NEW RIDER’S GUIDE

How to transform
from a cycling
novice into a fit &
confident rider p34

THE UK’S BEST-SELLING CYCLING MAGAZINE

ISSUE 416 ● APRIL 2024

WINS
Sure-fire steps to smash
your next major event

10

UK ROUTES
YOU MUST
RIDE IN 2024

SUPPLEMENT
YOUR SPEED?
● The real impact of
ketones, collagen &
CBDs on performance

BEAT THE
ELEMENTS
Jackets, gloves
& gravel bikes
on test

APRIL 2024
PRINTED IN THE UK
£6.50

The Bike Test

RIDDEN & RATED Great value all-rounders from Cannondale, Cube and Ridley

Issue 416 ● April 2024
WELCOME…

Leisurely rides where you
take the train home (p40).
A full-throttle 160km
gran fondo in Mexico
(p48). Gravel riding with
Lios bikes in Hampshire
(p74) and a teeth-rattling sportive on the
British cobbles of Calderdale (p80). The
Cycling Plus team have been busy this
issue taking on an array of two-wheeled
challenges, which showcase the wealth
of wheel widths and tyre treads open to
the drop-bar cyclist in 2024. And, yes, it
was me who played the editor card and
bagged the Mexican adventure. Those
tacos won’t eat themselves, after all....
Enjoy the edition and, as always, keep us
posted on your own riding adventures.

Experiencing
the tacos and
tarmac of
Cozumel p48

Matt Baird, Editor – Cycling Plus
matthew.baird@ourmedia.co.uk

Your experts

4

We list the
UK’s best
bike and train
combos p40

John Whitney

Laura Laker

Deputy editor
Lee-on-the-Solent was
John’s destination this
month, visiting Lios bikes
to get fitted up for a gravel
custom ride and to hear
first-hand the brand’s
fascinating backstory.

Columnist
Leading transport
journalist Laura recalls a
depressing and all-toocommon ordeal with a
driver, and how it mirrors
the experiences of many
women on the UK’s roads.

p74

p15

APRIL 2024

Do-it-all rides
are given the
Big Bike Test
treatment p22

cyclingplus.com

P74

TECH
FEATURE

Lios Bikes

Issue 416 ● April 2024
THE BIKE TEST

We meet Steve McCulley, who
emerged from catastrophic
injuries while serving with the
Royal Marines in Afghanistan to
build his own bike brand

p22

p22 Winter-ready rides
As the tumultuous British weather worsens
the state of our roads, we need bikes to meet
the challenge. But which of our trio from
Ridley, Cannondale and Cube does it best?

FEATURES
p34 Start me up
Whether you’re coming at cycling from
another sport, busy homelife or advancing
years, this new-rider guide has specific
tips to get you flying in your first year

p40 Rail trails
Britain’s best rail journeys also deliver
fantastic bike rides in the opposite
direction. Avid train user Rob Ainsley
reveals his 10 favourites

p48 GFNY Cozumel
This gran fondo series is unrivalled in its
worldwide reach and in November CP
editor Matt travelled across the Atlantic
to ride its event in Cozumel, Mexico

p48

INSIDE EVERY ISSUE

6

RIDDEN
& RATED p59
The best gear

THEWest
BIGYorkshire
RIDE p80

p89
Riding advice & technique

● Tests of Quoc’s Escape Road shoes, a
bib tights shootout and Six of the Best
bad-weather gloves

● Simon Warren enters the Ronde van
Calderdale sportive, which takes its
cues from the Tour of Flanders pro race

● Performance-enhancing
supplements and why a route recce
is a must before an event

APRIL 2024

TRAINING ZONE

cyclingplus.com

T H E
J U S T

B E S T
G O T

B E T T E R

—

THE ALPHA DOPPIO ROS IS OUR TOP-RATED WINTER JACKET, BRINGING
WARMTH, BREATHABILITY, AND A HIGH LEVEL OF RAIN PROTECTION
ALONG WITH A SOFT, COMFORTABLE FIT. THIS JACKET LEADS THE WAY IN
DEMONSTRATING HOW A WINTER JACKET SHOULD PERFORM.

CASTELLI-CYCLING.COM

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OPINION
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cyclingplus.com

The Big Picture ●

Women’s Tour
Down Under 2024
Mover and shaker
14 January 2024
● The last few years
had been a slog for
Sarah Gigante. The
Australian, who came
to prominence in 2019
when she became
national road race
champion at 18, had a
miserable few years at
Movistar. A winter move
to AG Insurance-Soudal
has relit the fire,
however, as she won
her home race, the Tour
Down Under, in January,
going solo on the final
stage to the summit
of the race’s defining
climb, Willunga Hill.
Image: Getty Images

bikeradar.com

APRIL 2024

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What’s on
Final flourish
●
London’s Tower Bridge has been
confirmed as the finish line for
the Ford RideLondon-Essex 100,
60 and 30-mile challenge rides
for the next three years. The ride,
which began in 2013, next takes
place on Sunday 26 May

The best media, entertainment
and events from the cycling world

High minded
●
The Haute Route sportive series,
under new management of
the events arm of the French
Cycling Federation, has opened
registrations for its two 2024
events in the Alps and Pyrenees
hauteroute.fr

Long division?
●
In his new film We Are All in
This Together Daniel Troia
cycled from San Francisco
to New York with no
money or food to find
out how divided the
US really is. Stream
it now on Prime
and Apple

Top of the world
●
The calendar for the UCI Gran
Fondo World Series in 20232024 has expanded to 30
events – the most ever – across
five continents. It comes to a
conclusion in Aalborg, Denmark
(29 August-1 September)

End of an era?
●
The future of the Women’s
Tour pro race is uncertain after
Sweetspot, the organisers,
went into liquidation. They also
organised the Tour of Britain
until British Cycling revoked
their licence last year

Top dog
●
Cycling Plus’s Rider of the Year awards
took place late last year and on
Bikeradar’s podcast (1 Dec), you can
hear us talking about the winners such
as Craig Maxwell (pictured)

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1.3K

51

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6

ENVE has made its
SES AR One-Piece
handlebar available
to buy... at a huge
£1,300

Controlling stake
(%) that Red Bull has
taken in German pro
men’s team BoraHansgrohe

Predicted
percentage growth
in UK bike sales in
2024, according to
Mintel research

Percentage share of
the buying market
for ebikes in the
same Mintel
research

million euros: Tadej
Pogačar’s salary –
the highest in the
sport, says Gazzetta
dello Sport

APRIL 2024

cyclingplus.com

Photography Steve Sayers; Getty Images

Go figure The month in numbers

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GUEST COLUMN

Artificial
Stupidity
First, the good news. Ignore the alarmist hype about
artificial intelligence. It is not going to ‘destroy
civilisation’. Because climate change will get us first. That
said, AI is clearly a big deal. It will affect life profoundly,
like other paradigm-shifters such as the motor car, plastic,
the internet, disc brakes and the like.
AI chatbots such as Microsoft’s ChatGPT and Google’s
Bard (and now, Elon Musk’s Grok) are familiar to many.
In astoundingly assured English, instantly and free, they
answer questions with the slick confidence of a grifter
politician. Their immediate distillation of the millions of
words on the subject they find online, into text of length
and style you specify, is very impressive. But superficially.
Because, like a populist politico on telly, it’s vague,
boilerplate stuff. Worst of all, chatbots make things up
and most readers won’t know truth from cobblers.
I know about cycling in East Yorkshire, where I live. So
I asked ChatGPT and Bard to write some web pages, blog
posts and magazine articles about it. The results were
at best fuzzy, misleading and useless; at worst, utter
nonsense, and actually worse than useless.
For example, both chatbots recommended York’s city
walls as a must-ride. Nope. They’re medieval walkways
(dating back to, er, Victorian times): physically impossible
to cycle, never mind legally or practically.
Similarly, both programs suggested cycling round York
city centre, not mentioning that’s not allowed during the
day, when ‘Footstreets’ regs ban it. Not that you can ride
up the bolt-shearingly cobbled Shambles anyway: it’s
crowded with selfie-snapper tourists.
Bard thinks you can cycle round York Museum Gardens.
Oh no you can’t. ChatGPT maintains you can’t cycle over
the Humber Bridge. Oh yes you can: it’s the secondlongest cyclable single-span bridge in the world.
About East Yorkshire generally, both were full of
baloney. Bard picked out the Wolds Way as its top ‘cycle
route’. Um, that’s a long-distance footpath, illegal for
bikes. (It also listed the 140-mile Wolds Cycle Route – fair
enough, though it claims it’s only 50 miles.)
ChatGPT blatantly made up a ‘Pocklington Canal
Railway’ heritage line that takes bikes. No such thing
exists. Bard suggests you ride to Driffield for its
‘racecourse’ (there isn’t one) and so it went on…
Amid all the random hammering, they occasionally
hit the nail on the head. ChatGPT mentioned York
Knavesmire’s racecourse perimeter road that forms an
informal velodrome: that’s good. It also pointed out York’s

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APRIL 2024

Rob Ainsley
Writer & journalist
——
Rob wrote The
Bluffer’s Guide
to Cycling and
50 Quirky
Bike Rides,
and collects
international End
to Ends: visit
e2e.bike

Above An AI
chatbot’s idea of
a scenic ride may
not be quite what
you had in mind

excellent Solar System bike route – but doesn’t know
there’s two. (The other is in York Uni.) But any writer
submitting stuff like this would be advised to find
alternative employment, such as delivering takeaways.
Which would offer more job security, at least.
OK, OK. It’s fun, and easy, to catch out ChatGPT and
Bard on one’s own specialist subject. But does it matter?
Yes it does. Because some websites have already started
using AI chatbots to write their content. Go to the
Welcome to Yorkshire site, for instance, and see what trash
ChatGPT has clearly come up with for their ‘21 Places to
Cycle in Yorkshire’ page. Given a choice between
commissioning a knowledgeable, professional writer, and
a chatbot that produces crap, but instantly and free... well,
we know what’s usually going to win.
Sadly we have the prospect of millions of web (and
even print) pages being generated this way. Pages that are
smudged, watered-down, summarised versions of existing
pages. Pages which will in turn serve as the basis for future
chatbot larceny, and so propagate their reinforced
untruths even more.
Maybe there’s hope. Genuine content written by actual
people may become more precious. Magazines like this,
written by humans who’ve done the routes, ridden the
bikes, and made the mistakes so you don’t have to, can rise
above the autogenerated textual morass.
Well, maybe. Meanwhile... if you haven’t, play with
ChatGPT, Bard and the rest. Grill them on a topic you
know about. Get a feel for how they work – and how they
fail. Then you’ll be able to tell the genuine article from
shoddy web and print media lazily forging copy on the
cheap. Don’t panic. Instead, understand, and adapt.
That’s what I call intelligence.

cyclingplus.com

Image Joby Sessions

How good are AI chatbots at
recommending bike routes?
Reassuringly awful, it seems

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With 365 days of sporting appeal,
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swimmers, and 255 kilometres of
federation-approved trails catering
to runners, cyclists, swimmers,
and triathletes. Gran Canaria has
become a global hub, attracting
athletes with its diverse altitudes,
perfect climate and magnificent
accommodations.

The island’s warm climate
facilitates year-round competitions,
including spectacular cycling,
running and swimming events,
such as Epic Gran Canaria, Gran
Canaria Bike Week and Anfi
Challenge Mogán Gran Canaria,
with international triathletes
recognising Gran Canaria as the
best global triathlon destination.
The island’s holistic approach to
sports lovers, coupled with its
annual sports calendar, variety of
accommodation and exceptional
expert medical care supporting
recovery & health, solidifies Gran
Canaria as a leading destination for
athletes worldwide.

For more information, visit grancanariatribikerun.com

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One
Shop
Stop

Every issue, Cycling Plus
gives some love to Britain’s best
independent bike shops

360 Cycleworx
Bedale, N Yorks
History
● Started 2021 by owner Paul
Smith in Aiskew, just over the
River Ure from the Yorkshire
Dales village of Bedale. Paul
bought the shop pre-lockdown
and refurbed it. The adjacent
Tandem Cafe is run separately.

Cobblestones
The Spring Classics are peppered with these little
blighters that never fail to shake up the peloton
There’s little in the world of pro cycling
that instils fear and ramps up drama like
cobblestones. Sprint finishes, a loosely
orchestrated mass of speed and unspent
energy, might be loaded with risk for
the protagonists, but most involved are
specialists for the job. While you might
want to watch fast mountain descents
through your fingers, unless someone
is chasing the race, there is often more
control involved than you might think.
On the cobbles, however, a sense of
jeopardy pervades the peloton.
Cobblestones, or pavé as they’re known
in French (pronounced pah-vay) appear
sporadically on the racing calendar all
season long (and every few editions,
always controversially, at the Tour de
France) but it’s in the Spring Classics, at
races such as Omloop Het Nieuwsblad,
Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix where
they are front and centre. Each race has a
designated number of cobbled ‘sectors’,
where the race abruptly switches from
smooth tarmac to bone-rattling cobbles.
Due to their historic nature, the quality
of cobbled sectors varies dramatically,
from those that have received substantial
makeovers over the years, to the likes
of the Paris-Roubaix’s infamous Forest

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APRIL 2024

of Arenberg, a 2.3km stretch of jagged,
scarred cobbles that has the feel of an
obstacle course.
Positioning into these sectors in races
is paramount. Everyone wants to be on
the front – it’s the best place to stay out of
bother and avoid any crashes in front of
you on this slippery and uneven surface.
Of course, in races of around 200 riders,
the ‘front’ is limited to about 25-30 riders,
so this jockeying for position can be
quite frantic. Given these stones’ higher
density and weight over an equal volume
of tarmac, a fall is always much heavier,
and harder to get up from. The best riders,
such as Belgian cobbled-Classics legend
Tom Boonen, manage to look like they’re
floating over it, such is the power they
can produce. Boonen at the flat ParisRoubaix, for instance, would often record
faster times over the rough pavé than the
tarmac in between.
The drama of cobbled Classics inspires
amateurs to give them a go, too. Both the
Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix have
their own sportive, and in this issue we
have Simon Warren’s report of the Ronde
van Calderdale, a Flanders-inspired route
on the brilliant cobbled climbs of Halifax
and its surrounding area.

