{"id":1833333,"date":"2026-03-17T16:32:12","date_gmt":"2026-03-17T13:32:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1833333"},"modified":"2026-03-17T16:32:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T13:32:12","slug":"are-scientists-now-more-important-than-star-riders-inside-pro-cyclings-race-for-scientific-innovation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1833333","title":{"rendered":"Are scientists now more important than star riders? Inside pro cycling&#8217;s race for scientific innovation"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RwzmAx5hHT6BiQqZUVka7A-1920-80.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Are scientists now more important than star riders? Inside pro cycling&#8217;s race for scientific innovation<\/h1>\n<div class=\"kiosq-member-label\"><span class=\"kiosq-member-label-text\"><b>MEMBER EXCLUSIVE<\/b><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\nFeatures<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\"><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nStephen Farrand <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-03-17T16:32:12Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n17 March 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">As pro cycling gets faster and its biggest teams get richer, more and more focus is being put on the technological arms race going on inside the peloton. Cyclingnews takes an inside look at the sport&#8217;s new frontier <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-700 mb-2 text-[12px] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-gray-700 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RwzmAx5hHT6BiQqZUVka7A-1920-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RwzmAx5hHT6BiQqZUVka7A-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RwzmAx5hHT6BiQqZUVka7A-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RwzmAx5hHT6BiQqZUVka7A-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RwzmAx5hHT6BiQqZUVka7A-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RwzmAx5hHT6BiQqZUVka7A-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RwzmAx5hHT6BiQqZUVka7A-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RwzmAx5hHT6BiQqZUVka7A-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RwzmAx5hHT6BiQqZUVka7A-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RwzmAx5hHT6BiQqZUVka7A-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"mt-2\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images\/Sebastian Marko &amp; 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Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation\" class=\"hidden\">\n<p class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0\">You are now subscribed<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base\">Your newsletter sign-up was successful<\/p>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation__userlogin\" class=\"hidden\">\n<hr class=\"my-5 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"items-start flex flex-col h-full justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flcw-text pb-5 pt-2 leading-[1.3]\"> An account already exists for this email address, please log in.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"2a0e2025-edeb-45d1-8268-e1c4da09f8f4\">It&#8217;s the race behind the race, a secretive scientific battle between the richest and most technologically advanced teams in professional cycling.<\/p>\n<p>Suffering on the road remains a core part of cycling, but training, nutrition and performance physiology have advanced massively in the last three decades, and especially the last ten years.<\/p>\n<p id=\"2a0e2025-edeb-45d1-8268-e1c4da09f8f4-2\">As cycling performance nears its physiological limit, teams are looking to push the scientific boundaries of the sport. Behind the scenes, scientists, engineers and PhD researchers are working in wind tunnels and laboratories, aided by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and artificial intelligence (AI), as they hunt for new marginal \u2013 or even maximal \u2013 gains.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"article-continues-below block py-2 text-sm\">Article continues below <\/span><\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UstRqry6qfZFGZJ3rPjTW-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UstRqry6qfZFGZJ3rPjTW-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;Small percentages can make a huge difference&#8217; &#8211; What&#8217;s the science behind cycling&#8217;s long-range attacks?<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TYHSNBLfjyhwGtMNkQni7V-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TYHSNBLfjyhwGtMNkQni7V-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;We have to protect our riders from burnout&#8217; \u2013 How teams balance performance, success and mental wellbeing against the growing demands of pro cycling<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WFLp48QSRyiEQMJtkqgdZW-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WFLp48QSRyiEQMJtkqgdZW-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Where do cycling&#8217;s super teams spend their millions?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;Cycling wants to believe it&#8217;s a pure form [of sport], but when it comes down to it, technology has a massive bearing,&#8221; Dan Bigham, the Head of Engineering at Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, said in a recent <em>Just Ride Red Bull<\/em> podcast.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;If you don&#8217;t understand the physics of the sport, you can&#8217;t move it forward. You might know that A is faster than B, but do you know why A is faster than B? As soon as you know that, you can make something that&#8217;s faster and so continually move forward.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe hired Bigham last year as Red Bull&#8217;s team ownership fueled their ambitions to become the best team in the sport. Bigham was previously part of a similar, smaller programme at Ineos Grenadiers, and other super teams are also investing in science, prioritising the hiring of wind tunnel experts and performance engineers, even over star riders who can earn UCI ranking points.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Teams are leveraging support from their owners and major sponsors to advance the science of pro cycling. Those who are unable to do so risk being left behind in the innovation race.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Bigham works within the Red Bull Advanced Technologies unit, allowing him to brainstorm with staff from the brand&#8217;s Formula 1 team and other sports and science disciplines. The WorldTour squad are also supported by manufacturer Specialized, providing wind tunnel testing facilities and a design team, thanks to its position as both bike and race clothing supplier.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Lidl-Trek are another outfit focusing far more funding on research and development (R&amp;D), after the supermarket chain bought the team from Trek. AI software platform ServiceNow has become a jersey sponsor, and the Schwarz Group, which owns Lidl, provides massive digital support. The team is building a new headquarters in Germany that will boost the team&#8217;s logistics and performance.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">While UAE Team Emirates-XRG may seem like a traditional squad, managed by former rider Mauro Gianetti, the team has used their large budget to hire expertise in coaching, nutrition, altitude training and aerodynamics. Their demand for excellence encouraged Colnago to design them the best possible bikes at their disposal after the team reportedly tested all of their WorldTour rivals&#8217; bikes in the wind tunnel.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hrgf3wwSbMzVJGfQnjvCT3-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hrgf3wwSbMzVJGfQnjvCT3-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">WorldTour Teams 2026 \u2013 A comprehensive guide to the 18 top-tier squads in the men&#8217;s peloton<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3zYYBENJ9tskmxLXKNgv9X-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3zYYBENJ9tskmxLXKNgv9X-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Men&#8217;s WorldTour bikes and tech 2026: What are teams using this season?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Btg4W99JoVrQssqctct76R-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Btg4W99JoVrQssqctct76R-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;They&#8217;re just normal guys&#8217; \u2013 Finn Fisher-Black gives unique insight into cycling superstars Evenepoel and Poga\u010dar and the effect they can have on a whole team<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Visma-Lease a Bike also don&#8217;t shy away from innovation and reportedly have a new &#8216;secret advantage&#8217; ready for the 2026 season. Lease a Bike owner Pon also owns bike sponsor Cerv\u00e9lo and high-end Italian shoe brand Nimbl, which now provides the team with race clothing developed using thermal mapping and aerodynamic modelling.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;We&#8217;re not blind to what&#8217;s happening around us, and we understand that we won&#8217;t separate ourselves from the rest by copying what others are doing. We try to stay ahead with our own original developments,&#8221; said Visma-Lease a Bike head coach Jacco Verhaeren, who joined the team in 2025 after a successful career as a swimming coach with Australia and France.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"09e01f7d-4921-48dc-95f1-a1b5670b01fa\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PYT6HKrzZUHUn55rXXWLoZ-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PYT6HKrzZUHUn55rXXWLoZ-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PYT6HKrzZUHUn55rXXWLoZ-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PYT6HKrzZUHUn55rXXWLoZ-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PYT6HKrzZUHUn55rXXWLoZ-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PYT6HKrzZUHUn55rXXWLoZ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PYT6HKrzZUHUn55rXXWLoZ-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PYT6HKrzZUHUn55rXXWLoZ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PYT6HKrzZUHUn55rXXWLoZ-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PYT6HKrzZUHUn55rXXWLoZ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">UAE Team Emirates-XRG in action during the team time trial at this year&#8217;s Paris-Nice <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: David Pintens\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"why-innovation-can-be-worth-more-than-a-star-rider-3\">Why innovation can be worth more than a star rider<\/h2>\n<p id=\"85edbbee-caf3-4496-ab54-bf5c78bb9836\">Professional cycling&#8217;s super teams have the financial backing and sponsors to develop their performance arm while simultaneously paying some of the sport&#8217;s biggest names to compete for Grand Tour titles. But what about those teams further down the pecking order?<\/p>\n<p>Tudor Pro Cycling, a ProTeam since only 2023, have opted to invest in innovation rather than solely bulking out their roster with extra team leaders.<\/p>\n<p>At their recent pre-season media day in Spain, new signing Stefan K\u00fcng praised the Swiss team&#8217;s focus on performance. It immediately sparked <em>Cyclingnew<\/em>s&#8217; interest in what Tudor are secretly doing off the bike and in the laboratory.<\/p>\n<p>Their Head of Performance, Ricardo Scheidecker, confirmed to <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> that the Swiss team has a group of scientists and researchers hunting down the next potential marginal gains via applied science. They are known as the Innovation Team.<\/p>\n<p>Long-term financial support from the Tudor watch brand, a Rolex sister company, provides the team with the resources to make immediate performance and technological improvements while also developing a long-term, strategic approach. Few other teams in professional cycling have the same resources and vision.<\/p>\n<p>They prioritised long-term scientific improvement, which can benefit everyone in the team and inspire an innovative culture, ahead of signing a rider who can score 1,000 UCI ranking points per season. Being one of the most scientifically advanced teams in the sport also helps attract the next generation of young talent.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We are quite discreet about this. We don&#8217;t put out photographs of riders in a [wind] tunnel in press releases, that&#8217;s not our style,&#8221; Scheidecker told <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>, in what seems like a dig at rivals Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe and their Particle Image Velocimetry test in the darkness of the Catesby tunnel.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Innovation is about being ahead of the game; it&#8217;s a non-stop process. To lead the way, you need very competent people, competent technical sponsors, and a synergy to put it all together so we can help the riders go as fast as they can.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>If Julian Alaphilippe is Tudor&#8217;s team leader and cycling&#8217;s James Bond, then Scheidecker is M, the Head of Performance working for team owner Fabian Cancellara. Kurt Bergin-Taylor, Tudor&#8217;s Head of Innovation, is Q, the scientist in charge of the research, which is then applied to cycling, like the secret devices or sports car given to James Bond.<\/p>\n<p>Bergin-Taylor, who is from near Manchester, England, is part of the team&#8217;s senior management group and has embraced the Swiss team&#8217;s aptitude and motto of &#8216;Swiss, Human, Performance.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p>He studied Nutrition and Physiology at Loughborough University and has recently completed a PhD. He cut his teeth with Bigham and the British &#8216;boys from Derbados&#8217; track team that used innovative physiology and technology to win World Cup events.<\/p>\n<p>Bergin-Taylor worked with the Canadian track team before the Tokyo Olympics, providing the science that helped win gold and bronze medals and elevated the men&#8217;s team pursuit squad to fifth place. After the COVID-19 pandemic, he worked as a coach for Team DSM, but then in 2023 he jumped at the chance for a more central, innovation and applied science role at Tudor.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The team really allows innovation to be a key theme of our philosophy. It gives us a big strategic direction, that is perhaps quite different to other teams,&#8221; Bergin-Taylor told <em>Cyclingnews <\/em>during an exclusive interview.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;A lot of teams have to think about winning now, but we&#8217;re really fortunate at Tudor. We have a long-term vision and believe that we&#8217;ll gain a competitive advantage on our competitors over the long-term.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;With Tudor, we talked about build or buy, and they really want to build their team for the long-term, which says &#8216;This is us&#8217;.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Tudor have an office near the Silverstone wind tunnel, and their innovation team is packed with scientists, not former pro riders, including David Ogg, who worked for skinsuit expert Vorteq in the past. Another engineer is mentored by Neil Ashton, the British engineer who was part of Team GB&#8217;s &#8216;secret squirrel club&#8217; &#8211; the technical brains behind the nation&#8217;s unparalleled track cycling success in recent decades. Ashton is now a renowned computational engineer and works for Nvidia.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Over the last two years and particularly in the last year, we&#8217;ve built out the innovation team,&#8221; Bergin-Taylor said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;There are now seven of us: three full-time engineers, an industrial designer, a data scientist and PhD students too. We really work with our partners, making better products based on our demands. We also make a lot of internal tools and systems, and we have our own intellectual property.