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!
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.
Like the other We Ride Paris events, this one is open-paced and hosted on Paris’ Crêpe Escape route (19.6km, 124m). What makes this final event extra special, though, are the guest riders! Confirmed riders include:
Thibaud Gruel (Groupama-FDJ Pro Rider)
Valentin Madouas (Groupama-FDJ Pro Rider)
Edgar Plans (Spanish artist and creative force behind the PSG x Wilier in-game bike)
Completing the event unlocks the in-game We Ride Paris kit and socks. It also triggers an automatic email with more info on entering the prize giveaway.
YT Industries has announced that it is opening up US sales of its well-regarded mountain bikes, after a troubled period that saw it enter administration before relaunching.
The German direct sales brand is again selling its complete MTB line-up stateside, along with replacement parts and there’s a new US-based customer care team ready to provide support to US buyers.
YT claims its revamped US operations are designed to put customers first, providing fast delivery and tech support.
“As we return, our priority isn’t just to sell bikes; it’s to deliver dependable service, responsive support, and to build a stronger connection with our US rider base,” claims YT Industries’ founder and CEO Markus Flossman.
Back from insolvency
US buyers will be able to choose from the full range of YT bikes, including the Decoy (pictured). Isac Paddock
YT was declared insolvent in September 2025, making the majority of its employees redundant, after its principal investor, a private equity firm, refused to further finance the business.
Flossman bought back the firm and relaunched the brand in November 2025, promising to fulfil all orders outstanding at the time of the collapse. YT restarted UK sales in April this year, and said it was working with partners to provide technical support to UK riders.
“Our [US] relaunch has taken longer than anticipated, but we needed to do it right. We own our past mistakes, and with this step, I’m confident we have a solid foundation for a stronger, more reliable future that our community deserves,” says Flossman.
Which bikes will be available in the US?
The Decoy X is powered by the 150Nm/1,300W peak power Avonox M2S motor. Isac Paddock
US buyers will be able to choose from the full range of YT bikes, including the new long-travel Avinox-powered Decoy X Launch Edition. The Decoy X Core model is slated to follow this November.
Other YT bikes available from the brand’s site include the Jeffsy, Capra and Izzo.
Brembo has announced its GR-PRO mountain bike brakes are now available in the UK and Europe.
The GR-PRO was officially revealed earlier this year, following development with the Specialized Gravity team and riders including multiple downhill world champion Loïc Bruni.
You can buy the mountain bike brakes through selected distributors across Europe, with Brembo’s online dealer locator showing where they are available.
The two-piece caliper uses four insulated 18mm diameter pistons. Tom Marvin / OurMedia
Brembo is best known for its work in motorsport, supplying braking systems to Formula 1 and MotoGP teams. The GR-PRO takes that experience into mountain biking and eMTB.
Brembo developed the master cylinders, four-piston calipers, pads, rotors, braided hoses and dedicated mineral oil as a complete braking system.
Alongside 30mm of reach adjustment and an adjustable bite point, you can change the leverage ratio between the lever and master-cylinder piston.
There are three settings – Soft, Medium and Hard. These change how the braking power is delivered rather than simply altering the brake’s maximum power. Soft gives a lighter, more progressive lever feel with more movement after the pads contact the rotor. Hard gives a firmer, more direct feel with a shorter stroke. Medium sits between the two.
Both lever reach and lever pull ratio adjustment are provided. Tom Marvin / OurMedia
The two-piece aluminium calipers use four 18mm pistons. These feature a fibre-polymer insulating section designed to reduce the amount of heat reaching the caliper and brake fluid.
The pads were developed with the Specialized Gravity team, too. Brembo says it tested 30 different compounds before three were chosen for further testing. The semi-metallic compound making it into the production brake.
Brembo offers 200mm and 220mm six-bolt rotors for the GR-PRO. The rotors are a chunky 2.3mm thick.
The system also uses Brembo’s own low-viscosity mineral oil, developed specifically for the demands of mountain biking.
How much do the Brembo GR-PRO brakes cost?
The Brembo GR-PRO is a premium product with a price to match. A set of the mountain bike brakes costs £799 in the UK. European prices vary with local taxes, with current prices set at €750 + taxes.
