Editor’s note: With the new year just around the corner, event organizers on Zwift are already deep into planning 2026 events. Richard from FRR is a key organizer in the Zwift racing space, so I asked him to provide an update on what’s coming next with FRR. See all the details below!

Tour Watopia

Tour Watopia will start our third Tour of the season on January 3rd with an epic first stage to welcome in the New Year. Once completed, you will probably want to  ‘Fuhgeddaboutit’…

The Tour opens with three stages on fresh New York routes before heading over to Watopia to complete the remaining five, which also incorporate new routes to tick off some badges.

The event travels 340km, climbs 3,650m, has 6 points and 2 iTT stages and guarantees one epic week of racing. You can sign up as explained below.

To give a special New Year boost, everyone who completes the first 3 stages will enter our free prize draw! There’ll be at least 10 prizes like FRR Tour T-shirts, store discounts/vouchers, FRR Level Jerseys… just ride and earn your ticket!

Click here for information, and here is the Tour Roadbook

6IX Team Racing

6IX Team racing will start the final round for Series 1 on January 16th, a series of 5 races across three race times APAC (0830UTC) – EUROPE (1830UTC) – US EST (0030UTC). Teams of 5 riders compete weekly to be crowned best in class in the March Finals, with classes defined by vELO rating level.

The feedback and the racing have been great. Just click here to see race clips and what you could be part of in January.

New teams can join up to January 16th and have every chance to make the finals. 

The racing is exciting, fast, and aims to keep the whole team engaged every race.

For more info on format, rules, and how to join, see the 6IX Rules

Tour Triquetra

Tour Triquetra will return on April 25th to deliver the Grandest of Grand Tours with 21 Stages over 3 weeks with just 2 rest days. The parcours will travel across many of our Zwifting worlds to elevate the experience, build the fatigue, test you like never before, and deliver the hardest but most rewarding event organised to date. 

The question is, can you handle it…? 

Not as though you need an incentive to join the best virtual Grand Tour of the year, but every rider who rides the Tour

• will be eligible to purchase a Triquetra Rockstar Tour T-Shirt
  • complete all 21 Stages and earn the option to buy it at cost
• all Class Jersey podiums (top 5) will enter a prize draw for some great rewards, with a host of other prizes to be announced for competitors

Over December, we are releasing on the website a Stage each day up to the 24th.

For more info, check out the Tour Schedule 

Club Series & Event Hosting

Team VirtuSlo have partnered with us to bring you their unique New Year Tour which starts December 20th, all on the back of the fabulous Team Fearless Women’s event. 

Want us to host your Club series and have your own space?  Contact Race Control and let’s start the simple process…

Event Schedule

• Tour Watopia 3: 11th January
• 6IX Team Racing: 16th January (5 races each Friday)
• World Tour: 14th-22nd February
• 6IX Playoffs: March 7th & Final March 14th
• Tour Triquetra April 25th-May 17th

FRR partnered with Octaine Racing in the Summer to develop a new and exciting brand for the whole community – delivering free merchandise for riders who choose to Subscribe to FRR and support in moving us forward in all directions to improve and enhance what we do.

How To Sign Up

Riders can register throughout events, but the event race links are private, so registration is required at flammerougeracing.com.

To compete, you must meet these minimum requirements for accounts and equipment:

• Riders must be OPTED IN to share their race data with ZwiftPower from their Zwift Profile Connections
• Riders must have created and connected a ZwiftPower account – full instructions on this can be found here
• Riders must have an FRR account to be able to register for an event,  be included in results and to allow Team Managers to select them for a 6IX Club Team – to do this simply follow these instructions:
  • Simply visit the FRR Home page and Login or Register a New account – once in, click on your name to open your Profile options
    • New accounts must first complete their basic Profile Information when they first log in – just select Profile and complete the fields presented not forgetting to SAVE at the end
  • To register for the event click on Event Admin and then select Register from the 3 tabs shown
    • The page details the 3 simple steps to follow to complete event registration
    • Race BIO confirmation is important to us as we look to improve rider responsibility for their virtual profile, since these define how our virtual self competes
• Riders are advised to have completed at least 3 Zwift race events prior to racing to ensure your vELO rating value is reflective of you as a rider

Once registration is completed you will appear on the Registered list of riders and you will receive a welcome email to confirm along with some helpful details about the event.

You can email FRR race control at rcontrol@flammerougeracing.com, or join the FRR Discord server.

FRR Socials

• FRR Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/Flammerougeracing1
• FRR Event Group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/141237451557465/
• Discord – https://discord.com/invite/nQNWHQK6PS
• YouTube – https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCE7JybPR1o8JYbb1vzInu9g
• Email – rcontrol@flammerougeracing.com

Octaine – FRR Partnership

• Octaine Racing – https://octaineracing.com/
• Instagram – https://instagram.com/octaineracing
• YouTube – https://youtube.com/@octaineracing
• TikTok – https://tiktok.com/@octaineracing
• X – https://x.com/OctaineRacing
• Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578960040528

MIPS has signed an agreement to acquire all the shares in Koroyd, the impact-protection brand, for €40 million. 

According to MIPS CEO and president Max Strandwitz, Koroyd will continue to operate separately under its leadership. But the acquisition will mean MIPS can expand its range of protection across consumer and professional uses.

“The acquisition of Koroyd marks another important step in MIPS’ long-term strategy to strengthen our position as the leader in helmet safety. This acquisition positions the group uniquely in the market and enables interesting entries into other adjacent product areas,” says Strandwitz. 

Brands such as Smith and Endura have used Koroyd in their helmets. In fact, the Smith Optics Ignite MIPS helmet uses both of the ‘ingredient’ technologies.  

Koroyd, which is based in Monaco and was founded in 2010, produces a variety of impact-protection technologies that span head, body and hand protection across sport, motorsport, defence, industrial safety and child-restraint systems.

Founder of Koroyd, John Lloyd, says: “From the beginning, Koroyd has been built on a culture of purposeful innovation, solving real problems with solutions that genuinely improve protection whilst putting the user experience first. In MIPS, we have found a partner who shares that ethos entirely.”

