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Colombian bike brand Scarab Cycles debuted a new addition to its Páramo line of gravel bikes with the Páramo Integrated, unveiled today. The new bike sits between Scarab's adventure-focused Páramo Ultra gravel and Apüna all-road models.
The Párama Integrated is built with Columbus steel and features integrated cable routing with Enve's InRoute system (the existing Páramo with partly internal routing is currently still listed on Scarab's web site). The new bike can clear up to 50 mm tires, features a T47 bottom bracket and a UDH rear dropout. Framesets start from US$3,850. [Scarab Cycles]
Philipsen sprints to victory on stage 2 of the Baloise Belgium Tour
Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) took his first win since March on the second stage of the Baloise Belgium Tour. The 27-year-old Belgian outsprinted Juan Sebastián Molano (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) and Jenno Berckmoes (Lotto) in Putte.
Molano, who finished second on stage 1 as well, now leads the race.
Onley outkicks Almeida to win stage 5 of the Tour de Suisse
Oscar Onley (Picnic-PostNL) topped João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) at the line on stage 5 of the Tour de Suisse after the pair left their rivals behind in an uphill finale. Felix Gall (Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale) took third on the day, 22 seconds later.
Overnight leader Romain Grégoire (Groupama-FDJ) was dropped well before the line and ultimately dropped out of the GC top 10 with Kévin Vauquelin (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) moving into the leader's jersey in his stead, though Almeida continues to surge up the rankings and could find more time in the days to come.
UFO Ultra Endurance is CeramicSpeed’s first DIY hot melt wax
CeramicSpeed has arguably been selling hot-melt wax longer than any other business, and yet, until now, you could only buy the wax as a pre-treatment on a chain aimed at racing.
New UFO Ultra Endurance is a do-it-yourself hot-melt wax product focused on single-application longevity versus the absolute lowest watts. The new wax is claimed to last up to 1,000 km in dry conditions and up to 750 km in wet conditions in a single application. Those chasing race-day watts within the CeramicSpeed product line should still look to the pre-treated chains.
CeramicSpeed will sell its wax in bio-based bags for use with electric wax pots (starting from US$43 / €40 for 400 grams). Alternatively, they also offer the wax as a kit in a plastic container, with a chain holding tool, which can be used within a simmering pot of water (US$53 / €50, including 400 grams of wax). The new wax, like CeramicSpeed’s UFO drip wax lubes, is non-toxic and biodegradable.
Jonas Abrahamsen breaks collarbone, likely ruling out Tour de France start
The Tour de France participation of Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno-X Mobility) is in serious doubt, following a fractured collarbone at the Baloise Belgium Tour.
"After further discussions with a specialist, Jonas will require surgery to fix his collarbone. He is in great shape and remains highly motivated for the Tour de France, but we all accept that the chances of him being on the start line in Lille are very small," a team spokesperson told Escape Collective.
The Norwegian rider was one of the sensations of the 2024 Tour de France, courtesy of a mind-boggling 1,948 km in breakaways throughout the race – including 140 km solo on stage 8.
Uno-X Mobility was the first team to release its full Tour de France lineup on Monday, with a list comprising:
Magnus Cort
Søren Wærenskjold
Andreas Leknessund
Tobias Halland Johannessen
Anders Halland Johannessen
Jonas Abrahamsen
Markus Hoelgaard
Stian Fredheim
In the event that Abrahamsen is unable to recover in time, Uno-X Mobility told Escape Collective that his replacement will come from one of four reserve riders: Fredrik Dversnes, Johannes Kulset, Rasmus Tiller, and Alexander Kristoff, the team’s veteran star who is racing his final season.
Merlier takes a convincing win on stage 1 of the Baloise Belgium Tour
With his first Tour de France start in four years just around the corner, Tim Merlier (Soudal-Quick-Step) flashed his form in an uphill sprint on stage 1 of the Baloise Belgium Tour.
The 32-year-old Belgian went long in Knokke-Heist and took a no-doubt victory, crossing the line well ahead of Juan Sebastián Molano (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) and Ethan Vernon (Israel-Premier Tech). More sprint opportunities await in the coming days.
