Each week, In the Draft serves up a quick hit of cycling news, race recaps, gear updates, offbeat stories, and social media highlights—all in one place. Whether it’s contract shake-ups, wild cyclocross action, or a quirky gear find, we’ve got your fix of fun and fresh cycling updates.

Story of the Day: It’s Not Over Yet for The Pro’s Closet

After closing in late October 2024 due to financial struggles and an industry downturn, the Pro’s Closet (TPC) has bounced back and relaunched under new ownership this November. The company was acquired by private equity firm Elshair Companies, and it is run by former TPC executives Justin England and JP Gage. TPC has restarted operations by focusing on rebuilding inventory and reconnecting with former staff, aiming to return to market by the holiday season.

“We took a bit of a spill, but TPC is back on track to being the destination for selling and buying pre-owned bikes,” reads in part a short statement on their homepage.

TPC 2.0 will retain its trusted buy/sell model, but aims to address past problems, like low offers for sellers and high resale prices for buyers. England and Gage are committed to enhancing transparency and trust in a challenging resale market. The new TPC hopes to maintain its role in providing a reliable, certified used bike marketplace, albeit with adjustments to improve buyer and seller experiences.

Tour de France News: 2025 Routes Revealed!

Last week, the routes for the 2025 Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes were finally revealed. The men’s Tour is set to start in Lille, in northern France, and will remain on French soil for the entire twenty-one days of racing. Key stages include a rare summit finish on Mont Ventoux, an 11km uphill individual time trial (up Peyragudes), and multiple back-to-back summit finishes in the Pyrenees and Alps, setting the stage for general classification battles. Stage 10’s rugged Massif Central course on Bastille Day and the high-altitude Col de la Loze climb in the Alps add further drama to the race’s mountainous third week.

For the women, the 2025 Tour de France Femmes runs its longest edition yet, starting in Brittany and wrapping up with an Alpine finale. With nine days of racing, notable stages include a challenging ride through the Massif Central and a high-mountain showdown on the Col de la Madeleine. The absence of a time trial is likely to increase GC suspense, encouraging aggressive moves and risk-taking amongst the Yellow Jersey contenders. Read Whit Yost’s in-depth preview and Molly Hurford’s thoughts on the lack of a TT here.

Tech & Gear Tidbits

TrainingPeaks Acquires indieVelo

TrainingPeaks has expanded its portfolio by acquiring indieVelo, a niche virtual cycling platform founded by Dr. George Gilbert, a Cambridge-educated astrophysicist and cycling expert. The training platform will now be branded as TrainingPeaks Virtual, adding unique anti-cheat and realistic racing features based on Gilbert’s expertise, which he developed during his time consulting for Zwift on esports championships. This acquisition allows TrainingPeaks to integrate indoor training directly into its platform, no longer requiring third-party software.

With TrainingPeaks Virtual, coaches can offer athletes a more complete experience, from training plans to virtual racing. Customization options allow coaches to create branded avatars, bikes, kits, and events to build community engagement. TrainingPeaks Virtual will remain free to use in its beta phase until March 2025, after which it will become part of the TrainingPeaks Premium suite ($124.99 per year or $19.99 per month).

REI Is Now an Authorized Service Partner for Canyon Bicycles

Last week, senior test editor Matt Phillips wrote about how REI is now an Authorized Service Partner (ASP) for Canyon Bicycles, offering warranty services, crash replacements, and Canyon-specific parts.

While Canyon bikes could previously be serviced at REI, this new ASP status provides REI mechanics with specialized training and documentation, making it easier for Canyon customers to get authorized repairs and support. At the moment, a limited number of REI stores in Southern California, Denver, and Washington D.C. will offer these services, with plans to expand to over 190 locations by 2025.

“REI is excited to welcome Canyon service into the co-op, a brand renowned for its innovative and high-performance bikes,” says Alicia Applegate, REI general manager for action sports. “This collaboration allows us to further elevate our industry-leading shop service benefits to our members and provide Canyon bike owners with exceptional service.”

