The 2027 Vuelta a Espaa will only have its route officially revealed in January 2027, however further details have been confirmed by race director Javier Guilln. The Vuelta's head figure also dreams of a Tadej Pogacar return, which appears to be on the cards. We are open to any and all feedback....

Embed from Getty ImagesThe Total Energies team is saved. The new sponsor for 2027 is XEFI, a French IT services company. Its a rescue in need of a rebuild.XEFI (pronounce it zeffy) is a French firm that offers IT services to small and medium-sized businesses led by a charismatic founder Sacha Rosenthal who is often front and centre in their coverage, including at todays press conference. Companies can rent hardware like PCs and XEFI will maintain and service them as well as setting up workplace networking and IT security. Its one brand but the business model involves 150 local franchises across France and also in Belgium, Switzerland, Spain too. All these franchises are contributing to the group marketing budget to fund the three year sponsorship deal. And with this part of the sponsorship is working already as bloggers and readers alike have now heard of it.Rosenthal comes from the Lyon area and he also behind Yotta Sports which organises triathlon and has in the past run trail running events like Mauritius by UTMB.Its a notable change from previous sponsors that have wanted to appeal directly to a mass market audience from Bonjour to Total. Look closely at the Tour de France crowds and many sport TotalEnergies t-shirts because the sponsor bought a place in the publicity caravan to give away tens of thousands of t-shirts and other goodies each day. Total certainly continue the caravan, and probably as a Netcompany-Ineos backer too.But Xefis sponsorship is probably less about reaching everyone but reaching business owners and also giving local franchises some shared communications and also VIP days. If your chain of six bakeries and cafes signs up Xefi to install wifi networks; or your logistics firm leases a rack of servers for cloud computing, maybe you get to ride in a team car one day when the Tour de France comes near and so on.This is an 11th hour rescue, perhaps not quite 59th minute as the UCI registration process could be postponed for a few weeks more but close to the deadline. The late rescue meant many of the teams best riders have signed elsewhere, the team was not able to offer them any visibility for 2027. Even for those staying its not been easy, Rayan Boulahoite told DirectVelo he and others have been training not knowing if theyd be racing in 2027. We get the press conference today and theres the UCI licence to validate next.Its not the first big save, the team was due to fold after 2010 but Europcar came in late and with hindsight surely got one of the best value cycling sponorships going.The team is an institution that has been run out of a manor house in the Vende countryside. The Manoir des Essarts is surrounded by a six hectares of land, sufficiently big that its not called the garden but le parc. Its one difference to most teams that are run out of a warehouse on a logistics park; or just a mailbox in a tax shelter. Riders, pros and development riders alike, can stay in the house with its creaking stairs and dormitories although obviously salaried pros tend to want to live in their own place.Team co-founder and figurehead today Jean-Ren Bernaudeau likes to make the point that he wants to develop his riders not just as cyclists but as humans. For the anecdote, team had a British U-23 who stuck an adhesive race number on some old furniture; he told to remove it but did it again and soon got asked to leave. If riders and staff have a shared BBQ outdoors its on them to tidy up afterwards too particularly the riders given staff spend time cleaning their bikes and carrying their luggage. It might seem very French the 2026 roster is 100% franais but this is the team that gave the likes of Yukiya Arashiro, Rafa Chtioui and Natnael Berhane a go. Bernaudeau also recruited the likes of Rony Martias, Yohann Gne and Kvin Reza. If Benneton did the ads, Bernaudeau hired.So far, so legendary but a touch of myth too. Many teams claim to be families but contract negotiations are business rather than nepotism; even if Giovanni Bernaudeau did get a ride. And as LEquipe points out online, nobody ever got to the bottom of the cortisol testing that briefly halted Pierre Rolland.More recently the team has been squeezed. It was born out of the Vende-U amateur team, the thinking was if it was sending riders into the pro ranks why not retain them instead? Only the system of amateur teams has withered and instead many World Tour teams have their own development squad. If this