Amateur Cycling and Triathlon: Gran Fondos, Ironman, Zwift — 2026-10-30
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Zwift has launched its new premium "Zwift Plus" subscription tier, introducing AI coaching and real-world video routes for an additional cost. Meanwhile, the amateur cycling calendar is heating up with the opening of registrations for the 2027 Étape du Tour and the announcement of new Italian Gran Fondo series, while Shimano reported a 4.6% increase in bicycle component sales for the first nine months of its fiscal year.
Amateur Cycling and Triathlon: Gran Fondos, Ironman, Zwift — 2026-10-30
Top developments
Zwift launches premium "Plus" tier with AI coaching
Zwift announced a new subscription tier, "Zwift Plus," priced at £27.99 per month (approx. $29.99), which includes access to "Zwift Coach" for personalized training plans and "Zwift Video" featuring real-world routes like the Col du Galibier and Sa Calobra. The move aims to capture more market share by offering adaptive training plans and augmented reality video rides, positioning it as a potential replacement for other coaching platforms like TrainerRoad or Strava subscriptions. Current members are receiving a free trial period to test the new features.
Étape du Tour 2027 registrations open
The 35th edition of the Étape du Tour will take place on Sunday, July 11, 2027, with registrations opening on November 2, 2026, at 2:00 PM CET. The amateur event will follow the route of Stage 11 of the 2027 Tour de France, featuring a challenging 154 km alpine course with 4,850 meters of elevation gain between Cluses and Les Saisies. The event continues its tradition of allowing 16,000 amateur cyclists to race on professional roads.
Italian Gran Fondo calendar expands for 2027
Italian media reported the opening of registrations for the BGY Airport Granfondo, scheduled for May 9, 2027, marking the start of the Italian amateur cycling season. Additionally, the "Granfondo Marche" series announced a seven-race program starting March 14, 2027, with registrations opening November 14. The "Granfondo d'Europa" calendar also released a list of 84 events for European granfondists in 2027, highlighting the region's robust amateur cycling infrastructure.
Shimano reports sales growth
Shimano reported that bicycle component net sales increased by 4.6% in the first nine months of its fiscal year 2026, reaching 278,361 million yen. Operating income for the bicycle division rose by 10.9% to 33,440 million yen, driven by "solid" sales in Europe despite weaker demand in North America and Asia. This data suggests a resilient demand for cycling components in the European market, which may stabilize inventory levels for retailers.
Local view
In France, Cyclismactu highlights the imminent opening of registrations for the men's Étape du Tour 2027, noting its 35-year history as a reference cyclosportive in Europe. In Italy, RadioCorsaWeb detailed the new "Granfondo Fenix Bra Bra Specialized" for 2027, which returns on May 16 with a revamped management structure and new routes, aiming to revitalize one of Italy's most prestigious granfondos.
Context & numbers
- Zwift Plus Pricing: £27.99/month or $29.99/month, adding £9/$10 to the standard membership cost.
- Étape du Tour 2027 Stats: 154 km distance, 4,850 m elevation gain, 16,000 participant cap.
- Shimano Financials: Bicycle division sales up 4.6% year-to-date; operating income up 10.9%.
- Italian Gran Fondo Volume: 84 events listed for 2027 in the "Granfondo d'Europa" calendar.
On the radar
- Registration Dates: Étape du Tour 2027 opens November 2, 2026. Granfondo Marche 2027 opens November 14, 2026.
- Hardware Discounts: Zwift offered a limited-time 20% discount on the Wahoo KICKR CORE 2 and 15% off its Ride smart bike, signaling aggressive winter hardware sales.
- Wahoo Kickr V6: Cyclingnews highlighted the Wahoo Kickr V6 as a top choice for winter racing, noting a rare discount at Tredz.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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