Dutch wheel builder Ere Research has introduced a new line of carbon race wheels called the Genus II, inspired by legendary rock guitarist Eddie Van Halen.

Their classic aero-shape rims come in three sizes, with a hooked tubeless-ready profile that’s optimised for road tyres between 26 and 36c.

They have a 2:1 spoke ratio for balance, lightweight Sapim spokes and an alternative carbon spoke option. Weights range from a feathery 1,188g for the 30mm rim and carbon spokes to 1,599g for the 65mm-deep rim with steel spokes.

They certainly look set to be solid rivals to the latest road bike wheels from all the major players.

What sets the Genus II wheels apart and piqued my interest is the rims are adorned with a laser-etched pattern that will be familiar to rock fans worldwide.

The criss-cross pattern of lines is inspired by Netherlands-born guitar hero Eddie Van Halen and his legendary Frankenstrat guitar.

It’s not only the rims that pay homage to Van Halen. Ere Research’s lightweight straight-pull hub design is called the ‘Panama’, named after Van Halen’s 1984 top 20 US Billboard chart hit.

The Genus II wheels are available in 30, 45 and 65mm depths, priced at £1,499 for carbon spokes and £1,399 for steel. I’d go so far as to say these classy carbon hoops look ideal for ‘solo’ getaways (sorry, I’ll get my coat).

As one of the community’s most popular feature requests, the splits feature unveiled in a recent update was a very welcome addition to Zwift. In this week’s top video, learn all about the new feature from Shane Miller!

We’ve also decided to feature an in-depth review of Zwift, a guide to winning Zwift races, a long-term review of the Zwift Ride, and one Zwifter’s first time trial experience.

Got a Great Zwift Video?

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

Favero has revealed its latest-generation power meter pedals, the Assioma PRO RS.

As expected, the new road pedals are built around the same watt-measuring technology as the excellent Assioma PRO MX off-road pedals (launched last year), which sees all of the electronics integrated within the spindle.

This means the new Assioma PRO RS pedals ditch the unsightly spindle pods featured on Favero’s existing Assioma Duo pedals and offer a Shimano SPD-SL-compatible power meter pedal with a ‘normal’ Q-Factor of 53mm.

We’re lucky enough to have a set in to test, so let’s run through what’s changed and my first impressions of the new Favero Assioma PRO RS pedals.

No more pods

While the Assioma Duo’s pods didn’t affect performance, it’s fair to say many felt they looked somewhat ugly.

Now, though, all of the electronics are housed within a fully sealed spindle.

As with the PRO MX pedals, Favero says this offers greater durability, better protection from water ingress and easier servicing.

At a glance, then, the Assioma PRO RS pedals now look practically identical to a standard road bike pedal system, with only a close inspection revealing any electronics. This brings them in line with offerings from Favero’s closest competitors – Garmin’s highly rated Rally RS200 pedals and Look’s Keo Blade Power pedals (which didn’t score so highly).

As with the Assioma PRO MX pedals, this means a 15mm pedal spanner is required to install the Assioma PRO RS pedals, rather than an 8mm Allen key.

The pedals are charged using the same proprietary magnetic adaptors as the PRO MX pedals, although Favero has made the heads USB-C compatible (they were previously micro-USB).

As we’d hoped, Favero has confirmed riders will be able to swap the pedal bodies between road and off-road (available separately, for €98 per set) with only basic tools.

Light weight and low stack

Aside from aesthetics, though, Favero claims the Assioma PRO RS pedals are class-leading in a number of key areas.

Favero claims they weigh 123.5g per pedal, making them the lightest pedal-based power meter for road bikes, for example.

On our scales, a dual-sided set weighed 250g – 55g lighter than the Assioma Duo pedals – and undercuts both Garmin’s and Look’s efforts (which weigh 320 and 260g, respectively) comfortably. Including cleats and hardware, that figure rises to 321g.

The Assioma PRO MX pedals also have a low stack height of only 10.5mm, offering a close connection to the pedal.

That is, again, marginally better than both Garmin and Look’s pedals (which have stack heights of 12.2mm and 10.8mm each), although SRM’s X-Power Road pedals beat the lot at 9.75mm.

For context, a standard (non-power meter) Shimano Dura-Ace PD-R9100 pedal has a stack height of 14.6mm.

As with the weight, these minor differences aren’t ones you’ll be able to feel while riding. But in a world of marginal gains, low weight and low stack are certainly nice to have.

One area where there is a tangible difference is with the Q-Factor, which is a measure of how far the centre line of each pedal is from the crank arm.

Favero’s previous Shimano SPD-SL-compatible power meter offering – the Assioma Duo Shi – had a Q-Factor of 65mm, 11mm wider than its Look Keo-compatible Assioma Duo pedals. The Assioma PRO RS pedals, however, feature a ‘standard’ 53mm Q-Factor, which is only 1mm wider than Shimano’s Dura-Ace pedals.

It’s fair to say there’s no agreed ‘best’ Q-Factor, although road bikes tend to be narrower in order to increase cornering clearance and prevent pedal strikes.

Favero Assioma PRO RS first impressions

When Favero revealed its pod-less Assioma PRO MX pedals last year, my thoughts turned instantly to what it could mean for a new-generation road power meter pedal system.

A little more than a year later, we finally have just that, and although the Assioma PRO RS pedals offer few surprises, that’s a good thing in my book.

As BikeRadar’s primary power meter tester, I’ve long been impressed by the performance, reliability and value offered by Favero’s pedals.

The set of Assioma Duo pedals I’ve been using since September 2020 has remained faultlessly reliable, both from mechanical and electronic points of view. They’ve been transferred between countless bikes and have become a benchmark against which I measure all other power meters and smart trainers.

Nevertheless, the refined form factor is a welcome upgrade and one that essentially solves the only ‘fault’ I could find with the Assioma Duo pedals.

In the hand, the composite pedal bodies feel pleasingly similar to Shimano’s own high-end SPD-SL pedals, and it’s great to see genuine Shimano cleats included rather than third-party versions.

Having made the switch from Shimano to Look Keo cleats back in 2020 in order to test the Keo-only Assioma Duo pedals, it’s a somewhat ironic turn of events that the new PRO RS pedals are only compatible with SPD-SL cleats.

Ideally, it’d be preferable if riders could just have a choice between the two – as you can with Garmin’s Rally system (which is available with Look Keo-, Shimano SPD-SL- or Shimano SPD-compatible pedal bodies).

That said, there’s little doubt – in my mind, at least – that Shimano SPD-SL is the superior system. The wider platform aside, SPD-SL cleats simply offer a larger positional adjustment range and, in my experience, are far less slippery to walk on than Look’s offering.

