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PTO eyes up new deal with Oakley Meta for T100 Triathlon World Tour

By
Gary
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PTO eyes up new deal with Oakley Meta on T100 Triathlon World Tour

The Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) has confirmed a new partnership with Meta, naming it the ‘Official AI Wearables Partner’ of the T100 Triathlon World Tour.

The collaboration will see Oakley Meta Vanguard and HSTN Performance AI glasses utilised on the T100 Triathlon World Tour. The aim is to introduce new storytelling opportunities for the sport of triathlon.

PTO notes that, through first-person video capture, fans will be able to experience both professional and amateur racing from inside the action, offering new perspectives designed to bring audiences closer to the demands of endurance racing.

Stuart Ramsey, Chief Commercial Officer at PTO, said “We are very excited to be announcing this partnership. Meta aligns perfectly with our desire to use innovation to transform the sport of triathlon and champion the journey of every triathlete. It represents an exciting step forward in how cutting edge technology can support endurance athletes while making triathlon more engaging and accessible for fans worldwide.

“We already know that triathletes use wearable technology to help improve their performance and train smarter. But one of the biggest benefits of the Oakley Meta Vanguard glasses is the hands-free performance, which enables you to capture footage of your training and then racing. Beyond the athletes themselves wearing them, we’ll also be getting friends and family involved as well as race officials.”

Professionals competing on the T100 Triathlon World Tour have already captured and published post-race footage of themselves in race situations. New Zealand’s Kurt McDonald wore the Oakley Meta Vanguard glasses on his 18km run during the Sokin T100 San Francisco Triathlon, while amateur age grouper Travis Mundell used a pair during the Sokin Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon.

Designed specifically for endurance athletes, the Oakley Meta Vanguard and HSTN glasses combine Oakley’s sports performance eyewear with Meta’s AI and connected technology platform. According to the company, ‘Athletic Intelligence’ is intended to sharpen vision, fuel decision making, and amplify performance in key moments to help athletes reach their potential.

The announcement came alongside the London T100 event last weekend. Looking ahead, the PTO and the sport’s international governing body, World Triathlon, plan to launch an 80+ event Triathlon World Tour in 2027. This initiative will integrate the current T100 Triathlon World Tour and the World Triathlon Championship Series (WTCS) – rebranded as the T50 – alongside World Cup and Challenge Family events under a single brand and unified structure.

The PTO’s T100 Triathlon World Tour, introduced in January 2024, is designated by World Triathlon as the official World Championship for long distance triathlon. The tour features races over a 100km distance, comprising a 2km swim, 80km bike, and 18km run.

In 2026, the T100 Tour delivers its nine-stop T100 Race To Qatar across global locations including the Gold Coast on March 21–22, 2026, Singapore on April 25–26, 2026, Spain on May 23–24, 2026, San Francisco on June 6–7, 2026, Vancouver on August 15–16, 2026, the French Riviera on September 19–20, 2026, Dubai on November 12–15, 2026, Saudi Arabia in November 2026, and Qatar on December 11–12, 2026.

www.t100triathlon.com

 

CANYON//SRAM riders launch We Femmes movement

By
Gary
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CANYON//SRAM riders launch We Femmes movement

Professional cycling team CANYON//SRAM has launched We Femmes, a movement aimed at elevating women’s cycling popularity and participation.

Unveiled ahead of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, the initiative is backed by the team’s riders alongside partners including Canyon Bicycles, SRAM, Zwift, and RYZON.

The core concept behind We Femmes centres on a peer-to-peer invitation structure: if you ride, bring a woman who doesn’t. All We Femmes rides are designed to be open, free, and non-competitive, encouraging current cyclists to introduce newcomers to the sport.

As part of the initiative, direct-to-consumer bike manufacturer Canyon has committed to bringing a minimum of 1,000 women per year to We Femmes rides and events for the next decade. The company plans to publish annual participation and engagement figures prior to future editions of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.