What makes this
shop special?
● ‘We cater for everyone, says
Paul, ‘MTB, road, gravel, kids,
electric. The cafe attracts
clubs from Darlington,
Cleveland, Sowerby and more.
We’re a great facility for the
local area and have invested in
ebikes, lifts, tools, training and
software for riders.’
Why is a local bike shop
so important?
● ‘The internet can’t help
you when things go wrong,
whether a year down the line
or on your new bike’s first day.
For DIY mechanics we can also
offer access to all the parts you
need without the guesswork.’
What’s in store
● ‘A great Bianchi feature
wall, a massive workshop, and
lots of bikes – Bianchi, Kona,
Squish, Frog, Moda and ebike
brands. Walk through into the
cafe selling local produce.’
360cycleworx.co.uk

Words John Whitney Main image Getty

ICONS OF CYCLING

cyclingplus.com

OPINION: THE GOLDEN AGE OF CYCLING?

Brick by
brick
It was at once a rare horrible cycling experience, and
yet, in some ways, unsurprising. I was riding down
Brick Lane one unremarkable winter’s afternoon, when
I heard the taxi driver come up behind me. I knew he was
going quickly, and I braced myself.
Brick Lane is a single-lane, one-way street running
three quarters of a mile between Whitechapel and
Shoreditch in East London. While often chock full of
pedestrians visiting the many restaurants, bars, shops and
event spaces along the way it also, incongruously, acts as
a shortcut for drivers. As it’s only just wide enough for a
single vehicle, safe overtaking is impossible without
someone mounting a pavement.
Within moments he was just behind my back wheel. I
turned and told him to back off. In response he poked his
tongue out, glaring at me manically and shaking his head.
On our way along the road he continued gesturing,
flipping me the V, and yelling at me to “get out of the way”.
Practically the whole way down Brick Lane, those three
quarters of a mile, he would try to squeeze past, driving
within 50cm of my rear wheel, before swerving behind
me again. Looking behind, worried what he would do
next, I nearly hit a man who stepped out in front of us.
Why not just get out of the way, you might ask? In
hindsight, and for my own safety, it was probably the
wisest option but, perhaps foolishly, I wasn’t going to
submit to a bully.
Brick Lane was briefly blocked to through traffic during
the pandemic using planters, but the experiment did not
last. Sadly, regardless of how narrow or busy a street is
with pedestrians and cyclists, or with businesses that
could use that space for other things, such as outdoor
seating, the belief every road should be a through-route
for traffic won out.
Many of the delivery bike riders choose to cycle along
the pavement and in the gutter, I noticed, presumably
having experienced this treatment before. At the end of
the road, there is often a stationary queue of cars at the
lights. My heart thumping after the ordeal, I sat down
on a park bench and cried, wondering if he would have
threatened a man in the street like that.
Mine was, sadly, not an unusual experience. A recent
survey by the London Cycling Campaign’s Women’s
Network uncovered “a shocking toll of abuse and
aggression towards women who cycle in London”. Of
more than 1,000 women who responded, 93% said drivers
have used a vehicle to intimidate them. For 77% – three

bikeradar.com

Laura Laker
Transport
journalist
——
Each issue,
with her ear
to the world
of UK cycling
infrastructure,
Laura reports on
the setbacks our
community faces
– and how we’re
fighting back

quarters – it happens on a monthly basis. More than one
in five women surveyed stopped cycling, temporarily
or permanently, following such an experience. In this
context, it’s hardly surprising that for every three men
cycling there is just one woman. It’s not to say men never
experience this, but for women it has a greater impact. For
women with children, 39% said their kids never cycle,
alone or with an adult. This doesn’t bode well for the
happiness and wellbeing of our future generations. Where
police were called, only one in 25 incidents resulted in
significant follow-up action, the survey found. For my
part, I didn’t get the cabby’s number plate, and I had no
camera footage.
The solutions aren’t rocket science: nine out of 10
women said they’d ride more, or indeed start to cycle, if
they had safe routes. That means not having to face busy
roads, rat-runs for impatient drivers or isolated, unlit
towpaths and greenways with the risk of nocturnal attack.
The Women’s Network report calls for three things:
physical safety, social safety and good-quality local cycle
networks. It recommends decent protected routes,
designed with and for women, including those cycling
with kids. It says social safety needs to ‘radically improve’,
with police, transport bodies and the mayor working
together. Local cycle networks need to be improved for
short journeys, too, it says. This is not just the case in
London, of course – we need this all over the country.
Cycling infrastructure is, in many ways, a huge expense
to solve a social problem, that of aggression on the roads.
In my opinion if you threaten someone with a tonne-plus
of metal, you need to lose your right to pilot a potential
weapon. Plus if they rode a bike instead it would do them,
and the rest of us, a lot of good.

APRIL 2024

Illustration Harry Tennant

Laura’s cycling ordeal in London
mirrors that of many women in
the capital

15

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BIKE LAUNCH

Specialized
S-Works Tarmac
SL8 Dura-Ace Di2

So light
● This size 56cm
weighed 6.76kg
without pedals, so it’ll
tip just over the UCI’s
minimum bike weight
limit of 6.8kg when
ready to ride

£12,000 Specialized’s all-round race bike is now
even lighter, but what else is new?
How does this latest model
improve upon the already
highly impressive Specialized
S-Works Tarmac SL7? Well, while
they’ve adopted a general “if it ain’t
broke, don’t fix it” approach to the
geometry, there have been a few
tweaks to the frame’s make-up to
make the SL8 even faster and lighter…
01
Aero gains
The elongated headtube, or Speed
Sniffer, is said to capture airflow
sooner than the SL7 did for an
aerodynamic gain. The latest Roval
Rapide integrated cockpit also boosts
efficiency by a claimed four watts at
45kph. The seat-tube and seatpost
are both narrower, while the fork’s
leading edges have also been
re-shaped. All of this, say Specialized,
makes it “16.6 seconds faster over
40km” than the SL7.
02
Light touch
Rounder shaping on the down-tube,
seatstays, seat-tube and seatpost is
inspired by the brand’s Aethos
model, which prioritises light weight
over aero gains. The rounder shapes
use less carbon, reducing weight,
plus improve through-the-saddle
compliance (by a claimed 6% from
the SL7). To balance this, the bottom

bracket, head-tube and fork have
been stiffened. A 12r Fact carbon
frame, now a claimed 685g in a size
56cm (down from 800g), has a 33%
better stiffness-to-weight ratio.
03
Stacked up
Geometry-wise, it’s very similar to
the SL7, and set up for rapid handling
and an aggressive riding position.
Stack height has increased by 10mm,
but this basically balances out once
the updated cockpit and headset
spacers are taken into account. Tyre
clearance is still 32mm (measured).
04
Ace groupset
The Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9200
build is pro level, but with a 52/36t
crankset here to better suit amateurs,
paired with a 4iiii dual-sided power
meter. You can opt for an identicallypriced Red eTap AXS version, with a
SRAM Red AXS power meter instead.
05
Rolling stock
In-house brand Roval’s top-spec
Rapide CLX II wheels have a
51mm-deep front rim, and a
60mm-deep rear rim, with 21mm
internal widths. S-Works Turbo
RapidAir 2BR tubeless-ready tyres
are set up with butyl inner tubes.

Bike as shown: Weight 6.76kg (size 56cm) Frame Fact 12r carbon Fork Fact
12r Carbon Gears Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9200 12×2 (11-30t, 52/36t)
Brakes hydraulic disc Wheels Roval Rapide CLX II Finishing kit 15mm setback
seatpost, Specialized Body Geometry S-Works Power saddle, 110mm stem,
Roval Rapide carbon 40cm bar, Specialized S-Works Turbo 2BR 26c tyres with
tubes, 4iiii Power Precision Pro power meter

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APRIL 2024

cyclingplus.com

Race ready
● There are matching
73.5° head- and seattube angles on a size
56cm, with 410mm
chainstays across the
size range to balance the
rear-end sharpness

“The SL8’s latest Roval Rapide
cockpit boosts efficiency by a
claimed four watts at45kph”

Words Ashley Quinlan Image Dave Caudery

Accurate fit
● The Roval Rapide
cockpit comes in 15 sizes
across 38-44cm widths
(centre-to-centre) and
75-135mm stem lengths

bikeradar.com

APRIL 2024

17

Left Can you get anywhere
near Tom Pidcock’s Strava King
of the Mountain time for the
infamous Sa Calobra ascent?

DESTINATION

Port de Pollença
Buttery smooth ribbons of
pristine tarmac, carved into
limestone, loop under and over each
other like overcooked spaghetti. This
is Sa Calobra, a 9.8km mountain pass
built in the 1930s by Spanish-Italian
engineer Antonio Parietti, to access
the isolated harbour at its base.
Almost a century later, it’s the
prized scalp of any cycle tourist to the
Balearic island of Majorca – both the
ultimate physical challenge that can
be found anywhere across this
European cycling hotspot and a feast
for the eyes. Cruise up its 7.1% slopes
and tick it off your bucket list once
you scale its summit at 723m. Or go
full gas and place as high as possible
on the Strava segment, which is
packed with illustrious names
thanks to its popularity as an early
season training destination with pro
teams (Tom Pidcock of Ineos
Grenadiers currently holds the KOM,
with a scarcely believable 22 mins 46
seconds, almost two minutes ahead
of the competition). Ineos habitually
base themselves out of Alcúdia, a
vibrant, historic coastal town which

APRIL 2024

19

Left Majorca’s a popular spot
for spring training camps, due
to its reliable weather and
testing terrain

Below It’s a must-do ride to
Formentor lighthouse at the
northernmost tip of the island,
with its stunning views

The route

20

you won’t go far wrong with on your
visit (it has ferry links with
Barcelona, for those coming from the
Spanish mainland). But we’ve opted
to drop anchor in Port de Pollença, a
few kilometres up the coast,
primarily for its proximity to the
spectacular out-and-back ride to the
Formentor lighthouse in the far
northern tip of Majorca. It’s a punchy
ride, at 42km and 807m elevation,
but its modest distance is perfect for
a post-flight tune-up on arrival day.
Lively Pollença is the perfect spot
to explore the Serra de Tramuntana,
the mountain range running down
the western flank of Majorca that
includes both Formentor and Sa
Calobra, as well as Puig Major, the
island’s highest road climb, reaching
1,492m, though to get to this height
requires passage of a military road
and a permit, so you’ll likely top out
at 892m. For the very fit, few places
are out of reach anywhere in Majorca
on a day ride, but it’s undeniable that
in Tramuntana you’ll find the best
riding, particularly around Pollença,
where you’ll hear so many British
accents you may forget where you
are for a moment.

now but check tour companies such
as Destination Sport Experiences
for package entry. Spring training
camps are very popular too. The
Struggle sportive series runs one
in March (ridethestruggle.com),
and Personal Best Cycling Services
(personalbestcycling.co.uk) has
three trips this April.

Big dates

Accommodation

Unquestionably the biggest mass
participation ride in Majorca is the
Majorca 312 (Saturday 27 April in
2024). It runs out of Alcúdia, with
distances from 167km to the full-fat
312km. Standard entry through the
event organiser will have sold out by

Hotel Illa d’Or (hotelillador.com)
in Port de Pollença has sea views,
excellent local food and secure
bike storage.

APRIL 2024

Don’t miss
Coll de Sóller (497m), in central
Tramuntana connecting capital
Palma with Sóller, is an unforgettable
climb from both south and north,
densely packed with switchbacks.
Even better, a 3km road tunnel,
opened in 1997, bypasses the climb
and hugely reduces motor traffic up
it. Stop for refreshments at café Ca’n
Topa at the summit.

● Continuing on the
road east of Port de
Pollença, you will
climb to a summit at
204m. A descent
back down to sea
level is followed by
another more gradual
climb back up to the
same altitude, before
a picturesque.
snaking stretch
of rocky road to
Formentor lighthouse
at the far corner of
the peninsula. To get
back, simply retrace
the route.
01. Bike shop
● Pro Cycle Hire sits
at the southern end
of Pollença’s
promenade. They

offer Colnago and
Massi bikes on hire
and also lead tours
of the island.
procyclehire.com
02. Lunch stop
● Tolo’s Grill, on
Pollença beach, is a
Majorcan institution,
and deeply ingrained
in its cycling culture.
Memorabilia such
as Bradley Wiggins’
yellow jersey adorn
the walls.
03. Photo op
● Snaps from various
viewing platforms
on the way to the
lighthouse will go
down a treat on
Instagram.

Distance 42km Elevation 807m
Download komoot.com/tour/1323608533

Travel
Flight time from the UK to Majorca
is under three hours with plenty
of flights from many UK airports.
The frequency of flights in winter
reduces, as do summer season prices.
Ferries run from both the Spanish
mainland (Barcelona) and Ibiza, a
less well-known riding destination.