I’m also keen to find out just how quick and easy it is to swap the pedal bodies between road and off-road.

While Garmin’s Rally system offers this capability, it’s a fiddly task involving tiny screws and the exposing of electronics. With prices for replacement pedal bodies starting at £219.99, it’s also a relatively expensive proposition.

If the process here is as easy as Favero claims, and they measure up to Favero’s high bar of accuracy and reliability, these could be the go-to power meter pedals for multi-discipline riders.

Favero Assioma PRO RS pricing and specifications

The Assioma PRO RS pedals cost £649 / $789 / €699 for a dual-sided set or £399 / $499 / €439 for a single-sided set.

The dual-sided sets (Assioma PRO RS-2) measure the power produced by each leg independently, whereas single-sided sets (Assioma PRO RS-1) measure power on the left side only, and double it to estimate your total power output.

Upgrade kits (Assioma PRO RS-UP) are available for £389 / $489 / €429 to convert single-sided pedal sets to dual-sided.

• Pedal body options: Shimano SPD-SL
• Weight: 246g (excluding Shimano SPD-SL cleats)
• Claimed accuracy: +/- 1 per cent
• Claimed battery life: 60 hours
• Connectivity: ANT+ / BLE
• Q-Factor: 53mm
• Stack height: 10.5mm
• Rider weight limit: 120kg

Following a first edition that welcomed only select Zwift teams, Rhino Racing is now opening its 2upTT gates to all riders for a second edition! Last time, over 80 pairs battled it out across all categories, and this time, the competition is set to be even bigger, better, and bolder.

In Partnership with CommuniTTTy On-Demand Races

Rhino Racing is proud to collaborate with CommuniTTTy On-Demand Races, the masterminds behind the popular Club Ladder 5v5 racing. CommuniTTTy runs weekly Team Time Trials (TTTs) on a fresh course each week, allowing teams of up to 10 riders to compete for victory in their category. Like the Club Ladder Series, the event follows the ZR.app Velo categorization system, ensuring competitive balance.

How CommuniTTTy Works

• Simple Registration: Just log in via Google or Discord to create a unique account and secure your place on the start line.
• Race at Your Convenience: Events are auto-generated via the registration page, allowing riders to race any time during the race week (fulfilling my on-demand TT dream, in a TTT format). Be sure to pick a fast TT frame!
• Comprehensive Results: Filtered categories include Mixed/Female teams, no-drop squads, team sizes, and neutralised vs. free bike choice, all displayed on the website.

Rhino Racing 2upTT: The Ultimate Test of Speed & Strategy

Built on the solid foundations of CommuniTTTy’s format, the Rhino Racing 2upTT strips racing down to its purest form – just you and your partner working together to get across the finish line as fast as possible.

• Events run every two months, forming an ongoing league, so consistency matters!
• Riders can enter multiple times to improve their result.
• The course selection will push every team’s power and strategy to the limit.
• All participants must have an active ZR.app profile with a current rank.
• Teams will be categorized as Mixed or Female, with the highest-ranked rider at race start determining the team ranking.

Find Your Partner and Get Ready to Race!

Rhino Racing says, “Don’t miss this opportunity to prove your speed, endurance, and teamwork on the virtual tarmac. Find your perfect partner, start strategizing, and get ready to push the limits.”

Round 1 will commence at midday on June 21 and end at midday on June 28. Two laps of Makuri’s Island Outskirts will be the challenge for the first outing.

In the meantime, head to the CommuniTTTy website and test your skills in this week’s TTT or IT race – because every second counts.

Learn more at the Rhino Racing 2upTT homepage.

Mount Etna, the active volcano that emerges from the Italian island of Sicily, is currently erupting, sending plumes of ash miles into the sky. Just a couple of weeks ago, I was riding my mountain bike down its lava-strewn flanks.

Two nights before my epic descent, the mountain popped its top, with some seriously impressive lava flows, but this was nothing in comparison to the eruption we’re seeing today, 2 June 2025.

But what was it like riding on a volcano?

Truly, it’s an experience I’ve never had – and will likely never have again.

With special permission, and accompanied by a volcanologist guide, I rode the new Ghost Poacha Freeride down its slopes, over fields of volcanic pumice and pyroclastic flows.

There were no trails to follow, so we simply picked lines down the side of the mountain, carving turns, kicking up dust, and hitting some truly terrifying speed.

Watch the video below to see more of our epic adventure.

Keeping properly fuelled during your ride (as well as before and afterwards) is a crucial component to unlocking your maximum potential. 

Choosing a good source of carbohydrates to consume as you pedal prevents the dreaded energy bonk, where your legs turn to lead and your morale plummets faster than you might like to admit. 

While making your own energy bars at home is affordable and easy, sometimes it’s nice to have a stash of bars or gels on hand, ready to stuff into your pockets at a moment’s notice before jumping on the bike. 

Everyone likes a bargain, so we had a dig through Amazon to find the best deals on cycling nutrition available right now.

Science In Sport GO Isotonic Energy Gels (30 pack) – $25.99 $20.12 (save 23%) £46.50 £24.09 (save 48%)

When all else fails, it’s time to break out the energy gels… Here, we’ve chosen Science In Sport and its GO Isotonic Energy Gel. 

Containing no artificial flavours and 22g of carbs per sachet, these gels are also isotonic, meaning you don’t need to chase them with water to guarantee smooth digestion. 

Science In Sport claims its GO Isotonic Energy Gel was officially recognised as the world’s first isotonic energy gel, and is proud of its rigorous testing against WADA-banned substances, and Informed Sport certification. 

Amazon has a 30-pack of the blackcurrant flavoured GO gel on sale for £24.09, saving 48%.

• Buy the Science In Sport GO Isotonic Energy Gels now from Amazon UK
• Buy the Science In Sport GO Isotonic Energy Gels now from Amazon.com

Clif Bar Energy Bar (12 pack) – £22.20 £16.99 (save 23%)

Clif Bars have earned a somewhat legendary status in the worlds of sports nutrition and adventure fueling. Offering a plant-based energy hit, these tasty and chewy oat bars pack in 36g of carbs and 11g of protein per serving. They also contain phosphorus, which Clif claims contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism.

Clif has a multitude of flavours to choose from, and these particular bargain bars are of the chocolate almond fudge variety.

They’re currently on sale at 23% off for £16.99, which works out at around £1.42 per bar. Just be careful to save them for your rides, though, because they can quickly end up being consumed as a late-night treat on the sofa.

