Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Thursday, January 1, 2026
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2024 Tour de France | 2024 Giro d'Italia
I was the conductor of the Underground Railroad for eight years, and I can say what most conductors can't say; I never ran my train off the track and I never lost a passenger. - Harriet Tubman
Bill McGann’s book Why Your Bike Is Made in Asia: My career in bicycles as I watched two continents squander an industry is available in print, Kindle eBook & Audiobook versions. To get your copy, just click on the Amazon link on the right.
Current racing:
- January 1: GP Sven Nys
Upcoming racing:
- January 17 - 25: Tour Down Under
- January 25: Classica Comunitat Valenciana 1969-GP Valencia
- January 28 - February 1: Challenge Ciclista Mallorca
- February 1: Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race
Latest completed racing:
- December 30: Superprestige Diegem
- December 29: Trofee Loenhout-Azencross
- December 26: World Cup Gavere
- December 23: Superprestige Heusden-Zolder
- December 14: World Cup Namur
- November 16: Trofee Hamme-Flandriencross
- November 1: Trofee Oudenaarde-Koppenbergcross
- October 26: Superprestige Overijse-Vlaamse Druivencross
- October 14 - 19: Tour of Guangxi
- October 14 - 19: Tour of Holland
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Here’s the team’s news:
Team Visma | Lease a Bike has unveiled its new kit for the 2026 season. Under the tagline New Season, New Skin, the team marks the start of a new cycling year. The kit has been designed with a focus on performance and comfort for the riders, while ensuring visibility for fans along the road and on screen.
The 2026 Kit
The kit has been developed as a second skin: it moves with the rider, provides comfort and support in a variety of conditions, and enhances the overall race experience. At the same time, the design ensures recognition within thepeloton and serves as a clear point of identification for fans along the road and on screen.
Team Visma | Lease a Bike remains true to the signature yellow, complemented by more black details that add contrast and sharpness to the design. The striking yellow enhances the team’s visibility. Subtle patterns referencing beehairs have been incorporated into the fabric, symbolizing the collective strength and teamwork that characterize Team Visma | Lease a Bike.
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The kit was developed in collaboration with Nimbl, further expanding the existing partnership. While Nimbl was already responsible for the team’s cycling shoes, the brand now also provides high-performance on-bike apparel. With itsextensive expertise in research and product development, Nimbl contributed to the new design, setting a new standard of quality and performance: apparel that protects, moves with the rider, and functions like a second skin.
Richard Plugge, General Manager of Team Visma | Lease a Bike, is enthusiastic about the new kit: "A new season always means evaluating, improving, and building further. Our 2026 kit reflects that approach: recognizable in who we are, yet with attention to detail and development. Together with our partners, we continue to explore ways to support our riders in achieving their best performance."
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Vervaeke’s Team Soudal Quick-Step posted this:
In our last blog of 2025, the experienced Belgian looked back on his fourth season with the Wolfpack.
“I’m looking back on my season with satisfaction. I’m happy and proud with of year I had, especially with the first individual victory I got. I had won the TTT in UAE with the guys a couple of years ago, but this time it was completely different. I remember we did a recon of the course before the race and I really liked the parcours, as I knew a hard finale like the one in the Yitti Hills would suit me. I had a great day and good legs, which allowed me to keep everyone else behind.
Louis Vervaeke racing in stage 6 of the 2025 Vuelta a España. Sirotti photo
"The first months of the season made me confident I could go to the Tour de France, and I started the Critérium du Dauphiné with a lot of motivation, but I broke my collarbone there and had to skip the Grande Boucle. On the other hand, I was fresher for the second part of the season and had two strong months in August and September. I came close to wearing the KOM jersey at the Vuelta, fought for the stage win on three occasions and left the race with plenty of beautiful memories.
"At the end of the month, I travelled to Rwanda for the World Championships, which was a memorable experience, especially since it was my first time in Africa. Then the Europeans followed, and there I had better legs, and I was content I could help Remco fight for a medal. It was one of my best days on a bike, and finishing so close to the top ten rounded it out.”
“Cycling has changed since my first days as a pro, but I continue to love it and remain committed to it. Next year will be my 13th in the pro peloton and I hope to start it as strong as I finished the previous one, continue to race by going on the offensive – because it’s something that suits me – and grab every opportunity that I get. I hope for a solid season, with many wins for the team and plenty of memorable moments.
"At the same time, because I have a lot of experience and a career with ups and downs, it helps me guide the young guys on the team, keep them relaxed and calm. It’s a role that I like having, because it comes naturally. We have many talented riders on the squad and I want to help them become better and reach the highest level possible. It’s something I really enjoy doing and I’m glad that my teammates appreciate this, that’s the best reward at the end of the day.”
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