MIPS says the purchase of Koroyd amounts to €40m on a cash and debt-free basis, and with the possibility of an additional earn-out of €25m if performance targets are met. 

“The acquisition is expected to contribute positively to MIPS’ earnings per share, EBIT margin, and sales growth on a short and long-term basis,” says MIPS.

This weekend, we’ve chosen three events to help you earn route badges (and XP bonuses) for tougher routes, plus two very different TT-related events. See our picks below!

THE COALITION PRL Full and PRL Half Badge Hunt

USMeS Fuego TT Record Attempt

CTT Winter Series on Zwift

Feed Fondos

Badge Hunters

How We Make Our Picks

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!

Trek has recalled around 700 electric bikes in the USA because the bolts on the chainring can come loose, causing it to come off and posing a crash hazard to the user. 

The recall includes the Trek Domane+ ALR 5, Domane+ ALR 6 AXS, Checkpoint+ SL 6 and Checkpoint SL 7 electric bikes with the 2026 model year, according to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. 

The bikes came in a variety of colours and sizes.

 If you have one of the affected bikes, you should stop using it immediately and contact an authorised Trek dealer to schedule a free repair at the dealer location, the recall notice says. 

“The dealer will tighten the chainring bolts to the correct specification. Trek will provide consumers who participate in the recall with a $20 in-store credit toward Trek, Electra, or Bontrager merchandise. The credit is valid through December 31, 2026,” the notice explains. 

Trek issued the recall following three reports of chainrings coming loose on the recalled bikes. No injuries have been reported. 

The bicycles were sold at authorised Trek retailers across the USA from July 2025 to September 2025 for between $5,000 and $8,000. 

In November, Trek recalled more than 75,000 children’s bikes due to an issue with the coaster brake design. 

This wasn’t the only large recall we’ve seen recently, with Peloton recalling more than 800,000 exercise bikes also in November. 

Your feedback helps shape the stories, reviews and advice we share – and it only takes 5 to 7 minutes to have your say. 

As a thank you, UK residents who complete the survey can enter our prize draw to win one of five £50 Love2shop eGiftcards. 

Have your say here

The survey will be open until 11.59pm on Sunday 21 December 2025. T&Cs apply. 

SQUIRREL_13624745

I love crisp winter weather, but cycling in it is only fun if I can layer up and keep warm.  

Enter Santini’s Pure Women’s Jersey (£89; also available in a men’s version), which I tested for Cycling Plus magazine a few months ago. 

I’m a huge Merino-clothing fan (on or off the bike), partly because of its chill-busting feel against the skin. However, garments made from the pure, straight-up wool can be very pricey and don’t wear or stretch as well as many synthetic fibres can. Those with sensitive skin can find it a little scratchy, too. 

The nicely stretchy Pure jersey uses a sensible combo of Merino wool blend in the sleeves, cuffs and collar, and Italian thermal fabric for the main body.  

• Read more: Best women’s cycling jerseys and buyer’s guide

When the package containing the Pure Jersey dropped through my letterbox, it gave me a warm feeling inside to see the ‘designed for women’ sticker on the bag and label, signalling that the company is thinking about its female riders and making me feel more confident that the top should fit my petite frame well. 

On that note, the impressively large range of sizes, in both the men’s and women’s versions, should help most people to find a good fit. 

Hastily donning the top, which has a full-length zip, I found it beautifully close-fitting, without being restrictive, thanks to the material’s integrated stretch. As I put it on over my thermal vest (a Merino version is on my Christmas list), there was none of that initially cold-against-the-skin feel that some synthetic materials can have, and I appreciated the close fit on my arms. 

Since then, after taking it on many jaunts, I’ve found its warmth-to-weight ratio is impressive – I can easily get even a close-fitting waterproof jacket over the slender Pure. 

The thermal fabric has a subtle fleck to it, which gives the top an interesting two-tone look, while the body-hugging fit and nicely high neck help keep out those pesky ride-ruining chills.  

You get three open back pockets (no zipped ones) and a strip of reflective material at the bottom of the back – the boasts of it being a ‘highly reflective’ top are exaggerated a little, I’d say. The sophisticated colour options are all dark, too, so it’s not hugely visible at night, but I suppose I’d often wear a higher-vis windproof/waterproof layer over the top at this time of year.  

This top was my favourite out of the six I tested and, price-wise, it sat in the middle, which suggests it’s decent value for money, too. 

On those wintry days when you might waver about going for a spin, decent kit, including a trusty layer such as this, is a must for encouraging you to head out – and that’s why Santini’s Pure is my current favourite winter jersey. 

SQUIRREL_13624745

The Dynamic Clean Machine might be the most revolutionary cleaning product I’ve used in recent years.

Not revolutionary in and of itself – because portable pressure washers have been a thing for donkey’s years. But revolutionary to me, in that I no longer need to pack a muddy bike in the back of my car after a long winter ride away from home.

It’ll also be a boon for cyclocross racers and mountain bikers who want to get the essential grime off their bike before loading into (or onto) their vehicle of choice, and make mincemeat of muck back home if your hosepipe just won’t cut it.

Plus, it’s had the seal of approval from pro teams FDJ-Suez, Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe and Alpecin-Deceuninck.

Here’s what you need to know about it. 

• Read more: How to pressure wash your bike safely

Portable but with home power

The Clean Machine is the first pressure washer I’ve used to clean my bikes, and it delivers practically all the flexibility I need to shift the stubborn stuff.

It uses a 400W brushless motor to turbo charge the water from the spray gun, powered by an onboard 4000 mAh lithium-ion battery.

You won’t be cleaning any patios with it, but it’s more than powerful enough to shift the worst dirt and grime from a bike frame. 

The battery is removable and fits in a dedicated compartment at the rear of the unit, but uses the same slot-in fitting standard as home power tool brand Makita’s products – this means you can use Makita’s own batteries to replace the Dynamic-branded one, or use Makita chargers to charge it up faster, should you own one.

