“Entitled” driver moans about “extremely irritating” children cycling to school “chatting” and taking up “whole road”; Endura launches ‘Don’t be a helmet. Wear one’ campaign… with fake crash; NSN’s Barca kit; Mini G; Hideous Ineos? + more on the live blog

Here’s our latest batch of cool things to get you excited for the 25th…

> Garmin’s latest power meter pedals, a £325 front light from Exposure + more cool things from Rapha, Oquo and Magicshine

The Ineos Grenadiers are certainly busy at the moment finalising some last-minute signings for 2026, as newly installed director of racing Geraint Thomas hopes to usher in a new era for cycling’s sleeping giant – and give it an almighty shake in the process.  

Yesterday, the news of Jack Haig’s arrival from Bahrain-Victorious was finally confirmed, while rumours persist that Derek Gee, or even Oscar Onley, could be set to join the Australian climber soon enough.

But, if the online reaction to leaked photos of the team’s new kit is anything to go by, perhaps Ineos should have spent a bit more time in the design room this winter.

Because, let’s just say the squad’s 2026 look – first spotted on Filippo Ganna at their Spanish training camp and then officially teased by the team at the weekend – is, ahem, interesting:

Oh wow… it’s hideos

[image or embed]

— Tim Bonville-Ginn (@timbonvilleginn.bsky.social) December 6, 2025 at 9:35 PM

Grey shorts. Grey shorts.

“Oh wow, it’s hideous,” Tim Bonville-Ginn wrote on BlueSky, summing up the overall reaction to the orange-white-grey design (considering this is the team who led the very cool, if slightly outdated now, early 2010s all-black trend).

“That is aggressively unattractive,” added Gustibus, while another fan asked: “Oh my. Is it too late to make changes?”

“The top third is good. Did they run out of orange?” asked Nick.

“They forgot to brief Ganna about not washing them in the same load as his jeans. Or leaning up against anything, ever,” joked Bev. “That kit makes me want to actively look away.”

“Looks horrible, like traffic cones,” noted Christoph, while cycling author Rob Whittle asked: “Carlton’s going to call them the Carrot and Mayonnaises, isn’t he?”

Deary me, Rob, why’d you even bring that up?!

And finally, Anna Mac asked: “Did Jack sign for them before he’d seen the new kit?”

That’s bound to be worth a contract annulment, surely? What do you reckon? Have Ineos gone hideous? Or have you been crying out for the return of grey shorts in the peloton since the days of Cervelo’s 2010 summer kit?

If you’re still down in the dumps about Geraint Thomas’s retirement from racing, Cycling Souvenirs has just released the perfect G-themed pick-me-up: the ‘Geraint Thomas Legacy Pack’, featuring six mini versions of Cardiff’s Tour de France winner.

Yes, that’s right. The online shop – which specialises in, you guessed it, cycling souvenirs – is now selling a pack of six mini G figurines, all based on the Fonderie Roger miniature cyclists first popularised in the 1950s and commemorating different phases of the Welsh star’s career.

There’s Barloworld G, Commonwealth Games G, Sky G, British champ G, Tour winner G, and eyeing up the pub 2025 G. Unfortunately, there’s no ‘getting blown off the road at the 2015 Gent-Wevelgem G’ or ‘Riding the Tour prologue with a gilet G’, but still, it’s a pretty good collection.

If that isn’t the perfect Christmas stocking filler, ready to be perched on your desk in echelon formation, I don’t know what is. And the price? Hold on, I’ll just check… Oh. Apparently, it’s £125 for the whole set.

Well, I suppose even at that price they’re better than another mind-numbing ‘According to G’ book…

Yesterday, I asked you for your thoughts on whether Oscar Onley, fresh from his fourth place at this year’s Tour de France, should rip up his contract with Picnic PostNL and move to the Ineos Grenadiers, amid reports that the British squad are interested in pursuing a last-minute deal for the Scottish star.

And, according to two-thirds of our live blog readers, Onley should stay put, for the time being anyway:

Well, that’s that decided then Oscar.

> British Cycling brings in corporate finance consultants and creates new events wing to “supercharge commercial growth” amid declining membership figures

A classic of the genre here, courtesy of cycling lawyer Rory McCarron, who this morning spotted a taxi perched precariously on a supposedly protected bike lane in Greenwich:

Absolutely no idea how that happened. I wonder if his meter’s still running?

Speaking of eye-catching new designs for 2026, Lidl-Trek announced yesterday that Gatorade is returning to the peloton and joining the team as its new official ‘hydration partner’.