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>One engineer in the Innovation Team focuses on applying the results of their work out on the road with the team. Jonny Wale, who was also part of the Derby-based track squad and the Huub-WattBike team, has a similar role at Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"9c0eb005-0a8a-49b8-8db0-66ad8b966615\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jVbFhrwBiKKCfH9Luq6HPG-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jVbFhrwBiKKCfH9Luq6HPG-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jVbFhrwBiKKCfH9Luq6HPG-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jVbFhrwBiKKCfH9Luq6HPG-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jVbFhrwBiKKCfH9Luq6HPG-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jVbFhrwBiKKCfH9Luq6HPG-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jVbFhrwBiKKCfH9Luq6HPG-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jVbFhrwBiKKCfH9Luq6HPG-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jVbFhrwBiKKCfH9Luq6HPG-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jVbFhrwBiKKCfH9Luq6HPG-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">One of Tudor Pro Cycling&#8217;s key riders, Julian Alaphilippe, challenging at Tirreno-Adriatico <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"working-with-sponsors-to-uncover-the-next-performance-gems-3\">Working with sponsors to uncover the next performance gems <\/h2>\n<p id=\"68ee0b86-bd6c-4773-9be8-7192337c52ba\">Tudor has already benefitted from Bergin-Taylor&#8217;s applied science, just like Remco Evenepoel and Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe are starting to benefit from Bigham&#8217;s talents.<\/p>\n<p>Tudor&#8217;s work with Oakley in late 2024, to design new road racing and time trial helmets, was the innovation team&#8217;s first key project.<\/p>\n<p>Most bike and equipment brands carry out their own research and development and then offer their products and sponsorship cash to teams in exchange for visibility.<\/p>\n<p>At Tudor, R&amp;D is a two-way street, with the team happy to cover part of the costs and push the science and development. The equipment is perhaps designed firstly for professional performance needs, with the brands benefiting from any trickle-down technology for their wider product range.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Both the team and Oakley took responsibility for developing the helmets, which I think is quite unique in pro cycling, but it&#8217;s what we do with all our partners now,&#8221; Bergin-Taylor said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Rather than simply asking Oakley to make us a better helmet and waiting for them to deliver it, we offered our internal resources on aerodynamics, on wind tunnel testing, CFD and computer parametric design. Oakley brought their expertise in helmet design and manufacturing. Together, we made a better product which was more aligned to our demands and in a shorter timeline. We developed the three helmets we use now in just seven months. We&#8217;re super happy with the results, and some independent testing has validated our work.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Indeed, a <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> Labs test showed that the Oakley Velo Mach helmet saved at least seven watts compared to other less aerodynamic road race helmets in the wind tunnel.<\/p>\n<p>During 2025, the Tudor Innovation Team worked intensely with BMC to design a new innovative time trial bike.<\/p>\n<p><em>Escape Collective<\/em>&#8216;s Ronan McLaughlin recently published an insider look at the bike&#8217;s developments with Stefan K\u00fcng racing on it for the first time at the early-season Challenge Mallorca team time trial. More Tudor riders will use the bike in the months ahead, with Tudor hoping to see the combined benefits as every time trial goes by, and especially in the team time trial stage at the Tour de France.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;A normal timeline for bike development is maybe four years, but we were able to do it in just over 12 months, even with a UCI rule change during the process,&#8221; Bergin-Taylor said with pride.<\/p>\n<p>Tudor have other applied science projects underway, with wheel sponsor DT Swiss, tyre sponsor Schwalbe and saddle sponsor Selle Italia. All to provide scientific advantages for the riders.<\/p>\n<p>For the 2026 season, Tudor changed race clothing partner, with Sportful replacing Assos, who in turn replaced Rapha at EF Education-EasyPost. Sportful and Tudor are carrying out combined research and development as skinsuits become ever more personal and weather-dependent.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"782f01ac-5ebd-4750-8fc1-165a18304312\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c5G5AzsE6kkkNxjPrYPNQk-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c5G5AzsE6kkkNxjPrYPNQk-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c5G5AzsE6kkkNxjPrYPNQk-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c5G5AzsE6kkkNxjPrYPNQk-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c5G5AzsE6kkkNxjPrYPNQk-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c5G5AzsE6kkkNxjPrYPNQk-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c5G5AzsE6kkkNxjPrYPNQk-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c5G5AzsE6kkkNxjPrYPNQk-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c5G5AzsE6kkkNxjPrYPNQk-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c5G5AzsE6kkkNxjPrYPNQk-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Stefan K\u00fcng in full flight during an ITT at the Volta ao Algarve, riding the same innovative time trial bike <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Dario Belingheri\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"where-will-the-science-take-cycling-next-3\">Where will the science take cycling next?<\/h2>\n<p id=\"285a888d-8a51-4a8c-8439-5e60ae86724b\">Tudor is a ProTeam in 2026 but intends to grow, improve and score enough UCI ranking points to secure WorldTour status in 2029, when the next team licences are awarded.<\/p>\n<p>They hope the long-term view of their innovation strategy will help them to achieve this major goal.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We have staff who work on innovation for what we call &#8216;tomorrow&#8217;, working on the products and science for the next 12 months, with the information, knowledge and tools we have now. We also have staff who work on three to five-year projects, including PhD students and their professors,&#8221; Bergin-Taylor said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;If you don&#8217;t do that, you&#8217;re not going to crack the really complex stuff. Some of the questions we&#8217;re asking and performance aspects we&#8217;re looking at are going to take a lot of research and understanding. They take time and investment, but once we have done the hard work, we can hopefully take a big jump in performance, not just small incremental gains.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Bigham applies the same research philosophy at Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe. He loves to ask questions based on his past as an elite track rider and Hour Record holder, and is curious about how science and technology are used in other sports.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The fun I enjoy is in unearthing those new gems,&#8221; Bigham said, admitting he is fascinated by the discoveries of Graeme Obree, one of the sport&#8217;s true mavericks and innovators.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m really interested in understanding a piece of knowledge that maybe nobody else knows, and how I can use that to win more bike races. You&#8217;ve got to research it. If you don&#8217;t, someone else will, and you won&#8217;t be ahead.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Performance nutrition and increased carbohydrate digestion have transformed the sport in recent years, fueling more aggressive racing during the Tadej Pogacar era. However, riders have reached the limit of how many carbohydrates they can ingest and assimilate. Training techniques and other performance improvements have also plateaued.<\/p>\n<p>Innovative applied science, especially around improving aerodynamics and thermal dynamics, appears to offer the next improvement in performance. Whoever develops them first will have an advantage on the road.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;To take the next step, you really have to take everything as a whole system, but then focus on rider individualisation,&#8221; Bergin-Taylor suggested.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The peloton is going faster and faster, perhaps even 10% faster. But that&#8217;s not because they&#8217;re 10 per cent fitter, much of that is because of aerodynamic reduction.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The rider is now the biggest unknown and creates about 80 per cent of the aerodynamic drag. Reducing that is going to get you the biggest gains, and that means clothing is really important and a fascinating area to develop.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The flow structures of road racing, even in time trials, are super complicated, they&#8217;re really hard to understand and so to model. It&#8217;s hard for everyone in the sport, but at Tudor, we tell each other that if we crack it, we&#8217;ll have even more of an advantage.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Every rider&#8217;s clothing will be optimised based on each race and their role in it, balancing aerodynamics with heat dissipation.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;In the long term, I think we&#8217;ll see fully individualised aerodynamic development, even for individual races, when the environmental demands are different but have a big impact. That&#8217;s where I think the frontier of cycling development will be,&#8221; Bergin-Taylor predicted.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"fdd93164-0dfd-4b00-bd7e-a640aad61629\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YJCGQg4kSD6QBRyTr8jU7m-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YJCGQg4kSD6QBRyTr8jU7m-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YJCGQg4kSD6QBRyTr8jU7m-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YJCGQg4kSD6QBRyTr8jU7m-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YJCGQg4kSD6QBRyTr8jU7m-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YJCGQg4kSD6QBRyTr8jU7m-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YJCGQg4kSD6QBRyTr8jU7m-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YJCGQg4kSD6QBRyTr8jU7m-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YJCGQg4kSD6QBRyTr8jU7m-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YJCGQg4kSD6QBRyTr8jU7m-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Bigham is already enjoying working alongside multiple-time TT world champion Remco Evenepoel as they search for technical advancements <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Maximilian Fries\/Red Bull Content Pool)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"227ed5d4-a830-4792-9eef-8c40ee767df2\">Bigham sees the same kind of individualisation offering the improvements of the future. Thanks to the Red Bull Formula 1 team, he already has access to an app that predicts the speed profile and power distribution of a race, indicating the best wheel, tyre, and chainring\/cassette combination to use based on the team&#8217;s race strategy.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The question everyone looking at the science of pro cycling is trying to answer is how do we predict what&#8217;s going to happen in a race,&#8221; Bigham admitted.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Then we can decide what the optimal setup is for this rider to do the optimal strategy for those conditions, against whoever we&#8217;re racing against.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Bigham revealed how he is enjoying working with Remco Evenepoel, due to the Belgian&#8217;s open-minded, progressive and motivated attitude.<\/p>\n<p>Evenepoel&#8217;s performance at the UAE Tour was perhaps a surprise step backwards, but he won the time trial and will likely come back stronger after an altitude training camp.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;When you&#8217;re testing with him in the wind tunnel, he&#8217;s always willing to try new things. Sometimes I encounter riders who are completely the opposite, which is frustrating. As an engineer, you&#8217;re always trying to push the boundaries a little, and Remco pulls you in the right direction,&#8221; Bigham recently told Belgian newspaper <em>Het Nieuwsblad<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Bigham, like Bergin-Taylor and everyone in the Tudor Innovation Team, gets a kick from applying their scientific knowledge and curiosity to professional cycling.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I simply try to make riders go faster without them having to put in any extra effort,&#8221; said Bigham, explaining pro cycling&#8217;s innovation race in just a few words.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">TOPICS<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Performance<\/p>\n<p>Road<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-pTanyTv4fowvg6N6Pzwt3X\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-pTanyTv4fowvg6N6Pzwt3X slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Stephen Farrand<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Editor-at-large<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Stephen is one of the most experienced members of the <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> team, having reported on professional cycling since 1994. Before becoming Editor-at-large, he was Head of News at <em>Cyclingnews.<\/em> He has previously worked for <em>Shift Active Media, Reuters<\/em> and <em>Cycling Weekly. <\/em>He is a member of the Board of the Association Internationale des Journalistes du Cyclisme (AIJC).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"mt-6 lg:px-0 relative max-w-[1070px] mx-auto viafoura-twig-component px-4\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class='vfcustom-community-guidelines'&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-lg\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-sm\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UstRqry6qfZFGZJ3rPjTW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UstRqry6qfZFGZJ3rPjTW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UstRqry6qfZFGZJ3rPjTW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UstRqry6qfZFGZJ3rPjTW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UstRqry6qfZFGZJ3rPjTW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Small percentages can make a huge difference&#8217; &#8211; What&#8217;s the science behind cycling&#8217;s long-range attacks?<br \/>\n<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TYHSNBLfjyhwGtMNkQni7V-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TYHSNBLfjyhwGtMNkQni7V-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TYHSNBLfjyhwGtMNkQni7V-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TYHSNBLfjyhwGtMNkQni7V-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TYHSNBLfjyhwGtMNkQni7V-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Training Camps<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We have to protect our riders from burnout&#8217; \u2013 How teams balance performance, success and mental wellbeing against the growing demands of pro cycling<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WFLp48QSRyiEQMJtkqgdZW-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WFLp48QSRyiEQMJtkqgdZW-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WFLp48QSRyiEQMJtkqgdZW-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WFLp48QSRyiEQMJtkqgdZW-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WFLp48QSRyiEQMJtkqgdZW-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Where do cycling&#8217;s super teams spend their millions?<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hrgf3wwSbMzVJGfQnjvCT3-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hrgf3wwSbMzVJGfQnjvCT3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hrgf3wwSbMzVJGfQnjvCT3-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hrgf3wwSbMzVJGfQnjvCT3-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hrgf3wwSbMzVJGfQnjvCT3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">WorldTour Teams 2026 \u2013 A comprehensive guide to the 18 top-tier squads in the men&#8217;s peloton<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3zYYBENJ9tskmxLXKNgv9X-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3zYYBENJ9tskmxLXKNgv9X-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3zYYBENJ9tskmxLXKNgv9X-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3zYYBENJ9tskmxLXKNgv9X-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3zYYBENJ9tskmxLXKNgv9X-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Bikes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Men&#8217;s WorldTour bikes and tech 2026: What are teams using this season?