Any good at design and engineering? If so then here are some problems you might be able to help solve. There might even be a prize from a team or two if you can make it happen.
World Championships Review
Tadej Pogačar attacks with over 100km. The winning moment? Yes, but this time with hindsight as for some time the result was uncertain. It made for a gripping race especially with the chase behind and the battle for the lower steps of the podium.
The Paradox of Long Contracts
Wout van Aert has signed a contract with Visma-Lease A Bike “for eternity”. He’s not alone as Chris Froome and Michael Woods are said to have “retirement contracts” meaning they can ride for their team as long as they wish. These are just some examples among several of long term contracts and they’re becoming increasingly common.
As a concept it’s great to see longer deals for the stability and security they can signify. But, and there’s always a but, the longer the contract, the more it it is at risk of being broken. Soon we could see a new transfer market as teams trade talent.
UCI WorldTour Promotion and Relegation
With the Vuelta done plenty of UCI ranking points have been added. To save you a click the story though remains the same with Lotto-Dstny and IPT set for promotion back to the World Tour in 2026, and Astana and Arkéa-B&B Hotels facing the drop.
If you want more details and some speculation and the sound of an alarm bell or two, read on.
Vuelta a España Review
The Vuelta is firmly the third grand tour. Few target it at the start of the season, even those that elect to ride rarely do route reconds. In a sport where so much is measured and calculated, the Vuelta is the odd one out among grand tours with its mañana vibe. This is what makes it so good, the grand tour version of Snakes and Ladders after two versions of Monopoly in May and July.
Ben O’Connor took time early in the race but even while five minutes behind Primož Roglič seemed to ride his own race. If there was a defining moment then the Puerto de Ancares saw him drop the field and more than halve O’Connor’s lead but the story was probably more one of gradual pressure with Roglič slowly cracking O’Connor and keeping the rest at bay.
Exit The Founding Fathers
Many of today’s pro teams were founded in the 1990s by ex-pros. These founders have become part of the landscape and the teams almost institutions.
Because of time and retirement plans some of these founders are on their way out. In the case of Vincent Lavenu at Decathlon-Ag2r La Mondiale in recent days, brutally so and his forced exit tells us something about recent changes in the sport.
Vuelta a España Preview
A look at the contenders and pretenders for the 2024 Vuelta a España. As ever there’s a mix of riders with stories of rehab, redemption and revenge. There’s even someone who is targetting this race.
Without Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard the Vuelta is the most open and accessible grand tour of the season and possibly beyond. Who is up for it?
Women’s Olympic Road Race Preview
The women’s road race is this Sunday and promises a duel between Belgium and the Netherlands but plenty of other riders will fancy their chances, especially after Anna Kiesenhofer’s surprise win the last time.
Men’s Olympic Road Race Preview
The men’s road race is this Saturday and it is the longest single event in the Olympics, at least six hours on the road. The format of just 90 starters and small teams promises a lively race with many riders left to fend for themselves by the time the climbs of Montmartre begin.
Mathieu van der Poel wants to add the Olympic rings to his rainbow bands but plenty can strike gold on this prestigious picture postcard circuit.
World Tour Promotion-Relegation Update
With the Tour de France done a look at the UCI World Tour promotion and relegation standings. If you want to save a click then stage wins for Astana and Arkéa-B&B Hotels didn’t make a difference. In fact they lost ground in July
We’re now approaching the opening of the transfer season when new hires for next year can be announced and this is all the more crucial with 2025 as the last of the three year cycle.