I have (a limited selection of) Bosch power tools, so that’s little use to me personally, but it’s nice to know the brand has partnered with a reputable manufacturer of power tool equipment for its electronics.

The supplied battery is claimed to last for 17-25 minutes, depending on the water pressure mode you use. This is adjustable via the + button on the back of the machine, cycling through 30, 45 or 65 BAR output.

The connecting water hose is 5m long, and the adaptor for the spray gun offers six pattern settings – useful if you don’t want to use the water too quickly, or fire the most powerful jet setting at your bearings or electronics accidentally.

The main compartment features a 20l reservoir for the water, which Dynamic says will cover three to five bikes. Having used it a couple of times, I think this is a fair prediction – I can wash down two freshly mucky bikes without troubling the capacities of the reservoir or battery, albeit bikes with dried-on muck will need more attention.

Most handily, the washer (which measures 44.5x31x41.5cm) doesn’t take up much space in the boot of my car next to two bikes, and can easily fit in the footwells behind the front seats. 

Extras to make light work

The Clean Machine comes with a foam pod, which screws into the bottom of the spray gun, enabling you to lather up your bike with your wash product of choice.

Naturally, Dynamic Bike Care recommends the use of its own, which are largely a similar density of water solutions – don’t be tempted to fill it with washing up liquid!

It can also be bought in two bundles: the Clean Machine Set (£272.96), including its Badass Bubbles cleaning solution, microfibre cleaning glove and drying cloth, or the Clean Machine Super Set (£337.91), which includes a brake cleaner, wax protection and a drivetrain cleaner, plus an extra cleaning cloth and all-in-one brush tool.

The Clean Machine starts at £229.99.

See zwiftinsider.com/tiny for current Tiny Race details.

The UCI has announced that an equal number of qualification places will be available for men and women at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, 257 for each across all cycling disciplines.

Athletes will be competing for 22 gold medals across road, track, MTB, BMX racing and BMX freestyle disciplines, making cycling the third largest sport at the Olympics. 

The UCI introduced gender parity for the 2024 Paris Olympics, with the same total number of places and medals continuing for the 2028 Games. 

Going back to the previous 2020 Tokyo Olympics, although MTB and BMX events were open to equal numbers of male and female participants, road events had offered more men’s than women’s starts: 67 for women and 130 for men.  

Track cycling parity was also achieved for the first time at the Paris Olympics, by adding another seven women’s places.

Women’s cycling’s profile increases

The announcement of gender parity at the LA Olympics reinforces the increasing profile of women’s cycling. 

Zwift released a report on the state of women’s cycling ahead of the 2025 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, which highlighted the progress made since the event’s first staging in 2022, declaring “a golden era for women’s cycling“. 

The 2025 race was broadcast in 190 countries and is reported to have attracted a worldwide audience of 120 million, including 26 million in France alone. The 2026 race route is the longest yet and includes a queen-stage finish atop Mont Ventoux.

The increase in the UCI’s mandated minimum salary for women cyclists has also helped increase the attraction of the sport for women, with Zwift’s report pointing to an increase from €15,000 in 2020 to €31,728 in 2025 for Women’s WorldTour riders and an average 2024 salary of €40,000.

Canyon//SRAM zondacrypto’s Anastasiya Kolesava says that the increase in pay has been matched by an increase in competitiveness: “To be honest, it’s insane how everything has changed. So many riders are now super strong on the climbs and the speeds we race at are so much higher – even if there is generally a lot more climbing in races / stages now,” she states.

The Cyclists’ Alliance, set up to provide an independent voice for women’s professional cycling, highlights that gains are in large part confined to the top tier of the women’s sport, though. 

Its survey of women riders revealed that 84% of riders in third-tier Continental teams earned under €20,000 and 42% had a second job to make ends meet, and highlighted a poor career pathway for riders.

There’s increasing parity in prize money for races, though, with some one-day races and stage races, including the Amstel Gold Race and Tour Down Under and all races organised by Flanders Classics, offering equal prize money for men and women.

The Tour de France continues to favour male riders, though, with Tadej Pogačar winning 10 times Pauline Ferrand-Prévot’s €50,000 and a men’s Tour prize pot of over €2.5m versus €259,430 for the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.

This week, ZRL racers headed back to New York for the final race of round 2. It was a scratch hosted on the new Empire Elevation route, and my team (Coalition Delusion) was tied for 1st place in the B1 Development Lime division. It all came down to this!

Planning and Warmup

As usual, my team was chatting on Discord in the days leading up to the race, deciding how best to ride the course. We found ourselves in a difficult spot. Sure, we were tied for 1st. But we were up against team TSE, whose strength was climbing. (Ours is not.)

We searched high and low for a brilliant race strategy to secure the overall win, but found nothing. Our conclusion? Teamate David said it well: “I think there is only one tactic for this and it’s go into the KOM with as much energy as you can and try to empty yourself on that climb.”

I’d scouted the KOM to write the week’s race guide, but that wouldn’t make it any easier. I knew I was facing an all-out 5-minute effort on some steep slopes, so I pulled the Specialized Aethos out of the garage (level 3 upgraded, good enough), fitted with the fancy new ENVE 4.5 PRO wheels.

With a whiff of PR Lotion and mint MEG gum in my nostrils, I started my warmup, putting in a few good digs and chatting about Zwift with other riders as I woke up the heart and legs. Soon enough, it was time to sign into Discord and join the start pen. Let’s race!

The Easy Part

The Empire Elevation route was brand-new, created for this specific race, and I’d never ridden it. But that didn’t mean it was unfamiliar. I’d ridden all of its roads multiple times via other routes, so I had a pretty good idea how this would play out as a scratch race.

Simply put: it would be quite easy for the first 24km. Then the KOM finish would be an all-out ~5-minute effort.

It played out as expected. Sure, some digs were required whenever the road tilted upward, including those pesky escalators. But the pace was never truly “high.” My heart rate sat firmly in the tempo zone, and I sat firmly in the draft.

