Don’t touch Milan-San Remo!As I wrote last week, Milan-San Remo is the longest race on the calendar but it all comes down to the final 20km. Reading the post-race comments it seems many people lament this. For many the race just isn’t exciting enough. But I don’t see why the race needs more climbs and … Read more
It doesn’t get more dangerous than an unlit tunnel. If you haven’t ridden in an unlit tunnel before, let me explain what it’s like. You suddenly go from daylight to dark and can’t see the riders around you, nor the road in front. The first time it happened, the tunnel had a bend in it … Read more
Valverde’s always been an interesting rider. He’s got a good position on the bike and is one of the rare riders in the bunch who can win a variety of races, from Liège-Bastogne-Liège to the Dauphiné Libéré to the Vuelta. But the Spaniard is under investigation for doping. This case has dragged on for a … Read more
It’s not got much coverage but the Lampre team’s existence has been under threat. The paperwork presented to the UCI before the season was deemed to have some “administrative errors” but this was code for a lack of funding for the team, the input of funds from all the team sponsors simply didn’t match the … Read more
This weekend’s rugby match between France and England will be broadcast in 3D, for more on this click here. In short, there will be extra 3D cameras present at the game and people will be able to visit a cinema in France or Britain to watch the broadcasts. Well it’s also coming to cycling. France … Read more
Johan Bruyneel helped guide Lance Armstrong to seven Tour de France wins and he’s done a lot more than that, he was a moderately successful rider under Manolo Saiz at ONCE and truth be told, sections of the media don’t like him because he’s quick to block access to critics. Now he’s bring you clothing. … Read more
The third part in the series of cycling in the 1980s, I’m going to nominate five French champions. With the exception of Laurent Jalabert, the French have never had a world class rider since this period. 1. Bernard Hinault. The five time tour winner remains in the sport as ASO’s podium man but forget his … Read more
A tale of two audiencesYou’re probably male and aged between 25 and 45. No, this blog doesn’t have some high-tech way to monitor readership, it’s more that men in this age group are the biggest followers of cycling in the US, UK and Australia and other English speaking countries. But this isn’t the case in … Read more
Here an open question: what’s been the biggest improvement in cycling technology over the last 50 years? We’ve seen indexed gear shifting, clipless pedals, wearable helmets, carbon frames and Campagnolo today offers an 11 speed cassette. Well, my answer would be clothing. I was out for a long ride yesterday in the mountains behind Monaco … Read more
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