Cycling's Wild Ride: From Tiramisu-Fueled Adventures to Heart-Stopping Crashes
The world of cycling never sleeps, and the holiday season has only amped up the excitement. From tiramisu-powered group rides to the rare sight of Visma-Lease a Bike (https://www.cyclingweekly.com/tag/visma-lease-a-bike) training in mid-winter, the festive period has been a whirlwind of activity. But here's where it gets intense: the cyclo-cross season is reaching its climax, and the drama is off the charts.
The Battle for the British Crown
This Sunday, the British National Cyclo-Cross Championships will see a showdown between overall leader Ffion Drake (https://www.cyclingweekly.com/racing/i-have-things-that-i-need-to-work-on-but-i-am-good-enough-to-be-here-meet-britains-best-domestic-female-cyclo-crosser) and reigning champion Xan Crees (https://www.cyclingweekly.com/racing/i-wanted-to-make-my-own-way-british-cx-champion-makes-pro-leap-with-new-team). Meanwhile, Thomas Mein (https://www.cyclingweekly.com/fitness/i-want-to-do-justice-to-the-jersey-this-year-a-week-in-the-life-of-national-cyclo-cross-champion-thomas-mein) will go head-to-head with Cameron Mason (https://www.cyclingweekly.com/fitness/from-shattered-elbow-to-worlds-top-10-cameron-mason-on-willpower-patience-and-the-hunt-for-a-decent-vegan-breakfast). Across the continent, the rivalry between Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert (https://www.cyclingweekly.com/racing/here-are-the-five-cyclo-cross-races-you-can-watch-wout-van-aert-vs-mathieu-van-der-poel-this-winter) reached new heights during a snowstorm-filled Exact Cross at Mol (https://www.cyclingweekly.com/racing/its-a-shame-it-was-decided-by-a-crash-will-wout-van-aert-recover-to-meet-mathieu-van-der-poel-again-after-crash-marred-exact-cross), while the World Cup saw its fair share of sand pit casualties.
Why Do We Love the Crashes?
And this is the part most people miss: What is it about watching cyclists take a tumble that captivates us? Is it schadenfreude, or the satisfaction of a story arc—the fall, the struggle, the comeback? We ended 2025 with a rider flipping over barriers into a canal, and 2026 is already off to a similar start. But here's a thought: does our fascination stem from the resilience these athletes display, or is it something more primal? Let us know in the comments!
Moments That Define the Sport
1. Puck Pieterse's Laughable Mishap: At the Cyclo-cross World Cup in Zonhoven, Puck Pieterse (https://www.cyclingweekly.com/racing/within-the-seriousness-you-can-have-fun-as-well-how-puck-pieterse-became-cyclings-most-exciting-multi-discipline-talent) went over the bars on the first lap. Her reaction? ‘It was quite funny, I had to laugh!’ she told TNT Sports. A reminder that even pros find humor in the chaos.
Lucinda Brand's Unbreakable Spirit: Zonhoven’s tricky course has a history with Lucinda Brand (https://www.cyclingweekly.com/racing/lucinda-brand-takes-overall-victory-at-tour-de-suisse-women-with-dramatic-stage-four-win). After a challenging race, the 2021 Cyclo-cross world champion quipped, ‘You can break my nose… but not my heart.’ A testament to the mental fortitude of these athletes.
XDS Astana's Musical Debut: In a unique celebration of their 20th professional season, XDS Astana (https://www.cyclingweekly.com/racing/we-aim-for-the-top-with-one-true-soul-xds-astana-release-rap-song-for-2026) released an original rap song, performed by the team in full kit. Check it out here: XDS Astana Team New Song.
Beyond the Races
4. Elinor Barker's Postpartum Comeback: Just days after giving birth to her second child, Dylan, Elinor Barker (https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/comment/elinor-barker-column-i-try-to-remind-myself-to-enjoy-the-things-i-take-for-granted-453226) completed a 16-kilometer ride. She shared her excitement about returning to racing with @unoxteam, reflecting on the postpartum period as one of the most motivating times in her career. Will her comeback inspire other athletes? Share your thoughts below!
Mark Cavendish's Hong Kong Adventure: While some wait for the British sun, Mark Cavendish (https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/tour-de-france/mark-cavendish-30-tour-de-france-stages-259156) explored the vibrant delights of Hong Kong, courtesy of its tourist board.
Geraint Thomas's Alpine Escape: Post-retirement, Geraint Thomas (https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/tour-de-france/geraint-thomas-won-2018-tour-de-france-388725) traded his bike for skis at Alpe d’Huez (https://www.cyclingweekly.com/fitness/training/taking-alpe-du-zwift-really-compare-alpe-dhuez-377892). One commenter joked, ‘Isn’t it better to go up hills on a lift?’ What’s your take on athletes exploring new passions?
Team Updates and Controversies
7. Ineos Grenadiers' Bold Move: It’s a big week for Ineos Grenadiers (https://www.cyclingweekly.com/racing/who-are-ineos-grenadiers-ned-boultings-tour-de-france-column), who unveiled their new kit (https://www.cyclingweekly.com/racing/all-the-pro-cycling-kits-for-2026) to mixed reviews. Cycling Weekly’s News Editor called it ‘pretty terrible,’ and 62% of readers agreed. But is it a case of bold innovation or a fashion misstep? You decide.
St. Michel–Preference Home–Auber93's Tribute Kit: Their new Canada kit features a maple leaf inspired by Ethel Catherwood, the first Canadian woman to win Olympic gold. ‘This jersey represents the amazing female athletes that come from Canada,’ the team shared. A design that honors history with a modern twist.
Lotte Kopecky's Manicured Prep: As Lotte Kopecky (https://www.cyclingweekly.com/racing/21-things-you-didnt-know-about-lotte-kopecky) gears up for the 2026 season with Team SD Worx-Protime (https://www.cyclingweekly.com/racing/forget-severance-or-white-lotus-the-drama-im-most-excited-about-this-year-is-demi-vollering-vs-sd-worx-protime), her perfectly manicured nails have us both impressed and intrigued. Is this the year she takes it all?
Training Tales and Social Media Highlights
10. Visma-Lease a Bike's Urban Training: A rare sighting of the team training through a city had fans wondering if it was real or a holiday mirage. ‘Go, go, go!’ cheered one fan. Check out their training session here: Visma Training.
- Jonas Abrahamsen's Coffee Break: The Norwegian rider took a well-deserved coffee break during an indoor training session (https://www.cyclingweekly.com/fitness/training/turbo-training-sessions-get-the-most-out-of-your-indoor-training-36080). Here’s hoping his next stop is a tiramisu-fueled bottle break! Jonas's Break.
Final Thoughts
From heart-stopping races to heartwarming comebacks, cycling continues to captivate and inspire. But here’s a question to leave you pondering: As fans, what draws us deeper into this sport—the triumphs, the crashes, or the stories of resilience? Share your thoughts in the comments, and let’s keep the conversation rolling!