Tiffany Cromwell, CANYON//SRAM rider since 2016, said “Women’s cycling has developed in leaps and bounds since I first started racing. It has evolved from a largely male-dominated space into a sport where women have a much greater spotlight on the professional stage, giving us the opportunity to be seen and inspire others. At the same time, we’re seeing more initiatives that make cycling more welcoming at a community level, encouraging more women to get involved and creating a pathway towards the professional side of the sport.

“CANYON//SRAM has been a trailblazer in this space alongside the team’s long-term partners, always looking for new ways to push boundaries and help grow women’s cycling from every angle. We Femmes is another step on that journey. It’s an exciting new idea, and I hope it encourages many more women into this beautiful sport as we work to strengthen cycling communities around the world.”

Claudia Gorgues, Road Marketing Manager at Canyon, said “Nobody arrives at a bike event by accident. Someone brings you – lends you a bike, tells you what to wear, waits at the top. Behind every woman trying something new is a friend who’s already been through it. We Femmes is just that, at scale, and it works whether you’re chasing a podium or a coffee stop.”

The launch coincides with a new kit design produced by premium apparel brand RYZON, which features the We Femmes branding. The kit will be worn by both the elite CANYON//SRAM squad and its development team, CANYON//SRAM Generation, debuting at the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift in August 2026. The new jersey is available to the public in women’s and men’s sizing for €130.

Beth Duryea, Marketing and Communications Manager at CANYON//SRAM, said “Over the past ten years of CANYON//SRAM, our ambitions have always extended beyond racing. Throughout our journey, we’ve seen women’s cycling evolve not only on the road, but through the stories, connections and community that have grown alongside the sport. Together with partners such as CANYON, SRAM and Zwift, we’ve been proud to help shape that evolution.

“Designed by new partner RYZON, this stunning We Femmes jersey celebrates how far we’ve come and shows that the future is bold and bright. Seeing it worn by CANYON//SRAM and CANYON//SRAM Generation in front of countless fans – from the biggest stage at the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift to rides and events of every size around the world – is incredibly special.”

Kate Veronneau, Director of Women’s Strategy at Zwift, said “We Femmes is exactly the commitment and action we set out to inspire with Watch the Femmes. Lasting change happens when brands, teams, communities and partners align behind a shared mission. This is a fantastic opportunity to build – at grassroots level – on Watch the Femmes’ momentum within bike racing.”

Roman Arnold, Executive Chairman & Founder at Canyon Bicycles, said “We started Canyon to put the best bike in the world into the rider’s hands – directly, with no one in between. Not a version of the best bike. The best one. For most of this sport’s history, a race bike for a woman meant a man’s bike, built smaller and painted differently.

“We are engineers. Ten years alongside CANYON//SRAM mean we no longer have to guess – we have been building and testing with the fastest women in the world, and that knowledge belongs in every bike we make: the fit, the geometry, and every point where the rider meets the machine. We Femmes isn’t ours. We’ll fund it. The women riding will decide what it becomes.”

Following its debut at the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, the movement will roll out rider-led community rides across key European cities in autumn 2026 alongside focus groups, before expanding international collaborations in 2027.

www.wmncycling.com
www.canyon.com

 

Strava and Samsung in pre-install partnership, as new Strava features are released

By
Gary
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Tie up with Strava - Samsung Galaxy Watch9 Ultra - image credit Samsung

Strava, the fitness tracking platform that now boasts over 200 million users in more than 185 countries, has announced a strategic partnership with Samsung Electronics.

Unveiled at Samsung Galaxy Unpacked, the deal will see the Strava app pre-installed on upcoming Galaxy Watches globally, starting with the Galaxy Watch9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra2.

The partnership includes a 60-day free Strava subscription for buyers of the Galaxy Watch9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra2, providing access to the platform’s paid features upon device setup.

In addition, Strava will be natively integrated into Samsung Health. This integration will bring Strava Routes directly to the Samsung ecosystem later this year, offering on-wrist navigation tools for users. The feature rollout is scheduled to begin globally over the coming months.

Michael Martin, Chief Executive Officer at Strava, said “The Samsung Galaxy Watches are increasingly popular with the Strava community. We want Strava to be there the moment someone decides to get moving, so that athletes can capture all aspects of their active lives.

