Rapha ends partnership with EF teams; Tadej Pogačar wins again; Israeli pro hits back as Israel-Premier Tech announce identity change; Tour of Britain Men & Women announce equal 5-day races for 2026; + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
Active Travel England launch £1 million 'Innovation fund'
Yep, this story kind of does exactly what it says. But it does beg the question of what does this actually mean and, a personal favourite question to ask: ‘Is this a big number?’
According to the press release in our inbox, small and medium-sized businesses will be able to apply for grants of up to £100,000 ” to help them deliver bold and innovative initiatives that enable more people to walk, wheel or cycle.”
The funding is “backing entrepreneurs and creative and ambitious projects to improve the nation’s health and kickstart economic growth.”
All-round nice man Chris Boardman says “The Active Travel Innovation Fund will help turn great ideas into real improvements for people who walk, wheel, or cycle.”
He adds “Enabling more people to get about under their own steam is one of the most important interventions we can make to improve the nation’s health, so it’s crucial that we support bold projects that will help us do this.”
But a £1 million spread over in grants of £100,000 is… 10 proposals. 10 businesses will be given small amounts of money with which they are tasked with enacting “engagement and behaviour change” with regard to active travel. No specific infrastructure innovation or intended technological development. It all seems a bit abstract for us, especially when we report regularly on the direct impact that infrastructure seems to have.
Hopefully we’re wrong, and maybe this is a failure of government communication. The same press release kindly reminds us of the £300 million pledged to local authorities in February to build active travel infrastructure across the country. Let’s just hope that these small businesses can deliver behavioural value for their active travel money.
Bike manufacturer Merida changes its migrant worker policy after Giant's imports blocked by US over forced labour allegations
The news comes after Giant told us it was “committed to openness and transparency” and is in contact with US Customs over the allegations of a report which saw its bicycle imports to the US blocked. Giant confirmed it is monitoring its “Zero Recruitment Fee Policy and upgraded employee housing conditions” following allegations, which included abuse of vulnerability, debt bondage and withholding of wages.
Dates confirmed for 2026 Tour of Britain as Men's and Women's races become five-stages long
The Tour of Britain this morning announced that both the Men’s and Women’s editions will be five stages long in 2026, making them equal length for the first time in their history. The Tour of Britain Women will take place from the 19th – 23rd August before the Tour of Britain Men is held from 2nd – 6th September. Details of the route for each race has not yet been announced.
Since British Cycling took over Britain’s flagship bike race, the women’s race has been four stages long whilst the men’s race has been six. It seems a natural step therefore to equalise the two and the move has been welcomed by British Cycling’s big names.
Former race winner and world champion Lizzie Deignan said, “Throughout my career I’ve always championed women’s sport and races, so it is brilliant to see British Cycling has pushed for full parity in the number of stages at the Lloyds Tour of Britain women and men.”
Geraint Thomas added “The crowds in Britain are the best in the world, so having the women’s and men’s races so close together will bring an unmatched buzz and create a carnival atmosphere to roadsides across the UK.”
The Tour of Britain’s move follows on from the Tour de Suisse that announced that the women’s and men’s races would be held in the same place and on the same day, with the men’s race shortening from eight to five stages as a result.
The Tour of Britain Women, formerly known as the Women’s Tour, was run by Sweetspot from 2014 to 2022 and its length eventually extended from four to six stages. The Men’s edition was eight stages long from 2004 until the death of Queen Elizabeth cut short the race in 2022. Since British Cycling took over the running of the race from Sweetspot last year, it has been six stages long.
The men’s race was won last month by Romain Grégoire ahead of former world champions Remco Evenepoel and Julian Alaphilippe. The women’s race was won in June by Ally Wollaston after edging out British prodigy Cat Ferguson on the final day.
Cycling footballer Héctor Bellerín wins BBC sustainability award
We normally steer clear of football but today we’ll make a brief exception. Spanish full-back Héctor Bellerín became something of a cult hero at Arsenal thanks to his pace, adopted London accent and curious fashion sense. Now playing for for Real Betis, he’s been recognised for his environmentalism which includes cycling to training.
The BBC’s Green Sports awards took place yesterday where Bellerín was announced as a ‘global champion’. As a professional footballer, he was recognised for using his platform to promote various environmental causes, including planting 60,000 trees and becoming a shareholder at ‘vegan’ club Forest Green Rovers. He also has a sustainable fashion brand.
