Amateur Cycling and Triathlon: Gran Fondos, Ironman, Zwift — 2026-10-25
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Ironman has unveiled its 2027 pro racing calendar featuring new events in India, New York, Utah, and Montana, while the French cycling community prepares for the highly anticipated L’Étape du Tour 2027 route reveal. In the indoor training sector, Zwift rolled out a major software update introducing the "Watt Lock" feature, enhancing the virtual riding experience for indoor cyclists.
Amateur Cycling and Triathlon: Gran Fondos, Ironman, Zwift — 2026-10-25
Top developments
Ironman Expands 2027 Global Calendar
IRONMAN announced four new additions to its international racing calendar for the 2027 season, specifically targeting markets in India, New York, Utah, and Montana. This expansion aims to broaden the geographic reach of the series, offering more opportunities for age-group athletes to qualify for world championships closer to home. The preliminary pro racing calendar for 2027 also launched, kicking off with Ironman 70.3 Pucon on January 10th, 2027.
Zwift Releases Version 1.124 with "Watt Lock"
Zwift Insider reported that Zwift has begun the phased rollout of version 1.124, which introduces the highly requested "Watt Lock" feature. This update allows riders to lock in a target wattage while free riding or participating in group rides, providing more consistent training loads and reducing the need for constant manual adjustment. The update also includes nerfs to "Coffee Stops," a popular social feature, and adds Zwifty Pinarellos to the virtual garage.
L’Étape du Tour 2027 Route Details Emerge
French media outlets have begun detailing the upcoming route for the 35th edition of L’Étape du Tour, scheduled for July 11, 2027. The route is expected to follow Stage 11 of the 2027 Tour de France, running from Cluses to Les Saisies. L'Équipe reports that the course will include the "Montée de Bisanne," adding over 2,400 meters of elevation to the challenge, with a total distance of 154 kilometers. Entries are set to open on November 2, 2026, at 2:00 pm CET.
Local view
French Media Focus on Tour de France 2027
French cycling enthusiasts are closely following the lead-up to the official presentation of the Tour de France 2027, which is set to start in Edinburgh. L'Équipe and Letour.fr are highlighting the "Monts et merveilles" (Mountains and marvels) theme, noting that the Grand Boucle is pushing its northern boundaries further than ever before. The amateur cycling community is particularly interested in how the pro route will translate into the mass-participation L’Étape du Tour, with 3bikes.fr noting that rumors about the specific climbs have been circulating since mid-October.
Context & numbers
Shimano Inventory and Profit Forecasts
While specific data for the week of October 18–25 is limited, recent industry reports from Bicycle Retailer and Sporting Goods Intelligence provide context for the ongoing inventory issues affecting the bike sector. Shimano has reported that while global sales saw mixed results in 2025, European demand was strong but inventories remained "somewhat high". For 2026, operating profit is forecast to fall to ¥47 billion ($303 million), the lowest level since 2013, due to excess inventory in Europe and China. This financial pressure may influence retail pricing and promotions for bike components in the coming months.
On the radar
- L’Étape du Tour 2027 Registration: Mark your calendars for November 2, 2026, at 2:00 pm CET for the opening of entries for the 35th edition of the event.
- Ironman 2027 Calendar: The full 2027 pro calendar is now available, with the first event scheduled for January 10, 2027, in Pucon, Chile.
- Zwift Updates: Riders should monitor their Zwift apps for the phased rollout of version 1.124, which includes the new Watt Lock feature and other quality-of-life improvements.
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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