There was just one snafu: I somehow neglected to fasten the upper Boa on my left shoe, and didn’t notice it until the race was underway! So I pedaled with a loose shoe until the Manhattan Bridge descent 12km in, where I managed to stop pedaling and fix it while sliding backward through the pack:

Here’s something a bit crazy, which also speaks to how easy the first bit of this course was: we didn’t lose a single rider from the starting pack of 48 in the lead-in to the final climb. When was the last time you did a ZRL race where nobody was dropped in the first 24km?

The Hard Part

35 minutes into the race, we hung a right onto the glass road of the NY KOM, and the “fun” began.

Someone on Discord said, “Last 6 minutes of the round, so lay it on the road.” Exactly right (except it would be closer to 5 minutes). I steeled myself mentally and began to push. Time to empty the tank.

I stayed close to the front on the first and second of the four ramps, and still had a feather in my pocket with 1km to go. Then we hit the “main” ramp, and the pack began to stretch out ahead. I triggered the feather and kept hammering, riding on that razor’s edge between easing and losing places or pushing harder and blowing up in spectacular fashion.

With 600 meters to go, I realized I was just behind a TSE rider named Grosso. I lacked the glycogenic bandwidth to execute complex strategies, but I knew one thing: we had to beat TSE to win 1st overall! So I dug deeper, passing him and teammate Andrew with 500 meters to go:

One ramp to go. I eased a bit on the flat road leading to the final ramp, but then Grosso flew past with 180m to go! It was now or never. I went all in to catch him, channeling my inner Pogi with a seated sprint. Glancing up from my sweaty top tube, I saw I was getting closer to Grosso. But where was the finish arch?

Another glance up and it appeared Grosso had sat up early. With 20m left, I flew past as he dropped his power to 2 W/kg. I beat him to the line! For… 15th place.

See my ride on Strava >

Watch the Video:

Results and Takeaways

Coming across the line, I saw that teammate David had taken 1st overall. Well done, sir!

Unfortunately, our overall team performance didn’t place us on the top step this week. We tied for 3rd, and team TSE took first:

That dropped us from a tie for 1st to a firm 2nd overall. Ladies and gentlemen, the final standings for the Lime B1 Open Development Division, Round 2:

Well done, TSE!

As for my personal performance? Once again, I think I played this as well as I could. Heck, I was even doing some VO2 max training in the weeks leading up to this race!

In the end, I used all my W’ weebles, according to intervals.icu:

That final climb was almost exactly 5 minutes long, which let me (almost) set a new 5-minute power PR for 2025. (I did 379W to finish this race, but did 387W in an FTP ramp test in September.) So I feel I gave it all I had. Which is all anyone can ever do.

Good work, Coalition Delusion. And chapeau to all our competitors as well. See you next round! (Watch for details of ZRL 2025/26 Round 3 to be shared here on Zwift Insider next Tuesday.)

What about you?

How did your final race of round 2 go? Share below!

The UK government has just announced multi-year funding for active travel in England outside London, worth £626m. Active Travel England, the agency responsible for allocation of active travel funds in England, says this is enough for 500 miles of new cycling and walking routes.

Active Travel England is headed by national active travel commissioner, Chris Boardman, who states: “The aim of Active Travel England is to give people more everyday choice in how they get around, by creating safe, accessible and welcoming streets.

“We are not just building infrastructure – together, we are creating communities: places where parents feel confident letting children travel independently, and where older people can reach local shops with ease. We are building life back into our streets.”

Piecemeal approach

But, as reported by The Guardian on 7 December, 50 organisations involved in transport and public health, including British Cycling and Cycling UK, have recently written to Heidi Alexander, the transport secretary, calling for specific targets to be set for active travel, claiming that proposals must “move from good intentions to a clear, long-term, fully deliverable national plan comparable to other strategic transport programmes”.

The letter highlights a frequent short-term and piecemeal approach to active travel and calls for a national strategy and joined-up routes to key destinations such as hospitals, schools and railway stations. 

In November 2023, the Public Accounts Committee, which oversees government spending, reported disappointingly slow progress and that the government was not on track to meet its targets for active travel. 

It further stated that the impact of the £2.3bn spent between 2016 and 2021, including £2bn of emergency funding during the Covid epidemic, was unclear and that a £233m reduction in funding for active travel made by the Treasury in March 2023 could adversely affect achievement of active-travel targets. The report cited, in particular, the lack of certainty for councils on available funding, late notice of allocations and its short-term availability.  

Earlier this year, the Court of Appeal ruled that the Treasury’s March 2023 cut was unlawful, underlining the government’s short-termism in active travel funding.

Active travel rankings

Alongside the funding announcement, Active Travel England has published ‘active travel capability’ ratings for 2025, which show nine councils improving their ranking.

Councils are graded from 0 to 4. A 0 rating denotes no plan, while 4 shows:

“Established culture of active travel with successive increases in walking, wheeling and cycling, underpinned by a dense integrated network in place and highly supportive policies to give more people the choice to walk, wheel or cycle.”

Only 11 out of 80 local authorities are graded 3, denoting “very strong local leadership and organisational capability, comprehensive plans, and a significant network in place with a growing number of people choosing to walk, wheel and cycle”.

None has achieved level 4, although since 2023 no local authority has been graded 0 either.

You can read the full rankings and see how your council performs here.

Factor has launched the new One aero race bike, claimed to be the “fastest UCI-legal road bike in the world”.

Formerly known as the ‘Prototype’, which made its racing debut under select Israel–Premier Tech riders at the 2025 Critérium du Dauphiné and Tour de France, the bike draws inspiration from track bike aerodynamics, and the latest rider position and equipment trends.

Factor also says it has exploited the latest UCI tech regulations, with wind-tunnel testing showing it to be up to 22 per cent faster than a Specialized Tarmac SL8 and around 15 per cent more efficient than a 2024 Cervélo S5. 

However, while these claims are headline-making, Factor insists the main improvements for the rider are seen in the geometry and fit.

