{"id":123971,"date":"2026-06-26T17:58:13","date_gmt":"2026-06-26T17:58:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/26\/in-the-drops-quoc-motion-shoes-pas-normal-studios-escapsim-kit-pogacars-2026-scicon-sunnies-lidl-treks-recovery-secret-and-a-short-lived-world-cup-journey\/"},"modified":"2026-06-26T17:58:13","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T17:58:13","slug":"in-the-drops-quoc-motion-shoes-pas-normal-studios-escapsim-kit-pogacars-2026-scicon-sunnies-lidl-treks-recovery-secret-and-a-short-lived-world-cup-journey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/26\/in-the-drops-quoc-motion-shoes-pas-normal-studios-escapsim-kit-pogacars-2026-scicon-sunnies-lidl-treks-recovery-secret-and-a-short-lived-world-cup-journey\/","title":{"rendered":"In The Drops: Quoc Motion shoes, Pas Normal Studios Escapsim kit, Poga\u010dar’s 2026 Scicon sunnies, Lidl-Trek’s recovery secret and a short-lived World Cup journey"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

\n

How does any civilisation run in constant heat above 34\u00b0C? That\u2019s the question I\u2019ve been pondering this week. I mean, how did the Ancient Egyptians get enough sleep at night to build the Pyramids? How did Gandhi stay hydrated during the Salt March without a Brita filter? Did Julius Caesar own a Dyson fan? Who\u2019s to know?<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t worry, that\u2019s not some tangent for me to say we haven\u2019t been trundling along here at Cyclist HQ. We certainly have (take that, primary schools), so here\u2019s just a little teaser to get your whistle wet.<\/p>\n

As I\u2019m sure you\u2019re aware, the Tour de France is now just a week away. With that fast approaching, we\u2019ve started our pre-Tour coverage in strong form. Web editor Will Strickson has published his mega route guide<\/a>, Robyn\u2019s been looking at the Tour debutants<\/a>, while also keeping an eye on the stages that could decide whether this year\u2019s maillot jaune<\/em> goes to Denmark or Slovenia<\/a>.<\/p>\n

On a tech front, we\u2019re about to see a waft of big releases, which is always the case around the Tour de France. This week has been headlined by Mathieu van der Poel\u2019s Canyon Aeroad CFR receiving a cockpit update<\/a> in time for the Grand D\u00e9part. Otherwise, keep your eyes peeled, bike fans, there\u2019s some interesting stuff coming next week.<\/p>\n

Enough chit-chat, I need to go and whack on some more sun cream. Here are some cycling goodies to get you through the final embers of the heatwave.<\/p>\n

Quoc Motion shoes<\/h2>\n
Cyclist\/Ewan Wilson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Quoc have fast become one of the coolest shoe brands in the sport. Worn by former Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas, UAE hitter Florian Vermeersch and plenty of soul-crushingly Instagram cyclists, this London-based brand has refreshed its road offering for 2026.<\/p>\n

The Quoc Motion, released in late March, enters the fray as the most affordable of the brand’s additions. It’s been billed by Quoc as an ‘all day, all year road shoe’. That title is credited to the shoes’ comfort and durability, however I like to think the shoes were inspired by John Barnes’ seminal quote: ‘You can be slow or fast, but you must get to the line’.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Cyclist\/Ewan Wilson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Like all of Quoc’s range, the upper is leather-free, instead relying on a breathable PU material that only requires one seam behind the heel cup. That helps to reduce any hot spots in the upper, as do the ventilation holes dotted throughout the upper and tongue.<\/p>\n

The Motion shoes use Quoc’s new Tech Dial III dial system, which offers 36 clicks of adjustment. The fit is also said to have been made wider to accommodate more feet shapes and sizes.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Cyclist\/Ewan Wilson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There are some nice touches to keep the shoes in top condition. At the front of the shoe, a rubber toe border offers a shield against stains, while a rubber heel provides some extra oomph against wear and tear when walking about on the tarmac.<\/p>\n

The sole is made from a Carbon\/Glass-fibre composite that seeks to balance ‘responsive stiffness with extended comfort’ according to the brand, and the shoes come with a set of insoles to help get the fit right too. To help that further the three-bolt cleats come with a comprehensive set of hash marks for adjustments.<\/p>\n

Together, they come to a claimed weight of 510g for a pair in European size 42. They were only available in white upon release, but Quoc have since added a graphite colourway for those who prefer shoes darker in tone.<\/p>\n

Pas Normal Studios Escapism kit<\/h2>\n
\"\"
Cyclist\/Ewan Wilson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The uniform of cycling hipsters the continent over, Pas Normal Studios has reshuffled its Escapism gravel range. First released during the weekend of the Traka \u2013 Europe’s top gravel meet \u2013 the Danish brand said the adjustments made to its range cater to ‘hybrid-surface riding’. In other words, a blend of road and gravel.<\/p>\n