<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Btg4W99JoVrQssqctct76R-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Btg4W99JoVrQssqctct76R-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Btg4W99JoVrQssqctct76R-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Btg4W99JoVrQssqctct76R-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Btg4W99JoVrQssqctct76R-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Training Camps<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;They&#8217;re just normal guys&#8217; \u2013 Finn Fisher-Black gives unique insight into cycling superstars Evenepoel and Poga\u010dar and the effect they can have on a whole team<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qf5hmfnz7bjafbSqfbYewn-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qf5hmfnz7bjafbSqfbYewn-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qf5hmfnz7bjafbSqfbYewn-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qf5hmfnz7bjafbSqfbYewn-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qf5hmfnz7bjafbSqfbYewn-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Training Camps<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">From Peter Sagan to Remco Evenepoel, Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe know how one big superstar can boost a whole team \u2013 will it work again in 2026?<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EpCM7FzrELLiRsgHXsPEzT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EpCM7FzrELLiRsgHXsPEzT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EpCM7FzrELLiRsgHXsPEzT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EpCM7FzrELLiRsgHXsPEzT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EpCM7FzrELLiRsgHXsPEzT-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Tech &amp; Components<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Carbon fibre, special wax, and penis injections: Are the Winter Olympics more technologically advanced than the Tour de France?<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPb5upNCEPAzLQfModUsSY-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPb5upNCEPAzLQfModUsSY-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPb5upNCEPAzLQfModUsSY-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPb5upNCEPAzLQfModUsSY-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPb5upNCEPAzLQfModUsSY-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Tech &amp; Components<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Three unreleased TT bikes and Remco Evenepoel&#8217;s new race machines as Tour de France preparations start early \u2013 Challenge Mallorca tech gallery<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4EchGo2TUu9YnJqTXopAEJ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4EchGo2TUu9YnJqTXopAEJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4EchGo2TUu9YnJqTXopAEJ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4EchGo2TUu9YnJqTXopAEJ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4EchGo2TUu9YnJqTXopAEJ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Eight ways cycling is going to be different in 2026 \u2013 From new peloton dynamics to changes in how we watch the sport<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BwzhRQbqkyJVPvCd3usu7N-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BwzhRQbqkyJVPvCd3usu7N-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BwzhRQbqkyJVPvCd3usu7N-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BwzhRQbqkyJVPvCd3usu7N-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BwzhRQbqkyJVPvCd3usu7N-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Tech &amp; Components<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Prototype Dura Ace wheels, an updated Canyon Aeroad frame and unreleased tyres from Specialized and Michelin &#8211; Opening Weekend tech gallery<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A3AYLmQCDAxLLUSR4ZuHgM-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A3AYLmQCDAxLLUSR4ZuHgM-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A3AYLmQCDAxLLUSR4ZuHgM-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A3AYLmQCDAxLLUSR4ZuHgM-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A3AYLmQCDAxLLUSR4ZuHgM-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Training Camps<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;The evolution of cycling has been beneficial for me&#8217; \u2013 Stefan K\u00fcng buys into Tudor&#8217;s ambitions to take on Tadej Poga\u010dar in the cobbled Classics<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Pro Cycling<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JEwYhVeQpkzNhYf2hBbnv-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JEwYhVeQpkzNhYf2hBbnv-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JEwYhVeQpkzNhYf2hBbnv-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JEwYhVeQpkzNhYf2hBbnv-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JEwYhVeQpkzNhYf2hBbnv-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Emerging Talents<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;A killer sprint in the end&#8217; &#8211; Why a mad dash for Mid South Gravel victory shows a new generation has arrived<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Lr4BgrMCqWGJPmjXGiVJJ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Lr4BgrMCqWGJPmjXGiVJJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Lr4BgrMCqWGJPmjXGiVJJ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Lr4BgrMCqWGJPmjXGiVJJ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Lr4BgrMCqWGJPmjXGiVJJ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Sam Bennett to make long-awaited comeback from heart surgery this week<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hwm2jwednBPPjTeVvvP2pd-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hwm2jwednBPPjTeVvvP2pd-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hwm2jwednBPPjTeVvvP2pd-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hwm2jwednBPPjTeVvvP2pd-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hwm2jwednBPPjTeVvvP2pd-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Milan-San Remo is a scary race&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar reveals his fears and ambitions for Italian Monument<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PcFTGXjQGqdqGxR6XkCnoh-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PcFTGXjQGqdqGxR6XkCnoh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PcFTGXjQGqdqGxR6XkCnoh-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PcFTGXjQGqdqGxR6XkCnoh-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PcFTGXjQGqdqGxR6XkCnoh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Eddy Merckx offers advice to Tadej Poga\u010dar on how to finally win Milan-San Remo, 50 years after taking record seventh title<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Jy98ZtkYg43jDWdkVE6HvW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Jy98ZtkYg43jDWdkVE6HvW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Jy98ZtkYg43jDWdkVE6HvW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Jy98ZtkYg43jDWdkVE6HvW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Jy98ZtkYg43jDWdkVE6HvW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej Poga\u010dar supported by radically revamped UAE Team Emirates-XRG team for Milan-San Remo as he continues quest for victory<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FBjDCdbzt3c9gr7XdyznBi-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FBjDCdbzt3c9gr7XdyznBi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FBjDCdbzt3c9gr7XdyznBi-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FBjDCdbzt3c9gr7XdyznBi-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FBjDCdbzt3c9gr7XdyznBi-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I&#8217;ve struggled with it because I felt like I was more under the watchful eye&#8217; \u2013 Ur\u0161ka \u017digart opens up about handling attention and reaching potential with the belief of her team<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DtXJgLtygp7u9vjSM3YfTA-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DtXJgLtygp7u9vjSM3YfTA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DtXJgLtygp7u9vjSM3YfTA-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DtXJgLtygp7u9vjSM3YfTA-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DtXJgLtygp7u9vjSM3YfTA-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Violent robbery&#8217; caught on camera as British team&#8217;s race bikes ripped from locked roof rack in broad daylight<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xGWFhcTiyVnymtWhbJ8eXb-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xGWFhcTiyVnymtWhbJ8eXb-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xGWFhcTiyVnymtWhbJ8eXb-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xGWFhcTiyVnymtWhbJ8eXb-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xGWFhcTiyVnymtWhbJ8eXb-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Have we already seen a Milan-San Remo dress rehearsal? Here&#8217;s what Tirreno-Adriatico and Paris-Nice might reveal about the first Monument of 2026<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5zPjNU6h2dHErs7g4xmdaS-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5zPjNU6h2dHErs7g4xmdaS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5zPjNU6h2dHErs7g4xmdaS-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5zPjNU6h2dHErs7g4xmdaS-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5zPjNU6h2dHErs7g4xmdaS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Emerging Talents<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">British rider among Lidl-Trek Junior Racing programme that aims to &#8216;find and develop the very best junior talent&#8217;<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bpr6ZyXNF7p45HPm49eKcH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bpr6ZyXNF7p45HPm49eKcH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bpr6ZyXNF7p45HPm49eKcH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bpr6ZyXNF7p45HPm49eKcH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bpr6ZyXNF7p45HPm49eKcH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Eleonora Ciabocco escapes with only cuts and stitches after frightening crash in Trofeo Alfredo Binda<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/82HHzp2Hhx4xV4dghGN6oY-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/82HHzp2Hhx4xV4dghGN6oY-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/82HHzp2Hhx4xV4dghGN6oY-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/82HHzp2Hhx4xV4dghGN6oY-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/82HHzp2Hhx4xV4dghGN6oY-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It&#8217;s unacceptable that our safety keeps being compromised &#8216;for the shot&#8221; \u2013 Two riders almost run over by driver of media vehicle at Mid South gravel<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/omJ8yHuvum67oiGzevZJ3i-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/omJ8yHuvum67oiGzevZJ3i-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/omJ8yHuvum67oiGzevZJ3i-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/omJ8yHuvum67oiGzevZJ3i-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/omJ8yHuvum67oiGzevZJ3i-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;He can&#8217;t do more than what he is doing now&#8217; \u2013 Mads Pedersen aiming for Flemish Classics as Milan-San Remo all but ruled out<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Features<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FBjDCdbzt3c9gr7XdyznBi-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FBjDCdbzt3c9gr7XdyznBi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FBjDCdbzt3c9gr7XdyznBi-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FBjDCdbzt3c9gr7XdyznBi-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FBjDCdbzt3c9gr7XdyznBi-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I&#8217;ve struggled with it because I felt like I was more under the watchful eye&#8217; \u2013 Ur\u0161ka \u017digart opens up about handling attention and reaching potential with the belief of her team<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xGWFhcTiyVnymtWhbJ8eXb-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xGWFhcTiyVnymtWhbJ8eXb-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xGWFhcTiyVnymtWhbJ8eXb-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xGWFhcTiyVnymtWhbJ8eXb-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xGWFhcTiyVnymtWhbJ8eXb-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Have we already seen a Milan-San Remo dress rehearsal? Here&#8217;s what Tirreno-Adriatico and Paris-Nice might reveal about the first Monument of 2026<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Training<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The magic zone \u2013 A deep dive into zone 2 and how taking it steady has become the WorldTour&#8217;s go-to training strategy<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PUqEpX63dGaZQzqKtBHkBG-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PUqEpX63dGaZQzqKtBHkBG-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PUqEpX63dGaZQzqKtBHkBG-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PUqEpX63dGaZQzqKtBHkBG-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PUqEpX63dGaZQzqKtBHkBG-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;For better or worse, teams are here&#8217; &#8211; The rosters in 2026 as riders join forces for off-road alliances as the next evolution of gravel and endurance MTB racing takes shape<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2Q4f5i4XXSAfrWYb4U6g5i-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2Q4f5i4XXSAfrWYb4U6g5i-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2Q4f5i4XXSAfrWYb4U6g5i-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2Q4f5i4XXSAfrWYb4U6g5i-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2Q4f5i4XXSAfrWYb4U6g5i-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;In this role, I have told myself to say yes whenever possible&#8217; \u2013 Alex Dowsett takes us inside the mind of a WorldTour coach<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YejZRDs3Fj2py9HTRRzRHe-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YejZRDs3Fj2py9HTRRzRHe-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YejZRDs3Fj2py9HTRRzRHe-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YejZRDs3Fj2py9HTRRzRHe-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YejZRDs3Fj2py9HTRRzRHe-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Riders to watch at Cape Epic 2026 \u2013 Mountain bike stars, gravel pros and Epic veterans form strong and open field for 700km challenge<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wvvs4nrEgLbhrEshDKLma3-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wvvs4nrEgLbhrEshDKLma3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wvvs4nrEgLbhrEshDKLma3-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wvvs4nrEgLbhrEshDKLma3-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wvvs4nrEgLbhrEshDKLma3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I was breaking power records left, right, and centre last year and still not winning&#8217; \u2013 Adam Yates on the harsh reality of keeping up in modern cycling&#8217;s constantly improving peloton<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TZ5mWVmn4SXoT3aER6LvwC-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TZ5mWVmn4SXoT3aER6LvwC-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TZ5mWVmn4SXoT3aER6LvwC-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TZ5mWVmn4SXoT3aER6LvwC-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TZ5mWVmn4SXoT3aER6LvwC-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico are traditionally the spring&#8217;s most important Grand Tour preparation races, but do they actually tell us anything?