Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Thursday, October 29, 2026
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I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work. - Thomas A. Edison
Bill and Carol McGann's book The Story of the Giro d'Italia, A Year-by-Year History of the Tour of Italy, Vol 2: 1971 - 2011 is available in print, Kindle eBook and audiobook versions. To get your copy, just click on the Amazon link on the right.
Upcoming racing:
- Nov 1: Trofee Oudenaarde - Koppenbergcross
- Nov 7 & 8 European Cyclocross Championships
- Nov 15: Flandriencross
- Dec 6: Superpresitge Ruddervoorde
- Dec 19: Scheldecross
- Dec 23: Azencross-Loenhout
- Dec 25: Heusden Zolder Cross
- Dec 26: Gavere Cyclocross
- Dec 27: Namur Cross
- Dec 30: Diegem Cyclocross
- Jan 1: GP Sven Nys
- Jan 16 - 24: Tour Down Under
Latest completed racing:
- Oct 25: Superpresitge Overijse - Vlamse Druivencross
- Oct 13 - 18: Tour of Guangxi
- Oct 13 - 18: Tour of Holland
- Oct 18: Chrono des Nations
- Oct 18: Veneto Classic
- Oct 18: Japan Cup road Race
- Oct 14: Giro del Veneto
- Oct 11: Paris-Tours
- Oct 10: Il Lombardia
- Oct 8: Gran Piemonte
The rest of the year's completed races are here.
The team sent me this press release:
The experienced Australian sports director returns to where his career began, bringing fresh ambition and a wealth of experience to the team for 2027.
EF Education-EasyPost is strengthening its performance team with the addition of one of the peloton's most experienced sports directors, Matt White.
Nearly two decades after beginning his career as a sports director with our team, the Australian is joining EF Pro Cycling, bringing his passion for attacking racing and ambition to help our talented young roster reach new heights.
2018 Tour Down Under: GC winner Daryl Impey with Matthew White
The Australian is excited to return to familiar surroundings.
"It feels like coming full circle," Matt said. "I started my career as a sports director here back in 2008. I've obviously spent a lot of time away, but it's a team that I've always kept very close to my heart. It's exciting to come back to a team that has so many talented young riders and a lot of ambition to develop this group over a long period of time."
Matt is one of the most experienced and well-liked sports directors in the peloton, having guided riders through Grand Tour general classification campaigns, stage victories, and Monuments, all while bringing his trademark personality, humor, and enthusiasm to the sport.
Now, he returns to a team whose bold, attacking style of racing fits naturally with his own philosophy.
"I think the beauty of going for stages is that it's all or nothing,” he said. “You're all in for the day, then you might have a day or two when you're not, and then you're all in again. Especially in a Grand Tour, I think that's a really exciting mindset and way to approach a race."
But it's not just the team's racing style that excites Matt. It's the potential of the riders.
"The most exciting thing about this group is that it's such a young, talented team. You just don't know what these athletes are capable of on any given day," he said. "Nurturing those guys and getting the best out of them, both as individuals and as a group, is an exciting challenge for me. Working with riders who don't yet know where their ceiling is, and helping them discover what they're capable of, is something that gets me up in the morning."
A lot has changed since Matt first sat behind the wheel of a team car in 2008. The sport has grown increasingly complex, with larger performance departments, more specialized staff, and greater demands on riders and sports directors alike.
But for Matt, the most important part of his job remains the same.
"My passion is getting the most out of people," he said. "Cycling has changed a lot, but there's one thing that hasn't changed: you're dealing with human beings. Getting the most out of people is something I really enjoy. I think if, in 12 months' time, we can sit back and look at the season and see that we've featured prominently throughout the year, especially at the pointy end of the races that matter, then that's a measure of success. And those races are the three Grand Tours and a lot of the Monuments."
For Matt, every season offers a fresh opportunity.
"Every year is different,” he said. “You might run similar templates with calendars, coaching, or preparation, but at the end of the day, you have a clean slate every season."
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Here’s the team’s news:
Manuel Peñalver, Fernando Tercero, Francisco Muñoz and Germán Darío Gómez will remain with the team for another season. The three Spanish riders and the Colombian will be important members of the squad in 2027, following very different 2026 seasons, marked by strong results for the first three and a particularly difficult year for the rider from Antioquia.
Francisco Muñoz (Oviedo, 2001) established himself during the 2026 season thanks to his impressive consistency, particularly in the middle months of the calendar. His 11th place at the Étoile de Bessèges, 13th at La Roue Tourangelle, 10th at the Clásica Castilla y León and eighth at a highly competitive Tour of Denmark reflect the step forward he has taken, which he will look to build on with the team in 2027: “I’m very happy to be staying with the team for another year. It’s a fantastic environment where I feel very comfortable and which allows me to keep growing and developing. I’m really looking forward to taking on a new season full of challenges.”