• Buy Clif Bar Energy Bars now from Amazon UK

HIGH5 Energy Drink (2.2kg) – £29.99 £18.79 (save 37%)

Drinking your carbs is a great and easy way to keep fueled while out on a big ride. This is where HIGH5’s energy drink formula comes in handy – simply mix the powder with water in your bottle, and off you go. 

The energy drink itself is free from artificial flavourings and colours, and contains a 2:1 ratio of maltodextrin and fructose. This, HIGH5 claims, enables you to absorb up to 50% more carbohydrates per hour. 

To make sure you stay well hydrated, HIGH5 includes essential electrolytes in its Energy Drink formula. Each bottle of Energy Drink (one scoop mixed with 500ml of water) contains 240mg of sodium, 50mg of potassium and 84mg of chloride.

As far as bargains go, this one’s pretty hot – you can get a 2.2kg tub of berry-flavoured energy (which contains 46 servings) for only £18.79. That’s 37% off Amazon’s usual price.

• Buy HIGH5 Energy Drink now from Amazon UK

Clif Bar Bloks (10 pack) – £36.90 £30.64 (save 17%)

If you need a little more than carbs to keep you going, Clif has you covered with its Bloks. 

As well as packing in 31g of carbohydrates per pack of four, these little energy chews also contain green tea extract, giving them 68.4mg of caffeine. Clif recommends eating up to four pieces a day, depending on your activity. 

These blocks pack a punch, so make sure you can handle your caffeine and stick to the recommended dosage. If you’re craving some caffeination on the go, you can pick up a 10-pack containing five flavours (2x Mountain Berry, 2x Strawberry, 2x Black Cherry, 2x Tropical Punch, 2x Margarita Citrus) for £30.64, saving 17%.

• Buy Clif Bar Bloks now from Amazon UK

Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Plant Based Protein Powder – £27.99 £20.90 (save 25%)

Post-ride recovery is equally important as fueling as you go, so let’s round out this list with some quality, plant-based protein powder from Optimum Nutrition. 

Consisting of a blend of pea and rice proteins, Optimum Nutrition claims this powder contains a full amino acid profile and 24g of protein per serving, meaning your body should get all the resources it needs to aid recovery and muscle growth. It contains no artificial colourings or flavours, and is also 100% vegan. 

On sale here with 25% off is the Vanilla flavour, which contains 21 servings in its 684g tub. 

• Buy Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Plant Based Protein Powder now from Amazon UK

In May 2025, the FemmeCycle Collab (FCC) partnered with Zwift to launch a four-week women’s race series that grouped participants by age. There were five age brackets, with racers under 30 placed in one group and those over 60 in another. While this categorization was welcomed by some, many others remained skeptical. Interestingly, a portion of the feedback questioned the fairness of using age as a basis for categorization. These women referenced the previous Zwift model, which categorized racers using performance metrics like zFTP (~40 min power max) and zMAP (4-6 min power output), as a fairer system.

This feedback, particularly the reactions to this Zwift Insider article, got my wheels turning. Why do we, as women racers, consider a model based on medium- and long-term watts-per-kilogram (w/kg) output “fair”? And does this perception align with how athletes are categorized in outdoor cycling or other sports?

Let’s examine how categorization works in professional cycling, amateur events, and other sports to gain a better understanding of what might be applicable in the esports context.

“Real” Outdoor Professional Bike Racing

In professional cycling, which is often (perhaps unfairly) compared to community-level esports racing, categorization is rarely rigid. Instead, there are varied points systems that reward different elements: overall finishing position, stage wins, sprint points, mountain points, and even subjective recognitions like “most combative rider” or “best young rider.”

Although racers in mountain bike, gravel, or road events aren’t explicitly categorized in novel ways, these formats are largely self-selecting. Riders choose races that suit their strengths, whether that’s climbing, sprinting, or endurance.

Outdoor Amateur Cycling

At the amateur level, race formats and categorization vary globally. In the USA, criterium races dominate, while in the UK, time trials are more common. Again, there’s a self-selecting dynamic: riders choose the races that align with their abilities and preferences.

Some events include special categories, such as the “Clydesdale” class in mountain races for heavier riders, which reflects an effort to tailor competition based on rider phenotype.  However, most outdoor amateur racing disciplines employ a categorization system that starts everyone at the bottom, with progression based on both experience and performance. This has practical justifications (e.g., bike handling skills at high speeds).

Other Sports

As a former rower in high school and college, I saw firsthand how diverse categorization can be. Rowing classifications vary by boat type (single, double, quad, or eight), rowing style (sweep or scull), weight class (lightweight or heavyweight), and even team composition (men’s, women’s, or mixed). Events are further divided by age group and skill level.

Track and field provides another strong model for categorization by athlete type. You have sprinters, distance runners, hurdlers – all with distinct strengths and race types. Athletes specialize early and select events that match their capabilities. In contrast, community-level esports cycling allows anyone to enter any race, regardless of phenotype. This can lead to mismatches and a feeling of disconnection between racer and race.

Why shouldn’t esports racing be just as versatile? We already have points races and climbing races. Why not a climbing event organized by weight class? Or a mixed-ability team time trial where the team’s result is based on the finish time of the lowest-ranked member?

So, What Makes a Race Feel “Good” or “Fair”?

A healthy pen size is important—it keeps things competitive and engaging. But beyond that, what truly matters is the sense that every racer belongs and that their unique strengths contribute to the dynamic of the race. If everyone has a superpower, why not create races using categorization systems that allow athletes to showcase theirs? 

There are multiple platforms launching in 2025 which will allow race organizers to showcase the performance in race fields, including ECRO and Lead Out.  These services could make community-level racing more exciting on every platform for both racers and spectators.  Now is the time to explore what racers want, so the right tools can be built.

Share Your Thoughts

I’d love to hear from others in the community – what kinds of racer categorizations feel fair to you? What formats have made you feel seen and valued as a racer?

Let’s keep the conversation going and explore how we can build more inclusive, creative, and exciting race experiences together.

BBC Sport will broadcast the 2025 Lloyd’s Tour of Britain live as part of its Women’s Summer of Sport. 

The four-day race begins on 5 June and will be aired live on BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and app. 

The broadcast will likely come as good news to cycling fans. The sport is becoming harder to watch, with the price hike of TNT Sports and the Tour de France set to disappear from ITV after this year’s edition of the race. 

The broadcast also signals a change of fortune for the Women’s Tour of Britain, after it was rescued by British Cycling last year after being cancelled in 2023 because of funding issues. 

The 2025 Women’s Tour of Britain will see 19 teams compete, a record number for the stage race. 

Among the riders set to take part are the UK’s Lizzie Deignan, a previous race winner and world champion, European champion Lorena Wiebes and double Olympic gold medallist Kristen Faulkner. 

