Zwift launched a few more worlds - the Makuri Islands and eight new routes as part of update to the Makuri Islands map - but we'll have to wait a few more months for the UCI Esports World Championships which are scheduled to take place in February 2022 and not this year.

The indoor cycling discipline continued to define itself throughout 2021.

The pedal-based power meter system appeared to be a hot topic this year among the manufacturers with both Favero Electronics and Garmin getting in on the action launching respective Assioma-Shi and Rally RS100/RS200 Shimano SPD-SL compatible power pedals. There were lots of other new component offerings, too, including the all-new Wahoo Elemnt Bolt and the return of the Speedplay pedal - now under the Wahoo Fitness umbrella, as well as its all-new Speedplay Powrlink pedal system. Then there was the gravel bike onslaught with contenders such as the Focus Atlas, Specialized Crux, Basso Palta 2, BMC URS, Giant Revolt, Canyon Grizl, Cervelo Aspero 5 and Orbea Terra all making meaningful impacts in the segment. Pinarello's Dogma F got us excited too, as did Orbea's Orca Aero and Liv's Langma. Like last year's Reacto Team-E, the Merida Scultura Team blew us away - both in terms of specification level and all-around performance. The road and gravel bike front was jam-packed, too and new launches came in thick and fast. SRAM also made a lot of noise about its Rival AXS groupset, a third-tier offering designed to bring wireless shifting to more people. The company has paid special attention to this area roping in expertise from its mountain biking and gravel sectors to help iron out and refine the stopping power on road bikes using what it calls Servo Wave technology. The technology is getting better with every new groupset iteration and Shimano's Dura-Ace R9200 is a case in point. Hydraulic disc brakes are here to stay, too, as long-time proponents of the 'save the rim brake' campaign - Ineos Grenadiers and Pinarello - have finally caved and given in to the many benefits of hydraulic stoppers. I personally feel the facetime-style product reveal is here to stay. That, however, didn't put a stop to the dreaded Zoom Meeting or Google Hangout product launch from taking place, the notion of which seems to have become a staple for manufacturers to share their news with those still unable to attend IRL events for whatever reason. 2021 also welcomed back the return of trade shows such as Eurobike, Sea Otter and Rouleur Live as well as in-real-life races - both amateur and professional - and industry launches in exotic locations.

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