vertical integration today is a copy of what Bernaudeau was doing 20 years ago, the problem for the French team is the likes of Decathlon, RedBull and UAE are eating their lunch, talent is siphoned away before it gets in the Vende pipeline.The squeeze has come in the other direction too with the team getting fewer invitations, it hasnt had the must have riders since Peter Sagan one of the oddest signings left. Alas the uncertainty over the team has seen many of their best riders leave (Jegat, Jeannire, Burgeaudeau, Breuillard) so the appeal is diminished further for 2027. Still it looks likely to get a Tour de France start, if only because the competition for the two wildcard invites is light. As such the team is a vehicle to do the Tour de France if starting the race is the end in itself. But this is not settled, if, say Modern Adventure impress with results, make more signings and rise up the rankings then theyll have some appeal which could come at the expense of XEFI.ConclusionA rescue and welcome news because of this. Now comes the rebuild. The glory days of Europcar may be hard to replicate but a few clever signings could open some doors. The teams sponsor operates beyond France which should allow them to recruit wider too, former Paris-Nice winner Max Scachmann is linked to the team but theyll have to plan beyond. While the sponsorship is to promote Xefi, its founder is also keen on sports and promotion so well see how involved he gets too.The post Total Energies Team Saved, Becomes Xefi first appeared on The Inner Ring.

Voi says the council's demands for more money were "difficult to reconcile" with established e-bike criteria, whilst the company has also propose rolling out e-scooters across the city and awarding operators long-term licences

CyclistTheres not a race I havent done: Chris Juul-Jensen Q&AHow was your 2026 season? What were your standout moments?Thankfully, I can give you an answer that Ive given often in the past couple of years, which is that my standout is probably just my consistency. This is the end of my 15th year as a pro, and despite wishing I could say that my standout moment was winning this race or doing this or that, Id say that in general, its just the fact that Im able to maintain my level of consistency throughout the year, and that Ive been able to perform and do the job Ive been asked to do more or less at every race Ive gone to.It may not sound very ambitious, but as a pro, thats what its about. You want to go to a race, and you want to be able to perform. You want to be fit and strong, and youre desperate to avoid those bad days because the bad days linger more than the good days.There may not be many of them [bad days], but it doesnt take many for you to be like, Oh, I dont want to experience that again. Thats how I look at my season. Ive avoided those types of days, and whenever Ive raced, Ive felt strong and been able to do my job properly. Thats what its all about.The sport has evolved over the past few years; how are you able to maintain that level year after year?Id say experience. I wouldnt say we change things every year, but I always make sure to keep myself on my toes. I dont like stagnating getting stuck in the same routines. But at the same time, I pick and choose the routines that I know work for me, both physically and mentally.Ive designed my lifestyle: living in Copenhagen, having a relatively normal day-to-day life when Im at home, but at the same time, managing the demands of having to be at the WorldTour. My wife is part of the secret ingredient.I find it turns into a bit of a game, but I enjoy it. Its motivating to be able to maintain that level year in, year out. Now Im getting older, Im surrounded by so many young talents, which is also part of the motivation. I want to learn from them, but also prove that Im still able to do the job. That can be done in Copenhagen as well as it can be done anywhere else, so long as you have the right professional head screwed on.Everyone talks about work-life balance. I like being able to drop my kids off at school, pick them up, do all the day-to-day household chores that I cant do when Im at a race, but at the same time, maintain form as a professional bike rider. I find thats quite fun, you know. Everyone else, they drop the kids off at school, they go to work. Like you do the Giro one day, and then the next day youre on the school run, and its like, Werent you in Rome yesterday? So yeah, but its time to pack the lunches. I find that quite cool.ARN/Thomas MaheuxCopenhagen isnt a massive hub for competitive cyclists. If you were somewhere like Girona or Andorra, do you think that maybe you wouldnt have that separation?Maybe, yeah. I think at the end of the day, my