The international cycling season has entered a crucial phase, with riders competing in national championships across Europe while teams make their final preparations for next month’s Tour de France.
Several countries are crowning their road race and time trial champions this week, with national titles offering riders an opportunity to carry their country’s colours throughout the coming year. Strong performances in these championships are also helping teams finalise their line-ups for cycling’s biggest event, the Tour de France, which begins on July 4 in Barcelona.
In the gravel racing scene, the UCI Gravel World Series continues to attract elite riders from around the globe. Recent races in Luxembourg produced impressive victories for reigning world champion Lorena Wiebes and Belgium’s Niels Vandeputte, with competitors battling demanding courses in soaring temperatures. The series serves as a key qualification pathway for the 2026 UCI Gravel World Championships, scheduled to be held in Western Australia later this year.
However, the countdown to the Tour de France has also been overshadowed by injury concerns. Scotland’s Oscar Onley has been ruled out after suffering a shoulder injury in a recent crash, ending his hopes of competing in this year’s edition. Belgian star Wout van Aert is also set to miss the race after sustaining an elbow injury, dealing a significant blow to his team’s ambitions.
Meanwhile, the women’s peloton continues to enjoy unprecedented growth. The 2026 Women’s WorldTour has featured highly competitive racing across the season, with Dutch star Demi Vollering maintaining her position among the world’s leading riders. The expanded calendar and increasing investment in women’s cycling continue to raise the profile of the sport ahead of its biggest races later this summer.
With national championships reaching their climax and the Tour de France just days away, the cycling world is bracing for one of the busiest and most exciting periods of the season. Fans can expect fierce competition, dramatic racing and the emergence of new champions as the sport’s biggest events take centre stage.