“Pre-loading Strava on the Galaxy Watch9 and Galaxy Watch Ultra2, while also making Routes work natively through Samsung Health, means the best version of Strava is available from the first time someone puts the watch on their wrist. This upgrade is the first of many improvements Strava and Samsung users can expect in the near future.”

Alongside the hardware integration, Strava has introduced several platform updates designed to evolve how athletes track, understand, and share movement across training data, trail navigation, and community engagement.

For training analysis, Strava has expanded its integration capabilities with third-party training platforms. Workouts logged via running training application Runna now appear directly within Strava Activity Details, displaying complete sessions from warm-up to cooldown.

Strava has also introduced an artificial intelligence integration with Claude. Here, users can connect their Strava accounts to the AI assistant to query historical training data, allowing athletes to ask questions such as ‘How did this month compare to last year?’ or analyze how cross-training impacts running performance.

For event discovery and navigation, the updated Events tab consolidates local club meetups alongside global running races, streamlining how users find upcoming events.

Community features have also been updated through the addition of Club Messaging. The feature provides dedicated communication channels within clubs to share routes, photos, updates, and polls. Additionally, Strava has introduced Activity Replays, which replaces static map snapshots with animated route playback to show workout trajectories from start to finish.

For gym and resistance training, strength application Befit has joined Strava’s list of connected partners, enabling direct workout syncing. New editing tools allow users to add multiple exercises simultaneously and customize display parameters, such as targeted muscle maps and total weight lifted.

The platform features are available immediately on the latest version of the Strava app.

www.strava.com
www.samsung.com

 

Ultra run series One Hundred establishes operations HQ in Dubai

By
Gary
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Ultra run series One Hundred establishes operations HQ in Dubai

International endurance trail running series One Hundred has established its global operational headquarters in Dubai, UAE, supported by a strategic partnership with Super Sports and the appointment of Fadi Maayta as Board Advisor and Senior Partner.

The Dubai base will serve as the operational hub for One Hundred’s expansion across the Middle East and North Africa, with initial development targeting the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Jordan and Egypt. The company aims to integrate mass participation events, championship racing and destination programming within its broader One Hundred World Championship network.

As part of the rollout, Super Sports, an event management company founded in 1998, will act as One Hundred’s regional operations and logistics partner. Delivering more than 200 events annually with a participant database exceeding 400,000 athletes, Super Sports will provide the infrastructure and regional network for the brand’s development across the region.

Fadi Maayta, founder of investment group ACT Holding, joins One Hundred as Board Advisor and Senior Partner to lead institutional partnerships, government engagement and strategic growth.

João Andrade, Executive Chairman at One Hundred, said “The Middle East and North Africa represent one of the most significant growth opportunities in global endurance sport today. The level of sovereign investment in tourism, active lifestyles and destination-led events creates a foundation that few regions can match. Establishing our global operational headquarters in Dubai positions us at the centre of that opportunity.”

João de Saldanha, CEO at One Hundred, added “This partnership goes beyond event delivery. Super Sports provides the operational depth and regional integration that allows us to build a sustainable, long-term platform – one that delivers compounding value for athletes, communities, destinations and institutional partners. MENA is no longer an expansion market; it is becoming a cornerstone of our global architecture.”

Warren van der Merwe, Managing Director at Super Sports, said “One Hundred’s platform is a natural complement to the UAE’s position as a global destination for sport and active lifestyles. Combining our regional infrastructure and participant network with One Hundred’s championship platform creates meaningful opportunities for athletes, destinations and the institutional stakeholders shaping the future of sport in the region.”

Fadi Maayta, Board Advisor and Senior Partner at One Hundred, added “MENA is not catching up, it is setting the pace. Governments here are building the future of sport, tourism and community wellbeing with a level of ambition and coordination that few regions can match. One Hundred is uniquely positioned to contribute to that momentum and doing it from a Dubai operational base is exactly the kind of long-term bet worth building.”

www.onehundred.com

 

RaceRanger data at DATEV Challenge Roth shows less drafting despite 20m rule

By
Gary
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DATEV Challenge Roth introduces RaceRanger

Data from DATEV Challenge Roth, captured on July 5, 2026, has revealed a significant decrease in drafting activity at this year’s event, despite the mandatory minimum spacing distance between professional athletes being increased from 12m to 20m.

