The conversation around Trump’s tariffs, which were unveiled at the beginning of April as part of the White House’s ‘Liberation Day’, is clouded by uncertainty. 

With the situation changing every day, trade negotiations ongoing, pressure from financial markets and the sense that President Trump can change his mind on the flip of a dime, that’s understandable. 

But the cycling industry is beginning to signal the real – and potential – consequences of Trump’s plans in the US and the rest of the world. 

Trouble in the USA

Last week, two of the world’s biggest bike brands – Specialized and Trek – announced they are hiking their prices in their home country. 

In an email sent to dealers, Trek said it will raise prices across most of its bike lines. The increases are unspecified, but they will be applied as dealers make orders.

The Wisconsin-based brand says it has applied the increase to back-ordered items, too, in order to discourage a run on inventory at pre-tariff prices, according to Escape Collective.

Specialized, based in Morgan Hill, California, is taking a different tact. In an email sent to retailers by North America Regional Leader Jesse Porter, Specialized said it’s adding a 10 per cent line-item surcharge to B2B invoices on select models, including the new Turbo Levo 4 eMTB, after May 1. The surcharge will also apply to orders made from the brand’s consumer site. 

Specialized wrote: “We maintain flexibility to update or remove the charge if government tariffs change.”

This approach speaks to the speed at which companies are having to react and to the uncertainty around tariffs moving forward. 

Speaking to the Financial Times, Arnold Kamler, chair of Kent International, one of the biggest US bike manufacturers, said the company has already raised prices by 12 per cent this year off the back of Trump’s initial 20 per cent tariff on China.

“Our sales have been steadily dropping because of our prices being so high now,” Kamler said. “There has been no consideration to us despite the hundreds of jobs we have created so far.”

Beyond price hikes, tariffs are already upending brands’ plans for new product launches. We know of at least one brand with an upcoming launch that will limit imports to the US, citing the impact of “current United States tariff policies”.  

Elsewhere, smaller brands are simply cancelling shipments to the USA. After the initial announcement, Borealis and Tern announced they would pause shipments to the country. 

And although Tern has resumed shipments, that could change. Uncertainty, indeed.

The impact in Asia, the impact in America

Trump’s announcement revealed huge tariffs on countries including China, Vietnam, Taiwan, Thailand and more. 

Writing for BikeBiz, a UK trade publication, Madison CEO Dominic Langan described these countries not as “fringe manufacturing locations” but the “beating heart of the global cycling supply chain”.

“For an industry still navigating oversupply, squeezed margins, and consumer price sensitivity, this couldn’t have come at a worse time,” Langan wrote. 

The US government revealed a week later that the heavy tariffs would be suspended for 90 days with a lower reciprocal rate of 10 per cent on all goods coming into the country.

This will likely come as a relief for Giant, even if it’s short-lived. The Taiwanese brand last month revealed its profits plunged by 62 per cent in 2024 as it faced discounting, inventory challenges and reduced demand in Europe and the US, its second largest market after Europe. Now, there’s Trump to deal with.

Giant says the US president’s actions are “absolutely not positive” for the cycling industry and it “will inevitably be forced to reflect the cost” of the tariffs, which could be as high as 32 per cent in Taiwan after the 90-day delay.  

The impact of Trump’s tariffs are being felt across all four corners of the globe, but the recent Sea Otter Classic in California – one of the world’s most important bike shows – ensured the president was top of the agenda on home turf.

Reflecting on conversations Langan had at the show, the CEO of Madison, UK distributor for brands including Shimano, Park Tool and Lazer, wrote: “Brands were reeling. Initial mitigation plans crafted during earlier tariff rounds had now collapsed. Production lines were being paused, containers rerouted or cancelled altogether.”

Langan added that the “path forward is anything but clear”. Should bicycle manufacturers in East Asia “buckle”, Langan predicts the industry will face new pressure just as it begins to stabilise after the pandemic. 

The escalating trade war with China could have the biggest impact. Trump imposed new 125 per cent tariffs on China in response to its retaliatory tariffs on US imports. 

According to a 2021 study, 87 per cent of bikes imported to the US are from China, making it one of the most China-dependent industries in the country. 

If Kent International’s 12 per cent price hike wasn’t troublesome enough, Kamler, the company’s chair, warns prices across the industry could rise by 50 per cent if Trump retains tariffs at the current level.

The tariffs are ‘naive’

On the other side of the Atlantic, Brompton’s CEO Will Butler-Adams is no stranger to frank words, and in an interview with The Telegraph he has labelled the US administration’s plans as “a little bit naive”. 

Brompton manufactures its folding bikes in London, with welding aided by a facility in Sheffield, 150 miles north of the capital, but parts are sourced from countries such as Taiwan and China. The US is also one of Brompton’s largest export markets, where it sells bikes through 120 dealerships and two stores. 

Trump has said his tariffs will help jobs and factories return to the US, but Butler-Adams says shifting production to the country is far more complicated than Trump has claimed.

“You could build the factory. You could buy the equipment. But the know-how, the engineering, the skills and experience, you’d have to open up your immigration if you want to sort that out and obviously that’s not at the top of the agenda for any of the political parties,” Butler-Adams told The Telegraph. 

Brompton’s CEO also revealed that the company has paused plans to open a store in Los Angeles and possibly one in San Francisco, saying “things are all over the shop” and “need to settle down a bit first”. He said Brompton will likely raise prices in the US “between 5pc and 10 pc” to offset the tariffs.

Butler-Adams’ most intriguing remark to The Telegraph is arguably in relation to logistics. He says shipping goods from Europe into America will likely become more expensive, but shipping goods from Europe to China “will probably get very cheap”. 

Considering China is already a major market for the folding-bike brand, could that mean Brompton shifts its focus away from the US?

Even though uncertainty reigns, the actions of companies such as Brompton, Trek, Specialized and Kent International will reveal how the cycling industry and wider manufacturing landscape is likely to change – and, in turn, the USA’s future relationship with the rest of the world.

Insta360 has launched the X5, a new flagship action camera that offers 8k 360-degree video, has an AI-powered low-light mode and features a replaceable lens for on-the-fly repairs.

Insta360, along with DJI, has established itself as a key challenger to GoPro’s once-dominant position in the action camera market, carving out its niche in 360-degree video, and the X5 arrives as the successor to the X4.

Key features include:

• 8k, 360-degree video at 30 frames per second
• Enlarged 1/1.28in sensor
• An AI-powered low-light mode called ‘PureVideo’
• ‘InstaFrame’ – a new mode that records two files simultaneously: flat video and 360-degree video
• A replaceable lens system, built-in wind guard and claimed battery life of 185 minutes (recording in 5.7k)
• The X5 is available now via the Insta360 official store and Amazon, priced at $549.99 / £519.99 / €589.99.

