Happy Monday, Muckers!

If you spent your weekend battling the February gloom (or just battling the gradients on ROUVY), you might have missed some absolute chaos in the pro cycling world. The 2026 season is well and truly underway, and this week delivered everything we love: underdog wins, controversial course changes, and people riding bikes down ski slopes.

Here is the debrief for the Muckers community.

1. The Breakaway Dream is Alive

We start with the ride of the week. In the Tour of Oman, young Frenchman Baptiste Veistroffer did exactly what every one of us dreams of doing on a Sunday group ride: he went off the front and refused to be caught.

Surviving from the early break on Stage 2, he held off a peloton hungry for a sprint finish to take a solo win. It was gritty, it was brave, and it was a perfect reminder that sometimes, you just have to ignore the data, put your head down, and pedal until they can’t catch you.

2. Gravel Gets… Less Gravel?

A bit of controversy for our white-road lovers. The organizers of Strade Bianche have announced that the 2026 route will feature less gravel than previous years, dropping from 80km to 64km of the rough stuff.

Is this a tragedy or a relief? For the Muckers who love the gnarly sectors, it’s a shame to see the “wild” side of the race tamed. But for the power riders (the “rouleurs” among us), it might just level the playing field against the featherweight climbers. Let the debate commence in the Discord!

3. The Ultimate Mucker Discipline: Snow Biking

While we complain about cold toes, the UCI Snow Bike World Championships went down in France this weekend.

Yes, it’s a real thing. Riders hurled themselves down Super-G ski runs on studded tires. It’s chaotic, dangerous, and absolutely something we should try at the next Muckers meet-up (insurance permitting). If you think a muddy cyclocross race is slippery, try taking a hairpin turn on ice at 50kph.

4. The Pros Are Not Messing About

Finally, a nod to the heavy hitters. Remco Evenepoel wrapped up the win at Valenciana yesterday, and Elisa Longo Borghini crushed the UAE Tour Women. The lesson? The pros aren’t easing into 2026—they are coming in hot. Time for us to up our training game?

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Mucker’s Takeaway: Whether you’re riding on snow, sand, or just the turbo trainer—keep spinning. And if you see a breakaway up the road today, maybe give them a cheer. It might just be their day.

Ride On!