Lachlan Morton ranks as one of the best (and popular) multi-discipline endurance riders on the planet and he lined up for the start of the Traka 360 race having recently set a new record for riding around his native Australia. His Cannondale SuperX LAB71 was ready for a fast day out.

The SuperX has recently been revised to increase tyre clearance with the official figures now safely allowing for the 50mm tyres Morton rode at Unbound 2024.

His machine was built using an interesting mix of road and gravel components, but it also featured a very specific selection of puncture repair solutions, with each being ready for deployment quickly in the heat of battle.

2024’s Men’s Unbound 200 winner was unfortunate to suffer a serious mechanical mid-way through Saturday’s race, but given Morton’s dialled setup, we just had to take a closer look.

The Traka is fast becoming one of the most important gravel races of the season with the 200, 360 and 560km races being hotly contested.

Forming part of the Gravel Earth Series, the Traka attracts a host of pro riders, but like so many gravel events, it’s open to all. The result is a melting pot of hacks, bodges and some of the latest gravel tech available.

Last year, the race was heavily disrupted by stormy conditions, largely clement weather greeted 2025’s participants. 

This year’s event gave us our first proper look at Canyon’s new gravel race bike, showed the divide in tyre choice and served up some questionable last minute mods.

Name: Gretchen Zoeller 

Hometown: Nottingham, UK

How did you get into cycling? It’s a long story! I was 144 kg till 19. At 12 years old I discovered sport. I threw the discus and hammer, then got injured and lost 100kg. I started training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu at the age of 22 and have successfully competed all over the world.  I was the first British woman to medal at black belt in Brazil and the 3rd British woman to be awarded a black belt.

Then at 41 my life was turned upside down. I was diagnosed with a knee issue which turned out to be quite a serious disability. I decided to retire from the professional division and had my last fight. On the advice of my knee surgeon, I started cycling in mid 2020. I couldn’t do a 5-mile ride without stopping for hills even though I was fit. 

I met a lady at a local club who persuaded me to try an introduction to racing course she was teaching (thanks Liz!). I tried a few TTs in 2022 and enjoyed them. Racing filled the competitive gap I was missing after leaving high-level sport. 

In 2023 I signed up for a full season of able-bodied TT’s. I medalled at the VTTA national 100-mile TT & won two open 10s. I now compete for the Born2Bike racing team. My physio suggested I contact British Cycling for a para assessment which after a year of fighting was completed in June ’24. My knee is a degenerative disability and some days I can’t walk. Some Zwift races I compete using one leg!

How many years have you been racing on Zwift? 3 years 

Are you part of a Virtual team? Definitely! REVO, my team, is fantastic. You know when you’ve found “your people.” I love the ladies in my team, they are amazing. 

What do you love most about racing? Pushing myself. That feeling of destroying yourself during a race and the exhilaration at the finish. Oh, and the spare calories! 

What is your favourite style of race (e.g. points, scratch, iTT, TTT, Chase, duathlon)?  I do love a TT! 

What is your favourite Zwift women’s race series? TBD, but anywhere the whole team are involved and fighting for positions.

What is your most memorable racing experience, inside or outside or BOTH? I was in Cambridge at a 10-mile TT. I’d had bad news from my doctor. I thought f*** it. I emptied the tank and did 22.51. I cried at the side of the road after and 2 other riders stopped to check on me. They asked why I was crying. I said, “Because I just got an epic PB.” We rode the 8 miles back to HQ together! 

What is your favourite food to eat post race? Protein shakes and cold pizza made by the expert Maria at Pizza Paz (I fought middle-heavyweight).

What advice would you give to a woman entering her first Zwift race? Have high expectations for yourself because you are stronger than you realise, and you can achieve more than anyone ever expected of you. 

Any upcoming race you are looking forward to? I’m recovering from knee surgery and just want to start training ASAP. 

Where can people follow your racing adventures? I’m old skool. I don’t like to post much, but if you like photos of cute German Shepherds then @gretzoeller on Insta.

**A big shout out to my biggest supporter. My husband Ben. He gets my bikes ready, maintains and repairs both them and me (which is a much bigger job!). I literally couldn’t do it without him.

Bastion’s creations are things of rare beauty, with hand-crafted carbon fibre tubes mated to sculpted titanium lugs. The Australian brand’s bikes are considered by many as masterpieces of bicycle engineering.

It has been a decade since Bastion released a new road bike and the new Archetype brings everything it has learned in the intervening years to the fore.

It’s the combination of mirror-polished 3D-printed titanium, raw filament-wound carbon and exquisite attention to detail that makes this custom aero race bike stand out.

Combine all that with a wind-tunnel proven design and, in my opinion, the Archetype is 2025’s best-looking bike.

