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Uno-X is courting record-breaking Winter Olympian Johannes Klæbo – but don't hold your breath
The Winter Olympics wrapped up on Sunday, 24 hours after Norwegian superstar skier Johannes Høsflot Klæbo won his sixth gold of the 2026 Games in the men's 50 km classic, breaking the record for most golds in a single Winter Games, and bringing his own tally up to 13, 11 of them gold. If Thor Hushovd has his way, the 29-year-old may soon swap skis for two wheels with Scandinavian WorldTeam Uno-X Mobility.
"I told Klæbo last year that once the Olympics were over, he should consider testing a few sessions with the Uno-X team," Hushovd told Velo on Monday. "I’ve ridden with him, and it’s obvious he’s a natural cycling talent. He sits beautifully on the bike, has great control, and adapts quickly.
"I’ve always said that Klaebo has an extraordinary physical capacity, something truly unique. With the engine he has, he could succeed in almost any endurance sport."
Klæbo already has a relationship with the newly-minted WorldTeam and its sponsors, which has included joining the team for training camps, and acting as an ambassador of sorts.
"First I need to do the [2026] Olympics, and then we’ll see,” Klæbo said in a reel posted by the Uno-X team during the 2025 Tour. “After the Olympics I’ll start thinking about what I’ll do next, so maybe joining the Uno-X team should be the next goal."
It would not be the first time a professional athlete has defected from one sport to another, and cross-country skiing is a relatively popular winter pursuit for cyclists, especially for Scandinavian pros. However, a playful clip on the Uno-X team bus does not a commitment make; Klæbo, who will turn 30 later this year, said before competing in Italy that he's already looking forward to the 2030 Games in the French Alps, so it appears the skier may not be nearly as invested in the idea as is Hushovd.
Vingegaard will race Paris-Nice
After cancelling his plan to go to the UAE Tour following a training crash and a subsequent illness, Jonas Vingegaard is adding a race to his early-season calendar: Paris-Nice. The Visma-Lease a Bike star will thus make his 2026 season debut when the eight-day stage race rolls out from Achères on March 8.
"After crashing and falling ill, I took the necessary time to recover," Vingegaard said. "Now I feel ready to start racing again and am looking forward to it after a long winter of training."
The 32" Pasta Party from Sour Bicycles
With the start of a new cycling season, it seems we're in the early stages of a flood of news around 32" bikes and associated components. Just last week, UK-based Starling Cycles released its Big Bird – a mixed wheel full suspension designed for 32" front and 29" in the rear. Today, German brand Sour Bicycles has unveiled a 32" version of its Pasta Party hardtail with fitment for the emergent wheel size in front and rear. Featuring similar specs to the existing 29" version, the new Pasta Party 32" is made from custom-drawn, multiple butted, partly heat-treated chromoly steel and fits up to 32 x 2.4" tires. The frame is available now in three sizes (M, L, XL) for EU€1,299. [Sour Bicycles]
Two spectators dead and six injured after driver veers off road at Tour du Rwanda
The eight-stage Tour du Rwanda began on Sunday, but before stage 1 was over, there was a horrible crash involving a driver within the race caravan that killed two spectators and left several others injured.
"The Management of the Tour du Rwanda regrets to inform the public of an accident that occurred during stage 1 in the Gabiro area, where a caravan vehicle veered off the road and hit several spectators," reads the press release. "Sadly, two people lost their lives and six others were injured. The injured are receiving care, and we are closely following their condition.
"The Rwanda National Police has launched investigations into the cause."
Milan continues UAE sprint domination on stage 7 as Del Toro seals GC
Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) won his third stage of the 2026 UAE Tour on Sunday's finale in Abu Dhabi, ending the WorldTour stage race on a high after crashing hard on the opening day. Stage 7 was a high-speed and windswept affair that ultimately registered as the fastest in UAE Tour history – 149 km completed at an average of 50.566 km/h.