1

Words John Whitney Photography Shutterstock

3

2

Tourist information
Head to SeeMallorca.com

cyclingplus.com

SEE INTO THE FUTURE ///

VISIBILITY REDEFINED
NEW LIGHTS FOR EVERY CYCLING TYPE
Introducing our all-new lineup of premium LED bike lights, featuring a
waterproof USB-C charging port for fast charging (3.0 and 2.0) and an updated
optical lens design for a more uniform beam to see near and far. We also
increased battery capacity for longer runtimes, designed a fresh form factor
and finish, and improved heat dissipation to ensure that you can keep going all
day-and all night-long.
ENGINEERED DESIGN

LEZYNE IS DISTRIBUTED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM BY UPGRADEBIKES.CO.UK RIDE.LEZYNE.COM

The bike test
● Sub-£2k all-rounders

The Bike Test

Precipitation! Potholes! Punctures! Can this trio of
sub-£2k bikes look after you against the changeable
weather and terrible tarmac we face year-round?
Words Simon Withers Photography Steve Sayers

22

APRIL 2024

cyclingplus.com

The bike test
Sub-£2k all-rounders ●

The bikes
Ridley
Kanzo A
£1,799
Cube
Attain SLX
£1,599.99
Cannondale
Synapse 1
£1,900

bikeradar.com

APRIL 2024

23

The bike test
● Sub-£2k all-rounders

Need to know
With less-predictable weather nowadays, it’s sensible to have a
bike, like this month’s trio, that can shrug off a downpour with ease,
while still performing well all year round. What should you look for?

Our weather’s getting more extreme
and the seasons are blurring, so
factoring in bikes that can cope with heavy
showers and changing conditions overhead
and under tyre is sensible. So what should
you look for if you want a speedy, one-bikedoes-it-all that doesn’t break the bank?
Mudguard compatibility, wider tyres
and decent brakes should be on your tick
list. A lot of the bikes we test at Cycling Plus
aren’t exactly made for mudguards –
though you could fit Ass Savers or various
aftermarket clip-on options, but they don’t
offer the sort of protection from spray that
full-length mudguards provide. The three
bikes on test are all built to take mudguards,
but these aren’t utilitarian old-school
winter training bikes – each of these is a
‘proper’ performance bike in its own right,
with year-round riding ambitions.
All three bikes here have disc brakes
and there’s no question that they’re better
overall for bad-weather riding. Discs
typically go hand-in-hand with larger
tyre clearances, they offer consistent
performance whatever the weather,
and they’re easy to operate safely even

24

APRIL 2024

with cold hands. Disc brakes don’t chew
through rims either: traditional rim brakes
wear rims out rapidly when you throw
abrasive filth into the mix.
If there’s a downside to discs (aside from
extra weight), it’s that they can be noisy
and irritating at times, and also liable
to suffer pad contamination: they can
pick up oily substances from the road
surface, rendering them far less effective.
Nevertheless, if you’re starting from scratch,
discs are the preferred option for winter
riding, and hydraulic discs are ideal
because, unlike their mechanical
counterparts, they don’t need frequent
adjustment to account for pad wear.
You can ride any wheelset in the winter,
but some will take the abuse better than
others. With rim brakes, accelerated rim
wear is an issue in the winter and so you
may not want to be riding your expensive
Sunday best wheels.
There are other reasons not to use more
performance-oriented wheels. Racy
wheelsets often save weight by using hubs
with small, minimally sealed bearings.
These will wear out quickly if water and

grit find their way inside, and then you’ll
need to buy new bearings and potentially
pay someone to fit them. Lightweight
wheels also frequently feature aluminium
spoke nipples, which are more susceptible
to corrosion. Given the option, brass
nipples are better for winter.
With more debris on the roads,
punctures are more of a problem in the
winter, and no one wants to be wrestling
with tyres when they have stiff, cold
hands. If your wheels are suitable, consider
road tubeless for winter riding because the
risk of punctures is reduced by the sealant,
and you can run lower pressures for added
grip on greasy roads.
Read on to find out more about each
bike’s selling points and see whether one
might be the bike to answer your needs…
Simon Withers
Bike & product tester
● Simon has been riding for
more than 50 years, and has
ridden all over the world. He competed in
time trials and triathlons for years, and is
threatening to do so again…

cyclingplus.com

The bike test
Sub-£2k all-rounders ●

Bike tech
explained

Bikes on test
Three versatile all-road machines to
cope with British roads – and weather

Your quickfire guide to bike jargon
Shimano GRX
● Shimano launched
its first gravel- and
adventure-specific
groupset, GRX, in
2019, which featured
new ergonomically
shaped hoods and
levers, disc brakes and
wide-range gearing.
This was later than its
main industry rival
SRAM released theirs,
but Shimano GRX is
now a very popular
groupset. The latest
12-speed incarnation
of GRX includes
super-wide-ranging
10-45t and 10-51t
cassettes.

BSA bottom
bracket
● In spite of the
myriad standards of
bottom bracket these
days, the most
common BB is still
probably the oldschool BSA – named
after Birmingham
Small Arms, which
shows just how old the
standard is. To make
matters worse, it also
goes by the name BS
threaded, BSC, ISO,
British, Euro and
possibly other
monikers. Simples.
The shell’s inner
diameter is 1.37in with
a 24 TPI thread. The
standard road width is
68mm, with 73mm for
mountain bikes, and it
comes with threaded
internal bearings or
external cups. If you’re
replacing your bottom
bracket, well, just

bikeradar.com

make sure you buy the
right one!

TPI
● This stands for
threads per inch. This
usually refers to the
number of threads
that cross through one
square inch of a single
ply of a tyre’s casing
(though also applies
to a component’s
internal thread as with
the BB below). Lower
TPI gives better
puncture, cut and
abrasion resistance
but is heavier. Higher
TPI conforms better
to the terrain, offering
a smoother, more
comfortable ride with
less weight.

Ridley Kanzo A
£1,799
Gravel bikes are proving popular for British on-road conditions as
well as off-road terrain. Find out if this Ridley could suit you

Bento box
● In its original form, a
‘bento box’ is an Asian
packed lunch, but the
term has come to be
used for bags that
attach to the top-tube
of gravel, adventure
and even triathlon
bikes as you can tuck
the bags in behind the
stem without affecting
aerodynamics. These
can be strapped
around your bike’s
top-tube using Velcro
straps and loops, but
some gravel bikes –
and one of our test trio
– come with bento
box bosses for
a more secure
connection with
dedicated bolt-on
bags from the likes
of Apidura and Craft
Cadence.

Cube Attain SLX
£1,599.99
Like burning up the tarmac? How will this Cube fare at keeping you
upright and dealing with road spray?

Cannondale Synapse 1
£1,900
Looking for a bike that’s a little less about speed and more about
comfort? This one could be worth considering…

APRIL 2024

25

The bike test
● Sub-£2k all-rounders

01 The fork is
carbon but has an
aluminium steerer

01

02

02 The GRX disc
brakes perform
fantastically

03 Shimano’s GRX
drivetrain gives a
wide gear range

04 The Kenzo feels
as at home off-road
as on tarmac

03

26

APRIL 2024

04

cyclingplus.com

The bike test
Sub-£2k all-rounders ●

Ridley Kanzo A
£1,799 Commuter-cum-gravel machine for big days out – whatever the surface
Weight 10.74kg (M) Frame Aluminium Fork Carbon blades/aluminium steerer Gears Shimano GRX 400/600 10-speed
(11-36t, 46/30t) Brakes Shimano GRX Wheels Shimano RS171 DB Finishing kit Forza Stratos 100mm stem, Forza Stratos Gravel
handlebar, Forza Stratos 15mm offset 350mm 27.2mm seatpost, Selle Italia Model X saddle, Vittoria Terreno Dry 700x38c tyres

This is a bike designed for all sorts of
riding, from commuting to gravel,
and it certainly looks the part. While the
more road-flavoured Cube Attain SLX and
Cannondale Synapse 1 will fit fenders,
the Kanzo has bags of clearance for big,
comfortable tyres plus mudguards. It
boasts Shimano’s gravel-specific GRX
groupset too, though the Kanzo is 10-speed
rather than its rivals’ 11. However, the subcompact chainset and wide-range cassette
gives a good spread of gears, including a
bottom gear that’s much lower than its
rivals, for control on off-road forays.
You can also buy this bike as a frameset,
or with a choice of SRAM Apex or other
Shimano GRX groupsets, and choose the
colour; ‘Inspired’ colours are standard,
while ‘Spectrum’ colours incur a cost.
As for the frame, it’s triple butted. It’s
aluminium. It’s hydroformed. Slightly
surprisingly for a bike at this price, the
carbon-bladed fork is paired with an
aluminium steerer, which adds a little
extra weight. It does have triple bosses on
each blade for carrying luggage or extra
bottles, though, and there are the usual
down-tube and seat-tube bosses plus a pair
beneath the down-tube. There are no
bento box top-tube bosses, though.

Strong and stable
The frame has some distinctive features.
There’s an arch-shaped plate where the
seatstays join the seat-tube and top-tube,
and the front of the chainstays have
chunky plates that help
to achieve clearance for
42mm tyres for 700c
The Good
Versatility; gear
rims (55mm for 650b
range; quality
wheels). Along with a
groupset;
burly-looking frame
mudguard
friendly; fixtures
and non-dropped
seatstays, these things
suggest toughness and
The Bad
Slightly weighty;
potential for firmness.
very firm ride;
Ridley makes its
non-tubelessready tyres
own Kanzo A-specific

bikeradar.com

mudguard set (393g) but you need four
hex keys and a 10mm wrench to fit them!
Or you could try options such as the SKS
Speedrocker or Veloflexx mudguards.
The geometry is a bit more laid-back
than that of the Cube and Cannondale.
The head-tube angle is shallower, but at
71° it’s not that slack, and the 73° seat angle
is a road bike classic. The wheelbase, at
1,034mm, is longer, mainly thanks to
longer chainstays, for greater stability for
off-road and distance riding. The reach is
a fraction longer than the Cannondale’s
and the stack 14mm higher, so while the
handling will be slower, this should make
it easier to control off-road.
Cockpit components come from
Ridley’s own Forza brand, and wheels and

“The tyres excelled on
unsurfaced routes
and the handlebar
gives great control
off road too”
drivetrain from Shimano. Its twin-ring
set-up is based around Shimano’s GRX 400
groupset, the Tiagra equivalent, except for
the well-chosen Shimano GRX 600 – 105
equivalent – chainset. The sub-compact
46/30 chainset and 11-36t cassette give you
a pleasingly low 23in bottom gear, while
you’re unlikely to spin out much on the
115in top gear. And while there are only
10 gear ratios, there were never noticeable
jumps across the cassette. The tops of the
levers are comfortable and the braking is
as good as it gets, even in rain or mud.

Reliable rubber
Shimano’s tubeless-ready RS171DB wheels
are tough, but they’re not that light and
contribute to the Kanzo’s overall weight of
a kilo more than the other bikes. The nontubeless-ready Vittoria Terreno Dry tyres

work well on a variety of surfaces. The
near-slick central tread runs smoothly on
tarmac, with more aggressively treaded
shoulders for grip when needed.
Nominally 38mm wide, they measured
40mm on the rims. While not quite as
quick as the narrower, slicker tyres on the
other two bikes, I never felt they were
stealing much speed or effort. Hit
unsurfaced routes and trails and they
excel, and they’re surprisingly decent on
wet and boggy canal towpaths too.
The handlebar gives great control off
road. It’s 36cm centre-to-centre across the
tops of the levers and 50cm from drop to
drop so you can get into a nice tuck on the
road. It’s a very firm ride, though – a little
more padding on the saddle would help.
The Kanzo A tackled numerous surfaces
well, with a comfortable riding position for
long-distance commuting and very good
control over rougher surfaces. And the
tough frame carried loads well, too, so you
could easily employ it for bikepacking.

Verdict A practical, versatile bike
that feels like it should survive
whatever you throw at it
Also consider...

● A little more…

● A bit more still…

Ridley Kanzo
Adventure
£2,999

Ridley Kanzo E
£3,199

This is optimised for
heading way off the
beaten track, thanks
to its mountain
bike-like geometry
including enormous
tyre clearance, and
its 1x12 SRAM Apex
groupset.

This all-road
10-speed aluminium
electric bike with
250W Fazua motor
will work for city
riding or gravel, its
60NM of torque
helping you make
it up the steepest
of hills.

APRIL 2024

27

The bike test
● Sub-£2k all-rounders

Cube Attain SLX
£1,599.99 Borderline racy road bike with comfort in mind and room for mudguards
Weight 9.64kg (53cm) Frame Aluminium Fork Carbon Gears Shimano 105 11-speed (11-34t, 50/34t)
Brakes Shimano 105 hydraulic disc, 160mm rotors Wheels Cube RA 1.9 Aero Disc Finishing kit Cube Performance SLX stem, Cube
Compact Race bar, Cube Performance 27.2mm seatpost, Natural Fit Nuance saddle, Continental Ultra Sport 3 SL tyres

In spite of a price that undercuts
much of the opposition, Cube has
managed to spec a complete Shimano
105 hydraulic groupset (albeit the older
11-speed version). You can also fit
mudguards, though the frame is limited to
28mm tyres, but that’s the only real issue
I found with the bike. It flies on the flat,
is nippy on hills, quick and nimble on
descents and, in spite of its quite narrow
rubber, comfort is impeccable. And while
the geometry is surprisingly racy, Cube
takes the edge off with swept-back bars
so you’re not too stretched out.

