Voting is under way for the 2026 MBUK and Cycling Plus Rider of the Year awards, giving you the chance to have your say on who deserves to take home this year’s honours.
After the nominations were whittled down by a panel of experts, the final shortlists have been revealed, with readers now responsible for deciding the winners of the Rider of the Year and Newcomer of the Year categories.
For the mountain bikers, MBUK has shortlisted eight riders in each category this year, down from 10 previously.
The recipient of the Lifetime Achievement award will be chosen by our panel.
Voting for both awards closes on 14 October, so you’ve got only a few weeks to have your say.
The winners will be announced at our Rider of the Year awards event. Scott Windsor / Our Media
The winners will be revealed at an exclusive awards event on 26 November, before appearing in the January issues of MBUK and Cycling Plus and on BikeRadar.
So, whether your Rider of the Year has been smashing World Cup tracks, tearing up the road or doing something altogether different on two wheels, now’s the time to cast your vote.
A big thanks, once again, to Lezyne for their continued support for the awards.
Rapha has hinted at staff cuts in a statement that says proposed changes to the company involve an “organisational restructure” and “formal consultation process with affected team members”.
Early on Wednesday, Rapha CEO Fran Millar announced her resignation, warning of organisational changes “to reduce cost and drive efficiency”.
In the afternoon, Rapha released a statement announcing several business updates as part of its “ongoing transformation programme”.
Rapha wrote in the statement: “While there are encouraging green shoots, we believe significant changes are essential to establish a stronger, more sustainable path forward.
“This involves a proposed organisational restructure and a formal consultation process with affected team members will now take place. We believe these proposed changes are necessary but recognise the personal impact on affected colleagues, and we do not take these decisions lightly.”
Rapha said that, with Millar’s vision and strategy for the cycling clothing brand in place, the former CEO suggested to the board that she step down “to allow new leadership to guide the next phase” of the business.
Millar joined Rapha in 2024 having previously been the CEO of Belstaff from 2020, where she was involved in turning the company around from a loss of £20 million in 2019 to breaking even in 2024.
Millar faced a similar task at Rapha, which had long reported financial losses. Last year, Rapha reported a net loss of £15.6m for the period ending January 2025.
Fran Millar announced she had resigned from Rapha on Wednesday. Tom Griffiths / Rapha
Ahead of its full accounts being published later this month, Rapha revealed in its statement today a trading loss of £5.6m for the financial year ending January 2026. This is the ninth consecutive year Rapha has posted a loss, but it said it continues to execute its “financial improvement plan” for “sustainable profitability” by 2027.
“These numbers reflect deliberate decisions to invest in our brand, product quality, cycling communities and customer experiences, while reducing our reliance on discount and promotional related activities – choices that will strengthen the business over time,” Rapha said.
Rapha added that the early signs in its current financial year suggest its new strategy is working with revenue growth in key territories. It also reported growth in its Clubhouses, despite closing five Clubhouses earlier this year.
Rapha highlighted its partnership with USA Cycling as part of its “clear strategic roadmap” for the future.
In Rapha’s statement today, Steuart Walton said: “My brother and I have been majority owners of Rapha for nine years. We love the brand, the product, and what Rapha stands for, and we are deeply grateful to the people who have made the company so special.
“Our belief in Rapha has not changed. We remain committed to the power of cycling to make the world a better place and to Rapha’s unique role in advancing that idea. We are confident in the long-term future of the brand and committed to helping Rapha achieve its ambitions.”
Cities and counties around the U.S. are angry at the Trump administration over a proposal to override local rules that govern the deployment of wired broadband networks… The Federal Communications Commission [FCC] argues that too many local governments “excessively delay approvals and seek to extract exorbitant sums from providers, resulting in costs that render some deployments infeasible.” The FCC plan is supported by broadband providers, but local governments told the FCC that it would override rules that protect public safety.
Local governments say the plan is illegal and that the FCC should instead focus on how Internet providers thwart competition with permit-hoarding and other tactics that prevent competitors from deploying networks… They object to FCC plans to impose a 120-day deadline for processing permits and to proposed limits on fees and compensation that local governments can require from providers… Another filing submitted by the League of California Cities said the FCC has no authority to adopt the proposal. “Federal preemption of traditional state and local authority over public property, construction, public safety, permitting, and rights-of-way management should rest on clear congressional authorization,” the filing said. “The commission should not infer broad preemptive authority where Congress did not expressly provide it….”
A filing by Minnesota cities said the current FCC is making the same mistake it made during the first Trump administration, when its attempt to preempt state net neutrality laws was blocked in court… If the FCC finalizes its new preemption plan, city and state governments could sue and ask a court to rule that the agency exceeded its authority…
Democratic Commissioner Anna Gomez approved the step of asking the public for input but signaled she would vote against the final proposal. “I am dubious about the commission’s authority under Section 253 to use rulemaking to preempt states and localities when it comes to their management of rights of way and fees charged to providers,” she said.
DT Swiss has released two new rear hub kits based around its existing Degrees of Freedom technology, and revamped its 1700 rim series.
The new hub kits are the DEG DF Race, which incorporates an increased level of float (up to 40 degrees) in the rear hub’s engagement, and the Ratchet DF, which is compatible with cheaper Ratchet and Ratchet LN hubs. These kits are designed to reduce pedal kickback, which can hinder rear-suspension movement.
The new 1700 rims span three models aimed at different disciplines – all are now asymmetric, and feature a more pronounced bead seat and rim horn than previous versions.
DEG DF Race kit
The DEG DF Race kit upgrades your existing DEG DF kit to offer more free movement. DT Swiss
DT Swiss’ DEG DF (Degrees of Freedom) kit (released a year ago) converts the ratchet system used in existing DEG freehubs to include an amount of free movement, with the aim of reducing pedal kickback.
DEG hubs are DT Swiss’ hardcore offering, with a larger ratchet surface area and 90 points of engagement using a system of ratchet rings instead of pawls.