"Last year I was close to winning this finale. Tim Merlier [yet to make his 2026 debut - ed.] started sprinting very early back then, and I kind of copied that today," Milan said. "It was another lightning-fast stage, and the breakaway was very strong. We had to control the race, and we did. I have to thank my teammates for that. We showed our class again today."
As Milan galloped to his 30th career victory, ahead of Erlend Blikra (Uno-X Mobility) and Sam Welsford (Ineos Grenadiers), Isaac Del Toro crossed the line safely to seal overall victory after his stage 6 win. It's the Mexican's fourth GC title since turning pro with UAE Team Emirates-XRG in 2024, and the first at WorldTour level.
UCI confirms Abu Dhabi 2028 'will definitely be a sprinters' World Championship'
It's good news for the sport's sprinters as a UCI representative confirms that the Abu Dhabi World Championships in 2028 will be flat, despite the planned construction of an artificial climb close to the Emirati capital, which is still happening but apparently for tourism rather than specifically for pro racing.
"It will definitely be a sprinters' World Championship," Belgian UCI director Peter Van Den Abeele told Sporza at the UAE Tour. "It was President David Lappartient's request to make it a sprinters' festival. It's been a while since there's been a World Championship for sprinters.
"There might be a 100-meter hill on the course, but that's it. It's been too long since sprinters stood on the podium wearing a rainbow jersey. The flat World Championships are coming, and the sprinters can rest easy."
The Belgian former pro also confirmed that a brand new velodrome complex is being built in advance of the 2029 Track Worlds: "It's the most beautiful velodrome on the planet. The building, the architecture, and the track itself are stunning. It's not fully finished yet, but they're still working on a rooftop climb for outdoor cycling."
'The UAE Tour definitely woke me up', says Evenepoel
Remco Evenepoel was enjoying a sparkling start to 2026 with new team Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe, but after topping the podium no less than six times in the build-up to the UAE Tour, his momentum stuttered in the Middle East.
"The UAE Tour definitely woke me up," Evenepoel told Het Nieuwsblad before stage 7, the morning after losing almost a minute more to champion-in-waiting Isaac Del Toro. "It was clear that this wasn't the best week, but it's only February."
The 26-year-old Belgian won the stage 2 time trial that put him into the race lead before the first mountain stage, but he then lost over two minutes on the Jebel Mobrah as Antonio Tiberi ascended into the race lead. Three days later, Evenepoel struggled again as Del Toro dominated the field on the Jebel Hafeet, and the Belgian will finish his first WorldTour race of the season in 10th overall.
"After this, I'll definitely take it a bit easier for a few days," Evenepoel went on. "I'll recover a bit from a busy month, but the coming month will also be tough with lots of training and then the Volta a Catalunya. I have to grow step by step again and hopefully, I'll be riding at a different level in Catalunya. But first, I'll go home for a few more days; it's been a long time since I've seen my family."
Giant starts 2026 with a sharp revenue drop, Garmin posts record 2025 earnings
Giant Group opened 2026 with a 21.6% fall in its January revenue, equalling a US$31 million drop from the US$148 million revenue in January 2025. While January is usually a key month for the upcoming season, Giant's weak start reflects continued inventory issues in its two core export markets, the US and Europe, alongside the wider market difficulties from the past few years. In 2025, Giant's revenue was more stable than in the year prior, but overall, the company continued the downward trend from 2024. While there was no clear drop in revenue following the US export embargo on Giant's Taiwanese products announced in September, the overall imports from Taiwan to the US more than halved compared to 2024.
Meanwhile, American fitness-tech group Garmin has been experiencing the opposite. Company-wide, Garmin hit record revenue of US$7.25 billion in 2025, up 15% from US$6.29 billion in 2024, while its net income rose 18% to US$2 billion. Garmin said its fitness segment (which includes cycling) grew strongly, though it framed much of that growth as coming from wearables. CEO Cliff Pemble said the company expects more product launches through 2026.