<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tpvSkeCzvqy3q8KAbjLPRj-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tpvSkeCzvqy3q8KAbjLPRj-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tpvSkeCzvqy3q8KAbjLPRj-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tpvSkeCzvqy3q8KAbjLPRj-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tpvSkeCzvqy3q8KAbjLPRj-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Sean Kelly&#8217;s Classic column: Tadej Poga\u010dar is unbeatable, but thank God for Paul Seixas<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/o2ipbChNUBJaXjMjqXvg6n-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/o2ipbChNUBJaXjMjqXvg6n-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/o2ipbChNUBJaXjMjqXvg6n-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/o2ipbChNUBJaXjMjqXvg6n-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/o2ipbChNUBJaXjMjqXvg6n-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">There&#8217;s beauty in Poga\u010dar&#8217;s dominance, magic in Siena, and too much of a good thing on the route \u2013 Reflections from Strade Bianche 2026<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fPJMcNx7fMgsTGtDb2iA6m-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fPJMcNx7fMgsTGtDb2iA6m-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fPJMcNx7fMgsTGtDb2iA6m-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fPJMcNx7fMgsTGtDb2iA6m-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fPJMcNx7fMgsTGtDb2iA6m-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The dust, drama, despair, and delight of Strade Bianche 2026 \u2013 Photo gallery<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/d9z42MphDKodCRDAc2kfqn-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/d9z42MphDKodCRDAc2kfqn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/d9z42MphDKodCRDAc2kfqn-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/d9z42MphDKodCRDAc2kfqn-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/d9z42MphDKodCRDAc2kfqn-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">From &#8216;serendipitous start&#8217; at Tour de Georgia to in-depth interviews and investigative work across 20 years, Kirsten Frattini becomes first female Editor of Cyclingnews<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div><source class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6pS5duKXYjzhFBEkw9zVDE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6pS5duKXYjzhFBEkw9zVDE-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6pS5duKXYjzhFBEkw9zVDE-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6pS5duKXYjzhFBEkw9zVDE-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6pS5duKXYjzhFBEkw9zVDE.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6pS5duKXYjzhFBEkw9zVDE.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6pS5duKXYjzhFBEkw9zVDE.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">How can a bike be faster in a crosswind? Explaining the sail effect in aerodynamics<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Sam Bennett to make long-awaited comeback from heart surgery this week<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;Milan-San Remo is a scary race&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar reveals his fears and ambitions for Italian Monument<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Shimano to pay $11.5m penalty following crankset recall for failing to immediately report defect<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Tadej Poga\u010dar supported by radically revamped UAE Team Emirates-XRG team for Milan-San Remo as he continues quest for victory<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Are scientists now more important than star riders? Inside pro cycling&#8217;s race for scientific innovation<\/h1>\n<div class=\"kiosq-member-label\"><span class=\"kiosq-member-label-text\"><b>MEMBER EXCLUSIVE<\/b><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\nFeatures<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\"><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nStephen Farrand <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-03-17T16:32:12Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n17 March 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">As pro cycling gets faster and its biggest teams get richer, more and more focus is being put on the technological arms race going on inside the peloton. Cyclingnews takes an inside look at the sport&#8217;s new frontier <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-700 mb-2 text-[12px] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-gray-700 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RwzmAx5hHT6BiQqZUVka7A-1920-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RwzmAx5hHT6BiQqZUVka7A-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RwzmAx5hHT6BiQqZUVka7A-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RwzmAx5hHT6BiQqZUVka7A-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RwzmAx5hHT6BiQqZUVka7A-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RwzmAx5hHT6BiQqZUVka7A-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RwzmAx5hHT6BiQqZUVka7A-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RwzmAx5hHT6BiQqZUVka7A-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RwzmAx5hHT6BiQqZUVka7A-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RwzmAx5hHT6BiQqZUVka7A-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"mt-2\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images\/Sebastian Marko &amp; 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Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation\" class=\"hidden\">\n<p class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0\">You are now subscribed<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base\">Your newsletter sign-up was successful<\/p>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation__userlogin\" class=\"hidden\">\n<hr class=\"my-5 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"items-start flex flex-col h-full justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flcw-text pb-5 pt-2 leading-[1.3]\"> An account already exists for this email address, please log in.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"2a0e2025-edeb-45d1-8268-e1c4da09f8f4\">It&#8217;s the race behind the race, a secretive scientific battle between the richest and most technologically advanced teams in professional cycling.<\/p>\n<p>Suffering on the road remains a core part of cycling, but training, nutrition and performance physiology have advanced massively in the last three decades, and especially the last ten years.<\/p>\n<p id=\"2a0e2025-edeb-45d1-8268-e1c4da09f8f4-2\">As cycling performance nears its physiological limit, teams are looking to push the scientific boundaries of the sport. Behind the scenes, scientists, engineers and PhD researchers are working in wind tunnels and laboratories, aided by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and artificial intelligence (AI), as they hunt for new marginal \u2013 or even maximal \u2013 gains.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"article-continues-below block py-2 text-sm\">Article continues below <\/span><\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UstRqry6qfZFGZJ3rPjTW-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UstRqry6qfZFGZJ3rPjTW-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;Small percentages can make a huge difference&#8217; &#8211; What&#8217;s the science behind cycling&#8217;s long-range attacks?<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TYHSNBLfjyhwGtMNkQni7V-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TYHSNBLfjyhwGtMNkQni7V-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;We have to protect our riders from burnout&#8217; \u2013 How teams balance performance, success and mental wellbeing against the growing demands of pro cycling<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WFLp48QSRyiEQMJtkqgdZW-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WFLp48QSRyiEQMJtkqgdZW-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Where do cycling&#8217;s super teams spend their millions?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;Cycling wants to believe it&#8217;s a pure form [of sport], but when it comes down to it, technology has a massive bearing,&#8221; Dan Bigham, the Head of Engineering at Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, said in a recent <em>Just Ride Red Bull<\/em> podcast.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;If you don&#8217;t understand the physics of the sport, you can&#8217;t move it forward. You might know that A is faster than B, but do you know why A is faster than B? As soon as you know that, you can make something that&#8217;s faster and so continually move forward.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe hired Bigham last year as Red Bull&#8217;s team ownership fueled their ambitions to become the best team in the sport. Bigham was previously part of a similar, smaller programme at Ineos Grenadiers, and other super teams are also investing in science, prioritising the hiring of wind tunnel experts and performance engineers, even over star riders who can earn UCI ranking points.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Teams are leveraging support from their owners and major sponsors to advance the science of pro cycling. Those who are unable to do so risk being left behind in the innovation race.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Bigham works within the Red Bull Advanced Technologies unit, allowing him to brainstorm with staff from the brand&#8217;s Formula 1 team and other sports and science disciplines. The WorldTour squad are also supported by manufacturer Specialized, providing wind tunnel testing facilities and a design team, thanks to its position as both bike and race clothing supplier.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Lidl-Trek are another outfit focusing far more funding on research and development (R&amp;D), after the supermarket chain bought the team from Trek. AI software platform ServiceNow has become a jersey sponsor, and the Schwarz Group, which owns Lidl, provides massive digital support. The team is building a new headquarters in Germany that will boost the team&#8217;s logistics and performance.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">While UAE Team Emirates-XRG may seem like a traditional squad, managed by former rider Mauro Gianetti, the team has used their large budget to hire expertise in coaching, nutrition, altitude training and aerodynamics. Their demand for excellence encouraged Colnago to design them the best possible bikes at their disposal after the team reportedly tested all of their WorldTour rivals&#8217; bikes in the wind tunnel.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hrgf3wwSbMzVJGfQnjvCT3-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hrgf3wwSbMzVJGfQnjvCT3-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">WorldTour Teams 2026 \u2013 A comprehensive guide to the 18 top-tier squads in the men&#8217;s peloton<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3zYYBENJ9tskmxLXKNgv9X-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3zYYBENJ9tskmxLXKNgv9X-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Men&#8217;s WorldTour bikes and tech 2026: What are teams using this season?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Btg4W99JoVrQssqctct76R-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Btg4W99JoVrQssqctct76R-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;They&#8217;re just normal guys&#8217; \u2013 Finn Fisher-Black gives unique insight into cycling superstars Evenepoel and Poga\u010dar and the effect they can have on a whole team<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Visma-Lease a Bike also don&#8217;t shy away from innovation and reportedly have a new &#8216;secret advantage&#8217; ready for the 2026 season. Lease a Bike owner Pon also owns bike sponsor Cerv\u00e9lo and high-end Italian shoe brand Nimbl, which now provides the team with race clothing developed using thermal mapping and aerodynamic modelling.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;We&#8217;re not blind to what&#8217;s happening around us, and we understand that we won&#8217;t separate ourselves from the rest by copying what others are doing. We try to stay ahead with our own original developments,&#8221; said Visma-Lease a Bike head coach Jacco Verhaeren, who joined the team in 2025 after a successful career as a swimming coach with Australia and France.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"09e01f7d-4921-48dc-95f1-a1b5670b01fa\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PYT6HKrzZUHUn55rXXWLoZ-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PYT6HKrzZUHUn55rXXWLoZ-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PYT6HKrzZUHUn55rXXWLoZ-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PYT6HKrzZUHUn55rXXWLoZ-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PYT6HKrzZUHUn55rXXWLoZ-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PYT6HKrzZUHUn55rXXWLoZ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PYT6HKrzZUHUn55rXXWLoZ-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PYT6HKrzZUHUn55rXXWLoZ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PYT6HKrzZUHUn55rXXWLoZ-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PYT6HKrzZUHUn55rXXWLoZ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">UAE Team Emirates-XRG in action during the team time trial at this year&#8217;s Paris-Nice <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: David Pintens\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"why-innovation-can-be-worth-more-than-a-star-rider-3\">Why innovation can be worth more than a star rider<\/h2>\n<p id=\"85edbbee-caf3-4496-ab54-bf5c78bb9836\">Professional cycling&#8217;s super teams have the financial backing and sponsors to develop their performance arm while simultaneously paying some of the sport&#8217;s biggest names to compete for Grand Tour titles. But what about those teams further down the pecking order?<\/p>\n<p>Tudor Pro Cycling, a ProTeam since only 2023, have opted to invest in innovation rather than solely bulking out their roster with extra team leaders.<\/p>\n<p>At their recent pre-season media day in Spain, new signing Stefan K\u00fcng praised the Swiss team&#8217;s focus on performance. It immediately sparked <em>Cyclingnew<\/em>s&#8217; interest in what Tudor are secretly doing off the bike and in the laboratory.<\/p>\n<p>Their Head of Performance, Ricardo Scheidecker, confirmed to <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> that the Swiss team has a group of scientists and researchers hunting down the next potential marginal gains via applied science. They are known as the Innovation Team.<\/p>\n<p>Long-term financial support from the Tudor watch brand, a Rolex sister company, provides the team with the resources to make immediate performance and technological improvements while also developing a long-term, strategic approach. Few other teams in professional cycling have the same resources and vision.<\/p>\n<p>They prioritised long-term scientific improvement, which can benefit everyone in the team and inspire an innovative culture, ahead of signing a rider who can score 1,000 UCI ranking points per season. Being one of the most scientifically advanced teams in the sport also helps attract the next generation of young talent.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We are quite discreet about this. We don&#8217;t put out photographs of riders in a [wind] tunnel in press releases, that&#8217;s not our style,&#8221; Scheidecker told <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>, in what seems like a dig at rivals Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe and their Particle Image Velocimetry test in the darkness of the Catesby tunnel.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Innovation is about being ahead of the game; it&#8217;s a non-stop process. To lead the way, you need very competent people, competent technical sponsors, and a synergy to put it all together so we can help the riders go as fast as they can.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>If Julian Alaphilippe is Tudor&#8217;s team leader and cycling&#8217;s James Bond, then Scheidecker is M, the Head of Performance working for team owner Fabian Cancellara. Kurt Bergin-Taylor, Tudor&#8217;s Head of Innovation, is Q, the scientist in charge of the research, which is then applied to cycling, like the secret devices or sports car given to James Bond.<\/p>\n<p>Bergin-Taylor, who is from near Manchester, England, is part of the team&#8217;s senior management group and has embraced the Swiss team&#8217;s aptitude and motto of &#8216;Swiss, Human, Performance.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p>He studied Nutrition and Physiology at Loughborough University and has recently completed a PhD. He cut his teeth with Bigham and the British &#8216;boys from Derbados&#8217; track team that used innovative physiology and technology to win World Cup events.<\/p>\n<p>Bergin-Taylor worked with the Canadian track team before the Tokyo Olympics, providing the science that helped win gold and bronze medals and elevated the men&#8217;s team pursuit squad to fifth place. After the COVID-19 pandemic, he worked as a coach for Team DSM, but then in 2023 he jumped at the chance for a more central, innovation and applied science role at Tudor.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The team really allows innovation to be a key theme of our philosophy. It gives us a big strategic direction, that is perhaps quite different to other teams,&#8221; Bergin-Taylor told <em>Cyclingnews <\/em>during an exclusive interview.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;A lot of teams have to think about winning now, but we&#8217;re really fortunate at Tudor. We have a long-term vision and believe that we&#8217;ll gain a competitive advantage on our competitors over the long-term.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;With Tudor, we talked about build or buy, and they really want to build their team for the long-term, which says &#8216;This is us&#8217;.