So I’ll be very disappointed if Lidl-Trek don’t pay homage to this striking Laurent Fignon look at some point next season:

Vuelve La Casera, vuelve Gatorade.
Sólo me falta el KAS.? https://t.co/imlmU8hiDI pic.twitter.com/R3HtKYTJe1

— De lejarreta y sean kelly. (@gurpeazkar) December 8, 2025

Proper style.

Brace yourself, folks, it’s that time of the year again: New Kit Reveal Season!

Ineos decided to kick off the most tedious part of the cycling calendar with a drip, drip teaser approach for their divisive orange, white, and grey look.

Now it’s the turn of the Cycling Team Formerly Known As Israel-Premier Tech to unveil their new rebranded threads for 2026.

And in an attempt to really emphasise the squad’s shift away from its old Israeli identity to a more Spanish flavour (no matter how many times Sylvan Adams rocks up to a team training camp), NSN Cycling have gone for light blue, white, and orange design inspired by the squad’s “home city” of Barcelona:

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by NSN Cycling Team (@nsncyclingteam)

“Introducing our 2026 jersey, inspired by NSN’s home city of Barcelona,” the team said on Instagram.

“Its design blends geometry, colour blocks, and patterns reminiscent of contemporary BCN. This is a city that never stands still, where tradition meets modernity, movement becomes identity, and where people dare to dream big.

“The jersey also features hints of the Rwanda Imigongo artform as a nod to the team’s ongoing Racing for Change project.”

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by NSN Cycling Team (@nsncyclingteam)

I have to say, it’s good timing to go down the Barcelona-loving route, especially with next year’s Tour de France set to start in the Catalan capital.

‘Hey, don’t protest us racing the Tour – this is our home city! Israel? Never heard of it?’

In other news, where has all this love for orange come from in the peloton? First Ineos, now NSN – maybe orange really is the new black.

> Seven people arrested after counterfeit Specialized manufacturers busted in Chinese police raid

Another perfect example of that whole driver entitlement thing, and why paint – whether it’s the cycle lane or double yellow lined variety – simply isn’t up to the job:

Another reason why cycle lanes need physical protection: driver entitlement (3x) Probably the same people who will claim that cyclists don’t follow the Highway Code? ?C18, Deptford Church Street,

[image or embed]

— Wundelin (@wundelin.bsky.social) December 8, 2025 at 7:08 PM

One of its board members may have had to step down last month, after being found guilty of careless driving following a collision which left a cyclist with serious injuries, but the London Marathon Foundation is at least putting its money where its mouth is when it comes to backing active travel.

Alongside Transport for London, the London Marathon’s charitable wing has awarded over £550,000 in funding this week to support initiatives run by community groups as part of the capital’s Walking and Cycling Grants London (WCGL) programme.

The funding has been granted to 61 new projects and 119 continuing schemes, including initiatives designed to boost cycling among traditionally underrepresented groups, such as group rides for older and disabled people and socially isolated women, schemes to boost cycling participation among women from ethnically diverse backgrounds, and bike maintenance workshops for the LGBTQ+ community.

“The WCGL scheme aims to make walking and cycling more representative of London’s diverse communities, with successful projects targeting a wide range of groups,” TfL said in a statement.

“These include individuals from underrepresented ethnic communities, those living with disabilities, people on low income, homeless people, refugees, asylum seekers, and the LGBTQ+ community.

“TfL and the London Marathon Foundation are committed to making active travel an easier option for all road users, with walking and cycling options integrated across the network. The WGCL scheme aims to improve participants’ confidence in walking and cycling in London, while enabling people to connect with their local communities, learn new skills, and improve their physical and mental health.”

Since 2016, more than 100,000 Londoners have been involved in WCGL projects, with more than 11,000 participants taking part this year alone. In total, the programme has supported 476 projects across London’s boroughs over the last 10 years, “helping to embed healthier, more sustainable travel choices into everyday life”, Transport for London says.

“The Mayor and I share a vision for a London where everyone can walk and cycle confidently as part of their daily journeys,” London’s walking and cycling commissioner Will Norman said in a statement.

“That’s why I’m delighted that TfL’s grants programme continues to support community groups in breaking down barriers to active travel for traditionally underrepresented groups.

“The Mayor and I remain committed to supporting projects that help Londoners from all backgrounds stay healthy and connected with their communities as we build a greener, better London for everyone.”

Meanwhile, Mike Diaper, Group Funding and Impact Director at the London Marathon Foundation, added: “Providing opportunities for more people to walk and cycle is vital for the physical, social and environmental wellbeing of our capital.