The existing DEG DF kit offers users the option of either 0, 10 or 20 degrees of free movement via internal adjustment. That means you can adjust how much slack is in the system until the freehub engages once you’re pressing on the pedals.
DT Swiss says the DEG DF Race kit is an upgrade pack, which can be added to hubs already running the existing DEG DF kit.
The new kit includes only the threaded rings (no ratchet rings or springs) and offers riders options to select increased free play with the freehub, with settings for either 0, 10, 30 or 40 degrees of movement instead.
Ratchet DF kit
The Ratchet DF kit offers 14 degrees of free movement for the freehub and can be retrofitted to DT Swiss Ratchet and Ratchet LN hubs. DT Swiss
DT Swiss Ratchet and Ratchet LN hubs now have their own Degrees of Freedom kit. These hubs are less expensive than the DEG hubs, so this new kit opens up the pedal-kickback reduction capabilities of the DF to a new audience.
The Ratchet DF kit offers 14 degrees of float within the freehub – less than the 20 degrees of the DEG DF kit and 40 degrees of the DEG DF Race, which fit the more expensive DT Swiss DEG hubs.
The Ratchet DF kit includes threaded rings, springs and ratchet rings (everything needed for the conversion), and is backwards-compatible with existing Ratchet and Ratchet LN hubs.
New 1700 rim series
The updated 1700 series consists of three models for XC, trail and downhill. DT Swiss
DT Swiss has updated the rims in its 1700 range, so they are all now asymmetrical. DT Swiss says this enables them to be built into a stronger wheel thanks to more even spoke tension. DT Swiss says the 1700 series rims still use “premium aluminium alloy” and a welded rim joint.
All the new 1700 series rims have an “anti tyre-rim damage design”, where a wider rim horn helps reduce the risk of tyre damage in an impact.
During big hits, DT Swiss says this promotes “controlled denting behaviour”, which it says helps prevent tubeless air leaks. This has historically been a consideration for the brand – helping riders complete race runs with air in their tyres, even if the rim is damaged.
The final update is a change to the tyre contact surface, which now features a more pronounced hump that DT Swiss says enhances tubeless sealing, improves lateral support for the tyre and reduces the amount of pressure loss if the tyre burps.
The XR 421, XM 431 and EX 441 are all based around this new tech. DT Swiss categorises rim lines by discipline: XR for cross-country, XM for trail riding, and EX for downhill and enduro.
If you’ve signed into Zwift in recent days, you’ve probably noticed the prominent Party Crashers banner:
What is this event, and how should you approach it? Dive in and find out…
Party Crashers Basics
While Party Crashers events are essentially chase races, they are technically classified as group rides on Zwift’s calendar.
When you sign up, you choose which group you want to be in:
Category D: You’re here for the party. Keep it casual and social in whatever costume Zwift has placed you in for the week. But also, try to stay away from the Party Crashers!
Category E: Party Crashers. You’ll start 5 minutes behind category D, and your goal is to catch them before the ride ends.
Party Crashers Strategy
Many of the D “partier” groups are led by community riders who hold to a stated pace and keep the party going. If you’re joining for the party, stay with the beacon and help pull on the front if you’re able. This shared workload will help your group stay away from the crashers as long as possible.
Party Crashers: you’ll want to stick together as well, working together by rotating pulls on the front to keep your speed high so you can reel in the partiers.
When/if the two groups merge near the end of the ride, all bets are off. Partiers who are feeling strong can up their power and try to hang with the Party Crashers. And some Party Crashers may choose to sit up and hang with the partiers! It’s not a race, so you can do whatever you’d like. Just have fun.
Schedule
This is a 4-week series running through October 4. Events are scheduled every 2 hours throughout the day.
Stage 1 – Battle of the Space Invaders – September 14-18
Whenever you ride through an arch, you’ve got a 1/3 chance of landing the big XP bonus (250 XP). That can add up to a lot of XP during the ride, as Gerben shows in his recent video:
Each week’s rides place riders in a costume based on the theme. This week, for example, is Cowboys vs. Aliens. You can see the costumes in Gerben’s video above… space suits for the partiers, and a space kit (and maybe a cowboy hat?) for the crashers.
Improvements
I love that Zwift is trying a different sort of event. Keeping them as group rides and recruiting community leaders keeps it fun, too.
But could these events be better? Zwift Insider reader “Bob” had this suggestion:
…if Zwift would just add an on-screen tally showing the number of riders in the opposite group that you have passed/held off, it would really take those events to the next level. It’s a neat idea but hard to get too excited when you have almost no information about the opposing group.
I agree with Bob. On top of that, I would love to see a time gap displayed, so you know how close you are to the other group. This suggestion would really enhance chase races as well, which is why I mentioned it years ago in Zwift Chase Race Basics, Strategies, and More.
Come on, Zwift. Let’s take chase races/rides to the next level!
Your Thoughts
Have you ridden a Party Crashers event yet? Were you partying, or crashing? How was the experience? Share below!
Paralympic gold medal winner Lizzi Jordan MBE is campaigning for tandem bicycles sold to visually impaired individuals to be VAT-exempt.
Jordan, who is blind, won Paralympic gold in the women’s tandem 1km time trial alongside her pilot Danni Khan. She has also won six world titles, four world champion medals and a bronze medal as part of Team England at the Commonwealth Games this summer.
Jordan, 28, lost her eyesight at the age 19 due to illness complications that led to her being in a coma and on life support for eight weeks. She eventually found herself at a British Cycling Talent ID day, where her para-cycling career began.
Equal access to more affordable bicycles
Jordan says she wants to use her platform to ensure every blind and visually impaired person in the UK “has equal access to something as basic as more affordable bicycles”.
“This campaign presents the government with a practical, affordable, and highly visible opportunity to improve disability inclusion in the United Kingdom,” Jordan says.
“This is a fairness issue. It is an accessibility issue. And it is an opportunity for the Government to make a meaningful change,” she adds.