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Tudor have an office near the Silverstone wind tunnel, and their innovation team is packed with scientists, not former pro riders, including David Ogg, who worked for skinsuit expert Vorteq in the past. Another engineer is mentored by Neil Ashton, the British engineer who was part of Team GB&#8217;s &#8216;secret squirrel club&#8217; &#8211; the technical brains behind the nation&#8217;s unparalleled track cycling success in recent decades. Ashton is now a renowned computational engineer and works for Nvidia.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Over the last two years and particularly in the last year, we&#8217;ve built out the innovation team,&#8221; Bergin-Taylor said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;There are now seven of us: three full-time engineers, an industrial designer, a data scientist and PhD students too. We really work with our partners, making better products based on our demands. We also make a lot of internal tools and systems, and we have our own intellectual property.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>One engineer in the Innovation Team focuses on applying the results of their work out on the road with the team. Jonny Wale, who was also part of the Derby-based track squad and the Huub-WattBike team, has a similar role at Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"9c0eb005-0a8a-49b8-8db0-66ad8b966615\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jVbFhrwBiKKCfH9Luq6HPG-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jVbFhrwBiKKCfH9Luq6HPG-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jVbFhrwBiKKCfH9Luq6HPG-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jVbFhrwBiKKCfH9Luq6HPG-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jVbFhrwBiKKCfH9Luq6HPG-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jVbFhrwBiKKCfH9Luq6HPG-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jVbFhrwBiKKCfH9Luq6HPG-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jVbFhrwBiKKCfH9Luq6HPG-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jVbFhrwBiKKCfH9Luq6HPG-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jVbFhrwBiKKCfH9Luq6HPG-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">One of Tudor Pro Cycling&#8217;s key riders, Julian Alaphilippe, challenging at Tirreno-Adriatico <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"working-with-sponsors-to-uncover-the-next-performance-gems-3\">Working with sponsors to uncover the next performance gems <\/h2>\n<p id=\"68ee0b86-bd6c-4773-9be8-7192337c52ba\">Tudor has already benefitted from Bergin-Taylor&#8217;s applied science, just like Remco Evenepoel and Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe are starting to benefit from Bigham&#8217;s talents.<\/p>\n<p>Tudor&#8217;s work with Oakley in late 2024, to design new road racing and time trial helmets, was the innovation team&#8217;s first key project.<\/p>\n<p>Most bike and equipment brands carry out their own research and development and then offer their products and sponsorship cash to teams in exchange for visibility.<\/p>\n<p>At Tudor, R&amp;D is a two-way street, with the team happy to cover part of the costs and push the science and development. The equipment is perhaps designed firstly for professional performance needs, with the brands benefiting from any trickle-down technology for their wider product range.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Both the team and Oakley took responsibility for developing the helmets, which I think is quite unique in pro cycling, but it&#8217;s what we do with all our partners now,&#8221; Bergin-Taylor said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Rather than simply asking Oakley to make us a better helmet and waiting for them to deliver it, we offered our internal resources on aerodynamics, on wind tunnel testing, CFD and computer parametric design. Oakley brought their expertise in helmet design and manufacturing. Together, we made a better product which was more aligned to our demands and in a shorter timeline. We developed the three helmets we use now in just seven months. We&#8217;re super happy with the results, and some independent testing has validated our work.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Indeed, a <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> Labs test showed that the Oakley Velo Mach helmet saved at least seven watts compared to other less aerodynamic road race helmets in the wind tunnel.<\/p>\n<p>During 2025, the Tudor Innovation Team worked intensely with BMC to design a new innovative time trial bike.<\/p>\n<p><em>Escape Collective<\/em>&#8216;s Ronan McLaughlin recently published an insider look at the bike&#8217;s developments with Stefan K\u00fcng racing on it for the first time at the early-season Challenge Mallorca team time trial. More Tudor riders will use the bike in the months ahead, with Tudor hoping to see the combined benefits as every time trial goes by, and especially in the team time trial stage at the Tour de France.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;A normal timeline for bike development is maybe four years, but we were able to do it in just over 12 months, even with a UCI rule change during the process,&#8221; Bergin-Taylor said with pride.<\/p>\n<p>Tudor have other applied science projects underway, with wheel sponsor DT Swiss, tyre sponsor Schwalbe and saddle sponsor Selle Italia. All to provide scientific advantages for the riders.<\/p>\n<p>For the 2026 season, Tudor changed race clothing partner, with Sportful replacing Assos, who in turn replaced Rapha at EF Education-EasyPost. Sportful and Tudor are carrying out combined research and development as skinsuits become ever more personal and weather-dependent.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"782f01ac-5ebd-4750-8fc1-165a18304312\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c5G5AzsE6kkkNxjPrYPNQk-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c5G5AzsE6kkkNxjPrYPNQk-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c5G5AzsE6kkkNxjPrYPNQk-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c5G5AzsE6kkkNxjPrYPNQk-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c5G5AzsE6kkkNxjPrYPNQk-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c5G5AzsE6kkkNxjPrYPNQk-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c5G5AzsE6kkkNxjPrYPNQk-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c5G5AzsE6kkkNxjPrYPNQk-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c5G5AzsE6kkkNxjPrYPNQk-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c5G5AzsE6kkkNxjPrYPNQk-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Stefan K\u00fcng in full flight during an ITT at the Volta ao Algarve, riding the same innovative time trial bike <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Dario Belingheri\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"where-will-the-science-take-cycling-next-3\">Where will the science take cycling next?<\/h2>\n<p id=\"285a888d-8a51-4a8c-8439-5e60ae86724b\">Tudor is a ProTeam in 2026 but intends to grow, improve and score enough UCI ranking points to secure WorldTour status in 2029, when the next team licences are awarded.<\/p>\n<p>They hope the long-term view of their innovation strategy will help them to achieve this major goal.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We have staff who work on innovation for what we call &#8216;tomorrow&#8217;, working on the products and science for the next 12 months, with the information, knowledge and tools we have now. We also have staff who work on three to five-year projects, including PhD students and their professors,&#8221; Bergin-Taylor said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;If you don&#8217;t do that, you&#8217;re not going to crack the really complex stuff. Some of the questions we&#8217;re asking and performance aspects we&#8217;re looking at are going to take a lot of research and understanding. They take time and investment, but once we have done the hard work, we can hopefully take a big jump in performance, not just small incremental gains.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Bigham applies the same research philosophy at Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe. He loves to ask questions based on his past as an elite track rider and Hour Record holder, and is curious about how science and technology are used in other sports.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The fun I enjoy is in unearthing those new gems,&#8221; Bigham said, admitting he is fascinated by the discoveries of Graeme Obree, one of the sport&#8217;s true mavericks and innovators.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m really interested in understanding a piece of knowledge that maybe nobody else knows, and how I can use that to win more bike races. You&#8217;ve got to research it. If you don&#8217;t, someone else will, and you won&#8217;t be ahead.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Performance nutrition and increased carbohydrate digestion have transformed the sport in recent years, fueling more aggressive racing during the Tadej Pogacar era. However, riders have reached the limit of how many carbohydrates they can ingest and assimilate. Training techniques and other performance improvements have also plateaued.<\/p>\n<p>Innovative applied science, especially around improving aerodynamics and thermal dynamics, appears to offer the next improvement in performance. Whoever develops them first will have an advantage on the road.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;To take the next step, you really have to take everything as a whole system, but then focus on rider individualisation,&#8221; Bergin-Taylor suggested.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The peloton is going faster and faster, perhaps even 10% faster. But that&#8217;s not because they&#8217;re 10 per cent fitter, much of that is because of aerodynamic reduction.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The rider is now the biggest unknown and creates about 80 per cent of the aerodynamic drag. Reducing that is going to get you the biggest gains, and that means clothing is really important and a fascinating area to develop.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The flow structures of road racing, even in time trials, are super complicated, they&#8217;re really hard to understand and so to model. It&#8217;s hard for everyone in the sport, but at Tudor, we tell each other that if we crack it, we&#8217;ll have even more of an advantage.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Every rider&#8217;s clothing will be optimised based on each race and their role in it, balancing aerodynamics with heat dissipation.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;In the long term, I think we&#8217;ll see fully individualised aerodynamic development, even for individual races, when the environmental demands are different but have a big impact. That&#8217;s where I think the frontier of cycling development will be,&#8221; Bergin-Taylor predicted.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"fdd93164-0dfd-4b00-bd7e-a640aad61629\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YJCGQg4kSD6QBRyTr8jU7m-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YJCGQg4kSD6QBRyTr8jU7m-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YJCGQg4kSD6QBRyTr8jU7m-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YJCGQg4kSD6QBRyTr8jU7m-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YJCGQg4kSD6QBRyTr8jU7m-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YJCGQg4kSD6QBRyTr8jU7m-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YJCGQg4kSD6QBRyTr8jU7m-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YJCGQg4kSD6QBRyTr8jU7m-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YJCGQg4kSD6QBRyTr8jU7m-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YJCGQg4kSD6QBRyTr8jU7m-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Bigham is already enjoying working alongside multiple-time TT world champion Remco Evenepoel as they search for technical advancements <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Maximilian Fries\/Red Bull Content Pool)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"227ed5d4-a830-4792-9eef-8c40ee767df2\">Bigham sees the same kind of individualisation offering the improvements of the future. Thanks to the Red Bull Formula 1 team, he already has access to an app that predicts the speed profile and power distribution of a race, indicating the best wheel, tyre, and chainring\/cassette combination to use based on the team&#8217;s race strategy.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The question everyone looking at the science of pro cycling is trying to answer is how do we predict what&#8217;s going to happen in a race,&#8221; Bigham admitted.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Then we can decide what the optimal setup is for this rider to do the optimal strategy for those conditions, against whoever we&#8217;re racing against.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Bigham revealed how he is enjoying working with Remco Evenepoel, due to the Belgian&#8217;s open-minded, progressive and motivated attitude.<\/p>\n<p>Evenepoel&#8217;s performance at the UAE Tour was perhaps a surprise step backwards, but he won the time trial and will likely come back stronger after an altitude training camp.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;When you&#8217;re testing with him in the wind tunnel, he&#8217;s always willing to try new things. Sometimes I encounter riders who are completely the opposite, which is frustrating. As an engineer, you&#8217;re always trying to push the boundaries a little, and Remco pulls you in the right direction,&#8221; Bigham recently told Belgian newspaper <em>Het Nieuwsblad<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Bigham, like Bergin-Taylor and everyone in the Tudor Innovation Team, gets a kick from applying their scientific knowledge and curiosity to professional cycling.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I simply try to make riders go faster without them having to put in any extra effort,&#8221; said Bigham, explaining pro cycling&#8217;s innovation race in just a few words.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">TOPICS<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Performance<\/p>\n<p>Road<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-pTanyTv4fowvg6N6Pzwt3X\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-pTanyTv4fowvg6N6Pzwt3X slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Stephen Farrand<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Editor-at-large<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Stephen is one of the most experienced members of the <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> team, having reported on professional cycling since 1994. Before becoming Editor-at-large, he was Head of News at <em>Cyclingnews.<\/em> He has previously worked for <em>Shift Active Media, Reuters<\/em> and <em>Cycling Weekly. <\/em>He is a member of the Board of the Association Internationale des Journalistes du Cyclisme (AIJC).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"mt-6 lg:px-0 relative max-w-[1070px] mx-auto viafoura-twig-component px-4\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class='vfcustom-community-guidelines'&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-lg\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 !text-sm\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UstRqry6qfZFGZJ3rPjTW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UstRqry6qfZFGZJ3rPjTW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UstRqry6qfZFGZJ3rPjTW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UstRqry6qfZFGZJ3rPjTW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UstRqry6qfZFGZJ3rPjTW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Small percentages can make a huge difference&#8217; &#8211; What&#8217;s the science behind cycling&#8217;s long-range attacks?<br \/>\n<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TYHSNBLfjyhwGtMNkQni7V-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TYHSNBLfjyhwGtMNkQni7V-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TYHSNBLfjyhwGtMNkQni7V-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TYHSNBLfjyhwGtMNkQni7V-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TYHSNBLfjyhwGtMNkQni7V-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Training Camps<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We have to protect our riders from burnout&#8217; \u2013 How teams balance performance, success and mental wellbeing against the growing demands of pro cycling<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WFLp48QSRyiEQMJtkqgdZW-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WFLp48QSRyiEQMJtkqgdZW-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WFLp48QSRyiEQMJtkqgdZW-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WFLp48QSRyiEQMJtkqgdZW-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WFLp48QSRyiEQMJtkqgdZW-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Where do cycling&#8217;s super teams spend their millions?