Brembo says a kit includes a pair of calipers with pads, two master cylinders and levers, braided hoses, two additional sets of pads and mounting hardware.
Brembo sells the rotors and mineral oil separately.
In the UK, the 200mm and 220mm rotors cost £64.99 each. In Europe, they cost around €59.95 + taxes per rotor.
We’ve already ridden the new brakes, so head to our full Brembo GR-PRO review to find out how they perform on the trail.
In a few hours, Zwift will flip the switch on a swath of RoboPacer changes. Here’s the new schedule, which is planned to go live at 9am PT/12pm ET/4pm UTC:
What’s Changing?
Zwift is rolling out several changes at once:
New RoboPacers: 4 bots are being added, bringing us to 14 active bots. The first 10 bots are evenly spaced from 0.8 to 2.6 W/kg in 0.2 W/kg increments, while the final 4 bots are spaced a bit further apart. New RoboPacers:
Cruz (1.2 W/kg)
Mochi (1.4 W/kg)
Dani (2.0 W/kg)
Betty (2.4 W/kg)
Modified RoboPacers: Taylor is being adjusted from 1.1 to 1.0 W/kg, while Bernie is being adjusted from 1.5 to 1.6 W/kg.
Watopia Only: RoboPacers will no longer be available on the scheduled “guest world”. They will only be in Watopia.
Flatter Routes: Since flatter routes make it easier for groups to stay together, RoboPacers will be on these routes:
Changing Twice a Week: Instead of changing every day or two, routes will stay the same Monday-Thursday, then rotate to a new schedule for Friday-Sunday.
Chinese brand Whaleroad has launched a new wireless drivetrain called R7, which features a whopping 14-speed cassette.
We spotted the new Whaleroad R7 drivetrain fitted to a Cykl Graave at the Sea Otter Europe trade show in Girona.
Whaleroad isn’t the only Chinese cycling brand to release a drivetrain that’s compatible with 14 speeds. Wheeltop’s EDS derailleurs can also be configured for up to 14 gears. But this is the first time we’ve seen such a system paired with an actual 14-speed cassette.
Antoine Delmur, the founding director of Cykl, said of the R7 drivetrain: “We’ve been testing it for a little while now and, so far, it’s really impressed us.”
418% gear range
This is the first 14-speed cassette we’ve seen. Nick Clark / Our Media
Whaleroad says its 1×14-speed cassette offers a 418 per cent gear range, spanning from an 11-tooth smallest sprocket to a 46-tooth largest sprocket.
The cassette fits a conventional Shimano HG freehub body, meaning there’s no change needed to proprietary standards.
Squeezing the extra gears into that space has seen the cogs on the bottom of the block become significantly narrower.
Wireless derailleur
The drivetrain comes also comes with a crank. Nick Clark / Our Media
Whaleroad’s R7 derailleur is wireless and uses a removable 725mAh battery. Whaleroad claims up to 1,500km of riding from a charge.
The battery uses a USB-C port, and Whaleroad says that a 10-minute charge is enough for 200km of riding.
An accompanying app enables riders to customise shifting and update the firmware.
Similar to Wheeltops EDS, Whaleroad says the derailleur can be programmed to work with anything from a three-speed to a 14-speed cassette.
The rear derailleur also features an adjustable clutch, IP67 weatherproofing and what Whaleroad calls an “Impact Protection System”, designed to enable the derailleur to realign itself following an impact.
Is 14-speed the next frontier?
Campagnolo Super Record 13 X features 13-speeds. Campagnolo
The arrival of another 14-speed drivetrain comes as the established drivetrain manufacturers continue to add sprockets of their own.
SRAM’s flagship road groupset remains 12-speed, although its 1x Red XPLR AXS gravel groupset moved to 13 speeds in 2024, pairing a 10-46t cassette with a direct-mount rear derailleur.
Campagnolo went one step further in 2025, launching Super Record 13 as the first 2×13-speed wireless electronic road groupset.
The current Shimano Dura-Ace R9200 groupset has 12 speeds, but that looks set to change.
Kraftwerk have always been into bikes, right since the group’s Tour de France was released, back in 1983. Now another Kraftwerk bike has come up for auction.