Filament-wound carbon

Each tube is constructed using filament-wound carbon fibre.

Continuous individual fibre strands are woven around a mandrel to construct high-strength lightweight hollow tubes.

True aero profiles

The Archetype’s tubes are different. For the first time, the tube profiles are based around NACA (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics) true aerodynamic profiles.

That makes the new Archetype one of the first fully custom aero road bikes available. These tubes are then bonded to aero-optimised 3D-printed titanium lugs.

The new bike has tyre clearances of 34mm and uses a Universal Derailleur Hanger rear dropout for added practicality.

Wind-tunnel tested

The complete bike was wind-tunnel tested at the Silverstone Sports Engineering Hub by Stephen Roche of the Bike Tailor.

The complete bike, with Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 and Partington’s R39/44 wheelset, was compared to Bastion’s Icon Superleggera. The Archetype reduced drag by 6-8 watts across 0-15° yaw angles at 35 km/h – speeds said to be typical for Bastion’s clientele.

For an ‘average’ rider outputting 200 watts, this represents a significant advantage. At higher speeds, the gains are even more dramatic. At 50 km/h, the Archetype slashed aerodynamic drag by an impressive 18-25 watts, according to Bastion.

10 years in the making

Ethan York, Bastion’s R&D manager, explained the design behind the Archetype: “Our mission was to increase aerodynamic performance without compromising stiffness or weight. The Archetype achieves this with refined tube profiles and an ultra-efficient joining structure.

“We approached the Archetype with the mindset of evolution, not just innovation. We’ve taken the lessons of the past decade – from filament winding to moulded carbon fibre techniques – and redefined their potential in a new aerodynamic context.”

Attention to detail

The head badge hasn’t been spared the aero overhaul. Instead of Bastion’s usual 3D-printed badge, the Archetype’s is etched from a 0.05mm-thick slice of stainless steel. It’s placed under the finished frame’s clear-coat finish.

Pricing hasn’t been announced, but I’d expect it to be somewhat POA.

Even if, like me, you’ve no chance of being able to afford this most exclusive of superbikes, Bastion has made its online configurator open to all. Previously, you could only access it after placing a deposit.

Alec Briggs will line up for the Traka gravel race aboard a very special Canyon Grail CFR. His bike has been heavily customised in the style of Colin McRae’s famous Subaru Impreza rally car. 

Briggs, founder of and racer for the Tekkerz CC team, arrived in Girona, Spain, ahead of the Traka with possibly the hottest gravel race bike of 2025. 

His Canyon Grail CFR features deep blue paint, bright yellow graphics and gold wheels that all hark back to Colin McRae’s career as a rally driver.

McRae was at the sharp end of World Rally driving in the 90s and his blue and yellow Subaru Impreza became an iconic design. Following McRae’s death in 2007, his race cars became highly sought after, with TopGear reporting his ‘555’ car sold for £230,000 in 2017.

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A post shared by Alec Briggs (@alec_pedaler)

In an Instagram post, Briggs touched on the time he spent playing Colin McRae’s video games, and said he wanted to channel the spirit of “if in doubt, go flat out”.

Briggs has opted for a roadie-influenced build, along with some of the coolest wheels we’ve ever seen. But watch out for the Tekkerz dinosaur.

Alec Brigg’s Colin McRae-inspired Canyon Grail CFR

Swytch, the maker of some of the world’s best-selling ebike conversion kits, has launched its most innovative kit to date.

After announcing the Max+ last year, alongside a complete Swytch bike, it’s now finally available to buy – and one has just arrived at BikeRadar for review.

The new Max+ has a large battery capacity, an integrated front light and a USB-C charge point, while Swytch is also emphasising the kit’s battery safety technology.

The ebike conversion kit market is moving at pace, with the Max+ arriving hot on the heels of Boost’s Brompton-specific system, Cytronex’s new thru-axle rear-motor option and Skarper’s click-on, click-off kit.

However, concerns remain about unregulated and low-quality systems.

Bringing it to the Max

Like previous generations, the Swytch Max+ can convert almost any bike into a pedal-assisted electric bike, with a 250-watt motor and a top assisted speed of 15mph.

The Max+ promises an increased range of up to 40 miles from its 274.5Wh-capacity battery.

There’s also a Max++ option, promising a boosted range of 60 miles.

The Max+ works by replacing a regular front wheel with a Swytch motor wheel (built at Swytch’s Norwich factory). The quick-release bar-mounted battery can be removed at the flick of a lever. If you remove the battery, your bike becomes a standard bike again.

Swytch’s CEO, Oliver Montague, says this circumvents Transport for London’s recent ban on non-folding ebikes, if a Swytch bike’s battery is removed.

The Max+ is now in stock and on sale at £999.

Swytch Max+ first impressions

I’ve received two versions of the new Max+ kits for testing.

