Mike O'Connor
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Articles by Mike O'Connor
Leigh Hoffman takes sprint silver at Track Worlds
Leigh Hoffman has claimed silver in the men’s sprint at the 2026 UCI Track World Championships in Shanghai, China, after facing Dutch star Harrie Lavreysen in the gold medal final. The 26-year-old Australian advanced to his first individual sprint world championship final after a strong qualifying performance and a series of convincing rides, but Lavreysen’s experience proved decisive.
Sunshine, 2,500 riders and $130,000 raised at 10th Bowral Classic
The Bowral Classic celebrated its 10th anniversary in style on Sunday, 18 October, with more than 2,500 riders taking to the roads of the Southern Highlands and more than $130,000 raised for charity. Riders lined up on Bong Bong Street in Bowral to tackle three distances: the 150km Maxi Classic, 120km Challenge Classic and 85km Rouleurs Classic, taking in the area’s rolling hills, picturesque countryside and country towns.
Adelaide to host Oceania Road Championships ahead of 2027 Tour Down Under
Adelaide will host the Oceania Road Championships from January 15-17, 2027, with the event moving to January for the first time to give more professional riders the opportunity to compete before heading to Europe. The championships will feature road races and time trials for elite, under-23 and under-19 men and women, forming part of the opening weekend of the Santos Festival of Cycling and coinciding with the first round of the ProVelo Super League.
Fujifilm's new Instax Square 2 adds mood filters; redesigned body
By Mike O'Connor | 15 October 2026 Fujifilm has announced the Instax Square 2, a new square-format instant camera featuring selectable colour filters, a redesigned body and a switch from CR2 lithium batteries to standard AA cells. The camera introduces what Fujifilm calls Mood Filters, allowing users to adjust the colour tone of their images before printing.
Getty Images avoids collapse with $763 million rescue deal
Getty Images has secured US$533 million ($763 million AUD) in funding to support a major debt restructuring that will see the stock photography company return to private ownership. The deal, backed by the Getty family and Koch Equity Development, is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. As part of the process, Getty will file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States to restructure its debts.
Your guide to the 2026 UCI Track World Championships: Schedule, Australian team and how to watch
Australia’s 16-rider squad will begin their chase for gold at the 2026 UCI Track World Championships in Shanghai today, with the team looking to build on its Commonwealth Games success and improve on last year’s five-medal haul. The championships run from October 14–18 at the Shanghai Chongming Velodrome in China, and also mark the start of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games qualification cycle.
Bowral Classic rolls into the Southern Highlands this weekend
The Southern Highlands will come alive over the weekend of Saturday 17th – Sunday, 18 October, as thousands of riders from across Australia and beyond descend on Bowral for the Bowral Classic cycling Gran Fondo. Celebrating a decade of cycling with The Classics, the Bowral Classic has become a standout event on Australia’s cycling calendar, welcoming riders of varying abilities to take on challenging courses through the region’s picturesque countryside, rolling hills and iconic country towns.
New website aims to catalogue every film camera ever made
By Mike O'Connor | 12 October 2026 A new website is taking on an ambitious challenge: creating a searchable, living archive of every film camera ever produced. The PPP Camera Index is the brainchild of camera repairer and PPP Cameras founder Pierro Pozella, who is building a free online resource bringing together information about cameras, specifications, manuals, images and their place in photographic history.
Jayco AlUla sign Olympic champions Sam Welsford and Oliver Bleddyn
Australian team Jayco AlUla has secured two Olympic gold medallists for 2027, with sprinter Sam Welsford returning to an Australian outfit and track star Oliver Bleddyn stepping up to the WorldTour on two-year contracts. The signings reunite the pair with fellow Paris 2024 team pursuit gold medallist Kelland O’Brien, adding further Australian talent to the GreenEDGE Cycling roster. Welsford, 30, joins from INEOS after five seasons racing at WorldTour level.
Marianne Vos makes gravel history with second world title in Nannup
Dutch cycling great Marianne Vos has become the first rider to win two UCI Gravel World Championships, claiming the elite women’s title in Nannup, Western Australia. Vos made her decisive move inside the final 4km, breaking clear of Germany’s Rosa Klöser on the technical course to secure the rainbow jersey two years after her first gravel world title. Klöser had been Vos’s strongest rival in the closing stages but crashed on the run-in after struggling to shake the experienced Dutchwoman.