“We need greener cities, with fewer cars,” he said in an interview with the BBC. “With sustainability comes empathy and compassion. These are all traits that you get when you decide to take care of the place that gives you life.”
“I’ve been doing this stuff for a very long time, talking about sustainability not just in sport but in our everyday life,” Bellerin says. “I really appreciate [the award] because it means that all the work and effort to promote a message that I think is really important, has been seen and appreciated.”
Congratulations Héctor!
Women's racing round-up: Borghini bounces back
The autumn classics are in full-swing and this morning has seen Elisa Longo Borghini claim her latest win over newly crowned European champion Demi Vollering at Tre Valli Varesine. The pair broke free to contest for victory and finished 20 seconds ahead of a chase led by EF Education-Oatly’s Noemi Rüegg. Longo Borghini’s win is the perfect bounceback for the Giro d’Italia champion after missing out on a medal at the Worlds and Europeans on terrain that was suited to her attributes.
Meanwhile at Binche Chimay Binche, a Josie Nelson breakaway couldn’t prevent a bunch sprint where, expertly led by her SD Worx teammates, Lorena Wiebes took the victory ahead of Ireland’s Lara Gillespie.
In the men’s equivalent races taking place as we speak, breakaway are up the road in both, with UAE pacing for Tadej Pogacar in Italy and a powerful move containing Victor Campenaerts and Jonas Abrahamsen trying to break the elastic in Belgium. We’ll have more for you on those races later…
South Ayrshire MP opposes town centre cycle lanes
A plan to revamp and revitalise high streets in Ayr town centre has been opposed by the town’s MP.
The Accessible Ayr project will involve road resurfacing as well as creating new pavements, street furniture and pavements to complement new cycle lanes. The proposal is being delivered by South Ayrshire Council, Ayrshire Roads Alliance and the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust (formerly Sustrans).
But Elaine Stewart says the project would “squander valuable public funds” according to the Ayr Advertiser.
“While I wholeheartedly support sustainable transport initiatives, the disruption this particular scheme will cause to our local business community – and by extension, our local economy – far outweighs any projected benefits.
“The proposed cycle lane in the heart of our town centre now places its economic vitality at serious risk.”
Stewart, a Scottish Labour MP first elected last year, also said that businesses were angry about the loss of six parking spaces in the town centre, the loss of a taxi rank and a potential loss in footfall.
A public forum is being held later today to discuss the proposals with local residents. However it is understood that the proposals are unlikely to be completely cancelled at this stage.
"And to all our haters, this one is for you, from my whole heart" - Israeli pro hits back after Israel-Premier Tech announce brand changes
We reported yesterday on the news that Israel-Premier Tech will be changing their name and nationality for 2026, and that team owner Sylvan Adams will “no longer speak on behalf of the team”.
The news is presumably of some relief to riders alike who had increasingly found themselves working in a difficult position given their team’s connections to and support of the state of Israel. Last month the UN labelled Israel’s military offensive a genocide and the team has been beset by numerous protests, race invite withdrawals, and sponsor ultimatums.
But one rider who has put his head above the parapet is Israeli sprinter Oded Kogut. Kogut took the biggest win of his career last month at Gooikse Pijl and continued his strong form by winning the final stage at the Cro Race (Tour of Croatia). Cause for celebration and, for the former Israeli national champion, a statement…
“Couldn’t ask for a better ending to this tour in Croatia than a victory with the best team and with my family to celebrate!” Kogut wrote.
“Thank you all @israelpremiertech boys, it wouldn’t be possible without you! Riders, directors, mechanics and staff ❤️”
“And to all our haters, or everyone who thought to kick us out of this sport this one is for you, from my whole heart 🫶🏻” he concluded.
The 24-year-old has spent his entire career at the team since it was known as the Israel Cycling Academy so it’s fair to say he owes his career to the cycling project that bears his country’s name. And he’s not alone.
“So proud of you brother! Bring us many more of these,” wrote Nadav Raisberg, Kogut’s teammate and compatriot.
“The pride of our lives.” wrote Omer Shapira, former pro and Israeli Olympian.