British Cycling says current legislation “discriminates against visually impaired people”, failing to recognise tandems as adaptive bicycles, because they are not used exclusively by those with disabilities.
However, it adds that recognising tandems as adaptive bicycles would “improve access to exercise, travel, social inclusion and physical and mental wellbeing for visually impaired people up and down the country”.
A 2025 analysis by the Royal National Institute of Blind People found blind and partially sighted working-age adults are about half as likely to be in paid employment as non-disabled people.
Meanwhile, Sport England says disabled people are “almost twice as likely” to be physically inactive.
A “transformative” social impact
Lizzi Jordan with pilot Danni Khan at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, where they won gold in the women’s tandem 1km time trial. Alex Whitehead / SWPx
Jordan says the financial impact of recognising tandems as adaptive bicycles would be “minimal”. Figures provided by Orbit Tandems LTD, England’s largest tandem bicycle supplier, suggests the impact would be roughly £26,000 per year. Yet Jordan says “the social impact would be transformative”.
“I urge the Government to please formally recognise standard tandem bicycles purchased by visually impaired individuals as adaptive bicycles with regards to the VAT exemption,” she says.
“I would welcome a meeting with you and your team to discuss this important issue, and opportunity, in more detail.”
Steve Darling, MP for Torbay, says: “The current rules, meaning that tandem bikes are not recognised as adaptive cycles, make little sense.
“We need to encourage people with disabilities to stay active rather than making specialist equipment more expensive. I hope that the Chancellor sees this error and reverses it at the budget.”
The campaign has the support of several organisations, including the Bicycle Association, British Blind Sport, ParalympicsGB and Cycling UK.
Last September, Castelli announced a new “revolutionary” fabric that was said to tick every box for performance while being free of PFAs-based chemicals.
Developed in collaboration with Polartec, the fabric that is made from recycled polyester yarns debuted on the Castelli Perfetto 3 jacket. It replaced the Gore-Tex Infinium fabric that contained the ‘forever chemicals’, which don’t break down naturally.
Now, Castelli has updated the Perfetto, following consumer feedback, and brought the Aircore fabric to its Gabba jacket.
New Castelli Perfetto 4 and Pro
The Castelli Perfetto 4 jacket uses a heavier version of the Aircore fabric. Castelli
Castelli says it designed the new Perfetto 4 “from scratch to be the benchmark for all-condition performance”.
The cycling jacket continues to use the highly breathable, windproof and water repellent Aircore fabric. However, Castelli’s global manager Steve Smith says the company increased the fabric’s weight from 150g per square metre.
“We’re incredibly proud of the Perfetto RoS 3; it truly is a groundbreaking jacket that raised the bar for all-condition performance. The feedback we kept on hearing from customers, though, was that it was lighter weight than previous Perfettos, and that they wanted more warmth,” Smith says.
“That’s why, with the Perfetto 4, we’ve listened to that feedback and introduced a new 219g Aircore fabric to this jacket which has more loft and provides added insulation.”
This means while the Perfetto 3 had a recommended temperature range of 4–14˚C, the Perfetto 4 has a recommended range of 4–12˚C.
If you were a fan of the previous, lighter Perfetto, Castelli has also announced the Perfetto Pro. This version of the jacket is described as a “sleek, minimal race piece” and uses a 150g Aircore fabric for temperatures from 6–14˚C.
The Perfetto Pro is a “sleek, minimal race piece”. The jackets have metal drainage holes, in homage to the original Gabba. Castelli
Both the Perfetto 4 and Pro keep the jacket’s recognisable shoulder tape, but this is now made from a transparent material.
They also have metal drainage holes in the rear pockets, which is a reference to the very first Gabba jacket, which spurred Castelli’s range of wet-weather cycling kit.
The Castelli Perfetto 4 costs £280 / $330 / €260 and the Perfetto Pro costs £300 / $350 / €280.
Castelli Gabba Pro
The Castelli Gabba Pro is a short-sleeve version of the Perfetto Pro. Castelli
Although the Perfetto dropped Gore-Tex Infinium last September, Castelli removed it from the Gabba back in 2024. Instead of Gore-Tex, the Gabba R used a fabric with a Japanese-made membrane and a hydrophobic treatment.
But now Castelli has released the Gabba Pro, a new version of the jacket, which uses Aircore.
Castelli says: “The jacket takes the same technology, 150g fabric and close-to-body fit that’s been applied to the Perfetto Pro jersey and makes it available in a short-sleeved option.”
Smith says: “It’s always an exciting moment introducing a new Gabba into the range as it’s a jacket that revolutionised the cycling apparel market in the same way Aircore transformed how modern cyclists dress for colder conditions.
“This, and the Perfetto Pro, are jackets you want to wear when you need breathability, mobility and a competitive edge.”
The new jackets have two-way zips for ventilation. Castelli
When Aircore was revealed, Castelli said the fabric’s focus on breathability was partly a result of cyclists spending less time riding in the rain due to the increase in indoor cycling, and climate change.
But Smith says that if torrential rain is forecast for your ride, Castelli would recommend the Gabba R “for complete waterproof coverage”.
Fran Millar has left Rapha after a two-year tenure as the cycling clothing company’s CEO, warning of organisational changes “to reduce cost and drive efficiency”.
In an Instagram post published on Wednesday, Millar said her “vision and strategy” for Rapha are set in place “and the path ahead for the brand is clear”.
Millar wrote: “What remains is delivery. To support that, the business will make significant organisational changes to reduce cost and drive efficiency, and those changes call for a different governance and leadership structure. With that in mind, I proposed to the board that I step down as CEO.”
Millar joined Rapha as CEO in 2024. Previously, she was the CEO of Belstaff, which she joined in 2020 to turn around from an annual loss of £20 million in 2019. The clothing company broke even in 2024.
Her task was similar at Rapha, which had repeatedly made headlines for its financial losses.