Following the publication of complete RaceRanger data in 2025, DATEV Challenge Roth and electronic distance-measuring technology provider RaceRanger continued the initiative in 2026. The latest analysis shows the average illegal drafting time per professional fell by 53% from 2 minutes 40 seconds to 1 minute 15 seconds. The median drafting time dropped 77%, from 1 minute 10 seconds in 2025 to 16 seconds in 2026.

The frequency of ‘yo-yo’ manoeuvres – where athletes enter the draft zone without completing an overtake before dropping back – fell by 66%, from 23.4 to 7.9 per athlete. Additionally, the proportion of professionals recording more than two minutes of illegal drafting time more than halved from 35% to 14%, while the proportion of entirely clean bike splits with zero drafting time rose from 22% to 29%.

Among male professionals, average illegal drafting time decreased from 3 minutes 15 seconds to 1 minute 43 seconds, with the proportion spending more than two minutes in the draft zone dropping from 44% to 19%.

In the women’s field, average illegal drafting time fell from 58 seconds to 25 seconds, while 60% of female professionals completed the bike leg with zero illegal drafting time, up from 41% in 2025. The median drafting time for women reached 0 seconds for the first time.

At the front of the race, average illegal drafting time for the top ten men dropped from 1 minute 47 seconds to 23 seconds – a 78% reduction. Men’s race winner Sam Laidlow recorded a world-record time of 7:21:04 with 18 seconds of illegal drafting time over the 180km bike leg. In the women’s top ten, average drafting time decreased from 1 minute 49 seconds to 38 seconds.

James Elvery, founder of RaceRanger, said “The figures speak for themselves. Although the professionals had to maintain a significantly greater distance of 20 metres this year, drafting activity has decreased markedly in all key areas.

“At the very top of the field in particular, the athletes are setting a good example. This is a major step forward for fair professional sport. The openness with which Roth publishes this data is unique worldwide and provides a significant boost to our sport.”

Felix Walchshöfer, Race Director at DATEV Challenge Roth, said “Last year, on the initiative of Sam Laidlow, we decided to make the RaceRanger data public. This year’s results impressively demonstrate that transparency works. The permitted distance was increased from 12 to 20 metres at the request of the majority of the professionals; the rules were therefore significantly stricter than in the previous year.

“We are delighted that riders still competed fairly despite this, and it shows that fairness and transparency go hand in hand in professional sport. That was precisely our aim.”

Walchshöfer added that on-site race officials retain the final decision regarding potential rule breaches, with RaceRanger serving as a technical support tool for referees.

As in the previous year, the data analysis was adjusted to exclude course sections with high spectator density (Solarer Berg, Kränzleinsberg and Kalvarienberg), the first and last 500m of the bike course, and all aid stations, which were designated as exempt from drafting rules by the Referees’ Panel.

www.challenge-roth.com

 

Esmée Gummer targets Guinness World Record as The Nation’s 5K progresses

By
Gary
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Esmée Gummer at Perth Run Club, targets Guinness World Record as The Nation's 5k progresses

Endurance athlete Esmée Gummer has reached the end of month #1 of her 5,000km run across the UK and Ireland and set her sights on an official Guinness World Records attempt for the most consecutive free 5k events hosted by one person via The Nation’s 5K.

Since setting off on June 27, 2026, Gummer has been travelling between 77 cities on foot, hosting a free, open-to-all community 5k at each location. By the end of month one, she had covered 1,555km, climbed 16,791m in elevation, hosted 24 free run clubs and welcomed 959 attendees. The challenge will see her cover 5,000km over 99 consecutive days, finishing on October 3, 2026.