The clothing was developed in collaboration with the brand’s Pas Racing Team, former home of Unbound winner Mads W\u00fcrtz\u00a0Schmidt, and leans into performance more than its previous line. There are some nods to this, with an increased focus on compression, aero and a limited-run skinsuit.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Cyclist\/Ewan Wilson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Let’s start with the regular short-sleeve jersey, which was worn by 2025 champion Tobias Kongstad during this year’s Traka 360. The revised Escapism jersey features a ‘gravel-specific’ set of pockets, including two extra pouches on the back of the arms and one above the rear pockets to store rubbish. For ventilation, a two-way zipper allows for flexible ventilation, while the thin mesh, made from 80% polyamide, ensures the jersey keeps you at a comfortable temperature on hotter rides.<\/p>\n

Pas Normal Studios claims the ‘lightweight and abrasion-resistant fabrics used across the range were chosen for days that ask a lot: breathability when the pace climbs, durability when the surface gets rough, and a considered performance profile that holds up however long the day runs’.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Cyclist\/Ewan Wilson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As for the bibs, that fabric continues. This time, it’s formed with the addition of a fluorine-free DWR. Practical features include a cargo pocket, updated bib straps for improved stability, silicone leg grippers to keep the shorts in place, and the brand’s four-layer chamois. Plus, the bibs have a higher waist than the previous Escapism range to create a more compressed fit.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Cyclist\/Ewan Wilson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Finally, you can round out your Escapism outfit with a pair of gloves or mitts. The latter (shown above) uses a knitted fabric on the back of the hand to support ventilation, while the padded palm helps to reduce pressure and numbness during bumpy rides.<\/p>\n

The colour palette of the new range is said to be ‘drawn directly from the landscape \u2013 light olive, stone brown, black, dark red’. Although the mitts I’ve got seem to have bypassed that criterion. Finally, the Escapism range comes with a two-year warranty and crash replacement on all products. Just make sure you don’t spill your oat milk flat white on it.<\/p>\n

Scicon Aeroshade 2.0 Titanium sunglasses<\/h2>\n
\"\"
Cyclist\/Ewan Wilson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Scicon has received a boost in interest having been the sunglasses provider for UAE Team Emirates-XRG since Tadej Poga\u010dar’s dominant rise to the top of the sport. Coming into 2026, the brand has overhauled many of its performance products, including the Aeroshade Titanium glasses, which will soon be brought to the Tour de France.<\/p>\n

Tadej Poga\u010dar first wore these at Strade Bianche back in March, and they’ve since become one of the sunnies with the most WorldTour wins in 2026. When he first showed them off, Scicon said the Aeroshade’s design was ‘angular and aerodynamic to deliver a highly aerodynamic aesthetic’, which isn’t a surprise given its name and WordTour pedigree at this point.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Cyclist\/Ewan Wilson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As for the materials, the temples use medical-grade titanium \u2013 the kind your granny’s hip is made of \u2013 to support a stable and secure fit. That headline material is also claimed to boost ‘strength, flexibility, and long-term structural integrity’ as well as protecting against corrosion and temperature extremes.<\/p>\n

The laser-cut lens offers a wide field of view and is available in photochromic and MultiMirror options for better protection and visibility coverage. Plus, they’re compatible with an optical insert for prescription lenses. Throughout the frames and lenses, the Aeroshade glasses feature a succession of ventilation ports to harness airflow and reduce fogging on the lenses.<\/p>\n

Unbroken fish-based recovery tablets<\/h2>\n
\"\"
Cyclist\/Ewan Wilson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A few weeks ago, my colleague Will Strickson showcased Mads Pedersen’s broccoli juice<\/a> \u2013 which I promise isn’t an innuendo. Therefore, it only feels fair for me to discuss the other Pedersen-approved recovery drink hoping to push the Dane to his first maillot vert<\/em> at the Tour de France this July.<\/p>\n

Lidl-Trek sponsor Unbroken is a recovery tablet made in Norway using salmon protein hydrolysate. What does that mean? Well, it’s a predigested protein source made from salmon (the fish). Through enzymatic hydrolysis, salmon proteins are broken down into short-chain peptides and free amino acids. I’m not 100% sure what that quite means, but according to its citations in academic papers, it seems to be a relatively new source of athletic recovery, so Unbroken is ahead of the curve in this domain.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Cyclist\/Ewan Wilson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

These proteins are crunched into a flavoured tablet, which dissolves in water. That drink contains all nine essential amino acids, a host of natural vitamins and micronutrients, which help to facilitate fast recovery and immune system support. This includes zinc, selenium and collagen peptides.<\/p>\n

Depending on your level of activity, you can take between one and four tablets a day. I can only imagine Pedersen is slamming four of these at the moment as he makes his final preparations for the 2026 Tour de France. However, time will tell whether this can be credited with his stage-winning success.<\/p>\n

The World Cup (it was good while it lasted)<\/h2>\n
\n
\n