The Spring Classics are finally underway, and Opening Weekend didn't disappoint with emphatic wins by Mathieu van der Poel and Demi Vollering at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Matthew Brennan at Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne. As expected, the team paddocks were awash with fans and cycling royalty, not to mention mechanics frantically prepping bikes ahead of the start. We were fortunate enough to be on the ground at both races, camera and notepad in hand, meticulously searching for new tech and trends.

While there’s still no sign of a new Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 groupset, there was plenty of experimentation behind the scenes, along with some common themes explored by most teams. There was an even split between Shimano and SRAM components (Cofidis was the only team running Campagnolo groupsets), with further subdivisions in drivetrain specifications.

One-by setups were commonplace given the nature of the punchy parcours. As such, SRAM-sponsored teams such as Lidl-Trek, Visma-Lease a Bike, and Unibet Rose Rockets employed mullet configurations, categorised by SRAM Red AXS front ends, Red AXS XPLR cassettes, and direct-mount rear derailleurs. This move allowed the teams to safely run the brand's aero-optimised 54T chainring.

Chain guides were standard fare on all one-by setups, with Wolf Tooth dominating chain keeper duties. Tim Wellens of UAE Team Emirates XRG was seen aboard a Y1Rs with a Shimano Dura-Ace 1x setup, complete with a Carbon-Ti ring and a K-Edge chain keeper.

While most teams were on tubeless tyres, the humble butyl inner tube still had a small role to play, relegated to holding the timing transponders in place on the forks.

Race profile stickers were seen in various guises, from beautifully printed glossy decals to handwritten paper and fabric adhesives. Stem lengths were pretty long, too, with nothing less than 120mm fitted. Most riders opted for 130mm while others were seen using stems as long as 145mm.

There was a mix of handlebar configurations, too, with both traditional stem-and-bar clamps and integrated one-piece arrangements. This was used by Lidl-Trek, with rider Kragh Andersen no doubt using a Bontrager Aero RSL bar and stem to find the right combinations before settling on an integrated setup. Most Lidl-Trek riders were using the fully integrated RSL setup.

While we were at it, we weighed as many bikes as we could get our hands on to get a sense of the Classics-spec race rigs, which averaged around 7.5kg. The lightest bike was Tom Pidcock's 7.18kg Pinarello Dogma F, while the heaviest was Cole Kessler's Factor One of Modern Adventure Pro Cycling. His bike tipped the scales at 8.39kg, granted it was outfitted in SRAM Force AXS.

There was a fair bit of mixed-and-matched components on show, too, but this is nothing new owing to sponsor obligations or rider preference. As such, Shimano Dura-Ace SPD-SLs led the charge in the pedal department and were also seen attached to many SRAM crankarms. There were Look Keo Blade Ceramic Ti and Time XPro SL pedals also on display, but the latter was used on SRAM-sponsored teams only – we didn’t see any Time pedals fitted to Shimano-equipped bikes.

Among the drivetrain component combinations, Bahrain Victorious paired regular Shimano cranksets and Chinese Elilee carbon cranks (with power meters in some configurations) with their Dura-Ace groupsets.

Mathieu van der Poel went on to win Omloop Het Nieuwsblad on a two-by Shimano Dura-Ace Di2-outfitted bike, proving 24 gears are still a no-brainer for most race situations. With over 1,600m of vertical ascent to negotiate across the Flanders landscape, van der Poel's 56/44T, 11-34T gearing setup proved a successful recipe for the Dutchman.

There was a lot on display, but there were several clear trends seen on the bikes of all the major WorldTour teams – and we've compiled our findings below.

1. The single chainring revolution

Owing to the parcours, which was predominantly flat and rolling with several steep bergs, the chainring standards were fairly diverse.

The common chainring size across both single- and double-chainring configurations was 54T. For Shimano double chainsets, 54/40T was a popular ratio, while van der Poel used a 55/40T combination on rings that looked aftermarket, albeit with laser-cut Dura-Ace nomenclature.

The largest ring combination was spotted on bikes from Bahrain Victorious and TotalEnergies; both teams were using 56/44T Dura Ace-branded rings, while SRAM's largest ring configuration maxed out at 56/43T, as seen on Decathlon CMA CGM rider Stefan Bissegger's Van Rysel RCR Pro.

2. The crank length debate

The crank length debate is well and truly undecided, with a host of sizes seen employed across the teams for Opening Weekend. Of all the sizes, 172.5mm was the most popular, followed by 165mm and 175mm.

There were several outliers, such as Jonas Abrahamsen’s 167.5mm SRAM crankarms, but all in all, Classics riders don't appear too bothered by the current rhetoric surrounding shorter cranks.

3. 3D-printed computer mounts and weight-saving hacks

There were some custom 3D-printed goodies seen on some team bikes, mainly pertaining to the computer mounts and cradles. While most teams seemed happy using K-Edge and other standard mounts, UAE Team Emirates XRG continued to run the custom Wahoo cradle first seen on Tadej Pogacar's Y1Rs at last year's Tour de France. The team was also using Carbon-Ti direct-mount hangers.

Lidl-Trek was also using 3D-printed computer mounts supplied by the Dutch company, Leap Components, while Uno-X was running team-branded 3D-printed out-front mounts and custom race number holders on the seatpost.

4. Prototype tyres, wheels and frames

We spotted what appeared to be an unreleased tyre on many of the Specialized-sponsored teams, including Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, Soudal Quick-Step and FDJ United-SUEZ. These tyres were marked with a 'Cotton' wordmark logo and measured 32mm in width. A closer look at Jordi Meeus's tyres also revealed a silicon-like treatment and a handwritten 'V' on the sidewall. The Cotton tyre, together with the Vittoria Corsa Pro, represented the widest available at the Opening Weekend.

The other big news belonged to the man of the hour, Mathieu van der Poel, who was riding a mildly updated, custom Canyon Aeroad with redesigned CFR logos on the top tube. Not only did the frame appear to have an updated rear dropout to ensure it's SRAM UDH-compatible, but there were also prototype Shimano Dura-Ace wheels, complete with carbon spokes and new hubs, on display.

5. 30mm tyres rule supreme

Tyre widths were also quite experimental over the weekend. While the majority of riders were using notably wide rubber, nothing less than 28mm was seen wrapped around wheelsets. In fact, of all the teams I analysed, Davide Ballerini of XDS-Astana was the only rider using 28mm tyres, in this case, Continental Grand Prix 5000 TT TR.

The most popular size was 30mm, with brands such as Pirelli, Vittoria, and Michelin catering to this requirement. The widest option used over Opening Weekend was the unreleased 32mm Specialized Cotton TLR tyre. (32mm Vittoria Corsa Pro was also seen on some bikes).

Tom Pidcock kicked off his Spring Classics campaign at Opening Weekend’s Omloop Het Nieuwsblad in Gent, Belgium – a 207.2km loop that takes in many of the familiar cobbles and bergs of the Flemish Ardennes. He came into the race in fine form, having won the fifth and final stage of the Vuelta a Andalucía, but with Mathieu van der Poel, Kasper Asgreen, and Florian Vermeersch also on the start line, and with notably cold and damp conditions, a good result would always prove tough.