Manuel Peñalver (Torrevieja, 1998) recorded 12 top-10 finishes, as well as representing Spain at the Mediterranean Games and claiming an excellent second place at the Dutch one-day race Veenendaal-Veenendaal: “I’m very happy to have extended my contract because I feel really at home in the team and, above all, I’m highly motivated for 2027. After a 2026 season marked by bad luck, I’m eager to show what I’m capable of and give the team the results it deserves. I’m very grateful for this new opportunity and can’t wait to get the next season started.”
Manuel Peñalver racing in 2024
Fernando Tercero (Valdepeñas, 2001) once again demonstrated his ability when the road heads uphill, with an impressive fourth place at the Giro del Medio Brenta and sixth overall at the challenging Tour of Qinghai. The young rider from Castilla-La Mancha has extended his contract for another season: “I’m very happy with the confidence the team has shown in me by giving me the opportunity to stay for another year, which will already be my fifth with them. I’m approaching this new season with the ambition to continue developing as a rider within this project.”
Germán Darío Gómez (Betulia, 2001) endured a particularly difficult 2026 season, during which he was only able to compete on seven race days. The Colombian will have another opportunity in 2027 to demonstrate his climbing abilities, having already shown his potential with sixth place overall at the 2025 Tour of Türkiye: “I’m very happy and grateful to be staying with the team for the 2027 season. It’s been a difficult year for me, but the team has stood by me throughout and given me tremendous support. Knowing that I have the opportunity to continue fills me with motivation to take on a new season, eager to race, hungry for victory and determined to give my very best on the bike.”
Jesús Hernández, Sports Director, reflected on the contract extensions of the three Spanish riders: “These are renewals we’ve given a lot of thought to, and they mean a great deal to everyone involved in the team. Fer has been with us since his junior days, and we’ve seen him take small steps forward until becoming consistent throughout the year. Fran came through our amateur team and continues to improve season after season. His renewal is more than deserved, thanks to his dedication and hard work. These are three riders we value highly, and we know that each of them, in his own area, will contribute a great deal to our project. They will continue to grow, and we will grow alongside them.”
Giovanni Ellena, Sports Director, also reflected on Germán Gómez’s continuation with the team: “It’s very important that he’s returned to racing. We’ve missed him throughout the season, and he will be a very important rider for us next year thanks to his characteristics, particularly on the mountain stages.”
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The team sent me this news:
After two years with the Rookies, Sebastian Putz will join the Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe WorldTeam next season. His promotion is an example of how riders can make the transition from the development ranks to the professional level within the team’s own structures.
The 23-year-old Austrian already balanced U23 and elite racing during the past season, spending around a third of his race days with the WorldTour squad. He concluded his racing year with the Eneco Tour and was also part of the team that supported Laurence Pithie’s overall victory at the 4 Jours de Dunkerque. His elite programme also included several one-day races in Belgium and France.
Sebastian Putz
With results such as second place at the Istrian Spring Tour, Sebastian Putz demonstrated that he is capable of competing for victories himself. However, as a neo-pro with Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe, his initial role will be that of a versatile and reliable domestique.
“I’ve learned an incredible amount during my two years with the Rookies. The mixed racing programme gave me good preparation for this next step.
“Of course, it would be great to win a race myself at some point. But I know that I’m joining the WorldTour as a domestique, and that’s exactly the role I want to fulfil. If I do my job so well that both the riders and the management are happy, then I’ve achieved my goal.” — Sebastian Putz
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On Saturday, the 24th we posted the men’s team retrospective.
Here’s the team’s post:
Liv AlUla Jayco World and Continental teams have wrapped up a solid season of racing that featured some breakthrough individual performances and an aggressive style of racing with plenty to build on ahead of 2027.
The Australian team were active throughout a busy season, always amongst the action from the one-day classics, Grand Tours and the late season stage races. Bad luck and injuries played their role during a demanding year, but the team never shied away from getting in the mix.
The Continental Team continued to be a success story as four riders made the step up to the WorldTour in 2026, with three more set to be promoted next season after stand out performances.
Mackenzie Coupland wins the 2026 Australian road championships.
2025 Graduates
Mackenzie Coupland kick-started the 2026 season in fine style by claiming the elite Australian road race title with a stunning solo victory in Perth. Having made the step up to the WorldTour ranks from the Liv AlUla Jayco development squad for the new season, the 21-year-old went on to prove her promotion was more than deserved.
A stage win and the overall victory at the Vuelta a Extremadura Femenina was followed by a first appearance at the Tour de France Femmes in July, where the Australian showed that she belonged at the top.
Talia Appleton was another development team graduate to impress in 2026. The 20-year-old initially signed on to race for the development squad this season, but a standout start to the year saw her quickly moved up to the WorldTour team in May.
A top-five finish in the U23 World Championships road race was more evidence of the Australian’s talents, with 2027 set to be an exciting year for the youngster.
Italian Matilde Vitillo got her first taste of Grand Tour racing in her first WorldTour season as she lined up for the Giro d’Italia. The 25-year-old had an injury disrupted end to the year, but showed she is more than capable of racing in the pro ranks.
Noä Jansen also enjoyed a strong debut season in the elite peloton with the Dutch rider demonstrating her skills as a dependable teammate across various races throughout a long season.