There’s no record of Kraftwerk co-founder Ralf Hütter having actually ridden the bike in the current lot. But the Canyon Ultimate CF SLX Kraftwerk is one of a limited edition of just 21 with graphics designed by Hütter as part of a collaboration ahead of the 2017 Tour de France Grand Départ in Düsseldorf, Kraftwerk’s home city.
At the time, Roman Arnold, Canyon’s founder, said he had been moved to work with Hütter by “memories of partying in friends’ basements as a teenager [listening to] Kraftwerk’s groundbreaking sounds.”
One of 21
Canyon claimed the reflective tape graphics took over seven hours per frame to apply. Canyon Bicycles/Tino Pohlmann
The Canyon Ultimate CF SLX Kraftwerk was originally sold by Canyon for €10,000, so it will be interesting to see if its value has increased in the intervening nine years. The bike at auction, numbered 5 of 21, has a pre-sale estimate of £10,000 to £20,000, so there’s a good chance it has.
It is decked out in SRAM and Zipp’s finest, with Hütter’s intricate geometric pattern of reflective tape on the matt black frame claimed by Canyon to have taken over seven hours of work per frame.
The bike is accompanied in the lot at auction by a Kraftwerk cycling jersey, tee shirt, water bottle and other bits and pieces, including its numbered certificate and original packaging.
Florian Schneider’s Speedwell titanium bike sold for 57,600 last year.
A year ago, the titanium Speedwell bike ridden by the late Florian Schneider in the band’s 1984 Tour de France video sold at auction for $57,600, plus 28% buyer’s premium, so there’s clearly an active market for Kraftwerk-related cycling memorabilia.
If you want a piece of the Kraftwerk action, Propstore’s auction takes place on 1 and 2 October, with a pre-sale exhibition at the Cumberland Hotel in London from 24 to 27 September.
Last week, I shared Zwift’s Fall 2026 “This Season on Zwift” press release. But there’s actually more to TSOZ than I shared! Zwift held a call with cycling/fitness media days before the announcement, and that call covered upcoming features and changes that weren’t included in the press release.
(On top of that, there are other features and changes coming, some of them quite big, which Zwift didn’t mention at all. I can’t talk about those yet, but will of course spill the tea as soon as possible.)
Here’s everything else Zwift discussed on that media call…
Zwift Stats
Zwift kicked off the call with a run through some platform statistics, which are always fun.
Pro users: Over 300 professional athletes are active on Zwift, including WorldTour riders, World and Olympic Champions, and IRONMAN Triathletes. Many of these users are far from “casual” Zwifters, including:
Lucy Charles Barclay, Level 111, 67,000km
Jonas Abrahamsen: Level 102, 53,000km
Sarah Gigante: Level 109, 62,000km
Lionel Sanders, Level 102, 95,000km
Sir Mark Cavendish: Level 61, 21,000km
Global community stats: The Zwift community is massive, and the numbers we record are quite impressive:
More than 1 million riders come to Zwift to improve their fitness
88 million indoor activities on the platform in the past 365 days
Over 25 million outdoor activities uploaded since May 2025
The average Zwifter: Along the lines of the recent GCN video, Zwift shared the numbers for “the average Zwifter Power Profile”:
5 sec power – 567 watts
1 min power – 314 watts
5 min power – 237 watts
20 min power – 206 watts
How we train: With Zwift’s Fitness Metrics being a fairly new feature, it’s interesting to see some aggregated data of the community’s metrics.
95% of Zwifters have a Fresh or Productive Training Status
Less than 2% are Detraining and <3% are Overreaching
~60% of Zwifters complete a workout monthly
Over the past 365 days, Zwifters have completed:
Free Rides: 25,309,968
Races: 2,695,829
Climb Portal: 1,339,158
RoboPacers: 5,048,084
Group Rides: 5,184,652
Lastly, while discussing the upcoming new Halo bikes, it was mentioned that ~9k Zwifters have earned a Halo Bike through Bike Upgrades.
Workout Cleanup
Not the most glamorous news item (which may explain its absence from the press release), but important nonetheless, given how popular workouts are on Zwift! Zwift says October will bring updates to the workout library, including 40 new Endurance, Recovery, and VO2Max workouts. We’ll also see a fresh look to the library, including refreshed collections with more options in each collection.