The comments reflect a tension for billionaire Sylvan Adams, funding a team that can no longer act as an explicit ambassador for Israel as he intended when investing in the project, but still has an Israeli core within the team and a devoted following inside the country. For now, we’ll wait and see what new identity the team adopts and how far removed the team becomes from its original name. In the meantime, Kogut’s form ensures we’ll be keeping tabs on his social media for more than one reason.
Men's Racing round-up: same stuff, different day
In his first outing for UAE Team Emirates since doubling up at the World and European Championships, Tadej Pogačar showed no sign of slowing down at Tre Valli Varesine. Today he attacked on a descent with a relatively tame 22km remaining. Only Quinn Simmons tried to go with him but the American soon paid the price and the Slovenian was soon out of sight. Tom Pidcock was among those trying to animate the group behind, at one point briefly forming a split before the group came back together for a reduced bunch sprint. There, in a photo finish, another two-time World Champion Julian Alaphilippe was edged out for second by young Danish prodigy Albert Withen Philipsen. A former junior World Champion and still only 19 years old, between him and French talent Paul Seixas, the future looks very bright indeed!
Meanwhile in Belgium the men’s Binche – Chimay – Binche, Jordi Meeus won the bunch sprint ahead of Nils Eekhoff and Christophe Laporte, the Frenchman recording his best result since a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to illness. Ethan Vernon was the best Brit in fifth.
Cyclist held in Iran since June cleared of spying charges
While there was a level of uncertainty around the exact charges Lennart Monterlos faced, it is understood he faced accusations of espionage, prompting his family to demand his release and argue he was “innocent of everything”.
> French-German cyclist held in Iran since June now cleared of spying charges
Rapha ends seven-year partnership with EF Pro Cycling
It’s the end of an era of weird and wonderful kits as Rapha has announced it will be ending its partnership with the EF Pro Cycling teams managed by Jonathan Vaughters.
It’s a perfect excuse for us to share some of their wackiest looks from the past few years courtesy of the team and the Gruber maestro photographers.
Announcing the end of the agreement, Rapha CEO Fran Millar said “Rapha is leaving the WorldTour – for now. We will be back. EF Pro Cycling has a unique spirit which we will always respect and champion.
“But we have made the decision to broaden our horizons and increase our impact across other, progressive areas of elite and participation cycling. This does not mark the end of our support for the world’s most talented and charismatic riders. The next chapter begins now.
EF General Manager Vaughters said: “EF Pro Cycling and Rapha set out to disrupt the world of cycling together back in 2019. Over the last seven years we did just that: the Alternative Calendar, the unexpected collabs, the jerseys people couldn’t ignore.
“We made some noise, and brought new people into our sport along the way. To me, that is the hallmark of a successful partnership.”
Incidentally, our news editor Dan should have some major Rapha news to share in the next week or so…
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@Smoggysteve "Most would happily ride on the roads and be treated with respect by drivers". But people aren't - and as far as I can see they won't be. Not until there is a lot less driving and it's slower around cyclists, and far more people driving have "skin in the game" eg. they sometimes cycle and their friends and family do also. That's what leads to the model - which is perhaps most advanced in NL - where cycling, walking and driving are all seen as separate normal transport modes. Their needs, vulnerabilities and any dangers to others are considered. And *that* leads to "mix / share when possible, separate when necessary". But "possible" is "where your 10-year old would be safe to cycle unsupervised" - so very few motor vehicles, going slow! And AFAICS everybody - even "existing cyclists" - is happy with the result. (I dunno about a few pro cyclists - but don't they tend to have training camps in different counties anyway?)
@quiff as an Edinburgh resident I can confidently say he's speaking without moving his lips in one sense: - while as I noted in a separate comment there *is* now some real separated cycle infra, all the examples i can think of have *at least as much space* for pedestrians. The rest of the "cycle infra" is essentially similar to the situation in the rest of the UK: eg. bus lanes*, cycle lanes and shared use paths (eg. "build" infra by sticking up a sign). Edinburgh is one of the places with a moderately extensive network of former railways which have been converted to "shared use" paths (completely motor traffic few). However though shared they are not narrow by UK standards. And this is all effectively a "free extra" for all non- motorised users, not like the "sign a cycle path" where pedestrians do lose space. I think this all comes from the "popular understanding" of cycling in which ultimately cyclists are the "other". They don't fit "motor vehicle" or "pedestrian" (including wheelchairs on the very rare occasions people think about that). Thus "cyclists are cheating" in multiple ways! They shouldn't get their own space as "there aren't enough" of them. And "they can just use the road / path". But being able to *choose* "on the road" or "on the footway" (shared use path) is clearly unfair - nobody else gets to do that! BUT of course even if they did pick just one of road OR pedestrian space it's still not fair anyway because they're "too slow" for the road (don't pay "road tax" etc...) and "far too fast" for pedestrians... * Though some existing cyclists may appreciate them when there are few buses, buses and bikes are a very poor mix for several reasons.
