Gear & Grit Daily: January 27, 2026
Today's cycling news: The Most Hotly-Hyped Transfer of Modern Cycling Meets Moment of Reckoning, Van Aert Fast-Track Back From Surgery Keeps Flanders-Roubaix...
Welcome back to Gear & Grit. While the cyclocross world celebrates Van der Poel's historic World Cup dominance, the road season is heating up with stakes that'll define 2026. The most anticipated transfer in modern cycling faces its first real test, Van Aert's racing against the clock to salvage his cobbled Classics campaign, and the spring warfare between cycling's biggest names is already taking shape.
From recovery timelines to team chemistry experiments, today's stories prove one thing: the off-season is over. Whether you're here for the drama, the data, or both—let's dive in.
⚡ Quick Hits
- [UPDATE] Alpecin-Premier Tech double up podium 1-2-3 as Van der Poel wins at Hoogerheide: Van der Poel wins Hoogerheide World Cup finale; Alpecin-Premier Tech dominates podium.
- [UPDATE] Puck Pieterse Shows Ominous Form Before World Championships, Doubling up with World Cup Wins: Pieterse dominates World Cup cyclocross with back-to-back wins ahead of World Championships.
- [UPDATE] Pieterse does the double with enthralling Hoogerheide win: Puck Pieterse wins Hoogerheide World Cup with late-race move, securing double victory.
- Back from the Brink: Michael Matthews Takes First Win Since Major Health Scare: Michael Matthews wins first race after recovering from pulmonary embolism diagnosis.
- [UPDATE] The Drama! Ferocious Fightback by Van Der Poel Salvages 100 Percent Win Record: Van der Poel wins 50th World Cup victory despite two punctures, maintaining unbeaten streak.
- [UPDATE] Puck Pieterse Dazzles with Big World Cup Win Prior to World Championships Showdown: Pieterse wins World Cup cyclocross ahead of World Championships, ending Brand's winning streak.
- [UPDATE] Colombian Rider Suspended in Latest Doping Case: Team Polti VisitMalta releases Colombian rider following anti-doping suspension.
- [UPDATE] Sonder Bikes owner enters administration: Alpkit and Sonder Bikes enter administration amid industry consolidation challenges.
📊 By The Numbers
- 3,000: ICE officers deployed in Minneapolis military-style occupation
- 50: Mathieu van der Poel's career World Cup victories
- 7 months: Time since Michael Matthews' pulmonary embolism diagnosis
📰 Today's Big Stories
The Most Hotly-Hyped Transfer of Modern Cycling Meets Moment of Reckoning
Evenepoel's Red Bull Era Begins
Remco Evenepoel makes his highly anticipated Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe debut Thursday, marking cycling's blockbuster transfer of the modern era. The Belgian superstar left Soudal-Quick-Step for what he calls "the step I needed to become the best there is"—a direct shot at dethroning Tadej Pogačar.
This matters because it reshapes the sport's power dynamics. Evenepoel joins a team built specifically to challenge UAE's dominance, bringing his Grand Tour pedigree and time trial prowess to a squad hungry for Tour de France glory. The move signals cycling's new era of mega-transfers and raises the stakes for 2026's biggest races. If the partnership clicks, we're looking at the most credible threat yet to Pogačar's reign. If it doesn't, it becomes a cautionary tale about whether superstar moves actually deliver.
[UPDATE] Van Aert Fast-Track Back From Surgery Keeps Flanders-Roubaix Dream Alive
Wout van Aert is making a remarkably fast recovery from recent surgery, keeping his 2026 spring classics campaign firmly on track. The Belgian star is now targeting a full schedule including Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Strade Bianche, and the Monument races of Flanders and Roubaix—adding another chapter to his growing list of comeback stories.
Why it matters: Van Aert's return reshapes the spring classics landscape. His presence transforms races like Flanders and Roubaix from predictable to explosive, given his unique combination of power, tactical savvy, and cyclocross-honed bike handling. For fans and competitors alike, a healthy Van Aert means the cobbled classics just got a lot more interesting—and unpredictable. His rapid recovery timeline also signals the Belgian powerhouse remains hungry for the Monument victories that have so far eluded him.
Alex Pretti shooting ‘eye opening’ for bike industry in Minneapolis area
Alex Pretti, a veteran's hospital nurse and active cyclist, was shot and killed by ICE officers in Minneapolis on Saturday—the second such fatality this year during Operation Metro Surge. Pretti, a Surly rider and regular at Angry Catfish bike shop, was well-known in local cycling circles. A memorial ride is planned for Saturday at 1:30 PM from Washburn Fair Oaks Park.
The shooting has galvanized the Twin Cities bike industry. Multiple shops—including Angry Catfish, Freewheel Bike, and Esker Bikes—participated in Friday's general strike, with another planned this week. Industry members say the incident shattered any sense of safety, even for white cyclists. "This one's really hard because a lot of us here in Minneapolis could see that happening to us in a heartbeat," said Esker's founder. Memorial rides are being organized nationwide.
[UPDATE] CX Gallery: World Cup ends with fireworks in double-header grand finale
The cyclocross World Cup wrapped up with back-to-back rounds in Maasmechelen and Hoogerheide, delivering near-identical podiums across both weekends. Puck Pieterse dominated the women's field while Mathieu van der Poel reminded everyone why he's the sport's biggest name, sweeping both elite races in commanding fashion.
Why it matters: This double-header finale showcased the current hierarchy in cyclocross heading into championship season. Van der Poel's return to form signals he's peaking at the right time for Worlds, while Pieterse continues her breakout campaign as the rider to beat in women's CX. The consistent results across both races suggest these athletes have found another gear when it counts most—a warning shot to rivals with the world championships looming.
[UPDATE] Mission One of Two Accomplished: Mathieu Van Der Poel Makes All-Time World Cup History
Van der Poel Makes World Cup History in Hoogerheide
Mathieu van der Poel dominated the field at Hoogerheide to secure his place in cyclocross history, claiming an all-time World Cup record. The Dutch superstar's commanding performance marks "mission one of two accomplished" as he sets his sights on next weekend's world championships.
This matters because van der Poel is peaking at precisely the right moment. His Hoogerheide victory demonstrates the devastating form that makes him the overwhelming favorite for the rainbow jersey. For cyclocross fans, we're witnessing one of the sport's greatest riders potentially cementing his legacy with back-to-back historic achievements. The question now isn't whether he'll contend for the world title—it's whether anyone can stop him.
🎙️ Fresh Ears
- Physical Activity Variety and Risk of Death: Harvard study shows exercise variety reduces premature death risk more than volume alone.
- Corkscrew Chaos Down Under & New 'Nerfed' Classics Routes? | LRCP Weekly #2: Weekly recap of Tour Down Under, Classics route changes, and upcoming race previews.
- S14 Ep2: Crystal Balls Up: Podcast predictions for 2026 season with Tour Down Under analysis and UK Grand Départ announcement.
📺 Watch List
- Should There Be An Age Limit For Mountain Bike Events? | Dirt Shed Show 568: Debate on age restrictions for mountain bike events following young rider's extreme stunt.
- I Doubled My Protein Intake For Six Weeks | What Happened?: Scientific analysis of protein intake impact on cycling performance and recovery over six weeks.
- My Biggest Challenge Yet! | The Road To Leadville: Athlete documents nine-month training journey for Leadville 100 with lab-based fitness testing and coaching.