The Briton would eventually finish in a disappointing 48th position after battling the cold and crashes, ultimately losing contact with the peloton with 60km to go.

In terms of equipment, Pidcock opted for a fairly standard setup, save for the addition of a 1x drivetrain – a setup that proved immensely popular across all the teams. His size 465 Pinarello Dogma F frame might be one of the smaller sizes in the Italian bike maker’s range, but with a stack and reach of 525.2- and 372.2mm (a stack-to-reach ratio of 1.41), it allows for a very aggressive, aerodynamic position.

The Yorkshireman’s Most Talon UltraFast integrated handlebar was paired with a 120mm stem, which was among the shortest at the race, but not uncommon. The frame is painted in a stunning matte treatment with gold wordmark logos providing a vivid contrast to the satin-navy hue. It’s one classy-looking machine.

While the frame can accommodate tyre widths of up to 32mm, Pidcock - like much of the peloton - opted for 30mm rubber. In this case, a pair of Vittoria Corsa Pro wrapped around Zipp 303 SW wheels, complete with integrated AXS wheel sensor. Here, the gold Zipp decals and tan walls add an extra layer of visual drama and help create a cohesive package.

Component-wise, the Dogma F is outfitted with SRAM Red AXS, featuring a single 54T chainring that drives a 10-36T cassette via 165mm cranks. Despite the X-Sync narrow/wide tooth profile of the ring, a Wolf Tooth chainkeeper was fitted to ensure the chain stayed put over the choppy terrain and cobbled sections. The finishing kit comes compliments of the Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling's sponsors – so there’s the proven Tacx Deva bottle cages, a Prologo Nago R4 PAS 137mm saddle, and Shimano Dura-Ace PD-R9100 pedals.

Even in Classics trim, where weight is not a priority, the Dogma F was the lightest bike we weighed at Opening Weekend at 7.18kg with pedals.

Specs

• Frameset: TorayCa M40X, TiCR
• Fork: eTICR Onda Fork with ForkFlap
• Cockpit: Most Talon Ultra Fast integrated cockpit
• Seatpost: Pinarello Aero
• Groupset: SRAM Red AXS 54T, 10-36T
• Wheelset: Zipp 303 SW
• Tyres: Vittoria Corsa Pro 30mm
• Saddle: Prologo Nago R4 PAS

While gravel cycling is splintering into different racing niches, the discipline is fast-becoming more demanding for both riders and bikes, as I experienced firsthand at Gravel Burn last year. I’m sure many of our readers will recall my Gravel Burn recap, where I mentioned I’d have been better off on a Cannondale Topstone than the SuperX Lab71 I used for the event. The reason for this change of heart was the sheer brutality of the terrain, which, at times, I felt was better suited to a mountain bike.
Some of the Pinarello team, including owner Ivan Glasenberg, were at the Gravel Burn riding the event on Dogma GR and Grevil gravel bikes and would have seen firsthand the demands of modern gravel stage racing and where future events might be heading. Fast forward a few months, and in an interesting twist, Pinarello has lifted the lid on the Grevil MX, which claims to “combine the aerodynamic efficiency of a road bike with the stability and control of a mountain bike.” The Grevil MX will join the current Grevil range, offering riders a more capable machine for challenging events.

A new recipe or a remix?

Pinarello hasn't completely reinvented the wheel here; rather, it has repackaged the Dogma XC hardtail mountain bike with a fresh lick of paint and a drop bar. This move was broadly employed at Gravel Burn, where many riders elected to use hardtail mountain bikes with drop bars, including Scott-SRAM’s Andri Frischknecht, who was on a Scott Scale with drop bars. Those on gravel bikes with suspension or mountain bikes with drop bars were at a clear advantage, with forks that soak up ruts and washboards and geometry better suited to steep, technical downhills.

While the press release waxes lyrical about how the Grevil MX is “shaped and reinforced to withstand the high torsional forces typical of aggressive gravel riding”, the bottom line is that the frameset is a repurposed Dogma XC mountain bike. A review of the geometry numbers corroborates our assumptions, with the same 67.75-degree head angle, 75-degree seat tube angle, 101mm trail, and 425mm chainstays (in medium) as the Dogma XC. It even utilises the same 100mm 32 Float Step-Cast (SC) Factory fork. The main difference lies in the inclusion of the Most Talon Ultra Light cockpit, which is found on the brand's flagship road and gravel bikes.

Specced to go

With rumours of gravel frames cracking due to the demanding terrain of Gravel Burn, the introduction of a dedicated bike such as the Grevil MX will be welcomed by many. Like the Dogma XC, the Grevil MX will better handle the high torsional forces and high-frequency bumps and repetitive impacts of technical gravel riding, thanks to the layup of the Toray M40J carbon fibre frame and specifically shaped chain and seatstays.

While the Grevil MX should be able to easily clear 2.35-inch tyres owing to its Dogma XC blueprint, Pinarello says the bike is optimised for 50mm gravel tyres to balance speed and comfort, and recommends Schwalbe G-One RS Pro. Unlike the Dogma XC and regular gravel setups in Pinarello's range, the Grevil MX will use a 12-speed SRAM AXS Mullet setup. As such, it combines a 38T chainring with an Eagle 10-52T cassette, complete with an XX SL T-Type rear mountain bike derailleur to ensure secure and efficient chain actuation.

The frameset is compatible with both electronic and mechanical groupsets (with internal cable routing), includes provision for a UDH hanger and can play nicely with a 30.9mm dropper post. It's available in four sizes (S, M, L, XL) and one colour, midnight blue. The complete system weight is 9,04kg (medium). As expected, the Pinarello Grevil MX will not be easy on the wallet, with the SRAM AXS build priced at €8,500.

Tech spec: Pinarello Grevil MX

• Groupset: SRAM XX SL Eagle AXS 10-52T
• Chainrings: 32 to 38T
• Brakes: 160mm front/rear (The fork can accommodate up to 180mm rotors)
• Wheels: DT Swiss XRC 1200 110/148 XDR
• Suspension Fork: Fox 32 Float Step-Cast Factory, 100mm
• Tyres: Schwalbe G-One R Pro, 50mm
• Saddle: Lynx 2.0 XC Superflow S Carbon
• Handlebar: Most Talon Ultra Light
• Seatpost: 400mm 30.9 seatpost with oval carbon rails
• Weight: 9.04kg (size M)
• Price: €8,500

When Pinarello officially launched its Grevil F collection last July, it was old news, really. The Italian brand had already quietly rolled a handful of these bikes out at gravel’s biggest stage: Unbound Gravel in Kansas in May. And while the frames were given a branding-free, covert paint job (eye-catching in its own right), the signature wavy fork blades and sinuous tubing were a dead giveaway.

Unbound isn’t where you hide experimental ideas; it’s where you prove them. And Axelle Dubau-Prévot (yes, sister of Tour de France winner Pauline Ferrand-Prévot) lined up on one of these unreleased Grevil F and rode it to a top-30 result that weekend.

