Gear & Grit Daily: December 30, 2025
Today's cycling news: 10 Race Days That Decided Everything: Cycling’s Most Decisive Moments of 2025, What was the biggest cycling story of 2025? and more. Da...
Welcome back to Gear & Grit as we barrel toward 2026. With just two days left in the year, we're taking stock of what mattered most in 2025—and trust us, it was a season for the history books.
Today we're diving deep into the race days that changed everything, from career-defining attacks to championship-sealing moves. Plus, we're asking the big question: what was the biggest story of 2025? You'll also get fresh World Cup cyclocross results, a concerning look at substance abuse in the peloton, and the industry news shaping next season. Let's roll.
⚡ Quick Hits
- [UPDATE] A Totally Unexpected Worlds Showdown May be Brewing Between Van Der Poel and Van Aert: Van Aert may compete at Cyclocross Worlds despite not being scheduled, setting up potential Van Der Poel clash.
- [UPDATE] The Pog-Slayers of the Peloton: The Rare Days When Pogačar Was Beaten in 2025: Analysis of rare victories against dominant Pogačar during 2025 racing season.
- [UPDATE] Cyclocross: Nys Keeps It Close Until Small Mistake Opens Door for Another Van der Poel Win: Van der Poel wins Gavere cyclocross as Nys falters; Brand and Van der Poel dominate season.
- [UPDATE] Mathieu van der Poel is Earning a Suprisingly Sizable Pay Packet with his CX Obliteration: Van der Poel's cyclocross dominance generates substantial earnings, revealing CX's financial viability.
- [UPDATE] Van der Poel Survives Spectator Swiping at Handlebars, Denies Unlucky Van Aert in CX Drama: Van der Poel wins dramatic CX race despite spectator interference; Van Aert denied victory.
- [UPDATE] Man with “generalised hatred of cyclists” arrested on suspicion of firing shots at group ride in Italy after shocking footage went viral: Driver arrested for firing shots at Italian cycling group ride; highlights motorist aggression against cyclists.
- [UPDATE] Kerstperiode CX gallery, part 2: Fighting over leftovers: Analysis of cyclocross dominance hierarchy during Kerstperiode with secondary winners.
- Chop 'till you drop: inside Boxing Day Papas: Australia's top pros compete in Boxing Day Papas, one of cycling's hardest group rides.
📊 By The Numbers
- 10: Most decisive race days that defined cycling in 2025
- 30 years: Age of Maindy Flyers club that launched Geraint Thomas
- 330: Special podcast episodes archived since 2015 for subscribers
📰 Today's Big Stories
10 Race Days That Decided Everything: Cycling’s Most Decisive Moments of 2025
2025's Most Decisive Race Days
VeloNews highlights the 10 race days that shaped cycling's 2025 season—moments where careers were made, races shattered, and the year's narrative crystallized. These weren't just exciting finishes; they were pivot points that determined championships, ended droughts, and created legends.
Why it matters: Understanding these decisive moments helps frame the entire season's storyline. Whether you're a casual fan catching up or a die-hard who lived every attack, these race days represent the concentrated essence of what made 2025 memorable. They're the performances that will be referenced for years—the benchmarks against which future seasons will be measured. If you missed any of these days, they're worth revisiting to understand how this year's cycling narrative unfolded.
What was the biggest cycling story of 2025?
2025: A Year of Upheaval for Cycling
2025 delivered a perfect storm of challenges for the cycling world. Trump's tariffs hit bike industry margins hard, compounding ongoing financial struggles across manufacturers and retailers. Meanwhile, ITV ended its cycling coverage, anti-Israel protests disrupted races, and cyclists faced unprecedented fines that sparked heated debate about road user enforcement.
Why it matters: These aren't isolated incidents—they signal fundamental shifts in cycling's landscape. Tariffs mean higher prices at your local shop. Lost TV coverage threatens the sport's visibility and growth. Heavy-handed fines could discourage urban cycling just as cities push active transportation. For riders, racers, and industry workers alike, 2025 proved that cycling doesn't exist in a vacuum—politics, economics, and social tensions all impact what we ride, how we watch, and whether we can afford to stay in the saddle.
[UPDATE] Anti-Dope Group Fears Abuse of ‘Finishing Cocktails’ and Super-Strength Opioids
Anti-Doping Watchdog Sounds Alarm on Painkiller Abuse
A clean cycling advocacy group is pushing the UCI to crack down on the use of Tapentadol—a powerful opioid painkiller—and so-called "finishing cocktails" that help riders push through pain in crucial race moments. The concern centers on what critics call the "medicalization of the sport," where performance-enhancing substances blur the line between legitimate medical use and competitive advantage.
Why it matters: This comes as the UCI implements stricter biological passport controls, but the focus on painkillers highlights a gray area in anti-doping efforts. While traditional PEDs boost power and endurance, these substances allow riders to ignore their bodies' warning signals and race through injury or exhaustion. For amateur cyclists, it's a reminder that the pressure to perform—even through pain—remains a troubling aspect of competitive cycling culture at all levels.
[UPDATE] Thibau Nys Darts to World Cup Victory With Scintillating Final Lap Surge
Nys Outfoxes Van Aert in Dendermonde Thriller
Thibau Nys timed his move to perfection at the Dendermonde World Cup, unleashing a blistering final lap attack to claim victory despite repeated pressure from Wout Van Aert. While Van Aert tried to break the race open with multiple surges, the younger Nys remained patient, conserving energy before delivering the decisive blow when it mattered most.
The win showcases Nys's tactical maturity and marks him as a legitimate threat to the established cyclocross hierarchy. His ability to withstand Van Aert's attacks and still have the legs for a winning surge demonstrates the kind of race craft that wins championships. For fans, it signals an exciting generational shift in men's cyclocross, with Nys proving he can beat the sport's biggest names when the pressure is highest.
[UPDATE] Brilliant Brand Continues Her Cyclocross Reign with Another Big World Cup Success
Brand Dominates in Dendermonde
Lucinda Brand stamped her authority on the cyclocross World Cup circuit with another commanding victory in Dendermonde. The Dutch champion controlled the race from the front, leaving rivals Puck Pieterse and Manon Fouquenet to battle for the remaining podium spots.
Why It Matters: Brand's continued dominance reinforces her status as the rider to beat heading into the business end of the cyclocross season. With World Championships on the horizon, her form signals she's peaking at precisely the right moment. For fans and competitors alike, the question is no longer if Brand can win, but whether anyone can find the tactics and legs to challenge her reign. The Pieterse-Fouquenet battle for second also highlights the depth of competition behind the leader—crucial for keeping the series compelling through the final rounds.
🎙️ Fresh Ears
- Dr. Scott Frey Returns - Mental Toughness & Goal Setting: Dr. Scott Frey discusses mental toughness and goal-setting strategies for endurance athletes.
- S13 Ep159: KM0: A Trip To Maindy Flyers, Where It All Began For Geraint Thomas: Geraint Thomas's final road race and the Maindy Flyers club that launched his career.
- 677: 6 Things You Need To Know About Cycling In 2026 | GCN Show Ep. 677: GCN analyzes 2026 cycling trends including Pogačar's legacy, training science, and equipment innovations.
📺 Watch List
- 6 Things You Need To Know About Cycling In 2026 | GCN Show Ep. 677: GCN analyzes 2026 cycling trends including Pogačar's legacy, training science shifts, and emerging industry developments.
- I Rode Flat Pedals And They Changed Everything…: Ex-pros test flat pedals to expose technical flaws and fundamental riding skill gaps.