The route has presented physical challenges, including a sting from giant hogweed in early July along canal paths and country lanes, requiring treatment from a surgeon.

Esmée Gummer said “Every single 5k along this route has been about showing up for people, whatever hogweed, hills or bad weather gets in the way. Going for this record isn’t really about me – it’s proof that a community can turn up, every single time, for each other. If we can do that 77 times in a row, imagine what we can do for good.”

At age 18, Gummer was paralyzed following complications during a routine operation. After regaining the ability to walk, dance and run, she went on to complete marathons and ultra-endurance challenges. In 2023, she founded The Say Yes Club, a weekly 5k in East London that served as the model for The Nation’s 5k.

Each free 5k event acts as a charity fundraiser, with proceeds split between Wings for Life, Sport In Mind, and parkrun, alongside causes nominated by the public. As a charity partner, parkrun is hosting 13 of its own free community events along the route from Inverness to Cardiff between June 27, 2026 and September 26, 2026.

Registration partner realbuzz is facilitating sign-ups for the events, with fundraising managed through GoFundMe and daily updates provided via partner application Effitt.

www.thenations5k.com

 

Sir Chris Hoy appointed Chair of Science in Sport’s Elite Performance Advisory Panel

By
Gary
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Sir Chris Hoy appointed Chair of Science in Sport Elite Performance Advisory Panel

Science in Sport (SiS), the sports nutrition company, has appointed six-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy as Chair of its Elite Performance Advisory Panel. The role comes as athletes compete at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and prepare for the journey towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Sir Chris Hoy will work with Science in Sport’s scientific and elite performance teams to provide strategic insight, helping to shape research, product development and educational initiatives across elite sport. The appointment builds on a relationship spanning more than 30 years, with Chris Hoy having first used the brand as a student before working alongside the business throughout his cycling career.

Hoy will chair a panel of elite athletes to ensure their perspectives remain central to Science in Sport’s ongoing investment in research and innovation. Science in Sport adds that it has supported hundreds of athletes and teams across cycling, running, football and triathlon, with its fuelled athletes securing 106 medals at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Dan Lampard, Chief Commercial & Operating Officer at Science in Sport, said “Sir Chris is one of the most respected figures in sport. His experience of performing at the highest level, combined with his passion for helping athletes maximise their potential, makes him uniquely positioned to guide our Elite Performance Advisory Panel.

“With Glasgow 2026 underway and LA28 on the horizon, his insight will help ensure our research, products and educational programmes continue to meet the needs of elite athletes.”

Sir Chris Hoy said “Elite sport is about far more than talent alone. Success comes from thousands of small decisions and fuelling is one of the most important. Science in Sport has built a strong reputation for combining scientific research with practical solutions that help athletes perform at their best.

“I’ve known Science in Sport since the nineties, having first discovered the brand as a student and customer before working with the team throughout much of my career, so this appointment feels like a natural progression. I’m proud to take on the role of Chair of the Elite Performance Advisory Panel and work alongside the team to help shape future research, share insights from elite sport and support the next generation of athletes as they compete at the Commonwealth Games, LA28 and beyond.”

Founded in 1992, Science in Sport develops, manufactures and distributes performance nutrition products across energy, hydration, recovery and protein categories, including the creation of the world’s first isotonic energy gel. All Science in Sport products are developed, tested and manufactured in the UK.

www.scienceinsport.com

 

British Triathlon in digital transformation with Netcompany and Huble

By
Gary
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British Triathlon logo

British Triathlon, the governing body for triathlon and multisport in Great Britain, has launched a digital transformation programme designed to improve connection with swim, bike and run, and to strengthen support for members, participants and the wider triathlon community.

The launch marks a next step in British Triathlon’s ambition to create better experiences across the sport, working closely with the Home Nations of Triathlon England, Triathlon Scotland and Welsh Triathlon.

Delivered in partnership with technology company Netcompany and global go-to-market consultancy Huble, the programme brings together membership, communications and insight. According to the national governing body, by moving away from an outdated technology stack and fragmented ways of working, the organisation aims to provide more consistent support, make better-informed decisions and improve experiences over time.

