Jonas Vingegaard has never started an elite mens World Championship road race. Yet Denmark national coach Michael Morkov says the 2027 edition in Sallanches has been on the Danes radar for years. For a rider whose senior career has been dominated by Grand Tours, it would represent unfamiliar terri...

The mechanical watch-inspired Omata cycling computer is back in limited numbers, thanks to its acquisition by Silca. Unique for its traditional analog watch-style display, backed by high-tech GPS and connected sensor tracking inside, the Omata cycling computer is probably the classiest way to track your ride and one of the more expensive. It also happens to probably be the only way to stay on top of your ride metrics without staring at a screen.Its totally niche. So, it completely makes sense that Silca would be the one to snap it up to re-issue it to discerning cyclists.Omata by Silca: analog cycling computer to reduce screentimeIts been a decade since we first saw the Omata already expensive back then as a Kickstarter campaign. And this is definitely still a niche cycling computer. Pretty much every other GPS and ride tracking computer has gone the way of bigger, more vivid displays, touchscreens, haptic buttons, voice control, and even solar power top-ups. But Silca acquired Omata not to change it, but to ensure cyclists can still buy a modern, connected ride tracker, without having a big computer screen strapped to the front of their bike.(Photos/Silca)At Silca, we are obsessed with the intersection of beauty, precision, and performance. Omata [One] is a masterpiece of functional art. We acquired Omata because we believed it was a product that should continue to exist in this world. Sadly, it relies on a finite supply of legacy Seiko components; so, each unit carries the weight of rarity. By bringing hand-assembly to our Indianapolis facility, we are ensuring each of these stunning instruments is tested for lasting performance. Josh Poertner, Silca CEOWhats new since we last caught up with the Omata One?The biggest shift here is that the new Silca Omata computer is now being assembled at Silcas US headquarters in Indiana vs. Oulu, Finland for the original device.There are a few updates since we first covered it, although most of these have been around for a while. The biggest there is that a couple of years after its debut, Omata added compatibility with most modern sensors like heart rate, cadence, power via a connected iOS app so you could track more data in the background. Silca has also apparently redesigned the Omatas internal circuit board, battery, and outer housing to modernize the hardware a bit. One functional improvement is upgraded weatherproofing, using a new triple-barrier lip seal for the devices rotating outer bezel and the addition of a Gore-Tex membrane over its barometric pressure sensor to keep moisture out. It also means the new device only connects to ANT+ sensors no no more Bluetooth compatibility.The housing also now gets a new versatile square mounting cleat that makes it compatible with both Garmin & Wahoo interfaces, so you can use the favorite mount you already have on your bike(s). Plus, Silca will let you pick one of their 3D-printed titanium Chisela computer mounts for free when you buy a new Omata.What stays the same?Mostly though, Silca hasnt messed with it. Its effectively still the exact same mechatronic cycling computer, i.e. a fully digital GPS device that converts electronic ride tracking data into the mechanical movement of the arms of its analog face. No smartphone notifications or live mapping. Just a simple dial showing current speed, ride distance, accumulated elevation, and ride duration.Tech detailscustom analog watch-style display of current ride statsSeiko-precision mechatronic display of electronic ride dataride data exported as .FIT filebespoke Omata Custom Numerals font for clear visibilitymachined 6063 aluminum housingmetric (dark gray) or imperial (white) units of measure63mm diameter x 17mm thick x 83gmulti-channel GPS trackingon-board accelerometer, barometric pressure & temperature sensorsANT+ connectivity only (no BLE sensors)iOS-only (Apple iPhone) connected compatibility17-hour ride timeUSB-C rechargeablecompatible with Garmin & Wahoo mountshand-assembled in Indianapolis, IN, USASilca Omata cycling computer Pricing, options & availabilityExplaining that only a finite supply of the discontinued legacy Japanese mechatronic Seiko movements at the heart of the analog cycling computer exist, Silca says the updated Omata will remain strictly a limited edition. You can still get one of the new US-made computers, though, in either a white imperial units face or a dark gray metric face. But you can only buy it in the United States. Sorry, international Silca shoppers. The new Silca-made Omata cycling computer sells for $800, which also includes a Silca Chisela 3D-printed titanium mount of your choice, to best fit your bikes cockpit setup.Snap yours up today before they disappear!Silca.cc