<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hrgf3wwSbMzVJGfQnjvCT3-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hrgf3wwSbMzVJGfQnjvCT3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hrgf3wwSbMzVJGfQnjvCT3-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hrgf3wwSbMzVJGfQnjvCT3-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hrgf3wwSbMzVJGfQnjvCT3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">WorldTour Teams 2026 \u2013 A comprehensive guide to the 18 top-tier squads in the men&#8217;s peloton<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3zYYBENJ9tskmxLXKNgv9X-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3zYYBENJ9tskmxLXKNgv9X-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3zYYBENJ9tskmxLXKNgv9X-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3zYYBENJ9tskmxLXKNgv9X-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3zYYBENJ9tskmxLXKNgv9X-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Bikes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Men&#8217;s WorldTour bikes and tech 2026: What are teams using this season?<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Btg4W99JoVrQssqctct76R-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Btg4W99JoVrQssqctct76R-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Btg4W99JoVrQssqctct76R-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Btg4W99JoVrQssqctct76R-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Btg4W99JoVrQssqctct76R-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Training Camps<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;They&#8217;re just normal guys&#8217; \u2013 Finn Fisher-Black gives unique insight into cycling superstars Evenepoel and Poga\u010dar and the effect they can have on a whole team<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qf5hmfnz7bjafbSqfbYewn-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qf5hmfnz7bjafbSqfbYewn-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qf5hmfnz7bjafbSqfbYewn-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qf5hmfnz7bjafbSqfbYewn-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Qf5hmfnz7bjafbSqfbYewn-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Training Camps<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">From Peter Sagan to Remco Evenepoel, Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe know how one big superstar can boost a whole team \u2013 will it work again in 2026?<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EpCM7FzrELLiRsgHXsPEzT-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EpCM7FzrELLiRsgHXsPEzT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EpCM7FzrELLiRsgHXsPEzT-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EpCM7FzrELLiRsgHXsPEzT-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EpCM7FzrELLiRsgHXsPEzT-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Tech &amp; Components<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Carbon fibre, special wax, and penis injections: Are the Winter Olympics more technologically advanced than the Tour de France?<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPb5upNCEPAzLQfModUsSY-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPb5upNCEPAzLQfModUsSY-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPb5upNCEPAzLQfModUsSY-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPb5upNCEPAzLQfModUsSY-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HPb5upNCEPAzLQfModUsSY-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Tech &amp; Components<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Three unreleased TT bikes and Remco Evenepoel&#8217;s new race machines as Tour de France preparations start early \u2013 Challenge Mallorca tech gallery<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4EchGo2TUu9YnJqTXopAEJ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4EchGo2TUu9YnJqTXopAEJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4EchGo2TUu9YnJqTXopAEJ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4EchGo2TUu9YnJqTXopAEJ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4EchGo2TUu9YnJqTXopAEJ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Eight ways cycling is going to be different in 2026 \u2013 From new peloton dynamics to changes in how we watch the sport<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BwzhRQbqkyJVPvCd3usu7N-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BwzhRQbqkyJVPvCd3usu7N-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BwzhRQbqkyJVPvCd3usu7N-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BwzhRQbqkyJVPvCd3usu7N-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BwzhRQbqkyJVPvCd3usu7N-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Tech &amp; Components<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Prototype Dura Ace wheels, an updated Canyon Aeroad frame and unreleased tyres from Specialized and Michelin &#8211; Opening Weekend tech gallery<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A3AYLmQCDAxLLUSR4ZuHgM-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A3AYLmQCDAxLLUSR4ZuHgM-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A3AYLmQCDAxLLUSR4ZuHgM-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A3AYLmQCDAxLLUSR4ZuHgM-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/A3AYLmQCDAxLLUSR4ZuHgM-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Training Camps<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;The evolution of cycling has been beneficial for me&#8217; \u2013 Stefan K\u00fcng buys into Tudor&#8217;s ambitions to take on Tadej Poga\u010dar in the cobbled Classics<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Pro Cycling<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JEwYhVeQpkzNhYf2hBbnv-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JEwYhVeQpkzNhYf2hBbnv-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JEwYhVeQpkzNhYf2hBbnv-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JEwYhVeQpkzNhYf2hBbnv-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JEwYhVeQpkzNhYf2hBbnv-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Emerging Talents<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;A killer sprint in the end&#8217; &#8211; Why a mad dash for Mid South Gravel victory shows a new generation has arrived<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Lr4BgrMCqWGJPmjXGiVJJ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Lr4BgrMCqWGJPmjXGiVJJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Lr4BgrMCqWGJPmjXGiVJJ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Lr4BgrMCqWGJPmjXGiVJJ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3Lr4BgrMCqWGJPmjXGiVJJ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Sam Bennett to make long-awaited comeback from heart surgery this week<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hwm2jwednBPPjTeVvvP2pd-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hwm2jwednBPPjTeVvvP2pd-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hwm2jwednBPPjTeVvvP2pd-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hwm2jwednBPPjTeVvvP2pd-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hwm2jwednBPPjTeVvvP2pd-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Milan-San Remo is a scary race&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar reveals his fears and ambitions for Italian Monument<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PcFTGXjQGqdqGxR6XkCnoh-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PcFTGXjQGqdqGxR6XkCnoh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PcFTGXjQGqdqGxR6XkCnoh-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PcFTGXjQGqdqGxR6XkCnoh-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PcFTGXjQGqdqGxR6XkCnoh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Eddy Merckx offers advice to Tadej Poga\u010dar on how to finally win Milan-San Remo, 50 years after taking record seventh title<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Jy98ZtkYg43jDWdkVE6HvW-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Jy98ZtkYg43jDWdkVE6HvW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Jy98ZtkYg43jDWdkVE6HvW-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Jy98ZtkYg43jDWdkVE6HvW-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Jy98ZtkYg43jDWdkVE6HvW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tadej Poga\u010dar supported by radically revamped UAE Team Emirates-XRG team for Milan-San Remo as he continues quest for victory<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FBjDCdbzt3c9gr7XdyznBi-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FBjDCdbzt3c9gr7XdyznBi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FBjDCdbzt3c9gr7XdyznBi-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FBjDCdbzt3c9gr7XdyznBi-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FBjDCdbzt3c9gr7XdyznBi-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I&#8217;ve struggled with it because I felt like I was more under the watchful eye&#8217; \u2013 Ur\u0161ka \u017digart opens up about handling attention and reaching potential with the belief of her team<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DtXJgLtygp7u9vjSM3YfTA-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DtXJgLtygp7u9vjSM3YfTA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DtXJgLtygp7u9vjSM3YfTA-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DtXJgLtygp7u9vjSM3YfTA-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DtXJgLtygp7u9vjSM3YfTA-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Violent robbery&#8217; caught on camera as British team&#8217;s race bikes ripped from locked roof rack in broad daylight<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xGWFhcTiyVnymtWhbJ8eXb-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xGWFhcTiyVnymtWhbJ8eXb-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xGWFhcTiyVnymtWhbJ8eXb-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xGWFhcTiyVnymtWhbJ8eXb-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xGWFhcTiyVnymtWhbJ8eXb-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Have we already seen a Milan-San Remo dress rehearsal? Here&#8217;s what Tirreno-Adriatico and Paris-Nice might reveal about the first Monument of 2026<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5zPjNU6h2dHErs7g4xmdaS-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5zPjNU6h2dHErs7g4xmdaS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5zPjNU6h2dHErs7g4xmdaS-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5zPjNU6h2dHErs7g4xmdaS-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5zPjNU6h2dHErs7g4xmdaS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Emerging Talents<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">British rider among Lidl-Trek Junior Racing programme that aims to &#8216;find and develop the very best junior talent&#8217;<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bpr6ZyXNF7p45HPm49eKcH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bpr6ZyXNF7p45HPm49eKcH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bpr6ZyXNF7p45HPm49eKcH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bpr6ZyXNF7p45HPm49eKcH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bpr6ZyXNF7p45HPm49eKcH-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Eleonora Ciabocco escapes with only cuts and stitches after frightening crash in Trofeo Alfredo Binda<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/82HHzp2Hhx4xV4dghGN6oY-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/82HHzp2Hhx4xV4dghGN6oY-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/82HHzp2Hhx4xV4dghGN6oY-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/82HHzp2Hhx4xV4dghGN6oY-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/82HHzp2Hhx4xV4dghGN6oY-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It&#8217;s unacceptable that our safety keeps being compromised &#8216;for the shot&#8221; \u2013 Two riders almost run over by driver of media vehicle at Mid South gravel<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/omJ8yHuvum67oiGzevZJ3i-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/omJ8yHuvum67oiGzevZJ3i-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/omJ8yHuvum67oiGzevZJ3i-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/omJ8yHuvum67oiGzevZJ3i-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/omJ8yHuvum67oiGzevZJ3i-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;He can&#8217;t do more than what he is doing now&#8217; \u2013 Mads Pedersen aiming for Flemish Classics as Milan-San Remo all but ruled out<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Features<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FBjDCdbzt3c9gr7XdyznBi-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FBjDCdbzt3c9gr7XdyznBi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FBjDCdbzt3c9gr7XdyznBi-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FBjDCdbzt3c9gr7XdyznBi-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FBjDCdbzt3c9gr7XdyznBi-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I&#8217;ve struggled with it because I felt like I was more under the watchful eye&#8217; \u2013 Ur\u0161ka \u017digart opens up about handling attention and reaching potential with the belief of her team<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xGWFhcTiyVnymtWhbJ8eXb-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xGWFhcTiyVnymtWhbJ8eXb-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xGWFhcTiyVnymtWhbJ8eXb-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xGWFhcTiyVnymtWhbJ8eXb-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xGWFhcTiyVnymtWhbJ8eXb-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Have we already seen a Milan-San Remo dress rehearsal? Here&#8217;s what Tirreno-Adriatico and Paris-Nice might reveal about the first Monument of 2026<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B9pdg2TycJCpTyCz66yVdL-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Training<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The magic zone \u2013 A deep dive into zone 2 and how taking it steady has become the WorldTour&#8217;s go-to training strategy<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PUqEpX63dGaZQzqKtBHkBG-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PUqEpX63dGaZQzqKtBHkBG-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PUqEpX63dGaZQzqKtBHkBG-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PUqEpX63dGaZQzqKtBHkBG-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PUqEpX63dGaZQzqKtBHkBG-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;For better or worse, teams are here&#8217; &#8211; The rosters in 2026 as riders join forces for off-road alliances as the next evolution of gravel and endurance MTB racing takes shape<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2Q4f5i4XXSAfrWYb4U6g5i-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2Q4f5i4XXSAfrWYb4U6g5i-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2Q4f5i4XXSAfrWYb4U6g5i-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2Q4f5i4XXSAfrWYb4U6g5i-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2Q4f5i4XXSAfrWYb4U6g5i-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;In this role, I have told myself to say yes whenever possible&#8217; \u2013 Alex Dowsett takes us inside the mind of a WorldTour coach<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YejZRDs3Fj2py9HTRRzRHe-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YejZRDs3Fj2py9HTRRzRHe-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YejZRDs3Fj2py9HTRRzRHe-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YejZRDs3Fj2py9HTRRzRHe-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YejZRDs3Fj2py9HTRRzRHe-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Riders to watch at Cape Epic 2026 \u2013 Mountain bike stars, gravel pros and Epic veterans form strong and open field for 700km challenge<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wvvs4nrEgLbhrEshDKLma3-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wvvs4nrEgLbhrEshDKLma3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wvvs4nrEgLbhrEshDKLma3-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wvvs4nrEgLbhrEshDKLma3-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wvvs4nrEgLbhrEshDKLma3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I was breaking power records left, right, and centre last year and still not winning&#8217; \u2013 Adam Yates on the harsh reality of keeping up in modern cycling&#8217;s constantly improving peloton<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TZ5mWVmn4SXoT3aER6LvwC-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TZ5mWVmn4SXoT3aER6LvwC-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TZ5mWVmn4SXoT3aER6LvwC-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TZ5mWVmn4SXoT3aER6LvwC-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TZ5mWVmn4SXoT3aER6LvwC-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico are traditionally the spring&#8217;s most important Grand Tour preparation races, but do they actually tell us anything?