Innehållsförteckning för February 4, 2021 från Cycling Weekly

Evie Richards (Trek Factory Racing) was GB Cycling’s top showing in the women’s elite Cyclo-cross World Championship last weekend, taking seventh on the sandy Ostend course. The 23-year-old Malvern rider wasn’t quite able to compete with her Dutch rivals, who shared the spoils between them – a win by Lucinda Brand backed up by Annemarie Worst and Denise Betsema in second and third places, all within 20 seconds of each other. Dutch women also filled out fifth and sixth places. “It was so cold, and I don’t really feel the cold, so that means it really is cold!” said Richards after the race. “But it was good, it was really sandy and it was crazy to be racing in the sea. I’m pleased, I feel like I couldn’t have gone…

As we all face another month of restricted riding we’ve adapted this month’s challenges so they’re a little easier to do, and can be done on a turbo trainer and virtual platform. While Zwift remains the most popular, our CW5000 riders are using Fulgaz, RGT Cycling, Rouvy, The Sufferfest and others. Many platforms are offering 14-day free trials and they’re definitely helping us keep riding. During lockdown ALL challenges can be done on the turbo as long as you’re able to log your ride info. If you are heading out on the road please stick to whatever restrictions you’re under, be self-sufficient and ride well within your capabilities. Once you’ve completed the two challenges, send proof along with any info on your rides to cycling@futurenet.com. We’ll include some in the…

For a few years, Team Ineos has been developing its young Colombian cadre – to devastating effect, as demonstrated by Egan Bernal in the 2019 Tour de France. But with Ethan Hayter, still improving Giro d’Italia winner Tao Geoghegan Hart and, for 2021, Tom Pidcock, the team’s stable of young Britons also goes from strength to strength. At just 21, Pidcock has already proved himself on the cyclo-cross world stage with a collection of rainbow jerseys, and he has an enviable record on the road at U23 level. 2021 definitely represents a shift in gear for the Yorkshire rider, who will join up with his new team this month. But he is a raw talent who knows how to win races and it will be interesting to see how he…

Men’s WorldTour and ProRaces JANUARY 19-24 Tour Down Under AUS 24-31 Vuelta a San Juan ARG 30.1-6.2 Tour de Langkawi MAL 31 Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race AUS FEBRUARY 14 Clasica de Almeria SPA 21-27 UAE Tour UAE 27 Royal Bernard Drome Classic FRA 27 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad Elite BEL 28 Faun-Ardeche Classic FRA 28 Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne BEL MARCH 03 Trofeo Laigueglia ITA 06 Strade Bianche ITA 07 GP Industria & Artigianato ITA 07-14 Paris-Nice FRA 10-16 Tirreno-Adriatico ITA 17 Danilith Nokere Koerse BEL 18 Grand Prix de Denain - Porte du Hainaut FRA 19 Bredene Koksijde Classic BEL 20 Milan-San Remo ITA 22-28 Volta Ciclista a Catalunya SPA 24 AG Driedaagse Brugge-De Panne BEL 26 E3 Saxo Bank Classic BEL 28 Ghent-Wevelgem in Flanders Fields BEL 31 Dwars door…

Named after the Crystal Palace criterium circuit in South London, the Palace 3 is Bowman’s aggressive and speed-oriented offering. After over 1,000 kilometres aboard – all within Covid guidelines – I can confirm that it has lived up to its billing. The frame While carbon is the de facto material of choice for many, Bowman opts for 6069 aluminium, arguing that this delivers the best balance between performance, price, and day-to-day liveability. By working with metal, Bowman is able to tailor the geometry to be specific to each of the sizes the bikes come in. This contrasts with some manufactures of carbon bikes who reuse the same mould of the rear triangle for multiple sizes to save on costs, but at the sacrifice of the ride quality in certain sizes.…

One of the biggest outgoings on British Cycling’s balance sheet is insurance premiums. The costs are becoming ever more difficult to cover. And to prove the old adage that nothing really changes, insurance for race organisers was also something of a headache back in 1936. One of the main features, ‘The legal responsibilities of road trial promotion’ was written by the editor, no less, and looked in depth at the challenges facing organisers and at the latin terms used in legal phraseology. In large part, the risks seem to have been the same then as they are now. “To what extent if any is a club (or association of clubs) promoting a road time trial responsible in law for damages that may be claimed as the result of an accident…

Pedalling and paddling Wout van Aert (Belgium) leads the bunch through the sea on the beach at Ostend, Belgium, on the first lap of the men’s Cyclo-cross World Championship. The race was eventually won by Mathieu van der Poel (Netherlands), seen here in orange in among the Belgian riders. He was one of a few riders with covered legs having anticipated the temperature feeling much colder and told reporters at the finish: “A few times, I intentionally rode into the sea to cool everything down.”…

