As part of the series on the 1980s, here are five items related to Dutch cycling. Whether it’s a freak result or careful planning I don’t know but one by one all three Grand Tours start in Holland. Last year’s Vuelta started in Assen, the upcoming Giro opens in Amsterdam and the Tour prologue will … Read more
I hate lists… but here’s a top-10 of the most used bergs from the Ronde van Vlaanderen, since the race began in 1913. 1. Kruisberg (used 43 times)2. Oude Kwaremont (37)3. Bosberg (36)4. Taaienberg (35)5. Eikenberg (35)6. Geraardsbergen-Kapelmuur (30)7. Molenberg (27)8. Paterberg (25)9. Koppenberg (20)10. Volkgemberg (17)
I wrote a piece last month how it could prove tough to manage so many talented riders at Liquigas, they have several riders likely to tread on each others toes. Well there’s a split in the team already… …but fear not, this is merely over the nickname to award Peter Sagan. Apparently several riders have … Read more
This blog covers pro cycling, but so do many websites. One aspect of this is going beyond the sport. Races travel across farm tracks, through towns. I want to help place the sport into the context of political, geographical and social forces that surround it. It might seem like it at times but bike races … Read more
Look, HTC are using cycling as part of their marketing strategy. They have stepped up sponsorship for 2010 to become the first named sponsor of the Highroad team, known as HTC-Columbia this season. But like any good sponsor in the sport they do not simply want their name on the jersey, the are using the … Read more
This year sees the Tour of California moved from its previous February slot to May. Weather conditions were harsh, it meant the race struggled to include mountain stages. But this change is forcing riders to choose between the Giro d’Italia and California. Mark Cavendish is the latest rider to announce where he’ll be in May, … Read more
The prince owns everything in the kingdom, except the wind.Victor Hugo. Cold weather and rain showers are forecast for Sunday’s Tour of Flanders. The top temperature on the day won’t go beyond 13°C and there will be showers all weekend to keep the cobbles dry. The wind could also play a part in the race, … Read more
With the confirmation of Team Sky’s selection for the Tour de France one thing is almost July already: Sky will do better than the last British team to take part. Blue Peter greenhorns(image from Cycling Weekly) Back in 1987, for near-inexplicable reasons, the Tour de France invited British team ANC-Halfords. Allied National Couriers was a … Read more
Here are the three most popular postings from the past month: Bradley Wiggins: The Low Down, a look at how the British rider’s position on the bike has changed substantially. Who’s Peter Sagan? I wrote a small profile following his second place in the bunch sprint in the Paris-Nice stage into Limoges, only for him … Read more
I don’t get too excited by money but I am interested in business. So here’s a question, who is the wealthiest man in cycling? In looking for the answers, we can see some clues into yesterday’s Tour de France team selections. It’s vintage Krug, you know I can almost hear people saying Lance Armstrong. Good … Read more