UCI Gravel World Championships down under: Your guide to Nannup
For the first time, the UCI Gravel World Championships are heading outside Europe, with Australia set to host the world’s best gravel riders in Nannup, Western Australia this weekend. The South West town has spent months preparing for a big weekend of racing, with the world’s best riders set to take on a challenging course of gravel roads, climbs and fast, rolling sections through the region’s forests.
EIZO brings OLED to its ColorEdge range
By Mike O'Connor | 7 October 2026 EIZO has introduced the ColorEdge CG3200X, its first OLED monitor in the ColorEdge range, aimed at professional photographers, colourists and video post-production users. The 31.5-inch 4K UHD display uses a QD-OLED panel and supports both HDR and SDR workflows. It offers a peak brightness of 1000 cd/m², a claimed 1,500,000:1 contrast ratio and around 99 per cent DCI-P3 coverage.
Georgia Baker joins Canyon-SRAM for next two seasons
Australian road and track star Georgia Baker will join Canyon-SRAM for the next two seasons, bringing a mix of sprinting speed, experience and versatility to the WorldTour team. Baker turned professional on the road in 2015 and spent six of her seven seasons with Australian outfit Liv AlUla Jayco. She has also enjoyed a highly successful track career, including three Olympic appearances and five Commonwealth Games gold medals.
10 Years of the Bowral Classic: The riders who keep coming back (part three)
In our first two Bowral Classic ambassador features, we heard from riders who have made the event a regular fixture on their cycling calendars. For our third and final instalment, Åsa Burkett and Gareth Downey share their favourite parts of the event, how they prepare and why they keep coming back. Asa Burkett Describe the Bowral Classic in three words. Scenic, challenging, fun. Your Classics tally? Six.
Lachlan Morton leaves EF Education-EasyPost after six seasons
Australian endurance specialist Lachlan Morton is leaving EF Education-EasyPost after six seasons with the US-based WorldTour team. Morton revealed the news after winning the Three Peaks Cyclocross race in Yorkshire, telling Cycling Weekly that the event was his “last time pinning on a number with EF”. The 34-year-old has spent much of his career blurring the line between professional road racing and endurance cycling.
Tour of Canberra returns to elite road calendar in 2027
Elite road racing will return to the nation’s capital in 2027, with the Tour of Canberra confirmed as a round of the Hertz ProVelo Super League. The event will form Round 4 of the 2027 season from February 26-28, replacing the Harbour City GP, which remains under consideration for future seasons.
A new heart, a new start: Cameron Butcher races again
Just two years after receiving a life-saving heart transplant, 25-year-old Wollongong cyclist and coach Cameron Butcher is back racing, and this week he is competing at the 2026 Australian Transplant Games in Launceston. The 18th Australian Transplant Games are underway in Tasmania from 26 September to 3 October, bringing together hundreds of transplant recipients, living donors and donor families from across Australia.
Michael Matthews takes World Championship silver as McNulty stuns in Montréal
Michael Matthews has claimed his fourth elite men’s road race World Championships medal, taking silver in Montréal as American Brandon McNulty produced a stunning solo victory. Matthews finished 13 seconds behind McNulty after the American launched his decisive attack with around 32km remaining and held off the chasing group to claim the rainbow jersey. Mathieu van der Poel took bronze. For Matthews, the result adds another medal to an already remarkable World Championships record.
Australian Government considers smart glasses ban in Commonwealth workplaces
The Australian Government is considering restricting or banning the use of smart glasses capable of recording people in Commonwealth workplaces, amid growing concerns about privacy and security. Finance Minister Katy Gallagher has asked the Australian Public Service Commission to provide advice on the use of wearable devices such as camera-equipped smart glasses across government workplaces. The review will consider whether the devices should be prohibited and what exemptions may be appropriate.
Ride, Stay, Win: Bowral Classic Celebrates 10 Years With $9,800+ in Prizes
The Bowral Classic is turning 10, and the milestone celebration is set to be bigger than ever, with a huge weekend of riding, local experiences and more than $9,800 worth of prizes up for grabs at the 2026 event. To mark a decade of The Classics, registered riders will have the chance to win one of 10 prizes worth more than $9,800, with the giveaway taking place at the Bowral Classic Event Village at Loseby Park from 2pm on Saturday 17 October.