Bigger sensors, better image quality

Insta360 says the X5’s enhanced image quality comes as a result of the new 1/1.28in sensor, said to be 144 per cent larger than the X4’s, and a ‘Triple AI Chip’ system, comprised of one 5nm ‘AI Chip’ and two ‘Pro Imaging Chips’.

There’s a dedicated mode for low-light shooting, called ‘PureVideo’, which uses “advanced AI noise reduction and dynamic range optimisation”, according to Insta360. 

As the name suggests, Insta360’s specialism is 360-degree video – you may have noticed a video shot with an Insta360 camera, thanks to the ‘invisible selfie stick effect’ – and that continues here.

However, Insta360 has introduced a new mode – InstaFrame – for the X5. Here, the X5 records two files: the first a typical ‘flat’ video that follows a constant direction or a selfie view, and the second a full 360-degree video.

Enhanced editing

The accompanying app has been updated to coincide with this launch, “with a sleeker user interface and new tools that make editing easier than ever”, Insta360 says.

New features include a ‘Dewarp’ button to remove fisheye, and a ‘one-tap’ export option, without any editing or reframing.

Existing app features that carry over include ‘Quick Edit’ (semi-automatic) and ‘AI Edit’ (automatic) options. Insta360 also offers desktop editing.

Lights, camera, action

Back to the camera itself, and Insta360 says the X5 is designed for the rough-and-tumble of action sports – take note, mountain bikers – and the lens itself is replaceable.

A lens replacement kit is available to buy separately, and Insta360 says the lens itself is simple to swap out on the move.

Other features include a multi-layer steel mesh wind guard, algorithmically boosted sound and a 2400mAh battery.

This supports up to 185 minutes of recording in 5.7K in ‘Endurance Mode’, according to Insta360. The camera can charge from empty to 80 per cent in 20 minutes, the brand claims.

Last week, Zwift launched a 6-week workout series featuring one fresh workout each week to help us “lock in consistency and keep up with your friends.” Dubbed Zwift Camp: Inside Out, this is effectively an updated version of the Spring Training series Zwift ran in 2024 and 2023.

The big idea, Zwift tells us, is to help Zwifters build fitness with effective indoor workouts so they’re stronger than ever as they head outdoors.

Here are all the details of this short series…

Getting Started

To register for Zwift Camp: Inside Out, click the large banner on the homescreen or the smaller card in the “Challenges” row. Then click “Register”, and you’re all set!

Workout Details & Schedule

Zwift Camp: Inside Out can be completed “on demand”, meaning you do the workouts and Hilltop Hustle route by yourself, whenever you’d like. Keep in mind the workouts scheduled for future weeks won’t be available until that week arrives.

The other option is to join the group workout events scheduled hourly each day at the top of the hour.

Regardless of how you choose to execute the workouts, you get your choice between the standard workouts (around an hour long) or “lite” versions (around 30 minutes long).

Stage 1 – Ramp It Up (April 14-20)

“This first session of Zwift Camp: Inside Out sets the tone for building a strong endurance base.”

Stage 2 – The Endurance Groove (April 21-27)

“With progressive blocks that challenge your ability to sustain effort, this session builds muscular endurance and mental focus.”

Stage 3 – Cadence In Control (April 28-May 4)

“Time to tackle intervals at varying cadences, training your body to adapt to different terrain and riding styles.”

Stage 4 – Surge Protector (May 5-11)

“Workout 4 is all about real-world challenges like breakaways and hill sprints—helping you build strength, resilience, and faster recovery.”

Stage 5 – Climb On (May 12-18)

“Get ready to alternate between steady efforts and surges, building strength and endurance while learning to handle varying gradients.”

Stage 6 – Hilltop Hustle (May 19-25)

“Wrap it up and put all your hard work to the test on Hilltop Hustle, a route featuring The Grade!”

Make-Up Days: May 26-June 1

If you missed a stage but want to make sure you complete all six, there is a make-up week at the end of the series. (Again, you can also do the workouts on your own whenever you’d like.)

Kit Unlocks

Riders will receive the Inside Out socks after completing one stage, the visor after completing three stages, and the 2024 Zwift Camp: Inside Out kit after completing all six stages.

Printable Worksheet

Zwift created a printable worksheet to guide you through this series. It includes tips for getting some outdoor riding in alongside the workout series.

Download the Zwift Camp: Inside Out Worksheet >

Learn More

See all upcoming events, track your progress, and learn other details at zwift.com/zwift-camp.

Questions or Comments?

Post below!

In a time of ultra-adjustable frames with increasingly intricate tech, Canyon’s latest Spectral AL strips back the complexity and complications from your riding.

Its aluminium construction, lack of flip chips and internal frame storage, industrial bearings and reasonable retail prices for the three-model range should appeal to those sick of puzzling over whether their bike setup is performing perfectly.

Starting at £2,249 / €2,299 for the Spectral AL 5 and rising to £3,749 / €3,999 for the Fabio Wibmer signature bike, this 150mm front, 140mm rear-travel bike represents the excellent value for money we’ve come to expect from the German direct-sales brand.

The geometry figures are bang-on for a bike of this ilk. The five-size range (XS to XL) runs a 64-degree head tube angle, 76.5-degree seat tube angle and 437mm chianstays.

But just because the bike lacks complexity, that doesn’t mean Canyon hasn’t paid plenty of attention to the details.

Canyon’s Spectral AL frame is packed with details

Simplicity doesn’t have to mean basic – and the Spectral AL proves that.

Along with the usual things – think SRAM’s Universal Derailleur Hanger and plenty of chain-slap protection – the Spectral AL’s also got some neat features.

The internal cable routing channels have foam linings to reduce rattling. There’s protective tape to reduce heel rub on the chainstays.

The bike has anti-rock-impact protection on the down tube, too. A straight, steep seat tube means long-travel dropper posts – up to 200mm on the M and L sizes and 230mm on the XL – should quench the appetite of the riders with the longest legs.

Each of the pivot points runs on industrial bearings and they’re filled with Canyon’s special grease to help them run smoother for longer.

The pivot hardware – the bolts – screw intro steel helicoil inserts, rather than directly into the frame’s alloy. In theory, this should reduce the chances of stripped threads and make fixing them if they do strip much easier.

Forgoing internal frame storage might be a deal-breaker for some and, if it is, Canyon has thought about you. Accessory mounts on the underside of the top tube can holster either Canyon’s own accessory bag or storage solutions from other brands.

Honing things in further, the bike’s front and rear ends have been tuned with stiffness and compliance in mind respectively.

