Belgian champion Marion Norbert Riberolle has undergone a procedure after medical investigations identified heart rhythm irregularities following setbacks in her opening cyclocross races. The Crelan-Corendon rider has no confirmed return date, although examinations found no other abnormalities and s...

In this bikepacking homage to the Brecon Beacons, Emma experiences a classic Welsh initiation, complete with fickle weather, sheep sightings aplenty, and, in typical Cymru style, hike-a-bikes galore. Plus, read on for a deep dive into her retro-styled Brother Cycles Pinecone, complete with a vibes shifter and splatter paintwork, befitting this old-school mountain biking adventure...The post There Be Habs and Dragons in Brychan: Bikepacking Wales appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Sigma Sports has slashed the price of a host of cycling products, with some serious savings to be had across bikes, components and kit.Now you can save 10% more on what Sigma describes as 'soft goods' in the brand's Warehouse Sale with the code BIKERADAREXTRA10. However, bear in mind this doesn't cover all items on the general sale page.We've trawled through the sale to pick out five of the best deals, including Shimano's flagship road groupset and a carbon Trek Domane for less than 2,000.There are also big discounts to be had if you're looking to upgrade your gravel bike or treat your feet to some fancy shoes.Here are our top picks, but you can see the whole sale here and the Warehouse Sale here. Castelli Ultra Rain Jacket now from 111 Shimano Dura-Ace R9270 Di2 groupset for 1,899 Scope S4 Carbon Road Disc Wheelset for 611 ENVE Road Stem from 89 Trek Domane SL 5 Gen 4 105 for 1,899 Shimano GRX 825 12-Speed Di2 Groupset Bundle for 1,399 Sidi Shot 2S road shoes from 114Castelli Ultra Rain Jacket 240 111 (save 54%) Castelli Ultra Rain Jacket. Sigma Sports With the British weather becoming increasingly unpredictable, a decent waterproof jacket is an essential piece of cycling kit, and Sigma Sports has slashed the price of Castelli's Ultra Rain Jacket.Usually priced at 240, the premium waterproof is currently available for only 111, dropping to 99.90 when you apply the additional 10% discount code BIKERADAREXTRA10.The jacket uses a two-layer Polartec stretch fabric, designed to keep the rain out while offering a close-fitting cut that won't flap around in the wind.Fully taped seams and a waterproof zip help keep the elements at bay, while an extended rear hem provides extra protection against road spray.It also packs into its own internal pocket, making it a practical option to carry on rides when the forecast looks questionable.At less than half its original price, this is a cracking deal on a premium waterproof. Buy Castelli Ultra Rain Jacket now from 104.40Shimano Dura-Ace R9270 Di2 groupset 3,579 1,899 (Save 47%) Dura-Ace is Shimano's flagship road groupset. Simon von Bromley / Our Media Getting Shimano's flagship road groupset for less than 2,000 certainly caught our attention.Sigma Sports has knocked 1,680 off its Dura-Ace R9270 Di2 groupset, bringing the price down from 3,579 to 1,899.Dura-Ace R9200 represented a major overhaul when it arrived, moving Shimano's top-tier road groupset to 12-speed and introducing semi-wireless shifting.The groupset uses wireless shifters, while the derailleurs remain wired to the central battery.It also features Shimano's Servo Wave braking technology and redesigned calipers with increased pad clearance.Despite rumours of a new generation being released soon, at 47 per cent off, this could be a tempting opportunity if you're planning a dream-bike build or looking to give an existing road bike a serious upgrade.This deal is for groupsets specced with 160, 170 and 172.5mm cranks, but there are still savings to be had on the 175mm variant, too. Buy Shimano Dura-Ace R9270 Di2 groupset now for 1,899Scope S4 Carbon Road Disc Wheelset 900 611 (save 32%) This is a great deal if you're looking to upgrade your wheels. Sigma Sports If you're looking to give your road bike a serious performance upgrade without spending four figures, Sigma Sports has knocked 289 off the Scope S4 Carbon Road Disc Wheelset.Usually priced at 900, the Dutch brand's carbon wheels are now available for only 611, making them a tempting option for anyone looking to ditch their stock aluminium hoops.Featuring 45mm-deep carbon rims, the S4s aim to strike a balance between aerodynamic efficiency and low weight, making them suitable for everything from fast club rides to racing.The wheels are also tubeless-ready, enabling you to run lower tyre pressures for improved comfort and grip.At just over 600 for a complete carbon wheelset, this is a particularly appealing deal for riders looking to upgrade without breaking the bank.Only the SRAM XDR variant is available in this deal. Buy the Scope S4 Carbon Road Disc Wheelset now for 611ENVE Road Stem 330 89 (save 73%) This stem would add bling to any bike. Sigma Sports If you're looking to add a touch of premium carbon bling to your road bike, Sigma Sports has slashed the price of ENVE's Road Stem by as much as 73%.Usually priced at a rather eye-watering 330, the American brand's carbon stem is now available from only 89, making it a tempting upgrade for anyone looking to finish off a dream build.Constructed from unidirectional carbon fibre, the stem features titanium hardware and a cold-forged aluminium faceplate, helping to keep weight down while maintaining stiffness.It also features a reversible six-degree angle and a standard 31.8mm handlebar clamp, with lengths ranging from 80mm to 140mm.The 89 price only applies to the 130mm and 140mm lengths, although