“The Tour of Britain Women will be another great moment for women’s sport this summer and we’re delighted to bring this event to fans across the UK through our popular digital platforms,” said Alex Kay-Jelski, director of BBC Sport. 

“The BBC has a strong track record of backing women’s sport. Not just the victories, but the stories, the grit and the passion behind them. And as the UK’s most-used sports broadcaster, we’re proud to shine a spotlight on this race and its great cyclists.”

The BBC Sport’s Women’s Summer of Sport coverage will also include the Women’s Euros, Women’s Rugby World Cup, alongside the World Athletics Championships, Wimbledon and more. 

To enhance the Women’s Tour of Britain further, British Cycling has launched a new Lloyds Tour of Britain TikTok account, and there will be more race content available on the race’s YouTube channel. 

The event will also be available across Warner Bros. Discovery+ with a digital-only live stream, in addition to daily highlights on the TNT channels and digital, as well as the TNT red button. 

How else can I watch the 2025 Women’s Tour of Britain 2025 outside the UK?

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is software that enables you to change your device’s IP address, making it appear as though you’re accessing the internet from another country.

As long as you adhere to your broadcaster’s terms and conditions, a VPN enables you to unblock your usual streaming services, no matter your location. Additionally, a VPN can improve playback speeds and significantly enhance your overall internet security.

There are many VPN options available, but we recommend NordVPN as the best choice. It offers strong streaming capabilities, robust security features, and excellent value for money.

• Subscribe to NordVPN

*At BikeRadar (published by Our Media Limited), we review VPN services to help you access online content and services securely while you’re on the go. This includes activities such as streaming your favourite TV shows, live web content or using apps from different countries (provided it’s okay with the service provider’s terms and conditions). It’s important to note: BikeRadar does not endorse or support the use of VPN services for illegal or malicious activities, such as accessing paid-for pirated content. Please ensure you enjoy online content responsibly.

2025 Lloyds Tour of Britain stages 

• Stage one: Thursday 5 June, Dalby Forest to Redcar
• Stage two: Friday 6 June, Hartlepool to Saltburn-by-the-Sea
• Stage three: Saturday 7 June, The Scottish Borders Stage, Kelso to Kelso
• Stage four: Sunday 8 June, The Glasgow Stage

2025 Lloyds Tour of Britain teams

• UCI Women’s WorldTeams: AG Insurance – Soudal Team (Belgium); Canyon//SRAM zondacrypto (Germany); CERATIZIT Pro Cycling Team (Germany); FDJ – SUEZ (France); Lidl-Trek (USA); Liv AlUla Jayco (Australia); Movistar Team (Spain); Team Picnic PostNL (Netherlands); Team SD Worx Protime (Netherlands); Team Visma | Lease a Bike (Netherlands); UAE Team ADQ (UAE); Uno-X Mobility (Norway)
• UCI Women’s ProTeams: EF Education – Oatly (USA);
• UCI Continental Teams: CJ O’Shea Racing (Great Britain); DAS – Hutchinson (Great Britain); Handsling Alba Development Road Team (Great Britain); Hess Cycling Team (Great Britain); Smurfit Westrock Cycling Team (Great Britain)

Karolina Migoń is on a hot streak. 

The 29-year-old from Poland won the Traka 360 this spring. Then she traveled to the United States and won Gravel Locos. A week later, she was the sole survivor of a three-woman breakaway as she crossed the line to win Unbound Gravel. 

Migoń wears the black and gold kit of Pas Racing, the gravel team made up of riders sponsored by boutique clothing brand Pas Normal Studios. Migoń’s results are well-earned and impressive, but another layer to the story is the rise of one of gravel’s most dominant teams. 

In addition to Migoń’s win at the Traka, Pas took the win in the men’s Traka race under the power of Tobias Kongstad. Last year at Unbound, Pas rider Chad Haga placed second behind Lachlan Morton. 

Pas Racing is a loose confederation of riders. They call themselves a team, but the riders’ only common sponsor is Pas Normal. For instance, Migoń races on a Rose bike, while Kongstad rides a Specialized. 

“We are pushing each other,” Migoń said of her teammates. “We are learning from each other, and we have a big support. So staying at the Pas house, it’s really nice. I can help with anyone. Everyone’s really chill, really helpful. I think that’s why our team is so strong.”

Pas’ dominance naturally leads to questions wondering whether road racing team tactics have made their way into gravel racing. In Sunday’s Unbound race, Migoń was in the breakaway with Pas teammate Cecily Decker. The two could have used their advantage against their third break companion, Lauren Stephens, but Migoń said they didn’t use any team tactics.

“Not really, to be fair,” Migoń said. “I would never say that we were pushing any more than Lauren because we were two on one team. We didn’t try to leave Lauren at any point.”

Stephens was the first to fall off the back of the trio, and then Decker cracked as well. Migoń rode much of the final 50 miles on her own, and finished nine minutes ahead of second-place Decker. 

For her part, Decker was visibly wrecked and shaken at the finish. She said she messed up her first feed and got dehydrated. She then drank her fluids fast after the second aid, but she was still thirsty for the rest of the race – proof that even the race leaders struggle at the infamous Unbound. 

Migoń and Pas Racing don’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon. 

“I think right now I just believe in myself,” Migoń said.

Read more from Unbound 2025:

• “I raced like there’s nothing to lose” – Cameron Jones wins Unbound Gravel and earns his wild card
• Unbound XL podium bikes: Rob Britton’s Factor Ostro Gravel vs Lachlan Morton’s Cannondale Topstone
• Chunky tyres and a computer that refuses to die: Heather Jackson’s Unbound XL-winning Canyon Grail
• A drop-bar MTB for Unbound?! Why this custom Pivot LES SL could be gravel’s future
• Unbound through the ages: The evolution of gravel race tech from 2006 to 2025

Cameron Jones had a strong motivation to race for a good result at Unbound Gravel: the New Zealander was searching for a wild card selection into the Life Time Grand Prix, a new rule for the series this year that created races within the race. 

But Jones didn’t just register a good result, he won the race – and in a record-breaking time of 8:37:09 hours for the 200-mile event.

Jones was one of several riders gunning for one of four wildcard card slots in America’s premiere off-road cycling series, which is determined based on results at the Sea Otter Classic gravel race, which took place back in April and Unbound Gravel. A tenth place for Jones at Sea Otter put him in second in the wild card standings, and Jones’ big win at Unbound all but guarantees his selection for the series. 

Jones had the wildcard on his mind, but he said once he got stuck into the racing, his excitement for the win got the best of him. 