Kaden Groves joins Tudor Pro Cycling for 2027
Australian sprinter Kaden Groves will join Tudor Pro Cycling from 2027, leaving Alpecin-Premier Tech after four seasons. The 27-year-old has signed a three-year contract with the Swiss ProTeam, keeping him at Tudor through to the end of 2029. Groves has established himself as one of the world’s leading sprinters, with 21 professional victories and stage wins at all three Grand Tours. He has been particularly successful at the Vuelta a España, where he has won seven stages.
AI companies could use Australian creators' work without paying them, according to leaked report
Australian photographers and other creatives could soon have to actively opt out of having their work used to train artificial intelligence models under copyright proposals being considered by the federal government. The proposals, outlined in a leaked consultation document titled AI on Australian Terms, which was sighted by the ABC, would potentially allow AI companies to use publicly available online material by default, with mechanisms for creators to opt out and receive compensation.
Stacey Duffy completes record-breaking ride around Australia
Queensland cyclist Stacey Duffy has completed her epic unsupported ride around Australia, finishing in Springfield on Wednesday evening after covering 14,210km in 81 days, 11 hours and 39 minutes. Duffy’s time smashes the previous women’s Around Australia record, set by Lesa Ashford in 2023, by 10 days, 18 hours and 53 minutes.
NSW gets tough on e-bikes as 36 illegal bikes seized
NSW is tightening the rules around e-bikes, with new laws targeting both illegal private e-bikes and the way shared e-bike operators manage their fleets. The changes come as NSW Police and Transport for NSW ramp up enforcement, with 36 illegal e-bikes seized during a joint operation on Sydney’s Northern Beaches earlier this month. The operation on 11 September was the first joint NSW Police and Transport for NSW operation since new seizure powers came into effect on 21 August.
Tasmania’s Felicity Wilson-Haffenden powers to U23 world title in Montréal
Australia has a new UCI world champion, with Felicity Wilson-Haffenden taking gold in the U23 Women’s Individual Time Trial at the 2026 UCI Road World Championships in Montréal. The 21-year-old Tasmanian produced a time of 27:40.72 for the 20.3km course, finishing 28.47 seconds ahead of Dutch rider Nienke Vinke. Belgium’s Luca Vierstraete took bronze.
Risk it for the biscuit: Behind the lens at the Tour de France Femmes
What does it actually take to photograph the Tour de France Femmes as a professional cycling photographer? For Marcus Enno, better known as Beardy McBeard, the answer involves considerably more than pointing a camera at the peloton. The well-known Tasmanian photographer has close to 20 Grand Tours behind him, along with plenty of experience with the logistics of covering stage races.
Smart glasses: Would you be comfortable being filmed on a group ride?
A recent opinion piece we spotted over at Cycling Weekly got us thinking about an interesting question for cyclists as camera-equipped smart glasses become increasingly common: when does filming on a bike ride become an issue of privacy and consent? Models such as Oakley’s Meta Vanguard are becoming more accessible, making it easier than ever to record your ride without a traditional camera mounted to your bike or helmet.
Shimano introduces new SPD-SLR road pedal system
Shimano has introduced SPD-SLR, a new road pedal and cleat system designed to work with its latest S-PHYRE road shoes. Rather than simply updating its pedals or cleats, Shimano has redesigned the interface between the shoe, cleat and pedal as a complete system. The changes focus on stack height, engagement, weight and cleat adjustment. Image: Shimano The biggest change is a 2.3mm reduction in stack height, bringing the rider’s foot closer to the pedal axle.
The Mono Awards 2026 presented by Synology: The winners!
By Mike O'Connor | 16 September 2026 We’re delighted to announce the winners and runners-up of The Mono Awards 2026 presented by Synology. Run by Australian Photography and Capture, the competition is our annual hunt for the world's best black and white imagery, and continues to celebrate the best monochromatic work.
One month to go: Are you and your bike ready for the Bowral Classic?
With the Bowral Classic now just about a month away, the big training sessions might be starting to wind down, but there’s another job worth ticking off the list: getting your bike and your gear ready for race day. A little preparation now can save plenty of last-minute stress. You don’t want to leave the practical stuff until the week before, only to discover a worn tyre, tired chain or missing piece of kit when you’re supposed to be tapering. First off, start with a good clean and inspection.
Lonely Planet’s new Epic Bike Trips of the World puts Australia firmly on the cycling map
Planning your next cycling adventure? Lonely Planet’s new Epic Bike Trips of the World is packed with inspiration, including some standout Australian routes. The 320-page book features 50 detailed cycling adventures from around the globe, with first-hand stories, photography, maps, riding grades and practical information to help readers plan their own trips.