Ferrand-Prévot will stick with Visma through 2028
Reigning Tour de France Femmes champion Pauline Ferrand-Prévot has extended with Visma-Lease a Bike for another season on a deal that takes her through 2028.
The Frenchwoman joined the Dutch team last year with a renewed focus on road racing after a lengthy stretch spent mostly racing her mountain bike. In that first season with Visma, she won Paris-Roubaix and went on to secure the overall win at the Tour.
"Pauline represents ambition and belief, and she plays an important role in the development and visibility of women’s cycling," said team CEO Richard Plugge. "We are proud that she continues that journey with us."
Milan doubles up on UAE Tour stage 5
Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) took his second straight UAE Tour sprint victory on Friday's stage 5. The 25-year-old Italian launched from a little ways out on the finishing straight and held off Erlend Blikra (Uno-X Mobility) and Matteo Malucelli (XDS-Astana) to take a clear win.
Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious) finished with the peloton, as did the rest of the riders inside the top 10 overall, to keep the top of the standings unchanged ahead of Saturday's stage 6 to Jebel Hafeet.
Rockets confirmed among Giro wildcards, along with Bardiani and Polti-VisitMalta
The final round of Grand Tour wildcards has been announced, with the Giro d'Italia confirming the allocation to Italian ProTeams Bardiani CSF-7 Saber and Polti-VisitMalta, along with Grand Tour debutant, the Unibet Rose Rockets.
These teams will join all 18 WorldTeams and two of the top-three-ranked ProTeams, Tudor and Pinarello-Q36.5, for the Grande Partenza in Bulgaria on Friday 8th May. The Giro was able to award three wildcards thanks to the voluntary withdrawal of Cofidis.
While Bardiani CSF and Polti-VisitMalta are tentpole features of the Giro startlist, each with a number of stage wins, the Rockets will make its Grand Tour debut a little earlier than expected after what was perceived by many as a snub from the Tour de France.
Wolf Tooth now offering T47 Asymmetric
Wolf Tooth is continuing to expand its new bottom bracket range, now with a T47 Asymetric (T47a) option to suit select Cervelo, Factor, Look, and Felt bikes.
Like the American manufacturer’s other bottom brackets, this new option is available to fit 24, 29, and 30 mm diameter crank spindles. It’s only available in black and retails for US$140.
Life Time Grand Prix announces wildcard rosters
The Life Time Grand Prix on Thursday announced the candidates for wildcard spots for its 2026 gravel and mountain bike series. The lineup of almost 30 women and more than 50 men candidates will vie for six spots total – three for each division – in the season-long Grand Prix competition.
The roster is a mix of new names and familiar faces, such as Haley Smith and Dylan Johnson, both past Grand Prix competitors. Some of the wildcard entrants missed out on selection for the initial field, while others have opted to withdraw their bid for the full series to maintain flexibility around their schedules.
The 2026 series kicks off on April 16 at the Sea Otter Classic, and wildcard selections will be made after Unbound Gravel on May 30. Full rosters are available on the Life Time Grand Prix announcement (PDF).
Milan sprints to victory on UAE Tour stage 4
Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) picked up his third win of the season on Thursday's stage 4 of the UAE Tour, where the sprinters narrowly managed to catch the day's breakaway inside the last few hundred meters.
Milan took a clear win in the end with Ethan Vernon (NSN) securing second, while Milan's brother Matteo Milan (Groupama-FDJ) finished third. Overall leader Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious) finished safely to retain his position atop the GC standings.