Fast forward a few months, and teh Grevil was officially unveiled over the summer, and in November, the Grevil F3 finally made its way to me, just in time for some late-fall riding. Muddy, gritty, and properly filthy. Exactly the sort of conditions that make you appreciate things like 50mm tyre clearance.

Meet the new Pinarello Grevil F

While the Pinarello Dogma GR is the light and aero race weapon of choice for riders like Tom Pidcock and Hugo Drechou at shorter events such as the UCI Gravel World Championships, the Grevil F was designed specifically for the long game. Think long, arduous and rough races like Unbound Gravel, The Rift and Gravel Burn, where stability, comfort and efficiency over many hours matter more than outright punch.

The original Grevil has been around since 2018 and was updated in 2021 to accommodate 50mm tyres, making it an early adopter of MTB-sized rubber in the gravel world. That same clearance carries over to the latest generation, along with a series of other endurance-focused features. These include in-frame storage, integrated rack and frame bag options that have been aero-optimised around the frame, and even dedicated gravel TT bars for those ultra-long solo efforts. To that end, the downtube itself has been reshaped to improve aerodynamic efficiency when running 750ml bottles.

Added comfort was also a consideration in the frame design. There's a new adaptive seatpost that offers up to 10mm of longitudinal flex, working in tandem with the revised seatstay shaping to take the edge off rough surfaces over long distances.

Up front, cable routing has moved to Pinarello’s fully integrated TiCR system for a cleaner cockpit, and the Onda fork now comes with size-specific rake options to keep handling consistent across the size range.

The carbon layup structure has also been expanded into a clearer performance ladder. Following Pinarello’s naming convention, the F9 sits at the top of the range, with both the F9 and F7 using T900UD carbon. The F5 and F3 use T700UD, while the entry-level F1 uses T600. In simple terms, the higher-end models are lighter and stiffer, while the lower-tier frames trade a bit of performance for affordability and comfort.

We received the Grevil F3 in for review, finished in a lovely dark metallic green colourway, the brand calls Etna Black. It came equipped with a 1x12 SRAM Apex XPLR AXS drivetrain, aluminium cockpit and DT Swiss G1800 wheels wrapped in 40mm Vittoria Terreno T50 tyres.

Specs:

• Groupset: 1x12 SRAM APEX AXS XPLR wireless electronic
• Wheels: DT SWISS G1800
• Tyres: 40mm Vittoria Terreno T50 (stock tyres are 45mm Vittoria Terreno T50)
• Handlebars: MOST Jaguar XA GR TiCR
• Saddle: MOST Lynx
• 50 mm Tire Clearance
• In-frame downtube storage
• Tool-free Thru-Axles
• MSRP:
  SRAM: $3700 / €4,300 / Not available in the UK
  SHIMANO: €4,300 / £4,000 / Not available in the US

The Ride

When I first picked up the Pinarello Grevil F3 test bike, I honestly thought it was a bit of an odd duck. Granted, I probably should have been on a smaller size, but even so, the proportions felt off. The stack was tall, the bars were about two sizes too wide, the seatpost had more setback than I’d ever choose, and at 40mm, the tyres looked almost timid on a frame that’s clearly built to accommodate more. I stood there in the driveway looking at it, thinking: I’m not sure we’re going to get along.

For reference, I’m a former road racer with a propensity for underbiking (i.e. opting for a Specialized S-Works Crux at the 350-mile Unbound XL and then not feeling my hands for a week).

On paper, the numbers told a similar story. The stack on this 50cm Grevil is roughly 30mm taller than my personal gravel bike, yet the reach was only one millimetre shorter. So my first job was to get the bars down. I dropped the stem as far as the steerer would allow, which left an ungodly amount of steerer tube showing above the stem. Not the prettiest look, but function over form.

Even then, between the wide bars, the laid-back seatpost and the upright front end, I set off for my first ride with more than a few reservations. I was half expecting the bike to handle like a limousine.

Instead, about ten minutes in, I literally laughed out loud. I didn’t just like the Grevil F — I really liked it.

Ripping through a city park on my way to a bigger loop, the bike immediately reminded me of a cyclocross bike. Where I was expecting an efficient yet somewhat dulled ride, the efficiency was paired with a playful snap and an eagerness I simply didn’t see coming.

On twisty singletrack and tight, rutted gravel paths, it never felt like I was wrestling a long endurance machine. It encouraged me to flick it through corners, get out of the saddle and push push push. It keeps you planted while keeping the fun alive. In one word: sporty. For a bike that’s capable of going the distance and carrying all your stuff, it still has a pep in its step for a speedy hot lap or a lunchtime rip.

Even in this lower-tier build, with T700 carbon and a more accessible spec, it doesn’t feel compromised. In fact, that’s one of the biggest takeaways from riding this bike: the overall balance makes you forget that, in Pinarello terms, this sits at the more affordable end of the range.

The frame is excellent, and I’ve been a fan of the SRAM Apex AXS drivetrain since its release. The DT Swiss G1800 wheels aren’t exactly featherweight, but they do the job. During testing, I was quick to swap them out for a set of Mavic AllRoad SL Carbons wrapped in 50mm Schwalbe G-One RX tyres (incidentally, the same hoops Axelle Dubau-Prévot is running on her Grevil F). I wouldn’t say the stock wheels hold the bike back, per se, but a lighter package definitely brings more out of it.

The bike’s geometry wasn’t nearly the obstacle I first imagined it to be. And yet, it still puzzled me. While at first glance the Grevil appeared too tall, too big, too wide, after some time with the bike, I actually decided I wouldn’t want to go any smaller. The reach fit me well.

If this were my bike, I’d stick with the frame size, but I’d take a hacksaw to the steerer, go straight to 38cm bars, and swap the seatpost for a zero-setback option. I might even go a touch longer on the stem, and slam it, which usually isn’t my M.O. at all, but: stack height.

That said, I’m still a racer at heart, and these are mere preference tweaks. The underlying ride quality is there. The geometry works. The handling works. The racer in me would, perhaps, be better suited to a Dogma GR, but I also love nothing more than all-day (or all-weekend) adventures out in no-man’s land, where comfort and luggage capability are essential. With a few tweaks, the Grevil F can do both, and that's the beauty of this bike.

Value & Conclusion

The Grevil F was one of the more surprising, and also one of the most enjoyable, bikes I rode all year. And at $3,700, it’s a bike you can actually buy without breaking the bank.

I went into this test thinking the Grevil F would be competent, sensible and maybe a bit conservative. What I found instead was a bike that’s capable yet engaging, and genuinely fun to ride. It doesn’t feel like a compromise between race bike and adventure bike. It feels like a modern gravel bike that understands that long events still involve attacking, cornering and sprinting, and that the best thing about riding bikes is playing on them.

Just maybe go try one on for size before buying.

Q36.5 Pro Cycling will become Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling for 2026, with the Italian bike brand joining not only as an equipment partner, but as a title sponsor.

