Indholdsfortegnelse for September 26, 2019 i Cycling Weekly

What did you make of the mixed relay team time trial in Harrogate last weekend? The event, first tested at the European Champs last month, is the UCI’s experiment with mixed-gender racing. Did it work? The jury might still be out on that. With only 11 teams competing you wonder if the format has the support of enough nations, but the race did have its merits — turn to page six for our analysis. Cycling, like many other sports, is under pressure to introduce mixed-gender events on its calendar and is already behind swimming, athletics, triathlon and table tennis, which will all host mixed events at the Tokyo Olympics. For some, the introduction of the event was overshadowed by the hilarious sight of a UCI commissaire measuring riders’ sock lengths…

I’m writing in the foyer of a hotel in Poland, listening to classical music. I don’t have a particular taste for classical but I can’t convince my brain not to focus on others’ conversations when I’m in a public space, so I play something instrumental in my headphones to counteract it. The less enchanting, the better, lest I become interested in the music. I have this column because I can ride a bike fast, not for my cultural takes, and I think that’s something you should have figured out by yourself before now. The conversations in this particular public space are in Dutch, a language I do not speak but which I’m still unconsciously nosey enough to not tune out. I think they’re having a good time, but who knows.…

My main goal this season is going to be the National Trophy series and then the National Championships as usual. Irvine Beach Park in Ayrshire returns to the HSBC UK National Trophy series again this year on October 26-27. I was a little bit apprehensive last year, setting off for the 12-hour journey but once there we were blessed with a beautiful weekend of glorious sunshine. It was a great setting on this west-facing, sandy beach and it’s just a fantastic location for a cross race. I’m not 100 percent sure what it would be like if it was dark and raining but it’s a great venue. So, I will be there again. They’ve got a little bit of everything there for us. I might also be doing one of…

Cestria CC (Sept 28) Hill-climbers favouring leg-sapping short and brutal tests are heading to the village of Lanchester in County Durham to take on Peth Bank. At 1.5km long, the road rises sharply out of the town and refuses to let up in the 1,500m effort. Leith Hill climb (September 28) Hot favourite for the National Championship hill-climb Andrew Feather (ChampionSystem) headlines the field on this Kingston Wheelers-run race up the steep ramps that form the south side of Leith Hill, familiar to many from RideLondon. He’ll face a challenge from Samuel Brealey (Rue Morgue) and local man Jon Saunders (Charlotteville). Paris-Chauny (Sept 29) The undulating race north of Paris has been held since 1922, but more sporadically in the past few decades. Groupama-FDJ will be aiming for a repeat…

The race for form ahead of the National Championship hill-climb gathered pace last weekend, with top riders taking significant wins while reigning champion Andrew Feather was absent. Dan Evans (ASSOS-Equipe UK) was victorious at Barrow Central Wheelers’s 2.7-mile climb of the Struggle near Ambleside, and also won Sunday’s Clwb Beicio Egni climb of the Nant Gwynant Pass over a 3.9-mile course. Meanwhile, Calum Brown broke two course records at opposite ends of the country, the B38-Cycles In Motion rider slicing 11 seconds from the Serpentine climb record on the Isle of Bute before heading back to Sheffield to win his own club’s event on Mill Lee Road at Bradfield near Sheffield in record time. “It’s quite interesting to see the build-up,” said Evans. “My power is very good at the…

I have a pair of black dungarees that have small faces drawn all over them. The first time I wore them in front of my boyfriend, he said to me, “I love all the smiley faces on your dungarees!” and I replied, “Baby, it’s only half smiley faces. Can’t you see all the frowney faces?” He shrugged. The first time I wore those dungarees in front of my brother, professional cyclist John Archibald, he asked, “What’s with all the sad faces on your dungarees?” I’m wearing them the weekend I get the train to Glasgow for our interview. We’ve arranged to meet in Aberfoyle during the Dukes Weekender. It’s a local friendly race that, when we originally made the plans, my mum and my boyfriend were racing. By the time…

If anyone can pull off wrench-chic, Rapha can. The UK brand brought simple, timeless design back to road cycling in the early 2000s after a decade of lurid Lycra; now it’s about to do the same for the workshop. Rapha says its new Mechanics collection was created to cope with the sort of abuse that would leave other clothing in tatters: “Informed by bike builders and mechanics from the EF Education First Pro Cycling, Focus, Genesis and Feather Cycles teams, we have researched the optimum pocket angles, reinforced stitching points and most useful tool loops for clothing that is fit for purpose. Most importantly, together we have determined which fabrics offer the most durability to create a collection that looks incredible and more than meets the demands of everyday use…