Jocassee SL and Reiver are two new wheelsets from Boyd Cycling
Boyd Cycling has recently launched two 700c wheelsets that exist at different points across the gravel spectrum: Jocassee SL and Reiver. The former is positioned at the top of the brand's lineup, built with its flagship Grade 54 hubs that boast 6.6° of engagement, Toray T1000 carbon fiber in high-stress zones, and Pillar Wing 20 spokes laced to an offset rim bed, all at a weight of 1145 g per set. The latter is Boyd's take on balancing performance and value, with 10° engagement Grade 36 hubs, spoke-to-brass-nipple construction, and a weight of 1385 g per set. Pricing for Jocassee SL wheelsets is US$2,000 / UK£1,800 / EU€2,040 and Reiver is US$1,200 / UK£1,050 / EU€1,200. [See more at Boyd Cycling]
ASO announces Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift team lineup
Tiberi climbs into the UAE Tour lead on stage 3
Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious) stormed into the race lead at the UAE Tour with a victory on stage 3, which finished atop the brutal Jebel Mobrah. The double digit gradients of the final climb saw attacks and counter-attacks from the GC hopefuls, with overnight leader Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) unable to keep pace with the accelerations.
Tiberi surged clear of a select group of attackers with around 3 km to go and held on solo ahead of a pursuing Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates XRG) to win the stage and take the lead. Del Toro settled for runner-up honors 15 seconds later with Lennert Van Eetvelt (Lotto-Intermarché) taking third 29 seconds down.
Curve's Big Kev V2 gravel bike has room for 29x2.4" rubber
Melbourne-based Curve Cycling has updated its adventure-focused Big Kev drop bar bike. Version 2 introduces clearance for up to 29 x 2.4 (700 x 61 mm) tyres while sticking with a gravel-width crankset. There’s also now a UDH dropout, geometry revisions, and more.
The titanium frame is paired with Curve’s Ride 415 VGM carbon fork, offering an offset flip-chip and plenty of load-carrying capacity. Meanwhile, the frame offers increased frame space for full-size bags, along with rack and fender mounts.
Curve has this one priced at AU$5,000 for a frame and fork, with complete bike options starting at AU$11,200. More at Curve Cycling.
Reserve launches its first handlebar, the RD1 One-Piece
Once upon a time, Reserve was Santa Cruz Bicycles' carbon wheel brand. Today, the brand is under the PON Group banner, providing wheels for aftermarket sales along with OE supply to sibling brands such as Cervelo, Santa Cruz, Focus, and most recently, Cannondale.
No longer just a wheel company, Reserve has announced its first one-piece handlebar offering, the RD1. It’s designed to fit bikes running regular 1 1/8” steerers and using the widely adopted 52 mm upper headset bearing size. The bar includes a headset-bearing cover, headset spacers, and an integrated computer mount. Reseve teased that it will offer headset bearing caps to suit a variety of popular bike makes and models.
There are a total of 12 different size variants, with bar widths including 36, 38, 40 and 42 cm and stem lengths from 80 to 120mm. The bar is already found on the latest Focus Izalco Max, or can be purchased for US$549 / £500 / €549 / AU$850.
Ibis’ new Ripley SL light trail bike is made in-house
Ibis Cycles just launched a new light trail version of its Ripley platform, the Ripley SL. It combines 29er wheels with the 117 mm rear suspension pivoting via a DW-link system. It’s intended for a 130 mm fork up front.
In addition to downtube storage, Ibis has added space for two bottles (medium size and up). Frame weight is claimed at 2.27 kg (5 lbs) with shock. It works with electronic or mechanical drivetrains. It has a regular headset (not integrated routing). And there’s a new size option between medium and large.
The new model is made in Ibis’ solar-powered Californian manufacturing facility, where the Exie cross-country bike was being produced. It’s priced at a premium US$4,500 for the frame, or with complete bikes starting from US$6,250. It’s a bike we’ve requested for review.
Vittoria Expands Corsa PRO Speed Range with 30 mm Option
Vittoria is widening the Corsa PRO Speed tyre range, introducing a 30 mm version. The new size was developed at the request of World Tour teams and is aimed at satisfying the demands of modern racing trends.