As gravel and endurance bikes have evolved, the all-road bike has fallen by the wayside. However, Steamboat Colorado titanium specialist Moots is out to prove theres still a place for a go-anywhere road bike, unveiling the all-new County Line today.With gravel bikes sporting 55mm+ tyre clearances now the norm, and endurance and road race bikes gaining clearances of 30-35mm, the all-road bike is in danger of becoming a thing of the past.Moots sees things differently, though. The Vamoots road bike line was designed to meet purist road bike needs, alongside recently revamped gravel bikes such as the Routt and the rugged Scrambler.Built for 38s The new Moots County Line is designed to be ridden everywhere. Moots Moots says the County Line was conceived to run 38mm road tyres in order to create a bike that can "move naturally between pavement and fast well-maintained dirt roads". The County Line has internally routed hoses. Moots The key elements are more tyre clearance, better stability and more control than a traditional road bike. However, the County Line retains the slender proportions of a road bike, along with road gearing and a bias in favour of on-road performance. Moots says this is something modern gravel bikes can't offer.Steamboat special Smooth gravel roads are the County Line's bread and butter. Moots Moots says the County Line is inspired by the team's local rides in Colorado. The roads around Steamboat rarely stay one thing for long," Moots explains. "A ride can start on pavement, then turn to miles of smooth county-road gravel. Before finishing back on asphalt, without ever feeling like a gravel ride.The 38mm tyre optimisation saves the weight of large-volume gravel tyres, yet it retains the grip and comfort gains larger tyres bring.The bike is designed to run road gearing, and by keeping both the wheelbase and chainstays (42.5cm) relatively short, it makes for a sharp-handling, efficient road option. The new County Line all-road carbon fork has ample clearance for 38mm tyres and fenders. Moots What you need to know about the Moots County Line 1x or 2x drivetrains: the frame supports 1x and 2x drivetrains with clearance for a 50-tooth 1x or 52/36 2x setup. Integrated design: a new carbon all-road fork uses a D-shaped steerer, enabling cables and hoses to be routed internally. All-road geometry: size-specific fork offsets of 45mm and 52mm help keep the handling balanced across all sizes. Loaded with extras: mudguard/fender mounts, traditional rack mounts and a third set of bottle bosses make the County Line endurance- and touring-ready. Titanium frame: straight-gauge 3/2.5v titanium tubing shaped to Moots' specification. A lightweight RSL version will launch in early 2027 with double-butted RSL tubing. Four builds and two frames A lightweight machined UDH dropout and fender/rack mounts. Moots The County Line will be available in four builds, with either the standard or RSL tubeset, all-SRAM in both 1x and 2x options.The frameset will also be available in standard and RSL form.Prices start at $5,499 for the frame, rising to $12,999 for the SRAM Red AXS 2x version. The new Moots County Line is available in 1x and 2x builds. Moots County Line frameset: $5,499 County Line RSL frameset: $TBC, 2027 County Line Force 1x: $9,999 County Line Force 2x: $10,599 County Line Red 1x: $12,499 County Line Red 2x: $12,999 County Line RSL Force 1x: $TBC, 2027 County Line RSL Force 2x: $TBC, 2027 County Line RSL Red 1x: $TBC, 2027 County Line RSL Red 2x: $TBC, 2027

As of this week, cyclists caught going through red lights in the City of London could find themselves facing a snap decision: pay a 50 on-the-spot fine, or stand in a sin bin and watch a short two-minute video, designed to make them reflect on their actions. Its a no-brainer. No one in their right mind would pony up fifty notes when they could spend two-minutes watching a little cautionary movie, surely? (It takes longer than that for the officer to fill out the paperwork for the fine). And, predictably, every single one of the 70 velo-villains nabbed by the City of London Police force for hopping the lights on Wednesday, when the new initiative was first rolled out, went for the video option.But what does this video show, and will it be effective in reducing behaviour that the police say has become endemic on the capitals streets? Well, Ive seen it. And Ill never jump a light again. To be honest, Im a pretty well-behaved cyclist these days anyway (of course I am, I work for Cycling Weekly), and I also now live in a place where both traffic lights and police officers are few and far between. But there was a time when I lived in London and worked as a bike courier, and Id routinely go through dozens of red lights every day.It is, in essence, a selfish act to run a red light, and we all know it's a bad thing to do. Youre basically saying that your time is more important than everyone elses. And this alternative punishment is very much of the were not angry with you, were just disappointed school of disciplinary psychology, which tends to be much more effective. "We issue cyclists fixed penalty notices for going through red lights in the city on a daily basis," explains Sergeant Stuart Ford, Cycle Team lead at City of London Police. "Riders running reds is one of our biggest complaints, from residents, people visiting and working in the city. We have to act on what they're saying. And it is a bit of a nightmare out there for pedestrians and vulnerable road users. "Between 8 and 9 in the morning, in the city, we get 20,000 cyclists come through. We're only a small team, there's only ten of us, if we're all out in the morning, we might issue 20 tickets. That's nothing. That's not going to get the message out there. "So I came up with this 3E approach, which is engage with people, educate them, and enforce the law. The whole point is I want to get some sort of behavioural change. A lot of cyclists are very good and they abide by the laws of the road, but some dont. Rather than issuing tickets all the time, I wanted to come up with something else, where we give them an opportunity to watch a safety video and give them a bit of a warning if you like."Sergeant Ford says he doesnt especially love the term 'sin bin', and prefers to call it a "cycle time out zone". Riders who agree to watch the video stand on a five-by-two-metre mat with a picture of a bike on it, surrounded by a police logo, and watch the short film."I've been a cyclist my whole life," says Ford. "I've got four or five road bikes at home myself. It's what I do. I like bikes. So I'm coming from a good place. I don't want to be penalising people that want to do the right thing getting on their bikes. I just want people to abide by the law."