GC Goals
In just her second season in the WorldTour, Monica Trinca Colonel continued her progress into a general classification contender with consistent results throughout the season. The Italian started the year in fine form with an impressive second place overall at the UAE Tour in February.
Seventh overall at La Vuelta showed further proof of her abilities over the longer stage races as well as one-day classics. A gold medal in the mixed relay at the World Championships and silver in the same event at the European Championships capped off a year of learning for the 27-year-old.
Consistent
Liv AlUla Jayco team were never far from the action during a busy season.
Letizia Paternoster enjoyed a constistent but frustrating campaign as she narrowly missed out on an elusive victory. However, the Italian was always amongst the battle for the win, racking up 12 top-10 results, including a superb sprint to fourth place at the Amstel Gold Race.
Caroline Andersson also produced a string of strong results throughout 2026 with another 12 top-10 finishes as the Swede battled through injuries, while Georgia Baker sprinted a number of podium results.
Ruby Roseman-Gannon was crowned the national criterium champion once again, while New Zealander Ella Wyllie and Canadian Nadia Gontova each won their national time trial titles.
Further Development
The Liv AlUla Jayco development squad continued its success story in 2026 with two new riders set to graduate to the WorldTour squad for 2027. Canadian Sidney Swierenga has earned a spot after an exciting season that saw her claim top-10 overall finishes at the Vuelta a Extremadura, Volta Ciclista a Catalunya and the Volta a Portugal. The teenager then went on to take a stage win and the overall victory at the Giro di Toscana Internazionale Femminile.
Erin Bootham showed why she is one of the most highly rated youngsters with a standout 2026 as she juggled racing on the track and on the roads. The British rider won the Festival Elsy Jacobs à Luxembourg and the U23 national time trial title before rounding out the year with gold medals in the team pursuit and the madison at her first elite Track World Championships.
Wim Stroetinga (Women’s Team Manager):
“We started the 2026 season strongly, with Mackenzie winning the Australian National Championship and allowing us to keep the title within the team after a dominant performance. We carried that momentum into the Tour Down Under, where we raced strongly as a group, and followed it with an early podium for Monica in the UAE.
"Throughout the spring we were consistently competitive and able to show our team colours at the front of the biggest races, although unfortunately we were not able to convert those performances into victories. The Vuelta was a very successful race for us, and we also showed a strong level at the Giro. We had higher expectations for the Tour de France Femmes, but with Monica having to leave the race early, we were unfortunately unable to make the impact we had hoped for.
"Overall, it was a solid season. At times, different circumstances prevented us from getting the results we felt were possible, but towards the end of the year we found our momentum again and finished the season showing what this group is capable of. Winning several national titles, including time trial championships with Nadia Gontova and Ella Wyllie, was another positive reflection of the quality we have within the team. There are certainly areas where we can improve, but there is also a lot we can build on heading into 2027.”
Eric van den Boom (Continental Team General Manager):
“Looking back on the past season, we can be proud on the performances of our entire Continental Team. Throughout the year, every single rider has taken fantastic steps forward, and as a collective, we have maintained a consistently high level from start to finish. This strong and steady development is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and great team spirit within our squad.
"Our team is truly reaping the rewards of our development program. Next year, both Erin Boothman and Sidney Swierenga will step up to the WorldTeam, having thoroughly proven that they are fully ready to compete at the absolute highest level of international cycling.
"I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together. Next season, our team will once again offer new talents a professional guidance program and a clear pathway to the top - something that is absolutely needed in women’s cycling which is rapidly growing.”
Liv AlUla Jayco Podiums 2026:
1st Australian Road Race Championships – Mackenzie Coupland
1st Australian Criterium Championships – Ruby Roseman-Gannon
1st New Zealand Time Trial Championships – Ella Wyllie
1st Canadian Time Trial Championships – Nadia Gontova
1st Overall Vuelta a Extremadura Femenina – Mackenzie Coupland*
1st Vuelta a Extremadura Femeninaa, stage 3 – Mackenzie Coupland*
1st Alpes Gresivaudan Classic – Talia Appleton*
1st Festival Elsy Jacobs à Luxembourg – Erin Boothman*
1st U23 British Time Trial Championships – Erin Boothman*
1st Volta a Portugal Feminina, stage 5 - Hélène Hesters*
1st Premondiale Giro Toscana, stage 2 - Sidney Swierenga*
1st Overall Premondiale Giro Toscana, stage 2 - Sidney Swierenga*
2nd Chrono des Nations – Nadia Gontova
2nd Italian Road Race Championships – Monica Trinca Colonel
2nd La Picto en Nouvelle-Aquitaine – Josie Talbot
2nd Tour de Gatineau – Georgia Baker
3rd Vuelta España Femenina, stage 4 – Letizia Paternoster
3rd Vuelta España Femenina, stage 5 – Letizia Paternoster
3rd Vuelta a Burgos Feminas, stage 1 – Georgia Baker
3rd Giro d’Italia, stage 6 – Georgia Baker
3rd La Périgord Ladies – Mackenzie Coupland
3rd Tour of Britain, stage 3 – Caroline Andersson
*Liv AlUla Jayco Continental Team