The first is built with a 700c disc wheel, which has found its way onto the Genesis Day One used to test the Boost kit.

The second is built around a 20in wheel for a Kansi folding bike. I’ll be following up with full tests of both options soon.

It’s a slick-looking system, with a substantial mount for the battery. There are cables to run to the front-hub motor and down to the pedal sensor, which makes your donor bike look somewhat different.

I’d like to see Swytch adopt a wireless pedal sensor, much like Skarper’s strap-on rechargeable unit.

However, I’m impressed by the Swytch kit’s simplicity, along with the presentation, packaging, instructions and overall design.

The fitting of both kits is simple and requires minimal tools: hex keys, snips or scissors for the cable ties, a 17mm spanner for the wheel nuts, and that’s it.

The comprehensive and well-illustrated fitting manual helps things along, and it’s good to see the kit ships in fully recyclable packaging, too.

The battery itself, with its built-in front light and side illumination, is very well thought-out. It’s IPX6 waterproof-rated, which means it’s tested by being sprayed with water at a rate of 100 litres per minute, at a pressure of at least 15psi, for at least three minutes from all directions. This should make it weatherproof for all riding conditions.

The inclusion of a USB-C charge port is most welcome, because it means the battery can double-up as a power pack, and its 272Wh capacity is enough to recharge an iPhone approximately 200 times.

Fitting-wise, it took 25 minutes to convert the Kansi folder and 35 minutes for the Genesis.

Stay tuned for full reviews of the two kits once testing is complete.

US consumers can now buy Canyon bikes via Amazon. The German direct-to-consumer bike brand has listed a selection of entry-level to mid-range urban, recreational and mountain bikes. 

Speaking to Bicycle Retailer and Industry News, a Canyon spokesperson said: “Expanding into this space is intended to meet a new consumer on an established platform, making cycling more accessible and convenient for everyone.” 

Just don’t expect to find Canyon’s top-flight Aeroad or Ultimate models on Amazon. The company says selling products through the online retailer is to complement its premium range that’s only found on Canyon.com. 

Targeting casual to intermediate riders, Canyon’s Amazon storefront has bikes ranging from just over $1,000 to $5,599. 

The range of bikes includes the Canyon Spectral 5, Spectral 125 CF 7 and Stoic 4. There is also a selection of electric bikes available, including the Grand Canyon:ON 7, Torque:ON 7 and Precede:ON Comfort 7.

If you’re looking for road bikes or gravel bikes, you’ll have to stick to Canyon’s website, for now at least. 

The move to Amazon follows a period of change for Canyon. Last year, the brand expanded its service partner network in the US through a partnership with REI, the nation’s largest outdoor retailer, adding 28 locations to buy its bikes. 

The direct-to-consumer brand’s network already includes 66 independent bike shops in the US.

Last month, Canyon also announced it had laid off an undisclosed number of employees in the US, in a move that was not tied to changes in tariffs. But it said it was employing a “shifting gears roadmap” to strengthen its direct-to-consumer model and grow new markets.

In the UK, Canyon recently opened two ‘Customer Experience Locations’ in London and Sheffield.

These bricks-and-mortar stores follow four Customer Experience Locations in Europe. Canyon is hoping to expand this number to 15 in 2025 across Europe and the US.

Over the years, Canyon has developed a reputation for value, with its direct-to-consumer model eliminating bike shops and enabling it to keep its margins high.

Expanding onto Amazon and focusing on physical locations to buy its bikes doesn’t mean Canyon has neglected its direct consumers, though. In February, Canyon launched the MyCanyon bike customisation programme, which offers consumers a range of paintjobs and componentry, including different stem lengths and groupsets.

See zwiftinsider.com/route/sacre-bleu/

Hunt has launched a new range of Aerodynamicist wheelsets that combine class-leading aero efficiency (backed up by wind-tunnel testing) with low weight, at a lower price than their industry-leading rivals. Could these be the performance wheels we’ve been waiting for?

The updated Aerodynamicist wheel line is being launched in three sizes: 34mm, and 44/46mm and 54/58mm-depth combinations.

The wheelsets have Enduro bearings as standard, as well as carbon and steel spoke options.

The new hooked rim design, which has been optimised for 28-30mm road tyres, comes with claimed weights from 1,175g and prices starting at £1,149.

All-new Aerodynamicist

The new in-house engineered Aerodynamicist range differs from the Sussex wheel specialist’s high-end Limitless wheelsets. The new differential rim design is based around hooked rim profiles rather than hookless, a standard Hunt debuted back in 2016, alongside ENVE.

Going with a hooked design rather than hookless will be music to the ears of fans of clincher tyres. With brands still launching high-performance clincher tyres, the Aerodynamicist range could be the best option around.