(Image credit: Getty Images)The video shows the potential consequences of your selfish actions on others, in this case people with sight impairment, some of whom describe frightening encounters with pedal-powered light jumpers. Its filmed in a way that encourages empathy with these people, and for good measure, one of them invokes the physical and mental damage that could be done to their guide dog which is a complete clincher and what that would mean for their freedom. Youd have to be monster if having this perspective thrust in your face didnt make you stop and think, or in this case, think and stop. Watching the video, I found myself regretting all those red-light indiscretions of years gone by. I never ran over any assistance labradors (seriously, I didnt dont write in), but it could have happened loads of times.There are counterpoints to be made, about drivers behaviour, but its hard to argue with the basic premiss of Ford's thinking, and most cycling-oriented orientated organisations are in agreement. "Cyclists are not really the issue of safety on the roads, that's more cars and driving and speeding, so it's kind of fiddling whilst Rome burns on safety grounds," says Tom Fyans from the London Cycling Campaign. But we are broadly supportive. We think it's an innovative way of getting through to cyclists that they've got responsibilities on the road to keep people safe other than themselves. "There are more bikes than cars now in the City of London, so the situation is a little different there to elsewhere. And if it gets cyclist respecting red lights a bit more and thinking about how to stay safe on the road, and keep others safe, that's a good thing."There is another part of the video, for those perhaps lacking in empathy, which isnt for media or general public consumption, that shows real footage of a bike rider going through a red light, getting knocked off her bike, and then talking about the life-long consequences of that rash decision. Ive not seen that yet bit, and I dont intend to Ill just stop at the red lights from now on.

Tadej Pogacars absence has changed how his rivals approach some of cyclings biggest races, according to Ben Healy. An autumn without the Slovenian brought a new world champion in Brandon McNulty and ended his five-year hold on Il Lombardia, with Healy among those who sensed an opportunity long bef...

CyclistCyclist Magazine Podcast: Quoc Pham on shoes, Geraint Thomas and the Far East factoriesThis week on the Cyclist Magazine Podcast, James is joined by Quoc Pham, founder and designer of the eponymous Quoc cycling shoe brand. Before cycling, Quoc worked in fashion, running his own label, but turned his attention to making shoes in that classic way people do when they turn inventor: he found himself commuting around London in shoes that just werent up to it, they were either functionally great but ugly, or nice looking but out of their depth in toeclips on a fixie so he set about making his own. His first, a beautiful leather shoe with smooth, contoured sole called the Fixed, quickly developed a cult following in the Eroica scene, and fast forward 17 years Quoc has expanded into road and gravel, even sponsoring Geraint Thomas along the way.In this episode we chat about how that deal came about thanks in part to a personal message from Quoc; the incredibly steep learning curve that was making a pair of shoes from scratch; and how the brand-factory partnership works and how that most crucial relationship affects what kit you wear and what bike you ride, just as much as any technology advance, design team, or economic fluctuation.Chat begins at 7:52Listen to our chat with Chris Hoy on the Cyclist magazine app or wherever you get your podcastsGet the Cyclist iOS app / Get the Cyclist app on the Google Play storeThis episode is brought to you by Rouvy, the indoor riding platform that makes indoor rides look and feel real, from smashing up the Sa Calobra to group rides around Vietnam to Rouvy Fest, which this year takes place between 12th and 25th October and will include a host of special group rides including tackling Mount Teide in Tenerife, riding the shores and hill of Lake Garda in Italy and puffing up dust on the Strade Bianche chalky road of Tuscany. All this plus special ride guests telling stories and answering questions as they pedal, challenges, rewards and giveaways, and the Rouvy Fest Race, a huge single race where the competitive spirit meets fun and inclusive vibes. See Rouvy.com for more details, including how to sign up for a free month using the code KEEPITREALCYCLISTThe post Cyclist Magazine Podcast: Quoc Pham on shoes, Geraint Thomas and the Far East factories appeared first on Cyclist.