Add in the one-piece rocker link, which is designed to isolate lateral loads from the rear end impacting shock performance, and there’s plenty of tech behind this simple frame.

Trail bike geometry with no adjustments

Despite forgoing the CF model’s flip chip, the Spectral AL can be run in either a mixed-wheel (29in front, 27.5in rear) or full-29in configuration.

However, the consumer needs to decide which wheel size they want when they buy the bike because the entire chainstay is different.

Canyon alluded to the fact it’s more efficient (cost, time, manufacturing, design) to have two different rear ends than build in flip chips.

Canyon Spectral AL mixed wheel size geometry chart

Bar a few differences dictated by the smaller rear end, the 29in and mixed-wheel (mullet) bikes share their figures.

There’s a 64-degree head tube angle, 76.5-degree seat tube angle and 437mm chainstays.

The 29in bike is only available in small to extra-large, while the mullet bike has an additional XS size.

Canyon Spectral AL 29 wheel size geometry chart

Reach figures start at 425mm and lift to 525mm. The medium size is closer to other brands’ large bikes, at 475mm.

The Spectral AL is a trail bike through and through.

Canyon Spectral AL models, specfications and pricing

The three models in the new Spectral AL range share their aluminium frames, but each has increasingly luxurious specs.

Prices start at £2,249 / €2,299 for the AL 5 and rise to a very reasonable £3,749 / €3,999 for the Spectral AL CLLCTV FW.

Canyon Spectral AL 5

• Frame: Spectral AL
• Shock: RockShox Deluxe Select+
• Fork: RockShox Lyrik
• Drivetrain: Shimano Deore
• Brakes: Shimano Deore
• Wheels / tyres: Race Face AR30 / Maxxis Minion DHRII Maxx Terra 2.4in (front and rear)
• Price: £2,249 / €2,299

Canyon Spectral AL 6

• Frame: Spectral AL
• Shock: Fox Float X Performance
• Fork: Fox 36 Performance Elite
• Drivetrain: Shimano SLX
• Brakes: Shimano SLX
• Wheels / tyres: DT Swiss M 1900 / Maxxis Minion DHRII Maxx Terra 2.4in (front and rear)
• Price: £2,799 / €2,999

Canyon Spectral AL CLLCTV FW

• Frame: Spectral AL
• Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate
• Fork: RockShox Lyrik Ultimate
• Drivetrain: SRAM S1000 AXS Transmission
• Brakes: SRAM Maven Silver
• Wheels / tyres: DT Swiss XM 1700 / Pirelli Scorpion Race Enduro M (front) T (rear)
• Price: £3,749 / €3,999

This year, Zwift announced upcoming game features at the Zwift Community Live event in Mallorca. This week’s top video covers everything you need to know about the new features (most of which have arrived by the time this post goes live).

Also highlighted in this post are videos about the new France expansion, a Zwift Community Live vlog, a tactical race win, and tips on bike swapping.

Got a Great Zwift Video?

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

First introduced to Zwifters in December 2023, Week Streaks (sometimes called Ride Streaks) is a game feature designed to encourage consistency in training. Riders build up their streak by logging at least one ride per week, and as your streak grows, you unlock some in-game rewards.

Here’s how it all works…

Week Streak Basics

Your Zwift Week Streak is counted in weeks (not days), and you earn certain rewards each week your streak is extended.

When you save a Zwift ride that extends your streak, you’ll see the Week Streak progress screen:

This once-a-week screen shows lots of streak details, including:

• Your Streak length (number of weeks)
• Your current level and how many XP you’ll need to earn to reach the next level
• How much bonus XP you’ve just earned by extending your streak by another week
• Total calories burned during your streak
• Total distance covered during your streak
• Total elevation climbed during your streak

Starting and Extending Your Streak

Starting your streak is easy: just record a ride at least 2km (1.25 miles) in length! This can take place on Zwift, or outside if you have your Wahoo or Garmin account connected to Zwift.

Extending your streak is just as easy: record a ride at least 2km long, indoors or out, and your streak will be extended for that week.

Streak Savers

Zwift knows that riders may be unable to ride for a week or more, though, due to vacation, injury, or other factors. So in April 2025 they introduced Streak Savers to the game. These are automatically used to extend your streak if you have a week with no qualifying activities.

Streak Savers are displayed in the Companion app, next to your Week Streak score:

You earn a Streak Saver by accumulating 12 consecutive weeks of riding, and you can hold up to two Streak Savers at any given time.

Streak Rewards

Seeing your weekly streak count continue to climb is certainly a reward in itself, which is why so many apps use daily streaks to encourage consistent use (looking at you, Duolingo!)

Zwift sweetens the deal even further, though, by giving us bonus XP every time our streak is extended:

• Week 1: you’ll earn 300 bonus XP just for starting your streak.
• Week 2: extended your streak to 2 weeks? You’ll earn 400 bonus XP.
• Week 3+: every time you extend your streak past week 2, you’ll earn 500 bonus XP.

Related: Read “All About Zwift XP, Levels, and Unlocks for Cyclists” >

Streak Flair

On top of the bonus XP, in April 2025 Zwift introduced the concept of Streak Flair: a visual upgrade to our avatars that changes based on the length of your streak. Right now, Streak Flair is simply different versions of “pocket Scotty”, Zwift’s squirrel mascot. There are three levels of Streak Flair available:

• Level 1 (4 weeks): a pocket Scotty medal
• Level 2 (12 weeks): medal is upgraded to a keychain Scotty
• Level 3 (24 weeks): keychain Scotty is upgraded to a larger, animated Scotty! This Scotty will stay with you as long as you hold onto your streak.

Streak Flair is turned off by default, so if you want your pocket Scotty to be visible to you and others, you’ll need to go into Settings>Audio & Video and set “Streak Flair” to “Fun”:

Checking Your Streak

The easiest way to see your current streak count is via the Zwift Companion app (available on iOS and Android). Your week streak is displayed in the Fitness Tracker at the top right of the homescreen:

You’ll also see your streak count each time you save a ride on Zwift that extends your streak.

A Few More Details

• Ride only: streaks currently only apply to riding. Running on Zwift does not extend your streak.
• Time window: Zwift counts a new week from 00:00 Monday through 23.59 on Sunday, local time, as defined on the device you’re using to run Zwift.
• Earning Streak Savers: you must actually ride 12 weeks in a row to earn a new Streak Saver. Whenever you use a Streak Saver, the 12-week counter resets.
• Pocket Scotty is weightless: I tested it myself. Having him in your pocket won’t slow you on climbs (or make you less aerodynamic).

Questions or Comments?

Got questions or comments about Week Streaks, Streak Flair, or related topics? Share below!