Almeida goes solo to claim stage 4 of the Tour de Suisse
João Almeida stormed to a stage victory and made some big GC gains too on Wednesday's stage 4 of the Tour de Suisse. The UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider powered away from a much-reduced field on the Cat. 1 Splügenpass climb and soloed all the way to the line to win 40 seconds ahead of Oscar Onley (Picnic-PostNL) with Ben O'Connor (Jayco-AlUla) taking third on the day, 42 seconds back.
Romain Grégoire (Groupama-FDJ) remains atop the GC standings in Switzerland, though Almeida climbed up to seventh overall with his impressive ride, and the Portuguese all-rounder could be in for more time gains in the challenging days to come.
After taking his first career WorldTour victory in stage 5 of the Critérium du Dauphiné, Jake Stewart has signed an extension with Israel-Premier Tech that will keep him with the squad through 2028.
"It feels like I'm turning a new page in my career," Stewart said. "The goal for the future remains the same with IPT; developing me into a world-class lead-out rider. But I also get my own opportunities and I try to make the most of them."
Thomas abandons the Tour de Suisse after stage 3 crash
Geraint Thomas, who won the Tour de Suisse in 2022, pulled out of this year's race after a crash on Tuesday's stage 3. The Welshman said after the incident that he "hit a lip on the side of the road" with a little less than 60 km to go, and he hurt his knee and hamstring in the fall.
He finished the stage just over 15 minutes down, and the Ineos Grenadiers announced on Wednesday that he would not start stage 4 "as a precautionary measure."
Hunt partners with Qvist
Based on an interesting freehub system that features three ratchet rings for 120 points of engagement, the Qvist Duo Classic is a hub the Escape tech team has been watching closely.
As teased in coverage from the Sea Otter Classic, Hunt has now partnered with the German-based components company, starting with a limited run of its 40 Limitless Gravel wheels. Limited to 40 pairs, these wheels combine Hunt’s front-and-rear-specific carbon aero gravel rims with Qvist’s hub in a dark graphite colour. Yes, you read that right, 40 limited (edition) 40 Limitless Gravel wheels. Expect to pay US$2,000 / £1650 / €2,000 for a complete set.
The two companies have teased further wheelset releases together. Meanwhile, tech editor Dave Rome has been testing the regular version of Hunt’s 40 Limitless Gravel wheels – the review of these wide aero wheels should wrap up soon.
Suspicions have been confirmed: Brembo officially enters World Cup DH
Specialized Gravity has announced a new partnership with Brembo, bringing the iconic Italian braking brand into the elite ranks of downhill mountain biking. Known globally for its high-performance systems in motorsport, including WRC rallying and MotoGP, Brembo’s move into top-tier DH racing signals a serious intent to expand its footprint in cycling.
The Specialized Gravity team, which includes top contenders like Loïc Bruni and Finn Iles, will now be racing with Brembo’s brake systems. While Brembo has dabbled in MTB before (back in 2005/6 which quickly became Vapor Ware), this marks its most prominent partnership to date in the discipline.
The partnership with Specialized Gravity makes sense as the team has been a long-time user of Öhlins suspension. Back in October 2024, Brembo acquired Öhlins for $405 million, bringing its operations under the Italian brand's umbrella.
Chris King brings back the Titanium headset for a limited time
The Chris King Titanium NoThreadset headset is one of those rare items that causes an older generation of bike nerds to salivate. Now, the American manufacturer is bringing the product back for a limited time.
Chris King hasn’t said how many they’re making, but numbers are limited. Like the last time they made them, they’re available only in an external cup to suit a 1 1/8in threadless steerer. All yours for the low, low price of US$475.
Garmin launches its first head unit made for mountain bikers
GPS giant Garmin announced today its first-ever computer made expressly with mountain bikers in mind. The Edge MTB differs from Garmin's other head units in several ways, chiefly that it's a bit more ruggedly designed and features a higher recording rate to better capture twisty trails.