• Read more: Factor’s unreleased aero bike is even more eye-catching in the flesh

Designed for the latest fit trends

Factor says the One is designed around the latest rider-fit and component-choice trends, which results in a no-compromise system for racing speed.

David Millar, ex-racer and TV commentator installed this year as Factor’s brand director, explains that, since his racing days, bike design has continued to follow the same basic formula, with components changing to suit the rider.

“With the One, it’s different,” he says. “It’s designed with these adaptations in mind. Racers are choosing longer stems, inline seatposts and shorter cranks to improve their performance and efficiency.”

Millar uses the example of Mark Cavendish and Jonathan Milan – riders of opposing statures – whereby their bike-size needs are very different. However, with bike wheels currently at the fixed 29in / 700c size, a rider’s weight distribution and fit adaptations are very different with current ‘standard’ frame geometries.

Millar says the One fixes this disparity, thanks to the frame’s longer effective reach compared to a typical layout. This is said to shorten the effective stem lengths riders will require by 20mm, while still getting the handlebar drops where needed.

The seat tube angle is also far steeper than typical, at around 76 degrees, which pitches the rider forward relative to the bottom bracket and opens the hip angle for more efficient power transfer through the cranks. 

This means the rider’s effective saddle-mounting point is 25mm forward compared to the Ostro VAM, so a 30mm-setback seatpost yields a similar centred saddle position as an Ostro VAM with an inline seatpost (an inline post remains available for those who need or want one).

Rob Gitelis, Factor’s CEO, says it was former rider Alex Dowsett who first posited a bike designed for the job of breakaway and leadout efficiency – a Hanzo time trial bike for the road.

He claims the One’s design effectively meets that brief, while satisfying the UCI-mandated minimum setback of 0mm from the tip of the saddle to the bottom bracket centreline, and keeping the saddle rails supported properly.

Optimised handling geometry

Factor has also increased the bottom bracket drop – partly compensating for the use of wider tyres and the trend towards shorter crank lengths – which should provide more stable handling on descents. 

This, in combination with the modified rider-weight distribution, is said to help avoid the tendency to overload the front wheel (thereby avoiding under-loading the rear wheel) and maintain traction. 

The added confidence this drives should see riders adopt a more efficient and natural-feeling position when descending, improving overall speed. Millar (who is 1.92m tall) says he set a KOM on the descent of Els Angels near his home in Girona, Spain, aboard the One, without specifically setting out to do so. 

Factor also claims the steep head tube angle is preferred by the vast majority of smaller riders it has worked with. 

On typical smaller-size frames, head angles have needed to be slackened and fork rakes increased to preserve essential toe clearance, but this can lead to ‘front wheel flop’ – essentially, slow and unbalanced responses through the front end.

The cockpit is similar in overall design to the Colnago Y1Rs’, with a rising V-shape taking the place of a typical stem (Factor refers to this shape as a ‘gullwing’). The Cervelo S5 uses a similar design, just with a top bar in place.

Factor says the standard version of the handlebar is available in five sizes, equating to 110-150mm effective stem lengths, while sticking to 38cm-wide across all of those options (as narrow as the 2026 UCI regulations will allow). 

There is also a ‘Hi-Rize’ version of the handlebar, in 110, 120 and 130mm effective lengths.

The fastest UCI-legal road bike in the world

Factor isn’t shy about its claims around the One’s aerodynamic prowess, which it says have been proven in its own wind-tunnel tests and through third-party validation.

The most striking difference compared to a typical road bike is the wide-flaring fork legs, coupled with the deep effective head tube. The fork shoulders also feature a ‘chin’ protrusion to engage with the oncoming air sooner.

It’s worth noting that the One uses a bayonet fork layout, enabling the effective steering axis to remain in the typical place, while enabling the free-floating forward section to extend outwards.

Naturally, there’s the custom handlebar in the mix, which features a ‘neutral’ section to preserve handling. But, all together, the front-extending design is said to enable the One to control airflow more effectively before it passes over the rest of the bike, while making it more stable in crosswinds, beyond the typical 15-degree drop-off Factor says it observed of competitor bikes.

The wide-stance fork legs are also designed to break laminar airflow, enabling the rider’s moving legs to pass through the disrupted flow more easily. Meanwhile, air is said to pass more efficiently between the fork legs and wheel-tyre system. Factor says the design “eliminate[s] tyre spillover turbulence”.

Factor also says it has oriented the fork-mounted brake mount at a slanted angle to help reduce drag caused by the caliper.

Scores on the doors

Despite its ostentatious looks and progressive design, the Factor One ticks the major compatibility boxes.

It can sport up to 34mm-wide tyres (although Factor says it’s aerodynamically optimised for 28mm rubber mounted to a 23mm-wide internal rim) and around 165-170mm crank lengths.

A frame is said to weigh 900g in a size 54cm, with the fork adding another 540g – unsurprisingly heavy given its size. Gitelis confirms that the frameset uses a mix of Toray 30T, 40T and 46T Toray carbon, plus pitch and Nippon graphite fibre.

The frameset uses CeramicSpeed bearings throughout, including a Solid Lubrication Technology headset, and is matched to Black Inc Sixty Two wheels.

We occasionally hear from Zwifters complaining that new features or achievements on Zwift aren’t working as advertised. The main reason this happens? Running an outdated version of the game.

Here’s how to check your installed Zwift version and update to the latest available version.

What Is the Latest Zwift Version?

Zwift maintains a page showing current versions for each platform.

Checking Your Version

The simple way to check your currently-running Zwift version on any device is to visit My Settings>About:

On PC, you can also right-click the Zwift icon in your taskbar to learn which version of the game and launcher you are running. This can be done even if Zwift isn’t actively running:

How to Update Zwift

Keeping Zwift up to date is quite simple, and usually automatic, depending on how your device is configured. Settings vary by device, so here are some specific tips…

Forcing a Zwift Update

Zwift has maintained a biweekly release schedule for the past few years, with updates typically released on Tuesday mornings around 8:30am Pacific Time.

