Your summary of cycling news, both on- and off-road, as dual-threat van der Poel returns to the cyclocross course and again wins, though appears far from dominant. Elsewhere, Pogačar announces his 2026 plan, Matthew Brennan re-ups with Visma, the World Champ commits to TDU — and a much bigger star than Pogi, MVDP or any other cyclist teases a new bike from Canyon.
TOP STORY:
- (Mostly) As Scripted: MVDP Wins in Namur
RACE NEWS
- Brand Dominates in Namur
- Vandeputte, Van der Heijden Win in Pre-Hype Kortrijk
- Women’s Rainbow Jersey and Defending Champ Heading to Adelaide
- Cycling Canada Announces Roster for Annual Christmas Cross
RIDER, TEAM AND GENERAL ROAD CYCLING NEWS
- Pogačar Releases 2026 Race Schedule
- Matthew Brennan Extends Contract with Team Visma | Lease a Bike
- UAE Team Emirates Unveils New Kit
- Another “New” Kit: Lidl-Trek
- Movistar Team Unveils 2026 Season Plans in Valencia
- LeBron Teases New Canyon on Instagram
(Mostly) As Scripted: MVDP Wins in Namur
That Mathieu van der Poel would win his first race after returning to the cyclocross circuit was, to most followers, a foregone conclusion. His rivals, however, had other ideas.
The World Champion and perennially late-arriving but dominant force in ‘cross looked at times just that — dominant — but also human, mustering just one decisive attack late in the race, and losing ground in technical sections, including a crash that saw him give up several places.
On Sunday in Namur, van der Poel started from the third row and fought his way through traffic on the challenging Citadel course. He crashed hard on the fourth lap, going over his handlebars in a technical section, but quickly recovered to rejoin the lead group of four that included Nys, Vanthourenhout, and Lars van der Haar.
The race remained tightly contested through eight laps, with Nys taking turns at the front and van der Poel not only appearing vulnerable in technical sections, but never seeming to lay down that typical VDP power.
Yet the World Champion proved triumphant: As Nys led into the bell lap, he crashed on a descent, allowing van der Poel to seize the opportunity and attack on the cobbled climb. The world champion rode away to claim his sixth career victory in Namur and extend his winning streak to 12 consecutive cyclocross races.
But for the final-lap crash by Thibau Nys, the race may well have been even closer; after recovering, the World Cup points leader trailed van der Poel by nine seconds at the finish, with Michael Vanthourenhout and Lars van der Haar close behind. In a post-race interview, van der Poel gave credit to all three, who rode aggressive, determined races.
Nys’ second place finish might have been even closer.
While the victory demonstrated that van der Poel can still win even when not at his sharpest, the gap between him and his rivals appears smaller than in previous seasons — at least for now. Nys won his three races before Namur and dominated the opening World Cup rounds, establishing himself as a legitimate challenger when the Dutchman isn’t present.
But history suggests this shakiness won’t last. Van der Poel’s preparation has been minimal — just two training rides on his cyclocross bike — yet he still found a way to win on one of the sport’s most demanding courses. As his race readiness builds through December, expect the comfortable margins to return. The next test, though, will come next week in Antwerp, where Wout van Aert makes his season debut. Until then, van der Poel’s rivals are likely racing for second place once again.
RACE NEWS
Brand Dominates in Namur
While many cyclocross fans spent the morning wondering whether Mathieu van der Poel would indeed return to the top podium spot, a similarly dominant rider dealt a commanding blow to the women’s ranks: Lucinda Brand claimed her fifth career victory at Namur in a practically wire-to-wire win.
The Dutch rider seized the lead during the first lap and held a four-second advantage over France’s Amandine Fouquenet, with Aniek van Alphen, Puck Pieterse, and Jolanda Neff trailing further behind. By mid-race, Brand’s superiority was evident, particularly on the technical descents where her bike-handling skills shone.
The race marked Puck Pieterse’s return to cyclocross competition, though she faded after a promising start and finished fourth. Van Alphen secured second place, 43 seconds behind Brand, maintaining her World Cup lead by just a single point, while Fouquenet claimed an impressive third.
Brand’s commanding performance on Namur’s relentless climbs and technical sections extends her remarkable consistency this season, making her the rider to beat in the women’s field.
Vandeputte, Van der Heijden Win in Pre-Hype Kortrijk
Before and away from the hype surrounding Mathieu van der Poel’s return to cyclocross — and Lucinda Brand’s control over the women’s side — Niels Vandeputte took his first victory of the season, while Inge Van der Heijden won over a depleted women’s field. The races posed a study in contrasts, with van der Heijden rolling over the women’s field, before Vandeputte survived a closely-fought battle.
European champion Van der Heijden attacked from the opening corner and rode solo from the end of the first lap, maintaining a 20-second advantage throughout the race. She finished 18 seconds ahead of teammate Marion Norbert Riberolle, with Julie Brouwers over a minute back in third. The victory marked Van der Heijden’s third win of the season and her first in the European champion’s jersey.