(Lastly, I know from personal internal contacts that Zwift has tasked folks with cleaning up existing workouts – fixing minor errors like typos, instructions that don’t quite match the current interval, etc.)
Companion Home Screen Update
The Companion app is getting a refresh in October – that was mentioned in Zwift’s press release. But the release didn’t include the screenshot on the right below, which is shows the current state of development for the new “activity review” screen we’ll see after finishing our session.
You can see it shows how much the activity increased your training score, how much XP you earned, and your average watts. Of course, this screen will probably change before it’s released to the general public… but I like where it’s going.
Zwift + ROUVY
Zwift announced their acquisition of ROUVY back in April, but we haven’t seen any news of the two platforms working together since. On the TSOZ call, Zwift mentioned that, starting in late October, Zwifters will be able to connect their ROUVY accounts to Zwift in the same way we connect other apps (Strava, Wahoo, Garmin, etc). Your ROUVY rides will then accrue Zwift XP at the same rate as outdoor rides (5 XP per km).
ROUVY has already rolled out a Zwift connection which does the same thing, but in the other direction (that is, your Zwift rides will count towards ROUVY level progression). ROUVY says, “Only XP is shared between the two platforms. Your subscriptions, routes, workouts, and activity history stay separate.” Furthermore, “XP is shared only while you have an active subscription in ROUVY and an active membership in Zwift. Connecting the accounts does not give you access to the other platform, and there is no combined or discounted plan for the two.”
You can find instructions for connecting your Zwift account to ROUVY on this support page.
Background Pairing
While I’m often swapping trainers or other devices as I test hardware for Zwift Insider reviews, the vast majority of Zwifters connect the same trainer, heart rate monitor, and controllers before each session via the pairing screen. But next week, that will change! Automatic “background pairing” is coming to Zwift. I’ve been using it for several weeks now, and have no complaints. Now, instead of the pairing screen popping up before you reach the homescreen, a small dialogue pops up to show you connection progress:
It will warn you if it doesn’t reconnect all the hardware used in your previous session, and it stays out of the way if everything connects as expected. Easy.
Initially slated for a September 9 release, this feature is now planned for the next game release, v1.122, slated for this Tuesday (September 22).
Racing Changes
Lastly, while there were some mentions of upcoming racing changes and events in Zwift’s press release, it left out three racing-related items which I think are actually the most exciting.
First, Zwift has developed a Racing API that lets approved partners access results and register riders for events. Zwift told us that seven of the largest community organizers are already on the API, and there are more coming onboard. This API is what’s behind powerful new platforms like LeadoutEsports.com, which hosts our VO2sday results since ZwiftPower can’t handle duration-based events!
Next, Zwift told us they are “Actively working on bringing native points racing to Zwift.” (I already knew this, because I was on a call with various community organizers a couple of months ago. But now we can talk about it!) Zwift didn’t give an ETA for this release, but they are working with “several community organizers” to make sure what they build is fit for the task. Exciting stuff!
Lastly, the racing portion of our personal profiles at Zwift.com continues to grow richer, with the recent addition of a league results row, and the ability to click a race to see some personal metrics (see below). Zwift says the dashboard will soon include a chart of our Zwift Racing Score (ZRS) history, which I’m very much looking forward to. (I’ve seen mockups, and they look great!)
Your Thoughts
I hope you found some of the items above interesting… or even exciting. While most of them aren’t groundbreaking on their own, these types of small changes, when combined with many others over months and years, lead to that rich, engaging, yet easy-to-use experience that is the holy grail of software platforms.
Got thoughts about what Zwift has planned? Share below!
An unreleased Canyon time trial bike with a wide stance, dual-crow fork has been leaked in a video posted on X by Eurosport España and the Spanish cycling federation.
The video shows riders from the Spanish national team heading out to train ahead of the upcoming UCI Road World Championships in Montreal, Canada.
The bike is first shown leaning up against a wall in the team hotel, before Iván Romeo, the 2024 under-23 time trial world champion, rides it out of the underground car park and onto the road.
Although we’ve only got a few low-resolution images to go by, here’s what we can surmise about the new bike so far.