By the early 1980s, Motobcane was one of Frances old guard. Like its compatriots Peugeot, Gitane, and Mercier, its bikes were still winning numerous races, but its glory days were numbered. None of these iconic brands survived the decade, driven to extinction by overseas competition and the incoming tide of new-fangled carbon fibre. French component manufacturers Simplex, Huret, Mafac, and Maillard suffered a similar fate, heralding the end of a Grand French Era for cycling brands.(Image credit: Future)Fortunately, such strife was too distant in the future to trouble Jean-Luc Vandenbroucke, as he won prologue after prologue for La RedouteMotobcane between 1980 and 1983. This large yet lithe beauty, a size 60cm 81 model, was his ride midway through his stint with the team.Its so wonderfully Gallic, says current owner Richard Hoddinott of vintage specialists The Velo Pages. Just as theres an expectation for Italian bikes to feature Campag, almost every peripheral component on this Motobcane is French the elegant 53t Stronglight chainset, the Simplex mechs and shifters, the Sachs Maillard 6-speed cassette, the Maillard 700 hubs and the Mavic Super Champion rims. Only the Cinelli cockpit, Selle Italia saddle and Weinmann 400 brakes are sourced from further afield.(Image credit: Future)Motobcane was renowned for its frame finishes, and this bike does not disappoint. The deep blue flam metallic paintwork, the chromed forks note the seamless Cinelli microfusion crown and the rear triangle sparkle as if theyve been dusted with diamonds.(Image credit: Future)After retiring from racing, Vandenbroucke built a successful career as a directeur sportif for Lotto, where he faced the heartbreaking challenge of coaching his troubled nephew, Frank Vandenbroucke. The French cycling industry fought back too, with brands such as Look, Lapierre and Van Rysel now commonplace in the pro peloton.

CyclistHow cycling legends were born: Sagan three-peats at the WorldsIts the morning of 16th October 2016 and the cycling world is in Doha, Qatar, readying itself for the final event of the Road World Championships the mens road race. It has been a tough week for the UCI, with questions asked over why the championships have been brought here at all. The heat has been incessant and roadside support sparse. Local engagement has been virtually non-existent even the taxi drivers are seemingly unaware there is a World Championships happening in their city. With one race to go it feels like this is a Worlds that needs saving.From the Aspire Zone, a vast sports complex in Doha, 199 riders roll out for the 257km mens race, heading north into the desert. The wind is blowing and everyone knows the key part of the race will come early, after 75km or so, when the route turns south towards the finishing circuit on Pearl Island.With a small break up the road, the peloton starts to ride furiously as it approaches the right-hand turn back to the city. The pace is high, like the leadout to a sprint finish, as riders battle to secure positioning. Gaps appear, with riders left behind desperately trying to reconnect. Everyone knew this would be a crucial moment, but knowing it and doing something about it are two different things.The Belgium team drives the move hard alongside Italy as a cross-tailwind causes carnage. A group of 20 or so riders forms at the front, and although there is still 150km to go it seems clear the winner will come from this group. Tom Boonen is there, as are Mark Cavendish, Michael Matthews and Alexander Kristoff. So too is the reigning World Champion, Slovakias Peter Sagan. He was one of the last riders to make the group after the key turn in the desert. That was the first victory of the day, he will later say.Once on Pearl Island the riders face 15 laps of a technical 7.2km circuit. The front groups lead is around one minute and will grow as the kilometres click by and as the bell rings for the final lap 21 riders remain in contention. Tom Leezer of the Netherlands makes a solo bid but is brought back as the final sprint winds up with 300m to go.Sagan times his move perfectly. He goes to the right while Cavendish goes left. It is tight; Sagan risks being squeezed out on the barrier, but the Slovak makes it through to beat Cavendish to the line. They are followed by Boonen, the Belgian rounding out a podium of the highest quality.After the presentation Sagan walks into the media conference wearing the rainbow jersey he has just defended. Charisma oozes from him. He stops to watch a TV