Gear & Grit Daily: December 01, 2025
Today's cycling news: Van Aert will meet Van der Poel five times in his eight-race CX schedule, Should all cyclists require a ‘bike handling licence’ to race...
Welcome back! December kicks off with the cyclocross season hitting full throttle—Van Aert and Van der Poel are set for five epic showdowns, while Thibau Nys and Aniek Van Alphen are already making their mark on the World Cup circuit.
But beyond the mud and glory, the peloton is having a serious conversation about safety. From calls for mandatory bike handling tests to normalizing protective gear, retired pros are pushing for real change. We're also diving into the UCI's response to cycling's most urgent question: how do we make racing safer? Let's get into it.
⚡ Quick Hits
- [UPDATE] Eritrean Trailblazer Biniam Girmay Becomes Cycling’s Latest Mega-Transfer: Biniam Girmay joins Team NSN as marquee signing for rebranded Israel-Premier Tech squad.
- [UPDATE] Girmay signs three-year contract with NSN Cycling Team: Biniam Girmay confirms three-year contract with newly-rebranded NSN Cycling Team.
- Why Wout van Aert is Swerving Cyclocross Worlds (Again): Van Aert skips Cyclocross Worlds, opting for compact calendar with five van der Poel matchups.
- CX gallery: An action-packed Flamanville World Cup: Aniek van Alphen and Thibau Nys claim elite victories at Flamanville World Cup cyclocross event.
- Van Alphen and Nys win World Cup Flamanville: Van Alphen and Nys claim World Cup victories at Flamanville cyclo-cross event.
- “I’m proud that Dave Brailsford doesn’t like me”: Emma Pooley on the Tour de France’s weight debate, growing women’s sport, and battling cycling’s old-school “f***wits”: Emma Pooley discusses women's cycling growth, weight debates, and industry culture challenges.
- Mark Renshaw is ready to help Decathlon become a sprint powerhouse: Mark Renshaw joins Decathlon to develop sprint strategy around Olav Kooij for Tour de France.
- [UPDATE] "Hardly a deterrent at all": cyclist left with injuries and broken bike after being hit by van driver denounces "disappointing" police action and conduct of insurance company: Cyclist injured by van driver criticizes inadequate police response and insurance handling.
📊 By The Numbers
- 5 times: Van Aert and Van der Poel will race against each other
- 100 km/h: Speed cyclists descend without protection, according to Tom Dumoulin
- 11,000 members: British Cycling membership loss despite achieving financial surplus
📰 Today's Big Stories
Van Aert will meet Van der Poel five times in his eight-race CX schedule
Van Aert Announces Eight-Race CX Season, Five Showdowns with Van der Poel
Wout van Aert has unveiled his cyclocross schedule featuring eight races this winter, with five head-to-head battles against arch-rival Mathieu van der Poel. The Belgian's program kicks off at the Antwerp World Cup on December 20, launching the highly anticipated Kerstperiode—the Christmas racing block that defines the CX season.
Why it matters: After Van der Poel announced his own winter calendar days earlier, Van Aert's schedule sets up the sport's marquee rivalry across the season's biggest races. These five clashes will likely determine the pecking order in cyclocross heading into the World Championships. For fans, it's a concentrated dose of the sport's best racing—quality over quantity as both riders balance road ambitions with their CX roots.
Should all cyclists require a ‘bike handling licence’ to race? Retired pro calls for proficiency test and “crash course” to ride in peloton, as Tom Dumoulin says protective clothing should be “normalised”
Bike Handling Licenses and Protective Gear Spark Safety Debate
A retired pro cyclist is calling for mandatory bike handling proficiency tests before riders can compete in peloton racing, proposing a formal "crash course" system similar to driving licenses. The suggestion comes amid growing concerns about rider safety in professional racing.
Why it matters: Tom Dumoulin, the 2017 Giro winner, is backing the push for change, advocating for normalized protective clothing in the sport. His stark reminder—"Cycling is the only sport where you go downhill at 100 kilometres per hour without any protection"—highlights the unique risks riders face. While licensing requirements could improve peloton safety and reduce crashes caused by poor bike handling, the proposals raise questions about accessibility and implementation across amateur and professional levels. The debate signals a potential shift in how cycling approaches rider safety and training standards.
Imposing Solo Triumph for Aniek Van Alphen Unlocks Cyclocross World Cup Lead
Van Alphen Solos to World Cup Lead
Dutch rider Aniek Van Alphen delivered a commanding solo performance at the French round of the Cyclocross World Cup, claiming her career-best result and seizing the series lead. France's Fouquenet matched her personal best with second place, while Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado impressed in her season debut.
Why It Matters: Van Alphen's breakthrough victory shakes up the women's cyclocross hierarchy at a crucial mid-season point. Her ability to ride away from the field solo demonstrates the kind of form that wins championships. With the World Cup lead now in her hands, the Dutch rider has announced herself as a serious contender for the overall title. The strong showing from Fouquenet also signals growing French strength in a traditionally Belgian and Dutch-dominated discipline.
Cyclocross World Cup: Thibau Nys Delayed Twice Yet Takes Spirited Win in Flamanville
Nys Overcomes Setbacks for Flamanville Victory
Thibau Nys proved his resilience at the Flamanville World Cup, claiming victory despite facing two separate delays during the race. The World Cup leader turned on the power in the second half, delivering a sublime performance to secure his second series win and extend his overall advantage.
Why It Matters: Nys's ability to recover from setbacks and dominate when it counts demonstrates the mental toughness required at cyclocross's highest level. His growing World Cup lead solidifies his status as the rider to beat this season, showing he can win even when things don't go to plan. For fans and competitors alike, it's a reminder that in the mud and chaos of cyclocross, composure and late-race strength often trump a perfect start.
British Cycling loses 11,000 members, but governing body insists 2024/5 still a “positive year” with first financial surplus in five years
British Cycling's Mixed Fortunes
British Cycling shed 11,000 members this year but posted its first financial surplus in five years, driven by £2.8 million in sponsorship from new lead partner Lloyds Bank and £1.1 million from partnerships including the Tour of Britain. The governing body is calling 2024/5 a "positive year" despite the membership decline.
Why It Matters
The membership drop raises questions about grassroots engagement and whether British Cycling is connecting with everyday riders. While corporate sponsorship keeps the lights on, a shrinking membership base could mean fewer local clubs, reduced advocacy clout, and less investment in amateur racing and participation programs. For cyclists, a healthy governing body needs both—strong finances and a growing community of members pushing for better infrastructure and racing opportunities.
📺 Watch List
- Talking To The UCI About Deaths In Cycling 🚴: UCI discusses cyclist fatalities in road racing, addressing safety concerns in professional cycling.
- What Has 7 Months Of Cycling Done To My Body?: Seven-month cycling experiment reveals body composition changes and VO2 max improvements through scientific testing.