The ProTeam had a succesful 2025, in no small part due to Tom Pidcock, who the squad signed for this season. This success was on Scott bikes, however, which have been used by the Swiss-registered team since 2023.

Both Q36.5 and Pinarello are brands with significant investments from Ivan Glasenberg. Separately, Pinarello already sponsors WorldTour team Ineos Grenadiers, a deal which was extended recently.

According to the press release, the collaboration "brings together two companies that share the same relentless pursuit of performance, innovation, and design perfection".

Pidcock will return to racing Pinarello bikes on the road, which he had used during his days at Ineos; over the past 12 months, he has continued to use the off-road models for mountain biking and cyclo-cross.

The Dogma F and Bolide TT bikes will be used for road racing, with exclusive designs and colourways promised.

"This partnership is more than a sponsorship – it’s a shared vision," Fausto Pinarello, the bike brand's president, said in a press release. "We’re proud to take this step and bring the Pinarello name back to the front of the peloton as Title Sponsor. Together with Q36.5, we’ll continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in cycling."

"Having Pinarello as Title Sponsor is a huge honour," Doug Ryder, Q36.5 Pro Cycling's general manager, added. "Their history, passion and technical excellence will elevate our riders and our ambitions for the coming seasons."

Pidcock said: "I’m really happy to be back on Pinarello full time. It genuinely feels like coming home. I’ve always loved riding their bikes, and over the years, I’ve built such a strong relationship with the brand. It’s the perfect reunion."

Q36.5 Pro Cycling are one of the teams who have applied for a WorldTour licence from 2026 onwards; if not successful, they will still qualify for all WorldTour races next season, due to points scored in 2025.

The team have strengthened for next year, bringing in WorldTour riders Fred Wright, Tom Gloag, Sam Bennett, Eddie Dunbar, and Chris Harper, among others.

It was dark when Henry Furniss set out for Regent’s Park, London, on Thursday morning. His nose was already streaming - a cold he’d picked up the day before, destined to make the next 24 hours even tougher than they were supposed to be.

Soon he fitted into a steady pace, slotting in with his friend Massimo Saetta behind a group of his Q36.5 CBRE team, their navy-blue kit flashing through London’s mid-morning buzz (after coffee and cake at the Pinarello store).

The challenge was inspired by an earlier one: last year, Tim Allen and friends had taken on the Regent's Park time trial, only to be caught in torrential rain, and, unable to maintain a steady core body temperature, two riders had to drop out with hypothermia. Luckily, Furniss and co. had the weather on their side. They’d worked out that they needed to keep a steady(ish) pace of around 19mph to reach their goal of 450 miles in the set time, but they didn’t account for one thing: art fans.

Traffic lights stalled their progress, and hoards of Frieze Art Fair goers clogged the route, with parts of the park intermittently cordoned off. But for Furniss, it wasn’t too much of a problem. “It was all quite interesting people watching,” he said. “We got to know the people at the crossings.”

“The day was kind of book ended by two amazing people,” Furniss said. “There was a 14-year old standing on the side of the road saying, is this the 24 hour time trial? Can I join you? Which I thought was so brave.

“And then right at the end, the brother of a guy that I know quite well rocked up. He’d ridden down from North London for about an hour - he was 81.”

And in the middle of the ride, he was joined by two off-duty police officers. They held the front for hours, maintaining a steady speed Saetta and Furniss could settle into behind. One of the officers returned the next day and was soon joined by his colleague - complete with squad car - who opened up a section of the park for the team to whip round once on their 24-hour ride.

“I love that about cycling - it's such a leveller. We all have this thing in common that we all love, regardless of our age or background,” Furniss said.

The ride was raising money for two charities: the Laureus Sport for Good who work with underprivileged school children to get them into sports, and for the Alzheimer’s Society. Both are close to Furniss’ heart, but after his dad, received a diagnosis of vascular dementia six years ago, the latter has entered his life more acutely.

He explained: “One of the things that I've learned about dementia, which none of us learn until you know someone really close to you, that's got it, is that only 5% of Alzheimer's cases have been proven to be hereditary. You know, selfishly, you're like, Oh my God, my dad's got dementia, his father had it, his uncle had it - I'm gonna get it. You selfishly think that way.

"Then you start looking into it, and you start looking into lifestyle, and how profound the effect of lifestyle is on your likelihood to get it at all. Depending on lifestyle, the variance is about 30 years if you have a terrible lifestyle versus if your lifestyle is really good."

“Stay hydrated,” he advises on his JustGiving page. “Eat clean. Prioritise sleep. Move your body - really move it. Suck at something new. Ditch the alcohol (yes, any amount is too much). Floss!”

“It’s funny, when I tell people about the flossing thing, they all run straight down to Boots,” Furniss smiled. The science backs it up, with a recent study suggesting that gum disease and mouth infections could lead to the development of Alzheimer’s, though more consistent research suggests that a healthy diet, sustained exercise and hobbies that stretch the brain (like dance or music) can also help maintain general health for longer.

Furniss, Saetta and their Q36.5 CBRE teammates - plus everyone who came to cycle with them - finished their team time trial in 24 hours and seven minutes, at an average pace of 19.2 miles per hour ("it's been pretty flipping tough, I have to say!"). They have so far raised almost 50% of their £10,000 donation aim, in support of the Alzheimer's Society, and will be keeping their JustGiving page open for more donations.

According to the Alzheimer's Society, dementia is the UK's biggest killer, affecting one in three people.

Ineos Grenadiers have extended their partnership with Italian bike brand Pinarello for another three years.

The WorldTour team has been sponsored by Pinarello since it began as Sky Procycling in 2010, and has ridden the bikes to victories at all three Grand Tours.

Reports this July suggested that Ineos Grenadiers had no bike sponsor in place for 2026. It has now been confirmed that their 16-year partnership with Pinarello will continue until at least the end of 2028.

"Pinarello has been part of our story from day one," Ineos's Dave Brailsford said in a statement. "What defines this relationship is the genuine collaboration and shared belief that technology, elite performance, and attention to detail can achieve great things.

"With Fausto [Pinarello] and his team steeped in cycling’s rich heritage, we’ve designed and built bikes that have changed the sport. We’re excited to keep pushing forward, innovating together and building on that success over the next three years."

Ineos Grenadiers riders compete on Pinarello Dogma F bikes in bunch road events, and Pinarello Bolide F TT bikes in time trials.

The team's most reason Grand Tour success came at the 2021 Giro d'Italia, through Egan Bernal. Its former rider Tom Pidcock has since ridden Pinarello bikes off-road to world titles in cyclo-cross and XC mountain bike, and an Olympic mountain bike gold medal.

Fausto Pinarello, the bike brand's president, said he was "delighted" to continue the partnership with Ineos Grenadiers, which "feels completely natural".

"Together with the INEOS Grenadiers, we’ve achieved incredible things over the years - World Championships, Hour Records, success in mountain bike and cyclo-cross, and of course, Grand Tour and other major victories on the road," he said.

