGiro has been making mountain bike helmets for decades, and Ive always gotten along really well with the way they fit. That continues with the Montaro Pro, which seems to fit almost exactly like its predecessor, the Manifest. That is to say, I find its perfectly neutral compared to POC helmets, for example, which are slightly narrower in my experience. It fits my average/oval shaped head well, and I think it should work for most riders. Those with outlier head shapes would still be wise to try it on to be sure, of course.As with most helmets, my 59cm head circumference lands me squarely on the cusp of the medium (55-59) and large (59-63) shell sizes. This leaves me squeezing into a medium or swimming in a large. I went with the medium, and I think that was the right choice. Even at the upper end of its fit range, the shell drops down pretty low on the sides and back of the head given its relatively deep fit.Good coverage and comfortable, adjstable straps.Inside, the padding is relatively plush across the brow and top of the head. Giros RocLoc Trail Air adjustment system has three stages of height adjustment and a large dial thats easy to twist with or without gloves when adding or removing tension. In my opinion, its one of the more user-friendly and comfortable fit adjustment systems on the market.I also appreciate the adjustable strap cradle by the ears. Not only does it hold them flat, but it keeps them from making any unwanted contact with my lobes, and its adjustable if needed. The single webbing strap under the chin is also unobtrusive, and the Fidlock buckle is quick and easy to use.I feel confident enough in the protection of the Montaro Pro to let in run in the late summer moon dust.ProtectionI dont have any helmet impact testing equipment, so I can only judge the Montaro Pro and any other helmets I test based on what I perceive to be their protective qualities. Weve also come to rely on Virginia Techs bicycle helmet ratings to provide comparative impact test ratings, but unfortunately, the Montaro Pro has not been tested. Of course, it meets all of the standard helmet safety requirements for its CPSC certification. It has also been tested for higher speeds up to 28 mph and is NTA-8776 e-bike certified.On my head, the Montaro Pro has a relatively deep fit and extended coverage over the occipital lobe and temples thats typical of modern trail helmets. Its stable and secure and has a sturdy, reassuring feel before even considering features like Aura II structural reinforcement.The upper and lower shells move independently with the dual-shell Mips Spherical design.Ive worn Giros Aries Spherical and Manifest Spherical helmets previously, and the dual-shell Mips Spherical design seems like it should be highly effective. The upper and lower shells move independently of each other and are quite easy to shift around by hand. Im just basing this assessment on feel (or maybe vibes), but it feels more protective than a thin plastic liner or Mips integrated into helmet padding. In my experience, the Spherical design doesnt make any annoying noises either.VentilationThe Montaro Pros ventilation is good, but the shallow internal air channels keep it from being best-in-class.The Montaro Pro has 23 Wind Tunnel Vents that provide solid ventilation. I wouldnt call it class-leading, but Im actually impressed with how much air moves over my head given the dual-shell Mips Spherical design. Its most noticeable and effective at the front of the helmet, where air flows directly to my forehead through the large front vents. Shallow air flow channels do a commendable job of moving that air from front to back.Given the fairly shallow depth of the internal airflow channels, however, the Montaro Pro is bested by a few others in the ventilation department. A couple of helmets Ive tried recently that come to mind are the POC Cularis and the Specialized Ambush 3, both of which have significantly deeper airflow channels inside.Eyewear StorageEyewear storage works well.The two smallest vents on the brow of the Montaro Pro double as eyewear storage. I usually keep my sunglasses on my eyes while Im riding, so Im not a stickler for this feature. But on some particularly sweaty rides recently, Ive stashed my shades on the climbs to keep sweat from dripping on my lenses. In my opinion, the spacing of these vents/slots is pretty ideal, making them easy to locate and insert the sunglass arms, even while riding.They also dont feel like theyre stretching my sunglasses in the name of stability and security. The sunglasses Ive tried have stayed put just fine, even over bumpy mountain