For members, participants and the wider community, the programme aims to provide simpler digital interactions, more relevant communications and improved self-service.

For British Triathlon and the home nations, it should create a shared view of member needs and a joined-up approach to engagement, enabling collaboration, operational efficiency and long-term planning. Commercial partners will also gain access to data-based decision making and improved audience engagement capabilities.

Ruth Daniels, Chief Executive at British Triathlon, said “This is an important first step in how we better support our members and the wider swim, bike and run community. It gives us the foundations to make everyday interactions simpler, more joined up and more personalised, while helping us understand and respond to the needs of our sport in a more consistent way.

“The programme also shows the strength of collaboration across our Home Nations, partners and UK Sport, and highlights the positive impact we are already making in communities through our partnership with both Netcompany and Huble. This has been a huge piece of work for us and I am incredibly grateful for the substantial work done by our team at British Triathlon, our Home Nations colleagues, Netcompany, Huble and for the support of UK Sport and the National Lottery.”

Nikki Phillips, Director of Digital Transformation at British Triathlon, said “This milestone marks a significant step forward for British Triathlon and the Home Nations. It is about more than changing systems; it is about changing how we work together, how we understand our members and how we make it easier for people to engage with swim, bike and run.

“For the first time, we will have a more connected and reliable picture of member engagement across the sport. That will help us improve services, strengthen decision making and create more personalised experiences for members now and in the years ahead.”

The digital overhaul supports British Triathlon’s updated membership offer and will look to help the governing body communicate with members in a more relevant and consistent way.

Richard Davies, UK Country Managing Partner at Netcompany, said “This launch shows how transformation can help sporting organisations deliver lasting value for the people they serve. British Triathlon now has the foundations to improve member experience, support participation and plan confidently for future growth. We are proud to have delivered this together and look forward to supporting British Triathlon as the programme continues.”

Rebecca Harris, CEO at Huble, added “Getting a CRM project of this scale live takes genuine partnership, and that’s exactly what this has been. We’ve brought British Triathlon’s member data together in one place for the first time, giving the organisation and the Home Nations a real foundation to understand and support their members better. We’re proud of what the team has delivered, and excited to keep building on it as the programme moves into its next phase.”

Netcompany’s partnership with British Triathlon also includes a social value commitment through the Swim Bike Run Neighbourhood Partnership alongside Active Bradford. Inspired by the return of World Championship Series racing to London in 2026, the initiative creates opportunities for children and families in Bradford to participate in activity through pilots such as Active Skills for Life/Literacy Kicks.

In the three months to June 2026, more than 120 children took part in free pop-up duathlons in Keighley and Wyke, while the Bradford Girl Power project reached more than 400 school pupils, alongside free park duathlons across the district.

Netcompany will continue to support British Triathlon as the programme develops through 2026 and beyond.

www.britishtriathlon.org

 

Alpha Win expands Big Apple Triathlon with new duathlon

By
Gary
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Alpha Win expands Big Apple Triathlon with new duathlon

Alpha Win, an endurance sports production company, has confirmed the addition of a new Duathlon race offering at the 2026 Big Apple Triathlon lineup in New York, NY. The run-bike-run event expands the event’s footprint, offering an alternative for athletes looking to participate without taking part in the swim leg.

Scheduled for October 10, 2026, according to Alpha Win, the event aims to fill a gap in the New York City endurance calendar by returning racing to the streets of the West Side.

The duathlon will debut alongside the traditional Sprint and Olympic triathlon distances as well as the Draft-Legal Sprint Cup. The addition is designed to broaden participation at the multisport event.

Tommy Struzzieri, CEO of Alpha Win, said “Our goal has always been to lower the barrier to entry and get as many people moving as possible. The Duathlon opens the door for a massive community of runners and riders who want the thrill of the Big Apple Triathlon but prefer to stay on dry land. It’s a major step forward in making this one of the most diverse and accessible endurance events in the country.”

By removing the swim component, the race provides an option for runners, cyclists, and multisport newcomers. Participants will race along a course through New York City streets and waterfronts, benefiting from the same course design, athlete support, and spectator presence as the main event.

