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Gear & Grit Daily: January 16, 2026

Today's cycling news: Sepp Kuss Still Believes Tadej Pogačar Can Be Beaten, Riders To Watch For 2026 and more. Daily tracking of pro racing, tech, and indust...

Kevin Curry

Kevin Curry

— 5 min read
Gear & Grit Daily: January 16, 2026
Photo by Jörg Angeli / Unsplash

Welcome back to Gear & Grit. While Tadej Pogačar's dominance has some declaring the era of competitive Grand Tours dead, Sepp Kuss isn't buying it—and his defiance sets the tone for what promises to be a fascinating 2026 season. The racing kicks off Down Under this weekend, but today's bigger story might be the 2027 Tour de France heading to Britain with dual Grand Départs in Edinburgh and Leeds.

You'll find all that plus our riders to watch, the UK cities vying for 2027 hosting duties, and why January racing matters more than you think. Let's roll.

⚡ Quick Hits

📊 By The Numbers

  • 10: UK towns and cities hosting 2027 Tour de France Grand Départs
  • 14: WorldTour teams competing in women's Tour Down Under for first time
  • 41 years old: Age of amateur cyclist who tested positive for steroids after winning

📰 Today's Big Stories

[UPDATE] Sepp Kuss Still Believes Tadej Pogačar Can Be Beaten

Sepp Kuss has laid out his 2026 mission: help Jonas Vingegaard dethrone Tadej Pogačar while hunting for a Giro stage win. Despite Pogačar's dominant 2025 season, the American climber insists the Slovenian can still be beaten with the right tactics and teamwork.

Why it matters: Kuss's optimism reflects what many fans are hoping—that cycling's biggest races won't become Pogačar processions. His commitment to the super-domestique role alongside Vingegaard shows Visma-Lease a Bike is doubling down on team tactics as the weapon against individual brilliance. For those tired of predictable outcomes, Kuss's belief offers a glimmer that 2026's Grand Tours might still deliver genuine suspense. His personal Giro ambitions also highlight the delicate balance elite domestiques strike between selfless work and career fulfillment.

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[UPDATE] Riders To Watch For 2026

Riders To Watch For 2026

The Inner Ring has released its annual watchlist of ten riders set to shape the 2026 season. The list spans raw talent and intriguing career trajectories, headlined by Remco Evenepoel's blockbuster move to Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe—a transfer focused purely on improvement rather than a career reset. The selections highlight both emerging prospects and established stars at pivotal moments, offering insight into team strategies and where the sport is heading.

Why it matters: This watchlist serves as your roadmap to the season's most compelling storylines. Whether you're following breakthrough talents or tracking how superstar moves reshape team dynamics, these riders will drive the narratives that define 2026. Evenepoel's quest for improvement at his new powerhouse team alone makes this essential reading for understanding the year ahead.

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10 UK towns and cities to host 2027 Grand Départs

Ten UK towns and cities will host the 2027 Tour de France Grand Départ, marking what organizers are calling the largest free sporting spectacle in British history. The announcement confirms both the men's and women's Tours will launch from UK soil, bringing the world's biggest cycling race back to Britain for the first time since Yorkshire hosted in 2014.

Why it matters: This is massive for UK cycling. The 2014 Yorkshire Grand Départ drew an estimated 3.5 million roadside spectators and delivered a lasting boost to grassroots participation and cycling infrastructure. Expect similar economic impact across the ten host locations, plus renewed momentum for cycling advocacy and development. For fans, it's a rare chance to see the sport's biggest stars racing through British streets without booking flights to France.

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‘Boy Wonder’ Brennan’s Big Dance and 5 Ways Tour Down Under Sets the Tone for 2026

Tour Down Under Kicks Off 2026 Season with High Stakes

The Tour Down Under returns as the WorldTour's season-opener, spotlighting young talent "Boy Wonder" Brennan alongside established stars seeking redemption and validation. The Australian race serves as a crucial testing ground where teams debut new rosters, equipment, and tactical approaches that will define their 2026 campaigns.

Why it matters: TDU isn't just another early-season race—it's where narratives are born. The five key storylines emerging from Adelaide will ripple through the entire season, from spring classics to grand tours. For riders looking to prove themselves after disappointing 2025 campaigns or youngsters stepping into leadership roles, this is where reputations are made. Watch closely: the form, team dynamics, and rivalries established here often predict who'll dominate come July.

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Tour de France 2027: Men’s and women’s race to have opening stages in Britain with starts in Edinburgh and Leeds

Tour de France Returns to Britain in 2027

The Tour de France is heading back to the UK for 2027, with both the men's and women's races kicking off on British soil. The men's Grand Départ will launch from Edinburgh, while the women's Tour de France Femmes starts in Leeds. Routes will wind through major cities including Liverpool, Carlisle, and Cardiff before crossing to France.

Why it matters: This marks a significant homecoming for British cycling fans, who last hosted the Tour's Grand Départ in Yorkshire in 2014. Having both races start in the UK simultaneously elevates the women's event to equal billing—a major statement for gender parity in professional cycling. Expect massive crowds, economic boost for host cities, and prime opportunities for British riders to shine on home roads. The Scottish start is particularly notable as Edinburgh's first time hosting the world's biggest bike race.

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🎙️ Fresh Ears

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