Wheel Talk Newsletter: What's in The Cyclists' Alliance reform 'Roadmap'

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Hello, and I hope you all are enjoying Vuelta week! Three stages down, four to go. The final two stages are billed as being the big deal, where all the magic will happen, but there are quite a few surprise opportunities for time to be found. Very much looking forward to all the racing.

Kind of related because they discuss the Vuelta's place in the calendar, on Monday, the Cyclists' Alliance released a letter to the UCI – Reform to Professional Cycling Consultation**** – that I will dive into briefly below.

First things first: The Vuelta so far...

ICYMI, I wrote previews for both the stages and the contenders at the Vuelta.

Preview: Your stage-by-stage guide to the 2026 Vuelta FemeninaA closer look at all seven stages on the route of the first week-long stage race of 2026.Escape CollectiveAbby MickeyPreview: Niewiadoma-Phinney headlines the favorites for La Vuelta Femenina... but she will be up against Van der Breggen, Ferrand-Prévot, and Blasi for the title.Escape CollectiveAbby Mickey

Earlier last week, Matt wrote about how the Giro d'Italia Women's move to the end of May changed the Vuelta...

The calendar crunch that could redefine the women’s VueltaThere are many upsides to moving the women’s Giro to May-June, but the Vuelta Femenina might well suffer as a result.Escape CollectiveMatt de Neef

I will be writing race reports from each stage of the Vuelta. In case you can't keep up with the racing during the week, you can always find some GIFs in those...

Noemi Rüegg wins opening stage of La Vuelta FemeninaThe EF Education-Oatly rider took the first red jersey of the week-long stage race in Spain.Escape CollectiveAbby MickeyBossuyt wins second La Vuelta stage, Koch moves into race leadStage 1 winner and race leader Noemi Rüegg crashed with 12 km to go and was unable to get back on her bike.Escape CollectiveAbby MickeyCédrine Kerbaol wins La Vuelta stage 3Franziska Koch held onto the overall lead ahead of stage 4.Escape CollectiveAbby Mickey

Unrelated, but always kind of related, Matt followed up on the handlebar rules that the UCI put into place at the start of the year and how they are impacting riders:

Numb hands, sore back: The UCI’s ‘unfair’ new handlebar rule is hurting smaller ridersThe governing body suggests that most riders have adapted well, but some are clearly worse off.Escape CollectiveMatt de Neef

Racing continues...

Alllllll week in Spain at La Vuelta Femenina (and then at Itzulia Women from May 15 - 17 and Vuelta a Burgos May 21 - 24).

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