Fine frame
The frameset has all the features you’d
expect for a mid-priced road bike. The
smooth-welded 6061 aluminium frame is
compact and made from double-butted
tubes to keep the weight down, with
slimline dropped seatstays for comfort.
Cabling is all routed internally. Since it’s a
more road-based design, the only mounts
are the usual two sets of bottle cage bosses.
Mudguard fittings are similarly
minimalist: at the bottom of the fork and
rear dropouts and there’s a bridge across
the chainstays. Cube makes its own
lightweight Attain Disc Mudguard Set that
has a bridge section built on to the top of
the rear guard to keep it sufficiently rigid,
but other full-length guards will fit.
Cube has by far the most aggressive
geometry of the three bikes on test. In fact,
the frame angles – 74°
seat angle, 72° head
The Good
angle on our test bike –
Nice, compact
aren’t that far removed
frame; full
Shimano 105;
from those of a classic
good contact
race bike. The same is
points; fast,
true of the wheelbase,
lively ride
which is just 1mm
longer than Cube’s
The Bad
Agree. Tyre clearances
Limited to
28mm tyres;
are very limited too,
non-tubelessjust 28mm, which is
ready tyres; no
modest these days.
rack mounts

28

APRIL 2024

The very neatly finished frame has the
Shimano 105 chainset, unlike the pricier
Cannondale Synapse 1, which uses a less
expensive, heavier chainset. Shimano’s
workhorse 105 groupset delivers its usual
slick and efficient performance, with a
wide range of gears and light-acting,
powerful hydraulic disc brakes. Cube has
specced the compact 50-34t chainset and
wide-ranging 50/34t cassette. The one-toone-ratio bottom gear should please pretty
much all of us most of the time on climbs.
The braking is as good as you’d expect
(plentiful power at your fingertips without
much effort) and performed perfectly and
without complaint (unlike the rider) in

“It’s a nifty little
climber too, either in
the saddle or out of it,
thanks to the taut,
tight frame”
some terrible conditions. To get 105 on Trek
or Cannondale costs £1,850 or £1,900.
The wheels are Cube’s own 1.9 models
with semi-deep tubeless-ready rims,
though as with both other bikes on test,
the tyres are not tubeless-ready. The entrylevel Ultra Sport tyres from Continental
performed pretty well in poor conditions
but I wouldn’t take them on any major offroad forays. And with the Attain frame
limited to 28mm tyres, this makes the
Cube more of a road machine than the
other two.

Smooth operator
It’s not road bike-light but I never felt the
bike was carrying excess baggage (unlike
me). The Cube’s weight is similar to the
Cannondale and noticeably lighter than
the Ridley. Its slimmer tyres and near-race
bike frame angles are steeper than the
Cannondale’s – and much steeper than the

Ridley’s – and the Cube’s wheelbase is a
fair bit shorter, coming in at under a metre,
giving it a nippy feel. All this makes the
Cube a great training bike. The tight semicompact main triangle and dropped
seatstays offer an extremely rewarding
ride. Long rides on poor surfaces in nearfreezing conditions resulted in no
discomfort and, when I put the hammer
down, acceleration was excellent. I got on
very well with the Cube’s shortish (24cm)
saddle and swept-back bar tops to keep me
a little more upright in the saddle.
It’s a nifty little climber, either in the
saddle, helped by the one-to-one ratio
bottom gear, or out of the saddle, thanks
to the taut, tight frame. The hydraulic disc
brakes mean you can tackle downhills
confidently too, whatever the weather. All
that’s missing is the all-surface versatility
of the Ridley and Cannondale. But if you
want a light-ish, fast-ish and comfortable
bike for year-round riding with or without
guards, it’s a box-ticker and then some.

Verdict Great for all-year-round
riding on the roads, but not the
rough stuff, and decent value
Also consider...

● A little more…

● A little less…

Cube Attain
GTC SLX
£2,499

Cube Attain Pro
£1,099

Built for comfort, with
a carbon frame and
fork, as well as speed
with 2x12 gears, disc
brakes, Newmen
Performance wheels
and fast Continental
tyres, with mudguard
compatibility.

Aluminium frame
with double-butted
tubes, full carbon
fork, Sora 2x9
gears with cableoperated disc
brakes, 28mm
tyres and room
for full-length
mudguards.

cyclingplus.com

The bike test
Sub-£2k all-rounders ●

01

01 The complete
drivetrain is 105,
including chainset

02

02 Shimano 105
provides powerful,
controlled braking

03 The Attain has a
great ride character
on the road

04 Tyre clearance
isn’t as generous as
the other two bikes

03

bikeradar.com

04

APRIL 2024

29

The bike test
● Sub-£2k all-rounders

01

01 The cockpit, and
seatpost, is all
Cannondale alloy

02

02 The frame has
fittings for racks
and mudguards

03 It has a mostly
Shimano 105
drivetrain

04 The Synapse is
the lightest bike of
our test trio

03

30

APRIL 2024

04

cyclingplus.com

The bike test
Sub-£2k all-rounders ●

Cannondale Synapse 1
£1,900 Comfort-orientated fender-friendly all-rounder
Weight 9.53kg (54cm) Frame Aluminium Fork Carbon Gears Shimano 105 11-speed (11-34t, 50/34t) Brakes Shimano 105 hydraulic
disc, 160mm rotors Wheels DT Swiss R470 DB, 28h, tubeless-ready Finishing kit Fizik Aliante Delta saddle, Vittoria Zaffiro Pro Bright Black
700x30c tyres, all Cannondale 3 6061 Alloy: stem, Compact handlebar and seatpost

Cannondale big up their top-line
aluminium Synapse as a smoothrolling, fast-riding machine that thrives
on the road and beyond. It comes with a
nearly complete Shimano 105 hydraulic
groupset, branded wheels, tyres and
saddle and clearance for widish tyres
and mudguards, not to mention loads of
fittings for bottles, luggage and the like.
It’s a nicely finished and well-puttogether machine. Much like the Cube, it’s
aluminium with a full-carbon fork, and
the cabling is internally routed. Unlike the
Cube, however, there are lots of fittings:
double bosses on the seat-tube, triple
down-tube bosses, another pair under the
down-tube and, yes, bento box bosses on
the top-tube. Its mudguard fittings are
much more comprehensive than the
Cube’s too, and combine with the extra
clearance to mean that most full-length
fenders should fit without issue.
The Cannondale’s geometry sits
between the other two bikes on test,
though slightly nearer to the Cube than
the Kanzo. The head angle is a reasonably
racy 71.9° and the seat-tube 73°, but the
Cannondale’s wheelbase is 1.5cm longer
than the Cube’s, which’ll make it feel a
little more stable and a tad less racy. But at
1,009mm it’s not like a full-on endurance
bike. The Cannondale has 5mm greater
reach but the Cube’s
stack figure is nearly a
centimetre lower, to
The Good
emphasise the Cube’s
Lovely ride;
slightly more aggressive
good contact
points;
frame geometry.
comprehensive
frame mounts;
105 group; good
tyre clearance

The Bad
More expensive
than the Cube;
non-series
chainset; no
mudguards;
non-tubelessready tyres

bikeradar.com

All clear
Cannondale says the
maximum tyre width is
32mm, though it also
flags up the ‘big 6mm
room on each side’, so
I reckon you could go
up to 35mm for a bit of
rough-stuff riding. The

DT Swiss rims are designed for 28-35mm
tyres and the Vittorias specced are
nominally 30mm wide but measure 32mm
when inflated to 85psi; 32mm hits the
sweet spot for comfort over poor road
surfaces without adding too much weight.
They’re pretty good tyres too, decently
grippy in challenging conditions and with
a more supple feel than their modest 26 TPI
thread count would suggest. By contrast,
the Cube’s tyres have a 180 TPI thread
count. While the rims are tubeless
compatible, the Vittoria tyres are not.
This bike, like the Cube Attain, uses
Shimano’s 11-speed 105 group (not latest
12-speed) with hydraulic disc brakes,
which for 99% of us 99% of the time is

“Descents were fussfree and excellent
braking gives you
the confidence to
go faster”
perfect. There is a step down here to a
non-series RS510 chainset, but it’s only
a few grams heavier and didn’t affect the
shifting quality. The Cannondale and Cube
also have pretty similar wheelsets, though
Cannondale has used pricier tyres.
The Synapse 1 is also compatible with
Cannondale’s range of SmartSense
Garmin-made lights and radar, powered
by a battery and control centre on the
down-tube’s triple bosses. The system also
includes dedicated front and rear lights,
computer mounts and more.

Fizik Aliante Delta saddle, which has a
more rounded profile than the other bikes’.
While overall weight isn’t quite as low as
a race bike, it’s still a lively, fast-handling
ride with very good acceleration. As with
the Cube, it would make an ideal yearround fast trainer: it’s great for interval
training, with an efficient feel through
the semi-compact aluminium frame.
I found it a very competent climber
both in and out of the saddle, where the
wide-ranging gears come to your aid.
Descents were fuss-free and excellent
braking in all conditions gives you the
confidence to go faster. And while I
found it easily comfortable enough for
long-distance road riding with its 30mm
tyres, go up a little and you could easily go
touring and bikepacking on it, aided by its
comprehensive range of bosses.
I massively enjoyed my time aboard the
Synapse. Its ride is lively and comfortable,
the braking and gearing are hard to fault,
and it covers most types of riding this
side of gravel: commutes, days out, hard
training and even touring.

Verdict Well-equipped with no
obvious shortcomings and good
for far more than winter training
Also consider...

● A little more…

● A little less…

Very versatile

Cannondale
Synapse
Carbon 4 £2,400

Cannondale
Synapse 2
£1,650

With weight and geometry not a million
miles away from the Cube’s, it’s no
surprise the handling is quite similar too.
The Cannondale’s tyres are a touch wider
than the Cube’s and I found them nicely
comfortable, and the same is true of the

You get a carbon
frame, with 30mm
Vittoria Zaffiro Pro
tyres giving room
for mudguards, and
Shimano’s 10-speed
Tiagra groupset.

The same frame
and fork as the 1, but
Shimano’s cheaper
10-speed Tiagra
groupset. You still
get DT Swiss wheels
and Vittoria tyres.

APRIL 2024

31

The bike test
● Sub-£2k all-rounder

“Shimano’s excellent
105 hydraulic
groupset has a wide
range of gearing and
excellent brakes”

The winner is…

Cube Attain SLX
Great ride quality at an appealing price
While all of our three contenders can
take mudguards – or ‘fenders’ for
our American friends – they differ in their
intended uses, so you need to think about
the type of riding you’ll be doing before
you choose your weapon.
Ridley’s Kanzo A has a lot going for it,
notably quality gearing and braking and a
high-quality pair of gravel tyres that work
both on road and off. And it’s clear that a
lot of care has been taken in its design, but
it’s not that light and I found the ride a fair
bit firmer than I’d expected. You could
moderate some of this with a different
saddle and tubeless tyres though. It’s now
listed on the Ridley website at £1,499,
with Forza Norte wheels, which I think
represents better value.

32

APRIL 2024

The Cannondale has a lively road-bike
feel but is still designed to accommodate
mudguards, though oddly Cannondale
doesn’t make its own Synapse-specific
guards. But that’s one of the bike’s few
negatives. It’s well appointed with
mounts for carrying kit and, with wider
tyres, you could take it on road-based
bikepacking adventures. It’s equally at
home for commuting and it would make
a very handy year-round trainer that’s
tough enough for winter but easily good
enough to be your best bike. It beats our
winner for versatility, and I’d recommend
it highly but it’s much dearer than the
Cube and you don’t even get a Shimano
105 chainset, having to make do with a
non-series Shimano chainset instead.

The Cube Attain SLX is a bit more
limited in its ambitions than the
Cannondale – in theory it can take tyres
no wider than 28mm, so you’re not going
on any bikepacking adventures or hitting
the gravel or any off-road trails. But for
roads, even pretty poor roads, it’s a real
treat. As with the Cannondale, it comes
with Shimano’s excellent 105 hydraulic
groupset with a wide range of gearing and
excellent brakes. Unlike the Cannondale,
you also get the 105 chainset. The contact
points are excellent, with a swept-back
bar that relaxes the riding position a
fraction. Cube makes its own Attainspecific mudguards too, which rounds
out a fine year-round trainer-cumfitness-cum-commuter bike.

cyclingplus.com

The bike test
Sub-£2k all-rounders ●

Ridley Kanzo A
£1,799

Cube Attain SLX
£1,599.99

Cannondale Synapse 1
£1,900

Size tested

M

53cm

54cm

Sizes available

XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL

50, 53, 56, 58, 60, 62cm

44, 48, 51, 54, 56, 58, 61cm

Weight

10.74kg (M)

9.6kg (53cm)

9.53kg (54cm)

Frame

Kanzo Aluminium

Aluminium 6061 T6 Superlite

Lightweight SmartForm C2 Alloy

Fork

Forza Oryx Disc carbon/alloy

Cube CSL Race Disc full carbon

Synapse carbon

Chainset

Shimano GRX 600 172.5mm 46-30t

Shimano 105 FC-R7000, 50x34T

Shimano RS510, 50/34t

Bottom bracket

BSA 68mm

Shimano BB-RS500, 68mm BSA

Shimano RS500

Cassette

Shimano HG50 11-36t, 10-speed

Shimano 105 CS-HG700, 11-34T, 11-Speed

Shimano 105, 11-34t, 11-speed

Derailleurs &
gear levers

Shimano GRX 400; Shimano GRX

Shimano 105; Shimano 105

Shimano 105; Shimano 105

Chain

KMC X-11

Shimano CN-HG600-11

Shimano HG601

Rims

Shimano RS171 DB

Cube RA 1.9 Aero Disc

DT Swiss R470 DB

Tyres

Vittoria Terreno Dry 700x38c

Conti Ultra Sport 3 SL, Kevlar, 28-622

Vittoria Zaffiro Pro 700x30c

Wheel weight*

1,980g (f), 2,510g (r)

1,620g (f), 2,170g (r)

1,460g (f), 2,020g (r)

Brakes

Shimano GRX RX400

Shimano 105 BR-R7070 hydraulic disc

Shimano 105 hydraulic disc

Stem

Forza Stratos 100mm

Cube Performance Stem SLX, 31.8mm

Cannondale 3, 6061 Alloy, 31.8, 7° rise

Handlebar

Forza Stratos Gravel

Cube Compact Race Bar

Cannondale 3 6061 Alloy Compact

Saddle

Selle Italia Model X

Natural Fit Nuance

Fizik Aliante Delta

Seatpost

Forza Stratos 15mm offset, 350mm, 27.2mm

Cube Performance Post, 27.2mm

Cannondale 3, 6061 Alloy, 27.2x350mm

TRANSMISSION

WHEELS

*inc. tyres, disc rotors, cassette

COMPONENTS

Specifications &
measurements

Ridley Kanzo A
540mm

73˚

71˚

540
mm

● Geometry is probably the most important
factor when buying a bike, but even bikes
that are nominally the same size can vary
considerably. Reputable bike retailers – high
street and online – should ensure the bike
fits you and your needs.