Part of Vittoria’s top-tier ‘Corsa PRO’ family, the Speed model features a 320 TPI cotton casing and the brand's Graphene+ Silica rubber compound.
The brand is claiming that the 30 mm tyre offers greater grip, improved comfort, better puncture resistance, and in some scenarios, enhanced aerodynamics. Over narrower options in the Corsa family. Vittoria launched a 29mm Corsa Wide Rim in 2025, optimised for use on wide rims, but the new 30mm Speed focuses on wet-weather grip and ride quality.
The tyre is available from today and will retail at £90 / €96 / US $126, and weighs a claimed 270 grams.
Evenepoel takes back control in UAE Tour ITT, but new summit finish looms
Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe) lived up to his favourite status in the stage 2 ITT at the UAE Tour, beating Josh Tarling (Ineos Grenadiers) by six seconds and taking the overall race lead before Wednesday's first major climbing day.
Race leader Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) disappointed on the 12.2-kilometre course. The double Mexican national champion is ordinarily no slouch on the TT bike, but the pan-flat nature of the Hudayrirat loop contributed to an underwhelming time that landed him 27th on the day, 42 seconds slower than the TT world champion – who'd been only the fifth rider to roll down the ramp. 24 hours after his surprise stage 1 victory, a humbled Del Toro dropped to 10th overall, his deficit 32 seconds to new leader Evenepoel.
Up next is the first visit in UAE Tour history to the brutal Jebel Mobrah climb to finish stage 3, where Evenepoel will have to fend off a determined UAE Team Emirates-XRG assault on slopes exceeding 11% in gradient for the last 7 km.
Favero firmware update doubles battery life in Pro pedals
Who doesn’t love a free upgrade?
Italian-based pedal power meter company, Favero, has released a welcomed firmware update for its new-generation Pro MX2 mountain and RS2 road pedals. The update aims to double the claimed longevity, from 80 hours to 160 hours.
The update is done through Favero’s app.
Del Toro steals a march on the sprinters to win stage 1 of the UAE Tour
Isaac del Toro won the opening stage of the UAE Tour on Monday with a surprise attack at the end of a day shortened from 144 km to 118 km due to high winds.
Stage 1 seemed likely to go to the sprinters but a slightly uphill finish proved enough of a launching pad for Del Toro to jump clear in the final kilometer, where he held on to win ahead of Cees Bol (Decathlon-CMA CGM) and Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious).
Matxin warns that Pogačar is going to be even better in 2026
UAE Team Emirates-XRG team manager Joxean 'Matxin' Fernández believes Tadej Pogačar is not yet the finished article, and that he is still getting better with each passing year.
"His age is making him progress in all aspects," Matxin told Marca in a wide-ranging interview from the UAE. "That maturity and experience of each year make him better, know himself better, train better and fuel himself better. From my point of view, this year will have a little more progression, even."
In an interview that ranged from the team's early-season bad luck to Del Toro's role at his debut Tour de France, Matxin was also asked if Pogačar has any weaknesses to speak of.
"He doesn't have one," he said, laughing. "But if he did, I wouldn't tell you so that his rivals wouldn't take advantage."
And finally, the team manager's wish for 2026? "[To] win one more race than we won last year, win with one more cyclist, and continue to keep Tadej as the best cyclist and UAE as the best team in the world."
Vollering wraps up Setmana Valenciana overall with second stage win
Demi Vollering's 2026 has got off to a brilliant start at the Setmana Valenciana, which culminated in stage 4 victory on Sunday, her second of the race.
The FDJ United-Suez leader kicked things off with a solo win on the blustery opening stage that almost didn't happen due to the wind conditions, but for which Vollering and team director Lars Boom advocated strongly to proceed as normal. Vollering retained her 56-second lead over Maeva Squiban on stage 2, which was won by Movistar's Cat Ferguson, but weather warnings forced the cancellation of Saturday's Queen Stage.
