You can’t always get what you want

Yesterday’s podium in Liège wasn’t exactly a fine image for the sport. But whilst debate rages as to who we want to see, remember that whilst sport has an unpredictable and even romantic side, it is not a fairytale. Our sport has huge problems. It has dealt with some and must still confront others. Will … Read more

Flèche Wallonne: new route

Wednesday’s Flèche Wallonne race is always good to watch thanks to the fearsome Muur de Huy, a leg busting climb that ‘only’ averages 9.3% but has sections well above 20%, meaning any rhythm is near-impossible. The riders climb this three times. There’s even a quasi-religious symbolism as the riders pass seven chapels on the road. … Read more

Amstel Gold – some thoughts

The RoadsToday’s race is one of the most manic competitions of the year. Whilst the Tour of Flanders has its bergs and Paris-Roubaix has the pavé, the Amstel has… street furniture. A collection of traffic calming measures, from sleeping policemen to chicane filter points to curb extensions to traffic islands, footage from this race should … Read more

Done and dusty

So the wintry part of the cycling season comes to an end. We now swap the cobbles, mud and dust for smooth roads and more climbing. The Ardennes classics are coming and riders are now right in the crucial period for the Giro build up. Time for the inner chainring. A quick look back on … Read more

How to beat Cancellara

Because things don’t always go to plan Following last Sunday’s ride, Fabian Cancellara will start Paris-Roubaix as the nailed on favourite. Not just nailed on, but glued, tied and bound with a toestrap too. But that’s to ignore the beauty of sport and cycling. Sport means the winner is never certain and this holds true … Read more

Milan – San Remo: the long and short of it

It’s time for the longest race on the calendar. A UCI ruling means no race can be longer than 250km but an exception is made for the 298km Milan-San Remo. First held in 1907, the race is another symbolic event where riders leave the often grey and grizzly industrialised Milan for the sunshine and palm … Read more

Signs of Spring: Hincapie in the media

You know it’s spring time when the weather warms up, the birds sing and … George Hincapie starts sounding confident ahead of the classics. Speaking to cyclingnews.com, “Big George” is getting ready for the monuments. For years American cycling was gifted Armstrong’s Tour de France riding but this was a once a year thing and … Read more

The Tour of Belgium

There’s a fourth grand tour out there, the Tour of Belgium. You might not see it immediately but look at the calendar of racing throughout March and early April. You’ve got so many Belgian races that they almost form one non-stop event. Ok, there’s no yellow jersey so what do I mean? Well if you … Read more