Size M
Stack 584mm
Reach 386mm

430mm

1,034mm

Cube Attain
SLX

537mm

74˚

Size 54cm
Stack 570mm
Reach 381mm

71.9˚
73˚

mm

mm

415mm

415mm

995mm

bikeradar.com

72˚

555mm

4 80

490

Size 53cm
Stack 561mm
Reach 376mm

Next issue…
Budget gravel bikes

Cannondale
Synapse 1

● We see what Marin, Merida,
State and Saracen have to
offer those who want to head
off road and have fun on a
tighter budget.

1,010mm

APRIL 2024

33

●●New
Danrider’s
Martinguide

Mark
Walker
Cycling coach
With over 18
years of coaching
everyone from
complete
beginners to
elites, Mark
knows the best
ways to get you
doing your best
on a bike.
markwalker
coaching.co.uk

34

APRIL 2024

Words
Mark Bailey

cyclingplus.com

New rider’s
Dan Martin
guide ●

Bianca
Broadbent
Cycling physio
and bike fitter
Bianca’s huge
experience
working with
athletes from
many different
sports means
she’s well placed
to help you enjoy
your time on
two wheels.
fityourbike.co.uk

Whatever your athletic background –
or lack of it – getting into cycling will
empower you to achieve all your
fitness, sporting and lifestyle targets.
We reveal how to make your 2024 on
the bike a rewarding success

bikeradar.com

APRIL 2024

35

● New rider’s guide

Strengths
“Former runners, swimmers
and rowers are excellently
placed to cycle,” says
Broadbent. “Many respiratory
and muscular skills cross
over to endurance cycling.
And any competitiveness and
determination helps. Look
at Lucy Charles-Barclay, an
ex-swimmer who is now
Ironman World Champion.”
Making progress
You may have good base
fitness, but start with long,
slow bike miles to develop
your technique and muscle
strength. Over time, inject
some variety. “There is a
tendency for ex-athletes to
stick in a Zone 3 middling
intensity, but it burns
through carbs and makes
cycling a chore,” says cycling
coach Mark Walker. “Do a
mix of low-, middle- and
high-intensity rides, with
endurance rides, threshold
work and hill reps, and you’ll
really improve.” Don’t push
too hard, too soon. “It can be
easy to rack up miles on the
bike, so don’t over-train,”
warns Broadbent. And as you
progress, consider the order
in which you do sessions. “Put
HIIT sessions earlier in the

week, then low-cadence work
midweek and save long rides
for the weekend,” says Walker.
Technique
You’ll also need to learn
some cycling-specific skills.
“Practise taking food out
of your pockets,” suggests
Walker. “If you plan to do
sportives, practise riding in a
group, conserving energy by
hiding in a bunch, holding a
wheel, cornering, keeping a
smooth pace, climbing on
the hoods or sprinting on
the drops.”

EXTRA

“Ex-runners may
consider resistance training
to maintain good bone health,
develop power and maintain
general athleticism,” says
Broadbent. “Keep it simple
with deadlifts, squats,
push-ups and pullups.”

Bike fit
Ex-runners can boost their
comfort on the bike with hipmobility work. “Road cycling
involves working at your inner
to mid range of hip flexion, but
runners aren’t conditioned to
hold that position, so they tend
to sit more upright on the bike
or come forward to open up the
hip position,” says Broadbent.
“Accept that there will be a
process of adaptation.”
Step it up
Low-cadence sessions can help
ex-runners build functional
cycling-specific strength.
“Start with seated 1min efforts
at 50-60rpm (rotations per
minute) in the biggest gear
you can, at RPE 4-5 (rate of
perceived exertion), with 2min
rests in between,” says Walker.
“Keep your upper body still
and don’t grip the bars hard.
You can do these on a hill, on
the indoor turbo or on the
flat in a big gear. Over time,
increase the duration of the
reps to 5mins in a single set
of 8-10 reps.”

Image Steve Sayers

OMany former runners and
other athletes get into cycling
after an enforced injury layoff. “Low-impact cycling offers
a great way to channel your
energy again and benefit your
body and mind,” says cycling
physio and bike fitter Bianca
Broadbent. Serving up new kit
and adventures, cycling will
reignite your sporting spark.

The injured

ex-runner
You used to love running until injury stopped
you enjoying it. You’re well placed to make
the transition to cycling…

36

APRIL 2024

cyclingplus.com

New rider’s guide ●

The silver

cyclist

30%

*According to recent research by Sustrans

You’re not as young as you used to be, but
you have more time on your hands now…

Image Getty Images

The proportion of
over 65s who think
‘cycling is not
for someone
like them’*

OYou’re never too old to get
into cycling. “Cycling is a
wonderful, low-impact sport
for all ages, even for people
with joint problems,” says
Walker. “Benefits range from
aerobic fitness to strength,
balance and a reduced risk
of Type 2 diabetes.” It also
fights off sarcopenia (muscle
wastage): “Cycling helps you
to retain muscle and improves
cardiovascular function,”
explains Broadbent.

training, like riding over
undulating terrain or riding
on windy days when there’s
more resistance.”

Strengths

Bike fit

If you are a rider who is retired
or semi-retired, your biggest
weapon is your free time. “Join
local groups and social rides
and make the most of the extra
daylight hours available to
you,” says Walker.

Always sensibly adapt to any
health problems. “If you have
had knee problems, knee
surgery or a knee replacement,
using shorter cranks can help
you to get your leg around the
pedal stroke much easier,”
advises Broadbent.

Making progress
“The challenge for older riders
is pacing yourself, making
sure you enjoy a very gradual
increase in volume to promote
adaptation and minimise
injury risk,” cautions Walker.
“Start off doing easy stuff,
with long, slow rides at a
RPE under 3 – what I call the
‘gossip’ threshold. Then just
increase your training in small
increments. Schedule in lots
of recovery days. As you get
fitter, use the environment to
get some contrast into your

Technique
“On bad-weather days, older
riders can work on their
technique on the indoor
trainer,” says Walker. “For
example, you can practise
riding at lower or higher
cadences, to boost your
riding flexibility.”

Step it up
“After gently building up your
endurance, introduce tempo
training,” suggests Walker.
This will be at an RPE of 4,
so you should still be able to
talk, but in shorter sentences.
Try intervals of 60secs at
this tempo pace, with 20sec
rest intervals. Start with 15
reps and nudge them up as
you get fitter. Play with the
progressions with reduced
recovery intervals, longer
efforts or more reps.”
Extra

“The challenge for older riders
is pacing yourself, making
sure you enjoy a very gradual
increase in volume”
bikeradar.com

“Do strength training to aid
your bone density, whether
that’s gym work or lowcadence efforts at 50-60rpm,”
advises Walker. Cross-training
is also beneficial for your body:
“Senior athletes could do
swimming and walking too,”
suggests Broadbent.

APRIL 2024

37

● New rider’s guide

The midlife

parent

You’re ridiculously busy, but Zwift sessions
are a doddle to squeeze in at home, plus
social rides can kill two birds with one stone

Strengths
Your lack of time is a challenge,
but it also focuses the mind:
having to fit in exercise around
childcare duties makes a
flexible sport such as cycling
your perfect exercise solution.
“It’s hard for new parents to do
large-volume training or stick
to fixed class schedules,” says
Walker. “But cycling is flexible
for whenever you get a break.”
Making progress
“To get fit and lose weight, you
can reduce your energy intake,
or increase your exercise – or
ideally do both,” says Walker.
“When reducing energy
intake, just make one small
change a week, like eating
more fibre-dense food, or
switching to healthier snacks.
When exercising, highintensity intervals are quick,
convenient and boost your
metabolic rate, so you burn
more calories. They develop
fitness and improve insulin
sensitivity. But slower rides
with friends also increase your
overall energy burn as you are
riding for longer. So just do
what works for you.”
Technique
For all parents, safety is a
priority. “Wear high-vis kit
and flashing day lights and
look far down the road,” says
Walker. “Practise feathering

38

APRIL 2024

“Having to fit in exercise
around childcare duties
makes a flexible sport such as
cycling your perfect solution”
your brakes so you don’t skid,
and practise emergency stops
– throwing your weight back
and straightening your arms –
so you know how long it takes
to stop at different speeds.”

Image Steve Sayers

O“Cycling is so good for
time-crunched parents,” says
Broadbent. “You can exercise
easily, whenever you want.
Even 30 minutes is positive
for health. It could be a social
catch-up ride with friends, or
a solo indoor ride on Zwift.”

Bike fit
The success of cycling mums
such as Lizzie Deignan proves
that motherhood is no obstacle,
but small tweaks will ensure
comfort after giving birth. “If
a mum has had an episiotomy
or tear, it may require stitches
and can leave scar tissue which
can be irritated by a saddle,”
says Broadbent. “So try using
a saddle with a pressure-relief
cut-out or visiting a pelvic
health physio.”
Step it up
“Try some Tabata intermittent
training, such as 7-8 x 20:10
efforts – 20sec hard efforts
with 10sec recoveries – at
RPE 7,” says Walker. “If you
can complete more than eight
efforts, increase the power
output or effort. With a warmup and cool-down, you can do
a Tabata session in 25mins.”

£350

Annual Zwift
membership and
turbo trainer

Extra
“If your goal is weight-loss,
there is huge value to crosstraining with running,
kayaking, MTB or swimming,”
says Walker. “It will burn
calories and boost fitness.”

cyclingplus.com

New rider’s guide ●

O“New bike commuters come
from many backgrounds:
some hoping to get fit for
other sports, others just to be
more active or save money,”
says Broadbent. But all are
rewarded with a brilliantly
fun, flexible and frequent
exercise regime.
Strengths

EXTRA

“Try placing cones in a
car park and doing some
bike-handling drills,” says
Walker. “It’ll help when looking
over your shoulder or holding
your position on the road.”
Active Travel England
also offer Bikeability
skills courses for
adults.

Your biggest strength is the
motivational buzz of trying a
new activity, so keep surfing
that high. “Many commuters
start cycling to work and
realise they love it and want
more,” says Broadbent. But if
you get a dip in motivation,
consider riding with friends
at weekends too. “You might
enjoy commuting alone but
joining a club will add social
fun and new skills.”
Making progress
Begin by riding on quieter
roads at weekends to build
up your skills, fitness and
confidence before riding in
midweek traffic. “Ride with
friends or family and take
it slowly,” advises Walker.
“When you start commuting,
you don’t have to do it every
day. But the more consistent,
the better.”
As you progress, just add in
extra skills and challenges,
or add an extra loop on to the
route if time permits. “A turn
of speed can be helpful to
negotiate a junction or keep
up with traffic, so try some
sprints between lampposts,”
says Walker. “Consider how
to vary your routes to work,
ride in different terrain or do
interval sessions as you ride,”
adds Broadbent.

Technique
Confidence on the pedals
is crucial for commuters.
“Riding with flat pedals isn’t
a problem, but the change to
cleats can be daunting but
helpful,” says Broadbent.
With cleats, your feet won’t
slip off the pedals, and you’ll
enjoy more control. “Consider
Shimano SPD cleats as a firsttimer,” suggests Broadbent.
Unlike Shimano SPD-SL road
cleats, SPD off-road cleats
clip into either side of the
pedals, and pair with shoes
with flat soles that are much
easier to walk around in
when commuting.
Bike fit
“Your saddle can be a sore
point – pun intended! –
because commuters often
ride the stock saddle which
came with the bike,” says
Broadbent. Visit your local
bike shop to find a saddle that
aligns with your ‘sit bones’ to
ensure a better fit. “Also, some
commuters ride in old kit with
a bad chamois density,” says
Broadbent, so treat yourself
to some comfy kit.”
Step it up
If you’re worried you’re not
fast enough to deal with the
demands of traffic-filled roads,
do a little training first. “To
progress to a steady but safe
commuter pace, ride 12min
efforts at RPE 3 within a longer
ride,” suggests Walker.
“Progress to 2 x 12mins at
80-100rpm, with your foot
ever so slightly on the gas; then
on to 4 x 12mins; 3 x 20mins;
2 x 30mins and eventually
1 x 60min effort.”

commuter
You can make efficient use of what’s
otherwise ‘dead’ time, giving your fitness
a huge boost as part of your daily routine

bikeradar.com

APRIL 2024

Image Russell Burton

The new

39

● Train rides

Words Rob Ainsley

40

APRIL 2024

cyclingplus.com

Dan Martin
Train
rides ●●

Image Joseph Branston

Ten of Britain’s most
remarkable railway
routes also enable great
linear one-day bike
rides. For each mini
adventure, Rob Ainsley
pedals one way and
takes the train the other
– direct, with bike
rains and bikes go together like fish and chips,
rhythm and blues, or Morecambe and Wise. Anyone
who’s struggled to get their bike on a hook in those
pesky bike cupboards on express services will
know that the train is the joker of the two. But when
they work together, it can make for a memorable
experience. I get everywhere by train and bike, and
particularly love the linear trips this enables – no
tedious shuffling of cars.
I’ve chosen 10 of my favourite bike-then-relax-onthe-train-back experiences. Each is not only a special railway
journey in its own right, but a super day ride too. You can play at
being train-traveloguer Michael Portillo, but in lycra, rather than
a pastel jacket. On second thoughts, maybe don’t.
Most of these services are frequent (but not heritage lines in
winter) and bike-friendly. Heritage trains typically have cavernous
old-fashioned guard’s vans for bikes (small fee), while national
services take bikes free (walk-on spaces on local trains; booking
usually needed on inter-city). Precise rules vary by company, so
check online before setting off.
I’ve avoided suggesting trains likely to be booked out of cycle
spaces, such as anything down Cornwall way or up in north-east
Scotland. LEJOGgers will have reserved these three months ago with
the alarm-clock opportunism of Glastonbury ticket-baggers.
With all the trips that follow, there’s a bonus: the trains run
almost parallel to each bike route, so you have flexibility to shorten
(or lengthen) your ride if the weather’s dodgy, you suffer a
mechanical, or you’re in a mixed-motivation group.
So here are my 10 Best British Train ’n’ Bike Rides, in no particular
order. See you in the buffet car...