"Our belief is that INEOS Grenadiers can be the best team in the world again, riding the best bikes in the world," Pinarello continued.

"What makes this relationship so special is that it goes far beyond sponsorship. We know each other deeply - our teams share ideas, push innovation, and are open to new technologies and materials that keep us at the very cutting edge of performance."

There have been reports that Pinarello might also sponsor Pidcock's current team, Q36.5, next season. Pidcock already uses Pinarello bikes in cyclo-cross and MTB.

Geraint Thomas started this year’s Lloyds Tour of Britain Men on Tuesday for what will be his last ever professional race with Ineos Grenadiers. Fittingly for a Welshman’s swan song, the race will finish where Thomas’ cycling started, in Cardiff, Wales.

The bike every person from Wales alive must be hoping he can ride home to one final victory after a decorated 17-year career, is a custom-painted version of his trusty Pinarello Dogma.

Running his usual Shimano Dura Ace Di2 groupset, with matching C60 deep section carbon wheels, shod in ultra-light Continental GP5000 TT rubber, he’s hoping Suffolk County Council have fixed the potholes around Woodbridge where the race departs from.

His gearing is pretty conventional, with no need for a compact chainset for the stages around Suffolk in the coming days, which are pan-flat and fast.

His familiar Moist cockpit is enhanced with white bar tape, set off by metallic gold paint, which presumably he’s not worried about getting too dirty before he arrives in Cardiff, aboard this very special Welsh Dragon-adorned Dogma. The saddle is a Prologo Nago R4, with carbon rails.

Whether you hail from Wales or not, the paint is pretty spectacular, featuring a matte dark green base with red and gold gloss details, set against a stunning white backdrop. The paint scheme appears production-ready, featuring gold details such as the ‘4nm’ and ‘5nm’ instructional decals on both the saddle clamp and rail hardware, which are likely unnecessary for professional mechanics who have been working on this bike all season. Perhaps there will be a limited release for the public, depending on how the race concludes.

The top tube features highlights of Thomas’ career, including, of course, his 2018 Tour de France victory. It matches well with his special edition Ineos kit for this week, which has been specially designed to pay tribute to the 39-year-old.

For a man who has had some of his biggest successes on Pinarellos through his 15 years with Team Sky then Ineos, the final race bike is a fitting present.

Pinarello has long been associated with winning races at the highest level in pro cycling, with the Dogma line cementing itself as one of the most recognisable and expensive bikes in the peloton.

The brand from Treviso, Italy, occupies solid ground at the very highest eschelon of the sport, renowned for its top-end, no-expense-spared race bikes. However, with the launch of the original F Series in 2023, much like the Prince ranges that came before it, F Series aimed to offer the same race pedigree to a broader range of riders at more attainable price points.

The latest F series updates are an evolution of the same idea, now offering more options and price points, so does this now mean there's a Pinarello for everyone?

The F Series

The F series sits below the top-of-the-range Dogma, but should offer lots of the same race-crafted ride quality of its top-of-the-tree sibling. This new model is designed for those looking to race or simply go fast, whether that's in crits, road races, gran fondos and sportive events, or just beating their mates on the weekend cafe ride. Those looking for a more relaxed or all-road option are better covered by the X range, which runs parallel to the Dogma and F series ranges and features bigger tyre clearances and a more relaxed geometry for increased comfort.

The lineup spans from the entry-level F1 to the F9, comprising a total of five models. All share the same geometry and family resemblance, but differ in the grade of Toray carbon, integration, and components specified. The result is a range that allows you to buy into Pinarello’s handling and DNA at multiple levels, rather than being forced to stretch to the out of reach for many, high pricing of the top flight, Dogma F. It makes the F Series not just a more compelling proposition within Pinarello’s catalogue, but also a serious alternative to some of the mainstream players out there.

Frame and design highlights

The design takes clear cues from the Dogma but reins in the sharp lines in favour of something slightly softer. One feature copied from its more expensive stablemate is the E-TICR headtube, which features forward cable routing, an Oval steerer tube, and smaller bearings for a cleaner look and narrower frontal area, which should provide an aero benefit. However, no wind tunnel data is supplied at launch.

The fork is also slimmer, with a 47 mm rake that should inspire stability at speed. It still retains the unmistakable shape of an Onda Pinarello fork too, with its signature double curve, though it forgoes the smooth, covered-over dropout found on the Dogma F.

Along with the narrower headtube, the F series features a new downtube that is thinner and shaped to offer a more aerodynamic package. This, combined with the new bottom bracket shape, which Pinarello refers to as an aero keel, was first seen on the latest Dogma F models and follows over from those. In keeping with current trends, tyre clearance has increased, but only by a modest 2mm to 32mm. The designers said this was kept relatively tight as the vast majority of their customers run between 28 and 30mm, and if they need more, then they would be better served by the X series. I had no issues with the tyres supplied on my first ride, though I'd prefer a bit more room for wider rubber, given the choice.

Like the rest of the range, the F series uses Toray fibres, but in different versions to meet specific price points. The F9 and 7 both use the T900 variant, which isn't as stiff or light as the M40-x version or even the T1100 version used on current and previous versions of the Dogma and Dogma F, but it is still a very high-end material. The F5 and 3 use T700, and the base F1 model uses T600. The engineers declined to go into specifics about layups and resin technology, preferring to keep that information to themselves and away from competitors, which makes my job as a journalist a little more complicated, but I understand the sentiment.

Geometry is essentially the same as the more expensive Dogma F range and the previous F series. However, the F series is only available in 9 sizes (42.5 to 58cm) compared to 11 on the Dogma F. I find the sizing from Pinarello a little confusing, I usually use stack and reach as good way of getting a bike to fit pretty well, and fine tune from there but in this case I could ride three different sizes from 51 to 54.5cm. For example, there is only a 3mm difference in reach between the 53 and 54.5 sizes, which strikes me as a bit strange. Luckily, they are sold through bike shops and their own stores, so if you're unsure about sizing, you can speak to an actual person, to make sure you get the right size for you.

Models higher up the range feature the Talon integrated bar and stem, which now features a slight flare on the drops but retains the unusual but very comfortable triangulated shape on the drops and aero flat tops, while lower-tier builds get a more conventional alloy cockpit that still manages to keep cables hidden by routing them underneath the stem, rather than through it, thereby keeping costs down. The press release information also states that this is to make changes to fit simpler. A stem swap appears to be easier, although a change of bar width would still require the removal of hose fittings and a brake bleed, as they are internally routed.

Model range and specs

At the top of the F Series range sits the F9, built from Pinarello’s premium Toray T900 carbon. The F9 comes equipped with Shimano’s flagship Dura-Ace Di2 12-speed drivetrain and rides on MOST Ultrafast 45 wheels, which FSA builds for Pinarello. In its lightest build, it weighs a little over 7.4 kg, making it the most race-ready machine in the lineup. However, this model will not be available in the UK, presumably because it will be very close to the retail price of a Dogma F once import duties are added.