Read more from Unbound 2025:

• Unbound XL podium bikes: Rob Britton’s Factor Ostro Gravel vs Lachlan Morton’s Cannondale Topstone
• Chunky tyres and a computer that refuses to die: Heather Jackson’s Unbound XL-winning Canyon Grail
• A drop-bar MTB for Unbound?! Why this custom Pivot LES SL could be gravel’s future
• Unbound through the ages: The evolution of gravel race tech from 2006 to 2025

“I think I said a few times in the days leading up to it, when people ask me about my tactics, that with this whole wild card thing, it’s kind of in my best interest to play it safe,” he said at the finish. 

“Like it’s not just the race that you can lose, it’s the chance to be in the Grand Prix. And every time I said that, I’m like, ‘who am I kidding?’ Yeah, I’ll always go out and race like there’s nothing to lose. And yeah, it worked out this time.” 

Jones embarked on a breakaway along with Tudor Pro Cycling’s Simon Pellaud. The Kiwi bridged to the front group around mile 40 on Divide Road and immediately powered past them to the front. He caught the eye of the Swissman Pellaud, who joined him off the front. 

“I was initially a bit uncertain, but Simon sort of affirmed to me that it was a good idea,” Jones said. 

Once the two went away, they never came back, opening their gap to as much as eight minutes. 

“I enjoyed riding with him a lot,” Pellaud said of Jones. “It was a full commitment. That’s how a breakaway should always be, like one unit. I was greasing his chain. He gave me some water. He was better in the technical part than me. So riding the technical part, he was waiting for me. I was stronger in the climb until I ran out of sugar in the final.” 

Jones put in his final move on the final rise into town, where Pellaud admitted he didn’t have enough energy and struggled with stomach cramps. 

Pellaud is also a rider in contention for the Grand Prix overall, and his second at Unbound will be a boon for his position in the general classification. 

He lives in high-altitude Colombia, which will be helpful for the next race in the series, the Leadville Trail 100 mountain bike race in Colorado. He is non-committal to his Grand Prix ambitions, but recognises his role as an entertainer for cycling fans. 

“Today, we did a great show,” Pellaud said. “I hope you enjoyed it, and that’s what I’m here for, to make the show and to enjoy it.” 

Jones plans to stay in the US for the rest of the season. Before Unbound, he hadn’t committed to Leadville, but now that he’s in the Grand Prix, he’s up to the task. 

“I’m real keen to take on the challenge of the altitude and a lot of climbing,” he said.

The Tour de France of the gravel racing world, Unbound Gravel is the world’s most important gravel race. Known for its punishing terrain and fierce competition, each year, Unbound draws riders of all levels to tackle the rugged Flint Hills of Kansas.

This summary highlights five essential things you need to know about the race – from the range of distances to the elite athletes who compete and the tech innovations on display.

For more, check out our comprehensive Unbound Gravel guide.

1. It’s the most important gravel race in the world

Unbound Gravel has grown into the most prestigious and high-profile gravel race on the global calendar. What started in 2006 as a grassroots event called Dirty Kanza with just 34 participants has become a week-long celebration of gravel cycling that draws close to thousands of riders, spectators, support crew and media.

• How Unbound became the most important gravel race in the world

2. There’s a race for everyone

While the 200-mile event grabs headlines, Unbound offers a range of distances to suit different levels of ambition and experience. These include 25-, 50-, 100-, and 200-mile routes, plus a 50-mile junior race designed to nurture future talent.

• Gravel racing explained: the formats, bikes, equipment and why we love it

3. The course is brutally challenging

The Flint Hills serve up steep rollers, deep gravel and sharp flint that eats tyres for breakfast. Weather can flip the script completely – dry conditions mean dust and heat, but rain turns sections into wheel-clogging mud that can bring even the fastest riders to a halt.

4. It draws elite and amateur riders alike

Unbound’s mass start means amateurs and elites roll out together, creating an atmosphere unlike any other race. Big-name pros like Lachlan Morton and Rosa Klöser line up alongside everyday gravel fans, all gunning for glory over the same brutal course.

5. It’s a tech showcase

Unbound is a hotbed for new gravel tech, with unreleased gear regularly making its debut on the start line. From cutting-edge drivetrains to custom frames and experimental tyres, if it can survive Unbound, it can survive anything.

Name: Heather L Johnston (I use my middle initial even though it sounds a little formal because there are a couple of us here in Vancouver.)

Hometown: Miscellaneous, USA. Some combination of New York, Cleveland, and Seattle — though I have lived in Horseshoe Bay, BC for longer than I did in any of those other places, at this point. I lived in New Jersey when I was little and mostly grew up in Cleveland, but went back East the minute I graduated from high school.

How did you get into cycling? I’ve been a bike rider for my whole life, commuting to school or work, and riding for fun — but I guess it really started getting more focused in high school. My friend Lindsay and I would go on epic rides through northwestern Ohio, and we did some century rides together. The terrain is short steep rollers and forest/ farmland — just wonderful riding.

In 1986, I did a six-week tour through New England, with Cannondale panniers on a Miyata Six Ten. In 1996, I walked into a bike shop in Seattle and asked, “Do people race bikes?” I was on a club ride the next morning, and the rest is history. I raced road and off-road pretty seriously for four or five seasons, did a ton of organizing, some coaching, moved to Vancouver, took a break, couldn’t stay away, and got back through a spin class in 2015. That led to training on The Sufferfest and the Tour of Sufferlandria and then Zwift; in October 2024, I finally got to do another big ride, in France and Spain. There will be more.

How many years have you been racing on Zwift? 4

Are you part of a Virtual team? Yes! Westcoast Coalition, based in Vancouver BC.

What do you love most about racing? Oh that’s a tough question. The team energy and the opportunity to really push my own limits. I love the effort and the way it makes me feel, and sharing that with friends is just the best thing ever. As a leader, I also love helping other women discover their power — seeing those lights go on never gets old.

What is your favourite style of race (e.g. points, scratch, iTT, TTT, Chase, duathlon)? TTT without a doubt. Just a great format. I’d also love to see something like velodrome racing on Zwift — 3000m pursuits and things like that. Wouldn’t a virtual Madison be wild?

What is your favourite Zwift women’s race series? WTRL Tuesday Night Racing.

What is your most memorable racing experience, inside or outside or BOTH? Outside. 1998. Getting up to the top of, and subsequently dropped on, Galena Pass in Idaho. I’d put together a composite team to go race the HP Women’s Challenge, and I had managed, somehow, to hang with a small group of riders up to the top of Galena. It’s around 8000’. It was so exciting to make it there, that I looked up at the summit sign for a split second, and they got a 100m gap on me.