bikeradar.com

APRIL 2024

41

● Train rides

FAV E R S H A M – D OV E R

Ham sandwich deal
Kent Coast Line: 60 miles by bike | 45/90 mins on the train

● It’s a coastal (and virtually
flat) sightseeing parade of highcharacter towns. Part of the Cantii
Way, this is a ride to take all day
over and stop often. Britain’s oldest
brewer (Faversham); fresh seafood
stalls (Whitstable); art galleries (the
Turner at Margate); Dickensian
staircased alleys (Broadstairs);
Britain’s biggest Wetherspoon
(Ramsgate); castles and cliffs
(Dover)... Detour slightly south of
Sandwich, near Ham village, for the

celebrated direction sign saying
‘HAM SANDWICH’. On the
Southeastern train back, go inland
(45 min) or back the way you came
(90 mins). There are walk-on bike
spaces. (You can’t take your bike on
trains into London in the morning
peak, but evenings are OK, and
vice-versa out of London).
Faversham is just over an hour’s
train from central London.
Route: ridewithgps.com/
routes/44846981

“Part of the Cantii Way,
this virtually flat coastal
ride, accessible from
London, is one to take all
day over and stop often”

42

APRIL 2024

cyclingplus.com

Train rides ●

TAUNTON – MINEHEAD

Somerset saunter
West Somerset Railway: 25 miles | 90 mins
● Britain’s longest heritage railway is a timewarp
charmer, especially when steam locos are
operating. It runs over 20 miles alongside the
Quantocks, between Bishops Lydeard – about
four miles from Taunton’s main line station – and
the bucket ’n’ spade seaside resort of Minehead,
on the edge of Exmoor. The complementary bike
route is a laid-back trundle through rural West
Somerset with a few mild climbs but lots of level
stuff. It goes up from Bishops Lydeard into the
Quantocks themselves on narrow lanes and then
along a decent-ish gravel track with splendid
views down over the west, and occasionally
the east. There’s a detour to Hurley Beacon’s
panorama before a tarmac hurtle back down to
the plains at Crowcombe and quiet roads again.
Snack at Watchet’s harbour market that inspired
the Rime of the Ancient Mariner, and head along
the coast to Minehead’s expansive beach and
dramatic headland (notorious Porlock Hill,
pictured below, is just up the road). Enjoy
sandcastles, swims and ice creams before an
afternoon train back to Bishop’s Lydeard.
Route: ridewithgps.com/routes/44846738

bikeradar.com

S H R E W S B U RY – H E R E F O R D

Borderline case
Marches Line : 70 miles | 60 mins

● Wandering its way down the lush, hilly

Above You’ll
earn your
posh train
meal thanks
to nearly
1,300m of
climbing

Wales-England border country from Chester to
Newport, the Marches Line is a gentle gem of
the railway network. You could cycle along its
whole course in three days, but this central
section makes a substantial day workout on
cosy lanes past churchy villages and orchards
(welcome to cider country). Shrewsbury’s
Victorian-class riverside has coffee kiosks
to set you up for the lanes to the ‘Little
Switzerland’ of Church Stretton, and its
surprisingly alpine climb over the Long Mynd’s
moortops. At foodie town Ludlow you can
admire olde-Englande architecture from your
restaurant window. After Leominster’s halftimbered satellite villages come the grand
townscapes of Hereford. Take in the statue of
composer Edward Elgar with his bike. Regular
TfW trains back have walk-on bike spaces, but
on Arriva Trains’ special ‘Gerald’ services, the
fine-dining theme continues: they claim
Britain’s best onboard eating. Bon appétit...
Route: ridewithgps.com/routes/44847761

Images Jordan Gibbons, Joseph Branston, Henry Iddon

“Enjoy sandcastles,
swims and ice creams
before a charming train
ride back to Bishop’s
Lydeard on Britain’s
longest heritage
railway”

APRIL 2024

43

● Train rides

05
KIRKBY STEPHEN – SET TLE

Dales diary
Settle to Carlisle Line : 40 miles | 45 mins

● The Settle to Carlisle railway line, forced through the Yorkshire

CHESTER – LLANDUDNO

Prom season
North Wales Coast Line : 60 miles | 60 mins

Above The
Tour of Britain
took riders up
Great Orme
in 2021

Dales in which everything is a bridge, viaduct, cutting, tunnel or
embankment, regularly tops lists of ‘Britain’s Most Scenic Train
Journeys’. Mighty Ribblehead Viaduct is a calendar-image staple;
red squirrels scamper at lofty Garsdale Head station and Dentdale
views amaze first-time passengers. The ride is an eventful,
vertically challenging, but visually delicious romp through the
Dales and past the Three Peaks. Easy, scenic B-road stuff gets
you to the drama of Ribblehead. After vast Dentdale you grapple
with the infamous Coal Road that vaults the hills to Garsdale Head.
Relatively flat valley bottoms lead to rugged Kirkby Stephen. After,
savour your cinemascope National Rail train ride back to Settle.
Route: ridewithgps.com/routes/44855591

● ‘The Welsh Lourdes’ (Holywell),

44

APRIL 2024

06
PICKERING – WHITBY

Moor the merrier
North York Moors Railway : 30 miles | 120 mins
● The North York Moors
Railway scythes 20-odd miles
between Whitby, Grosmont,
Harry-Potter-station
Goathland, and Pickering. It’s a
time-travel experience, with
period-filmset stations, steam
locos, jolly volunteer staff, and
unchanging landscapes
(except perhaps for Fylingdales
radar station). The cycling’s all
quiet remote lanes, abruptly
climbing to purple moortop
views, then descending to
hidden green valleys. From
Whitby a riverside lane ducks

under a huge viaduct before
bounding over the hills to
Grosmont. A car-free road
rises and falls to Beck Hole’s
pub, untouched since the
1930s; in nearby Goathland
(home of 1960s-set TV series
Heartbeat) you’ll still be
checking what year it is.
Remote-feeling tops get you
to market town Pickering. The
last train back to Whitby
harbour, and Britain’s best fish
‘n’ chips, is mid-afternoon.
Route: ridewithgps.com/
routes/44855414

cyclingplus.com

Images Christopher Lanaway, Russell Burton, Getty Images

San-Francisco-like trams
(Llandudno), Britain’s smallest
church (St Trillo’s at Rhos) and
smallest house (at nearby Conwy),
plus a smooth, twenty-mile-long,
car-free promenade to ride along:
Instagram opportunities abound.
You’ll start from historic delight
Chester, and the long, flat waterside
stretch between Prestatyn and
Llandudno, via Rhyl (with ‘bike
hub’ cafe-shop) and Colwyn Bay, is
perhaps Britain’s best seaside cycle
route, with beaches and seafront
stuff all the way. Its climax is the
Great Orme headland with stiff
climbs and awesome views, and
those trams. Enjoy Llandudno’s
faded Victorian elegance. Just be
aware that the TfW train back (with
walk-on bike spaces) can be packed.
Route: ridewithgps.com/
routes/44848348

Train rides ●

“Back lanes clamber
through landscapes linked
with Jane Austen, Charlotte
Brontë and Robin Hood”

SHEFFIELD – NEW MILLS

Peak pleasure
Hope Valley Line: 40 miles | 50 mins

● The northern Peaks make for one

of Britain’s most underrated ridethrough ranges, a natural sculpture
park of gritty tors, ridges, peaks and
troughs, and how-did-they-buildthat heritage infrastructure. You’re
soon out of busy central Sheffield on
a long straight climb onto the wild
tops. Back lanes clamber through
landscapes linked with Jane Austen,
Charlotte Brontë and Robin Hood.
Test yourself on the side-plunge
down, then back up, Bamford
bikeradar.com

Clough: Britain’s steepest signed
tarmac climb, at 37%. Enjoy the
wide splendour of Edale before
a bizarre loop down Winnat’s Pass
to Castleton, then back up and out
via the shattered remains of the
A625 on Mam Tor, the mountain
that ate a trunk road. Fuel up in
New Mills, an industrial-heritage
town, before your train ride, with
walk-on bike spaces, to Sheffield.
Route: ridewithgps.com/
routes/44855223
APRIL 2024

45

● Train rides

“From Tweedbank, lanes
go to Innerleithen,with
its bike-friendly cafes,
from where a quiet
narrow B road rises up”

MELROSE – EDINBURGH

Take that, Beeching
Borders Line : 55 miles | 60 mins

● A rare victory for rail fans over

Dr Beeching, whose controversial
‘streamlining’ of the railways saw
this line close in 1969, among
countless others. Because in 2015
the Borders Line reopened (from
Edinburgh to Tweedbank). Britain’s
newest line passes rugged Arthur’s
Seat before rolling across the
Borders region, whose towns often
still have a charmingly 1960s feel.
For dramatic pacing, this trip is best
done out from Edinburgh Waverley
46

APRIL 2024

on a morning train (walk-on bike
spaces) and ridden back. From
Tweedbank lanes go to Innerleithen,
with its bike-friendly cafes, from
where a quiet, narrow B road rises
up a valley. You go through suburbs,
sometimes on smooth bike paths, to
sneak into Edinburgh from the east,
past Duddingston Loch, round
Arthur’s Seat then past the Scottish
Parliament building.
Route: ridewithgps.com/
routes/44864129
cyclingplus.com

Train rides ●

FORT WI LLIAM – MALL AIG

Pottering about
Highland Line : 45 miles | 85 mins

● It’s not a regular service, in any sense: there’s

“There’s Roman-border
atmosphere aplenty,
some fine scenery,
hearty cafes and
visitable towns such as
Carlisle, Haltwhistle
and Hexham”

only a few trains a day, but it’s also unusually
spectacular. The epic viaduct at Glenfinnan
features on £10 notes, and in Harry Potter (yes,
him again). From start to finish, this is a fullscale visual experience of lochs, rivers, forests,
glens and mountains. Even better, it’s one of
the most bike-friendly trains in Britain, with
two dozen spaces (it’s free, but best to reserve
beforehand). The cycle ride, tracking the line
pretty closely, is thrilling too, not vertiginous,
though for several miles on an A road. In the
Highlands there’s often no alternative, but
traffic isn’t too bad. Cycling up the coast to
Mallaig has a pioneering feel – and of course
you needn’t stop there, as ferries run to Skye
and other islands. Gravel adventurers might
fancy additionally riding the 45-mile rugged
tracks of the West Highland Way between
Tyndrum and Fort William the day before –
that stretch of line is Britain’s remotest,
wildest train journey.
Route: ridewithgps.com/routes/44864269

Below The
scenery’s
certainly
rugged in
this part of
the world

CARLISLE – NEWCASTLE

Roman holiday
Hadrian’s Wall Line : 70 miles | 100 mins

bikeradar.com

Images Andrew McCandlish, Joseph Branston

● As coasts-to-coasts go, this ride – roughly
following NCN72’s Hadrian’s Wall route – is
pretty easy. It’s mostly flat, only getting really
lumpy round the honeypot areas of Once/
Twice Brewed and Vindolanda, where the Wall
itself is at its photogenic (and touristy) best.
(No Sycamore Gap sycamore now, of course,
but the long downhill from there to Hexham on
a straight, smooth, very quiet lane is still there,
a joy to experience.) But there’s Roman-border
atmosphere aplenty, some fine scenery, hearty
cafes, and visitable towns in the rugged, darkstoned buildings of Carlisle, Haltwhistle and
Hexham. With two days available you could do
the whole Wall at leisure, starting at Bowness
west of Carlisle, and finishing at Wallsend east
of central Newcastle. However you do it, that
direction is best: those westerlies can be as
robust as the views. The train, being a Northern
service, takes walk-on bikes. They’re usually
flexible about theoretical maximums of two
cycles; just as well, as you’ll probably be sharing
this scenic and leisurely journey with C2C riders.
Route: ridewithgps.com/routes/44864003

APRIL 2024

47

● GFNY Cozumel

48

APRIL 2024

cyclingplus.com

Images GFNY Cozumel

Words Matt Baird

GFNY Cozumel ●

White sands, Sinatra and side winds. Welcome to the 10th
birthday of GFNY Cozumel. But just what makes GFNY stand out
from the gran fondo crowd? We venture to Mexico to find out…

APRIL 2024

49

● GFNY Cozumel

3.2k
Number of riders
taking on GFNY
Cozumel

he demon barbers and singing founding
fathers might be absent, but race director
Shaun Gad’s claim that GFNY is ‘the Broadway
of cycling events’ is ringing true as I trundle
my bike to the start line of GFNY Cozumel at
5am on a moonlit Mexican morning. The
bright lights and booming sounds of the prerace festivities have acted as a beacon to the
race HQ, where the most committed racers are
already occupying the corrals in a bid to get
the best spot before the 7am starting horn.
Given GFNY’s New York heritage, Big Applethemed songs from Jay-Z and Sinatra fill the
airways instead of the latest Latino pop, the
pre-event build-up unlike any cycling event I’ve
experienced and closer to the razzmatazz of an
Ironman triathlon… minus the compression wear.
The NYC soundtrack is replaced by AC/DC as 7am
nears, Brian Johnson’s howling surely catapulting
anyone within a 10-block radius out of their Sunday
morning slumber. Facing me and 3,200 other racers is
80 or 160km of cycling over a two-lap course on the
tropical Mexican island. The Caribbean sun supplants
the vast artificial lights focused on the corrals. Cinco,
cuatro, tres, dos, uno… vamos, vamos!