Last October, BikeRadar reported that Rapha’s financial results for the period ending January 2025 revealed revenues of £96.2m and a net loss of £15.6m. It was the eighth consecutive year that Rapha posted a net loss.
Last year, Rapha also said it was more concerned with Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortisation (EBITDA).
Rapha’s chief financial officer, Michelle Woolaghan, told BikeRadar Rapha’s losses were due to ongoing amortisation, essentially the depreciation of goodwill and tangible assets, following Rapha’s purchase by the grandsons of the Walmart founder Sam Walton, Steuart and Tom Walton, in 2017.
It also wanted to reduce its discounting and promotional sales. “We’re kind of coming off the discounting drug, I suppose,” Woolaghan said.
Millar wrote in her Instagram post: “I am incredibly proud of the passionate, loyal, committed people who work at Rapha across the world and it has been a joy to lead them for two years.
“All that remains to say is THANK YOU to our team, our members, our customers and the brand.”
Rapha has not yet commented on Millar’s departure.
Zwift’s big fondo events are a seasonal tradition where thousands of riders push themselves to finish long weekend rides. The 2026/27 schedule has just been announced, with the first events happening this weekend on New York’s longest route, Fuhgeddaboudit.
This is the first route in a diverse list selected for this monthly series. And Zwift’s longest route (London’s The PRL Full) features in December during the Rapha Festive 500!
Here are all the details for this season’s ZFondo Series…
Routes and Schedule
The last weekend of each month is designated as a Fondo Weekend, and each month features a different route.
Events are scheduled every three hours during Fondo Weekends.
You must choose a category when you sign up, but the category you choose is entirely up to you, and all categories start together and are visible to each other.
The idea is that you’ll choose a category at the approximate pace you plan to ride, making it easy to see and group up with other riders targeting a similar pace. Each category will include a RoboPacer with a beacon, and you can choose to ride with that RoboPacer group or not.
Available categories:
A: 4.2 W/kg (RoboPacer: Constance @4.2 W/kg)
B: 3.2 W/kg (RoboPacer: Jacques @3.2 W/kg)
C: 2.6 W/kg (RoboPacer: Coco @2.6 W/kg)
D: 1.8 W/kg (RoboPacer: Miguel @1.8 W/kg)
E: 1.5 W/kg (RoboPacer: D Bernie @1.5 W/kg)
Bonuses and Unlocks
Each month features either a 1000 XP or a 60,000 Drops bonus, plus an unlock of a legacy fondo kit:
September: 1000 XP
October: 1000 XP
November: 1000 XP
December: 60,000 Drops
January: 60,000 Drops
February: 60,000 Drops
March: 1000 XP
We don’t know which legacy kits will be unlocked, only that they’ll be different from last year’s. We’ll share more unlock info if/when we get it!
Is this a race?
Officially, no. But hundreds (possibly thousands) of riders will turn out for each of these popular “fun race” events, and the front of each event will certainly be filled with strong riders going all out.
With so many riders participating, everyone should be able to find a group that suits their desired pace. You do you!
Dragon Grove, a relaxed, mixed reality 3D puzzle game, comes to Meta VR Glasses and Quest 3 in Spring 2027.
The new game from veteran developer Schell Games (Among Us 3D, I Expect You To Die) will launch free-to-play with in-app purchases. Dragon Grove was announced at Meta Connect today.
Here’s the trailer:
0:00
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In Dragon Grove, you will match and grow magical dragon plants and unlock dragon abilities from a puzzle-box-like structure in mixed reality with full hand tracking support. You can also interact with your adorable pet dragon.
The 3D puzzles will ramp up in difficulty as you progress, introducing new mechanics and plant types the deeper you go into the game.
The game will launch for free with all of the expected elements that come with a free-to-play title including daily streak rewards and in-app purchases including hats, accessories, and power-ups for your dragon.
Dragon Grove can be wishlisted now on the Meta Horizon Store. It launches in Spring 2027 for Meta VR Glasses and Quest 3.
Dragon Grove, a relaxed, mixed reality 3D puzzle game, comes to Meta VR Glasses and Quest 3 in Spring 2027.
The new game from veteran developer Schell Games (Among Us 3D, I Expect You To Die) will launch free-to-play with in-app purchases. Dragon Grove was announced at Meta Connect today.
Here’s the trailer:
0:00
/0:39
In Dragon Grove, you will match and grow magical dragon plants and unlock dragon abilities from a puzzle-box-like structure in mixed reality with full hand tracking support. You can also interact with your adorable pet dragon.
The 3D puzzles will ramp up in difficulty as you progress, introducing new mechanics and plant types the deeper you go into the game.
The game will launch for free with all of the expected elements that come with a free-to-play title including daily streak rewards and in-app purchases including hats, accessories, and power-ups for your dragon.
Dragon Grove can be wishlisted now on the Meta Horizon Store. It launches in Spring 2027 for Meta VR Glasses and Quest 3.
Cozy hand-tracked mixed reality farming simulator Story of Seasons: Your Wonderful Life was announced at Meta Connect today for Meta VR Glasses and Quest 3.
Here’s the trailer:
0:00
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Cozy life-simulation gamers have been vastly underserved in VR, with only a handful of games like Garden of the Sea and Medieval Dynasty: New Settlement available to scratch that itch and the latter title features a healthy dose of combat. Meanwhile, games like Stardew Valley, The Sims, and recently Nintendo’s Pokopia have collectively sold tens of millions of units across their respective platforms.
In other words, it is a largely untapped market that can serve to make VR/MR more appealing to a wider audience that remains uninterested in combat or chasing leaderboards. Story of Seasons aims to help fill in that gap. The game is single-player only and is said to be launching with fifty hours of content.
In Story of Seasons, you will tend to your fields, care for your animals including cow-milking and sheep-shearing minigames, harvest crops, and head into town to fill requests and get to know your local residents. As shown in the trailer, you can also meet a partner and start a family.
Story of Seasons – Your Wonderful Life can be wishlisted now for Meta VR Glasses and Quest 3 on the Horizon Store.
