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Gear & Grit Daily: January 20, 2026

Today's cycling news: ‘Project Pidcock’ Enters Year 2 with the Tour de France and Pogačar Dead Ahead, The WorldTour May Only Be 4 Minutes Old, but UAE Hasn’t...

Kevin Curry

Kevin Curry

— 5 min read
Gear & Grit Daily: January 20, 2026
Photo by ZQ Lee / Unsplash

Welcome back! The 2026 season is officially underway, and while UAE Team Emirates dominated last year, they've got exactly zero wins so far—a drought that's lasted all of four minutes into the new WorldTour calendar. Don't worry, they'll be fine.

Meanwhile, all eyes are on Tom Pidcock as year two of his grand tour transformation begins, the Tour Down Under peloton is already sweating it out in Australia, and the Tour de France just dropped its UK Grand Départ route. Plus, New Jersey cyclists are dealing with some eyebrow-raising e-bike legislation. Let's get into it.

⚡ Quick Hits

📊 By The Numbers

  • 4 minutes: Duration of WorldTour season before UAE's first race attempt
  • 10 consecutive wins: Van der Poel's unbeaten cyclocross streak this season
  • 3 vs 1: UAE's numerical advantage that backfired in Tour Down Under sprint

📰 Today's Big Stories

‘Project Pidcock’ Enters Year 2 with the Tour de France and Pogačar Dead Ahead

Tom Pidcock's Q36.5 team enters its second season with upgraded firepower and serious ambitions. The squad has bolstered its roster and mapped out an aggressive spring racing calendar, with eyes firmly set on securing a Tour de France invitation—where they'd face off against dominant force Tadej Pogačar.

Why it matters: This is the make-or-break year for Pidcock's WorldTour project. After a debut season establishing credibility, the team needs to prove it belongs at cycling's biggest race. A Tour invite would validate the British star's gamble on building his own program rather than riding domestique for a superteam. With Pogačar in peak form, Pidcock will need to deliver results in the spring classics to earn that golden ticket to July—and show he can compete when it counts.

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[UPDATE] The WorldTour May Only Be 4 Minutes Old, but UAE Hasn’t Won a Race … Yet.

Ineos Grenadiers' Sam Watson snatched the Tour Down Under prologue victory, denying UAE Team Emirates their expected flying start to the 2025 WorldTour season. Watson edged out UAE's Jay Vine in the short time trial, notably racing in black shorts rather than traditional team kit.

Why it matters: UAE has dominated recent seasons with Tadej Pogačar leading an almost unstoppable squad, making them heavy favorites at virtually every race start. Watson's upset—however brief the prologue—proves the peloton isn't ready to roll over just yet. It's also a promising sign for Ineos as they rebuild their competitive edge. Don't expect UAE to stay winless for long, but this early statement shows 2025 might offer more competition than the Pogačar show we've grown accustomed to.

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Murphy signs controversial e-bike law requiring registration, insurance in New Jersey

New Jersey Mandates E-Bike Registration and Insurance

Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation Monday requiring e-bike registration and insurance in New Jersey, making it one of the first states to impose such requirements. The move comes after several fatal crashes involving e-bikes, with Murphy citing safety concerns as the primary driver.

Why it matters: Cycling advocacy groups opposed the law, arguing better alternatives exist for addressing safety issues. The registration and insurance requirements could create barriers to e-bike adoption and set a precedent other states may follow. For cyclists, this signals growing regulatory scrutiny of e-bikes as they become more popular—potentially affecting accessibility and the broader push to get more people on two wheels instead of in cars. The law's impact on e-bike sales and usage in New Jersey will be closely watched nationwide.

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[UPDATE] Preview: What you should know about the 2026 men's Tour Down Under

UAE Team Emirates-XRG arrives at the 2026 Tour Down Under as the squad to beat, fielding two legitimate general classification contenders. The Australian WorldTour season-opener has become a proving ground for early-season form, and UAE's dual-pronged approach gives them tactical flexibility other teams can't match.

Why it matters: The Tour Down Under sets the tone for the entire season. UAE's depth signals they're not just starting strong—they're already in championship form while rivals are still finding their legs. For fans and competitors alike, watching how teams navigate having multiple GC options reveals hierarchies and strategies that'll play out all year. If UAE dominates here, expect them to carry that momentum through the spring classics and beyond.

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Evenepoel will join Vingegaard and Del Toro at the UAE Tour

Evenepoel Heads to UAE Tour for Early-Season Showdown

The UAE Tour just got a major upgrade. Remco Evenepoel will make his Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe debut at the February stage race, joining Jonas Vingegaard and rising star Isaac del Toro in what's shaping up to be an elite early-season battle.

Why it matters: This is the first real test for cycling's reshuffled deck. Evenepoel in new colors, Vingegaard continuing his season buildup, and del Toro representing UAE's young guns program makes for compelling racing. The UAE Tour has evolved from a sprinter's paradise into a legitimate GC proving ground, and with this lineup, it's now a key indicator of who's on form heading into the spring classics and Grand Tour season. Expect fireworks in the desert.

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