My only previous venture to Mexico was a day in
Tijuana, a parade of pharmacies and seedy bars across
the border from San Diego, which ended with an hourlong grilling at US customs under a vast George W. Bush

50

APRIL 2024

“There’s nothing like a gran fondo. They’re
races for beginners and pros, all together
on the same roads in a competitive race for
some and a personal challenge for others”
portrait as I’d forgotten part of my visa. It’s taken me 15
years to come back, my weekly ‘Mexican’ theme nights
of fajitas and arthouse wrestling documentary Nacho
Libre with the kids being my closest brush with the
land of mariachi, mole and Mayan temples.
A direct 10hr British Airways flight takes me from
Gatwick to Cancun airport, where buses depart for
the Playa del Carmen ferry stop on the Riviera Maya.
The colour-burst of dense jungle, vibrant homestead
exteriors and the turquoise Caribbean Sea make
the dark and dank UK November days a swiftly
diminished memory.
A 19km ferry journey from the Mexican mainland
takes me to the island of Cozumel, Mexico’s largest
inhabited island, but one that largely consists of
untouched mangrove forests and swamps. It’s a tropical
haven of wildlife, white sands and coral reefs, the
crystalline water producing one of the world’s great
diving locations while its deep-water harbour makes
it a major cruise ship destination. Cozumel is also an
endurance sports paradise, with the long-established
Ironman Cozumel held on the weekend following
GFNY Cozumel in 2023 and triathletes already out
in force on aerobars on the island’s highway.

Above The lime
green army awaits
the starter’s horn
at 7am on race day

cyclingplus.com

GFNY Cozumel ●

fully closing it to cars. New for 2024, the event will host
a UCI 1.2 professional race, the Gran Premio New York
City, at the same time and day as the amateur event,
something that’s common in running and triathlon
but very rare in cycling.
“This new format of pros and amateurs racing
together aims to revolutionise cycling where both
traditionally race in separate events,” Uli explains.
“Having the pros start just minutes ahead of the
amateurs will bring the racing fans closer to their
heroes and elevate the event experience for all riders,
spectators and sponsors.” GFNY expect 180 pros from
25 teams for the Gran Premio, with up to 5,000
entrants for the mass-participation race.

GFNY Cozumel was first raced in 2013, not long after
the debut Gran Fondo New York, or GFNY for short,
was launched by Uli and Lidia Fluhme in 2011.
Influenced by major marathon and triathlon events,
the former bankers have since expanded the series –
whose tagline is ‘Be a pro for a day’ – across the globe
using a franchise model, with 30 races in 2024 from
Brazil to Bali, Maryland to Malaysia, and European
outings in Sweden and France, with seven events in the
latter allowing riders to experience the Tour de France
icons Alpe d’Huez, the Tourmalet, Croix de Fer and
more on closed or traffic-managed tarmac.
Held in May each year is the showpiece GFNY World
Championship in New York City, the organisers
somehow hosting the start line on one of the world’s
busiest structures, the George Washington Bridge, and

bikeradar.com

Above Powered
by refried beans,
Matt starts the
160km race near
the front

Below Riders wear
GFNY jerseys to
heighten the ‘pro
for a day’ feel

The Fluhmes discovered gran fondos in late-1990s
Italy, where the races originated back in the early
seventies, and which differ to UK sportives by adding
a competitive element for anyone seeking it. With the
Tour of Cambridgeshire having held its final edition
in 2023, gran fondos are few and far between in the
UK: July’s Gran Fondo Isle of Man is the sole UK
qualifier for the 2024 UCI World Series.
Despite GFNY pitching to multiple cities, there’s
still a UK-shaped hole on the GFNY calendar, with
traffic management and reluctant councils just two
of the challenges preventing the GFNY model from
establishing roots here. “But there’s nothing like a
gran fondo,” Uli, who still races much of the GFNY
series, explains at the Cozumel expo. “They’re races
for all-comers, from beginners to professionals, all
together on the same roads in a competitive race for
some and a personal challenge for others.”

APRIL 2024

51

● GFNY Cozumel

20

Kilometres, the
length of the ‘King
of the Wind’ section

Mixing competition with personal challenges in
front of us is the annual GFNY Kids event, which sees
three to 13-year-olds taking on a host of distances from
270m to 5km in Cozumel’s lively main town of San
Miguel. Adult entrants to Sunday’s main event,
meanwhile, get to do a Saturday loop of the island with
the charismatic 1984 Olympic Games’ track cycling
star, Nelson Vails, who still rides with the swagger of
someone with an Olympic silver medal in their pocket.

Cut to race morning and, as someone who sits in Uli’s
‘personal challenge’ category, a spot in the first corral
is wasted on me. I instead sit on a bench with a plate of
muffins in the vast outdoor expo area. My default riding
mode in the UK is slowly and by myself, so this annual
immersion into the frenetic nature and tactics of a gran
fondo alongside 3,200 other racers is a wake-up call
more powerful than the expo’s instant coffee brew.
It’s not unwelcome, however, swiftly providing
a re-education on echelons and pacelines, plus the
importance of drafting and communication amongst
the racers bedecked in the mandatory GFNY jerseys.
The racing is decidedly cooperative once we’re on
the smooth tarmac of the Carr. Costera Sur. It runs
alongside the island’s main and only highway and,
at 50km in length, stands as one of the world’s great
unbroken bike paths. Sticking with Shaun’s Broadway
analogy, the Mexican cycling hand gestures even have a
jazz hands flourish, while understanding the shouts of
derecha (right) and izquierda (left) is belated proof that

52

APRIL 2024

Top The eastern
shore offers an
unbroken stretch
of white sands
Above Matt looks
for someone to
draft on the ‘King
of the Wind’ part

my 1,574-day Spanish streak on Duolingo is paying off.
Muy bueno! Just one pantomime villain goes against
this community ethos, brushing my shoulder as he
dodges between miniscule gaps in the peloton that
aren’t there. The next time I see him he’s sitting in a
bush stage left. What’s Spanish for karma? (It’s karma).
The ocean-hugging route heads south towards the
Punta Sur Eco Beach Park, where I was a day ago
visiting the protected lagoons, mangrove swamps and
a Mayan ruin, while keeping a keen eye out for the
American crocodiles that, local whispers suggest, were
left here by a Hollywood film crew in the 1960s and
have since flourished.
The Rasta Bar at Cozumel’s southern tip marks the
start of the ‘King of the Wind’ portion, a timed 20km
section on Cozumel’s windswept and undeveloped
eastern shore, with only the odd shack selling coconuts
breaking the continuous view of the Caribbean sands

cyclingplus.com

GFNY Cozumel ●

BEST OF GFNY 2024
More GFNY options to stir your
pro ambitions this season

GFNY World Championship NYC
19 May 2024
● The biggie, a 137km New York ride that
begins on George Washington Bridge
connecting Manhattan and New Jersey,
and heads north of the city up to Rockland
County. A UCI 1.2 pro race will start just
before the 5,000 amateur riders in 2024.

“The aroma of chargrilled chicken from
the taquerías is divine, the impact on
my mental resolve less so”
Above San Miguel
town has enough
charm if you tire
of the Caribbean
beaches and sea

bikeradar.com

and sea. Tagging onto a bunch here is imperative for
shielding from the westerly winds, which I manage on
this first lap, but still my speed instantly drops from
30 to 25km/h. We reach the island’s highest point, a
mighty 15m above sea-level, the flat, freewheel-adverse
course making me regret my stubborn adversity to
indoor cycling in prep for events (there’s just 431m of
elevation gain over the 160km).
It’s all a big change from my last foreign gran fondo,
the hill-strewn Il Lombardia in Italy, in autumn 2022,
which was so cold and wet that my fingers couldn’t
untie my bike shoes at the finish. I experience rain here
too, though this time it’s welcome: a refreshing aquatic
dousing from the Mayan gods just as the thermometer
nudges over 25°C and the humidity levels ramp up.
A sharp left turn takes us back towards San Miguel,
the 16km coast-to-coast section becoming one of
my favourite parts of the course, an insight into the
everyday world of Cozumel away from the coastline.
The aroma of chargrilled chicken from the taquerías is
divine, the impact on my mental resolve less so, so I
venture to my first feed station of the day at the 80km
mark, where quartered limes are handed out like halftime football oranges. Asado chicken sadly isn’t.
The serene plotline changes after this intermission.
The 80km riders have left us for their post-race tacos
and the field has thinned out considerably. I’m now
largely alone and without the benefits of drafting, but
at least I can admire the scenery without worrying
about crashing into any rear wheels. Another feed
station venture and citrus hit is needed in prep for the

GFNY La Vaujany Alpe d’Huez
16 June 2024
● Both 61 and 152km courses are on offer
here, but both tackle the famous 21 hairpins
of Tour de France staple Alpe d’Huez (and
the 20km descent that follows it) in southeastern France. The 15km climb of Col de la
Morte also faces the long-distance riders.

GFNY Uppsala
24 August 2024
● Lovely Uppsala, just north of Stockholm,
hosts this 79 or 134km outing in Sweden.
And a deceptively hilly one it is, too, with
1,500m of climbing over the long-course
loop to the north of the city.

APRIL 2024

53

● GFNY Cozumel

3:40
Overall split of
160km race winner
Flavio de Luna

Above The leaders
complete their first
lap, with Mexican
Flavio de Luna (90)
taking the race win

54

APRIL 2024

Left Cameraderie
and teamwork
were on display
throughout GFNY
Cozumel 2023

Below Locals look
after editor Matt’s
holiday wardrobe
during Cozumel’s
race day

cyclingplus.com

GFNY Cozumel ●
MEXICO

second assault on the King of the Wind section. It’s
lonely the second time around, my average speed and
posture fading faster than Diana the Musical’s shortlived run on Broadway.

My second attempt at the ‘King of the Wind’ clocks in
at an hour, 10mins slower than the first pass due to
my flagging fitness and lack of drafting. The heat and
humidity are also cranking up, the unfamiliar contact
points of my borrowed bike becoming more unfamiliar
as the metres tick by. Having spent the race’s build-up
immersing myself in one of the world’s great cuisines,
I’ve set myself a manageable sub-6hr target for the
160km but I’m now cutting it fine. I belatedly re-enter
race mode and begin a game of cat and mouse (or gato
y ratón) with a Mexican cyclist as we weave through
the streets of Sao Miguel. Cozumel’s airport is skirted
before the finishing chute brings the curtain down on
today’s racing, my rival dropping me with metres to go.
I cross the line after 6:07hrs in the saddle, having
rarely exited that perch, placing a relatively successful
689th out of 810 long-distance starters (yes, all things
are relative). Unlike at Il Lombardia, the finishing
gantry isn’t already being packed away by the time I
cross the line, and the fiesta’s just getting started. Local
bands are in full swing, the awards presentation is
taking place and plenty are taking advantage of the
massages on offer. No-one, however, is paid enough to
put their hands on my sweaty and salty limbs, so I
instead gobble a plate of spicy chicken and slurp a
bottle of the ubiquitous Dos Equis lager.
A siesta and some quality time with the Gulf of
Mexico’s tropical shoals follows, before a raucous 10th
birthday party for GFNY Cozumel at the Senor Frog’s
bar runs into the early hours. Mountains of tacos, fried
chicken and nachos are piled higher than any hills
we’ve faced on the bike course today, while highquality tequila that you sip and yards of salty
margaritas that you certainly don’t are consumed by
thirsty riders. It’s hard to think of anywhere else I’d
rather be, especially in November. Just like Broadway?
Nah, it’s more rewarding than that.

P L AYA D E L
CARMEN

P U N TA M O L A S

COZUMEL

SAN JOSÉ

P L AYA C O RO NA

EL CEDRAL

CARIBBEAN SEA

GFNY COZUMEL
How to enter Cozumel in 2024, plus
where to stay, eat and explore
Key dates
● The 11th GFNY
Cozumel event takes
place on Sunday 10
November 2024. Entry
starts at $150 (around
£118) at gfny.com,
which includes the
GFNY jersey for race
day. Ironman Cozumel
is on 24 November.

Where to stay
● We jammily stayed
at the opulent
InterContinental
Presidente Hotel
Cozumel Resort Spa
(ihg.com), with its two
swimming pools, four
restaurants and own
private white sand
beach. The pre-event
ride with the pros
starts here and a bike
mechanic service is
also available. Prices

bikeradar.com

start at £264 for a
double room. The
Westin Cozumel and
Casa Mexicana are
closer to San
Miguel town.

How to get there
● We flew with British
Airways from London
to Gatwick to Cancún
International Airport
(10hrs). Half hourly
buses depart here for
Playa del Carmen
(60mins), where
regular ferries
(45mins) run to the
island of Cozumel.

Where to eat
● Away from the
hotel, Cozumel’s
oldest Mexican
restaurant, La Mission
(restaurantlamission
cozumel.com) in

downtown,
comes highly
recommended for
its Combinación
Mexicana plate of
quesadilla, tamale,
fajita, tostada,
enchilada and
much more.

Key sights
● The Punta Sur Eco
Beach Park (£16 for
the day) has a wealth
of wildlife within its
protected mangrove
forests and islet, as
well as the aptlynamed Playa El Cielo
(heaven) beach.
Take your pick from
any of the rugged
east coast beaches
for solitude or Playa
Palancar for more
sheltered (and free)
west coast sands.