“On paper, I could have got a top 10 in a Grand Tour,” says Ben Greenwood, recalling his physiological stats as a young racer in the late-Nineties. His VO2 max was a top-notch 85ml/kg/min, and he could sustain the magic six watts per kilo — yet he still didn’t make his mark on the world stage. “I didn’t have enough knowledge, and got injured. It’s a classic case of, ‘if only I’d known then what I know now’.” It is knowledge, according to Greenwood, that allows a physically gifted rider to reach their full potential — and he sees this happening every day. “Riders are learning more at a younger age. With modern technology, they can learn faster; they don’t need a teacher or coach, just a smartphone.” Coaching has…

Former double national hill-climb champion Dan is now a full-time coach. digdeepcoaching.com My changes to Michael’s training are designed to build on the great work he has done. Firstly, he should move away from the shorter-tolerance efforts on a Wednesday and instead focus on more constant VO2 power efforts, adding in technique work to engage different muscle groups. Secondly, he should increase his recovery between high-intensity sessions by having two easy days, Thursday and Friday, meaning he’ll be fresh for Saturday’s rehearsal effort on the National Hill-Climb course. Course familiarity will be a great advantage over his competitors. Michael’s three-hour ride is of little use in training for a 12-minute climb, so I’m making Saturday a race-specific effort. The first of these should be a full-gas effort so as to…

Giro delle Marche in Rosa (Sept 19-21) Elizabeth Banks finished fifth in the Italian stage race. The 28-year-old Brit, who rides for Bigla, was seventh on stage one and then bettered that with third on stage three. Soraya Paladin of Alé Cipollino won. Tour of China II (Sept 16-22) British sprinter Matt Gibson almost claimed his second victory of the season, finishing third on stage four of the race. The Burgos-BH rider, 23, was also sixth on stage two. He has raced exclusively in China since July. Flanders Championship (Sept 20) Deceuninck-Quick Step’s stagiaire Jannik Steimle took a surprising victory in Koolskamp, holding off the peloton by one second with a successful long-range attack. Primus Classic (Sept 21) Trek-Segafredo’s Edward Theuns thwarted the perceived faster legs of Pascal Ackermann (Bora-Hansgrohe,…

News writer Over the course of Sunday afternoon, my impression of the UCI’s event evolved from confusion to fascination. Initially, I was bemused because the term relay suggested a race where the first sets of male riders would race to a point where they would ‘hand over’ to the second set of female riders, as would be the case on an athletics track. Yet the finish line and start ramp were a few hundred metres apart. This might not have mattered too much for those watching on TV, where a split screen could provide the relay effect, but on the roadside it was a little bewildering. “IF YOU CAN MAKE TIME TRIALS FUN, WHY NOT?” That quibble aside, the format worked extremely well, delivering a contest in which fortunes fluctuated…

Victory in the men’s C5 event in Harrogate provided the perfect end to Will Bjergfelt’s road season, and the 40-year-old Briton will now turn his attention to the track and specifically January’s World Para-cycling Championships in Canada. But he admits he already has half an eye on next year’s Paralympic Games in Tokyo and hopes to be able to take part in next year’s Tour de Yorkshire as preparation. “I had goosebumps because the crowd were so loud today. I can’t wait to come back — hopefully for the Tour de Yorkshire next year,” the SwiftCarbon Pro rider told CW. “There are four or five of us at world level in my C5 category, all guys who ride on Continental road teams. These are para-cyclists who are racing at the…

The cycling community of Staffordshire and arguably much of Britain owes a huge debt to Doris Swinnerton, who passed away this month at the age of 94. Doris was the matriarch of the Swinnerton family cycling dynasty that owned Swinnerton Cycles in Stoke-on-Trent and was a key player in setting up clubs and races across the Staffordshire area and beyond. She and husband Roy bought the shop from Roy’s parents in 1954 and it is still trading today, now run by her children. Although Doris was well known for enjoying riding a bike herself (she started club riding with St Christopher’s cycling club in 1944, and was elected club president six years later), much of her activity in the local scene was in the support of others. She helped form…

Evie Richards grabs first World Cup podium of 2019 Evie Richards (Trek) bagged her first podium of the 2019-20 UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup, coming third at the Waterloo round in the USA. Richards, who also took third at the C1-ranked Jingle Cross the week before, posted on social media: “Found my sparkle again and loved the race, finishing 3rd elite. Crazy crowds, big smiles and lots of rain, thanks for having me Waterloo.” $300m …in damages sought from spin bike brand Peloton The National Music Publisher’s Association (NMPA) first sued the brand behind the at-home spinning experience in March this year. It was initially alleged that Peloton had incorporated in excess of 1,000 songs into its library of workouts, without a proper licence. The organisation now claims to have unearthed…

What an appalling state of affairs where a time trial championship is held on a busy main road choked with heavy lorries, as reported in your issue of August 22. There are duty of care issues here. It’s encouraging that experienced riders refused to risk their lives to compete in it. But what a naive statement from the rider who believes the organisers would not put riders lives at risk. Clearly this is not the case. I remember in the 90s when a time triallist was run down and killed on the E72 and two weeks later the same thing happened to a second rider on the same course, who happened to be a friend of mine. The E72 was subsequently banned but too late for its victims. The remedy…