Name: Mel Scrivin

Hometown: Dunoon, Scotland

How did you get into cycling?  As an asthmatic kid I did very little sport – cardio was just not accessible for me. I met my partner in 2013 and she was a serious cyclist – one of the first ‘dates’ we had was me supporting her at Ride London (which she completed in 6 hours – so far ahead of schedule that I nearly missed cheering her on at all!) She bought me a bike as a housewarming present when we moved in together, but our first (tiny) ride nearly killed me. Due to work travel and because of me not riding, she had practically stopped cycling and was getting quite seriously depressed. In July 2016 I said “‘”Right, you need to start riding again, we’re cycling. Together!” I told her if after a mile she hated it she could go home, but that I was riding the 7-mile loop from our home. Of course by 1 mile, where there’s a little hill (to me at the time!) she was out of sight and I was puffing up it like a snail. Miraculously I discovered I COULD cycle, and in July 2017 we did Ride London, and in 2018 London to Paris.

When Covid hit, and cycling was one of the few things you could still do, we decided to join a local cycling club to discover new routes (and cafes once they were open again). It became apparent that there was very little provision for women who couldn’t ride far and fast, and, shockingly, unexpected resistance to such provision from those women who *could* ‘hang with the boys’. I’m a fairly strong personality (as you’ll come to see ) so if I felt utterly rejected, how on earth did less forceful women feel?

This lead to me training as a British Cycling Breeze Champion (women’s ride leader), and I quickly gathered a group of regular riders. Soon, though, they reached beyond the limitations of Breeze (especially living near the Cotswolds, where a limitation of 12% gradients was near impossible to stick to!) and I ended up forming a women’s cycling club called the Severn Belles. Many of the riders had no cycling wardrobe and once they got beyond short flat rides they were in need of more technical kit. I designed a striking kit for us which always gets lots of looks and comments when we’re out and about.

The progress by some of them was incredible – from shy ladies simply wanting to improve confidence on their tri cycling leg, to confident women tackling some pretty long and spicy sportives. 

How many years have you been racing on Zwift? I started riding on Zwift in Oct 2023, because even if it’s not cold or wet where I live it’s windy, so I was never going out. I decided to have a go at racing in about April 2024 because the barriers are so much less than outdoors – no entry fees, no slogging back to your car if you have a mechanical or get terminally dropped, no bad weather, no potholes, and no chance of falling off (unless you sprint REALLY hard and topple the turbo ) I really enjoyed it and was soon jealous of the folk in teams getting to ride WTRL TTT and ZRL, then in July 2024 there just happened to be a call for C and D cat riders, and I’ve never looked back. 

Are you part of a Virtual team? Yes! eSRT were looking for riders last summer and I was so lucky to join them. We have some of the best racers on Zwift (check out the ZwiftPower rankings of some of our guys!) and women who’ve raced for Sweden in the eSports World Champs, but they’re SO encouraging and supportive of all the lower cat riders. We joke that there’s no ReST in eSRT, but we just like to go hard when we race. I just love them and have really found my home I’ve even started learning Swedish on Duolingo for the odd occasion when someone posts in Swedish or links to a Swedish event or website, and so that when we have IRL meetups (yep this really happens, despite the geographical spread, and yes, ABBA is a universal theme ) I can try to repay some of the riders’ brilliance in conducting everything in a foreign language. Ja är hemma med eSRT

What do you love most about racing? I love that I just can’t let someone get away from me. Racing makes me push myself far harder than I would on my own, even in a workout. I may not have the power or endurance to catch the girl in front, but I’ll push myself to and beyond my limits trying! 

What is your favourite style of race (e.g. points, scratch, iTT, TTT, Chase, duathlon)?  TTT. There’s nothing like racing with a bunch of friends to share the pain. 

What is your favourite Zwift women’s race series? Iceni, probably cos I won it  

What is your most memorable racing experience, inside or outside or BOTH Flamme Rouge Racing Tour France Queen Stage on Quatch Quest. Honestly that was the hardest 10 days of my life! We even had ZRL on the rest day. 9 stages, 221 miles. I may not be the lightest or the strongest or the fastest rider on Zwift, but I’m probably the most bloody-minded – when I decide to do something I’m committed to seeing it through. I must admit, though, I questioned this several times during the event, and swore never to ride the France map again By the final stage I was resigned to just dragging myself round (and to facing divorce if I ever tried anything this stupid again) and I just watched the other riders streaming away. I wasn’t going to be beaten though and on I plodded (climbing is DEFINITELY not my strength, and we’d done an iTT up La Reine the day before…) but as I crept up the Alpe my nemesis popped up on my rider list. I assumed it was a glitch of the hairpins, but then the time gap was suddenly only two minutes. That really fired my motivation so I kept slogging away, watching the gap inching down, until suddenly there she was, stopped on the side! A real tortoise and hare moment. I gave it another burst to try and get as big a gap as I could while she recovered but once she started moving again she was soon eating into it. I was SO determined not to be caught though, and I guess having gone into the red she was the one at a disadvantage.  Somehow I held her off – she was right on my heels – and I won the Queen Stage for my category. I was completely astonished and so proud of myself (and nearly in tears because my good racing pal Manon Holtman totally unexpectedly teleported to the end of the race to cheer me on)

(Also fairly fond memories of eSRT Flashcore winning round 1 of ZRL this season – my first outings with the team.)

What is your favourite food to eat post race? I like a good soak in an Epsom salts bath after a hard race. I haven’t really got a sweet tooth so my usual in-bath protein hit is nachos and houmous. If I’m not in the bath it’s a blueberry smoothie (milk, frozen banana, frozen blueberries… freezing the banana gives you the ice cream creaminess without the excess sugar, and blueberries are full of inflammation-zapping antioxidants and immunity-boosting vitamin C)

I also have a weakness for Powerbar 30% Protein+ Chocolate. I’m not great racing in the evenings, but after ZRL I have tortellini with cherry tomatoes and feta. It means I can cook for my wife before the race, and then cook mine in about 5 minutes post-race.

What advice would you give to a woman entering her first Zwift race? JUST DO IT! Warm up first because Zwift race starts are HARD (my go-to here is the INEOS Pre Race Warmup workout on whatever course you’re racing. The routine of completing the same warmup each time relaxes you and prepares you for the race). But get in there, be prepared to be pushed harder than you’ve ever been pushed before, and be prepared to have FUN. Prepare seems to be my mantra here  

Any upcoming race you are looking forward to? Always ZRL racing with my Flashcore teamies, but also looking forward to Iceni coming back round to see if I still have what it takes. And of course the unique ‘All cats in one pen’ eSRT Tiny Races, which are brutal but if you’re a powerpack who is good at drafting you can get the A cat girls to drag you along until you die I’m usually totally out of watts by race 3 though.

