Imagine being World Champion aged 17 or 18? For many it’s a dream, for a few it’s a reality. But is a junior rainbow jersey worth having? It could mean pressure on a rider, a label to live up to for the rest of their career. Also to focus on the road from such an early age means missing out on other things. But increasingly it seems junior success is an indicator of a successful pro career and more than ever riders who thrive in road races are enjoying themselves in other disciplines like cyclo-cross, MTB or the track and this can only benefit them.
World Championships Time Trial Preview
A duel between Tom Dumoulin and Chris Froome, this season’s grand tour winners? Wednesday’s course features the tricky climb of Mount Fløyen with steep slopes and tight hairpin bends.
World Championships Team Time Trial Preview
This Sunday’s team time trial world championships is the odd one out on the calendar several times over, whether it’s the trade teams gathering for the Worlds which is otherwise all about competing nations or the presence of a team time trial race outside of a stage race, a rarity these days. Here’s a look at the format and the contenders for the first title of Bergen 2017.
The Finances of Ag2r La Mondiale
Want to run a pro team? You need millions of Euros a year. Here’s a closer look at the team budget of Ag2r La Mondiale, the French team in the World Tour sponsored by one of France’s largest mutual insurance companies.
The Moment The Vuelta Was Won
Vincenzo Nibali wins Stage 3 in Andorra while Chris Froome takes the maillot rojo on as the race rides into Andorra. Froome never looked back and gradually distanced all his riders. This was an early selection and among those distanced was Alberto Contador who gained the space needed to launch a series of crowd-pleasing attacks.
Vuelta a España Stage 21 Preview
The traditional parade into Madrid to crown the winner and offer a last sprint finish for those who have stayed the course. The finish is later than usual.
Vuelta a España Stage 20 Preview
A short and sharp stage, just 117.5km and packed with climbing including the Angliru, the reference point to which other climbs in Spain and beyond are compared.
Vuelta a España Stage 19 Preview
A route for the breakaway to get reeled in but which teams will do the reeling? Very few so it should be a day for the breakaway.
Vuelta a España Stage 18 Preview
A day for a breakaway but the final climb allows the GC contenders to scrap for seconds too.
Vuelta a España Stage 17 Preview
A mountain stage across tough terrain with a very hard final climb that attracts attention for its steep slopes but the real difficulty is the changing gradient and the accompanying changes in pace.