REI’s ASP services include full repair and maintenance options, with REI members receiving a 20% discount—a membership perk that can make repairs like a $152 bike tune at the Denver store even more affordable. This partnership enhances support for Canyon owners who previously faced challenges in accessing specialized services for their direct-to-consumer bikes. Read Matt’s story here.

Weekend Race Recap: Fem van Empel and Thibau Nys Win European Cyclocross Championships

Dutchwoman Fem van Empel took her third consecutive European Cyclocross Championship title in a tight sprint finish, narrowly edging out compatriot Ceylin Del Carmen Alvarado. The race was a tight battle among the Dutch trio of Van Empel, Alvarado, and Lucinda Brand, who took third, completing a Dutch podium sweep. Alvarado initially gained a slight lead after Van Empel and Brand briefly got caught up in a technical corner, but Van Empel chased her down in the final stretch, sprinting past Alvarado in the last hundred meters.

The race unfolded on a warm day in Pontevedra, Spain, with an early lead from French rider Hélène Clauzel and a commanding pace set by Van Empel that reduced the leading group by the end of the first lap. Despite attempts by Alvarado to shake her rivals, the trio stayed closely matched until the final lap, where Van Empel sealed her victory in a sprint finish. Watch a replay of the women’s elite race here.

In the men’s elite race, Belgian prodigy Thibau Nys claimed his first major championship in a fast-paced, tactical race. Nys broke away with home favorite Felipe Orts on the penultimate lap after Eli Iserbyt stopped for a bike change. Despite Orts’ determination and support from the Spanish crowd, he couldn’t match Nys’ pace on the final lap, allowing the young Belgian to pull ahead for victory.

Orts finished in second, while Iserbyt secured the final podium spot. The race featured constant attacks, with Nys looking composed throughout. He praised Orts for his strength and highlighted the strategic challenge of holding on to a lead on such a fast course. Watch a replay of the men’s elite race here.

Leaks & Rumors

New Wahoo Computer Leaked on Reddit

A potentially new Wahoo cycling computer, the Elemnt Ace, was leaked via Reddit a couple of weeks ago with notable features not seen in previous models. The Elemnt Ace seemingly includes a wind sensor, potentially for real-time aerodynamic measurement. The device also includes a large touchscreen, an aluminum mount, and an extended 30+ hour battery life, nearly double that of other Wahoo models. Additionally, it has an inbuilt audio speaker, possibly designed as an alternative to a bike bell. This release seems positioned to compete with high-end models like the Garmin Edge 1050 and Hammerhead Karoo.

Remco Evenepoel Turned Down Multi-Million Dollar Offer from Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe

Cycling’s favorite brat, Remco Evenepoel, has reportedly turned down a hefty contract offer from Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, rumored to be worth up to $10.6 million per year, choosing instead to stay with Soudal-QuickStep for 2025. While Het Laatste Nieuws’ columnist Michel Wuyts claimed Red Bull’s offer included a high salary and support staff, other sources suggest the offer was closer to $4.2 million per year with bonuses.

Evenepoel’s current contract with Soudal-QuickStep is valued at approximately $5.3 million per year, and team manager Patrick Lefevere ensured Evenepoel stayed by leveraging financial support and blocking Red Bull’s attempt to bring his key team members over.

Despite Red Bull’s recruitment efforts, Evenepoel remains focused on his 2025 goals with Soudal-QuickStep, including aiming for a potential yellow jersey in the Tour de France following the uphill time trial on Stage 5. So far, the team’s plans for the season may involve bringing sprinter Tim Merlier and lead-out Bert Van Lerberghe to support Evenepoel in sprint and mountain stages, providing considerable support as he contends with top riders like Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) and Jonas Vingegaard-Hansen (Visma-Lease a Bike).

Stay tuned next week for more of the latest news and tidbits from the cycling world.