The Edge MTB uses a transflective TFT display tucked behind a Corning Gorilla Glass screen. Seven overmolded buttons are designed for better tactile interaction on trails (like other Garmin units, it features IPX7 water protection). The multiband GPS uses a 5 Hz recording rate, which more faithfully renders switchbacks and other trail features in your ride files. Battery life is 14 hours, and up to 26 in battery saver mode.
There's the usual host of Garmin metrics, plus a few mountain bike-specific ones like map data from Trailforks, Downhill and Enduro ride profiles that help differentiate human-powered from chairlift vertical, a "Forksight" mode that offers info like trail difficulty and distance back to trailhead, and it'll track how often and how far you jump and even your hang time, because apparently steez can now be data-optimized. The unit retails for US$400 and is available now. [Garmin]
Petition launched to reverse UCI handlebar width rule
The UCI’s newly announced minimum handlebar width rule is facing continued pushback, including a petition on change.org that garnered more than 1000 signatures in just a few hours on Tuesday.
Set to take effect Jan. 1, 2026, the regulation mandates a 40 cm minimum width (outside-to-outside) and 32 cm between the narrowest point of the brake levers. It is aimed at improving control and rider safety.
But critics say the “one-size-fits-all” rule overlooks rider diversity. The petition argues the rule could force smaller riders, particularly women, into unsafe, uncomfortable positions. Top female riders are on the record saying the change compromises fit and risks injury. The International Bike Fitting Institute has echoed those concerns, citing evidence that many riders require narrower bars.
Developed with input from SafeR, the rule is part of a broader UCI safety push. But as dissent mounts, calls are growing for exemptions or revised standards that reflect real-world rider needs. So far, the UCI hasn’t responded publicly.
Knee issue will keep Williams out of the Tour
Stevie Williams (Israel-Premier Tech) will not be able to start the Tour de France as he continues to deal with lingering health woes. The 29-year-old Welshman gave an update on his status on social media.
"Since the start of my season in Australia, I’ve had an issue with my right knee, a quadriceps tendinopathy, which is very tricky to manage, and it hasn’t resolved," he wrote. "I was able to come back for Giro d’Abruzzo and the Ardennes but since then, things still aren’t completely right. Unfortunately, this means I won’t be able to race the national championships in Wales, or the Tour De France. I’m gutted to miss them, especially racing Nationals in front of a home crowd. But, I’m working really hard to get back to full fitness with the support of the team and I hope I’ll be back on the start line soon."
Simmons takes Suisse stage 3 from the break
Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek) picked up his second WorldTour win so far this year on stage 3 of the Tour de Suisse.
The US national road champion jumped into the early breakaway and then soloed clear with about 20 km to go. He held on to win 18 seconds ahead of the peloton, with João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) taking second on the day and Oscar Onley (Picnic-PostNL) in third. Romain Grégoire finished safely to retain his overall race lead.
First seen under a winning Marianne Vos, the new Cervelo Aspero 5 gravel race bike is now official. Cervelo has leaned strongly on the aero angle, claiming it to be the fastest of its direct competitors (we’re yet to confirm what brands that includes, but 3T and Factor are established options in the aero gravel space). It joins the more affordable Aspero released last year.
With official room for 45 mm tyres and a frame that meets UCI approval, it reads more like a new cyclocross bike than some of the latest big-rubber gravel bikes. Still, it proves a segmenting of gravel, where narrower tyres may still be best for the UCI’s tarmac-laden approach to gravel racing, or at least, to how many use a gravel bike.
Available in six sizes, the bike features downtube storage, a T47 threaded bottom bracket, can be set up with a front derailleur, and has a UDH. Like before, the Aspero 5 is Cervelo’s most premium gravel model, with framesets at US$5,500, and complete bikes starting from US$8,700 (with SRAM Force AXS E1). Escape’s tech editor, Dave Rome, has one of these in the workstand mid-assembly. More to come.
Rouvy to raise subscription prices by up to 38%
Indoor cycling platform Rouvy has announced it will increase its subscription prices starting 15 July 2025. Monthly plans will rise to $19.99 / €19.99 / £17.99, up from the current $14.99 / €14.99 / £12.99.