These rollouts are phased, so the update isn’t available to everyone immediately. Zwifters have asked if there’s a way to force a Zwift update, but unfortunately, there is no approved method for doing so. The timing of phased releases is tied to individual Zwift accounts, so chances are you’ll receive each update at approximately the same day and time every other week.

The UCI has confirmed the 18 men’s and 14 women’s WorldTour teams for the 2026 season, alongside the teams that have been granted ProTeams licences.

Arkea–B&B Hotels and Cofidis are leaving the men’s WorldTour and will be replaced by NSN Cycling and Lotto Intermarché, following the drawn-out merger of Lotto Cycling Team and Intermarché-Wanty.

Only EF Education–Oatley will join the women’s WorldTour, while Ceratizit and Roland are leaving.

This is the first year that men’s and women’s WorldTour teams have been awarded three-year contracts simultaneously, but the UCI has made one exception to this. 

Picnic PostNL’s men’s and women’s squads have been given only a one-year licence by the UCI. 

“The UCI Licence Commission has decided to limit the duration of the licence to one year and to set conditions related to the financial criterion that must be met in order to permit its extension to the 2027 and 2028 seasons,” a statement from cycling’s governing body said. 

Lidl-Trek has also switched its registration from the USA to Germany, following Lidl taking a majority stake in the team.

The UCI says the number of teams applying for a men’s WorldTour licence was greater than the number of licences available, so taking into account points earned from 2023–2025, Cofidis and Pinarello–Q36.5 were not awarded licences. 

Instead, these teams will be registered as UCI ProTeams in 2026, alongside Julian Alaphilippe’s Tudor Pro Cycling and St Michel–Preference Home–Auber93. 

Toscana Nippo Rali, Modern Adventure Pro Cycling and MBH Bank CSB Telecom Fort join the men’s ProTour.

2026 Women’s WordTour teams

• AG Insurance–Soudal Team
• Canyon//SRAM ZondaCrypto
• EF Education–Oatley
• FDJ United–Suez 
• Fenix–Premier Tech
• Human Powered Health
• Lidl–Trek
• Liv–AlUla–Jayco 
• Movistar
• Picnic PostNL 
• SD Worx–Protime
• Visma–Lease a Bike
• UAE Team ADQ
• Uno-X Mobility

2026 Men’s WorldTour teams

• Alpecin–Premier Tech 
• Bahrain Victorious
• Decathlon CMA CGM
• EF Education–EasyPost
• Groupama–FDJ United 
• Ineos Grenadiers
• Lidl–Trek
• Lotto Intermarché
• Movistar
• NSN Cycling Team
• Red Bull–Bora–hansgrohe
• Soudal Quick-Step 
• AlUla Jayco
• Picnic PostNL
• Visma–Lease a Bike
• UAE Team Emirates XRG
• Uno-X Mobility
• XDS Astana 

2026 Women’s ProTeams

• Cofidis
• Laboral Kutxa–Fundación Euskadi
• Lotto Intermarché Ladies
• Ma Petite Enterprise
• Mayenne Monbana My Pie
• St Michel–Preference Home–Auber93
• Volkerwessels 

2026 Men’s ProTeams 

• Bardiani CSF
• Burgos–Burpellet–BH 
• Caja Rural – Seguros RGA
• Cofidis
• Equipo Kern Pharma 
• Euskaltel–Euskadi
• MBH Bank CSB Telecom Fort
• Modern Adventure 
• Pinarello–Q36.5 
• Flanders–Baloise
• Novo Nordisk
• Polti Visitmalta
• Toscana Nippo Rali 
• TotalEnergies 
• Tudor Pro Cycling
• Unibet Rose Rockets

On September 14th, everything changed.

One moment I was out on the road doing something I loved; the next, I was dealing with injuries, restrictions, fear, and the uncertainty that comes with recovering from a cycling accident. Like many riders, I had relied on outdoor miles for stress relief, fitness, and a sense of identity. Losing that – even temporarily – felt overwhelming.

What surprised me most, though, was the role Zwift would play in helping me rebuild my strength, confidence, and routine.

Returning to the Bike — Carefully

Riding in ERG mode to manage intensity

In the early weeks after the accident, I wasn’t sure when I’d be allowed to ride again. Once my physician and physical therapist gave the green light to begin low-intensity training, I knew the safest place to start wasn’t on the roads – it was inside, with Zwift.

For my rehab team, the controlled environment was a major advantage. No balance hazards. No traffic. No sudden braking. No risk of hitting a pothole (unless you count the ones on Cobbled Climbs). It gave me a platform where the only variable was my own power output.

Zwift allowed me to:

• Keep a strictly aerobic, low-wattage range when required
• Incrementally build time in the saddle
• Track changes in power and endurance with precision
• Manage intensity using ERG mode and structured workouts
• Ride consistently without worrying about weather or terrain

That stability gave me the reassurance I needed to focus on healing instead of what-ifs.

From Short Spins to Stronger Efforts

At first, my rides were short – 20 to 30 minutes – focused entirely on light spinning (well, I’m still a masher) and loosening up. Riding every day was actually encouraged because the intensity was so low. Zwift became part of my daily rehab routine: part workout, part meditation, part rebuilding.

As I progressed, my physio gradually expanded the plan:

• Longer rides: first 45 minutes, eventually pushing toward an hour
• Higher-intensity short rides: allowing me to test cadence, control, and targeted power
• Reintroducing efforts: like a 30-minute ride averaging 2.7 w/kg, which felt like a breakthrough. I chose Scotland After Party for this as it allowed me to do efforts.

Seeing those numbers come back on the screen helped me trust my body again. Zwift’s data gave me objective proof that I wasn’t as limited as I feared.

No Restrictions — and What That Meant Mentally

At my follow-up appointment, my ortho told me something I had been hoping for: no restrictions. The words sat with me. They felt liberating, exciting, and – if I’m honest – a little intimidating. I was a little nervous about trusting my body after multiple injuries, but I was also ready to put in the work and regain my fitness.