Where can people follow your racing adventures? If you want to follow me you’d better get yourself in the D Pen for a race, hadn’t you?  

A nice mix of featured events this weekend, including two group rides on new France routes, some short races, and a popular ride with a cause. See our picks below!

Sir Chris Hoy’s | Tour de 4

The Ultimate Women’s Mini Races – Tron Tastic

JETT Endurance Ride 100km 2.5~3.3w/kg

Tiny Races – “Getting Longer”

Bikealicious Weekend Social Mixer

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!

Halfords is currently running its biggest ever Easter sale, with a whole host of deals to be had.

This includes discounts on a huge range of cycling gear, helping you get back in the saddle for summer.

From turbo trainers to bike racks, kids’ kneepads and bottle cages – here’s our pick of the best Easter deals from the retailer. And there’s plenty more if you head to the Easter sale hub.

• Shop the Halfords Easter cycling sale

Elite Direto-X OTS Turbo Trainer – save 50% (was £499, now £249)

• Buy now from Halfords

Elite makes some of the best smart trainers. Its Direto-X OTS model is a fully smart turbo trainer, which means you can connect it wirelessly to training apps such as Zwift, TrainerRoad and Rouvy, and your smartphone.

Elite says the trainer has high data accuracy thanks to its Optical Torque Sensor, which should give you confidence when assessing your ride data and fitness. 

The Direto-X can handle a maximum power of 2,100 watts and it promises a smooth, realistic ride feel.

The stable base and extra-wide feet ensure rock-solid performance on uneven surfaces, but the trainer is still compact and easy to carry when packed down. 

• Buy now from Halfords

Halfords Knee/Elbow Pads – save 50% (was £12, now £6)

• Buy now from Halfords

Knee and elbow pads are ideal for kids when learning to ride a bike, where falls are all par for the course. 

These pads from Halfords are suitable for kids aged 3 to 7 years old.

They have a tough outer shell but a soft backing fabric that’s comfy against the skin. 

The pads have elasticated straps for adjustable fitting. 

• Buy now from Halfords

Saris Bones EX3 Bike Rack – save 30% (was £224.99, now £157.49)

• Buy now from Halfords

This Saris bike rack has a unique, long leg design which avoids contact with most plastic spoilers found on sedans, hatchbacks and SUVs. 

Saris says the rack has the largest vehicle compatibility of any trunk rack on the market. 

With room for three bikes, Saris says the rack is easy to use and quick to unload. 

The integrated ‘flap management system’ provides clean looks and eliminates any annoying flapping from the straps. 

Made from 100 per cent recyclable materials, the rack uses rust-free injection molded plastic and articulated rubber feet to protect your car’s paintwork. 

• Buy now from Halfords

Halfords Double Child Bike Trailer – save 21% (was £150, now £119)

• Buy now from Halfords

Halfords says its Double Child Bike Trailer is a great way for kids to join in with family bike rides.

It can be assembled in 10 minutes and has a universal coupler that will attach to most bike frames with a bolted or quick-release axle.

There’s also a high-visibility flag and harness for safety, as well as a bug screen and rain shield. 

• Buy now from Halfords

Zefal Cage and Bottle Bundle – save 50% (was £16, now £7.99)

• Buy now from Halfords

A bottle cage and bottle are two essential items if you’re heading out on longer rides – and this bundle will have you covered. 

The Zefal bottle is made from an odourless material to keep water clean and pure. It has a soft cap and nozzle, and a 650ml capacity. 

The accompanying bottle cage is light, strong and impact resistant, with a design that makes it easy to grab the bottle.

• Buy now from Halfords

More deals from Halfords

If you’re looking for your next bike, check out our guide to Halfords’ second-hand bike marketplace, with deals on bikes from Boardman, Carrera and Apollo.

• Shop second-hand bikes from Halfords

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

Looking for your next bike, a bike for your child or for someone special in your life? Buying second-hand from online marketplaces is a great way to save some cash, but it isn’t without its pitfalls. 

That’s where Halfords comes in.

From mountain bikes to commuters, and kids’ bikes to adult road bikes, Halfords offers a trade-in service for its bikes, which means you can buy many of the current and former models second-hand.

You just need to head to the Halfords website to check out some of the current deals on bikes from Boardman, Carrera and Apollo.

We’ve highlighted some of the top offers below, as well as running through why a second-hand bike could be a great option for you. Halfords also has an Easter sale on right now, with dozens of cycling deals.

• Visit the Halfords website to buy a second-hand bike

Why you should buy a second-hand bike

There are multiple benefits to buying a second-hand bike, and number one has to be the cost savings – you really can grab a bargain. 

Second-hand bikes enable you to up your game in terms of bike frame and component choices, without having to shell out more than you’re willing to spend on a new bike.

Or you could opt for a similar level of bike as new, but have some spare cash left over for accessories such as a helmet, lock and mudguards.

Buying second-hand is also a more environmentally-friendly choice, so you can feel virtuous while you’re pedalling less waste into landfill, and saving an estimated 157.7kg CO2 emissions.

You can also enjoy peace of mind with the Halfords Bike Xchange scheme, which includes:

• A 12-month warranty on all second-hand bikes
• Pre-sale repair and safety checks
• A thorough condition-grading system for pre-owned bikes
• A 14-day no-quibble refund policy if you change your mind

Five top second-hand picks from Halfords

Boardman SLR 8.9 Men’s Road Bike (Grade B)

• RRP: £1,200, 29% saving
• Check price here

Scoring an impressive 4.5 in our BikeRadar review, the Boardman SLR 8.9 was great value new, but even better second-hand, saving nearly 30 per cent on the RRP.

The carbon fibre frame and fork is built up with an 11-speed Shimano 105 groupset, Tektro R315 rim brakes, Boardman wheels and Vittoria Zaffiro tyres. 

With a B grading, the bike only has light cosmetic wear or replacement parts, so it’ll feel nearly new. 

• Buy now from Halfords

Boardman ADV 8.9 Men’s Adventure Bike (Grade A)

• RRP £1,200, 17% saving
• Check price here

Fancy giving gravel riding a go but want to grab a bargain to get started? 

Second-hand is a no-brainer here, and if you decide that it’s not for you after all, you can always trade your Halfords bike back in.

This Boardman ADV 8.9 marries an aluminium alloy frame with a carbon fork, and gravel-specific Shimano GRX gearing and hydraulic brakes. There’s no scrimping on tyres either, with tubeless-ready 38mm Schwalbe G-One tyres fitted as standard.