biggest rival is myself. Whether I trained alone in Copenhagen or was in an environment where there are bike riders everywhere, its still a question of whether youre able to be better than the rider you were last year.In a way, I think it motivates me more, or keeps me more dialled in, because it leaves you guessing for most of the winter. Again, it keeps me on my toes because I dont know how everyone else is going. Its different if youre on a group ride every day and you can see how people are in or out of form. When Im on my own, I want to do everything I can to make sure that when I turn up, theres no doubt that Ive done my homework.Its your 11th season with Greenedge [the organisation that has been behind Jayco-AlUla in its various guises since 2011]. What is it about this team that inspires such loyalty?Its the staff that carry so much of this team, that makes sure that the atmosphere and the environment in the team is such a good place to be, which creates the motivation to want to perform and do it for their sake. Its a team you bring home with you in a good way. People work so hard that the least you can do is the absolute best you can to give them a performance theyre proud of.I couldnt imagine myself happier anywhere else. Its often considered a team where everyone has a lot of fun, but is super-professional at the same time. Everyones ambitious, motivated, always wanting to improve and achieve results. When we do achieve results, the feeling of elation, relief and happiness is shared among everyone. I always find that very special. Riders come and riders go, but the atmosphere, the DNA, has always stayed the same.You are known as quite a positive character. Is that something you mindfully work on, or is it just your natural way?Its a bit of both. As a 37-year-old rider whos been in the team for 11 years, I feel that I have a responsibility to be positive. We cant be positive all the time, but I certainly feel I have to create an atmosphere where this is a good place to be, a place where I want to do my utmost, so the team gets the most out of me.Its important to remind the young guys that being a professional cyclist is a great job. But you cant take it for granted. You know, its got to be enjoyed whilst youre doing it, but if you want to have a sustainable long career, it has to be taken seriously because if you dont, then it wont last for very long. There are many elements to professional cycling that must not be underestimated. I think thats important for me to show that.A.S.O./Billy CeustersAs a rider, youve worked for others most of your career. Can you give us an insight into the mindset of a long-serving domestique?Its very much a legs thing, to be honest. I think I realised that from an early point in my career. Again, it doesnt mean Im not always dreaming or ambitious and want to win myself or achieve results. But as I said, in terms of having a long, sustainable career, I realised early on that to put my engine to good use or proper use, it has to be in that domestique role. I was never the biggest talent, but I have an engine that can be used on all sorts of terrains. Theres not really a race I havent done.It is actually a bit difficult to explain, but thats just who I am. It obviously takes legs, but it also takes an understanding of the sport and of the role to be able to get where I am and be here for so long and still be relevant.I dont think any rider wants to admit that they dont want to win anymore. I think we all want to win, but you have to be realistic. If there are riders better than you, then its also a matter of trying to help them for the good of the team.Youve also been a great servant for Denmark over the years. How have you viewed the development of Danish cycling over the past few years?Its no secret how Danish cycling has developed since Ive turned pro. Its always been a strong nation, but its exploded in the last 10-15 years, and its been a privilege to be a part of this new era of Danish cycling and experience it firsthand.Mads Pedersen winning the Worlds in Yorkshire that was such a big moment for Danish cycling. Being part of that was a huge career highlight. Representing your country is always a privilege and something that needs to be done with pride and needs to be taken seriously, and theres always a great atmosphere. Its very unique.Im also happy that now we have three Danes in this team. Theres a very strong relationship between Danish riders across teams, which you can really see and feel when you get together on the national team.A.S.O./Romain LaurentYour current contract runs to the end of next season. Will you continue, or are you just taking it year by year?Lets say Im still super-motivated. Im looking forward