The men’s race proved far more competitive. British champion Cameron Mason launched an explosive opening lap that forced an early selection, and a lead group of seven riders stayed together through most of the race. Favorite Michael Vanthourenhout crashed after colliding with Ryan Kamp on a bridge, opening the door for others. Vandeputte, who has spent much of the season starting well but fading in late laps, made his winning move in the final two minutes, beating Mason by three seconds with Kamp completing the podium four seconds further back.
Women’s Rainbow Jersey and Defending Champ Heading to Adelaide
This January, the Santos Tour Down Under (TDU) will host the women’s rainbow jersey – worn by the current UCI Road Race World Champion – for the first time.
Canadian Magdeleine Vallieres who claimed the world title in Rwanda in September, will be on the start line in South Australia in January. Meanwhile, her team EF Education-Oatly has also confirmed Vallieres’ teammate Noemi Rüegg will be returning to Adelaide to defend her TDU title.
Rüegg rode solo to victory on the Tour’s queen stage up Willunga Hill this year then finished third in Stirling to clinch the Santos Ochre Leader’s Jersey by 13 seconds.
While Mads Pedersen (2020), Peter Sagan (2017 and 2018), Philippe Gilbert (2013), Cadel Evans (2010) and Oscar Camenzind (1999) have all opened their new season as men’s world champion at the TDU, Vallieres will become the first current women’s road race world champion to do so.
The 24-year-old who started out racing mountain bikes and cyclocross is entering her fifth season as a road professional and January will be her TDU debut.
She has competed in major stage races the Vuelta a Espana Femenina, the Giro d’Italia Women, and Tour de France Femmes as well as Classics including Milan-San Remo Donne, Liege-Bastogne-Liege Femmes, La Fleche Wallonne Feminine, Paris-Roubaix Femmes, Strade Bianche Donne, Amstel Gold Race and Gent-Wevelgem.
Rüegg is a two-time Swiss national champion across the road and time trial, whose victory at the 2025 women’s TDU set her up for a big season.
Said Vallieres: “The first race of the season will be great to show the new kit early and kick things off on a positive note. I’m excited to race in the world champion jersey in front of the Australian crowd…I’m excited to race in Adelaide because it’s special to compete somewhere outside of Europe, coming from another continent myself, it’s nice to go a bit farther afield, explore different places, and bring cycling to new audiences.”
Vallieres on her way to victory in Rwanda.
Cycling Canada Announces Roster for Annual Christmas Cross
Cycling Canada has released its roster of athletes heading to the annual Christmas Cross project in Belgium, running from December 17, 2025, to January 5, 2026.
Over the course of the project, Canadian athletes will compete in five UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup events, including Antwerpen (Dec 20), Koksijde (Dec 21), Gavere (Dec 26), Dendermonde (Dec 28), and Zonhoven (Jan 4). In addition to these signature races, the team will line up at a variety of UCI C1 competitions, such as Superprestige Zolder (Dec 23), Diegem (Dec 30), X²0 Baal (Jan 1), and Superprestige Gullegem (Jan 3): a mix of technical courses, night races, and fan-favourite venues that define the European cyclo-cross calendar.
2025 Christmas Cross National Team:
- Alexa Haviland
- Claire MacKinnon
- Clare Hauber
- Elly Moore
- Émilien Belzile
- Evan Moore
- Farland Lamont
- Grayson Franks
- Nico Knoll
- Rafaelle Carrier
- Remi Brisbois
Michael Van Den Ham, Cycling Canada cyclo-cross lead said, “We are pleased to welcome another strong group of athletes for Christmas Cross. For many, it’s their first chance to race in Europe at a World Class level, and this year we have a great mix of newcomers and returning riders.”
Cycling Canada fans can follow the team’s journey and cheer them on through live coverage on Flo Bikes, as well as the UCI youtube channel.
RIDER, TEAM AND GENERAL CYCLING NEWS
Pogačar Releases 2026 Race Schedule
Other riders recently announced their ’26 race plans as well; this is the one we’re making space for.
The G.O.A.T. (I’m gonna keep saying it) clearly has his designs set on the few missing pieces in his palmares. “If forced to pick one,” he said, “I think I would choose Paris-Roubaix because I won already the Tour four times.”
Pogi went on, hedging ever so slightly in describing his chances for a record-tying fifth Tour de France victory: “Everybody likes their own way to prepare for the biggest goals of the season. I saw I can handle the Classics and the Tour as well, but maybe it’s harder to race a Monument every week and then switch to the mountains and prepare for the Tour.
“In the Classics, it’s just one day: you go there and everything is concentrated on that day, but it’s not pressure like at the Tour. The Tour is way more stressful. It’s impossible to have the same amount of fun when you go deep every day on the bike. At the Tour, you work for 21 stages and afterwards you can be happy with what you did.”