Zwift made the transition manageable. Instead of jumping into long outdoor rides, which were off limits, I used the platform to:

• Test my endurance safely
• Slowly increase total weekly volume by 10-15%
• Rebuild my muscular resilience
• Reintroduce climbs, sprints, and threshold intervals
• Regain confidence before facing real-world variables

Zwift gave me a structured, safe progression that matched exactly where my recovery was.

The Emotional Side of Virtual Riding During Rehab

The physical side of recovery is one thing. But the emotional storm after a crash is its own challenge. Fear. Frustration. Loss of routine. Losing fitness. Even questioning whether you’ll ever feel like “you” on the bike again.

Zwift helped bridge that gap, and with each ride, I felt more confident in my abilities.

There’s something uniquely healing about moving your legs in a familiar cadence, even if the scenery is virtual. The digital rides, the community chat, the route badges, the gamified accomplishments – they gave me small wins every day. And small wins are exactly what you need when the big picture feels uncertain.

Looking Ahead — Stronger Than Before

Before the accident, my FTP was 254. Watching myself gradually push pace and duration on Zwift has helped me feel not only like I’m returning to that level, but that I might come back even stronger. I’m back to leading my rides with Team Giant, and I led my first post-accident 100k!

I’ve learned that rehabilitation isn’t just about regaining fitness; it’s about rebuilding confidence and reconnecting with the joy of movement. Zwift gave me a way to stay consistent, stay safe, and stay motivated when I needed it most.

If there’s one thing I’d share with any athlete rehabbing after injury, it’s this: Zwift meets you exactly where you are—and helps you get where you want to go.

What About You?

Got a rehab story where Zwift played a role? Got questions? Share below!

Training camps are typically a time when pro cycling teams gather themselves and prepare for the season ahead, but Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe have got theirs off to a flying start. 

Nine of the WorldTour team, led by Tour de France podium finisher Florian Lipowitz, towed a piloted glider plane into flight in Son Bonet, Mallorca.

The team used a 1,500m runway to accelerate to 54kph while connected to a cord and a specially designed harness.

“When I first heard about this project, I didn’t think it was possible. Launching a plane? It seemed impossible. Nothing like this has ever been done in road cycling”, Lipowitz said. 

The riders are said to have averaged 650W for 90 seconds to get the glider, piloted by Andy Hediger, into the air. 

“Being towed by manpower was a special feeling. I’m so happy to finally combine aviation with cycling, and to see Red Bull bringing our new ideas to life,” Hediger said.

Dan Bigham, Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe’s head of engineering, went as far as to say the project was “game-changing for the sport” because it enabled him to use his expertise in aerodynamics and engineering. 

“From the data and our models, we knew it would take ~500watts from each rider to launch the plane, but we did not want to stop there. Every watt more meant more altitude for the plane. To see Andy reach 100 meters was pretty special,” Bigham said. 

YT Industries has unveiled the new Tues Limited, its first bike to be released since relaunching.

The new bike renews YT’s tradition of launching a special limited-edition downhill bike at the end of each year, with the most recent version being in 2013.

Similar to those old bikes, the new Tues Limited features a drool-worthy spec, including RockShox Boxxer and Vivid Ultimate suspension, TRP DH-R Evo Pro brakes and a Crankbrothers DH carbon wheelset with Industry Nine hubs.

• Read more: YT Industries relaunches and promises to fulfil back orders after founder saves it from administration

Back to the roots

YT says the release of the Tues Limited shows a commitment to its relaunch mantra of getting “Back to the Roots”.

The new bike is based on YT’s World Cup–proven Tues carbon downhill frame. 

The Tues platform enables you to fine-tune geometry and wheel size to match your riding style. 

Like the Core models, the Tues Limited ships with either mullet or 29in wheels, depending on the frame size, although the flip chip system makes running either possible on all sizes.

YT has limited the model to 50 units worldwide, with the price set at €4,444.

It looks as though YT is back in the business of delivering impressively specced bikes at equally impressive prices, albeit we suspect you’ll have to act quickly if you want to pick one up.

As more riders start the trainer season, many may be looking to upgrade or purchase their first setup. In this week’s top video, hear from one experienced Zwifter as he shares the top trainers for Zwift.

We’ve also included videos on fitness gains, Zwift use cases, the fastest bikes on Zwift, and the Wahoo KICKR CORE 2 (extensive review).

Got a Great Zwift Video?

Share the link below and we may feature it in an upcoming post!

Winter can be a time that tests the will of most cyclists, as cold and wet conditions make us yearn for sunny days on dry roads or trails.

New winter clothing can sometimes seem like the only option to make riding possible in the cold months, but this isn’t always the case.

Here are some of our favourite cheap or free hacks to keep you warm when cycling through the winter – including some slightly off-the-wall ideas, but hear us out.

1. Layers, layers, layers

Most of us are guilty of holding onto more cycling kit than we really need, but this can work to your advantage in winter.

As a general rule, the more layers you have, the more versatile your winter wardrobe.

Using a variety of layers will enable you to easily regulate your temperature out on the bike as you remove and add layers to suit your internal temperature.

A single toasty layer may feel right at the beginning of the ride, but as you warm up through riding, you’ll probably end up too hot with no ability to strip off layers.

A good starting setup is a baselayer, jersey and winter jacket combo, then adding a gilet and waterproof jacket if it gets colder or rains. This setup may leave you wanting at the start of the ride, but as soon as you start riding you’ll soon warm up – and if you’re still cold, you have layers to add.

Donning a waterproof will also act as the last layer in the coldest of conditions, trapping in as much heat as possible.

If you don’t own any cycling-specific warm layers, consider buying a used insulated jacket to act as your main layer. A tight aero-friendly cut is less important in the winter, where speeds (and ambitions!) are likely to be curtailed. We recommend going for a jacket with synthetic insulation because down is less effective when wet.

Mountain bikers should consider waterproof trousers, because these will keep you dry and provide warmth – they also leave you with clean legs at the end of your ride, saving those car seats.