With all track competition on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic, British Cycling used last weekend to hold a series of race simulations, involving 90 riders over the course of three days. The decision, however, did cause the governing body to come in for criticism on social media for gathering such a large number of people together while the public are still largely unable to meet others outside their own households. Group training for elite sport is currently allowed under stage two of the government’s guidance, provided sport-specific Covid-19 protocols are in place and adhered to. The weekend’s event gathered 90 riders plus some coaches and staff, many of whom were part of the governing body’s Olympic programmes, but also included those who came from further afield. The latter group…

◾ Living on the Isle of Man it’s a hoot when I get passed by a car full of teenage numpties who think their shouts of: “who do you think you are, Mark Cavendish?” is an insult, rather than a compliment. Brett McLinden ◾ Pub banter some years ago… Drunk mate: “You ever ridden the Tour de France?” Me: “No. Have you ever been in a Muppets Christmas movie?” James Baggott ◾ No, but there was one night at a club in Amsterdam where I was crowned the ‘Old Queen of the Mountains’. I’ve still got the rainbow cardigan somewhere. Dave Rowe ◾ My 10-year-old daughter: “Mummy, have you ever ridden in the Tour de France?” “No I have not.” “Well, Mummy, I’m going to win that when I’m bigger!”…

ALE-BTC LJUBLJANA Country: Italy Riders: 12 Under 26: 5 Over 35: 2 Key stat: The team has five 2020 national championship wins A team which always flies under the radar, the Italian squad have made some interesting signings this year, picking up Brit Sophie Wright and Swiss Marlen Reusser from the wreckage of Equipe Paule Ka. It is Reusser who is likely to make the biggest impact. Powerful against the clock, she placed second in the World Championship time trial and third in the Euros, backing up those performances with an excellent seventh in Liege-Bastogne-Liege. Now 33, expect Marta Bastianelli to be winning sprints and watch 37-year-old former triathlete Mavi García improve on her excellent performances of last year. BIKEEXCHANGE Country: Australia Riders 13 Under 26: 3 Over 35: 0…

DROPS-LE COL S/B TEMPUR Country: UK Riders: 14 Under 26: 9 Over 35: 0 Key stat: The team is the first in the women’s peloton to be sponsored by Mavic The UK’s longest running UCI team are approaching 2021 with newfound vigour. Not only do they have new sponsors, but those riders who joined last year but were unable to show themselves in 2020 will be keen to make an impact. Norwegian Emilie Moberg and Swede Sara Penton are both hugely experienced – you can expect the former to be fighting in the sprints with the latter making breakaways. Jos Lowden will also continue her rise as she builds experience. Joining from Lotto-Soudal, Dani Christmas is one of three new recruits and brings aggression, power and more European experience to…

Specialized has launched the S-Works Ares, a shoe developed with Tour green jersey winner Sam Bennett, that the US brand says is one per cent faster than any shoe it’s ever made. Rather than replacing the S-Works 7 shoes, the Ares will follow the Exos and Vent in being available alongside the allrounder shoe in order to give riders more choice, according to Specialized. Whereas the Exos was incredibly light and the Vent designed to perform in hot conditions, with the Ares, Specialized says its aim was “to crack the code of locking in support without sacrificing comfort”. To achieve this, rather than increasing the stiffness of the carbon sole – it uses the same carbon as the S-Works 7 sole – Specialized turned its attention to the closure system.…

Waterfall says: “I’ve been experimenting with vegan chillies for years now – making loads of little tweaks each time – and I’m proud to say this is the best one yet… It’s a rich, deep chilli with a good spicy kick and complex flavours that rivals any meat-based version. High in protein and a great source of key nutrients iron, zinc and vitamin C.” Method 1) In a large pan, fry the onion and red peppers in the rapeseed oil for 10min. 2) Add the garlic, ginger and red chilli. Fry for a further 2-3min. Add the spices and fry for a further 1-2min. 3) Add the red wine and simmer for 5min. 4) Add the remaining ingredients, and simmer gently for 40min, until the lentils and quinoa are tender.…

A flooded road is a lot like a ford, with one critical difference. On a ford you’re definitely going to fall over because fords have slime. The floods are not yet so permanent that they’ve developed this feature. Try to get some idea of how deep the flood is. It’s better to do this some way other than just riding into it and seeing how far up your bike it comes. Ride in the centre of the road if you can. This will avoid hidden potholes. Also, the water will be a little shallower. An added advantage of riding in the centre is that you can prevent the ass in the car behind you from roaring past and soaking you. (Many drivers are wedded to the theory that if they…

HANNAH DINES Why I’m fairly confident cycling isn’t killing me Cycling might kill you. That’s only half a joke. I keep threatening my parents by telling them of my plans to qualify for Tokyo which means travelling to Belgium for my first race. The pandemic being what it is they do worry. Putting racing to one side though, my health recently gave them cause for concern. Some blood results came back all wonky, masquerading as liver failure or hepatitis, red blood cells all low. I don’t even do the fun stuff that can lead to diagnoses like that, being an athlete and all, no alcoholism or intravenous heroin. Right, I said, athletes often scare doctors and parents with their low blood pressure, heart rate and crazy muscle breakdown-build-up cycles. There’s…