“In the five years we’ve co-funded Walking and Cycling Grants London with TfL, we’ve helped more than 60,000 people from underserved communities to take part in walking and cycling – supporting our vision to inspire activity – and will be helping many more get active through the wide-range of projects announced today.

“That’s why we’re delighted to extend this partnership for a further three years, so that together, we continue to make the benefits of walking and cycling accessible to even more communities across London.”

One of Norway’s two elite bike races, the Tour of Norway – won this year in dominant style by Matthew Brennan – will not take place in 2026, following “surprise cuts” from the country’s government, organisers Fjords Cycling confirmed this week.

Earlier this year, the organisers had announced that the 2.Pro stage race was set to expand from four days to five for 2026, with the women’s race stepping up a level, a boost in prestige for Norwegian cycling at the same time Uno-X Mobility secured promotion to the men’s WorldTour.

However, those plans have been scrapped, and the race put on hold, after Norway’s Labour government unveiled its budget last week, leading to the withdrawal of state funding. The race had been organised as a joint venture between the state (who provided much of the financial backing) and a group of local cycling club and business volunteers.

But with the Norwegian state’s backing now gone, the organisers were left with no alternative but to cancel next year’s races.

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Tour of Norway (@tourofnorway)

“After the government’s surprising cuts, there is no financial basis to continue working on next year’s event,” race general manager Roy Hegreberg said in a press release.

“The board of Fjords Cycling, which is behind the Tour of Norway, has therefore decided to stop work on the event. Fjords Cycling is 100 per cent owned by volunteer cycling clubs, and does not have capital or sufficient lifting capacity on its own.

“I respect that the parliamentary majority prioritizes as they do, but I would have liked to have seen contact in advance. This came like a bolt from the blue, and there has been little willingness to dialogue with us.

“A decade-long partnership between the public sector, business, and volunteering is now disappearing without warning. With it, the positive impact the race has had on both cycling and local communities is also disappearing.

“To our 150–200 volunteers, and everyone who contributes to the Tour of Norway every year: Thank you so much for making the race possible. We are sorry that we cannot welcome you back in 2026.

“We will do everything we can to ensure that this is a temporary setback, not the end of the Tour of Norway.”

After a year plagues by protests and acrimony, for the newly rebranded NSN Cycling Team everything, as ITV’s football commentary Clive Tyldesley once famously uttered, is full speed ahead Barcelona for 2026.

Gone, at least superficially, are the last divisive vestiges of the squad’s Israeli identity, replaced by Swiss registration and a Catalan character, aided by their new kit’s homage to Barcelona and just in time for the city to host the Tour de France’s Grand Départ next July.

And when it comes to Barcelona, there aren’t too many sporting figures more beloved by the city than footballing legend Andrés Iniesta, a key component of Barcelona’s four European Cup triumphs this century and the scorer of the winning goal that secured Spain’s tiki-taka World Cup triumph in 2010.

> From ‘no surrender’ to NSN: Barcelona legend Andrés Iniesta’s company takes over Sylvan Adams’ Israel project – but what’s next for cycling’s most controversial team?

And now, Iniesta – through NSN, the sports and entertainment management company he founded with businessman Joel Borras in 2018 – now co-owns a cycling team, after NSN and Geneva-based investment bank Stoneweg joined forces to buy Israel-Premier Tech’s licence.

And speaking at the unveiling of the squad’s new kit, as well as its star signing Biniam Girmay, Iniesta says he’s excited about delving into a sport he says he used to watch with his grandfather.

“Cycling has always been a passion of mine, alongside football. I’m delighted to be experiencing it from the inside now,” the 41-year-old said.

“This is a very important step for NSN on every level. We’re excited and motivated, eager to share our knowledge and to keep improving. We can’t wait to enjoy the journey ahead.”

“This new step is meaningful on many levels. It’s not only about sport, it’s about everything that surrounds sport: the values, the excitement, the community,” the former Barca midfielder also told the BBC at the event, where he posed for photos alongside Jake Stewart, one of the team’s five-strong British contingent, along with Stevie Williams, Ethan Vernon, Lewis Askey, and Joe Blackmore.

“I’m excited to dive deeper into cycling, learn more, and appreciate the huge amount of work behind every rider,” Iniesta added.

“The goal for the team is simple: keep growing, enjoy the journey, and show what a united team can achieve – because, in the end, only one rider wins, but the collective effort is what will define us.”

Marketing is an artform, or so they say. And it’s fair to say, with their latest ad campaign, Endura are aiming for performance art.