2. Wax your cleats

Ever had an insufferable squeaking from your pedals? If so, this old skateboarding trick might just keep you sane on future rides.

In the winter, grit can get into the mechanism of your clipless pedals and cause a horrible squeaking noise as your cleat floats on the pedal’s surface.

Pouring hot candle wax onto the cleat and letting it set can help abate this. This adds a layer of lubricant to the cleat separating the two metals, eradicating any noise. Unlike wet lube or grease, wax won’t pick up any contaminants.

3. Keep warm with repurposed plastic

The sworn enemy of the sea turtle can protect you from the worst part of winter riding – cold water.

Feet

Cold feet can’t be ignored – especially wet ones.

Placing your foot in a plastic bag before wearing shoes can immediately create a waterproof layer, keeping your feet dry and warm.

For best results, consider wearing the plastic bag next to your skin because this creates a vapour barrier, preventing outside moisture and perspiration from saturating the insulating layers – although breathability is a trade-off to consider in warmer conditions.

Some riders suggest wrapping tin foil around their toes to achieve a similar effect.

Hands

On a similar note, using latex or vinyl gloves – the ones found in workshops and surgeries – can add a waterproof lining to any glove you own, mimicking the likes of Sealskinz.

Like plastic bags on the feet, this creates a vapour barrier preventing outside moisture and sweat from infiltrating the layers. The downside is in breathability – because if moisture can’t enter, it also can’t escape.

If breathability becomes is an issue, you may want to consider looking at the best winter cycling gloves.

Chest

A well-known audax hack is to simply wear a plastic bag between your jersey and outer layer. This acts as a windbreaker and a waterproof layer.

The plastic bag is a modern take on the classic newspaper trick used by pros of the past, except you’ll find supermarket names imprinted on your clothing instead of headlines.

4. Plug holes with Blu Tack

The soles of most cycling shoes feature ventilation holes to enable your feet to breathe and not overheat. This is great in the summer, but on winter days the vent lets cold air and water through, which is a recipe for cold feet.

A nib of Blu Tack pushed into these holes creates a seal, keeping cold air and water at bay. We don’t recommend standing in puddles, but you won’t be disappointed by the sealing qualities of this sticky putty.

When brighter, warmer days reappear, you can quickly remove the tack and be left with the ventilation you desire. It may take a little longer to remove if your shoes feature a mesh over the ventilation holes.

5. Keep your bike looking dishy

Through the winter, grit and mud make their way into your bike’s components, shortening their life span. Therefore, it’s necessary to keep your bike clean.

If you ride regularly, keeping topped up on cleaning products can become an expensive habit.

While bike-specific cleaning products are usually designed and tested to keep your pride and joy running and looking its best, there are other options that will clean your bike just as well.

Washing-up liquid works well as a bike cleaner when diluted, and can leave your bike looking good enough to eat your dinner off.

Old toothbrushes can have a second life, working the washing-up liquid into your drivetrain to degrease cassettes, chains and chainrings.

Our guide on how to clean a bike chain outlines the best technique to degrease your chain.

Some might argue that the salt in washing-up liquid can cause damage to your bike, however you will be rinsing the bike off quickly after applying it.

Pressure washing can speed up your bike cleaning, and save you from spending more time out in the cold.

If you are still loyal to big bike cleaner, then it is worth investing in a concentrated solution that can be diluted because this usually presents better value for money.

6. Food buys friends

Even the most experienced rider can fall foul of the comically named the ‘bonk’. The bonk refers to the feeling when there’s nothing left in the tank and your legs have turned to jelly.

Bonking in the winter has an added level of discomfort that will have you fantasising about anything that can fill the hole in your stomach.

Carrying extra food is always a good precaution and can save you, or a fellow rider, from an agonising ride back home or to the next cafe stop.

You also use more calories in colder weather, so be aware that your consumption might rise through the winter months.

BBB Cycling has launched the Signal Radar rearview radar/tail light. It’s priced competitively, at £119.99, and includes a speaker, so you don’t need a separate device to alert you when a vehicle is detected. It can also be used with a cycling computer or BBB’s app.

BBB claims a detection range of up to 190 metres for the Signal Radar, which it says can simultaneously identify up to eight vehicles. 

“It’s our most advanced rear light to date: powerful, smart, and built to protect cyclists in every situation,” says Tjerk Bakker, senior product manager at BBB.

• Read more: What are rearview radar bike lights and should you use one?

Full range of rearview-radar functionality

As with other rearview radars, the BBB Signal Radar detects an approaching vehicle and includes a tail light that can be programmed to change its lighting and flashing pattern as the vehicle approaches, with the aim of attracting the driver’s attention. 

With other radars, you then need another device to alert you as you ride. That’s typically a cycling computer, although you can use some cycling watches, and brands usually have a smartphone app to go with their radars, which you can use as an alert device, if you want to use your phone as a handlebar display. 

Like other rearview radars, the Signal Radar can be linked to your chosen head unit using ANT+ or BLE. BBB has co-developed the phone app for its radar with Cannondale, which partnered with Garmin for the SmartSense 2 radar on its Synapse, our 2025 road Bike of the Year.

A first for the BBB Signal Radar is a built-in speaker, so it can be operated without a head unit. It has six lighting modes, with a peak 80-lumen flashing mode its maximum output. BBB says the unit weighs 78g and has a maximum runtime of 14 hours.

Before the BBB Signal Radar, the closest thing to a head-unit-free radar device was the Lezyne Radar Drive, which can be bought in a set with the brand’s React Drive front light. The front light includes red LEDs under a translucent cover at its rear to provide the display function, as well as offering a 1,200-lumen peak output.

The BBB Signal Radar is priced at £119.99 / €139.95 – significantly less than many other radar rear lights, such as the Lezyne Radar Drive and the Garmin RTL515, both priced at £170, and the £180 Wahoo Trackr Radar. Its price is comparable to the MagicShine SeeMe 508 and the Bryton Gardia R300L, both of which need to be used with a head unit, as do the Garmin and Wahoo radars.