Zwift announces new Watopia roads, Zwift Ride V2 and more
Zwift has announced a series of updates coming to the platform over the next few months, including a major Watopia expansion, an updated Zwift Ride smart bike and new racing formats. Image: Zwift The Zwift Ride V2 is available now, retaining the existing $1299.99 price while adding greater adjustability. The updated frame fits riders from 146 to 198cm, while adjustable cranks offer five lengths from 160mm to 175mm. The seatpost has also been redesigned to provide more fore-and-aft adjustment.
Mas seals Vuelta as Johannessen takes Granada finale
Enric Mas has completed a long-awaited Vuelta a España victory, while Tobias Halland Johannessen sprinted to a lively final-stage win in Granada. After three weeks and more than 3,300 kilometres of racing, the 2026 Vuelta a España came to a close on Sunday with Mas (Movistar) crowned the 64th overall winner of the race.
CUBE Agree gets lighter and more aerodynamic with new MY27
CUBE has unveiled its MY27 Agree range, with the latest version of its endurance-focused road bike gaining a lighter carbon frame, revised aerodynamics and increased tyre clearance. The redesigned C:62 carbon frame and full-carbon fork are claimed to be around 150g lighter than the previous generation. CUBE also says changes to the frame, fork, cockpit and seatpost reduce aerodynamic drag by 10.4 watts.
Sarah Gigante set to return to racing after year-long injury lay-off
Australian climber Sarah Gigante will return to racing this week after more than a year away from competition following a serious femur fracture. Gigante, 26, is on the start list for the four-day Faun Tour in France, which begins on Thursday. It will be her first race since she finished sixth overall at the 2025 Tour de France Femmes. Just over two weeks after that performance, Gigante crashed during training and fractured her femur.
Marianne Vos confirmed for 2026 UCI Gravel World Championships
Fourteen-time world champion Marianne Vos has been confirmed for the 2026 UCI Gravel World Championships in Nannup, Western Australia, on 10 and 11 October. The Dutch rider, widely regarded as one of the greatest cyclists of her generation, has enjoyed a career spanning more than two decades at the highest level. She is one of only two cyclists to have won world titles across four disciplines, with rainbow jerseys in road, track, cyclo-cross and gravel, as well as two Olympic gold medals.
Sony launches its first standalone E-mount fisheye lens
By Mike O'Connor | 9 September 2026 Sony has added a new perspective to its full-frame E-mount system with the FE 8-14mm F3.5 Fisheye G, its first standalone fisheye lens for the mount. The new zoom covers a 180-degree field of view throughout its range, with the 8mm setting producing a circular fisheye image and 14mm filling the frame with a diagonal fisheye perspective.
11,000km down: Could Stacey Duffy break the round Australia record?
Queensland cyclist Stacey Duffy has continued to build her lead in an ambitious unsupported attempt to become the fastest woman to ride around Australia, pushing past 11,000km after 69 days on the road. Duffy has spent the past week battling punishing headwinds and occasional crosswinds across the Nullarbor Plain, but has still managed back-to-back days of around 220km.
Scott Addict Gravel gets a major overhaul with more tyre clearance and adventure-ready features
Scott has redesigned its Addict Gravel with more tyre clearance, revised geometry and a greater focus on comfort, stability and bikepacking versatility. Scott has given its Addict Gravel a substantial redesign, with the latest version gaining increased tyre clearance, revised geometry, greater frame compliance and a host of integrated features aimed at making it equally suited to gravel racing and long-distance adventures.
Heat-shortened Vuelta stage ends with Wout van Aert victory in Córdoba
Wout van Aert has claimed his second stage victory of the 2026 Vuelta a España, winning a reduced stage 15 in Córdoba after organisers cut almost 80km from the route because of extreme heat. The Visma-Lease a Bike rider attacked into the finale and then produced the fastest finish from a five-rider group, beating Alessandro Romele (XDS Astana) and Thibau Nys (Lidl-Trek) to the line. The victory was Van Aert’s second in Córdoba, having also won in the Andalusian city in 2024.
GoPro to merge with optical technology company in $285 million USD deal
By Mike O'Connor | 4 September 2026 GoPro is set to take a significant step beyond consumer cameras, announcing plans to merge with privately held photonics company Starman Optical in a deal valued at US$285 million. Under the agreement, GoPro shareholders will receive US$1.14 in cash for each share, with existing shareholders retaining an approximately 10 per cent stake in the combined company. GoPro will continue to trade on the Nasdaq once the transaction is completed.