Canyon backtracks on wide forks
The wide stance fork uses an asymmetric deisgn. @RFECiclismo
The most notable design feature is the bike’s wide stance, dual-crown fork, that’s clearly inspired by the fork on Team Great Britain’s Hope HB.T.
The fork is significantly wider than that on the current Speedmax CFR TT, but appears to narrow as it extends towards the front hub – especially on the non-driveside – rather than staying wide and arching in, as on the Hope bike.
At the top, the fork extends beyond the lower crown, meeting the base bar, while the head tube appears to have been narrowed significantly compared to the existing model.
Integrated aero extensions look to be stacked directly on top of where the fork meets the base bar, on either side of the head tube.
On the Hope HB.T, the wide stance fork is designed to break the airflow over the riders legs – for a net reduction in aerodynamic drag – so it’s possible Canyon is looking for a similar effect here.
The head tube appears to have been narrowed aggressively. @RFECiclismo
This approach is particularly notable because Canyon previously told BikeRadar that it “couldn’t see the reason” for wide forks, when it launched the Speedmax CFR Track in 2023.
The Speedmax CFR Track has an extremely narrow fork and wide seat stays. Lukas Schuchnigg, Canyon’s development lead for the Speedmax CFR Track, told Bikeradar: “From [Canyon’s] perspective, we couldn’t see the reason for the wide stance design”, adopted by the likes of Hope.
“A narrower stance offers the same aerodynamic advantages, while also being stiffer.”
Dual risers help lift the aero extensions off the base bar, for a high stack position. @RFECiclismo
That bike also used a mono-riser setup for aero extensions, instead of dual extensions.
It seems the German brand has had a change of heart, then, or at least a change of testing methodology that has unlocked some new and previously unknown insight into this design.
Colnago-inspired aero bottle
The unreleased bike, right, is seen here with the current model on the left. @RFECiclismo
Although there are big changes at the front of the new bike, the rear looks more or less unchanged compared to the current version.
There are the same deep-section, truncated aerofoil tubes, aero seatpost and aero seat stays dropped low on the seat tube.
One interesting detail, however, is the presence of a filled-in section above the bottom bracket.
The current UCI technical regulations wouldn’t permit the frame tubes to be that large, so we suspect this is a water bottle designed to integrate with the aerodynamic shaping of the frame.
To our eye, it looks a lot like the water bottle used on Tadej Pogačar’s old time trial bike, the Colnago TT1.
Though the Italian brand has now moved away from this design with the new TT2, Canyon clearly thinks there’s still something to it.
Iván Romeo is training on the new bike ahead of this weekend’s world championships. @RFECiclismo
This particular bike appears to belong to Movistar’s Iván Romeo, a former under-23 time trial world champion.
Given Romeo is training on it in Montreal, ahead of this weekend’s racing, and the current model is currently on sale on Canyon’s website (with 25 per cent off), we suspect Canyon is using the world championships as a teaser ahead of an official launch soon afterwards.
The 2026 UCI Road Cycling World Championships are coming to Montreal, Canada, with men’s and women’s time trial and road races spread over a week from 20 September to 27 September.
Over that time, there are 13 competitions for national teams in different age categories, as well as a Team Time Trial Mixed Relay. They culminate in the 180.4km elite women’s road race on Saturday 26 and 273.4km men’s road race on Sunday 27 September, which will decide who will wear the coveted rainbow stripes throughout the next year in the WorldTour’s elite races.
If you want to catch all the action wherever you live, we have a how to watch guide for the Montreal World Championships. Here, we’ll set out the schedule of events and times, all in Montreal’s Eastern Daylight Time time zone, which is 4 hours behind GMT, along with a route breakdown and riders to watch.
Road Cycling World Championships: Schedule of events
All the road races, including the elite women’s, shown here, finish on a circuit through the Mont Real district. UCI The elite men’s road race route. UCI
All the routes for the road races focus on two circuits. Longer races such as the men’s elite and women’s elite start with a long loop out from the Brossard district of Montreal.
That’s followed by crossing the Samuel de Champlain bridge to a circuit through central Montreal, completed 12 times for the elite men and eight times for the elite women. Shorter races such as the men’s U23 road race take place solely on multiple laps of the shorter Mont Real circuit.