to next year. As long as the hunger and the desire are there, then theres no reason not to keep going.Have you thought about what you might do after your riding career?Thats for another interview! I like prioritising focusing on being a pro, like thats where I put all my attention and emphasis.It would be naive not to be thinking about a life after cycling. I think any bike rider, no matter what stage of their career theyre in, should have post-career thoughts. But to be honest, I love prioritising being a pro because I hear so many times from retired riders to just enjoy it, because as soon as its over, its over, and youll never be able to get back. Im making an effort to enjoy it while it lasts, and not focus so much on what Ill have to do once I wake up and this dreams over.The sport has obviously changed a great deal over the past decade or so. What would you say are the best and worst changes in your time as a pro?The fact that so many young guys are coming in and taking over, I see that as a positive thing. Its very encouraging.From a negative side of things maybe Im just being a bit old and overthinking things but I wouldnt mind if we could somehow reduce the speed a little bit. How we achieve that is a different discussion, but I dont know if its a good thing.The way riders have become stronger the way we train, the way we eat, the way we look after ourselves is a very good thing from a nutritional point of view, and from a general health point of view. Its a bit of a paradox, safety-wise, on the bike, because the speed is so high.I think there are a lot of ways to reduce speed without having to make too many restrictions, but I dont have the answer right now. To me, this element of speed has to be taken into account a little bit more.Youve seen many riders come and go from the team. Who have you enjoyed working with the most over the years?There are so many, but if I were to mention just one, especially now that hes retiring, it would be Luke Durbridge, who is a very close friend and teammate. I think Ill miss him, and [Luka] Mezgec, a lot. Bloody hell! I could go on. Any rider Ive ridden with has been an absolute pleasure. [Michael] Albasini, [Mathew] Heyman, [Daryl] Impey you know, Bling [Michael Matthews]: hes still here. The Yatess. I mean, with the fear of missing someone out Swino [who????]. [Esteban] Chaves. [Matteo] Trentin. Caleb [Ewan] there have been so many great teammates, and thats what makes this team so enjoyable to be part of.Unipublic / Cxcling / Antonio BaixauliTell us about one or two of your favourite days from your career.Obviously, Id say the Tour de Suisse stage win. Its one of my few wins. I think when I retire, Ill be grateful. I would have loved to have had more [wins], and maybe I will get more, but being able to remember that one day is fantastic.I think there are so many moments in big races the Tour, the Giro, on the big stages you know, being at the forefront of a race, in the break, being able to attack or ignite the race, those types of days.Its a difficult one to answer. Its like whats your favourite song?. When I sit down, there are so many, without being able to mention many specifics, but its those moments where Ive been at the front. It doesnt have to be the biggest race either. Its just a race where youve been a focal point or made a difference. Theyre what make me want to race again next year. Where do you enjoy riding the most?I love racing in Italy. This time of year, end of autumn, the colours, the lights. When the weathers good, the atmosphere. Ive really enjoyed this block. Ive always liked racing the Giro. The [Itzulia] Basque Country as well. Its such a hard race, but beautiful, scenery-wise and with great people. We have a lot of Basque staff. The Basques love cycling, and theyve got a great cycling fan culture.And finally, is there anything you havent done yet in your career that you still would like to do or tick off?There isnt, and that is a good way to end the interview because that sums up me and my career in general. Ive actually done every race, which I do appreciate. Ive done Roubaix, Ive done Lige, Ive done Lombardy, Ive done Flanders, Ive done the Olympics, Ive done the Worlds, done all the Grandies [Grand Tours], Ive done all the stage races. I wouldnt say Id do them all again, but theres nowhere I havent been.The post Theres not a race I havent done: Chris Juul-Jensen Q&A appeared first on Cyclist.

Most riders aim to be in the cycling world's top teams, but not at the expense of their freedom. Alec Segaert reveals that he turned down an offer to join Team Visma | Lease a Bike, as he didn't want to be restricted to a domestique role. The Belgian rider spent his early years as a professional at...