With a grade A rating, it’s near-perfect too. Looking for an even greater saving? You can pick up the same bike with a grade B rating for just £850.

• Buy now from Halfords

Apollo Glitz Kids’ Bike (Grade C)

• RRP £140, 64% saving
• Check price here

Something for the little one in your life? They grow so fast, so trading in bikes as they shoot up in height makes perfect sense.

This one comes with a 64% saving on the RRP, which is great news for your wallet, too.

This 18in-wheel bike is best suited to children between 112cm and 126cm tall, with an average age guide between 5-9 years old.

• Buy now from Halfords

Boardman ADV 8.9E Men’s Adventure Electric Bike (Grade C)

• RRP £2,239, 15% saving
• Check price

With good size availability, including S, M, L and XL frame sizes, you can save £339 on a second-hand Boardman ADV 8.9E Men’s Adventure Electric Bike, bringing the price under £2,000.

That’s a lot of bike for the cash. It’s equipped with a Fazua Evation mid-drive motor, 11-speed SRAM Apex 1 drivetrain and hydraulic disc brakes, as well as quality 38mm Schwalbe G-One Speed tyres.

The 250Wh battery is removable, so you can ride with or without electric assistance, which typically lasts between 25 and 30 miles. At Grade C, the bike has been ridden for fewer than 1,000 miles.

• Buy now from Halfords

Carrera Vulcan Men’s Mountain Bike (Grade B)

• RRP £435, 34% saving
• Check price

Your budget doesn’t have to stop you getting out on the trails, with the Carrera Vulcan MTB reduced from £435 new to just £272 second-hand, even with a grade B condition rating.

The Vulcan hardtail is kitted out with a 120mm Suntour XCM suspension fork and 9-speed Shimano Altus gearing with a double chainring and hydraulic disc brakes for good stopping power.

Plus that bright blue really pops, doesn’t it?

• Buy now from Halfords

Check out Halfords’ Easter deals

Besides bikes, there’s a whole host of Easter deals to be had at Halfords right now, helping you get back in the saddle for summer, or grab a bargain ahead of a busy cycling season.

From turbo trainers to bike racks, kids’ kneepads and bottle cages – here’s our pick of the best offers. 

• Elite Direto-X OTS Turbo Trainer – save 50% (was £499, now £249)
• Halfords Knee/Elbow Pads – save 50% (was £12, now £6)
• Saris Bones EX3 Bike Rack – save 30% (was £224.99, now £157.49)
• Halfords Double Child Bike Trailer – save 21% (was £150, now £119)
• Zefal Cage and Bottle Bundle – save 50% (was £16, now £7.99)

See zwiftinsider.com/portal/cote-de-la-redoute/

This week Zwift launched their next “mini Challenge”, celebrating new routes on France’s fresh tarmac/cobbles. Named “Hell of a Route Chaser Challenge”, the challenge is to complete five of the new French routes:

• Croissant
  • 12.3km, 71m elevation
  • Achievement Badge: 185 XP
  • ZIMetrics Difficulty: 5.9/100
• Hell of the North
  • 19.8km, 241m elevation
  • Achievement Badge: 395 XP
  • ZIMetrics Difficulty: 10.7/100
• Gentil 8
  • 23.7km, 248m elevation
  • Achievement Badge: 465 XP
  • ZIMetrics Difficulty: 12.4/100
• Bon Voyage
  • 31.3km, 155m elevation
  • Achievement Badge: 565 XP
  • ZIMetrics Difficulty: 14.3/100
• Three Musketeers
  • 35.8km, 200m elevation
  • Achievement Badge: 705 XP
  • ZIMetrics Difficulty: 16.6/100

Note our ZIMetrics difficulty ratings for each route: they get higher as you move through the challenge!

Challenge Rewards

Your reward for completing all five routes? Boosted fitness of course. Because any ride is a good ride, right?

But also, you will surely earn a route badge or five, as these are all new routes. Each route badge is worth the amount of distance XP earned for riding the route’s length, meaning you effectively earn double XP the first time you complete a route and earn the badge. That means you’ll earn 2315 XP for these 5 route badges, on top of the regular distance XP you accumulate per km/mile.

Zwift has bumped up the challenge XP bonus as well, doubling it to 2000XP for this challenge. You will earn this bonus after you finish the 5th route of the challenge.

All told, that’s ~6630XP you will earn by completing this challenge.

Joining the Challenge

To sign up for this Challenge, just click its card on the home screen under “Challenges”:

If you see this screen, you’re signed up:

Clicking a route from this screen will take you into France to ride that route. But you can also ride these routes via other methods once you’re signed up. Ride them in events, as workouts, or even as free rides by choosing them from the route picker. As long as you sign up beforehand, completing the route via any of these methods will mark it as complete for the challenge.

You’ll know you completed the route for the challenge because you’ll get a banner on your screen:

Questions or Comments?

Before you ask: I don’t know exactly how long this challenge will remain available. Zwift tells me each mini challenge will typically last around 3 months, but also Zwift hasn’t been revealing precise deadlines on these challenges until a week or two before they expire.

Got other questions or comments? Share below!

EU regulations around ebikes could be set to change, potentially altering their classification as bicycles. 

Several EU ministries announced before the 2024 European Parliament elections that vehicle regulations would be revised, leading to changes in ebike regulations. But the success of electric bikes could be seen as depending on their equal legal status to bicycles. 

This is the view, at least, of ZIV (Zweirad Industrie Verband), the German cycling industry association. Last week, ZIV published a position paper setting out what it believes should be the future ebike regulations.  

• Does anyone really want ebike motor power to increase?

Why has ZIV made its recommendations? 

ZIV’s chief technology officer, Tim Salatzki, says in the position paper that ebikes “are the most important driver of electric mobility with almost 16 million now on the roads in Germany”.

Salatzki says ebikes are a key component of “the mobility transition” and the most popular recreational vehicle, making them decisive to the success of the German bicycle industry.

“The success of ebikes depends on their equal legal status to bicycles. To ensure this equality in the long term, we propose more precise parameters for this type of vehicle,” says Salatzki. 

The equal status of ebikes – which are legally designated Electrically Powered Assisted Cycles (EPACs) – and human-powered bicycles is based on their comparable riding characteristics, where the cyclist’s pedalling has a direct influence on riding behaviour and movement. 

Limiting the assistance power of ebikes would also help ensure that EPACs retain their bicycle-like characteristics and do not become subject to the same regulations that apply to mopeds, according to the position paper. 

So what are ZIV’s recommendations?