Time trial
The time trial routes follow a twisting circuit through central Montreal, with shorter races omitting the further parts of the complete circuit. All finish at the same line in the Parc Jeanne-Mance also used for the road races.
Riders to watch
Remco Evenepoel looks likely to take a fourth elite men’s time trial title. Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP via Getty Images)
There’s no shortage of talent, despite the absence of the 2024 and 2025 road race winner, Tadej Pogačar.
Look out for Remco Evenepoel in the men’s individual time trial. He’s worn the rainbow jersey in the discipline since 2023 and doesn’t look inclined to relinquish it, based on current form. He’s a prospect for the men’s road race too, even if he was bested by Isaac del Toro in the recent GP de Montreal, who’s another hot prospect.
The Mexican, unlike the Belgian, doesn’t have a strong team behind him in the road race. Wout van Aert is another option for the Belgians. He looks to be in peak form following his two stages and points classification wins in the Vuelta a España.
Demi Vollering is a strong time trialist as well as the dominant women’s road rider. Jeff Pachoud / Getty Images
In the women’s road race, it’s hard to look past Demi Vollering to win her first rainbow jersey, having so far this year won both the Tour de France Femmes and Giro d’Italia Women, as well as a cluster of one day races including the Women’s Tour of Flanders and Liege-Bastogne-Liege. Again, she has strong team backing in the road race from her Netherlands team. Don’t rule out a win in the women’s elite time trial too.
For UK-based race watchers, the focus will be on Zoe Bäckstedt both in the elite women’s time trial, where she’s a strong competitor, and the road race. Tom Pidcock will lead the charge for Team GB’s elite men and is supported by a strong GB team. He has mixed road and XC MTB racing in 2026 and is the current XC Olympic MTB world champion.
Have you done 25 laps of the Volcano Circuit yet? This week’s top pick has hundreds of riders signed up to knock out this achievement together. We’re also featuring a unique new chase event from Zwift, a ride to honor the Milligan University Cycling Team, ZRL Recon Rides and more! See our picks below…
Jessica’s 100km Volcano Party
Popular Beginner-Friendly Achievement Badges
Far and away the biggest ride happening this weekend, YouTuber Jessica Strange‘s 100km Volcano Party looks like a great way to knock out some distance and even grab those volcano circuit multi-lap badges if you haven’t yet!
Jessica will have the leader beacon, cruising at a cat D/E pace. Ride with her, or ride ahead or behind. With so many riders on such a small circuit (only 4.1km long) there will always be someone to ride with!
This is a new style of event Zwift spun up in recent days. Technically classified as a group ride and not a race, these events are made up of two groups: the Party People (category D) who start first and wear fun costumes, and the Party Crashers (category E) who start a few minutes later and push hard to catch the Party People and crash the party before the ride ends.
Ride leaders from the community will have beacons and attempt to keep each group together while working toward beating the other group across the line. Hop in and have fun!
You don’t have to have known someone personally to feel loss or fear when cyclists are killed, particularly when the crash involves a vehicle. We are all part of the same cycling community.
“Team Giant invites cyclists everywhere to join us on Zwift for a special memorial ride honoring the Milligan University cycling team and remembering those whose lives were tragically lost, while supporting those who continue to recover.”
Join the ZABI group for a banded ride that allows you to go as hard or as easy as you’d like. “Your level or watts don’t matter. What matters here is friendship, fun, and enjoying virtual cycling as a group.”
We choose each weekend’s Notable Events based on a variety of factors including:
Is the event unique/innovative in some way?
Are celebrities (pro riders, etc) attending/leading?
Are signup counts already high, meaning the event is extra-popular?
Does the ride include desirable unlocks or prizes?
Does the event appeal to ladies on Zwift? (We like to support this under-represented group!)
Is it for a good cause?
Is it just plain crazy (extra long races, world record attempts, etc)?
Is it a long-running, popular weekly event with a dedicated leader who deserves a shout out?
In the end, we want to call attention to events that are extra-special and therefore extra-appealing to Zwifters. If you think your event qualifies, comment below with a link/details and we may just include it in an upcoming post!
Jessica’s 100km Volcano Party
Popular 
Party Crashers