The Czech platform said users can, however, lock in current prices for another year by switching to or renewing an annual plan before July 15. Explaining the price change, Rouvy CEO said, "This price increase will help us keep improving ROUVY and delivering the great rides and experiences you love, whilst maintaining the high quality level we continually strive for."
No Tour for Kristoff in his final season
Uno-X Mobility has unveiled its Tour de France roster, revealing that veteran sprint star Alexander Kristoff has not been selected "in what is expected to be his final season." The 37-year-old Norwegian is a four-time stage winner but Uno-X has decided to focus on the future with its Tour lineup. To the team's credit, that decision was addressed as part of the roster reveal.
"Leaving out Alexander was incredibly tough,” said team boss Thor Hushovd. "He absolutely deserved a final Tour appearance, and I'm confident he would have delivered – just like he always does. But this year, we've chosen Søren Wærenskjold as our main sprinter. He's shown he can win sprints against the very best. Together with Stian Fredheim, he forms a promising duo. It's a decision that also reflects the future of our team."
Evenepoel rues pollen at the Dauphiné
Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick-Step) has told Het Laatste Nieuws that allergies impacted his Critérium du Dauphiné campaign, and that he is hoping things are better at the Tour de France.
"As a child, I even had severe asthma attacks. I have medication for that, but it’s been two years in a row that I’ve been bothered by it in the Dauphiné. It starts with the nose, then it goes down to the airways. You get mucus everywhere, everything gets a bit stuck," he said.
"I hope the pollen count will be lower in the Tour." [Het Laatste Nieuws]
Albanese gets his first WorldTour win at the Tour de Suisse
Vincenzo Albanese (EF Education-EasyPost) rode to his first ever victory at the WorldTour level on Monday's stage 2 of the Tour de Suisse.
EF set the tempo for the bunch in the closing kilometers, putting Albanese into a strong position for the final push to the line, where Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek) tried to steal a march on the faster finishers with a surge inside the final kilometer. The American was unable to open much of a gap but his move did catch several would-be contenders off-guard – but not Albanese, who bested Fabio Christen (Q36.5) and Lewis Askey (Groupama-FDJ) to take the win.
Grégoire takes Suisse stage 1, as O'Connor gains heaps of time on GC rivals
Stage 1 of the Tour de Suisse took place on exactly the same course as the finale of the women's event, a punchy Classics-style race of just 129.4 km. The chances of it being a sprint stage were slim, but few would reasonably expect to lose much time at this early point in the eight-day race – but that's exactly what happened to many of the favourites.
After an aggressive start, a large breakaway of 28 riders formed ahead of the peloton led by the UAE Team Emirates-XRG lineup supporting João Almeida, widely considered the man to beat at the Tour de Suisse. Of the UAE deligation, only Felix Großschartner made the move, along with a host of dangerous names including Kévin Vauquelin (Arkéa-B&B Hotels), Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor), Romain Grégoire (Groupama-FDJ) and GC contender Ben O'Connor (Jayco-AlUla). Against the odds, and in grizzly conditions, the gap ballooned out towards four minutes, and the peloton was never able to do much damage in the chase.
The breakaway ultimately broke up again on the smaller local loop, but the leaders had plenty of time in hand. Grégoire took a solo victory on the stage, with Vauquelin leading a small chase group 20 seconds behind. A minute 7 seconds later, O'Connor led the next group home with Großschartner on his wheel, with the peloton's arrival delayed by a further two minutes and 5 seconds, setting up an intriguing week of racing in Switzerland.
Lenny Martinez wins stage 8, Pogačar adds Dauphiné to his tally
The Critérium du Dauphiné wrapped up on stage 8 with stage victory for Lenny Martinez (Bahrain-Victorious) from the breakaway, his third WorldTour stage win of the season, and a consolation prize after suffering a jour sans on Saturday's Queen Stage.