Stage 4 was the most action-packed of the race so far, starting with a hard-fought battle for the day's move. The climax came on the Cat.2 Port de l'Oronent that peaked about 30 km from the finish, with second-overall Squiban launching an attack that drew out an elite selection including Vollering, Antonia Niedermaier (Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto), Liane Lippert (Movistar) and Mie Bjørndal Ottestad (Uno-X Mobility). No one could better the race leader in the flat-out sprint for the line, but Ottestad was able to leapfrog onto the GC podium just ahead of fourth-place Niedermaier.
Final GC
Demi Vollering (FDJ United-Suez) 8:53:24
Maeva Squiban (UAE Team ADQ) +1:02
Mie Bjørndal Ottestad (Uno-X Mobility) +1:12
Antonia Niedermaier (Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto) st.
Viktória Chladoňová (Visma-Lease a Bike) +1:23
Lidl-Trek unveils new Canadian champ's jersey for Derek Gee-West
Derek Gee-West has been provided with an updated Canadian national champion's jersey prior to his Lidl-Trek debut at the UAE Tour. The maple leaf is now much more prominent, and the fairly narrow red bands of the previous iteration have been extended the full length of the sleeves.
The 28-year-old's transfer to Lidl-Trek was one of the biggest stories of this past off-season, as was the national champ's jersey featured in the announcement – for all the wrong reasons. After a social media uproar, the now-German WorldTour team promised that Gee-West would get a new and better jersey after a social media uproar, and it's arrived 24 hours before his return to competition, eight months after he took the Canadian title in his last race of 2025.
Brand takes first CX win in rainbow bands, and confirms road debut at Strade Bianche
Lucinda Brand has taken her first win in the rainbow bands of CX world champion at Exact Cross Sint-Niklaas, which marks the 36-year-old's 20th win of the 2025-26 season.
This landmark victory comes as Brand transitions into the road season, her debut with Lidl-Trek apparently set for Strade Bianche Donne on the first weekend of March.
"If you see what she's already done this week in road training ... Those were five- to six-hour workouts," team manager Sven Nys told Sporza on Saturday, explaining what was a bit of a tricky start for Brand. "That will also have an impact at the end of a long cyclocross season, but hey, Strade Bianche is coming up."
Riders blown all over the road before Vuelta a la Murcia cancellation
Hours after the confirmed cancellation of stage 3 of the Setmana Valenciana, just over the regional border into Murcia, the organisers finally gave in to the wind and cancelled the second and final stage of the men's Vuelta a la Murcia. The decision came after about 20 km, with organisers neutralising the race after several riders lost control in the strong gusts. The peloton was then bussed to the finish town of Santomera for a showcase sprint and final ceremony.
Emīls Liepiņš was first across the line at the end of a slow-motion sprint, but after just 15 minutes of makeshift racing, the win won't go on his palmarès. Marc Soler, meanwhile, was confirmed as overall winner ahead of teammate Julius Johansen after their two-man rampage on a blustery stage 1.
Severe weather has had a lot to say this week, with wind influencing and/or stopping racing more than once on the southeastern coast of Spain, and bitterly cold, snowy conditions almost bringing the Tour de la Provence to a standstill in the south of France. With 'severe flood risks' still in place across much of Spain, and parts of Portugal and France, there may well be more races affected in coming days and even weeks.
Derek Gee-West to make early debut for Lidl-Trek at UAE Tour
New Lidl-Trek signing Derek Gee-West is set to make an earlier-than-expected debut for his new team at the UAE Tour from Monday (Feb 16-22).
Gee-West – who may also debut a new national champ's jersey design – will face stellar competition in his first race since the National Championships in late June last year, lining up against top favourite Remco Evenepoel and a UAE pairing that includes Isaac Del Toro, one of his big rivals at the 2025 Giro d'Italia where Gee finished fourth.
He'll join Lidl-Trek co-leader Jonathan Milan who won two stages in 2025, with support including climbing domestiques Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier and Patrick Konrad.
