Monday Break - Issue 154
This week in motion: Gravel, growth, and the global rhythm of sport.
Gravel in the Far East
Over the weekend, our team was on the ground in the north of the Philippines where race day of Gravelton hit Clark under the rain, but nothing could stop the riders.
We were able to witness gravel at its purest — full gas over 80km and 120km, with mud, heart, and speed all the way.
We had the best time cheering from the sidelines and supporting friends both old and new!
Big Sugar Wraps Up the Life Time Grand Prix
The final race of the Life Time Grand Prix came with a twist — due to weather conditions, the course was shortened from 100 miles to 50 miles, but the action was as intense as ever.
In the men’s race, a breakaway formed just 15 km in and held all the way to the finish, with Matt Beers powering through to take the win. The women’s race delivered nonstop excitement, with multiple attacks throughout the course. In the final kilometers, a small lead group managed to pull away, setting up a thrilling sprint finish where Sofía Gómez Villafañe crossed the line first — taking both the Big Sugar victory and the overall title. On the men’s side Cameron Jones was crowned as the overall winner for this year’s editiong of the Life Time Grand Prix 👑🔥
For a full recap of the weekend, check out Fantasy Gravel
Rapha’s Road Back
Once the benchmark for cycling style and storytelling, Rapha is now rebuilding after years of turbulence. Under new CEO Fran Millar, the brand is returning focus to what made it iconic: precision design, performance, and culture.
Millar’s goal is clear: bring Rapha back to profitability by 2027 and reignite the sense of purpose that once made it the most coveted name in cycling.
Read the full story on the Financial Times to hear from the woman herself how the road to the top is coming sooner than later.
Run, Rest, Repeat: Airbnb x Strava
City breaks are out, and countryside runs are in. This autumn, Airbnb and Strava have teamed up to launch a campaign celebrating the rise of the rural “run-cation”, travel built around scenic runs, good company, and a slower pace of life.
Each escape pairs beautiful Airbnb stays with nearby Strava routes, encouraging travellers to trade city loops for open trails. And because every run deserves a reward, the two brands have partnered with local bakeries to offer complimentary post-run treats along the way.
Riding Beyond Borders
Access has always been one of the biggest barriers for aspiring cyclists across Africa with distance, cost, and logistics often standing in the way of talent reaching the global stage. But that might be changing.
Team Africa Rising is reshaping access to cycling across the continent. In partnership with Zwift, the non-profit is launching Virtual Performance Centres that will allow young athletes to train and race online, connecting riders from more than 50 countries.
INEOS Grenadiers x Pinarello: The Story Continues
Despite months of speculation about a possible split, INEOS Grenadiers and Pinarello have confirmed they are staying together, extending their long-standing partnership for another three seasons.
The collaboration between the British powerhouse and the Italian bike brand has defined more than a decade of dominance, from Grand Tour victories to record-breaking performances.