trails. That said, the glasses sit an inch or so in front of the helmet shell, so they are in your field of view when stashed on the helmet.VisorThe Montaro Pros visor works great mid-summer or when riding in the shadows.In my opinion, a functional visor is one of the most important features of a mountain bike helmet. Ive even gone so far as to rant it about. Prior to even receiving the Montaro Pro, I was skeptical of its two position adjustable visor based on looks alone. At first, when the sun angles were higher, I didnt take much issue with it. Now that its fall and the sun angle creeps lower and lower each day, its given me something to complain about.The Montaro Pros visor has two positions. The high position provides plenty of room for goggle wearers needing to stash them on the helmet between laps. It also slides down into the low position, where the tip of the visor is just barely out of my field of view. Honestly, not having the visor in my peripheral vision whatsoever is pretty ideal most of the time. But as soon as I need it to block the sun from shining directly in my eyes, it requires that I angle my head downward to do so.As the shadows grow longer, the Montaro Pros visor becomes less effective.Mid-summer or riding in a deep dark forest, its not a big deal. But at sunrise, sunset, or pretty much any time of day from October to March, another lower visor position would be very welcome. And given that its already adjustable, why not have another, lower position? Now, I recognize that Im extra particular about visors because quite a bit of my local riding is in the high desert with limited tree cover. If you ride in the lush, shady forests of the Northeast or Pacific Northwest, this may not be an issue for you at all.WeightMy size medium Montaro Pro weighs in at 465 grams on my scale. That puts it at the upper end of the weight spectrum compared to other half shell helmets Ive tested. For comparison, the next heaviest helmets Ive tried recently are the POC Cularis (440 grams), the Specialized Ambush 3 (441 grams), and the Smith Payroll (448 grams), all in size large.While it might have a few grams on those helmets, its definitely not something I notice and the Montaro Pro does not feel heavy on my head. It carries its weight well, perhaps because of the great fit.My TakeawayGiros Montaro Pro is the evolution of its popular Manifest Spherical helmet, and I like nearly everything about it. Its comfortable and has a protective feel with great coverage, the Mips Spherical rational impact protection system, and the NTA-8776 e-bike certification. Its relatively well-ventilated, and I really like the way it looks, too.My only real complaint is the visor, which is not the most effective at blocking the sun at low angles. Thats really the only flaw Ive found in what is otherwise a near-perfect mountain bike helmet. Itll be out of my rotation for a while, but itll be back in action once the sun is higher in the sky. The importance of visors varies, of course, and if its not a priority for you, the Montaro Pro is absolutely worth checking out.giro.com

There's always suspense around the Tour de France route announcement. It's the moment teams begin to hatch their plans, riders get their first sniff of stage opportunities, and fans plot out their summer holidays, picking the marquee climbs where they want to watch the race. In less than two weeks, the full Tour route for 2027 will be officially unveiled. The race organiser, ASO, has tried to keep the details under wraps until the ceremony inside the Palais des Congrs in Paris, France. But try as they may, they're defenceless to the rumour mill, which has already been turning for months. Thanks to the work of local journalists, and the website Velowire which cobbles all the reports together, below is what's being touted for next summer's race. If they're right, the race's 114th edition could bring the return of some key climbs one of which is considered among the hardest in France. What we already knowThe Tour last came to the UK in 2014. (Image credit: Getty Images)The only information that has been confirmed by Tour organiser ASO is that next years Grand Dpart will take place in the UK. Stage one will begin in Edinburgh on Friday 2 July and finish in Carlisle; stage two will stretch the following day from Keswick to Liverpool; and stage three from Welshpool to Cardiff. Covering most of the length of the UK, these opening three stages are long 183km, 223km and 223km and designed to showcase as much of the country as possible. It will be unforgettable, race director Christian Prudhomme promised earlier this