Tiffany Cromwell calls time on road career, with gravel farewell still to come
Australian cycling veteran Tiffany Cromwell has announced an end to a glittering 16-year chapter in the pro peloton. The 38-year-old confirmed on social media that 2026 will be her final season as a professional cyclist, although she still has several gravel races to complete before officially stepping away from racing. Cromwell had not indicated publicly the Philadelphia Cycling Classic would mark her road retirement.
Ricoh confirms GR IVx compact camera with 40mm-equivalent lens
By Mike O'Connor | 2 September 2026 Ricoh has confirmed that its next high-end compact camera, the RICOH GR IVx, is currently in development, bringing a new 40mm-equivalent lens to the popular GR series. Announced on August 26, the GR IVx will sit alongside the RICOH GR IV, which features a 28mm-equivalent lens, and is also offered in a variety of different versions, including monochrome and ND filterless.
Hasselblad sales jump 20%, but profits fall
By Mike O'Connor | 2 September 2026 Hasselblad’s sales jumped 20 per cent in 2025, but a closer look at the company’s latest financial results paint a more complicated picture of its growth. According to financial data analysed by Photo Rumours, the Swedish medium-format specialist, which is owned by DJI, recorded revenue of $325.9 million, up from $271.7 million in 2024. The increase continues a remarkable run for the company, with sales having more than quadrupled since 2022.
Kaden Groves abandons Vuelta a España after tough opening week
Australian sprinter Kaden Groves has abandoned the 2026 Vuelta a España during Stage 9, ending his bid for a third consecutive points classification victory at the Spanish Grand Tour. Groves was listed as a DNF after the 187.4km stage from La Vila Joiosa to the summit finish at Alto de Aitana. He was one of three riders to abandon the stage, alongside UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s Pablo Torres and Victor Langellotti of XDS Astana.
Queensland introduces tough new age and licensing rules for e-bike riders
Queensland has introduced new age and licensing requirements for e-bike and e-scooter riders, bringing some of the toughest e-mobility rules in Australia into effect. From yesterday, August 31, riders need to be at least 16 and hold a driver’s licence to ride an e-bike or e-scooter alone. Young people aged 12 to 17 can still ride under parental supervision, while people unable to drive because of a medical condition or disability can apply for an exemption.
DIY e-bike battery repairs linked to fatal fires, NSW inquest hears
DIY repairs and modifications to e-bike batteries have been linked to serious fires in NSW, including a blaze that killed two women, a coronial inquest has heard. Fire and Rescue NSW investigator Andrew Low told the NSW Coroners Court that unauthorised repairs and modifications were a recurring factor in the lithium-ion battery fires he had investigated. “There are backyard operations, they have soldering irons and they purchase things off eBay to do repairs,” Low said.
Pogacar’s Vuelta dream ends with crash and broken collarbone
Tadej Pogacar’s bid to complete a career Grand Tour clean sweep has ended in dramatic fashion, with the Slovenian abandoning the Vuelta a España after a heavy crash on stage eight. The UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider came down with around 33km remaining, initially appearing to consider getting back on his bike before sitting down and eventually walking to an awaiting ambulance. Pogacar suffered cuts to the left side of his face and appeared to be in considerable pain around his left shoulder.
Jay Vine sits 10th as Pogačar blows Vuelta wide open after five stages
Tadej Pogačar has wasted little time putting his stamp on the 2026 Vuelta a España, building a lead of more than three minutes after just five stages and leaving his rivals with plenty of work to do if they are to keep the race alive. The Slovenian leads four-time Vuelta winner Primož Roglič by 3min 21sec, with Enric Mas third at 3:32. Australian Jay Vine is the best-placed rider from Down Under in 10th, 4:11 behind Pogačar.
10 Years of the Bowral Classic: The riders who keep coming back (part two)
With the 10th Bowral Classic now just a few short weeks away, the event’s ambassadors explain why a decade of The Classics has created something much bigger than a single day on the bike. Ten years is a significant milestone for any cycling event. Since the inaugural Bowral Classic in 2016, the ride has grown into a major fixture on Australia’s gran fondo calendar, with riders returning year after year for the Southern Highlands roads, the challenge and the atmosphere that surrounds the event.
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