Finished in a striking Formula Green matte finish, it looks every inch the premium Pinarello, though at €11,000 or $11,000, it is definitely at the higher end. I suspect most riders would forego this model and opt for a lower-spec Dogma F for a similar outlay.

Just beneath it is the F7, which many riders are likely to see as the sweet spot between a high-end frame, a good groupset and wheels at a relatively attainable price (though still not what you'd call cheap). It shares the same T900 carbon frame as the F9, but offers more affordable spec options. You can choose between Shimano Ultegra Di2 or SRAM Force AXS, both paired with MOST Ultrafast 45 wheels and the Talon integrated cockpit. At around 7.8 kg, it's still a light bike and is available in four colour options – Alabaster White, Starry Red, Formula Green, and Victoria Blue. I rode the red, which looked great, but the Blue looked incredible in the flesh. Pricing is set at €7,900 in Europe, $8,200 in the US and £6,500 in the UK, placing it firmly in line with mainstream rivals like Specialized, Trek and even Canyon.

The F5 moves down to Toray T700 carbon, which, as a material, is less stiff, but it is less expensive to produce. The result is a frame that is marginally heavier and a touch less responsive than the T900, but still carries Pinarello’s trademark handling and geometry. It’s fitted with Shimano 105 Di2 and the same MOST Ultrafast 45 wheels seen on the higher models, meaning it keeps much of the race look and feel. Claimed weight is just over 8 kg, so while it’s not as sharp as the F7 or F9, it’s still a competitive bike in its category. The finish is limited to a stealthy Etna Black matte, which appears more like a dark green/grey up close. Pictures don't really do the finish justice, as it changes tones from different angles, and the deep, classy finish needs to be seen up close to be appreciated. At €5,500, $6,200, or £5,000, it shares many of its pricier counterparts' good points. With its lower-cost 105 Di2 groupset, it now makes a fully integrated, carbon-wheeled, electronic-shifting Pinarello almost a bargain.

Beneath that sits the F3, which also utilises the same T700 carbon layup but further paring back to achieve a lower price point. Shimano 105 Di2 remains the drivetrain of choice, but the wheels are swapped for DT Swiss A1800S to keep costs down. At around 8.5 kg, it's not so lightweight, and a high-end frame like this is crying out for light wheels to make the most of its performance, but if you already have some fancy wheels, this could be just the ticket. Colour options include Interstellar Grey or Alabaster White, with pricing set at €4,500, $5,200 or £4,000.

Finally, the F1 provides the entry point into the F Series. This model is constructed from Toray T600 carbon and, in fact, shares the same frame as the previous generation F series. It still retains the same geometry as the rest of the range and a similar silhouette, but comes equipped with Shimano 105 mechanical 12-speed and Shimano RS-171 wheels. The mechanical groupset is fine by me, shifting mechanically is excellent these days, though I'm not sure the wheels are really up to scratch when compared to the rest of the package and would be my first port of call for an upgrade. It comes in two colour options – Carbon Red matt or Comet Silver shiny, and at €3,400, $3,250 or £3,000, it’s the cheapest way to get on one of Treviso’s finest race bikes.

First ride thoughts

I rode the F7 in Starry Red, equipped with a SRAM Force AXS groupset and MOST Ultrafast 45 wheels, along with their own 30mm-wide Most Competition tyres. From the first pedal strokes, it felt lively and eager as you'd expect from any road bike at this price point, but what really struck me was how familiar it felt. I've been fortunate enough to ride many high-end bikes over the years, and this was right near the top of the bikes I've enjoyed riding, despite my brief initial test ride.

There isn't a standalone reason for that either; it's not the lightest, I've ridden stiffer bikes, and it isn't the slipperiest aero bike I've been on either. I think it's probably more to do with the fact that it's a good mix of all those elements, and Pinarello's years of focusing on fast road bikes mean they've nailed the ride geometry of their bikes as well. One of my favourite bikes of all time has been the Cervelo R3 disc, which I'd describe as a Goldilocks bike, offering a good mix of weight, stiffness, geometry and cost to make an ideal all-around road bike. The F series, to me, follows in a similar vein but with improved aero credentials and a classier look and feel.

Our test ride took in some smooth North Italian roads around San Pietro Di Felletto, followed by a reasonably long and steep climb and a fast-flowing descent, which gave me enough to think about when riding the F7. Set up was straightforward, though in reality, I could only adjust the saddle height and position, as well as fine-tune the tyre pressures before setting off.

The bike climbed as well as any bike with me on board, offering plenty of stiffness and no sensation of lost power through the pedals, along with a solid and comfortable position when seated and holding the tops of the bars. However, it was on the descent where this bike really shone for me. Despite only riding it for a brief time beforehand, I could let the bike go on the descent, hooking up apex after apex and making quick line changes when the surface wasn't as smooth as I'd hoped. It can sometimes take a while to gel with how a bike handles, but the F7 felt very composed, urging me to let it hang out as far as I dare, corner after corner.

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it, actually. Often, a first ride can be overshadowed by minor fit tweaks or niggles, or simply learning a bike's quirks and tendencies, but none so here. Much of this, I think, can be attributed to Pinarello's longstanding expertise and years of providing race bikes for the very best riders; put simply, they know how to make a bike handle well at speed. I can't wait to get one back on my home roads to see if that infectious controlled speed carries over to the less manicured roads of the Peak District, and how it deals with the relatively short but punchy climbs local to me. We will have one on a long-term test over the coming months, so keep your eyes peeled for an in-depth review.

Tom Pidcock will remain "part of the family" at Pinarello bikes after leaving Ineos Grenadiers last week.

The British superstar joined Q36.5 Pro Cycling on Friday after reaching a mutual agreement with Ineos to end his multi-year contract with the team. Part of the move will see Pidcock riding Scott bikes on the road next season due to the brand’s sponsorship deal already in place with Q36.5.

However, the 25-year-old will continue to ride Pinarello branded machines when competing off-road in both mountain bike and cyclo-cross events.

Pidcock successfully defended his mountain bike Olympic gold medal won at the Tokyo games at the Paris Olympics this summer. He also won the 2022 cyclo-cross world championships riding a Pinarello Crossista F.

The Brit also worked with the Italian bicycle manufacturer on the designs for its Dogma XC mountain bike, his medal winning machine from Paris, which was developed in the six months leading up to the games.

The Pinarello President, Fausto Pinarello, said the brand was "thrilled" to confirm it will continue working with Pidcock after he made the switch to his new team.

He said: "He is an amazing rider with phenomenal technical skills and it’s been a pleasure working with him on the Crossista and Dogma XC, both models in segments where we hadn’t had bikes for a long time.

"Tom is a rider who knows what he wants. His unwavering pursuit of excellence has challenged us a lot and enabled us to produce three incredible frames which he’s ridden to success on the grandest stages in the sport. We are delighted to keep this successful collaboration alive."

"Working with Fausto and the team at Pinarello over the past four years has been a privilege, and a really enjoyable experience. I am so happy I get to stay working with them on everything off-road moving forwards," Pidcock added.