<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tpvSkeCzvqy3q8KAbjLPRj-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tpvSkeCzvqy3q8KAbjLPRj-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tpvSkeCzvqy3q8KAbjLPRj-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tpvSkeCzvqy3q8KAbjLPRj-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tpvSkeCzvqy3q8KAbjLPRj-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Sean Kelly&#8217;s Classic column: Tadej Poga\u010dar is unbeatable, but thank God for Paul Seixas<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/o2ipbChNUBJaXjMjqXvg6n-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/o2ipbChNUBJaXjMjqXvg6n-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/o2ipbChNUBJaXjMjqXvg6n-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/o2ipbChNUBJaXjMjqXvg6n-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/o2ipbChNUBJaXjMjqXvg6n-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">There&#8217;s beauty in Poga\u010dar&#8217;s dominance, magic in Siena, and too much of a good thing on the route \u2013 Reflections from Strade Bianche 2026<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fPJMcNx7fMgsTGtDb2iA6m-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fPJMcNx7fMgsTGtDb2iA6m-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fPJMcNx7fMgsTGtDb2iA6m-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fPJMcNx7fMgsTGtDb2iA6m-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/fPJMcNx7fMgsTGtDb2iA6m-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The dust, drama, despair, and delight of Strade Bianche 2026 \u2013 Photo gallery<\/span><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/d9z42MphDKodCRDAc2kfqn-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/d9z42MphDKodCRDAc2kfqn-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/d9z42MphDKodCRDAc2kfqn-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/d9z42MphDKodCRDAc2kfqn-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/d9z42MphDKodCRDAc2kfqn-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">From &#8216;serendipitous start&#8217; at Tour de Georgia to in-depth interviews and investigative work across 20 years, Kirsten Frattini becomes first female Editor of Cyclingnews<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div><source class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6pS5duKXYjzhFBEkw9zVDE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6pS5duKXYjzhFBEkw9zVDE-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6pS5duKXYjzhFBEkw9zVDE-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6pS5duKXYjzhFBEkw9zVDE-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6pS5duKXYjzhFBEkw9zVDE.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6pS5duKXYjzhFBEkw9zVDE.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6pS5duKXYjzhFBEkw9zVDE.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">How can a bike be faster in a crosswind? Explaining the sail effect in aerodynamics<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Sam Bennett to make long-awaited comeback from heart surgery this week<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;Milan-San Remo is a scary race&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar reveals his fears and ambitions for Italian Monument<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Shimano to pay $11.5m penalty following crankset recall for failing to immediately report defect<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Tadej Poga\u010dar supported by radically revamped UAE Team Emirates-XRG team for Milan-San Remo as he continues quest for victory<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Are scientists now more important than star riders? Inside pro cycling&#8217;s race for scientific innovation<\/h1>\n<div class=\"kiosq-member-label\"><span class=\"kiosq-member-label-text\"><b>MEMBER EXCLUSIVE<\/b><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"byline\">\nFeatures<\/p>\n<div class=\"text-[13px]\"><span><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nStephen Farrand <\/span><span><br \/>\npublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-03-17T16:32:12Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n17 March 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">As pro cycling gets faster and its biggest teams get richer, more and more focus is being put on the technological arms race going on inside the peloton. Cyclingnews takes an inside look at the sport&#8217;s new frontier <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"mx-auto mb-4 flex items-center justify-start mx-0 my-5 p-0\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-700 mb-2 text-[12px] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-gray-700 [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. 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Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation\" class=\"hidden\">\n<p class=\"sm:text-xl text-base font-bold text-black mb-3 p-0\">You are now subscribed<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-gray-600 mb-4 text-sm sm:text-base\">Your newsletter sign-up was successful<\/p>\n<div id=\"newsletter-modal-confirmation__userlogin\" class=\"hidden\">\n<hr class=\"my-5 h-px bg-gray-300 border-0\">\n<div class=\"items-start flex flex-col h-full justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flcw-text pb-5 pt-2 leading-[1.3]\"> An account already exists for this email address, please log in.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"2a0e2025-edeb-45d1-8268-e1c4da09f8f4\">It&#8217;s the race behind the race, a secretive scientific battle between the richest and most technologically advanced teams in professional cycling.<\/p>\n<p>Suffering on the road remains a core part of cycling, but training, nutrition and performance physiology have advanced massively in the last three decades, and especially the last ten years.<\/p>\n<p id=\"2a0e2025-edeb-45d1-8268-e1c4da09f8f4-2\">As cycling performance nears its physiological limit, teams are looking to push the scientific boundaries of the sport. Behind the scenes, scientists, engineers and PhD researchers are working in wind tunnels and laboratories, aided by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and artificial intelligence (AI), as they hunt for new marginal \u2013 or even maximal \u2013 gains.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"article-continues-below block py-2 text-sm\">Article continues below <\/span><\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UstRqry6qfZFGZJ3rPjTW-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UstRqry6qfZFGZJ3rPjTW-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;Small percentages can make a huge difference&#8217; &#8211; What&#8217;s the science behind cycling&#8217;s long-range attacks?<br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TYHSNBLfjyhwGtMNkQni7V-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TYHSNBLfjyhwGtMNkQni7V-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;We have to protect our riders from burnout&#8217; \u2013 How teams balance performance, success and mental wellbeing against the growing demands of pro cycling<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WFLp48QSRyiEQMJtkqgdZW-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WFLp48QSRyiEQMJtkqgdZW-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Where do cycling&#8217;s super teams spend their millions?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;Cycling wants to believe it&#8217;s a pure form [of sport], but when it comes down to it, technology has a massive bearing,&#8221; Dan Bigham, the Head of Engineering at Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, said in a recent <em>Just Ride Red Bull<\/em> podcast.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;If you don&#8217;t understand the physics of the sport, you can&#8217;t move it forward. You might know that A is faster than B, but do you know why A is faster than B? As soon as you know that, you can make something that&#8217;s faster and so continually move forward.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe hired Bigham last year as Red Bull&#8217;s team ownership fueled their ambitions to become the best team in the sport. Bigham was previously part of a similar, smaller programme at Ineos Grenadiers, and other super teams are also investing in science, prioritising the hiring of wind tunnel experts and performance engineers, even over star riders who can earn UCI ranking points.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Teams are leveraging support from their owners and major sponsors to advance the science of pro cycling. Those who are unable to do so risk being left behind in the innovation race.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Bigham works within the Red Bull Advanced Technologies unit, allowing him to brainstorm with staff from the brand&#8217;s Formula 1 team and other sports and science disciplines. The WorldTour squad are also supported by manufacturer Specialized, providing wind tunnel testing facilities and a design team, thanks to its position as both bike and race clothing supplier.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Lidl-Trek are another outfit focusing far more funding on research and development (R&amp;D), after the supermarket chain bought the team from Trek. AI software platform ServiceNow has become a jersey sponsor, and the Schwarz Group, which owns Lidl, provides massive digital support. The team is building a new headquarters in Germany that will boost the team&#8217;s logistics and performance.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">While UAE Team Emirates-XRG may seem like a traditional squad, managed by former rider Mauro Gianetti, the team has used their large budget to hire expertise in coaching, nutrition, altitude training and aerodynamics. Their demand for excellence encouraged Colnago to design them the best possible bikes at their disposal after the team reportedly tested all of their WorldTour rivals&#8217; bikes in the wind tunnel.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pb-0 pt-2 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 !text-base uppercase sm:text-sm font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hrgf3wwSbMzVJGfQnjvCT3-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hrgf3wwSbMzVJGfQnjvCT3-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">WorldTour Teams 2026 \u2013 A comprehensive guide to the 18 top-tier squads in the men&#8217;s peloton<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3zYYBENJ9tskmxLXKNgv9X-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3zYYBENJ9tskmxLXKNgv9X-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">Men&#8217;s WorldTour bikes and tech 2026: What are teams using this season?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Btg4W99JoVrQssqctct76R-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Btg4W99JoVrQssqctct76R-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"\n                            w-full font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2 text-base font-medium\">&#8216;They&#8217;re just normal guys&#8217; \u2013 Finn Fisher-Black gives unique insight into cycling superstars Evenepoel and Poga\u010dar and the effect they can have on a whole team<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Visma-Lease a Bike also don&#8217;t shy away from innovation and reportedly have a new &#8216;secret advantage&#8217; ready for the 2026 season. Lease a Bike owner Pon also owns bike sponsor Cerv\u00e9lo and high-end Italian shoe brand Nimbl, which now provides the team with race clothing developed using thermal mapping and aerodynamic modelling.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paywall\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&#8220;We&#8217;re not blind to what&#8217;s happening around us, and we understand that we won&#8217;t separate ourselves from the rest by copying what others are doing. We try to stay ahead with our own original developments,&#8221; said Visma-Lease a Bike head coach Jacco Verhaeren, who joined the team in 2025 after a successful career as a swimming coach with Australia and France.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"09e01f7d-4921-48dc-95f1-a1b5670b01fa\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PYT6HKrzZUHUn55rXXWLoZ-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PYT6HKrzZUHUn55rXXWLoZ-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PYT6HKrzZUHUn55rXXWLoZ-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PYT6HKrzZUHUn55rXXWLoZ-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PYT6HKrzZUHUn55rXXWLoZ-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PYT6HKrzZUHUn55rXXWLoZ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PYT6HKrzZUHUn55rXXWLoZ-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PYT6HKrzZUHUn55rXXWLoZ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PYT6HKrzZUHUn55rXXWLoZ-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/PYT6HKrzZUHUn55rXXWLoZ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">UAE Team Emirates-XRG in action during the team time trial at this year&#8217;s Paris-Nice <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: David Pintens\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"why-innovation-can-be-worth-more-than-a-star-rider-3\">Why innovation can be worth more than a star rider<\/h2>\n<p id=\"85edbbee-caf3-4496-ab54-bf5c78bb9836\">Professional cycling&#8217;s super teams have the financial backing and sponsors to develop their performance arm while simultaneously paying some of the sport&#8217;s biggest names to compete for Grand Tour titles. But what about those teams further down the pecking order?<\/p>\n<p>Tudor Pro Cycling, a ProTeam since only 2023, have opted to invest in innovation rather than solely bulking out their roster with extra team leaders.<\/p>\n<p>At their recent pre-season media day in Spain, new signing Stefan K\u00fcng praised the Swiss team&#8217;s focus on performance. It immediately sparked <em>Cyclingnew<\/em>s&#8217; interest in what Tudor are secretly doing off the bike and in the laboratory.<\/p>\n<p>Their Head of Performance, Ricardo Scheidecker, confirmed to <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> that the Swiss team has a group of scientists and researchers hunting down the next potential marginal gains via applied science. They are known as the Innovation Team.<\/p>\n<p>Long-term financial support from the Tudor watch brand, a Rolex sister company, provides the team with the resources to make immediate performance and technological improvements while also developing a long-term, strategic approach. Few other teams in professional cycling have the same resources and vision.<\/p>\n<p>They prioritised long-term scientific improvement, which can benefit everyone in the team and inspire an innovative culture, ahead of signing a rider who can score 1,000 UCI ranking points per season. Being one of the most scientifically advanced teams in the sport also helps attract the next generation of young talent.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We are quite discreet about this. We don&#8217;t put out photographs of riders in a [wind] tunnel in press releases, that&#8217;s not our style,&#8221; Scheidecker told <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>, in what seems like a dig at rivals Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe and their Particle Image Velocimetry test in the darkness of the Catesby tunnel.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Innovation is about being ahead of the game; it&#8217;s a non-stop process. To lead the way, you need very competent people, competent technical sponsors, and a synergy to put it all together so we can help the riders go as fast as they can.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>If Julian Alaphilippe is Tudor&#8217;s team leader and cycling&#8217;s James Bond, then Scheidecker is M, the Head of Performance working for team owner Fabian Cancellara. Kurt Bergin-Taylor, Tudor&#8217;s Head of Innovation, is Q, the scientist in charge of the research, which is then applied to cycling, like the secret devices or sports car given to James Bond.<\/p>\n<p>Bergin-Taylor, who is from near Manchester, England, is part of the team&#8217;s senior management group and has embraced the Swiss team&#8217;s aptitude and motto of &#8216;Swiss, Human, Performance.