Zwift version 1.122 begins its phased rollout today. This update includes automatic background pairing, homescreen changes, and the removal of all level-locked roads. Read on for details!
No More Roadblocks
Zwift’s update notes say they have, “Removed level restrictions from routes and route intersections, making all routes available to Zwifters at any level.”
Prior to this update, level gates existed when turning off the Epic KOM Reverse toward the Jungle (level 5+), turning from the Jungle Circuit onto Alpe du Zwift (level 6+), and turning at the LAX Roundabout onto the Southern Coast Road (level 10+).
Background Pairing
As mentioned in last week’s “What else is coming on Zwift?” post, today’s update includes background pairing. If you have it enabled (it’s turned on by default), the game boots directly to the homescreen and automatically connects to your fitness devices (trainer, power meter, heart rate monitor, controllers, etc) instead of forcing you to click to continue from the pairing screen.
Small widgets on the homescreen show your pairing progress:
The Pairing button on the homescreen shows how many devices are connected, and you can click it to add or change devices:
Additionally, Pairing Options are now available on the Pairing screen, allowing you to enable or disable the new Background Pairing feature and use Zwift Companion as a Bluetooth bridge:
As announced in their “This Season On Zwift” Fall 2026 Press Release, Zwift has been working on several homescreen changes. These will “roll out gradually” starting with today’s game update. Changes include:
The new theater card puts Challenges front and center on the Home screen.
Personalized Recommendations are now only visible in the ‘For You’ row.
New Progress Widget on the Homescreen makes levels, achievement counts, and route completion more visible, giving Zwifters something to chase every time they log in.
The ‘For You’ row now uses ribbons to show when planned activities are due, e.g. today, tomorrow, and day-of-week labels.
Estimated duration now shown on route cards when selecting a workout from the Home screen.
Zwift says that launcher version 1.1.18 is now the minimum required version and will be installed automatically. This launcher has a slightly different look from the old one, and includes your profile photo, name, and ride/run levels:
The more important improvements, though, are behind the scenes, particularly for macOS users who have had connectivity challenges due to recent OS updates. Zwift’s release notes for the new launcher include this line for macOS:
Improved Local Network and Bluetooth permission handling when the macOS Launcher starts Zwift. Wi-Fi trainers and Companion devices connect more seamlessly on newer versions of macOS.
Coming Soon – Tour of Watopia
Today’s release notes include a mention of Tour of Watopia coming soon. This big ride series is always a fun kick off to “indoor season”. This year features double XP, new unlocks, and our first look at the Watopia expansion… what’s not to love?
The Tour runs from October 5-November 15. Watch Zwift Insider this Friday for all the details about ToW 2026!
Release Notes
Zwift supplied these additional release notes:
Fixed a crash that could occur with JetBlack Victory trainers connected via USB when used as a Bluetooth bridge for other fitness devices like heart rate monitors or Zwift controllers.
Windows: Improved Bluetooth connection reliability.
iOS and tvOS
Reduced the amount of time it takes to open Zwift on some devices.
Improved text clarity on larger / lower DPI displays.
Specialized has launched the new S-Works Tarmac SL9 Remco LTD, a special version of its flagship race bike in tribute to Remco Evenepoel, limited to only 100 examples worldwide.
Priced at £12,999 / $14,999 / €14,999 / AU$21,500, the Remco LTD is the most expensive Tarmac SL9 – the top-spec S-Works Tarmac SL9 SRAM Red AXS costs £11,999 in the UK and $14,000 in the US.
The bike includes Remco Evenepoel’s gold-imbued paint scheme, a reference to the Belgian’s Olympic road race champion status, Roval’s Rapide Sprint CLX wheels, Specialized’s Cotton TLR tyres and an S-Works Power with Mirror saddle.
Remco Evenepoel has been riding a special gold colourway of the Tarmac SL9 since it launched. Maximilian Fries / Red Bull Content Pool
The bike comes hot on the heels of Evenepoel winning the elite men’s individual time trial world championship in Montréal at the weekend, taking his fourth consecutive world title in the discipline.
He now turns his attention to the elite men’s road race this Sunday, where he is among the favourites for the rainbow jersey.
We spotted the bike at the 2026 Tour de France Grand Départ, albeit with a few extra gold adornments. Our Media
The bike itself is based on the S-Works Tarmac SL9 launched earlier this year. For the Remco LTD, Specialized has taken the Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe team’s ‘Motion + Emotion’ bike design used during the 2026 season and added gold detailing.
The paintjob splits the frame, with a deep gold front end transitioning into the team’s now-familiar white rear section.
The frame of the limited-edition bike is identical to Evenepoel’s. Specialized
As with other S-Works-spec Tarmac SL9s, the frame and fork use Specialized’s top-spec Fact 12r carbon. The drivetrain is SRAM’s Red AXS 12-speed groupset, the same as used by Evenepoel and the Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe team, complete with dual-sided power meter and 50/37-tooth chainrings.
The bike rolls on Roval Rapide Sprint CLX carbon wheels, with offset 63mm-deep front and 58mm-deep rear rims, fitted with 30mm Specialized Cotton TLR tyres.
The drivetrain is near-standard, missing the gold chain (and gold-bottomed saddle) of Evenepoel’s Tour bike. That said, the race-spec SRAM cranks are included. Specialized
At the front is Roval’s Rapide integrated bar and stem, while contact points are completed by an S-Works Power with Mirror saddle.
Specialized says the complete bike weighs 6.78kg in a size 56cm.
The S-Works Tarmac SL9 Remco LTD is available to buy through Specialized’s website and Specialized stores – likely for a very limited period of time.
Vision’s new SC 45 i30 wheels have already seen competitive action under Merida-sponsored Norwegian elite gravel racer Marius Røren and Australian ultra-rider Lachlan Morton.
The new gravel wheelset follows the current template for wider aero profiles with a greater internal width to suit larger 50mm tyres.