"So far, we have developed three cyclo-cross and XC MTB frames together and all of them exceeded expectations from the moment I sat on them, I could not have asked for more. I felt so confident on them that I was able to race and win after the first couple of rides.

"To me, our relationship feels more like a partnership than a sponsorship. I’m looking forward to the next three years of racing and developing more great bikes with Pinarello."

Flashes of gold, silver and metallic pink were spotted in central Paris on Thursday, turning café-goers' heads as the Olympic peloton performed a group recon of the road race course.

Organised by the Games, the riders travelled in a speed-controlled convoy through the streets of the French capital, taking in the cobbled climb of Rue Lepic and the tourist district of Montmartre. It was, in essence, a coffee ride without the coffee. 

For many riders, it was also one of the first times that they had used their special-edition road bikes, with new colourways released for the Paris Olympics. Here are some of our favourites, and what their designs mean. 

50th anniversary S-Works

The S-Works Tarmac SL8 used by Remco Evenepoel, Demi Vollering, and other Specialized athletes is a celebration of the brand's 50-year anniversary. 

With pink motifs, the colours are said to hark back to Specialized's "irreverent, rebellious spirit". 

The art was done by Italian-based bike painting company Lumar Colors, who said it was "our most complex paint job ever". The bikes have a dipped marble effect, and come with both silver and gold leaf applied into the design. 

There's also an environmental tag line on the top tube that reads: "Pedal the Planet Forwards". Although UCI rules around advertising stipulate that this will have to be covered for the events. 

Monet-inspired Cervélo

"Anyone who's visited the Musée de l'Orangerie in Paris will sense the inspiration behind the limited-edition S5," writes Cervélo on Instagram. 

If you haven't visited the Orangerie, let me fill you in. Ever the art aficionado, Cervélo has incorporated the floral pattern of Claude Monet's famous Water Lillies painting – displayed in a panoramic room at the museum – into its creation for the Paris Olympics.

The bike was ridden on Thursday's recon by many of the Visma-Lease a Bike riders, including Wout van Aert, Matteo Jorgenson, and time trial silver medallist Anna Henderson. 

if you like it, hurry; Cervélo has made just 100 framesets available. 

Trek's new Icon

Perhaps the most eye-catching bike in the blur of the international peloton was Trek's latest ICON paint scheme. 

Fortunately, we got a closer look at the design thanks to Jasper Stuyven, who rode in a small bunch ahead of the group with his Belgian teammates. The metallic pink, or luminous lilac, comes as part of Trek's Project One custom bike branch, which also produced unique colourways for Lidl-Trek riders at the Tour de France. 

The team's riders are now all using this Paris edition paint job, which they also had on their time trial bikes last weekend. 

Canyon goes light speed

It's apt that, in the City of Light, Canyon is vowing its athletes to ride at the speed of light, with a new, special-edition colourway. 

Poland's Kasia Niewiadoma, who rides for WorldTour team Canyon-SRAM, was among those using the MACH874 design, named after the measure for the speed of light. Cycling Weekly also spotted a number of other riders using it, including Niewiadoma's trade teammates Elise Chabbey and Chloé Dygert. 

The bikes are designed to look fast, with blurred lines across the frame. There's also a rainbow effect on the fork, a nod to the dispersion of light through a prism. It's also, coincidentally, the colours of the Olympics rings. 

Golden Pinarello

You'll have to excuse the shoddy photography on this one, but this is the best we've got of the new Pinarello paintwork in town. 

Cycling Weekly first spotted the gold-tinted bike on top of the Team GB car ahead of the time trials, and wondered if it was a celebratory design for a potential podium moment. In reality, it wasn't. It's just another flashy colourway produced for the riders at the Paris Olympics. 

During the recon, the bike was used by Tom Pidcock and Josh Tarling, with the letters GBR (Great Britain) visible down the seat tube. A contact at British Cycling said they saw the colour as "more of an ombré" than gold; however, it's the latter coloured medal the team will be riding for on Saturday. 

For more details about this weekend's Olympic road races, we've put together a course guide and a how to watch page, with all the information you need. 

A Pinarello Dogma F12 road bike, gifted to Pope Francis by Egan Bernal, has sold at auction for €14,000 (£11,995/$15,163).

The lot was estimated by experts to reach in the region of €25,000 (£21,417/$27,078) to €30,000 (£25,701/$32,494), but ended up going under the gavel at near retail price. 

A total of 47 bids were placed on the bike, with a French and an Italian bidder locked in a battle on Sunday night. The former ended up winning. 

The Pope received the bike as a present from Bernal in June 2021, following the Colombian’s Giro d’Italia victory. At the time, the Ineos Grenadiers rider said the duo’s meeting was "more important than winning the Giro and the Tour". 

"I think I’ve had many experiences in my life, but this is unique," said Bernal, who is a Catholic. "It’s the most beautiful experience I have had in my life." 

The gifted Pinarello is a size 53cm frame, adorned in the flag colours of Pope Francis’s native Argentina. It is equipped with a Shimano Ultegra groupset, Vision Wheels, Most Ultra Talon handlebars and rim brakes. 

Bernal also gave the Pontiff a signed Giro d’Italia maglia rosa, which sold at auction on Sunday for €1,853 (£1,587/$2,007) to a bidder in the US. 

Both lots were listed by a private seller on the Dutch online auction website Catawiki. In a statement, the site’s sports memorabilia expert, and former pro-cyclist, Ana Maria Covrig said the auction of the bike was a “remarkable moment” for Catawiki. 

The auction house has also recently sold a rainbow jersey, signed by Mathieu van der Poel, for €7,750 (£6,638/$8,394), one of Jonas Vingegaard’s helmets for €445 (£381/$482), and a Schleck edition 2012 Trek Madone bike for €2,250 (£1,927/$2,437). 

In 2020, a bike that three-time world champion Peter Sagan gave the Pope sold at auction for €30,000 (£25,701/$32,494). The Specialized Venge, coloured in the yellow and white of the Papal States, was signed by the Pope himself, “making it even more precious,” according to the listing.

Funds from the Venge sale went to supporting medical staff at two hospitals in Italy during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Less than three years after he received it as a present, Pope Francis’s special edition Pinarello has gone to auction. 

The bike, a Dogma F12, was gifted to the Pope by Egan Bernal following his Giro d’Italia victory in 2021. It is coloured in the national flag of the supreme pontiff’s native Argentina, and equipped with a Shimano Ultegra groupset. 

At the time of writing, the current bid on Dutch auction website Catawiki is just €2,000 (£1,710, $2,178). The auctioneers estimate that it will reach a sale price of up to €30,000 (£25,655, $32,671), more than twice the market value of a standard Dogma F12. 

When Bernal met the Pope in June 2021, he said the moment was “more important than winning the Giro and the Tour”. 

“I think I’ve had many experiences in my life, but this is unique,” said the Colombian, who is a Catholic. “It’s the most beautiful experience I have had in my life.” 

Alongside the bike, Bernal also gave the Pope a signed Giro d’Italia maglia rosa, size XS, which is also available on the auction site. He said the gifts were “from all Colombians because right now they need your blessing,” referring to social protests in his home country at the time.