This morning, the Scottish cycling brand unveiled its latest billboard on London’s Quaker Street encouraging helmet use featuring the slogan: “Don’t be a helmet. Wear one” (well, they would say that, they do sell helmets after all).

But if you look closely, you may spot something other than just a Dan Walker-inspired slogan:

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Endura (@enduraofficial)

Yep. A bike, perched on its battered wheel, kept in place, rather helpfully, by a convenient saddle angle and an even more conveniently placed block of wood, seemingly in the aftermath of a ‘crash’.

“You can’t park there mate! Our first big campaign for helmets and someone’s crashed into it!” Endura posted on Instagram. Right.

Rather remarkably, some Instagram users appear to have fallen for Endura’s elaborate marketing ploy. Or at least they’ve pretended to, anyway.

“When the universe delivers,” wrote (Endura-sponsored) mountain biker Charlotte Thompson. Or more like when the marketing team delivers.

> Endura designs “world’s most graphic cycle helmets” featuring CAT scans of cyclists’ brain injuries to encourage helmet wearing

But at least Endura weren’t pushing too hard on keeping up the ruse.

“Perfect placement – is the rider a graphic designer?!” asked Matt Ray, prompting brand to reply: “It was a TikToker. Brace yourself for some content!”

“Perfect product placement,” added another Insta user.

“What’re the chances, eh?” said Endura. Well, it’s got people talking anyway.

Bikes buses are great.

Led by parents and teachers, once a week children can cycle to school alongside their friends as part of their own pedal-powered ‘bus’, enabling them to ditch the car and enjoy an active, fun morning commute.

They’ve been praised by cycling campaigners as a “smart and simple way to build confidence, reduce local traffic, and make streets friendlier for everyone”, while Jo Mouton, who runs a bike bus in Bath, noted that riding together makes children “feel safe”.

However, bike buses have also proved successful when it comes to winding up a certain kind of motorist.

For example, last December, a heartwarming TikTok video showing children riding to school as part of a bike bus in Worcester provoked an avalanche of anti-cycling comments, as users of the social media platform lined up to accuse the kids of holding traffic up, riding in the middle of the road, and not paying insurance or tax.

And in October, during Cycle to School Week, another clip of a bike bus, this time in Bath, sparked a helmet row in the comments section of the local paper, with the ride’s leader accused of setting a “poor example” by not wearing a lid.

> “What an odd thing to say”: Motorists fulfil clairvoyant campaigners’ prophecy by commenting “roads are for cars” and demanding “road tax” from children cycling safely on viral TikTok video

And now, the very sight of a bike bus down in Dorset has caused a driver to go off on a rant about all those “extremely irritating” children… riding their bikes to school.

“Does anyone else find the bike bus extremely irritating?” the anonymous user posted on the All Things Christchurch Facebook page.

“They take up the whole road, ride along chatting like no-one else can get by them, worst of all cycling right in the middle of the road. That isn’t teaching the children how to ride their bikes properly! Just something to think about.”

The anonymous user’s “morning moan” didn’t quite go the way they planned, however, instead sparking dozens of supportive comments from locals about the initiative, turning the post, as one cyclist said, into a “celebration of the bike bus”.

“Honestly the entitlement of that driver’s attitude towards kids cycling to school together and safely once a week, I’d like to say is unbelievable but sadly it just isn’t,” wrote Charmaine.

“The tragedy of it is that person won’t be alone in holding that attitude either.”

“I’m just bewildered how people think this way,” added Robb. “If the kids weren’t in the bike bus, most of them would be travelling to school by car – does the poster think that is a congestion-free option?!?”

> “No helmet? What a role model”: Video of children cycling to school sparks meltdown, as drivers blast Bike Bus leader for riding without a helmet and kids for not wearing hi-vis, cutting corners, and holding up traffic

Meanwhile, Lucie Allen, the founder and leader of the Barrack Road Bike Bus, told the anonymous poster: “I find your comments rather sad. Finding a group of children and adults cycling to school in a group, once a week, ‘extremely irritating’ says more about you than the Bike Bus.

“The stretches of road we ride along (Barrack Road is too dangerous) are very short and so if we did hold you up it wouldn’t have been for more than a minute. We take the safety of the bike bus extremely seriously, with volunteer marshals at the front and rear. The children are asked to cycle on the left (about a metre from the kerb as learned in Bikeability course) with the parent on the right to supervise and protect them.

“We would much rather cycle along a protected cycle lane along Barrack Road than deal with multiple junctions. I assume you’re campaigning for a safe cycle route for schoolchildren?”

I wouldn’t hold my breath on that one.