Vision says the all-new SC 45 i30 wheelset is optimised for modern wide gravel tyres. That’s borne out by the ETRTO recommendations for a 30mm internal hooked profile.
The 30mm width is ideal for tyres between 47 and 71mm according to ETRTO standards. Scott Windsor / Kelsey
The SC 45 i30’s rim is 45mm deep, 38.5mm wide externally and has a 30mm hooked internal profile. Vision has paired the new rim with its V-200 hubset. The hubs use sealed-cartridge bearings (two in the front, four at the rear) in oversized hub shells.
The flanges are designed to work specifically with straight-pull spokes. The wheel uses bladed aero spokes in a 2:1 cross pattern.
The hubs use direct-pull spokes, and the spokes are bladed aero. Scott Windsor / Kelsey
The freehub is a tough three-pawl design, and the hubs use press-fit end caps for ease of maintenance, which is good for a wheelset that’s built to take plenty of abuse.
The rim is 30mm wide internally, which should be ideal for larger-volume gravel tyres. Scott Windsor / Kelsey
Marius Røren raced the new Visions to fourth place in this year’s 200km Rift gravel race in Iceland and explains: “They sure took a lot of beating. I’m a heavy rider, and when riding in a fast group on a place like this, you need to pay attention constantly.
“If the rider in front of you jumps, you also jump. But sometimes you don’t see what’s coming and just have to ride over it. Then you need to rely on the equipment to hold. And this setup held up perfectly.”
The SC 45 i30 wheels are claimed to weigh 1,542g a pair. Our test pair weighed in at 735g front and 861g rear (1,596g for the pair) including tubeless valves and tapes.
The SC 45 i30 rim profile. Scott Windsor / Kelsey
The SC 45 i30s look to be a good gravel option, especially considering their competitive price of £949.99 / €1,249.
The Vision wheels undercut similarly wide aero gravel wheels such as Newmen’s £1,499 / €1,690 G62s. Zipp’s 303 XPLR SW wheels cost £1,600 / $2,100 / €1,800 and Hunt’s Limitless 40 Gravel Aeros are £1,849 / $2,279 / €2,279.
Vision SC 45 i30 spec and pricing
We like the understated graphics on the rim. Scott Windsor / Kelsey
£949.99 / €1,249
Full-carbon 45mm-deep rim
3-pawl Vision V-200 hubs
2:1 aero bladed direct-pull spokes
6 sealed cartridge bearings (2F + 4R)
Centerlock rotor mount
Available with Shimano HG, Shimano Microspline, SRAM XDR freehubs
If there’s one thing Hope knows how to do, it’s make already expensive bikes even more blingy with the help of anodised aluminium.
While at Sea Otter Europe, we spotted the Lancashire brand has turned its attention to the Brompton G Line.
The bike on display at the show in Girona, Spain was dripping in anodised orange components, including several unreleased parts designed specifically for Brompton’s gravel-oriented folding bike.
Perhaps the biggest upgrade on view was a new 48-tooth Spiderless Chainring, paired with Hope’s EVO cranks.
The G Line was fitted with a Spiderless Chairing paired with Hope’s EVO cranks. Nick Clark / Our Media While the components were in orange, it’s likely Hope will offer a range of colours if they make it to market. Nick Clark / Our Media
The setup uses Hope’s shorter RX axle to achieve the required Q-factor and clearance for Brompton’s folding frame.
The most exciting additions were the aluminium roller wheels, which enable you to transport your Brompton when it’s folded.
They’re larger than the stock rollers and use bigger bearings, which should improve durability and help the bike roll over rougher surfaces.
The headset is said to be compatible with G Line and T Line models. Nick Clark / Our Media
Elsewhere, Hope has developed a new headset compatible with the G Line and T Line, alongside a new singlespeed chain tensioner for G Line bikes equipped with geared hubs.
The XCR Pro X2 brakes aren’t Brompton-specific. Nick Clark / Our Media
There’s also a new machined saddle clamp, while the show bike was loaded with existing Hope components including XCR Pro X2 brakes, 160mm floating Center Lock rotors and a stainless-steel BSA bottom bracket.
The chain tensioner adds some colour to a usually dull portion of the bike. Nick Clark / Our Media
Hope hasn’t confirmed when the Brompton-specific components will go on sale or how much they’ll cost.
Even the seatpost mount has been re-engineered. Nick Clark / Our Media
However, if your G Line simply doesn’t contain enough CNC-machined, brightly anodised aluminium already, Hope may soon have the answer.
Pirelli’s new Scorpion Gravity range includes new treads, casings and compounds. The three new tread patterns are called Black Sting, Emperor and Red Claw.
There are four casings, which Pirelli says are all eMTB-compatible, and three compounds colour-coded and named after those used by Pirelli in its Formula 1 tyres.
Three-time downhill world champion Fabien Barel has had “direct input” into the development of the new range and says the Scorpion Gravity tyres offer “the kind of confidence you notice within the first few turns”.
Three tread patterns
The three new tread patterns are named after different species of Scorpion. Pirelli
The three tread patterns are named after species of scorpion and designed to work best in the terrain native to each animal. The Black Sting is designed for dry hardpack, the Emperor is an all-rounder and the Red Claw works best in loose or muddy conditions, according to Pirelli.
The Emperor pattern is designed to replace Pirelli’s less creatively named RACE M tread pattern and the Red Claw replaces the RACE T.
Four casings
Four casing options mean riders can choose how much puncture protection they require. Pirelli
With four casings on offer, there is plenty of choice, balancing weight and toughness. The casings are designed to work across every type of riding, from trail to downhill, along with enduro and even freeride.
The lightest ProWALL casing features sidewall protection and Pirelli claims a weight of 700-900g. It’s designed for climbing efficiency without compromising reliability and descending performance.
The HardWALL casing has additional reinforcement and Pirelli claims it weighs 900-1,100g. It looks to be aimed at more aggressive trail riders seeking additional reinforcement to protect against pinch-flats.