there are still savings on other sizes. Buy the ENVE Road Stem now for 89Trek Domane SL 5 Gen 4 105 2,800 1,899 (save 32%) This looks a great deal for those wanting a carbon bike. Sigma Sports You can pick up a carbon Trek Domane for 1,899, saving 32 per cent.The Domane SL is built around Trek's 500 Series OCLV carbon frame and is designed to balance speed with comfort over longer rides.The Gen 4 bike uses Trek's rear IsoSpeed system, which is designed to add compliance at the seat tube, while generous tyre clearance gives the Domane some versatility away from pristine tarmac.The SL 5 is equipped with Shimano's mechanical 105 groupset and hydraulic disc brakes.With a 32 per cent saving, this looks to be one of the standout complete-bike deals in the sale.Only the 54cm size appears to be available at the time of writing, but if the shoe fits, this could be a great time to upgrade your road bike or get a dedicated winter training bike. Buy the Trek Domane SL 5 Gen 4 105 now for 1,899Shimano GRX 825 12-Speed Di2 Groupset Bundle 2,060 1,399 (save 32%) This could be a great upgrade for your gravel bike. Sigma Sports Roadies aren't the only ones getting a hefty Shimano discount.The latest 12-speed GRX RX825 Di2 groupset has dropped to 1,399.GRX RX825 brought Shimano's electronic gravel groupset in line with its latest road offerings, using wireless shifters alongside a wired rear derailleur and battery.The shifters also feature additional buttons on the hoods, which can be configured to control compatible bike computers or used as extra shift buttons.If you've been considering moving your gravel bike to electronic shifting, a 32 per cent discount makes this considerably easier to justify.This specific discount is for the 172.5mm variation. Buy Shimano GRX 825 12-Speed Di2 Groupset Bundle now for 1,399Sidi Shot 2S road shoes 425 114 (save 73%) Another true bargain. Sigma Sports You don't have to spend four figures to take advantage of one of the biggest discounts in the sale.Sidi's Shot 2S road shoes have fallen from 425 to 114, depending on size and colour a hefty saving of up to 73%. Plus you can get another 10% off using BikeRadar's special code, which brings the price down to 102.60.The Shot 2S sits towards the top end of Sidi's road shoe range and features the Italian brand's carbon sole and centrally mounted Tecno-3 closure system.There's also an adjustable heel-retention system, designed to help secure the rear of your foot inside the shoe.A 425 pair of shoes is undeniably extravagant, but at this price they become a much more interesting proposition how are they making money here?This price is for the Anthracite colourway, with sizes 40 to 48 available at the time of writing, although prices increase to 125 for select sizes.There are also good savings to be had on the other colourways. Buy the Sidi Shot 2S road shoes now from 114

Netcompany-Ineos did not have a bad season. The British team won 37 times, the most since 2023, on 20 more occasions than their annus horribilis of 2024, and finished eighth in the team rankings. Its not world-beating form, and there was no Grand Tour win or even podium, but its not too far from their average performance in terms of wins since their founding. It was a solid year, then, with standout moments, even if the Tour de France was a disappointment. Alongside this, their future appears secure, with new title sponsor Netcompany joining from April. So why, then, do things feel a bit off at the British WorldTour team? As has become custom, it is yet another winter of change at Ineos, with at least nine riders joining and at least 10 leaving. Some of those are explainable, like Ben Swift and Bob Jungels retiring, but others feel like huge losses. The one that stands out is Filippo Ganna, who has been with the team since 2019, taking all 41 of his pro victories in that time. What's more, the Italian is leaving before the end of his contract to join Lidl-Trek. Riders only do that if they're offered more money or are unhappy where they are. Others good riders, including Ben Turner, Laurens De Plus, and Magnus Sheffield, are also moving on. In their stead, a group of solid, hard-working professionals has been signed, from Michael Valgren to James Shaw, Joe Blackmore and Harold Tejada. Good riders, but not necessarily a giant upgrade on what they already had. It is the joint-record amount of transfer business any iteration of Netcompany-Ineos has ever completed since being established in 2011, and gives the sense of a team in churn, unsettled, not quite knowing what it is. This is not the first year of transition at the British team; in the last five years, Sir Dave Brailsford has left and rejoined, with the management structure and staffing shifting at the same time, with Rod Ellingworth and John Allert both joining and leaving. Geraint Thomas is in charge of racing now, but there has also been a turnover in sporting directors and technical staff, with Dan Bigham, Steve Cummings and Zak Dempster just three of the key staff-members in the backroom who have left in recent years. Other teams have staff turnover, but seemingly not at the same rate. More than ever, it feels like the team is having a bit of an identity crisis. There are now just four confirmed British riders at the British team, and a mix of other nationalities, including a notable Spanish block. "There are always riders leaving and going," Oscar Onley, the team's big GC hope, told Cycling Weekly this week, in defence of his team's transfers. "I think it's normal, it's the way the sport is. I think the team are quite clear on what they want to achieve, they want to win Grand Tours again, and they're