The recommendations, which some have suggested will influence future EU policymaking, define ebikes by the following characteristics:

• Support ratio of 1:4 and
• Support ratio of 1:6 possible up to max. 15 km/h and
• Max. assistance power of 750W at the drive wheel and
• Max. weight of 250kg for single-track EPAC or
• Max. weight of 300kg for multi-track EPAC

To illustrate its assistance ratio recommendations, ZIV says: “If a cyclist has a power output of 100W, an assistance ratio of 1:4 would mean that the electric motor contributes a maximum of four times this power, i.e. 400W. This would result in a total power output of 500W at the drive wheel.” 

What does this mean for ebikes? 

ZIV’s recommendations are fairly consistent with current ebike regulations. But there could be consequences for certain ebikes.

For instance, ebikes with motors that provide a greater maximum assistance than 750W would not meet the recommendations. This would include the DJI Avinox motor, used in eMTBs, which has a peak power of 850W and can provide a 30-second boost of 1,000W.

ZIV also says separate framework conditions and parameters must be defined for electric cargo bikes weighing more than 300kg. 

Heavy e-cargo bikes with multi-track (or parallel sets of) wheels are increasingly used by delivery companies. They can fit into cycle lanes, yet behave differently to typical ebikes, posing a potential safety risk, which it appears ZIV is considering.  

The regulation could also prove restrictive for innovation, according to ebike industry expert Hannes Neupert, who addressed the parameters in a LinkedIn post. 

“The 750-watt limit is an attack on people with physical disabilities, children, the elderly, tandem riders, cargo transporters, and families! The ZIV’s stated wishes attempt to preserve the eMTB as a core market for as long as possible! The future of the mobility transition is willingly sacrificed on the altar of quick profit!” Neupert wrote.  

See zwiftinsider.com/route/hilltop-hustle/

The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Movement has called for peaceful protests at this year’s Grand Tours against the participation of Israel–Premier Tech. 

In an announcement published yesterday, the BDS Movement says the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and Vuelta España are allowing “Israel Premier Tech, a cycling team representing Israel, to participate”. 

“As Israel escalates its ongoing genocide against 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza and its violent military occupation of the West Bank, international sporting bodies have a moral obligation to take all measures to prevent genocide, or risk being held criminally liable,” the announcement reads. 

The BDS Movement adds that by allowing Israel–Premier Tech to participate in the three Grand Tours, the events are helping Israel “sportswash its grave crimes against Palestinians”.

Sportswashing is typically described as a public relations exercise to use sport to help improve the reputation of a government or state.

Political scientist Jiri Zakravsky, author of Cycling Diplomacy: Undemocratic Regimes and Professional Road Cycling Teams Sponsorship, explained to BikeRadar that the term “is closely connected with governments and governmental activities, especially in the context of human rights”. 

Who are Israel–Premier Tech?

Israel–Premier Tech was founded in 2014 and is co-owned by Canadian-Israeli billionaire Sylvan Adams.

Adams has referred to himself as a “self-appointed ambassador at large for the State of Israel”. He drove Israel’s £9m bid to host the start of the 2018 Giro d’Italia and built the region’s first Olympic-standard velodrome in the same year. 

Adams has previously said the UCI ProSeries team is apolitical and not a government project, although it receives a “pitiful small amount” of funding from the national tourism board. 

Ron Baron, the team’s other co-owner, has described Israel–Premier Tech as a form of “sports diplomacy”. Israeli Guy Niv, who rode for the team from 2018 to 2022 and is a former army sniper, has said every rider on the team understands that “being on an Israeli team, they are ambassadors for the country”.

Adams has described Israel’s genocide against Palestinians as “good vs. evil and civilization against barbarism” and said anti-Israel activity is “aided by useful idiots” in the West. 

UCI hypocrisy

Ahead of the Giro d’Italia starting on 9 May, the BDS Movement’s call for protest also accuses the UCI, cycling’s international governing body, of “hypocrisy”. 

It says the UCI sanctioned Russia days into its invasion of Ukraine, suspending Russian and Belarusian teams and banning UCI events in Russia and Belarus, but that it has not taken the same measures against Israel. 

The BDS Movement claims the UCI “is now helping to sportswash Israel’s Gaza genocide by allowing Israel–Premier Tech to participate” in its events. 

The BDS Movement upholds the principle that “Palestinians are entitled to the same rights as the rest of humanity”. It was launched by 170 Palestinian unions, refugee networks and other bodies after Palestinian civil society organisations in 2005 called for boycotts, divestment and sanctions as a form of non-violent pressure on Israel.

BikeRadar has contacted Israel–Premier Tech and A.S.O, the organiser of the Tour de France, for comment. 

Colnago has unveiled the V5Rs, Tadej Pogaçar and UAE Team Emirates’ new all-round race bike.

The bike represents evolution over revolution, featuring an aerodynamic makeover alongside weight savings, thanks to a refined carbon layup process. It’s the lightest frame Colnago has ever made, saving around 150g compared to the V4Rs.

Nevertheless, the V5Rs could see the end of one of the last ‘pure lightweight’ race bikes in the pro peloton, with Colnago claiming the V5Rs as being its second-most aerodynamic bike ever (after the Y1Rs).

It’s fair to say the V5Rs doesn’t rewrite the rulebook like its most high-profile rider, though – the geometry has been tweaked rather than overhauled and the clearance for 32mm-wide tyres is unchanged. 

One notable switch is to a BSA threaded bottom bracket from a T47, and some (if not total) free-of-charge flexibility in rider-fit components is welcome.

The Colnago V5Rs is available in seven specifications, with prices from €10,000 up to €15,400. US and UK model availability and prices vary, but the bike is available from today in all major territories.

• Read Ashley Quinlan’s first-ride review of the new Colnago V5Rs

Revised carbon layup process delivers

“Our sponsored teams didn’t ask for anything specific for the V5Rs,” Colnago’s head of research and development, Davide Fumagalli, says. “Instead, they just asked for a bike that met the latest standards and trends.”

It may come as little surprise, then, that the V5Rs ticks the wide tyre clearance box (officially 32mm with 4mm space between tyre and frameset) and now features a BSA threaded bottom bracket.

Beyond this, Fumagalli’s team sought to develop the V4Rs by improving the old bike’s aerodynamics and weight, while retaining similar stiffness and compliance levels.

Central to this is a modified carbon layup process, in which polypropylene mandrills are inflated inside the laid-up carbon, which (once cured) produces fewer imperfections in the finished frame compared to using the brand’s previous foam-and-bag technique. 

Colnago says every tube on the new frameset is new, and is created in five pieces – the main triangle, plus two seatstays and chainstays – before being bonded together.

Alongside that, Fumagalli says carbon materials have continued to evolve, enabling the brand to shave unnecessary carbon from the frame, while optimising the mix. 