Hunt’s aim with the new wheelsets was to match the previous-generation Aerodynamicist wheels across all sizes, but now optimised for larger tyres (from 28 to 30mm).

The Aerodynamicist has been developed over three years, with 47,000 hours of computer processing time alongside lots of wind-tunnel testing.

Different sizes

The new rim profiles come with a 22mm internal width across all heights, although, like the Limitless, the external widths vary across the sizes. The front and rear profiles also differ.

Hunt’s senior design engineer, Patrick Brown, told us this not only improves aerodynamic efficiency, but also helps reduce the mass in the rims, bringing down overall weight across all models.

The largest of the trio comes with a 54mm-deep, 31.7mm-wide front rim and a 58mm-deep, 30mm-wide rear. The all-rounder option comes with a 44mm-deep front and 30mm width, and a 46mm-deep rear with the same 30mm external width.

The lightest option comes with 34.5mm-deep rims, both with a 28.4mm external width.

All wheels come with a 22mm internal rim width.

Options and weights

The new Aerodynamicist range is available with either UD Carbon spokes or triple-butted aero wing steel spokes.

All wheels come with Hunt’s hubs, constructed from lightweight 6066-T6 aluminium with a 7075-T6 alloy axle. The rear hub comes with the H Ratchet 40T DBL freehub system.

The dual-sided ratchet has a 40-tooth drive interface for a nine-degree engagement. Hunt says the ratchet requires less shell material compared to the standard pawl system, making for a lighter hub.

The hubs come equipped with Enduro’s steel ABEC 5 cartridge bearings.

As before, the Aerodynamicist is available in two build options – the premium version with UD Carbon bladed spokes and a standard model with triple-butted aero wing steel spokes.

• 54/58: 1,391g with carbon spokes, 1,468g with steel spokes
• 44/46: 1,274g with carbon spokes, 1,364g with steel spokes
• 34/34: 1,175g with carbon spokes, 1,264g with steel spokes

Proven faster

Hunt claims the new Aerodynamicist range, paired with a 28mm Schwalbe Pro One tyre, offers an average 1.4-watt (2%) saving compared to the previous models.

When benchmarked against industry-leading wheelsets, Hunt’s wind tunnel results were positive.

All the wheel sizes were tested in the wind tunnel using Mavic’s WAD (wind averaged drag) protocol to analyse the data. WAD is explained as “The time spent at any given yaw angle will be different, depending on the conditions and route”.

To give a consistent method of combining these yaw angles into a single (WAD) value, Mavic has developed and published a ‘ponderation law’.

Wind angles over 15 degrees are unusual (and the WAD takes this into account), but this is a situation where the steering moment experienced by the rider is accentuated, leading to a feeling of instability.

Above 15-degree yaw angles, although experienced less often, it can have a significant effect on aerodynamic performance if stalling has occurred, leading to airflow detachment.

Wind tunnel results

In the shallowest 34/34 size, the Aerodynamicists were only outperformed in low aero drag (WAD) by Shimano’s Dura-Ace C36s, which bettered the Hunt wheels by 0.58W, although the Aerodynamicists weigh 172g less than Shimano’s 1,368g. The Hunts bettered Reserve’s 34/37, the DT Swiss ERC 1400 35, Campagnolo’s Bora Ultra WTC 35, Roval’s Alpinist CLX II and Mavic’s Cosmic 32.

In the 44/46 size, the Hunts topped the testing, besting Mavic’s Cosmic 45 SL, the ENVE Foundation 45, Zipp’s 353 NSW, the DT Swiss ERC 1400 45, Zipp’s 303 Firecrest and 303s and Campagnolo’s Bora WTO 45s. The difference between the top and bottom of the list, however, was a mere 2.47W (WAD). The Aerodynamicists are the lightest in this test group.

On the largest 54/58 wheels, the Aerodynamicist also topped the testing table, besting ENVE’s SES 4.5, Zipp’s 404 Firecrest, the Reserve 52/63, Shimano C50, Zipp 454 NSW and Roval’s Rapide CL II (round spoke version). The difference between the top and bottom of the range tested was 3.12W (WAD), and again, Hunt’s 54/48 was the lightest wheelset at this depth.

For a full run-down of the aerodynamic testing, head over to Hunt’s website to read the white paper that covers both results and testing protocols.