In the auction listing for the Pinarello, Catawiki describes the bike as a “unique piece in the world, both for what it symbolizes and for its particular design”. The site’s sports memorabilia expert, Ana Maria Covrig, also a former pro cyclist, said it is a “privilege” to auction the item. “It is a truly remarkable moment for Catawiki,” she added. 

The Dogma F12 is a size 53cm frame, with Vision wheels, Pirelli P Zero tyres, and Most Talon Ultra handlebars. It is uncertain if the Pope has ever ridden the bike; however, the pristine state of the white bar tape suggests he has not. 

The auction ends this Sunday, 24 March, at 7pm CET (6pm GMT).  

Both the bike and the jersey are listed by a private seller, who has asked to remain anonymous. Cycling Weekly has contacted the Vatican for comment on when and why the bike left the Pope’s ownership. 

In 2020, a Specialized Venge given to Pope Francis by three-time world champion Peter Sagan was auctioned off for charity. It eventually sold for €30,000.

An investigation has been launched in Italy after €250,000 worth of Pinarellos were stolen from a showroom in Treviso late last week. 

19 bikes were stolen from the showroom in two separate break ins which occurred just 20 hours apart. 

According to a report from La Tribuna di Treviso, in the early hours of 23 November,  a van pulled up alongside the building. Several masked individuals climbed out, cut through a security fence and then forced their way into the showroom. 

The report states that CCTV then captured three of the individuals removing at least 12 bikes from the showroom in the space of three minutes before Italian police arrived on the scene. 

Later that day at 11pm local time, three more masked robbers were successful in a second robbery of the Pinarello store according to La Tribuna di Treviso.

While it is unclear what happened, the news outlet states that police aren’t ruling out the fact that the same robbers were involved after their success earlier that day. The security fence was cut through again - after being repaired following on from the early morning robbery - and the same security door was forced open once more. 

Seven bikes worth approximately €14,000 were taken on the second occasion. While it has not yet been officially disclosed, Italian press said that all of the bikes stolen were road bikes. 

The Treviso showroom also acts as an administrative office for Pinarello. 

Italian police and investigators are now reviewing the surveillance footage captured of three of the suspects who broke into the showroom. Both robberies are likely to have been made by the same group due to the identical break-ins. 

The group also appeared to have knowledge of where in the building the high-end bikes were stored. 

It is not the first occasion that there has been a mass robbery of high-end Pinarello bicycles. 

In 2021, 22 Pinarello track bikes, worth €600,000, belonging to the Italian national team were taken from a van parked outside their hotel during the UCI World Championships in Roubaix. 

All of the bikes were subsequently recovered following on from a large-scale police raid in Romania. Among the stolen bikes were four gold bikes used by Filippo Ganna and his teammates during their gold medal winning team pursuit ride. 

In the UK, expensive bike robberies have gained coverage recently, with one London-based club, the Regent's Park Rouleurs, suffering a spate of incidents.

Historic Italian bike brand Pinarello is close to being sold to billionaire former mining firm boss Ivan Glasenberg, according to reports.

Glasenberg holds a 10% stake in international mining company Glencore, where he was in charge for nearly two decades before he retired in 2021.

The Financial Times reports that sources close to the company say he is on the verge of finalising a deal to take a majority stake in Pinarello in a bid that values the Italian brand at €250m (£214m / $269m).

He is expected to take an 80% stake in the company.

Glasenberg is a keen cyclist himself and has already invested in clothing company Q36.5, which sponsors the Q36.5 pro team that counts the winner of the 2023 Classica de Almeria Matteo Moschetti and Brit Mark Donovan among its riders.

Italian media reports that Glasenberg was seen visiting the Pinarello headquarter in Treviso Italy earlier this week.

Pinarello, which was founded 70 years ago, remained in the hands of the Pinarello family until 2016 when it was bought by investment firm L Catterton. The investment company has also backed the likes of indoor cycling brand Peloton and leisurewear brand Sweaty Betty in recent years.

Fausto Pinarello, currently managing director of the brand, still has a minority share in the firm and would maintain one under Glasenberg’s plan, the FT reports.

Pinarello reported turnover rose 24% in the year to 30 June 2022, its most recent set of figures, to €84m (£72m / $90m).

The brand has been a long-time sponsor of the Ineos Grenadiers team, dating back to its inception at Team Sky in 2010. In that time the team has helped develop its top end road bikes with its current high end bike being the Dogma F, which was launched in 2021.

Our reviewer Simon Smyth said it was “the best Dogma yet”. 

He added: “The Pinarello Dogma F seems to have put back some of the Italian style that the earlier, more data-driven Dogma F series bikes lacked.”

The brand recently also re-entered the mountain bike market, where Ineos team riders Tom Pidcock and Pauline Ferrand-Prévot race with its launch of the Dogma XC.

Italian bike manufacturer Pinarello has been valued at €250 million (£222 million), with former owner Fausto Pinarello considering buying back control of the company he sold seven years ago. 

US-based private equity firm L Catterton acquired the bike brand in 2016, with Pinarello remaining the chairman and a minority shareholder with a 19.79% stake. Though terms of the transaction were not disclosed, it is understood the deal was worth around €90 million (£80 million). 

According to Italian business outlet Nord Este Economia, L Catterton - a firm partnered with luxury goods company LVMH - is now looking to sell its 80% share, having triggered an ‘exit’ plan in January. Previous agreements state that Pinarello himself has the right to make the first offer, which must come within 90 days, by the end of March. 

“I’m thinking about it carefully,” Pinarello was reported to have said. “I’m considering the idea along with a partner who believes in the project. I think we can do well. The bike sector works as a business and we are happy doing what we do. I’m willing to continue to pass that onto future generations.” 

Though Pinarello refused to say how much he believes the company is worth, Italian business experts have valued the brand at €250 million. 

Last October, Cicli Pinarello recorded a growth in sales of 24% for the 2021-2022 fiscal year, declaring revenues of €84 million (£74.5 million). According to the company, gross operating profit increased by 30% year-on-year. 

“We are continuing to grow at a steadily increasing pace,” said CEO Antonio Dus in a press release at the time. “The exceptional results achieved in the financial statements we just closed are largely attributable to the ‘know-how’, skills, experience and dedication of the workers of the Villorba factory.” 

The company forecast a similar sales growth for the current fiscal year, which ends 30 June. 

Founded in 1953 by Fausto’s father Giovanni, Pinarello has long supplied top-of-the-range bike models to some of cycling’s most successful teams. To date, 15 Tours de France have been won by cyclists riding Pinarello bikes. Such winners include Miguel Induráin, Bradley Wiggins, Chris Froome and, most recently, Egan Bernal. 

Earlier this year, the company produced a custom, 3D-printed bike for Filippo Ganna’s Hour Record attempt. The Bolide F HR 3D brought new frame innovations in the form of seat tube ridges, and was successfully ridden by Ganna to a new world record of 56.792km.