Tadej Pogačar’s Preliminary 2026 Race Schedule
- Strade Bianche March 7
- Milano Sanremo March 21
- Tour of Flanders April 5
- Paris-Roubaix April 12
- Liège – Bastogne – Liège April 26
- Tour de Romandie April 28 – May 3
- Tour de Suisse June 17-21
- Tour de France July 4-26
Matthew Brennan Extends Contract with Team Visma | Lease a Bike
British rider Matthew Brennan has signed a new contract with Team Visma | Lease a Bike — his third signing in just over two years. The 20-year-old rider, who won twelve professional races in his first WorldTour season, will remain with the Dutch WorldTeam until at least the end of 2029.
2025 was a breakout season for Brennan: He started winning at the Tour des 100 Communes and the GP de la Ville de Lillers, still racing with Visma’s Development Team. He then claimed victories at the Pro level in the GP de Denain and at WorldTour level in the Volta a Catalunya. His season’s win tally ultimately reached fourteen.
“Matthew has really surprised us in a positive way this season,” said Head of Racing Grischa Niermann. “Of course, we already knew him well, because he came through our own ranks. As a team, we constantly adapted to his level and offered him races and challenges tailored to him. He has made big steps in his development this season, but still has a lot to learn.”
Brennan himself agrees with Niermann’s words and cannot imagine a better place to further build his cycling career. “The environment in this team is so unique: it is partly thanks to the team that I have already been able to develop myself so much. Everyone can help me become a better rider, both the staff and the other riders.”
UAE Team Emirates Unveils “New” Kit — and Doubles Down with Enve
Superteam UAE Team Emirates revealed its new kit this week, and it looks…a lot like previous versions?
Produced by the unfortunately named (if you’re an English speaker) cycling clothing company Pissei, the kit does feature a few novel elements, but the color scheme and general feel is remarkably similar to last year’s edition (and 2024’s, and 2023’s…).
Tadej Pogačar’s team also re-upped its relationship with ENVE, now its exclusive components and wheels partner.
Since 2023, ENVE has collaborated closely with UAE Team Emirates on product development, including the SES 4.5 PRO wheelset, which debuted at the 2025 Tour de France, and the soon-to-be-released time trial disc and front wheels. ENVE reports that UAE Team Emirates “requested exclusivity to cement their competitive equipment advantage.”
The theme here: Why mess with success? It’s good to be the king.
Another “New” Kit: Lidl-Trek
Yes, it’s the most wonderful time of the year: When teams unveil their new kits! (Actually July is the most wonderful time of the year…)
Like their rivals at UAE-Team Emirates, sub-superteam Lidl Trek’s new kit evokes previous versions, albeit with a few more twists. This one comes from Santini — another Italian brand — with colors that are (their words here) “more playful.”
The design incorporates two important new team sponsors: logos for AI company ServiceNow and sports drink icon Gatorade are featured prominently throughout the new kit design.
Movistar Team Unveils 2026 Season Plans in Valencia
Movistar Team presented its 2026 season project at Valencia’s Palau de Les Arts on December 11, showcasing 56 cyclists across its men’s, women’s, and development teams.
The Telefónica-sponsored squad, entering its 47th season, welcomed key signings including Belgian rider Cian Uijtdebroeks and Italian cyclist Francesca Barale.
The presentation featured the debut of a futuristic GOBIK-designed jersey with iridescent graphics and aerodynamic Nexflow technology. World time-trial champion Marlen Reusser will wear her rainbow jersey, while Spanish national champions Iván Romeo and Sara Martín will sport their distinctive kits.
The acclaimed documentary series The Least Expected Day returns for a fifth season in 2026, premiering on Movistar Plus+ in January. Additionally, CUPRA joins as the team’s official vehicle provider, reinforcing commitments to innovation and sustainability.
The event honored cycling schools affected by recent DANA storms, demonstrating the team’s dedication to grassroots sport development.
LeBron Teases New Canyon on Instagram
Among cycling aficionados, a few riders are known just by their first names: Tadej. Remco. Wout.
In the world a few celebrities are known simply by their first names, and LeBron is one of them.
The three mononymous riders above have about 2.5 million, 1.1 million, and 500,000 Instagram followers respectively. LeBron James has 157 million. So when he posts about anything — including bicycles — attention is commanded.
The cycling world has thus been aflutter this week, ever since King James — a Canyon investor — posted a video to Instagram, along with a comment. The brief video shows James pedaling a mysterious flat-bar Canyon, clad in decidedly non-hardcore-cyclist togs; the comment reads, “@canyon always keeping my bikes looking and feeling good! 
They got another one on the way I can’t wait to show ya’ll. ”
So what is this bike, the one mentioned in the post whose comments received more likes than most cycling celebs’ actual accounts? No telling from the post itself. But Canyon seems to be on to something: When your investor is also one of the most identifiable personalities in the world, you also make him your spokesperson.
Hey — if it draws more people to cycling and bike racing, we’re all for it.
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It’s chilly…everywhere! (In the northern hemisphere, at least…). As you resign yourself to indoor training, check out Richard’s review of the Cycplus T7 trainer.
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