Hunt Aerodynamicist range pricing

• Hunt 34 34 Aerodynamicist Carbon Disc: £1,149 / $1,449 / €1,399
• Hunt 34 34 Aerodynamicist UD Carbon Spoke Disc: £1,549 / $1,949 / €1,899
• Hunt 44 46 Aerodynamicist Carbon Disc: £1,179 / $1,479 / €1,439
• Hunt 44 46 Aerodynamicist UD Carbon Spoke Disc: £1,579 / $1,979 / €1,939
• Hunt 54 58 Aerodynamicist Carbon Disc: £1,199 / $1,499 / €1,459
• Hunt 56 58 Aerodynamicist UD Carbon Spoke Disc: £1,599 / $1,999 / €1,959

The US bicycle industry’s trade association, PeopleForBikes, says Trump’s tariffs will have “devastating impacts” on the industry if they aren’t adjusted in the short term, in an open letter addressed to the President. 

PeopleForBikes represents more than 340 US manufacturers, suppliers and distributors of cycling products. Published this week, the open letter requests tariff relief or an exclusion process for bicycles and bicycle equipment.

“The current tariffs on complete bicycles and components used for assembly, imported from countries around the globe, will have devastating impacts on our industry if not adjusted in the near term. We are hearing concerns around additional layoffs and the risk of more companies closing their operations, including some of our few remaining domestic manufacturers,” the letter reads. 

The tariffs announced by Donald Trump in early April have already begun to cause chaos in the cycling industry. Specialized and Trek have hiked prices in the US, while other brands have cancelled shipments, and Silca even described launching a product in the US as “not viable”. 

While Trump has said his tariffs will boost US industry, PeopleForBikes warns that difficulties persist in moving the supply chain. 

“[E]ach bicycle may have 200 or more component parts that are still primarily sourced from sub-suppliers in foreign countries,” PeopleForBikes explains. “Developing a domestic manufacturing base for this wide variety of components will take substantial time and capital investment at a time when capital is hard to come by and cash flow is tight. Even without new, additional tariffs, our industry was already projecting a 3.7% decrease in sales, driven by higher aggregate price levels and weaker consumer confidence.”

The trade association says that while the USA once made all the bicycles it needed domestically, this has not been the case for several decades. The letter says that since the mid-1990s, low-cost imports from China have threatened American companies, and that a combination of “unfair foreign competition and unwise U.S. trade policy” led to the closure of bicycle factories in the country. 

According to a 2021 study, 87 per cent of bikes imported to the US are from China.

PeopleForBikes says it appreciates President Trump’s “focus on China’s competitive threat” and closing of the de minimis loophole, which eliminates the duty-free import of low-value commodities “which has undermined the U.S. bicycle industry and local bike retailers across America for many years”. 

The letter also outlines how US manufacturers are facing increased steel and aluminium prices from foreign and domestic sources, while the lack of domestic textile manufacturing could put cycling clothing manufacturers out of business. 

Current and proposed tariffs on bicycle helmets is another issue the letter, sent on 29 April, raises. It says these tariffs “make buying this essential and legally required safety equipment much less affordable” and could leave cyclists without protection. 

“The bicycle industry has enriched American lives for more than a century,” says PeopleForBikes president and CEO Jenn Dice. “We urge the administration to give our businesses the runway they need to compete globally, invest domestically, and keep biking safe, affordable, and accessible for everyone.”

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

Bikes may be a big lump-sum investment, but there’s plenty more to spend your hard-earned cash on when it comes to cycling – and a decent GPS cycling computer is one such item. 

Bike computers can help you track your ride and metrics, and act as a sat nav on your handlebar, with many computers offering impressive colour mapping and navigational aids.

However, the advanced tech found in the best bike computers doesn’t come cheap. 

To help you save money, we’ve dug out some of the best deals for market leader Garmin’s most popular cycling computers, available through Amazon Renewed.

• Garmin Edge bike computers: a buyer’s guide to all the models

Amazon Renewed is the online mega-retailer’s shop for pre-loved electronics across a range of categories, including laptop computers, smartphones, smartwatches and gaming. 

The products are inspected, tested and cleaned, and sold with a 90-day money-back guarantee. That means you can return your item at any time within 90 days of purchase for a replacement or full refund.

According to Amazon, batteries will have a capacity that exceeds 80 per cent of the original battery life, and all products are rated according to their condition: premium/excellent, good or acceptable.

Right, on to the deals. Where possible, we’ve highlighted whether the deal is available in the US, UK or both.

Garmin Edge 830 – save $84.04

• $309.95 (list price $393.99 – save $84.04)
• Buy the Garmin Edge 830 Renewed on Amazon.com

The Edge 830 may have been superseded by the Edge 840, but it’s still a top-dollar bike computer, with a touchscreen, turn-by-turn navigation, and advanced training features and analysis, such as training load focus, recovery and VO2 max.

Safety features include a bike alarm and tracking, to give peace of mind when you’re out on the road or trail.