Deserving though Martinez was of a visit to the podium, there was a sense of Tadej Pogačar pulling the strings from the peloton; the world champion could have, but didn't want to win a fourth stage of the race because, with the GC to boot, it would prematurely bring his victory tally to 100 – “I'd rather save that one hundredth victory for the Tour,” Tadej Pogačar joked on Saturday morning, before taking number 98.
Pogačar's rivals almost spoiled it for him, though, with attacks flying on the final climb before the five-kilometre plateau to the line. But the gap to Martinez held, and Jonas Vingegaard led the world champion over the line 33 seconds after the stage winner, meaning Pogačar took his first Dauphiné title ahead of the Tour de France, where his 100th victory will be waiting.
Magnier outsprints Philipsen at Elfstedenronde Brugge
A day after winning Dwars door het Hageland, young sprinter Paul Magnier (Soudal-QuickStep) doubled up at the more sprint-friendly Elfstedenronde Brugge, out-sprinting Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) in the bunch gallop.
The conditions were rather better than for the previous day's attritional racing, and with just two cobbled 'sectors' on the 196-kilometre parcours, with negligible elevation over that distance, it was much easier for the teams to control in order to bring the bunch to the line together. In the finishing straight, Magnier glued himself to the wheel of Philipsen who is building towards the Tour, so when the Alpecin rider launched, Magnier was ready to respond. It was close, but the young Frenchman lunged over the line ahead of his rival for an important victory. Best of the rest was Lotto's Elia Viviani.
Top 5
Paul Magnier (Soudal-QuickStep)
Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck)
Elia Viviani (Lotto)
Oded Kogut (Israel-Premier Tech)
Joes Oosterlinck (Volkerwessels)
Reusser beats Vollering to Tour de Suisse title with solo stage 4 victory
The women's Tour de Suisse enjoyed a dramatic finale in and around Küssnacht on Sunday's stage 4. The GC was finely poised at the start, with stage 1 winner Marlen Reusser (Movistar) still holding the race lead, though by only three seconds over former teammate and new rival Demi Vollering (FDJ-Suez), who had won every stage race she'd started in 2025 before arriving in Switzerland.
Attacks flew throughout the 129.4-kilometre stage, but everything was neutralised in time for the last ascent of the Michaelskreuz climb (3 km at 9.1%) 15 km from the line. Reusser forced a selection on the biting gradients, taking many of the GC contenders over the crest with her, but when the Swiss TT powerhouse lit it up again nine kilometres out, there was no response. Vollering and third-overall Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto) eventually went off in pursuit, but it was too late.
Reusser crossed the line in Küssnacht 28 seconds ahead of the chasing duo, with Niewiadoma taking second and Vollering third, meaning Reusser also won overall by a 36-second margin over the Dutch rider, with Niewiadoma third, 1:56 down.
Wiebes and Magnier win action-packed editions of Dwars door het Hageland
While WorldTour racing has been ongoing in Switzerland and France, one-day racing has returned to Belgium for the men's and women's Dwars door het Hageland.
With damp conditions bringing even more drama to the gravel sectors, cobbles and punchy bergs, Lorena Wiebes emerged from the murk to triumph ahead of 19-year-old Fleur Moors (Lidl-Trek) and Millie Couzens (Fenix-Deceuninck), despite having to switch onto her (smaller) teammate Barbara Guarischi's bike for the finale. It marks Wiebes's tenth win of the season.
In the men's race, an elite selection was made early on, including a dominant presence from Alpecin-Deceuninck with Jasper Philipsen, Quentin Hermans, Tibor Del Grosso and Timo Kielich all making the cut. The powerhouse team seemed very much in control, even sending Hermans off the front for a stint to force their rivals to work, but when attacks resumed in the last 20 km, Philipsen appeared to struggle. The Belgian was able to latch onto Paul Magnier (Soudal-QuickStep) and Rasmus Tiller (Uno-X Mobility) when they launched 16 km out, but he was later dropped 4 km from the finish. Del Grosso and Hermans were able to bridge the narrow gap without too much trouble, but Magnier and Tiller had the pace and staying power to take the top two spots on the ramp to the Diest Citadel.