replay of the finish, grins and points to the screen. The mood has lifted. Doha has its saviour.I think maybe it was destiny, he says. It doesnt happen every day that I can win a sprint like this. He smiles. Everybody is happy again.Peter Sagan celebrates his hat-trick after a narrow win over home favourite Alexander Kristoff in Bergen, Norway, at the 2017 World Championships.GettyThree is the magic numberSagan had claimed his first Worlds title 12 months earlier in Richmond, USA, breaking away in the last couple of kilometres. In Doha, Sagan became only the sixth man to successfully defend the title, joining Georges Ronsse (1928/29), Rik Van Steenbergen (1956/57), Rik Van Looy (1960/61), Gianni Bugno (1991/92) and Paolo Bettini (2006/07). Only four men had ever won three titles in total (Alfredo Binda, Van Steenbergen, Eddy Merckx and scar Freire), and none had won them in succession, which meant that at the 2017 Worlds, Sagan had an opportunity to make history.The 2017 mens race started in the village of Rong, some 27km northwest of the host city of Bergen, Norway, and culminated with 12 laps of a 19km circuit that took in the 1.5km Salmon Hill. In the build-up Sagan was among the fancied riders, along with home favourites Alexander Kristoff and Edvald Boasson Hagen and Belgian pair Greg Van Avermaet and Philippe Gilbert. But then disaster struck.Sagan had planned to arrive in Bergen ten days before the event but had been struck down with flu, forcing him to spend days off the bike. He was still at home in Monaco just two days before the race when he was also hit with a stomach upset.Suffice to say it was not the preparation Id had in mind going into one of the highlights of the racing calendar, Sagan wrote in My World, before revealing he spent most of his flight north in the toilet.Still, the Slovak surprised his national teammates by making the start, and as the race progressed began to feel a little more like himself. As the final lap approached, Sagan had amazed himself by still being in the leading bunch of around 60.A UCI official starts clanging furiously at a big old brass bell to tell us there is one lap to go, Sagan wrote. Im suddenly acutely aware of the No.1 on my back. Its now four in the afternoon and Ive probably got about half an hour left as UCI World Champion.A flurry of moves came on the final climb of Salmon Hill. Frances Julian Alaphilippe attacked and Italys Gianni Moscon eventually followed, making for a dangerous break with around 10km to go. Behind, the group was chasing and with 5km left the pairs lead was eight seconds over the pursuing bunch, with a couple of riders Vasil Kiryienka and Lukas Pstlberger in between. With a little over 4km to go, Alaphilippe broke away from Moscon and set off alone and then the TV coverage dropped off.While fans, commentators and reporters struggled to find out what was happening, Sagan was finding the race equally confusing. As the sprint approached he knew that his group had caught Kiriyienka and Pstlberger but had no idea if Alaphilippe, Moscon and maybe others were still out front. Still, he readied himself for the final sprint: Worry about the position after.In fact Sagan and company had caught all the escapees. In the final kilometre there were 28 riders at the head of the race and Sagan knew whose wheel he had to find: Kristoff, the man who Norwegian fans lining the circuit were roaring on. With around 300m to go Kristoff hit the front with Sagan right behind. With 100m left Sagan came out from the wheel, drew alongside and then threw his bike across the line.At first the Slovak didnt know whod won. Then came the confirmation Sagan had it by less than half a wheel.I dont know, maybe its karma that I won, Sagan said afterwards. There are a lot of races in a year but this one is special. You need luck, its a lottery, it could have happened or maybe not.Sagan had achieved something remarkable, something unique.World Champion three times in a row, Sagan wrote in My World. One UCI rainbow jersey and gold medal in the Americas, one in the Middle East, one in Scandinavia. Nobody had ever done those things before.The post How cycling legends were born: Sagan three-peats at the Worlds appeared first on Cyclist.

Jakob Sderqvist had just produced another major statement against the clock at the 2026 Eneco Tour when the conversation in Tilburg turned towards Filippo Ganna. Two days after narrowly winning the opening prologue in The Hague, Sderqvist was a much clearer winner over Thursday's longer 13.5-kilom...