• Read more: Garmin Edge 830 review

Garmin Edge 530 – save $34.50 / £109.43

• $214.99 (list price $249.99 – save $34.50)
• £120.52 (list price £229.95 – save £109.43)
• Buy the Garmin Edge 530 Renewed on Amazon.com
• Buy the Garmin Edge 530 Renewed on Amazon.co.uk

Looking for the same performance-tracking capability of the Garmin Edge 830 in a more reasonably priced package? 

The Garmin Edge 530 boasts a 2.6in colour display and many of the same great features as the pricier Edge 830, and offers turn-by-turn navigation.

The major difference is the Garmin Edge 530 is operated by buttons, rather than a touchscreen, but for most riders, this will be a compact, user-friendly and great-value computer.

• Read more: Garmin Edge 530 review

Garmin Edge 820 – save $89.99

• $259.99 (list price $349.98 – save $89.99)
• Buy the Garmin Edge 820 Renewed on Amazon.com

The Garmin Edge 820 is a compact GPS cycling computer with a 2.3in touchscreen display. It’s a slightly older model in the Garmin range, but still offers plenty of performance – and at a good price.

As well as key performance metrics and Strava Live Segments integration, the computer can also provide turn-by-turn navigation.

Expect the full bundle in this package, with a standard and out-front mounts, premium heart rate monitor, and cadence and speed sensors included.

• Read more: Garmin Edge 820 review

Garmin Edge Explore 2 – save £52.70

• £184.90 (list price £237.60 – save £52.70)
• Buy the Garmin Edge Explore 2 on Amazon.co.uk

The Edge Explore 2 is one of our favourite bike computers, if you’re looking for a unit that focuses on navigation and mapping, rather than training and performance.

You still get plenty of ride metrics, and you can connect the computer to external sensors such as heart-rate monitors and power meters, to pull in and display that data.

The Edge Explore 2 also has a 3-inch touch display.

• Read more: Garmin Edge Explore 2 review

Zwift’s “ZRacing” is the platform’s most popular ongoing race series, and for May we’re staying in the Makuri Islands.

Read on for details about this month’s race routes and more!

May’s Routes

Here are the routes we’ll be racing in May:

• Stage 1 (May 5-11): Bridges and Boardwalks
  • 3 laps (20.5km, 191m)
  • Powerups: Aero, Feather
• Stage 2 (May 12-18): Turf N Surf
  • 1 lap (24.7km, 198m elevation)
  • Powerups: Feather, Anvil
• Stage 3 (May 19-25): Castle to Castle
  • 1 lap (23.2km, 141m)
  • Powerups: Draft, Aero
• Stage 4 (May 26 – June 1): Three Village Loop
  • 2 laps (23.5km, 191m)
  • Powerups: Feather, Draft

See upcoming Range 1 “Makuri May” events >
See upcoming Range 2 “Makuri May” events >
See upcoming Advanced “Makuri May” events >
See ALL upcoming “Makuri May” events >

GC Leaderboards

Zwift debuted new web-based leaderboards at zwift.com for tracking the Zwift Games 2025 GC, and an upgraded version of those leaderboards is now being put to work for use in the monthly ZRacing series!

Access May’s leaderboard at zwift.com/racing/leagues/zracingmay2025 >

Your GC ranking is based on your best finishing time for each stage, and you can race each stage more than once to try for a better time.

Choose Your Category

Zwift schedules three different flavors of ZRacing events in order to encourage “Fairer, more competitive racing for everyone.” They each use different racing score ranges for categorization and are titled Advanced, Range 1, and Range 2. Click banners below to see upcoming events for each:

Get the Badge

Each month’s ZRacing series has a unique achievement badge, which you can unlock by finishing every stage for the month. There are no makeup events, so if you miss a stage, you miss out on the badge and competing in the GC.

One and Done

Zwift has planned these events to deliver a solid 1-hour workout, so each race should only take around 1 hour to complete, including your warmup and cooldown.

Questions or Comments?

Post below! 

See zwiftinsider.com/route/gentil-8/

The likelihood of a cyclist or pedestrian being fatally injured is 44% higher if they are hit by an SUV or light truck compared to smaller passenger cars, according to new research from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, published today.

Researchers used real-world collision data from more than 680,000 collisions over the last 35 years as part of a new analysis of existing studies.

The odds of fatal injury increased by 44% for people of all ages struck by an SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle), compared to those hit by a regular passenger car, while the odds for children increased by 82%, and 130% among children under the age of 10.

More SUVs

The authors of the study estimate that the proportion of car crashes involving an SUV is around 45% in the USA and around 20% in Europe, with SUVs said to be making up 48% of new car sales globally in 2023, up from 15% in 2010.

They say that if all SUVs were replaced with regular passenger cars, the number of pedestrians and cyclists killed in car crashes would decrease by an estimated 17% in the USA and by 8% in Europe.

