Last Week in Cycling - October 13th

1. Pogačar Goes Monumental Again: Fifth Straight Il Lombardia Win

Tadej Pogačar has officially redefined what “closing the season in style” means. At Il Lombardia 2025, he launched a solo attack with 36 km to go (on the Passo di Ganda) and held it to the finish, claiming his fifth consecutive Lombardywin and tying Fausto Coppi’s record.  

The race was no casual affair. From Como to Bergamo over ~238 km, the parcours punished the legs and thinned the field. But Pogačar’s blend of timing, strength, and audacious confidence proved superior. Remco Evenepoel, now something of a recurring runner-up, crossed in second, while Michael Storer rounded out the podium.  

What makes this win more remarkable is how it complements his season: Worlds title, European title, and now Il Lombardia means he’s now the only rider to wear all three in a single year.  

Takeaway thoughts:

• This isn’t just dominance — it’s consistency under every pressure scenario.
• At this point, teams are probably rethinking how to chase Pogačar (spoiler: it’s hard).
• The question for next year isn’t “Can he win again?” — maybe it’s “How many can anyone else win, ever?”

Original article: Il Lombardia: Unparalleled Tadej Pogačar solos to record‑breaking fifth consecutive victory(CyclingNews)  

2. Rapha Quits the Peloton (…for Now): EF Partnership Ends

In a move that jolts the sartorial heart of pro cycling, Rapha and EF Pro Cycling announced that their seven‑year partnership will end with the 2025 season.  

For many fans, Rapha’s presence in the WorldTour via EF was a dependable constant — bold kits, creative drops, and (yes) that memorable pink jersey. Their collaboration extended beyond clothes into content (remember Gone Racing?), marketing experiments, and branding flair.  

In statements, Rapha’s CEO said the brand is refocusing toward broader cycling initiatives, while still keeping “the door open” to returning to the WorldTour. EF’s leadership expressed gratitude and respect, emphasizing the creative and fan engagement this sponsorship enabled.  

Why this matters:

• Kits are identity — losing Rapha’s visual signature in the peloton leaves a vacuum.
• It hints at financial realities: even big names are reassessing ROI in cycling apparel.
• The next EF kit supplier (2026 onward) gets an especially hard job: not just functional gear, but symbolism.

Original article: Rapha pulls plug on EF sponsorship, ending 12‑year stint in the WorldTour (CyclingNews)  

3. Garmin Varia Vue Review: Ambitious Safety Tech, Mixed Execution

Garmin’s new Varia Vue — a combined headlight and front-facing 4K camera — got a close look in a recent review. The verdict? It’s an impressive concept, but reality underwhelms in places.  

On the plus side:

• It pairs the headlight and camera in one mount, saving clutter.
• The light output is strong (up to 600 lumens in flashing mode) and the hardware feels solid.
• It can automatically record incidents (using built‑in sensors), and video syncs with Garmin’s ecosystem (Edge units, apps).  

But the drawbacks are real:

• Camera stabilization and image clarity (especially in challenging light) are weak — license plates, fine detail, and shaky footage? Not always reliable.  
• Battery life is limited (especially with light + camera operating).
• The user interface, connectivity, and downloads are clunky; pairing dropped out, downloads timed out, and the app experience frustrated the reviewer.  

One line stuck with me: even for a device with the “best of both worlds” promise, the compromise in each domain (lighting vs video vs usability) is significant. But for riders who accept some rough edges, having a front camera and headlight in one package could still be a practical safety play.

Original review: Garmin Varia Vue review: A £450 camera-light that promises the world, but falls short (CyclingNews)  

4. Israel‑Premier Tech Rebrands — Drops “Israel” Identity

Battling protests, exclusion, and brand pressure, Israel-Premier Tech announced that it will rebrand and remove its explicit Israeli identity. The decision arrives after turbulence—being barred from races, disruptions during the Vuelta, and mounting sponsor/media friction.  

Co-owner Sylvan Adams is stepping back from public leadership to focus his energies on other roles. The team says it remains committed to its global mission and talent development.  

The decision follows several high-profile exclusions (e.g. Giro dell’Emilia) justified on “security concerns,” and protests that put the team under intense scrutiny.  

What to watch:

• How the rebranding will be handled (names, logos, national imagery, media messaging).
• Whether this will ease protests or further fuel criticism from both sides.
• The prospects for sponsorship, race invitations, and athlete morale.

In short: in cycling, as in many sports, identity is not just aesthetics — it’s geopolitics.

Original article: Cycling team Israel Premier Tech rebrands and drops national identity (AP News)  

5. Taihu Lake Tour 2025: Malucelli Cruises to Victory

In Asia, the 2025 Tour of Taihu Lake (9–12 October) wrapped up with the Italian sprinter Matteo Malucelli taking overall victory over four stages and ~435 km.  

While the event is a 2.Pro race (not WorldTour), it drew a mix of WorldTeams, ProTeams, and national squads. Malucelli also won the points classification. Among other standout performances: Steffen De Schuyteneer grabbed youth honors, Stanisław Aniołkowski placed second overall.  

The route mixed flat and rolling terrain — classic sprinter opportunities peppered with a few tactical kicks. The more interesting dynamic came from how teams protected their fast men across variable conditions (wind, crosswinds, break attempts).

For Asia and ProSeries-level racing, Taihu continues to be a proving ground — both for developing riders and teams eyeing international exposure.

Original summary: 2025 Tour of Taihu Lake (Wikipedia)  

🔍 Final Musings & What to Watch Next

This week’s crop of stories underscores three themes:

1. Improbable consistency — Pogačar is rewriting expectations, forcing the rest of the field into either chase mode or surrender.
2. Brand & identity are battlefields — Rapha exiting, IPT rebranding — it’s no longer enough to just ride fast.
3. Tech must earn trust — Garmin’s Varia Vue is ambitious, but the execution reminds us that users demand more than novelty.

Coming up:

• The 2025 UCI Track Cycling World Championships land 22–26 October in Santiago, Chile.  
• How EF transitions post-Rapha will be closely watched (kit supplier, brand direction, rider morale).
• For IPT, rebranding in a polarized climate will be a test of communications and sponsorship resilience.
• From the tech side: whether Garmin patches Varia Vue’s usability, or whether competitors use the flaws as wedge issues.

That’s your latest. Until next week — ride (or read) well.