Whilst a shame for any employees, their bib shorts had the worst chamois pad I’d ever encountered, utter waste of my money. Even though they were Strava challenge discount purchases, still a waste of money.
Thanks, just going to have to suck it up. Got next week off and will take the easy, if expensive option...
@ktache Just go for the TNT Sports only package, £30.99 for a month. Alternatively have you considered experimenting with a VPN for a few pounds, allowing you to sign up for a free stream abroad, e.g. SBS Australia which streams the Tour live? If I didn't have a kind mate's login that's what I'd do!
So, it's now the month of July and I'm going to have to pay to watch the TdF, for one month only. On a tablet unfortunately, as I didn't manage to get a laptop to rig up to the TV, grrr. Just wondering, what package will I have to fork out for? Not wanting to pay for the wrong one...
Not that it sounds like a dealbreaker given the other faults you've identified, but that cable isn't really a "proprietary" cable, four pin magnetic cables like that are quite common on bone-conducting headphones and other devices (my inexpensive smartwatch uses one) and they can be had for £4.99 on UK Amazon.
There was never really anything to say about le col kit. Most of it was alright. Some of it was poorly designed/made. Trying to position yourself as a Rapha competitor whilst always offering 40% or more off doesn't scream premium though.
Up next in the MucOff product line; for when the cassette won't budge, (chain)whip-it!
31 thoughts on “Rapha ends partnership with EF teams; Tadej Pogačar wins again; Israeli pro hits back as Israel-Premier Tech announce identity change; Tour of Britain Men & Women announce equal 5-day races for 2026; + more on the live blog”
” … small and medium-sized
” … small and medium-sized businesses will be able to apply for grants of up to £100,000 ” to help them deliver bold and innovative initiatives that enable more people to walk, wheel or cycle.”
First attempt at uploading a photo. How much would it cost to develop the tooling to make these in numbers?
Perhaps – Or just use
Perhaps – Or just use Sheffields and the cash goes further. Because those who get it don’t need the point made, those who don’t seem not to *want* to get it.
And motor vehicles will continue to be driven into either type, damaging them and attached bikes…
Adding convenient and
Adding convenient and efficient to the first two adjectives. One gotta work a bit harder for 100 grand.
Ranty Highwayman posted the
Ranty Highwayman posted the origin of those red/green red light signs last week.
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/markphilpotts_heres-a-post-from-alex-robson-which-a-fuels-activity-7380950066678898688-cLNu?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAADX8tN4BOFUbh0i3TRb7D81qa-D_qco9mRE
Excellent and measured – what
Excellent and measured – what the world needs (but apparently doesn’t want / doesn’t get the monetised attention / doesn’t suit the combative politician).
In other news I find he’s also doing a collaboration with Robert Weetman looking at side-road junctions for Manchester. Part of me wants to shout “just do it like NL already” of course but they’re both well aware of those and old hands in the infra game, so I will watch their project with interest!
https://therantyhighwayman.blogspot.com/2025/10/what-makes-side-road-junctions.html
Obviously Kogut isn’t going
Obviously Kogut isn’t going to bite thé hand that’s feeding him …
darnac wrote:
Let’s see which teams will now invite him to ride for them 😀
BTW funny how a guy who won a C-class race nobody has heard about believes he’s a role model now. The guy must be desperate.
No, he’s doing what he’s paid
No, he’s doing what he’s paid for – in all ways…
tomlew wrote:
It’s a UCI 2.1 event, there is no such thing as a “C class” professional race, so stop trying to denigrate by sneering someone who has achieved something of which you could never dream. If you’ve never heard of the CRO Race then you’re not much of a cycling fan, given that it’s been won in the past by riders of the stature of Vincenzo Nibali, Matej Mohric, Adam Yates and Brandon McNulty. Furthermore there is nothing in his statement that even remotely shows he “believes he’s a role model”. The only thing that’s desperate is your attempt to put him down.