Anna Goodman, assistant professor at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, and senior author of the study, says there has been a huge increase in the sale of ever-larger cars worldwide with the “findings indicating that this proliferation of larger vehicles threatens to undermine all the road safety gains being made on other fronts”.

A previous study highlighted a key reason for the increased risk is likely to be the taller and blunter profile of the front end of SUVs, with a taller front end meaning a pedestrian or cyclist is struck higher up on their body (e.g. the pelvis not the knees for an adult, or the head not the pelvis for a child). It also means the pedestrian or cyclist is more likely to be thrown forward onto the road, at which point the striking vehicle may hit them a second time or roll over their body.

Oliver Lord, UK Head of the Clean Cities Campaign, responded to the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine research with this statement: “It’s alarming to see fresh evidence confirming SUVs are linked to more fatal crashes. No-one buying a car would want to put children at greater risk.

“We urgently need government to take action on carspreading. Councils could introduce fairer parking charges that reflect the size and weight of these vehicles, while government reviews taxes to address the real harm caused by supersized SUVs. That would provide more opportunity to invest in priorities like fixing potholes and better public transport.”

Elsa Robinson, who worked on the study as an MSc Public Health student, says: “analysing over half a million crashes from countries from across the world tells us that SUVs and other similarly large vehicles are much more likely than traditional passenger cars to cause serious harm if they strike a pedestrian or cyclist.

“Our findings also highlight that these larger vehicles are particularly dangerous for children, especially young children. This could be because children are shorter in height, and are therefore more vulnerable to the risks of being hit by vehicles with a tall front end.”

DJI has released an update to its Avinox motor, increasing the Turbo mode’s power from 850W to 1,000W.

Previously, the Avinox’s 1,000W maximum output was only available in a 30-second Boost mode designed to assist on the steepest gradients, but will now be constantly on tap in Turbo mode.

The move comes as legislation on powerful ebike motors is discussed in Germany, with a maximum output of 750W being suggested.

DJI says it is “closely monitoring the EU regulations and is committed to adhering to established guidelines”.

Whether the Chinese brand’s update is coincidental or pays no heed to the proposed changes is unclear. Either way, it’s likely to prove controversial with european manufactures such as Bosch, who have backed the campaign to limit motor power output.

Free firmware update

The power increase comes as part of DJI’s 1.1.0 app version, released on 26 April, which the brand says is a “grey version intended for the collection of feedback”.

“App version 1.1.1 released on the same day addressed compatibility issues,” DJI explained. “We’re preparing to release a new firmware update in May, with specific details to be shared upon the official release. We appreciate your attention and patience as we work to provide you an improved experience.

“We’re closely monitoring the EU regulations and are committed to adhere to established guidelines. We are also committed to providing our users with support in light of any regulatory changes that may impact our products.

“Should such circumstances arise, we will ensure that our users have access to the necessary resources and guidance for adapting their purchased products.”

Alongside the 150W boost to Turbo mode, the update brings more control over charging, enabling you to choose a charging rate, with faster speeds resulting in speedier top-ups and slower prolonging battery life.

You can also change the length of Boost mode, enabling you to set it above the previous limit of 30 seconds.

The UX of the topbar-mounted screen has also been updated, with data now being shown in bar and line charts.

A stopwatch function has also been added, which should enable you to time your runs or see how long you’ve been waiting for your mates at the top of the hill.

What does this mean for EU regulation?

While it seems DJI has doubled down on its high-power ebike motor, many European manufacturers have welcomed legislation to limit motor output.

The feeling is that many manufacturers see electric bikes as having a Goldilocks position in the market, with no registration or licensing required to own or operate an EAPC-regulated bike.

The fear for some brands is that increasing maximum power will give legislators more reason to push for registration and licensing, which will likely impact sales.

This could be perceived as the European brands protecting the market from Chinese disrupters such as DJI and Bafang.

Norco has announced a voluntary recall on all of its model year 2025 Sight VLT CX electric mountain bikes. 

This is due to concerns with the rearmost rear brake insert coming loose, which Norco says is a safety concern while riding. 

As a result, Norco recommends to stop riding the electric mountain bike: “Out of an abundance of caution, we’re asking all riders of these bikes to stop riding immediately while we investigate and gather more data.” 

All of the models in the range are affected, which are as follows: 

• Norco Sight VLT CX C1 150
• Norco Sight VLT CX C2 150
• Norco Sight VLT CX C3 150

The Sight VLT CX was launched earlier this month. It is claimed to offer a 20 per cent weight reduction over the previous model, despite boasting more battery capacity and equal power.

The bike uses Bosch’s latest Gen5 Performance Line CX motor and retains its predecessor’s 160/150mm suspension travel, while rolling on a mullet setup. 

If you have questions, Norco says: “Your Norco retailer is your best point of contact, and they’ll be kept informed throughout this process.” 