DualWALL is designed for enduro, bike parks and freeriding. It’s dual-ply and weighs 1,100-1,300g.
The DH+ is a full downhill racing-oriented casing, featuring a tougher dual-ply carcass with additional sidewall and bead reinforcement. Pirelli claims tyres with the DH+ casing weigh from 1,300g to over 1,500g.
Motorsport compounds
Coloured writing on the sidewall reflects the rubber compound of each tyre. Pirelli
Pirelli is the sole tyre provider for F1 and will be for MotoGP too, from 2027. The compound names and colours for the Scorpion MTB range match the F1 compound names and colour-coded sidewall graphics.
The hardest compound is the yellow-lettered ‘Medium’ compound, which is said to balance grip and durability. The intermediate compound is called ‘Soft’ and comes with red writing on the sidewall. The purple SuperSoft compound is the softest and Pirelli says it offers maximum grip and damping.
Pirelli recommends the SuperSoft for the front, but says it can also be used on the rear for racing.
Three-time downhill world champion Fabien Barel had a hand in developing the new Scorpion Gravity range. Pirelli
The new Pirelli Scorpion Black Sting, Emperor and Red Claw are available now online and through selected bike shops.
Prices range from £54.99 to £79.99, depending on spec.
For dedicated runners chasing personal records, the default impulse is almost always to log more miles on the pavement. But UK-based runner Ben Felton has taken a different route—one powered by pedals, virtual courses, and high-intensity indoor cycling. Over the past year, Felton has incorporated over 100 Zwift cycling hours into his routine, and the results speak for themselves: personal bests across every single running distance.
From 22-Minute Parkruns to Sub-65 Half Marathons
Now 29 and a seasoned 2:23 marathoner, Ben didn’t start out as a running prodigy. His journey began seven years ago when he moved to Stockholm. Looking for a way to meet people and get social, he decided to give running a shot.
“I realized I was ‘alright’ at it—a lot better than I was at football, anyway! What sparked my love for running was attending my local parkrun and starting to become competitive with myself, trying to beat my time each week. That really motivated me.”
That early spark set off a relentless chase for improvement. When Ben first stepped up to the line, his baseline was a 22-minute 5K. Fast-forward seven years, and he’s shaved nearly eight minutes off that time, bringing his 5K personal best down to a blistering 14:31. During the 2020 lockdown, Ben began documenting his training on YouTube, building a community of thousands as he captured his week-by-week transformation from ambitious beginner to sub-elite contender.
For 2026, Ben set his targets on a huge milestone: breaking 65 minutes for the half marathon—a time widely considered the gateway to elite-level status. All his focus, workout blocks, and volume pointed toward that goal, and the dedication paid off when he officially broke the barrier at the Berlin Half Marathon.
Yet, among all his races, the 2024 Boston Marathon holds a special place in his heart.
“Boston 2024 was one of those days where everything came together, all the stars aligned, and I ran a 4-minute personal best as the first Brit to finish. Turning left onto Boylston Street is etched in my memory forever. Those days stay with you and motivate you toward the next goal.”
The Spark of Innovation: Turning Injury into Opportunity
How does an athlete go from a 22-minute 5K to breaking 65 minutes in the half marathon and running a 2:23 in the full? While consistency and grit form the backbone of his routine, the turbo-charger behind his recent breakthroughs was an unexpected pivot into cross-training.
In September of last year, while preparing for the Chicago Marathon, Ben suffered an injury setback that severely limited his running capacity. Unwilling to let his aerobic engine stall, he hopped onto Zwift to supplement his training load. What started as a backup plan quickly turned into a revelation.
“When I got back into running, I realized I was much fitter than I expected to be. This opened my eyes to the world of cross-training. To put it simply, I reduced my run volume by 30% to reduce impact and supplemented it with 4 to 5 hours on Zwift—mostly Zone 2, with the odd race thrown in because I’m far too competitive.”
By shifting nearly a third of his volume from the pavement to the virtual roads of Zwift, Ben tapped into a formula that protected his joints while expanding his engine. Traditional high-volume running carries a heavy tax on the body due to repetitive foot strikes and ground impact stress. Cycling offered a low-impact alternative that allowed him to push his cardiovascular system to new limits without beating up his legs.
Building the Wide Pyramid: Ben’s Cross-Training Philosophy
For runners curious about integrating indoor cycling into their own schedules, Ben emphasizes that cross-training isn’t about replacing the core work of running—it’s about amplifying it.
“Cycling doesn’t replace my run training; it complements it. My first piece of advice to runners looking to cross-train is to maintain your hard interval running sessions. Those high-intensity run workouts can’t be replicated on the bike. Where cross-training shines is replacing the impact from your easy, Zone 2 training days.”
Instead of heading out for a pounding 10k recovery run on a Monday afternoon, Ben will often jump onto Zwift for a 90-minute Zone 2 spin, sitting comfortably in the draft behind a RoboPacer. The low-impact workout flushes the legs, builds aerobic capacity, and leaves him fresh for his key running intervals later in the week.
Ben visualizes this holistic approach to fitness as a pyramid:
The Wide Aerobic Base: Built using a combination of running and low-impact indoor cycling on Zwift to accumulate total aerobic hours.
Run-Specific Conditioning: High-quality running interval sessions and tempo runs stacked directly on top of the aerobic base.
Strength & Impact Resilience: Heavy gym work and strength training to ensure muscles, tendons, and bones are durable enough to handle the speed generated by a massive aerobic engine.
“I think of it like a pyramid: I build the aerobic base super wide on the bike, which then allows me to build specific run training on top. A strong foundation makes for a tall pyramid. Since making this change, I’ve set PRs in every single distance from the marathon down to the 5K. As a case study of one, there’s no doubt in my mind that it works.”
Finding the Right Balance: The Pros and Cons
While cross-training has proved to be a secret weapon for Ben, his journey hasn’t been without its learning curves. Because cycling is non-impact, it allows an athlete to build an engine that outpaces their body’s structural tolerance for running impact if they aren’t careful.