Women's top 5
Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) 3:18:02
Fleur Moors (Lidl-Trek) "
Millie Couzens (Fenix-Deceuninck) "
Ilse Pluimers (AG Insurance-Soudal) +0:04
Zoe Bäckstedt (Canyon-SRAM zondadacrypto) +0:05
Men's top 5
Paul Magnier (Soudal-QuickStep) 4:00:29
Rasmus Tiller (Uno-X Mobility) +0:03
Tibor Del Grosso (Alpecin-Deceuninck) +0:09
Quinten Hermans (Alpecin-Deceuninck) +0:14
Mike Teunissen (XDS-Astana) +0:24
Pogačar lands another blow as Visma's Dauphiné plan fizzles out on Queen Stage
Jonas Vingegaard and his team Visma-Lease a Bike inevitably hit the Queen Stage with a plan to overturn their defeat suffered 24 hours earlier at the hands of Tadej Pogačar. But to no avail, the race leader scored back-to-back stage victories to strengthen his grip on yellow with one day to go.
After a lengthy battle for the day's move, Visma's Sepp Kuss made it into the day's breakaway, ready to help out with the first phase of attacks over the summit of the Croix de Fer, and the team was later well represented in the reduced yellow jersey group by the climb to the line. However, Pogačar seemed content just to let them tire themselves out before launching his own attack 12 km from the top of the Montée de Valmeinier. Vingegaard tried to follow, but his rival slipped from his grasp.
If there's any consolation that Visma-Lease a Bike can take from the day, it's that the Dane only crossed the line 14 seconds down, although Pogačar didn't need to do any more than keep Vingegaard at arm's reach. Behind them, Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe) was best of the rest 1:21 down, and Tobias Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility) out-climbed Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep) over a minute further down.
Balsamo wins Tour de Suisse stage 3, Reusser keeps race lead
After a long solo breakaway from Kristen Faulkner (EF Education-Oatly), further attacks in the hilly finale, including from her teammate Cédrine Kerbaol, Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto), Blanka Vas (SD Worx-Protime) and stage 2 winner Amber Kraak (FDJ-Suez), stage 3 of the Tour de Suisse culminated in a frantic bunch sprint.
Despite the best efforts of SD Worx-Protime to dominate the finale, Lidl-Trek had things under control. It was close on the line, but Elisa Balsamo denied Mischa Bredewold a chance to make an SD Worx-shaped mark on the WorldTour stage race.
Meanwhile, Marlen Reusser (Movistar) was well looked after in the pack to secure her leadership of the race going into the final day. However, with former teammate Demi Vollering (FDJ-Suez) just three seconds down and a punchy parcours to come, the Tour de Suisse is finely poised going into stage 4.
Baudin: 'When I saw Pogačar catching up with me, I couldn't resist grabbing the wheel'
The first summit finish of the Critérium du Dauphiné saw Tadej Pogačar flipping the script on his doubters as he put over a minute into arch-rival Jonas Vingegaard on the Côte de la Cry. While the world champion was on his way to a statement stage win, he scooped up the remaining breakaway riders, including EF Education-EasyPost's punchy climber, Alex Baudin.
"When I saw Pogačar catching up with me, I couldn't resist grabbing the wheel to see how fast he was!" Baudin said at the finish. "It killed me for two or three minutes."
The Frenchman still finished sixth on the stage, took over the mountains classification, and was awarded with the combativity award for his dogged efforts.
Kraak goes long to take Suisse stage 2
Amber Kraak (FDJ-Suez) won stage 2 of the Tour de Suisse after a long day out front. The 30-year-old Dutchwoman joined the day's early break and then soloed clear some 25 km from the line to take the win. Fellow breakaway rider Marta Lach (SD Worx-Protime) finished second on the day and then Elise Chabbey (FDJ-Suez) led a select group over the line in third.
Marlen Reusser (Movistar) finished in the next group, shipping a bit of time to a few GC rivals but still maintaining her healthy advantage in the general classification with two stages to go.