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p>He studied Nutrition and Physiology at Loughborough University and has recently completed a PhD. He cut his teeth with Bigham and the British &#8216;boys from Derbados&#8217; track team that used innovative physiology and technology to win World Cup events.<\/p>\n<p>Bergin-Taylor worked with the Canadian track team before the Tokyo Olympics, providing the science that helped win gold and bronze medals and elevated the men&#8217;s team pursuit squad to fifth place. After the COVID-19 pandemic, he worked as a coach for Team DSM, but then in 2023 he jumped at the chance for a more central, innovation and applied science role at Tudor.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The team really allows innovation to be a key theme of our philosophy. It gives us a big strategic direction, that is perhaps quite different to other teams,&#8221; Bergin-Taylor told <em>Cyclingnews <\/em>during an exclusive interview.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;A lot of teams have to think about winning now, but we&#8217;re really fortunate at Tudor. We have a long-term vision and believe that we&#8217;ll gain a competitive advantage on our competitors over the long-term.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;With Tudor, we talked about build or buy, and they really want to build their team for the long-term, which says &#8216;This is us&#8217;.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Tudor have an office near the Silverstone wind tunnel, and their innovation team is packed with scientists, not former pro riders, including David Ogg, who worked for skinsuit expert Vorteq in the past. Another engineer is mentored by Neil Ashton, the British engineer who was part of Team GB&#8217;s &#8216;secret squirrel club&#8217; &#8211; the technical brains behind the nation&#8217;s unparalleled track cycling success in recent decades. Ashton is now a renowned computational engineer and works for Nvidia.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Over the last two years and particularly in the last year, we&#8217;ve built out the innovation team,&#8221; Bergin-Taylor said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;There are now seven of us: three full-time engineers, an industrial designer, a data scientist and PhD students too. We really work with our partners, making better products based on our demands. We also make a lot of internal tools and systems, and we have our own intellectual property.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>One engineer in the Innovation Team focuses on applying the results of their work out on the road with the team. Jonny Wale, who was also part of the Derby-based track squad and the Huub-WattBike team, has a similar role at Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"9c0eb005-0a8a-49b8-8db0-66ad8b966615\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jVbFhrwBiKKCfH9Luq6HPG-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jVbFhrwBiKKCfH9Luq6HPG-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jVbFhrwBiKKCfH9Luq6HPG-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jVbFhrwBiKKCfH9Luq6HPG-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jVbFhrwBiKKCfH9Luq6HPG-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jVbFhrwBiKKCfH9Luq6HPG-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jVbFhrwBiKKCfH9Luq6HPG-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jVbFhrwBiKKCfH9Luq6HPG-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jVbFhrwBiKKCfH9Luq6HPG-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jVbFhrwBiKKCfH9Luq6HPG-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">One of Tudor Pro Cycling&#8217;s key riders, Julian Alaphilippe, challenging at Tirreno-Adriatico <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"working-with-sponsors-to-uncover-the-next-performance-gems-3\">Working with sponsors to uncover the next performance gems <\/h2>\n<p id=\"68ee0b86-bd6c-4773-9be8-7192337c52ba\">Tudor has already benefitted from Bergin-Taylor&#8217;s applied science, just like Remco Evenepoel and Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe are starting to benefit from Bigham&#8217;s talents.<\/p>\n<p>Tudor&#8217;s work with Oakley in late 2024, to design new road racing and time trial helmets, was the innovation team&#8217;s first key project.<\/p>\n<p>Most bike and equipment brands carry out their own research and development and then offer their products and sponsorship cash to teams in exchange for visibility.<\/p>\n<p>At Tudor, R&amp;D is a two-way street, with the team happy to cover part of the costs and push the science and development. The equipment is perhaps designed firstly for professional performance needs, with the brands benefiting from any trickle-down technology for their wider product range.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Both the team and Oakley took responsibility for developing the helmets, which I think is quite unique in pro cycling, but it&#8217;s what we do with all our partners now,&#8221; Bergin-Taylor said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Rather than simply asking Oakley to make us a better helmet and waiting for them to deliver it, we offered our internal resources on aerodynamics, on wind tunnel testing, CFD and computer parametric design. Oakley brought their expertise in helmet design and manufacturing. Together, we made a better product which was more aligned to our demands and in a shorter timeline. We developed the three helmets we use now in just seven months. We&#8217;re super happy with the results, and some independent testing has validated our work.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Indeed, a <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> Labs test showed that the Oakley Velo Mach helmet saved at least seven watts compared to other less aerodynamic road race helmets in the wind tunnel.<\/p>\n<p>During 2025, the Tudor Innovation Team worked intensely with BMC to design a new innovative time trial bike.<\/p>\n<p><em>Escape Collective<\/em>&#8216;s Ronan McLaughlin recently published an insider look at the bike&#8217;s developments with Stefan K\u00fcng racing on it for the first time at the early-season Challenge Mallorca team time trial. More Tudor riders will use the bike in the months ahead, with Tudor hoping to see the combined benefits as every time trial goes by, and especially in the team time trial stage at the Tour de France.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;A normal timeline for bike development is maybe four years, but we were able to do it in just over 12 months, even with a UCI rule change during the process,&#8221; Bergin-Taylor said with pride.<\/p>\n<p>Tudor have other applied science projects underway, with wheel sponsor DT Swiss, tyre sponsor Schwalbe and saddle sponsor Selle Italia. All to provide scientific advantages for the riders.<\/p>\n<p>For the 2026 season, Tudor changed race clothing partner, with Sportful replacing Assos, who in turn replaced Rapha at EF Education-EasyPost. Sportful and Tudor are carrying out combined research and development as skinsuits become ever more personal and weather-dependent.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"782f01ac-5ebd-4750-8fc1-165a18304312\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c5G5AzsE6kkkNxjPrYPNQk-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c5G5AzsE6kkkNxjPrYPNQk-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c5G5AzsE6kkkNxjPrYPNQk-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c5G5AzsE6kkkNxjPrYPNQk-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c5G5AzsE6kkkNxjPrYPNQk-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c5G5AzsE6kkkNxjPrYPNQk-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c5G5AzsE6kkkNxjPrYPNQk-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c5G5AzsE6kkkNxjPrYPNQk-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c5G5AzsE6kkkNxjPrYPNQk-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c5G5AzsE6kkkNxjPrYPNQk-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Stefan K\u00fcng in full flight during an ITT at the Volta ao Algarve, riding the same innovative time trial bike <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Dario Belingheri\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"where-will-the-science-take-cycling-next-3\">Where will the science take cycling next?<\/h2>\n<p id=\"285a888d-8a51-4a8c-8439-5e60ae86724b\">Tudor is a ProTeam in 2026 but intends to grow, improve and score enough UCI ranking points to secure WorldTour status in 2029, when the next team licences are awarded.<\/p>\n<p>They hope the long-term view of their innovation strategy will help them to achieve this major goal.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We have staff who work on innovation for what we call &#8216;tomorrow&#8217;, working on the products and science for the next 12 months, with the information, knowledge and tools we have now. We also have staff who work on three to five-year projects, including PhD students and their professors,&#8221; Bergin-Taylor said.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;If you don&#8217;t do that, you&#8217;re not going to crack the really complex stuff. Some of the questions we&#8217;re asking and performance aspects we&#8217;re looking at are going to take a lot of research and understanding. They take time and investment, but once we have done the hard work, we can hopefully take a big jump in performance, not just small incremental gains.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Bigham applies the same research philosophy at Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe. He loves to ask questions based on his past as an elite track rider and Hour Record holder, and is curious about how science and technology are used in other sports.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The fun I enjoy is in unearthing those new gems,&#8221; Bigham said, admitting he is fascinated by the discoveries of Graeme Obree, one of the sport&#8217;s true mavericks and innovators.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m really interested in understanding a piece of knowledge that maybe nobody else knows, and how I can use that to win more bike races. You&#8217;ve got to research it. If you don&#8217;t, someone else will, and you won&#8217;t be ahead.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Performance nutrition and increased carbohydrate digestion have transformed the sport in recent years, fueling more aggressive racing during the Tadej Pogacar era. However, riders have reached the limit of how many carbohydrates they can ingest and assimilate. Training techniques and other performance improvements have also plateaued.<\/p>\n<p>Innovative applied science, especially around improving aerodynamics and thermal dynamics, appears to offer the next improvement in performance. Whoever develops them first will have an advantage on the road.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;To take the next step, you really have to take everything as a whole system, but then focus on rider individualisation,&#8221; Bergin-Taylor suggested.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The peloton is going faster and faster, perhaps even 10% faster. But that&#8217;s not because they&#8217;re 10 per cent fitter, much of that is because of aerodynamic reduction.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The rider is now the biggest unknown and creates about 80 per cent of the aerodynamic drag. Reducing that is going to get you the biggest gains, and that means clothing is really important and a fascinating area to develop.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The flow structures of road racing, even in time trials, are super complicated, they&#8217;re really hard to understand and so to model. It&#8217;s hard for everyone in the sport, but at Tudor, we tell each other that if we crack it, we&#8217;ll have even more of an advantage.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Every rider&#8217;s clothing will be optimised based on each race and their role in it, balancing aerodynamics with heat dissipation.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;In the long term, I think we&#8217;ll see fully individualised aerodynamic development, even for individual races, when the environmental demands are different but have a big impact. That&#8217;s where I think the frontier of cycling development will be,&#8221; Bergin-Taylor predicted.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"fdd93164-0dfd-4b00-bd7e-a640aad61629\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YJCGQg4kSD6QBRyTr8jU7m-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YJCGQg4kSD6QBRyTr8jU7m-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YJCGQg4kSD6QBRyTr8jU7m-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YJCGQg4kSD6QBRyTr8jU7m-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YJCGQg4kSD6QBRyTr8jU7m-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YJCGQg4kSD6QBRyTr8jU7m-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YJCGQg4kSD6QBRyTr8jU7m-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YJCGQg4kSD6QBRyTr8jU7m-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YJCGQg4kSD6QBRyTr8jU7m-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YJCGQg4kSD6QBRyTr8jU7m-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Bigham is already enjoying working alongside multiple-time TT world champion Remco Evenepoel as they search for technical advancements <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Maximilian Fries\/Red Bull Content Pool)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"227ed5d4-a830-4792-9eef-8c40ee767df2\">Bigham sees the same kind of individualisation offering the improvements of the future. Thanks to the Red Bull Formula 1 team, he already has access to an app that predicts the speed profile and power distribution of a race, indicating the best wheel, tyre, and chainring\/cassette combination to use based on the team&#8217;s race strategy.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The question everyone looking at the science of pro cycling is trying to answer is how do we predict what&#8217;s going to happen in a race,&#8221; Bigham admitted.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Then we can decide what the optimal setup is for this rider to do the optimal strategy for those conditions, against whoever we&#8217;re racing against.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Bigham revealed how he is enjoying working with Remco Evenepoel, due to the Belgian&#8217;s open-minded, progressive and motivated attitude.<\/p>\n<p>Evenepoel&#8217;s performance at the UAE Tour was perhaps a surprise step backwards, but he won the time trial and will likely come back stronger after an altitude training camp.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;When you&#8217;re testing with him in the wind tunnel, he&#8217;s always willing to try new things. Sometimes I encounter riders who are completely the opposite, which is frustrating. As an engineer, you&#8217;re always trying to push the boundaries a little, and Remco pulls you in the right direction,&#8221; Bigham recently told Belgian newspaper <em>Het Nieuwsblad<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Bigham, like Bergin-Taylor and everyone in the Tudor Innovation Team, gets a kick from applying their scientific knowledge and curiosity to professional cycling.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I simply try to make riders go faster without them having to put in any extra effort,&#8221; said Bigham, explaining pro cycling&#8217;s innovation race in just a few words.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/are-scientists-now-more-important-than-star-riders-inside-the-worldtours-race-for-scientific-innovation\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RwzmAx5hHT6BiQqZUVka7A-1920-80.jpg&#8221;] Pro Cycling Are scientists now more important than star riders? Inside pro cycling&#8217;s race for scientific innovation MEMBER EXCLUSIVE Features By Stephen Farrand published 17 March 2026 As pro cycling gets faster and its biggest teams get richer, more and more focus is being put on the technological arms race going on [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,68],"class_list":["post-1833333","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-cyclingnews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1833333","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1833333"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1833333\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1833333"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1833333"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1833333"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}