Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Back to news and opinion index page for links to archived stories | Commentary | Our YouTube page
2025 Tour de France | 2025 Giro d'Italia
The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and left untried. - G. K. Chesterton
Les Woodland's book Tour of Flanders: The Inside Story - The rocky roads of the Ronde van Vlaanderen is available in print, Kindle eBook and audiobook versions. To get your copy, just click on the Amazon link on the right.
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:
- January 1: GP Sven Nys
- 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
Content continues below the ads
Here’s the team’s news:
Human Powered Health has partnered with Verge Sport for a new team kit in 2026.
Debuting in-race at the Santos Tour Down Under on January 17, the new design retains the team’s trademark color gradient whilst introducing a new texture we dub ‘Tailwind’, designed to embody speed, motion, and momentum.
Human Powered Health riders in theor 2026 racing kits.
The Human Powered Health logo takes center stage, paired with Verge, HumanGO, Wahoo and long-term supporters Kelly Benefits, featured prominently across the upper chest. Wheel and bike partners Black Inc and Factor Bikes adorn the sleeves. “Partnering with Verge Sport marks an exciting step forward for our program,” says Ro De Jonckere, General Manager. “Their commitment to innovation and performance aligns perfectly with our own ambitions. The 2026 elevates performance with world-class technology and strengthens the identity that defines Human Powered Health. We’re proud to bring this refreshed look to the Women’s WorldTour as we advance together.”
Content continues below the ads
Verge was also present at the Wellesley Performance Lab in October and our recent training camp in Spain for bespoke fitting for the athletes.
“They are really invested in getting the best individual fit for our riders,” continues De Jonckere. “Meeting with them the first time at our testing camp in Boston and again at training camp in Spain to fine-tune and tailor the clothing to the rider, showing their commitment to innovation and performance.”
They are beliefs echoed by Verge Sport founder Michael Magur.
“This is a world-class program with values that mirror our own – progress, innovation, and elevating women’s cycling on the global stage,” says Magur. “To see our apparel supporting these elite athletes in the Women’s WorldTour is an honor and a milestone for Verge.”
As well as retaining the rich, sweeping warm-to-cool color gradient that represents Human Powered Health’s Pillars of Performance, core to the 2026 look is a speed-evoking sweeping overlay named ‘Tailwind’.
“The concept came from the idea of ‘having the wind at our backs’ as we look ahead to a new season, new goals, and striving as an organization to reach a new level of performance,” says Sam Wiebe, Creative Director. “We wanted to visualize wind, motion and momentum. We wanted to maintain our trademark brand gradient, but we wanted to add a new layer, a texture, these streaks of visualized ‘wind’, to add our tailwind to the design.”
Features throughout the Verge kit mean Human Powered Health athletes are ready to compete at the top level.
“Our goal is simple: give every rider an immediate competitive advantage,” explains Magur. The new Human Powered Health kit uses our fastest fabrics, wind-tunnel-tested patterning, and rider-specific tailoring developed during individual fittings with the team. From our aerodynamic woven sleeves to ultra-breathable, cooling-engineered fabrics and refined panel shaping, every detail is built to deliver comfort, speed, and WorldTour-level performance. This is the same technology Verge athletes have relied on to win Tour de France stages and Olympic gold medals.”
The new partnership will also benefit fans on their own fitness journeys, keen to emulate the pros and elevate women’s cycling.
“This partnership allows us to bring fans closer to the team than ever before,” says Magur. “Throughout the season, we’ll release behind-the-scenes content, athlete-driven product insights, and special activations that celebrate Human Powered Health riders and the communities that support them. Expect contests and giveaways tied to major races — including chances to win official team-issue kits. Together, we want to grow the sport and make fans feel part of the journey.”
Content continues below the ads
Here’s the team’s news:
The WorldTour team XDS Astana Team is delighted to announce its new partnership with the French company EKOÏ, one of the leading brands in cycling apparel. Under this collaboration, EKOÏ will become the official supplier of cycling kits and eyewear for the team’s riders.
2026 XDS Astana jersey by Ekoi.
“EKOÏ is a well-known and respected brand in the world of cycling, and I am very pleased that we are entering the new three-year World Tour cycle together. We had an excellent and productive 2025 season, and I am confident that, with EKOÏ’s support, XDS Astana Team will continue to progress. I look forward to achieving even more victories in the gear of our new partner”, – said Alexandr Vinokurov, General Manager of XDS Astana Team.
“We are thrilled to announce our partnership with XDS Astana Team, which includes the supply of apparel and glasses. Our collaboration began with a meeting with Alexandr Vinokurov at the start of the Tour de France in Lille. Seeking an innovative partner with expertise in aerodynamics and protection against cold and rain, we quickly reached an agreement. XDS Astana Team embodies an offensive spirit and remarkable resilience at the highest global level. It is a team I truly admire”, – emphasized Jean-Christophe Rattel, founder of EKOÏ.
About EKOÏ:
Founded in 2001 in Roubaix and now based in Fréjus, EKOÏ has quickly established itself as a leading brand in the international cycling equipment market (road, mountain bike, triathlon). A pioneer in online sales since 2008, EKOÏ offers premium products that combine stylish design with technical features, providing excellent value for money. The company develops gear that meets the needs of top-level athletes: every detail, from aerodynamics to thermal comfort, is designed to optimize performance for cyclists and triathletes.
Back to news and opinion index page for links to archived stories | Commentary