Standard team kits yes, champs kits, Grand Tour classification jerseys, etc. nope. They are part of the prize of winning the competition. Earn it or don’t wear it. Alex George I’d be surprised if anyone who’d actually won the Worlds gave two hoots about this. Tim Hayter There are some things that should be left outside the realms of commercial exploitation. Wear your Ineos tops, your football shirts and replica stuff. But we should leave some things outside the grab of money. Gary Shanahan What a load of rubbish. Wear what you like. If others get all bent out of shape about your choice of jersey, who cares? I love my bikes, but it’s just another sport. Get over yourselves. Paul Gilfillan Just make a “close to replica”, but the…

SAINT PIRAN Riders: 13 Under 26: 9 Over 35: 1 Key stat: It’s the ninth consecutive pro season for team stalwart Steve Lampier First-time UCI team with a distinctly Cornish flavour. Saint Piran is the name of Cornwall’s adopted patron saint, and the team are proud to race without a sponsor on their jerseys. Veteran rouleur Steve Lampier and renowned circuit racer Chris Opie lead the team that will hope for Tour of Britain qualification – especially pertinent this year as it starts in Cornwall. TRINITY RACING Riders: 13 U26: 13 Over 35: 0 Key stat: The average age of Trinity’s riders is just 19 and a half Formed from the ashes of the Wiggins team as a cyclo-cross focused set-up based around Tom Pidcock, this will be Trinity’s first…

Each Olympic cycle the British track racing team’s task becomes a more unenviable one. Topping previous Games is impossible at this point, leaving success defined as “doing what they always do, win.” It’s never as easy as that glib phrase suggests though and other nations are snapping at their heels, if not riding into the sunset. In sprints, pursuits and bunch events GB have strong competition at every corner which will mean if they do even come close to past medal hauls it’ll be arguably their biggest success to date. On the road it’s different. GB have a genuine shot at gold in both road races with Simon Yates and Lizzie Deignan, which would easily surpass recent road racing achievements. Alex Dowsett also has a decent chance at a TT…

For the past couple of years, the Tacx Neo has regularly been compared to Kylo Ren’s command shuttle. This year, the Coefficient RR handlebar is already being likened to the USS Thunderchild, Starfleet’s Akira-class starship – and with good reason. Not only does it look capable of intergalactic travel, but it also has a bridge. Californian brand Coefficient Cycling’s integrated computer bridge works as an extra hand placement for getting more aero when you’re in a breakaway or bridging a gap. In last year’s Tour de France, we saw Marc Hirschi wrapping his hands around his out-front computer to reduce his CdA and take a win on stage 12: Coefficient’s bar is designed with enough Toray UD carbon-fibre to make it more rigid than a computer mount. Coefficient says its…

With 300 metres to go, the Deceuninck-Quick Step team played its trump card. It was stage 10 of last year’s Tour de France: a warm September day in Île de Ré, an island connected to the west coast of France by the windy Pont de Ré. Danish lead-out man Michael Mørkøv clicked up a couple of gears and launched a sprint for his team-mate, Ireland’s Sam Bennett. Behind Bennett, both the Australian Caleb Ewan and the then green jersey, Slovakia’s Peter Sagan, leapt into hot pursuit. It was too late: Bennett had already pounced. Despite Ewan and Sagan’s best efforts, there was no catching the Irishman. To be able to launch such a devastating sprint at the end of a 168km stage, Bennett had to follow a multi-pronged strategy: he…

CW WINTER LOCKDOWN RR SERIES The series kicked off on Saturday (30 January) on the 40km Tire Bouchon course in virtual France, with 284 finishers CATEGORY A CATEGORY B CATEGORY E - WOMEN CW CLUB TEN HUUB POWERED! Caja Rural rider Calum Johnston set a new Club 10 w/kg record last Wednesday (27 January) – 6.4w/kg MEN WOMEN JOIN US EVERY WEDNESDAY AT 6PM OR SATUR AY AT 10.30AM Virtual TT or road race – take your pick! Sign up via the Zwift companion app or www.zwift.com/events/tag/cyclingweekly. Results published in the magazine each week are taken from Zwift Power.…

The riders depart on a stage of Paris-Nice, which we think, judging from the surroundings, is likely to be one of the more northern early stages, which started in Paris and Nevers. By the end of stage four, the race had already reached Marseille on the Mediterranean coast, such was cycling’s penchant for massive stages at the time. The race was won by Belgian Gaston Rebry (Alcyon-Dunlop). He’s not near the camera here, and given he was fairly high on GC from the first stage onwards, we’re assuming he’s at the head of proceedings. Rebry would end up having a banner year in 1934. Just under a month after he won Paris-Nice, he would go on to win Paris-Roubaix and then, a couple of weeks later, the Tour of Flanders.…