Thirty-two-inch bikes have had their moment in the spotlight, but skeptics remain. Stephen Fitzgerald of Rodeo Labs was one of them, until curiosity got the better of him. What followed was an unusually deep dive into the world of all things 32-inch, culminating in building and testing a prototype 32-inch gravel bike. In this fascinating, insight-packed piece, Stephen reveals what he learned along the way. Read the story of Project 32 hereThe post Project 32: One Mans Quest to Understand 32-Inch Bikes appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Bespoke British bike brand Temple Cycles has closed down, it was revealed on Tuesday. The owner of the Bristol-based company has reportedly blamed rising costs, widespread discounting across the industry and a squeeze on consumer spending for its shock demise, revealed in an email sent out to investors, which Cycling Weekly has seen, after original reporting by Bristol24/7. The brand is looking to restructure as an online-only parts and accessories focused business. The business that became Temple Cycles was founded in 2014 by Matt Mears Mears when he was still studying engineering at Bristol University, and it has grown to become a much-loved part of the cycling landscape in the South West and beyond, with shops in Bristol, and London, and a servicing partner outlet in Berlin. Temple Cycles produces a range of stylish steel steeds in its Bristol workshop, including as the steel-framed Adventure Road drop-bar commuter / tourer bike, as well as straight bar hybrids and fixies. The company launched a crowdfunding campaign in 2022, which brought in over 1.3 million of investment capital, but in October 2023, Temple staged a flash sale, knocking nearly a third off the asking price of most of their bikes to clear out excess stock. Mears took to social media at the time to say the lockdown boom had 'petered out', leaving the company with a surfeit of beautiful bicycles boxed up in our workshop without homes to go to".After that, business appeared to recover, and Temple opened a new outlet in the Bristol suburb of Clifton just seven months ago, incorporating a shop, mechanics workshop and an events space. A note on the Temple website says "New bike orders are now closed due to high demand". However, local news outlet Bristol 24/7 broke the news that Mears has sent an email out to investors this week, informing them that a combination of factors including trade barriers, supply chain disruption, and rapidly rising energy and material costs have conspired to make this "an exceptionally difficult time to run a bicycle business". In the communique, Mears explained to shareholders that the funds they trumped up are unlikely to be recovered, and extended an apology. "Unfortunately, I do not expect any funds to be returned to shareholders through the winding down of Temple Cycles Ltd, though the proposed shares in the new company would give you a continuing stake in Temples future," the email says. "You put your money and trust into Temple, and Im very sorry that the business hasnt delivered the outcome we hoped for. I know this is disappointing news."Weve worked hard to turn the business around while managing persistent pressure on cash flow. We substantially reduced overheads, launched new products, relocated our headquarters and opened a new showroom. "Our electric bike performed well, but this was offset by weaker sales elsewhere. This year was intended to be our final push to return to profitability. Despite these efforts, we havent achieved the recovery we needed. The business also has existing debt commitments, and I dont see a realistic route to generating the profits and cash reserves needed to meet them. "Taken together, I no longer believe the current model offers a realistic route to a sustainable business."Mears went on to express his intention to remain in the bike business, with a refined focus on parts, accessories and bags, saying he wishes to apply what weve learnt over the past 12 years to a more sustainable business that preserves Temples ethos and continues to support the many Temple bikes already out there.In a statement sent to CW Mears said: "Our shareholders backed Temple and put their trust in us. Im sorry that the original business hasnt delivered the outcome we hoped for. Offering them a stake in the new company is an important part of how we want to move forward."The majority of staff have been made redundant. Mears said: "Im deeply grateful to the people who have worked at Temple. Their skill, care and commitment shaped the business, and Im very sorry that we havent been able to preserve those jobs. I also recognise the impact of the liquidation on our creditors and shareholders."

Primoz Roglic's future remains uncertain, and that remains the case until today. The Slovenian returned to the bike in an event that took place in Taiwan recently, in which he confirmed to still have no deal for 2027. Whilst many pros took part in the Tour de France-organized Singapore Criterium, R...