year. There will then be a rest day on Monday 5 July, before the race packs up and travels home to France. StageDateStartFinishDistance1Friday 2 JulyEdinburghCarlisle183km2Saturday 3 JulyKeswickLiverpool223km3Sunday 4 July WelshpoolCardiff223kmThe rumoursPogaar is one of two riders to win on the Col du Portet at the Tour, along with Nairo Quintana. (Image credit: Getty Images)Where the Tour goes after Cardiff, for the moment, is still an unconfirmed mystery, but tip-offs from local news outlets can help us piece together a fuller route. Tendance Ouest is almost certain that stage four will both start and finish in Cherbourg, a hop across the English Channel on Normandy's coast. This makes sense for logistical reasons, with ferries running directly from the UK to the city. Tendance Ouest reported in July this year that hotels in the area were already being booked for the time of the race. Brittany seems likely to be the next stop on the route. On stage five, the race could have its first uphill finish, albeit on the short, category-four Cte du Cadoudal (1.7km at 6.2%) in Plumelec, which hosted the first stage of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift in 2025, write France 3 Normandie and Ouest-France. The race then looks set to move inland along the Loire Valley, with a stage finish in Angers on day six, according to Ouest-France, an individual time trial in the Loir-et-Cher departement, according to La Nouvelle Rpublique, and a finish in Le Creusot, according to Creusot Infos. Having entered the Pyrenees early in 2026, it seems its the Alps' turn to step up first in 2027, with the high mountains slated from stage nine. This, however, is where Velowire says the rumours become unclear on specific stages. A summit finish to the ski resort of Samons 1600 is possible the town hall publicly announced at the the start of the year that they had put themselves forward to ASO. The climb (9.9km at 9%) has never previously featured in the Tour, but has been in the Critrium du Dauphin, with Primo Rogli the last to win at its summit in 2024. Le Dauphin expects there to be a visit to the Haute-Savoie department, likely for a dress rehearsal of the 2027 UCI World Championships course on the Cte de Domancy (2.5km at 9.4%). The same publication has also reported a return for the Col du Granon (11.3km at 9.2%). Used twice before at the Tour, in 1986 and 2022, it was most recently the site of a rare Tadej Pogaar collapse at the hands of the then-called Jumbo-Visma, in an edition Jonas Vingegaard went on to win. A rematch on the same slopes might be too good a plotline for ASO to ignore. Pogaar lost the yellow jersey to Vingegaard on the Col du Granon on 2022. (Image credit: Getty Images)News reports then agree on the route making its way west towards the Pyrenees, via stage finishes in Valence (Ici Drme-Ardche), Mende (Midi Libre) and Albi (La Dpche).The first summit finish in the Pyrenees is expected to come at the start of the final week at Piau-Engaly, according to La Nouvelle Rpublique des Pyrnes. Its the highest ski resort in the region, at over 1,800m, and last hosted the Tour in 1999, when Spanish rider Fernando Escartn was the first to finish the 19km uphill slog. The races Queen stage, it appears, will once again star just days before the Paris finale. Expected to come on stage 19 or perhaps earlier, La Nouvelle Rpublique des Pyrnes is pointing to a return of the Col du Portet, on a gruelling day that could also feature the Col dAubisque and the Col du Tourmalet. Towering over 2,200m, the Col du Portet (16.3km at 8.5%) is heralded as the second hardest climb in France, according to the index used by PJAMM Cycling, who list only the Col de la Loze above it. The 'King of the Pyrenees' will bring fonder memories for Pogaar, certainly compared to his nightmares of the Col du Granon; he won on the Portet at the Tour in 2021, his fifth stage win of a tally that now counts 26. Stage 20 is set to take the race north, although specific rumours are scarce, before the traditional curtain closer in Paris. Given the success of the Montmartre circuit in the last two editions, the Tour looks likely to stick to its new fan-favourite plan.Find out how many of these rumours actually come to fruition when the official route is announced at 10am (BST) on Thursday 22nd October.

The World Tour has lost another one of its young riders. At age 24, Lotto - Intermarch rider Robin Orins has called an end to his career, just over a year after turning professional with the Belgian team. "Im stepping away from professional cycling," Orins wrote on an Instagram post. "Its time t...