Gear & Grit Daily: December 23, 2025
Today's cycling news: Who won (and lost) the wild transfer market of 2024?, A peek into the 2026 WorldTour crystal ball and more. Daily tracking of pro racin...
Welcome back to Gear & Grit! While most of the cycling world winds down for the holidays, we're cranking through the stories that matter as teams finalize their rosters and riders sharpen their form for 2026.
The transfer market dust has settled, and we're breaking down the winners and losers of cycling's wildest silly season yet. Plus, Pogačar is already posting terrifying numbers on climbs, Van der Poel and Van Aert are set for festive fireworks, and Lucinda Brand continues her sand masterclass. Grab your coffee—we've got the intel you need before the new season kicks off.
⚡ Quick Hits
- [UPDATE] First Blood to Mathieu Van Der Poel in Early CX Clash with Unlucky Wout Van Aert: Van Der Poel dominates Antwerp World Cup cyclocross; Van Aert hampered by misfortune.
- [UPDATE] Lucinda Brand Extends Remarkable Podium Streak in Winning Antwerp World Cup: Lucinda Brand wins Antwerp World Cup, extending her impressive podium streak.
- [UPDATE] Brand and Van der Poel seal weekend of dominance at World Cup Koksijde: Brand and van der Poel dominate UCI Cyclocross World Cup weekend at Koksijde with back-to-back victories.
- [UPDATE] Van der Poel wins at Antwerp for the eighth time, as Sweeck takes over World Cup lead: Van der Poel dominates Antwerp CX World Cup; Sweeck assumes overall lead.
- [UPDATE] Brand's streak continues at World Cup Antwerp, after thrilling battle with Alvarado: Lucinda Brand wins World Cup Antwerp cyclocross race in thrilling battle with Alvarado.
- Marc Madiot is stepping down as GM of Groupama-FDJ: Marc Madiot steps down as Groupama-FDJ GM after 28 years; Thierry Cornec takes over.
- Political turmoil and team unrest threaten 2026 Giro start: Political instability and team fee disputes jeopardize Giro d'Italia's 2026 Bulgaria start.
- Highlights of 2025 – Part V: Year-end retrospective highlighting top five cycling moments of 2025, emphasizing major races.
📊 By The Numbers
- 8: Consecutive wins for Lucinda Brand in cyclocross competition
- 8: Van der Poel's total victories at Antwerp since 2014
- 30 years: Marc Madiot's tenure leading Groupama-FDJ since founding in 1997
📰 Today's Big Stories
Who won (and lost) the wild transfer market of 2024?
Transfer Market Winners and Losers
The 2024 cycling transfer market saw unprecedented movement, with a record number of star riders switching teams. While some gambles paid dividends—riders finding better support, winning opportunities, or career resurgence—others flopped spectacularly, leaving athletes struggling for form or buried in team hierarchies.
Why it matters: These moves reshape the sport's competitive landscape and prove that big contracts don't guarantee success. For fans, it's a reminder that team chemistry, support staff, and role clarity matter as much as raw talent. The shake-up also signals teams are willing to take bigger financial risks to secure talent, potentially inflating rider salaries across the peloton. Whether you're watching the WorldTour or racing locally, the lesson holds: the right fit beats the biggest paycheck.
A peek into the 2026 WorldTour crystal ball
2026 WorldTour Crystal Ball: Bold Predictions Ahead
An unnamed cycling analyst has dropped their annual WorldTour forecast, offering five key predictions for the 2026 season alongside eight riders worth tracking closely. The piece also includes a reality check—revisiting last year's predictions to see what hit and what missed.
Why it matters: These early-season forecasts help frame the narratives we'll follow all year. Whether you're planning your race-watching calendar, setting fantasy team lineups, or just want conversation fodder for group rides, understanding which riders are poised to break out and which teams might dominate gives context to the chaos. Plus, the accountability piece is refreshing—too many pundits make bold calls without ever owning their misses. As the season kicks off, these predictions offer a roadmap for the storylines that could define 2026.
[UPDATE] When and Where Will Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert Clash This Holiday Season?
Van der Poel vs. Van Aert: Holiday CX Showdowns Ahead
The cyclocross world's biggest rivalry returns this holiday season as Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert prepare to face off in multiple races. The two superstars will battle across Belgium's traditional festive CX calendar, marking their first major head-to-head encounters since last season.
These clashes matter beyond cyclocross bragging rights. Both riders use the muddy winter races as crucial preparation for the spring classics, where they'll compete for monuments like Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. Their holiday form and tactical battles will offer early insights into who's peaking for April's biggest one-day races. For fans, it's a chance to watch the sport's two most exciting riders go bar-to-bar in the most demanding discipline—pure entertainment with major spring implications.
[UPDATE] 8th Consecutive Win for Lucinda Brand as Sand Domination Brings First Koksijde Success
Brand's Unstoppable Sand Mastery
Lucinda Brand claimed her eighth consecutive cyclocross victory at Koksijde, Belgium, conquering the notoriously challenging sandy course for the first time in her career. The Dutch rider delivered a flawless performance to extend her winning streak and strengthen her grip on the World Cup leader's jersey.
Why It Matters: Brand's dominance is rewriting cyclocross history this season. Her ability to master Koksijde's brutal sand sections—a course that has traditionally separated contenders from pretenders—signals she's operating at a different level than the competition. With eight straight wins, she's building an almost insurmountable World Cup lead and establishing herself as the overwhelming favorite heading into the world championships. For fans and rivals alike, the question is no longer if someone can beat Brand, but when.
[UPDATE] Tadej Pogačar Smashes a 2024 Climbing Record in Ominous Sign Ahead of New Season
Pogačar Crushes Climbing Record in Pre-Season Warning Shot
World champion Tadej Pogačar just obliterated his own 2024 climbing record on Spain's Colle de Rates during off-season training—a clear signal he's entering the new season in frightening form. The Slovenian's time on the popular training climb showed a significant improvement compared to his efforts just 12 months ago.
This matters because Pogačar is already coming off a dominant 2024 season where he won the Tour de France, Giro d'Italia, and World Championships. If he's faster now than during that historic campaign, the peloton should be worried. The early benchmark suggests he's not just maintaining fitness but actively improving, setting an ominous tone for rivals hoping to challenge his supremacy in 2025's Grand Tours. His competition has their work cut out for them.
🎙️ Fresh Ears
- Mental Toughness & Goal Setting - Erin Ayala: Sports psychologist discusses mental toughness and goal-setting strategies for cyclists.
- S13 Ep158: The Juan That Got Away: Juan Ayuso joins Lidl-Trek; 2026 Vuelta route analysis and exclusive interviews.
- Who has been our Rider of the Year? | Watts Occurring: Geraint Thomas and Luke Rowe award cycling's greatest accolades for 2025.
📺 Watch List
- Tadej Pogačar Just Got Even Better: Everybody Should Be Scared | GCN Show 676: Analysis of Pogačar's exceptional early-season form, industry kit reveals, and cycling advocacy issues.