Some time ago I mentioned Lachlan Morton and that weird ride where he beat the Pony Express:Colloquially, in the cycling world, we call the practice of trying to beat unwitting opponents who are simply commuting to work or otherwise just riding casually Cat 6 racing. So what do we call racing a 19th century courier service that went out of business like eight years before the pennyfarthing was even invented? Well, after reading this story, Im going with vacation:Why is this not in the Travel section? I know people lionize Lachlan Morton for pushing the boundaries of human whatever, but sorry, if it walks like a vacation and it quacks like a vacation then its probably a vacation. Think about it: what do you do on vacation? Well, you eat lots of food:I had one energy gel on the first night but I try to stick with real, solid food because the rides are so long that you want your body to function in a pretty regular, predictable way, he says. Ill eat a lot of sandwiches or frozen breakfast burritos. And then every night I would have a proper dinner which was generally eggs or rice and meat and kimchi for some reason. Its rogue.And you do a little sightseeing:The sunrise is always hard to beat, he says. You see the sun coming for probably two and a half, sometimes three hours before you actually get it. A lot of these places come midday are pretty harsh, but early in the morning they can be incredibly beautiful and calm.In fact that entire paragraph could very easily be about vacationing on a tropical island, because those beaches can get pretty hot too, which is why by the afternoon you want to be off the sand and sitting at a tiki bar.You might also take advantage of your time off from work and other responsibilities by partaking in some challenging yet rewarding recreational physical activity. For example, Lachlan Morton chose all-terrain bicycling:The surprising thing for me on this trip was that the terrain that was the hardest or the slowest to move through, where it was more technical, I found the most enjoyable, he says. The mental challenge of the longer straightforward sections I find more difficult because theres less to break you out of the enormity of what you have to do.Whereas people visiting tropical islands might try something like kitesurfing or windsurfing, which can also be pretty hard:And look, like any vacation there were moments of unpleasantness:The hardest thing is getting going in the morning. After huge days, once you rest, your body completely seizes up. Starting in Wyoming, it was like 25F (-3.9C) in the dark. Your knees dont really want to, (you) cant really sit on the seat. The question is, Am I gonna be able to make this happen?But when you reach a certain age what he describes above is just called waking up, and whether its achieving tumescence or simply using the bathroom no doubt that Am I gonna be able to make this happen? bit resonates with many an AARP member.Sure, you can accuse me of being cynical, but even Lachlan Morton hmiself knows its a vacation:Im in a very lucky position to seek out hard things to do. Its a choice, (whereas) most people have to deal with hard things out of necessity, Morton explains. So Im trying to stay aware of that, remembering thats what you came out here for and leaning into those harder bits. Those physical and mental lows, they always pass. Having that knowledge gives you the confidence to not let it become this never-ending doom.I mean does it really get any better than being left the hell alone?While carving through the American Midwest, Morton was accompanied by a crew but given they could not follow his route exactly he was still very alone. Depending on the terrain, it was often up to seven hours before he saw another human soul. Yet even the solitude was something to embrace.The time you spend by yourself with uninhibited or undistracted thoughts, you really understand the way your brain works, the places it goes, he says. It helps you understand the way you behave on a day-to-day basis and the way you interact with people. That only comes through being alone.And who hasnt had one of those vacations where, instead of bringing your favorite bike you decide to rent a bike from an LBS, and so you have to make do with something boring and uninspiring like a Cannondale?[Lachlan Morton Cat 6-ing the hell out of some guy on a horse.]I do continue to wonder which historical figures Morton will try to Cat 6 next, and in researching this I was weirded out to learn that theres a History Snob:It really was unsettling:As for the expeditions that Lachlan Morton could potentially beat on his bicycle, this one stood out:But mostly because Fridtjof Nansens Arctic Drift Expedition sounds like an obsure jazz fusion album youd find in the vinyl collection of someone who also owns all those early Letle Viride releases:[BK Jimmy]Im tempted to say you had to be there, but thanks to AI you actually didnt have to be there:All fairly accurate apart from the characterization of this blog as popular.But yes, I refuse to acknowledge the legitimacy of ultra-endurance cycling as anything other than aggressive vacationing, especially when following it literally involves watching dots, which sounds like the sort of thing youd do if you found watching paint dry too stimulating. However, I did find myself perusing the competitors bikes, and while most of them were pretty much the same, there were one or two standouts, like this one:And this one:Im pretty sure one or both of those riders look exactly like this:Thats a stare that would stop even the likes of Lachlan Morton in his tracks.