The latest update to the Specialized Roubaix happened earlier this year, the long-running endurance platform gaining a new direction and a racier form. But has the line between each model in the Specialized range become a bit too blurred? Although the new Roubaix looks slightly different from the others, it took a few reads of Specialized’s blurb before I could say to myself, “Ah, OK, it goes there, right in the middle, right next to the Tarmac and Venge.” To confuse things even further, the American brand has said that the new Specialized Roubaix is more aerodynamic than the current Tarmac and lighter than the current Venge. To put that into context, Specialized claims that the older version of the Roubaix, on which Peter Sagan won the 2018 Paris-Roubaix, is…

Like so many of the latest crop of upcoming British racers, Callum McQueen was inspired by watching TV coverage of the London 2012 Olympics. “We were on holiday at the time,” he remembers. “When we got home [to Bramley, Hampshire], I saved up and bought a road bike, then joined the local club, Palmer Park Velo, and started learning the basics.” It wasn’t until his mid-teens, however, that he began training more seriously, working with the club coach. Two years of steady progress later, he decided to make cycling his life’s main focus. “As the 2018 season ended, I was really enjoying it and feeling keener than ever to get results. I thought to myself, ‘While I’m young, let’s give this a go’. I took everything from the level it…

Trainee teacher Michael Shute, 28, bought a road bike for commuting five years ago. He was living in London and wanted to avoid the tiresome grind of tube travel. Within a couple of years, he was so fit that racing seemed the logical next step. After failing to fall in love with crits, he discovered hill-climbs and now has his heart set on a top 50 at this year’s National Champs — taking place on his doorstep on October 27. How long have you been racing hill-climbs? Only since last year. I really, really enjoyed it and started taking it more seriously — paying more attention to my numbers and weight, and setting goals. And this year’s National Champs is on your doorstep? Yes, it’s on my local training hill,…

CYCLO-CROSS SAT-SUN, SEPT 21-22 National Trophy Series round one (Moorways Leisure Centre, Derby): Elite Men: 1. Thomas Mein (Tarteletto Isorex) 1:03.38; 2. B. Merlier (Creafin TV Sud) +0.13; 3. J. Bellens (Pauwels Sauzen) +0.17; 4. Y. Bekaert (Telenet Fidea Lions) +0.22; 5. W. Meeussen (Callant-Doltcini) +0.55; 6. A. Ferdinande (Pauwels Sauzen) +1.02; 7. I. Field (Neon Velo CT) +1.16; 8. T. Barnes (RST-Cycle Division RT) +1.35; 9. L. Dejonghe (Group Hens Containers) +1.59; 10. B. Turner (Corendon Circus) +2.06. Elite Women: 1. Alicia Franck (Experza Pro CX) 49.01; 2. L. Van Anrooij (Team 185) +0.08; 3. A. Flynn (Edinburgh RC) +0.23; 4. F. James (Hope Factory Racing) +0.28; 5. B. Crumpton (Tarteletto Isorex) +0.38; 6. S. Thackray (SCOTT Racing) +0.42; 7. K. Scott (Garden Shed UK-SCOTT) +0.49; 8. M. Couzens…

For many years I have been dismissive of those who advocate heavy-duty puncture-resistant tyres. It is, I am fond of telling them, like avoiding heartbreak by marrying a mannequin. Yes, it’s safer. But you’ll never feel properly alive. Last week I got eight punctures in four days. And yes, I accept that this is probably karma. Let me tell you about them. The first two happened almost simultaneously on the Wednesday. I was riding in Portugal. For the most part the roads there are superb, but this was a broken-up section of old surface, and I hit a large hole of which I had been inadequately notified by the riders in front. Which was surprising, since they’d been pointing out every sodding twig, pebble and drain cover for the previous…

The first official World Championships was held in 1921. Initially the only event was for amateur men — the pros were not welcome. The first Worlds in the UK was on Merseyside, in 1922, when the title was won by Dave Marsh, leading a unique UK clean sweep of the podium. In case you hadn’t worked it out already from that result, the first ‘road race’ championships were actually time trials. It became a massed-start race in 1923, which successfully headed off further British success. The pros had to wait till 1927, when Italian Alfredo Binda won the first of his three titles, and got himself on the way to having a variety of toe-strap named after him. Women, on the other hand, had to wait till 1958 for a…

A tale of cycling holiday packing gone wrong. Our hero in this story forgot to pack the big 8mm Allen key needed for his pedals. However, having a bit of engineering nous, he knew that a pedal screws itself more tightly into the crank as it’s used. So he creatively used a bit of string and a stick to get the pedals in sufficiently well that they did not immediately fall out, and relied on physics to take them the rest of the way. It worked perfectly. Right up to the moment he had to pack to come home.…