“Zwifting actually made me too fit for running at certain points! It gave me an incredible aerobic engine, but distance running demands impact resilience. If you aren’t careful, your heart and lungs can handle a pace that your bones and tendons aren’t quite ready for yet.”
Recently, Ben picked up an injury that sidelined his plans to chase a sub-2:20 marathon at the Valencia Marathon. The setback reinforced a vital lesson for hybrid endurance athletes: balancing cardiovascular volume on the bike with heavy strength work in the gym is essential for keeping legs tough enough for pavement pounding.
Despite the temporary bump in the road, Zwift remains the cornerstone of his recovery and rebuild plan. He is currently using the bike to preserve his hard-earned fitness while rehabbing, establishing a massive base before kicking off his official 2027 race build-up.
What’s Next: Sub-30 10Ks and Real-World Bike Racing?
Ben isn’t done pushing limits. Looking ahead, he has a few major goals in sight. On the track and road, he’s hunting for a sub-30-minute 10K—a time he missed by an agonizing 6 seconds in his last attempt—along with taking a crack at a sub-2:20 marathon in 2027.
And as for his cycling fitness? He’s not keeping it entirely virtual anymore.
“Dive into bike races? YES. Duathlons? Maybe. Triathlons? Unlikely, given I can’t swim very well! I’ve actually already entered a local time trial, and a video for that will be coming to YouTube soon.”
Ready to Build Your Base?
Whether you’re aiming for a parkrun PR, rehabbing, or simply looking to ride further, cross-training on Zwift offers an incredible way to expand your engine without beating up your body.
If you want to kick-start your own hybrid training, Zwift is currently running a 1,000 km Indoor/Outdoor Challenge. Connect your bike computer or head unit, and all your real-world outdoor road rides count directly toward your in-game mileage. Clocking 1,000 km before September 30th is a great way to widen your aerobic base, protect your joints, and lay the foundation for your next breakthrough.
Keep up with Ben’s weekly training updates, race recaps, and video logs on Instagram at @ben_is_running and subscribe to his YouTube channel to watch his journey unfold.
Thanks for sharing your story with us, Ben! And we’re all rooting for you to shave off those 6 seconds! Follow Ben on Zwift at:
Motorcycle manufacturers dabbling in mountain bikes is nothing new, but two bikes at this year’s Sea Otter Europe suggest the relationship between the two industries could be getting more serious.
Honda used the Girona show to confirm it will enter the electric mountain bike market, displaying an updated version of the eMTB prototype it first revealed at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show.
Also at the Sea Otter Europe, Ducati was displaying its latest generation of electric mountain bikes, including the DM-160 R, powered by DJI’s increasingly popular Avinox drive system.
Honda developed the RN-01 G-Cross in the 1990s. Nick Clark / Our Media
Honda is no stranger to mountain biking, with the Japanese manufacturer famously developing the RN01 G-Cross downhill bike in the early 2000s and racing it in the UCI Downhill World Cup between 2004 and 2007.
Far from being a rebadged bike, the RN01 G-Cross was an ambitious engineering project featuring an unusual enclosed gearbox positioned around the bottom bracket.
The bike saw great success, with Greg Minnaar riding it to the overall Downhill World Cup title in 2005.
Almost two decades after the RN-01 G-Cross, Honda has now confirmed it intends to sell a mountain bike again.
Honda’s new prototype eMTB matches the design elements from the original. Nick Clark / Our Media
Honda’s latest eMTB prototype was displayed alongside the RN01 G-Cross at Sea Otter Europe and appears to have been developed with assistance from German bike manufacturer Rotwild.
The prototype appears to use a Shimano motor, although Honda has yet to confirm the drive system that will feature on the finished bike.
Honda says the production model will draw inspiration from the prototype: “The Honda eMTB Prototype has been designed to embody the values that have defined the brand for generations, combining advanced technology, quality engineering and rider-centric development.”
The new bike is scheduled to go on sale in 2027, with specifications, pricing and availability still to be announced.
Ducati goes all-in on Avinox
The Ducati DM-160 R eMTB. Nick Clark / Our Media
While it looks as though we’ll have to wait until next year to see exactly what Honda brings to market, Ducati’s latest eMTBs are considerably more concrete, albeit conventional.
The Italian brand recently announced a new partnership with Gruppo Zecchetto for the development, production and distribution of its high-performance bicycles.
Its new range includes the DM-160 R, a 160mm-travel carbon enduro electric mountain bike built around the powerful Avinox M2S drive system.
Avinox’s M2S offers serious power and control. Nick Clark / Our Media
The motor, paired with an 800Wh integrated battery, is claimed to produce up to 1,300W of peak power and 130Nm of torque, rising to a whopping 150Nm in Boost mode.
The rest of the bike wouldn’t look out of place alongside established enduro electric mountain bikes either, which isn’t something you could say about Honda’s prototype.
There’s a 160mm RockShox ZEB Select fork and Super Deluxe Select+ shock, SRAM’s mechanical Eagle 90 Transmission and Maven Base brakes.
Its geometry looks similarly contemporary. It has a 64-degree head angle, reach figures stretching from 455mm to 504mm across three sizes and flip chips for geometry adjustment.
The DM-160 R is priced at €7,990 and is due to be available from October.
More than a badge?
Honda and Ducati’s latest projects feel notably different from some of the automotive-branded bikes we’ve seen in the past.
Rather than relying primarily on their famous badges, both appear to be putting serious consideration into what riders actually want.
Honda is working with Rotwild, and Ducati’ is using one of the most talked-about electric bike motors currently on the market.
Whether the decisions to build eMTBs stem from motorcycle brands realising they can charge the same for them as they can for a motorbike isn’t known, but I’d suspect we’ll see more crossover in the future as the line between two-wheelers merges and access rights for motorcycles diminishes.