I spent the rest of the day chasing six riders into Ketchum. Learning opportunity.

It was an absolutely beautiful race though, end to end. Another day, after the race we were at some tiny restaurant in someone’s house eating pie and watching foxes cross the yard. Race organizer Jim Rabdau told us he thought God lives in Stanley, Idaho. I’m not sure, but he certainly could have been right.

What is your favourite food to eat post-race? A small steak, veg, and an Athletic zero-proof beer. OR my other favourite post-ride food — a messy scramble and toast. The best recovery food ever.

What advice would you give to a woman entering her first Zwift race? First, just go try it and have fun, there’s so little risk. No crashing, you can still talk to / watch your friends even if you’re off the back… go see what you can do and don’t worry if it’s not what you might have expected. THEN…

The most valuable thing I’ve been told is to get in the pens early so you’re near the front at the start. This is a great strategy IRL and it works on Zwift too. A good start gets you into a place in the race where you can hang for as long as you can, but there’s room to drift back through the peloton, too. Be sure you have snacks, a fan, all the tech set up right well before start time so you don’t have to worry about details close to start time. Do some activation and get a decent warmup. On course, find some people close to your pace and ride with them! It’s much more fun and less work to draft and share the pulls than to slug it out alone. You can work with people even without talking — just get there, take your turn, give the people you’re riding with some Ride Ons, it’s pretty cool how that all works.

Any upcoming race you are looking forward to? At the moment I am just enjoying the Tuesday night series. There are some big women’s races on the calendar in the fall that are pretty cool — Fearless and the Iceni stage race come to mind — but I’m happy doing Tuesdays and then getting outside in springtime, though I will say I am one of those riders who’s on Zwift year-round. I love that I can get some miles in even if it’s late in the day or I need to be home for other reasons, or I just feel like exploring the game worlds on my own. I’m not afraid of doing a trainer workout on a sunny day if that’s what fits that day.

Where can people follow your racing adventures? I’m @H.L.Johnston on Instagram, that’s the best place I think.

Orbea’s in-house wheel and component brand, OQUO, is testing a new carbon gravel wheel at Unbound Gravel – and it looks notably different from its current lineup.

Fitted with 50mm-wide Schwalbe G-One R Pro tyre, this gravel wheel appears wider than OQUO’s existing rim. We estimate the rim depth to be around 50mm – a significant jump from the current maximum of 25mm.

Also new is the Q10 hub – a minimalist straight-pull design. Unlike OQUO’s current wheels, which use Zipp ZR1 or DT Swiss hubs, this suggests the Basque brand has developed its own hubset.

More Unbound Gravel tech

• Everything you need to know about Unbound Gravel – the world’s most important gravel race
• Why XC mountain bike tyres are gravel racing’s hottest pro trend
• I’m an elite gravel racer and Unbound is the wildest race of them all – here’s why

Rider Morgan Aguirre appears to be running these all-new wheels on a fresh Orbea gravel bike. Though images are limited, the front end looks very different from the current Orbea Terra. The fork and head tube form a sleek, aero-optimised interface – unlike the Terra’s distinct forward kink at the fork crown.

Morgan’s bike is equipped with SRAM RED XPLR – indicating the frame has a UDH dropout, a feature absent from the current Terra. This points to Orbea preparing an aero-focused gravel racer.

We’ve got another fine mix of popular events this weekend, starting with two charity rides (including a vEveresting kickoff!) followed by two group rides celebrating anniversaries and special guests. Finally, we wrap up our picks with the last race of the popular SISU Pinkki series. See details below!

Cycle Nation Charity vEveresting for I Love Boobies Breast Cancer Screening

Sir Chris Hoy’s | Tour de 4

OTR Snap Crackle Pop Punch Time (3-Year Anniversary)

Shimano Super Cycling Sunday

2025 SISU Pinkki – Stage 7

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!

A gravel suspension fork from Canyon Bicycles and DT Swiss was spotted earlier this spring, and it has since been officially launched and tested by journalists. 

The F 132 One fork was on display at the Unbound Gravel brand expo ahead of the race this weekend. BikeRadar spoke with a DT Swiss engineer to hear the backstory of the fork’s development. 

Why Canyon chose to work with DT Swiss

The project began in 2021 when Canyon approached various suspension manufacturers with their desire to develop a suspension fork for gravel bikes. 

“We were the ones where they really had the feeling that they could give the right inputs, that the co-development would work,” said Philipp Keller, suspension testing engineer at DT Swiss. 

Canyon and DT Swiss wanted to develop a fork that was more gravel specific than offerings from other brands, not just a miniature mountain bike fork. Keller said small bump sensitivity is crucial in gravel riding and racing, and that’s what the new fork is designed around. 

“For gravel, your main obstacle that you ride over are small rocks, so therefore you really need a fork that is sensitive on the first few hits, the really small bumps and vibrations,” Keller said. “That is really the point where we try to optimise the fork for exactly this sensitivity, because that’s the main part about the gravel fork, where you need the traction and also the comfort when you’re doing your hours on gravel.” 

Settling on suspension travel

The design process for the gravel suspension fork began with deciding how much suspension travel it should have. DT Swiss used its cross-country mountain bike fork to test different travel levels, and ultimately decided on 40mm. Keller said that suspension travel is a tradeoff because as the travel increases or decreases, so does the stack height of the bike. 

Gravel was and is still evolving as a discipline, but the F 132 One has design features that speak to both racers and adventure-seeking gravel riders. A remote control lockout allows racers to adjust their lockout on the fly, while optional bikepacking adaptors allow riders to strap bags on their bikes. 

Once prototypes were made, Phillip and his team went ahead with stress testing the forks. 

“We destroyed a lot of them just to make sure they hold up to the task that they are developed [for], which is quite versatile,” he said. 

The ‘one’ in the fork’s name refers to DT Swiss’ top tier of products, while the 132 refers to 32mm stanchions used for the fork. 

The fork is now only available for purchase with a Canyon Grail, but it will be available for purchase à la carte next year. 

The build-up to the 2025 Tour de France has begun! Be among the first to secure the UK’s only Official UK Tour de France Race Guide, available now with free UK delivery. Order today to receive it in time for this year’s race.*

Only £12.99 including free delivery! Order your copy today.

Inside the official 2025 Tour de France race guide:

• The only official 204-page race guide
• Mont Ventoux special edition magazine – the supplement for this year’s TDF Guide focuses on one of the Tour’s most iconic climbs.
• Official Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift double-sided, A2 wallchart
• Exclusive beer mats showcasing last year’s GC, points and mountain winners.

Only £12.99 including FREE delivery! Order your copy today!

Please note your copy will be dispatched when available from 22 May 2025.