putting good plans in place to do everything they can to try and achieve that."However, Ineos do seem better than most at losing talent. A handful of the riders that have left the team in the last five years include Tom Pidcock, Adam Yates, Richard Carapaz, Pavel Sivakov and Ben Tullet, before including this year's exodus. At the end of this year, their highest rider in the UCI rankings is Thymen Arensman, in 44th; their rivals each have a handful of riders above him. The reason, as ever, is likely money, as other team's budgets have ballooned in recent years, especially UAE Team Emirates-XRG, and despite investment from Netcompany, the squad is no longer the richest in the world. There are also question marks around how the team is run. While there isn't the same level of doom-and-gloom as at Manchester United, the football club also owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos, there is the same sense of a fallen giant which once ruled the roost, and of a muddled strategy at management level. The cycling team won six Tours de France before being owned by Ratcliffe, and have only won one since. It has not been a dominant force for over seven years . A brighter future is possible. Onley is still young, won the white jersey at the Vuelta a Espaa this year, and is still developing; in 18-year-old Benjamn Noval, junior world road and time trial champion, they could have the next superstar. There are other elite riders at the team, and they have the potential to win just as many races in 2027 as this year. However, they still don't have a rider the level of Tadej Pogaar or even of those chasing; Remco Evenepoel chose Red Bull over Ineos while Jonas Vingegaard wont be tempted from Visma Lease a Bike. Neither have they managed to sign 'the next big thing'; like Isaac del Toro or Paul Seixas. The rumour is that Netcompany-Ineos are attempting to woo Seixas, the great French hope, but would he want to join a team in almost-constant flux? It isn't a winter of crisis, but it is one of revolution. Whether this leads to progress remains to be seen.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has backed the British capital to become the "undisputed capital of women's sport" as Marion Rousse prepares to oversee a historic first at the 2027 Tour de France Femmes. The race's first-ever team time trial will take place through central London next summer, with Khan maki...

In the latest episode of the road.cc podcast, ex-pro turned race director Fabian Wegmann says he's doing all he can to improve safety as an organiser, but is financially limited in how far he can go...

UPDATED October 23, 2026 BY Michael Coo IN Balkan Odyssey no comments Cycle Greece, Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia & Croatia On The New Balkan OdysseyThis summer I was fortunate enough to take part in our popular The Odyssey Cycling Tour from Athens to Amsterdam. I joined the riders in Sarajevo and stayed with them until Munich. My colleague Micah was also on the tour and was doing the entire distance and we took the opportunity to chat about how unique the Balkan countries were. While Micah had visited the area in the past for bikepacking, it was my first visit and I was charmed from the start.At one point when discussing some of the challenges the tour faced, we thought it may be a good idea to check some new ideas so I headed off from Sarajevo to scout out a potential new route from the city south to the Croatian coast and Dubrovnik. As I pedalled along the Ciro Rail Trail, I felt like I was travelling through layers of culture and history. Each small town had a story, in fact, many stories from their past and as the churches and flags (and beer ads) changed along the route, I felt like I was spinning through a virtual history lesson.Rejoining Micah and the tour in Split, we continued our conversation about the Balkans. In the end, we felt that this incredible region of the world deserved much more time to fully experience its vibrant cultures and incredible landscapes. After combining additional research, information from my brief scouting trip, and Micahs knowledge of the area from his own bikepacking trips, we eventually came up with a new plan. What emerged was the Balkan Odyssey.Ciro Rail Trail, BosniaOur new version of The Odyssey will begin in 2028 and takes riders from Athens, Greece to Zagreb, Croatia. Covering almost 2100 km over 6 weeks, the average daily distance of just under 80 km will allow the riders plenty of time to take in the sights along the way. And what sights they are the Acropolis, Temple of Apollo, Meteora Monasteries, Sarajevos Old Town, the Stari Bridge in Mostar, Dubrovniks walled old town, Diocletians Palace in Split & Zagrebs quirky Museum of Broken Relationships.St Marks Church, ZagrebAlong the way, we have included a stunning train ride from Sarajevo to Mostar, a 2 day jaunt on Bosnias new Ciro Rail Trail and some island-hopping ferries along Croatias stunning Dalmatian Coast.Korcula old town, Korcula island, CroatiaWe invite you to join us in 2028 on the Balkan Odyssey. Pedal through Greeces hilly countryside, explore enigmatic Albania and spin past Montenegros towering mountains. Ride through Bosnias historic cities and cycle to the sun-drenched Adriatic coast. Travel to some of Croatias stunning islands and experience Zagrebs coffee culture.RELATEDTOURBalkan Odyssey The original Odyssey by Homer followed Ulysses, King of Ithaca, on his grueling 10 year trip home from the Trojan War during which he faced and... Related Posts:Leave a Comment for "Cycle Greece, Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia & Croatia On The New Balkan Odyssey" Cancel reply