From Oman to France, many bike races are about promoting the area to tourists and business alike. Belgian races give images of muddy farm tracks, ugly brick buildings and foul weather. It’s hardly an advert for the county. For what it’s worth, Belgium is a wealthy country, not without its political problems but on average … Read more
Maybe it’s the early flowers appearing or the buds swelling on the trees. But for the discerning cyclist, there’s another form of greenery that marks the approach of spring: green sidewalls. Why are they green? Vittoria offer an “all-weather” tub. I’m skeptical about their advantage but the sidewalls are meant to offer extra grip, especially … Read more
cyclingnews.com I’m in two minds about this podcast. Jeff Jones knows his cycle racing but the podcast doesn’t quite work yet. A chunk of the broadcast is spent going over past results and for the close followers of the sport this is redundant because we already know who’s won. If it’s going to be a … Read more
NEWSFLASH: the 2010 Giro d’Italia is to start in the well known Italian city of Washington DC. No, no and no. This is just wrong on every level:– Washington is not in Italy, it’s not even in Europe. You probably knew that.– the transfer is going to be a pig, the cyclists – rememeber them … Read more
NY Velocity The New York website does two pro racing pieces, a set piece monthly with Cyclesport magazine’s Ed Pickering and a regular conversation with evergreen US pro Michael Creed. Sometimes they bag an interview with another rider or two on top. But the main feature is the “Bickering with Pickering” podcast. It’s timed to … Read more
The joys of cyclingThere’s something joyous about those days when the thermometer jumps up a few degrees and you swap those thermal layers for lighter clothing I’ve been riding cocooned inside bib longs, overshoes, gloves and windproof jackets but yesterday was the warmest day of the year by some way. So it was just armwarmers, … Read more
Riding a bike into the finish of a race at 40mph with riders jostling through winding European town centres is dangerous enough but yesterday’s Ruta del Sol saw a gust of wind blow a crowd barrier over into the riders path. It’s this sort of freak event that shows the risks riders have to contend … Read more
According to a story on cyclingnews.com there is now a doping control test for human growth hormone. Before the cynics complain that the dopers stay one step ahead this is actually up there with the test for EPO or testosterone because it’s a test for something that’s apparently been widespread in use.What’s HGHIt’s human growth … Read more
The details of the Italian road race championships have been made public. Here’s some info on the circuit for the pros. The route is dominated by the the Ca’ del Poggio climb which whilst 1.3km long has an average gradient of 15 per cent. A wall that has to be climbed many times. The press … Read more