T&Cs: Please note the Official Tour de France Race Guide 2025 is only available in the UK. All orders are non-refundable. Please allow up to 21 days for delivery

It’s a well-trodden trope at this point. Decorated racers line up at Unbound Gravel, the 200-mile jaunt through the Flint Hills of Kansas, and are surprised at the race dynamics, brutal conditions, and equipment-destroying terrain at the marquee gravel event. 

Last year, there was much hype around the attendance of then-Gravel World Champion Matej Mohoric, but even the rainbow jersey prowess of the Slovenian was no match for Unbound. Mohoric double-punctured, and DNF’d along with his Bahrain Victorious teammates after the halfway mark on the course. 

The latest WorldTour pro to dip his toes into Unbound is Thomas De Gendt. The Belgian is not lacking in tactical know-how or pure power, having won stages in all three grand tours. Will he be able to survive the queen of all gravel races? 

More Unbound news and tech

• Who will win Unbound Gravel 2025? Our race predictions and course preview
• Why XC mountain bike tyres are gravel racing’s hottest pro trend
• Everything you need to know about Unbound Gravel – the world’s most important gravel race

“I’m not expecting a big result for myself, but you never know.”

Speaking ahead of the race, De Gendt admitted that the length of the race makes it a hard nut to crack. 

“Yeah well I hope I at least can finish it,” De Gendt said in a pre-race press conference.

“That would be already a nice victory for myself. The longest race I [did] on the road was 300 kilometres in Milan-Sanremo, and it was only six hours, 30 or something. [Unbound] will be next level, and it’s more of a race against myself instead of a race against others.

“I’m not expecting a big result for myself, but you never know. I never raced in something this long.” 

Earlier this season, De Gendt finished 5th in the general classification of the four-stage Sahara Gravel in Morocco. He then placed 10th at The Hills gravel race and 3rd on stage 1 of the Ibereolic Gravel Tierra de Campos race. 

De Gendt planned to race the Traka 200 as a part of his preparation for Unbound, but he got sick. After recovering, he did a small training camp in the mountains of France. 

“Everybody has faults during the season, but I hope it will still be enough to just have a good time on Saturday and try to be somewhere in a good position,” he said. “But I don’t think it will be near the top 10 or top 20.” 

A new challenge

Now racing for the Classified x Rose team, De Gendt will have teammates in the race. While Unbound and gravel has seen road tactics appear – notably from Pas Racing last year – team tactics can still be hard to pull off given how many variables there are at Unbound. 

De Gendt said he may be able to help his teammates stay out of the wind, but that tactics will only work for the first half of the race. 

“As far as tactics go, once you get over halfway, then it’s more the legs that will talk. And then as long as you can save some energy in the first five, six hours, and I can help them with that, then maybe they have a bigger chance to have a good result in the end. 

“It’s not like in road racing, where you have somebody closing the gaps. In a race like this, nine to 10 hours, you don’t have the team to close gaps the whole day, so it will be some kind of team tactic in the first three, four hours, but then after that, it’s just everybody for themselves.” 

The Belgian added that it was the prestige as well as the adventure that drew him to Unbound and gravel in general after retiring from his career as a road racer. 

“In Belgium, it’s a really big race,” De Gendt said of Unbound.

“We make documentaries about Unbound. It seemed like something fun to do, but now that I’m here, it just seems very hard. Especially with the rain, it will be a special kind of day on Saturday, so I hope it dries up a little bit. 

“After all these years on the roads, it was time for something new. And gravel takes you on roads that you’ve never been before. I do climbs from a different side, and it’s the more adventurous part of gravel that drew me to this race.”

Early this month, Zwift rolled out a new “Route of the Week” feature, plus a slate of XP Express events. Both have proven very popular, so they’re continuing into June. Read on for details…

XP Express Events

Clearly, Zwifters like earning extra XP, with friends, because these events have proven very popular. In fact (checks game), 709 riders are signed up for the event launching 5 minutes from now!

These events are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They are 50 minutes long, and you will earn double XP for the duration of the events (so 40XP per kilometer/64XP per mile, vs 20XP per kilometer/32XP per mile).

The rides are open-paced, meaning you can expect the front of the ride to be spicy (race-pace) while there are plenty of groups behind at easier paces.

Upcoming XP Express route schedule:

• June 3: Champs-Élysées
• June 5: 2019 Worlds Harrogate Circuit
• June 10: Gotham Grind
• June 12: Castle to Castle
• June 17: Outer Scotland
• June 19: Park Perimeter Loop
• June 24: Wandering Flats
• June 26: Richmond UCI Worlds

See upcoming XP Express events at zwift.com/events/tag/xpexpress >

Route of the Week

The Route of the Week is located in the Challenges row of your homescreen:

The idea is simple: ride the Route of the Week and earn 500XP:

Note: “accidentally” riding the Route of the Week won’t earn you the XP bonus. You have to click the challenge card, which brings you to the blue screen shown above, in order to “register” for the Route of the Week challenge for that week. Then you can ride the featured route in any way you choose, in order to get the XP bonus.

Upcoming Route of the Week schedule:

• May 26-June 1: Triple Twist
• June 2-8: Waisted 8
• June 9-15: Coastal Crown Loop
• June 16-22: Sand and Sequoias
• June 23-29: Figure 8

More XP Info

If you’re new to Zwift and don’t understand how the XP (experience points) system works, read All About Zwift XP, Levels, and Unlocks for Cyclists.

You may also be interested in XP Farming on Zwift: the Definitive Guide to Earning More XP and Leveling Up Faster.

Your Thoughts

Now that they’ve been going for a month or so… what do you think of the XP Express events and Route of the Week initiative? Have you tried them? What are your thoughts? Share below…

Despite the UCI running a gravel world championships each year, the star event in the gravel racing calendar remains the Unbound 200 race.

Although there are Unbound Gravel race lengths from 25 miles up to 350 miles, it’s the 200-mile long Unbound Gravel 200 is the highlight event and attracts the elite riders.

The event takes place in the Flint Hills of Kansas, starting in Emporia, with the 2025 race day being Saturday 31 May. 

Last year, the men’s race was won from a two-up sprint by Lachlan Morton of the EF Education Pro Cycling team in just over 9 hours. Morton isn’t riding Unbound 200 this year, pitching for victory instead in the 350-mile, unsupported Unbound XL.

But the winner of the 2024 women’s Unbound 200, Rosa Klöser will be defending her title. On the back of her 2024 win, she’s since become a pro road cyclist, riding for Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto.

