Horner riding around the block again Whereas some sports see participants fade once they pass the age of 30, cycling is a sport where a certain maturity helps. The lack of impact saves the body but tactical awareness helps deliver results too. That’s why the average age of a World Tour rider is 29. The … Read more
A self-referential item but I started The Inner Ring last February and it’s been an interesting project. From a trickle of readers at first, it’s now grown into something read by thousands a day. It’s been a chance to correspond with lots of cycling fans via email, the comments, twitter and beyond, plus it was … Read more
As well as reflection on the year gone by, us humans are suckers for forecasts for the year to come. This is very common in the financial world where analysts and economists prognosticate. Often their calls sound reasonable but in time the story changes and the prediction is usually way of the mark. One financial … Read more
I’m going to take a break for a few days on here. If we saw Chris White issue an interesting press release about the Pegasus team on what was Christmas morning in Australia, I certainly won’t be on here for the holidays. Best wishes to you all and here’s hoping 2011 is a good one … Read more
I got an email from a reader saying the Cavendish piece below wasn’t suitable for many readers at work. I agree. It’s the first time I’d put a semi-nude pic on here and should have realised it could be sensitive for some. I’m all for a light-hearted tone at times and I suspect many readers … Read more
With news that the Aussie team is set to implode, some are already casting around for the bogeyman here. Because it’ll take a near-miracle to save the team, a fact not helped by the fact that the team simply doesn’t have a roster that will let them win that much. Whilst some might be asking … Read more
If you haven’t seen it already, then the recent interview with Mario Cipollini on cyclingnews.com is a superb read. The Italian sprinter may have retired from the bunch but his mouth is still in fine form, outrageous quotes flow with ease. In one interview ‘Super Mario’ supplies more memorable quotes than entire pro teams manage … Read more
Band on the Run, by Wings. Featuring Linda McCartney on vocals. The UCI issued a press release today detailing the Pro Continental teams. Only Aussie team Pegasus wasn’t included, the team named after a mythical winged horse – because it has yet to announce its principal sponsors – seems grounded. Here’s hoping the paperwork gets … Read more
I’ve been away for a week, enjoying time without the internet (recent articles were typed ahead of my departure and published automatically). If the time off work felt like a long spell, I come back and of course little has changed in the world of cycling. There’s no news on the Novitzky investigation, although some … Read more
You’ve the riders spraying champagne on the podium sometimes. In case you didn’t notice, it’s a symbolic gesture that some have linked to, err, male ejaculation. But it’s a relatively recent idea. In the 1950s the French Grand Prix motor racing event took place in Reims and seeing as the city is the champagne capital … Read more