Where previously the V4Rs used a greater proportion of ‘high strength’ fibres than ‘high modulus’ fibres, this has been reversed for the V5Rs. Generally speaking, this makes the layup stiffer, according to Fumagalli, but meant the brand was able to tweak the tube profiles for aerodynamic gain (more on this to come) and weight loss.

This has seen the bottom bracket area shrink compared to the V4Rs, a contributing factor in the switch to the BSA standard.

A complete frameset ‘kit’ (which includes the derailleur hanger) weighs 1,027g – 146g less than the V4Rs in Colnago’s size 485, which is roughly equivalent to a size 52cm or small for many other brands.

Aero wins… again

When Colnago unveiled the Y1Rs aero bike, it effectively affirmed the generally held consensus that aerodynamics are the biggest influence on rider speed – whether you’re Tadej Pogačar or not. 

Perhaps expectedly, the V5Rs has seen a major aerodynamic overhaul, using the same CFD (computational fluid dynamics) model, 3D-printing prototyping and wind tunnel pressure mapping techniques developed for the Y1Rs.

This has yielded a narrower head tube with a downsized 1-1/8in upper bearing and thinner fork blades, plus a thinner and deeper profile for the seat tube and seatpost. This remains proprietary, but an evolution of the old D-shape seatpost.

The head tube’s lower bearing remains at 1-1/4in, retaining the use of CeramicSpeed’s SLT (Solid Lubrication Technology).

Colnago claims the frontal area of the bike has been reduced by 13% and that “the aerodynamic performance of the V5Rs is in line with many WorldTour aero bikes”. 

Exactly which bikes Colnago is referring to isn’t clear, just as when the brand claimed the Y1Rs was the most efficient bike in the pro peloton.

With a mannequin mounted to the V5Rs, the bike-rider system produces a WAD (wind averaged drag) of 490W at 50kph, according to Colnago (mannequin and bike sizes aren’t declared). This compares to 499W for the V4Rs, while the Y1Rs scored 474W in the same test.

A side benefit of the narrowed profile is said to be increased steering reactivity and control on descents, a desirable outcome given Pogačar’s tendency to attack over summits and carry on.

However, the V5Rs is now firmly considered an all-rounder race bike by Colnago, as opposed to the V4Rs’ less aero-optimised approach.

Sharpened handling?

Fumagalli says the V4Rs’ handling was one of its most popular features, but that the construction and aerodynamic changes to the frameset haven’t resulted in a loss of stiffness. 

Colnago refers to ‘Real Riding Stiffness’ when it describes frame rigidity, prioritising efficiency when sprinting and climbing seated – both significant strengths of its star rider.

The geometry has been tweaked, though, in an attempt to make the V5Rs “slightly more aggressive and efficient while better accommodating modern riding positions”.

This starts the introduction of a second fork for the smaller four sizes, with a 47mm rake, helping to keep the handling consistent for those framesets. The three larger frame sizes feature a fork with a 43mm rake.

The head tube and seat tube angles have also been steepened slightly, which promotes a more ‘forward-oriented’ position. It’s worth remembering that Pogačar is notable for this, while the bike is available with a standard 15mm-setback or inline seatpost.

Customers need to purchase the inline seatpost should they require one, but have a free choice of handlebar width (37, 39, 41 and 43cm measured from centre-to-centre) and crank lengths offered by the relevant groupset brand.

Colnago V5Rs specifications and prices

The bike is available in seven complete builds and as a frame kit, which includes the frame, fork, headset, CC.01 handlebar (in Europe and the UK only), seatpost and bottle cages. In the US, the CC.01 cockpit is a $900 add-on.

All bikes are available in Europe, with specific builds available in the US and UK.

This April saw the launch of Zwift Community Live, an epic four-day event bringing together the Zwift community in Mallorca to connect ambassadors, community leaders, special guests, and passionate riders from around the globe.

Dave Towle joins Rebecca Charlton to talk about the inaugural edition, as well as bringing us interviews with a number of Zwift community members who were in attendance including Sir Mark Cavendish. 

Plus we discuss all the latest news, including Zwift outdoors, new roads in France, and much more. Ride on!

Zwiftcast is available on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Amazon Music, and Spotify.

See zwiftinsider.com/route/croissant/

Mathieu van der Poel’s team, Alpecin-Deceuninck, will file a complaint against the spectator who threw a water bottle at the winner of Paris–Roubaix.

The Dutchman was hit in the face by a full bidon on his way to his third successive victory in the Hell of the North. 

“It was a dangerous and unacceptable incident,” said Alpecin-Deceuninck, according to Sporza. 

“We are relieved that Mathieu was unharmed and confirm that as a team we will file a complaint against the perpetrator to denounce the behavior.”

• Man who threw bottle that hit Mathieu van der Poel in “attempted manslaughter” at Paris-Roubaix hands himself in to police

Is alcohol to blame? 

The WorldTour team says it wants more drastic action to ensure rider safety in the future. 

“We want measures to follow to keep people with bad intentions away from cycling races,” says the team.

“Too often we notice that the misconduct is the result of – or at least goes hand in hand with – excessive alcohol consumption.”

Alpecin-Deceuninck says incidents such as Sunday’s are an escalation of “earlier facts”. A spectator was filming spitting at van der Poel during the E3 Saxo Classic in March.

“During other competitions too – both on the field and on the road – we found that misconduct by a few has far-reaching consequences,” says Alpecin-Deceuninck.

“It means that the safety of the riders cannot always be guaranteed, it overshadows the enjoyment and reputation of true cycling enthusiasts and it distracts from the sporting achievements.

“We will follow the further course of the legal procedure internally, so that the misconduct does not receive more attention than it deserves. But we are pushing for consultation with and cooperation between all parties involved (riders, teams, federations, organisers and governments).

“Measures must be taken to keep people with bad intentions away from cycling races and to take more proactive action at known critical points.” 

The man who threw the bottle at van der Poel reported himself to the police. 

Van der Poel described the incident as “attempted manslaughter” and stated that “Ww can’t let this pass”. 

The UCI’s reaction

It’s not only van der Poel and his team who have spoken about the incident. The UCI also released a statement condemning the action. 

“The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and the associations representing the families of cycling (CPA for the riders, AIOCC for the organisers and AIGCP for the teams) unanimously condemn, in the strongest terms, the unacceptable behaviour of a spectator during the 122nd edition of Paris-Roubaix from the side of the road on 13 April,” it said. 

“Cycling is one of the few sports that offers such proximity between athletes and the public during events. This is one of its assets, both for the riders themselves and for the spectators.

“However, this particularity implies an increased responsibility for spectators at an event, whose behaviour can not only influence the course of the event, but also, and even more seriously, endanger the physical integrity of the riders.”