A little over thé top as a
A little over thé top as a reply to tomlew, perhaps he’s as upset as many others are about thé whole Gaza situation.
darnac wrote:
As indeed am I and I find Israel’s behaviour abhorrent and support a free Palestinian state. Why would being “upset about the whole Gaza situation” excuse making such pathetic comments about an individual professional rider who has taken a prestigious stage win and has not attempted to do anything like what he is accused of?
Boum boum!
Boum boum!
Just because you never heard
Just because you never heard of a bike race does not make you a non cycling fan Anyone who rides there bike for fun and enjoys it is a cycling fan. Some people just enjoy the sport and dont worry about what the pros are doing on TV.
It was pretty clear that the
It was pretty clear that the context of the previous comments was cycling as a sport and therefore ‘cycling fan’ meant ‘fan of the sport of cycling’, so your comment is rather spurious.
Don’t you mean irrelevant or
Don’t you mean irrelevant or inaccurate rather than spurious?
It was also irrelevant
It was also irrelevant (though I’d say inaccurate is debatable). But no – I meant spurious, as in illegitimate, or more formally “based on something that has not been correctly understood and therefore false”. It pretended to be an honest critique of the comment, but was really intentionally misrepresenting it.
How do you know it was
How do you know it was intentional?
You’re right – I can’t be
You’re right – I can’t be sure it was intentional – they could just be a hallucinating AI bot or something. Makes no odds as to it’s spuriosity, though.
Though in thé end ‘fan’ or
Though in thé end ‘fan’ or ‘enthusiast’ what does it matter? When I was cycling up my local col this morning trying to catch up a fat guy on an electric mountain bike and pretending hé was Pogi and I was Remco, which was I fan or enthusiast (or knackered)?
Mybike wrote:
It is quite clear to any English speaker that if someone says they are a “fan” of a particular sport they mean that they enjoy watching that sport. Someone who enjoys cycling for its own sake and doesn’t care about racing is a cycling enthusiast, they would not call themselves a cycling fan.
Modern-day Westerners are
Modern-day Westerners are unable to understand that, in some parts of the world*, people are willing to speak out their minds and display their patriotic pride regardless of potential retaliations.
*The decadent and broke wokie-leftie EU is actually a source of continuous amazement in Asia.
MaxiMinimalist wrote:
Blimey – would that be the wokie types in Hungary or Italy?
You do seem to be speaking twaddle – which of course over here doesn’t come with any retaliation other than a few strangers doing the equivalent of tutting or pointing and laughing on the Internet.
Are you pining for the return of an Adolf, Francisco or Benito? If asia is your model do you prefer the forthright patriotism on display in say Turkey, Russia or China? Those *patriotically* speaking their minds there in favour of a better vision of their country (or any different one) aren’t risking potential retaliation – it’s almost certain…
chrisonabike wrote:
I thought they were from Kashyyyk.
Wait – I saw one on Endor?!
Wait – I saw one on Endor?! What was it doing there? This doesn’t make sense!
I was in Budapest a few weeks
I was in Budapest a few weeks ago. One day, a Tuesday I think it was, I saw a bird. possibly a jackdaw, swoop down, whack a bloke on the back of the head and fly off again. He wasn’t wearing a hat. What was the question again?
There are great flocks of
There are great flocks of jackdaws in Richmond Park, they are very cute when they come up to beg for crumbs at the cafés. However they don’t usually hit people round the back of the head because nearly everybody wears helmets, it wouldn’t be worthwhile.
Rendel Harris wrote:
They wait in the trees for treats. One of them swooped down and took a chocolate bar out of my hand before I could finish it. Not so much begging as daylight robbery.
perce wrote:
Not surprising, really – jackdaw-sized ones are really hard to get hold of.
Am I missing a literary
Am I missing a literary reference?!?
No, it’s Perce and he’s back
No, it’s Perce and he’s back on form – good to see him back. Now just waiting for the names of bands he used to watch
darnac wrote:
Compared to those who took the money, kept quiet and only found a spine and a soap box once they had left the team. If it was such an emotional burden on them they could gave said as much and quit straight away.