Gear & Grit Daily: December 19, 2025
Today's cycling news: Velo’s Best of 2025: A New Golden Age for North American Racing, Triple world cyclocross champion Fem van Empel puts cycling career “on...
Welcome back to Gear & Grit. While the 2026 Vuelta route drops jaws with its brutality—seemingly tailored for Pogačar's superhuman climbing—today's most important story isn't about watts or switchbacks. It's about what happens when the fire goes out.
Triple world champion Fem van Empel is stepping away from cycling, citing missing motivation and enjoyment. Her honest admission cuts through the sport's relentless grind narrative and reminds us that mental health matters more than medals. We're also celebrating North American racing's resurgence, dissecting durability science, and yes, geeking out over that insane Vuelta parcours. Let's roll.
⚡ Quick Hits
- [UPDATE] Carvalho gets a four-year suspension for biological passport anomalies: UCI bans Portuguese rider Carvalho four years for biological passport anomalies.
- Rad Power Bikes files for bankruptcy protection: Major e-bike manufacturer Rad Power Bikes files Chapter 11 bankruptcy amid financial distress and recall issues.
- Readers' Choice: The most important industry story of 2025: Reader poll reveals tariffs as 2025's most important cycling industry story, with bankruptcies and supply chain disruption.
- [UPDATE] Spin Cycle: So bad it's legendary: Analysis of Pogačar's recent form and whether he has regained competitive momentum.
- [UPDATE] Fem van Empel puts her pro career on pause for an indefinite period: Cyclocross world champion Fem van Empel pauses pro career, parts with Visma-Lease a Bike.
- Giro and San Remo star Dancelli dies at age 83: Michele Dancelli, legendary Italian cyclist and Giro stage winner, dies at 83.
- [UPDATE] Ineos Grenadiers announce Racing Academy team with a dozen riders: Ineos Grenadiers officially launches in-house Racing Academy development team with dozen riders.
- "I don't think governing bodies have fully caught up with what real gravel racing is yet": Kevin Vermaak; from Cape Epic to Gravel Burn: Kevin Vermaak discusses gravel racing evolution and governance gaps in offroad cycling.
📊 By The Numbers
- 58,000 meters: Total elevation gain in the 2026 Vuelta a España
- 4 years: Doping ban for Portuguese rider António Carvalho for passport anomalies
- $105 million: Impairment charge written down by bicycle manufacturer Merida
📰 Today's Big Stories
[UPDATE] Velo’s Best of 2025: A New Golden Age for North American Racing
North American Cycling Hits New Heights in 2025
North American riders dominated the 2025 season with unprecedented success across cycling's biggest stages. The year delivered Grand Tour podium finishes, world championship titles, and major race victories—marking what Velo calls a "new golden age" for the continent's cycling talent.
This matters because it signals a generational shift in the sport's power dynamics. For decades, North American riders were occasional contenders; now they're consistent winners at the highest level. This success could drive increased investment in domestic racing programs, inspire the next generation of riders, and elevate the profile of North American races. Whether you're a competitive cyclist or a fan, watching homegrown talent compete toe-to-toe with European legends makes the sport more accessible and exciting. The 2025 season proves North American cycling has truly arrived on the world stage.
[UPDATE] Triple world cyclocross champion Fem van Empel puts cycling career “on hold” and leaves Visma-Lease a Bike, admitting “the enjoyment and motivation are missing”
Van Empel Steps Away from Racing
Triple cyclocross world champion Fem van Empel is putting her career on hold and leaving Visma-Lease a Bike, citing a loss of enjoyment and motivation. The 23-year-old Dutch star made the decision after abandoning November's Koppenbergcross, saying her "body and mind gave a very clear signal."
Why It Matters
Van Empel's departure shakes up the women's cyclocross scene—she's been the sport's dominant force and most marketable young talent. Her candid admission about mental burnout highlights the intense pressure elite cyclists face, even at the peak of their powers. It's a reminder that success doesn't immunize athletes from struggling with motivation, and that stepping back might be the smartest move for longevity. The cyclocross world will miss her attacking style, but her honesty could help normalize mental health conversations in pro cycling.
[UPDATE] The 2026 Vuelta a España is Stupid Hard and Designed to Delight Pogačar
2026 Vuelta Route: Built for Pogačar
The newly unveiled 2026 Vuelta a España route is brutally mountainous, seemingly tailor-made for Tadej Pogačar's climbing prowess. The course design has already confirmed starters Primož Roglič and João Almeida reassessing their chances against the Slovenian superstar.
Why it matters: This route signals race organizers are crafting Grand Tours around cycling's biggest star, potentially reshaping how these three-week races are designed. For fans, it promises explosive mountain battles and fewer opportunities for time trialists or sprinters to gain ground. The emphasis on climbing could force teams to completely rethink their Vuelta strategies and roster selections, while riders like Roglič—already a three-time Vuelta winner—face an uphill battle (literally) against Pogačar's superior high-altitude firepower.
Next year's Vuelta will feature 58,000 meters of elevation gain
Vuelta 2026: Prepare for Pain
The 2026 Vuelta a España is set to deliver a staggering 58,000 meters of elevation gain—making it one of the most mountainous Grand Tours in recent history. Even for a race known for its punishing climbs, this represents an extraordinary vertical challenge that will test the limits of the peloton.
Why it matters: This signals a clear shift toward rewarding pure climbers and could reshape GC strategies entirely. Expect time trial specialists and heavier riders to struggle, while lightweight mountain goats get their moment to shine. For amateur cyclists, it's a reminder that the modern pro peloton is pushing physiological boundaries further than ever—and that next year's Vuelta will be unmissable viewing for anyone who loves watching riders suffer on steep gradients. The route design also suggests organizers are doubling down on spectacle over balance.
[UPDATE] UCI’s Biological Passport Crackdown Rolls On with New 4-Year Doping Ban
UCI Tightens Biological Passport Enforcement
A Portuguese rider has accepted a 4-year ban after irregularities in their biological passport, choosing not to contest the UCI's findings. This marks another case in what appears to be an intensified crackdown by cycling's governing body using the biological passport system to catch dopers.
Why it matters: The biological passport tracks athletes' blood values over time to detect doping without catching them with banned substances in their system. This uptick in enforcement signals the UCI is getting more aggressive with the technology—a warning to anyone considering pharmaceutical shortcuts. For clean riders, it's good news: more bans mean fewer cheaters on the start line. The 4-year sanction is the maximum penalty, showing the UCI isn't going soft on passport violations.
🎙️ Fresh Ears
- Watts Doc #60: Durability's Limitations: Deep dive into durability literature, measurement science, and trainability with coaching insights.
- Vuelta a España 2026 Route Reaction: Patrick Broe and Benji Naesen analyze the newly announced 2026 Vuelta a España route.
- S13 Ep156: The Tadej Programme: Pogačar reveals 2026 race priorities: Paris-Roubaix first, Tour de France second.
📺 Watch List
- Is Wearing Protection Putting You In Danger? | Dirt Shed Show 562: Debate on rider safety: protection gear versus riding technique and speed control.