• How Unbound became the most important gravel race in the world
• How to watch Unbound 2025 for free anywhere in the world

2025 Unbound Gravel 200 contenders

As the flagship gravel race, Unbound attracts a diverse field of elite athletes from a range of disciplines.

Although it’s natural territory for US-based pro gravel racers, they compete with European gravel riders and road and MTB pros.

50 of the world’s top gravel riders are competing in the Life Time Grand Prix series of six US gravel races, with a prize pot for the series of $380,000. But alongside the gravel pros, Unbound 200 attracts a field of former and current WorldTour pros, whose names will be familiar to followers of road racing.

Unbound 200 is the second race in the Life Time Grand Prix and after the first, the Sea Otter Classic, Sofia Gomez Villafane is at the top of the leaderboard for women and Keegan Swenson is for men. 

Swenson won Unbound in 2023. They’re both contenders for the 2025 Unbound title, although Gomez Villafane came second to Haley Batten, who is not part of the Life Time Grand Prix Series, at Sea Otter.

In Europe, the Traka 360 (in km, not miles) women’s race at the start of May was won by Karolina Migon and the men’s by Tobias Kongstad, who will both be lining up in Emporia. 

Klöser isn’t the only pro or former pro road racer on the start list this year, with perennial breakaway specialist Thomas de Gendt slated for a start in the men’s race. Chad Haga is another former Grand Tour rider now dedicating his time to gravel racing, coming second at last year’s Unbound.

Although one of the top riders normally triumphs, the course can throw a mechanical or a puncture at anyone. Klöser suffered a puncture at the 2024 race, but still came back to win a nine-up sprint to the line. Others have found themselves put out of contention by an ill-timed flat.

2025 Unbound Gravel 200 course

This year’s Unbound 200 course covers 202.4 miles (325.7km) with 10,122 feet (3,085m) of elevation gain.

Heading north from Emporia, Kansas, into the Flint Hills, the route is near-identical to that taken in 2024, although the stated distance is slightly shorter and includes less climbing than the 202.9 mile / 10,750 ft route in 2024. 

The race route is unmarked, with 93 per cent on unpaved roads and just 14.6 miles on tarmac. The first 33 miles or so offer an undulating ascent from Emporia at 1,142 ft elevation to 1,588 feet. 

That’s followed by a technical section of around 4 miles with steep climbs and descents that starts at mile 40, where a mechanical can make it difficult to get back to the front group and put even an elite rider out of contention.

At 69 miles, the race reaches its lowest elevation, 1032ft at Mill Creek, just before the town of Alma, the site of the first checkpoint at mile 70 and close to the race’s furthest north point. 

From there, the course climbs to 1,451 ft at 88.6 miles, then drops to 1,170ft at 98.5 miles. 

The second half of the course undulates between 1,228 ft and 1,476 ft before dropping down into Emporia and includes the second checkpoint at Council Grove at mile 148. It’s prone to headwinds when the route passes Lake Kahola, which can promote attacks and split a bunched field over the last 29 miles. 

In addition to the two checkpoints, there are water collection points at mile 40 and mile 112. While riders can station a support crew with spares at the two checkpoints, they ride unsupported over the rest of the course, so they must carry enough food, water and supplies to fix mechanicals and flats. 

No team cars to swap bikes or hand up a sticky bottle here.

This year, the bulk of the racing will be streamed live on YouTube by its sponsor, Life Time. 

Bosch has been accused of protectionism over its involvement in the proposed changes to electric bike regulations in the European Union. 

In April, Zweirad Industrie Verband (ZIV), the German cycling industry association, published a position paper, setting out what it believes should be the future of ebike regulations. 

The recommendations put forward by ZIV include:

• A support ratio of 1:4, where a rider’s 100W power output is matched by 400W from an electric motor
• A maximum assistance power of 750W

Limiting the assistance power of ebikes would ensure they retain their bicycle-like characteristics, which ZIV sees as integral to their success. 

• Read more: A battle over ebike regulations is causing havoc in the cycling industry

Protectionism

Although Bosch is just one of 140 members in the association, some have said that Bosch is exerting influence over the position to protect its place in the market.

Speaking to BikeRadar, Annick Roetynck, the manager of LEVA-EU, a European trade association for light electric vehicles, said ZIV’s position is: “Protectionism. I’m going to be very straightforward, just true protection.” 

“I am gobsmacked with what they’re proposing,” she said. 

Roetynck singled out Bosch and said it is “trying to stop anything – anything – which would mean competition for conventional electric bicycles.” 

Due to ebikes requiring fidelity with non-assisted bicycles, ZIV’s position has been interpreted as potentially blocking the development of heavier e-cargo bikes, which could be used for logistics or even carrying multiple people. 

Disabled people or those who cannot generate sufficient power could also struggle to use ebikes if ZIV’s recommendations are implemented, according to Roetynck. 

Bosch is using “all its power” 

Hannes Neupert, who has worked in the light electric vehicle industry since 1982, echoes Roetynck’s claim of protectionism and sees Bosch as working to preserve its place in the sports ebike market. 

“I cannot accept that Bosch, just for primitive protection of their main market, is attempting to disqualify all others,” he said. 

Neupert has paid particular attention to Bosch, one of the world’s biggest ebike motor and battery manufacturers, since it proposed increasing maximum power to 600W in January 2024. 

“The official reasoning behind this is that there is dangerous competition between the suppliers, making [more powerful] motors all the time,” he claimed.

In May 2025, Bosch released an update to its Performance CX gen 5 motor increasing the maximum power to 750W. 

“Let me say that Bosch is aiming to protect its commercial position here. It has fallen behind in the innovation of ebike motors and is using all its power to try and slow or stop others from gaining market-share at the expense of Bosch,” Neupert told BikeBiz. 

There has already been pushback against ZIV’s proposals. Roetynck said LEVA-EU members that are also part of the German trade association do not agree with the proposal. 

She said that when ZIV presented the position to the EU working group that deals with EAPCs (electrically assisted pedal cycles) in November last year, it did not receive a majority. 

What do ZIV and Bosch say? 

Tim Salatzki, ZIV’s chief technology officer, said the association’s position has been discussed for more than a year and a half and it was reached through consensus. “Bosch is a member of ZIV but is one of 140 members,” he said. 

Claus Fleischer, CEO of Bosch eBike Systems, said: “We have been involved in the ZIV working groups just like other member companies. Please direct any additional questions to ZIV.”

More on electric bikes

• Electric bikes are more powerful than ever – do we need to put the brakes on?
• ‘Dangerous’ ebikes and conversion kits subject to new inquiry
• Trek releases its first ebike with a throttle for easy commuting and adventuring
• I’ve ridden more than 200 electric bikes – here are five things I’ve learned about maximising battery range