“We know this is an inconvenience, and we appreciate your patience and understanding. This request comes from our commitment to performance, safety, and the trust you place in every ride,” Norco says in the stop ride notice. 

Norco says you can also reach its team directly at warranty@norco.com or 1-800-663-8916 if you’re in the USA or Canada. 

You can read the full stop ride notice here, which was issued last Friday.

See zwiftinsider.com/route/three-musketeers/

Winspace is launching a new T1600 aero road bike with bonkers D-shaped vents where the seatstays meet the seat tube.

As it stands, the T1600 has only been launched in China, with a global launch planned later next month. 

Winspace is one of the best-known Chinese bike brands. Founded in 2008, it offers performance road bikes at more budget-friendly prices. 

• Winspace’s new 700g SLC3 climbing bike is light on the scales and your wallet

The brand’s previous T550 aero road bike was first launched in 2017 and was updated five years later, and it cut a far more conventional shape compared to the T1600. 

The T1600’s vents are said to reduce air turbulence and improve the aerodynamic performance of the bike. That’s according to Winspace, anyway.

In principle, the vents seem similar to how Trek introduced a hole to the Madone’s seat tube, called IsoFlow. 

Trek says IsoFlow improves aerodynamics by accelerating the airflow through the turbulent wake of the bike and rider. 

But we don’t currently know enough about Winspace’s new design to say exactly if that’s what’s going on here. 

Winspace says the frame weighs 900g in an unpainted size medium and that it combines T100 and T1100 carbon fibre with Kevlar reinforcement around the head tube. 

According to cyclisthub, the T1600 was tested against a T1550 Gen 2 with a Winspace Zero SL handlebar in a wind tunnel, where it was 5.5 watts faster at 48km/h.

A Weight Weenies post suggests the frame has clearance for 32mm tyres and a T47 bottom bracket, but these details are unconfirmed.

Winspace has also launched a new ‘Kevlar’ handlebar and ‘Hyper’ wheels alongside the frame. 

With a handlebar, the T1600 is priced at 19,300 Chinese Yuan. That’s roughly £1,980 (or $2,648) but Winspace’s prices do not include duty or VAT. 

We have contacted Winspace for further details.

Zwift’s Women’s Racing Series has always been popular, and they’ve just announced the first such series for 2025. Created in partnership with FemmeCycle Collab, it runs across 4 races in the month of May.

It’s somewhat experimental, too, because for the first time ever, these races will be age-based! Learn all the details below…

Age-Based Women’s Racing

Riders will automatically be placed in categories based on their age group:

• A: Under 30
• B: 30-39
• C: 40-49
• D: 50-59
• E: 60 and over

Overall GC winners will be those with the lowest overall time in your age group across the 4 races. You can also choose to participate in individual races and simply go for the win on the week.

Schedule and Routes

For the month of May, each stage will run at three different times each Tuesday (0630, 1730, 2330 UTC) and once each Saturday (1530 UTC).

• Stage 1 – May 6 & 10
  • Loopin Lava (2 laps) – 32.7km, 408m elevation
• Stage 2 – May 13 & 17
  • Turf N Surf (1 lap) – 24.7km, 198m elevation
• Stage 3 – May 20 & 24
  • Coast to Coast (1 lap) – 26.7km, 164m elevation
• Stage 4 – May 27 & 31
  • Outer Scotland (2 laps) – 22.4km, 208m elevation

Sign up at zwift.com/events/tag/femmecyclecollab >

Where To Find Results

This series includes both an individual and team classification. For the team classification, points will be allocated for the top 3 times in your team per age group per time zone.

Important: to compete in the overall individual or team classifications, you must race at the same time each week.

Standings for the series can be found at: 

• Tuesday Race 1: https://zwiftpower.com/league.php?id=2739
• Tuesday Race 2: https://zwiftpower.com/league.php?id=2740
• Tuesday Race 3: https://zwiftpower.com/league.php?id=2741
• Saturday Race: https://zwiftpower.com/league.php?id=2742

Additional Rules

• Hardware Requirements: to participate, you must be using a Smart Trainer, Smart Bike, or Power Meter. Sorry, no zPower riders. You must also be wearing a Heart Rate Monitor.
• Neutralized Bikes: Bikes and upgrades are neutralized. Pick your favourite!
• Mass Start: All riders (categories) will start together. Riders in each age group will wear the same kit so you can distinguish who you are racing against.
• One Aero Powerup: riders will start with an aero powerup in each event. You will receive no further powerups during the event, so make sure that you use it wisely!

About FCC

FemmeCycle Collab was created in 2023 to empower women in esports.  For more information about these events, and others and news about Women’s Cycling on Zwift, please join us!

• Zwift Club
• Discord Server

Questions or Comments?

Share below!