The full 2026 Big Apple Triathlon lineup includes:

  • Pro-Division: Draft-Legal Sprint Cup
  • Traditional Distances: Sprint & Olympic Triathlons (Individual & Relay)
  • Alternative Multisport: Duathlon and Aquabike
  • Inclusivity Divisions: Para-athlete Sprint division

Registration for the Duathlon is currently open. Athletes can secure their entry alongside the other race distances at the official website, with tiered pricing available for a limited number of slots.

www.BigAppleTriathlon.com

 

Tour de France Grand Départ trophy handed to Great Britain for 2027

By
Gary
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Lizzie Deignan and Mark Cavendish receive the Tour de France Grand Depart trophy from Mayor of Barcelona Jaume Collboni - image credit SWPix

Great Britain has now officially become the next host of the Tour de France, organised by Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O), after the Grand Départ Trophy was presented in Paris following the final stage of the 2026 race.

The handover from Barcelona, host in 2026, confirms Britain as the next host of both the men’s and women’s Grands Départs in 2027. This marks the first time both events have started from the same country outside France.

The trophy was presented on the Tour de France final podium on the Champs-Élysées in Paris, from 2026 Grand Départ host Barcelona, by Jaume Collboni, Mayor of Barcelona. It was received by British cycling greats Lizzie Deignan MBE and Sir Mark Cavendish, with under a year to go until Britain hosts what is set to be the largest free-to-watch sporting event in the nation’s history.

From Edinburgh to Cardiff, and Leeds to London, communities across Great Britain are preparing to welcome the international peloton, with millions of spectators expected to line the routes of the six stages in summer 2027.

The handover follows the recent confirmation of a free-to-air broadcast deal for the UK stages via Channel 5, meaning fans will be able to follow the action from home as well as at the roadside.

It also comes as recruitment continues for the thousands of volunteers needed to deliver the 2027 Grands Départs. Applications are open until September 1, 2026 for anyone aged 16 and over, from all backgrounds and levels of experience.

Former professional cyclist Mark Cavendish said “I built my whole career around Le Tour de France. It’s not simply a bike race, it’s an event that captivates everyone that both participates and spectates. A street party over many kilometres of colour, noise and speed.

“Having raced in 2007 and 2014 in the UK, I know first hand how amazing the British public are at Le Tour and can’t wait to see it on an even bigger scale with both races next year. Taking this trophy back to Britain tonight means a lot.”

Lizzie Deignan said “Being on that podium in Paris and being handed that trophy was a really special moment. It still doesn’t feel real that in twelve months the Tour de France returns to Britain, with the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift racing on the roads I grew up riding in Yorkshire.

“It’ll be a big moment for the whole country, and I hope people come out to line those roads and experience the world’s biggest bike races in any way they can.”

Paul Bush, Managing Director at Grand Départ GB 2027, added “As of now, Great Britain formally steps forward as the next host of the Tour de France – and we couldn’t be more excited and proud. Barcelona has set a brilliant standard this year, and now it’s our turn.

“For the first time in the race’s history, both the men’s and women’s Grands Départs will start in the same country outside of France, and that country is Britain. We are determined to make 2027 a moment the whole nation can be proud of.”

A dedicated social impact programme, JOY, will aim to deliver lasting impact beyond 2027, focusing on improving health and wellbeing, skills development and connecting communities. The initiative will look to create opportunities for young people to develop and showcase their skills whilst bringing together community groups.

The Tour de France 2027 route details include:

  • Friday July 2, 2027 | stage one: Edinburgh to Carlisle
  • Saturday July 3, 2027 | stage two: Keswick to Liverpool
  • Sunday July 4, 2027 | stage three: Welshpool to Cardiff

The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift 2027 route details include:

  • Friday July 30, 2027 | stage one: Leeds to Manchester
  • Saturday July 31, 2027 | stage two: Manchester to Sheffield
  • Sunday August 1, 2027 | stage three: London

www.letourgb.com

 

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