Amazing as it might seem, the hardest cobbled sections of the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix were not “discovered” until the late 1960s/early 1970s. In other words, these crucial sections belong to the sport’s modern era and are not necessarily part of the glorious history of the sport. The KoppenbergMany would say the Koppenberg is … Read more
If you’re going to Roubaix and the surrounding area there is an annual art exhibition in nearby Lille that celebrates sport and art, with this year’s edition being dedicated to cycling. As well as photography and installations, there will also be workshops and even bicycle ballet. Anyone going to watch Paris-Roubaix might want to add … Read more
This is part of a series of podcast reviews. Note a new episode of the NY Velocity podcast with Cyclesport’s Ed Pickering has just come out. The Spokesmen This is quite a clever format in that it’s a form of roundtable discussion between a varying range of participants, many of whom have familiar voices. For … Read more
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