APRIL 2024

55

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The world’s best riding advice
BikeRadar is your premier source for news and reviews of bikes and cycling kit.
Whether you’re a beginner or a former pro, a roadie or a mountain biker,
ZHSULGHRXUVHOYHVLQRHULQJ\RXWKHZRUOGȇVEHVWULGLQJDGYLFH

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Partington
R-Series MKII
p64

Bib tights
p67

Edited by Warren Rossiter, Senior technical editor

Tried and tested

Quoc Escape
Road shoes
p70

New Bike Brompton X Bear Grylls ............................ p60
Most Wanted Partington R-Series MKII ............... p64
Head to head Winter jackets ...................................... p66
Shootout Bib tights ...........................................................p67
Shootout Winter gloves ................................................. p68
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New Bike Cipollini Ago ..................................................... p72
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The Testers

Matthew Baird

John Whitney

Will Poole

Rob Slade

Editor
Matt is CP’s editor and has
been testing Lycra, helmets
and shoes since 2008

Deputy editor
John’s been on the mag since
issue 290, so it’s fair to say he
knows his stuff about bikes…

Workshop manager
Our Cytech Level 3-qualified
mechanic, Will, spends most
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Content editor
Working for 220 Triathlon
mag, Rob’s often out testing
kit and training on his bike

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APRIL 2024

59

Ridden & Rated
● New bike –Brompton x Bear Grylls

Brompton x Bear
Grylls C Line Explore
£1,895 Is the latest Brompton collab ready for adventure?
Weight 12.2kg (one size) Frame & Fork Hand-brazed steel Gears Brompton wide-range
6-speed drivetrain: internal hub gear and 50t chainring with integrated chainguard
Brakes Brompton dual-pivot callipers Wheels Double-wall rim, 28 spokes Finishing kit
Brooks C17 Cambium saddle, Schwalbe Marathon Racer 349x35c tyres, Brompton pedals
(left-hand folding), mudguards, reflectors, waterproof backpack and pouch

Discovery is always late, the saying
goes. And that certainly applied to
my 2023, which saw two of my great loves
– cycling and music – dominated by 1979,
the year Brompton filed its first patent and
The Replacements formed in Minneapolis.
While a dysfunctional rock band and the
ultimate in cycling practicality might seem
unlikely bedfellows, both got under my
skin to provide a surge of unbridled joy and
a skip in my mid-forties stride each time I
eyed their glistening steel frame and shiny
vinyl disc last year and now into 2024.
Like that long-since disbanded cult
group, Brompton was a bike that I didn’t

60

APRIL 2024

knew I needed or wanted until I tried it.
I already owned the holy trinity of a road
bike, gravel ride and MTB, while a
commute lacking public transport and a
home in one of the UK’s hilliest cities aren’t
regular Brompton fodder. And yet, since a
friend lent me a Brompton C Line Explore
to convert me to the folding cause, it’s
become my most-used bike, giving me an
injection of independence after 15 years of
trundling on the same local routes.

was ticked-off. Then a 50km ride. Next stop
the (Brompton) World Championships,
which are rumoured to take place in
Manchester in September. I could jump on
any bus or mainline train without facing
the consistently futile attempt to book a
bike space on the latter; reap the rewards
of proper mudguards, built-in lights and
an upright riding position on the commute
(which also helps my creaking spine); or go
for a pint in Bristol without worrying about
my bike being nicked (it’s under the table).
What I also discovered late was how
much darn fun they are to ride, with the
nimble yet stable handling making both
urban and rural riding a blast, something
our columnist Ned Boulting regularly
celebrates. But with a design that, quite
understandably, given the unrivalled
ingenuity and elegance of the cupboardfriendly Brompton fold (56cm high x 58cm
long x 27cm wide), hasn’t altered massively
since the late 1970s, how does the brand
continue to offer new lines each season?
Enter the Bear Grylls C Line Explore…

Color me impressed
When it began
Riding a Brompton felt like my cycling
journey had started again. The first 25km

The UK cycling industry’s current travails
are well documented, but standing out
among the closures is a genuine Made in

cyclingplus.com

“The nimble yet stable
handling makes both
urban outings and
rural riding a blast”

bikeradar.com

APRIL 2024

61

Ridden & Rated
● New bike –Brompton x Bear Grylls

Britain success story, one that progressed
from the initial sketches of Cambridge
engineering graduate Andrew Ritchie in
the mid-1970s to today’s production line
of close to 100,000 bikes per year.
I visited Brompton’s HQ in Greenford,
West London, in September to pick up the
new Bear Grylls C Line Explore, witnessing
how the brand has remained domestic and
quality-led, still hand-making its bikes in
London (and its T Line titanium models in
Sheffield). With its London rent recently
tripling, a new £100m HQ on stilts above a
restored wetland in Ashford, Kent is set to
open in 2027, a key draw being its ability to
produce up to 200,000 Bromptons a year.
As the hive of supply line activity before
me testifies, some 16 million variations
of a Brompton can be
produced, with the
limited-edition Bear
The Good
Classic folding
Grylls C Line Explore
design; pure
collaboration with
fun; great looks;
the ubiquitous TV
included bags
adventurer among
those being assembled.
The Bad
Visually, it’s a corker,
Higher price
than standard
the military-esque Moss
C Line Explore;
Green/Mushroom Grey
possibly divisive
finish with Adventure
Brooks saddle

62

APRIL 2024

Orange flourishes an instant aesthetic
step-up from my standard C Line Explore,
especially when paired with the included
100% recycled waterproof backpack (that
can mount on the front carrier block) and
essentials pouch, which can be attached
under the saddle or in front/behind the
handlebars (the latter is best).
Underneath that paint job lies a fairly
typical Brompton C Line Explore (which
retails for £1,495), boasting a hand-brazed
steel frame with a 6-speed drivetrain. That
drivetrain consists of a 50t front chainring
paired with two cogs and a three-speed
Sturmey Archer internal gear hub, which
sadly doesn’t shift under load when you’re
ascending steeper climbs, but it’s a better
option for attempting to reach the summit
than the brand’s 1, 2, 3 or 4-speed C, P or T
Line Urban bikes.

Takin’ a ride
Brompton specs the Bear Grylls with its
M-type handlebar, which sits between
the taller H-type and flat S-type bar.
Although the frameset features brazings
for a Brompton/Lezyne mini pump, this
model sadly doesn’t come with one. You’ll
also need to buy front and rear lights, with
only reflectors on offer here. The weight

of 12.2kg might seem high compared
to a carbon road bike, but it never feels
excessively so when you’re on the move,
although walking longer distances with
it can be tricky without a carry case.
As someone who is, let’s just call it
mechanically challenged, the threat of
a rear-wheel puncture and the ensuing
battle with chain tensioners, washers and
adjuster barrels often looms over longer
rides with the Brompton (at least it fits in
the back of a taxi). That fear hasn’t been
vanquished with the Bear Grylls C Line
Explore, but the tan-walled Schwalbe
Marathon Racer tyres have so far proven
puncture-resistant on a mix of tarmac and
light gravel options, including the ‘gorge to
gorge’ route on the Strawberry Line from
Cheddar to Bristol shown in the pics here.
An aspect of the Brompton build that
I’d question is the protruding rollers that
act as mini wheels when it’s folded, as I’ve
occasionally caught the top of my boots
on them when riding. The classy C17
Cambium saddle from another historic
British brand, Brooks, that the Bear Grylls
is specced with also takes some breaking
in, and my bottom still feels happier
on Brompton’s own standard saddle.
Riders can choose between a standard or

cyclingplus.com

Right The unrivalled
Brompton fold makes
it easily transportable
and cupboard-friendly
Below The Bear Grylls
C Line Explore offers
a 6-speed drivetrain
and 50t front chainring
Below right A block is
included to mount the
backpack that comes
free with this model

telescoping seatpost when ordering, with
Brompton recommending its telescopic
seatpost that offers an extra 6cm of saddle
height for taller riders (Brompton say their
bikes are suitable for riders from 140-203cm).

Photography Russell Burton

Can’t hardly wait
Any Brompton’s hill-climbing prowess
pales in comparison to non-folding bikes,
especially as you’ll need to pick a gear
before the true ascent begins, but I’ve
grown to enjoy the calf-building boosts.
You can, of course, look at one of the brand
new 12-speed Bromptons that have just
been released for 2024. Alternatively, you
can opt for an electric C Line (£2,995) or a
Brompton-specific ebike conversion kit
from Brit manufacturer Cytronex, which
includes a new front wheel with e-motor
hub for £1,145. On that note, there’s a whole
world of Brompton modification options
out there, including carbon wheels.
The 2- and 3-speed trigger shifters move
fluidly on the flat, while right and left of
the dials the brake levers are easy to reach
and the dual-pivot rim brakes have proven
reliable in every condition and terrain that
I’ve subjected them to.
Brompton bills the Bear Grylls as ‘built
to embark on journeys of discovery’ and,

bikeradar.com

Above The Brooks
C17 Cambium takes
some breaking in

Below The Sturmey
Archer hub doesn’t
shift under load

for road, towpaths and former rail tracks,
that rings true. Where the C Line Explore
gearing and Schwalbe Marathon Racer
tyres can’t compete is if you’re venturing
into true gravel territory, something the
world’s first folding gravel bike, the Vello
Gravel, aims to address (look for a review
in issue 418).
Quite whether the Bear Grylls edition
warrants the extra £400 spend over the
standard C Line Explore will depend on
your love of the limited edition colourway,
Brooks saddle, tan-walled tyres and the
matching bag combo (the Brompton x Bear
Grylls Waterproof Backpack costs £180 on
its own, while the nifty essentials pouch
can’t be purchased separately).
For my current ambitions, however,
both the classic C Line Explore and this
Bear Grylls version have fast become my
favourite things, with my long-term dream
to take on an Iberian end-to-end route
on a Brompton. Complete with the hip
sounds of 1979 on my bone-conduction
headphones, of course… Matt Baird

Verdict It’ll cost you more, but this
is a great-looking addition to the
ever-expanding Brompton line
APRIL 2024

63

Ridden & Rated
● Most wanted

“The all-carbon hub
flanges have channels
that lock in v-shaped
In-Tension spokes”

03

Partington R-Series MKII
R39/44 carbon disc wheels
£5,500 Premium-priced ultralight wheels with a difference
Australian-made Partington R-Series
wheels are claimed to be the lightest
tubeless-compatible clincher wheelset in the
world. With a claimed weight of just 1,160g
for a disc wheelset, our test set tipped the
scales at 664g for the rear and 554g for the
front (including valves) so were ready to roll
at 1,218g. This is remarkably light for proper
aerodynamic wheels combining a 39mm
deep, 26.5mm (21mm internal) front rim and
a 44mm deep, 26.5mm (21mm internal) rear.
Partington build their wheels very
differently to the norm. The all-carbon hubs
forgo traditional flanges with spoke holes.
Instead, the hub flanges have channels that
lock in the unique v-shaped In-Tension
spokes. Each carbon spoke effectively
creates two spokes by tensioning at the rim,
wrapping around the hub and re-tensioning
at another point on the rim. Partington claim
this creates even load distribution, helping
make these one of the most laterally stiff
wheels available.
To try these, I swapped out lightweight
Black Inc Fives on my Super Six Evo and
found the nigh-on 200g saving over the
1,412g Black Incs noticeable when heading
uphill. Similar to the
Black Incs and Cadex
42s, the Partingtons also
The Good
had impressive lateral
Impossibly
light; beautifully
stiffness (all three have
made and
carbon spokes).
a wonderful
Even though the
ride quality
R-Series feel stiff, they
aren’t uncomfortable.
The Bad
They feel very taut and
Lots of
proprietary
responsive when you’re
parts; an
putting the power down,
enormous
but when you’re riding
price tag

64

APRIL 2024

over broken road surfaces or speed humps,
for example, and the forces are external, the
wheels feel impressively compliant.
I ran the R-Series with 28c Pirelli Cinturato
tyres, which came up just under 28mm wide.
With an external width of 28mm, the rims
are ideally suited to similar-width tyres, but
can be run with smaller or larger volumes
too. Although 28mm sounds fairly narrow,
they gave the feel of the 30mm tyres I’ve
been running on my Vitus Venon Evo.
The rims are made with moulded-in
inserts for the unique spokes, and are
moulded around a foam core (that stays in
place), similar to Corima’s premium carbon
rims. Since the tyre bed of the rim is smooth
and undrilled, tyres seal without the need for
messy tape or the risk of unwanted leaks.
The slick hubs have also been designed
and made in house. Because of the unique
spoke configuration, the top-quality Ceramic
Speed bearings can be positioned in a
‘floating’ design aimed at reducing the load
and stresses on the bearings, to produce
smooth spinning and minimal energy losses
under different loads. The freehub has 42
teeth for a quick 8.57˚ point of engagement
that adds to the high-performance feel.
These wheels are one of the very best I’ve
ever tried. They’re as responsive as Cadex’s
carbon wonders (the 42s), and lighter than
Zipp’s fabulously fast and flighty 353 NSWs.
They are, however, built with predominantly
proprietary parts. And, at £5,499, they’re
£2,300 more than the 353s and more than
double the 42s. So, despite the fascinating
design with fabulous performance, I think
I’d go for the other premium wheelsets with
95% of the performance and 50% of the cost.
Warren Rossiter

03

Hub
The carbon hub
shell houses a
floating design that
minimises load on
the bearings for
smooth spinning

cyclingplus.com

Ridden & Rated
Most wanted ●

Also consider...
Cadex 42
£1,099(f) £1,399(r)
● Cadex’s unique design uses
carbon-fibre spokes bonded to
proper metal ends so they can
be trued like a standard wheel.
These spokes join smooth
hubs and hookless rims.

01

Spokes
The hubs’ channels
allow the v-shaped
spokes to anchor at
the rim, wrap around
the hub and finish
back at the rim

They’re light at 1,430g with
valves and tubeless tapes
and impressively stiff with it.
The 19.4mm internal rim width
makes these best suited to
road riders.

01

02

Rim

02

bikeradar.com

The front rim is
39mm and the rear
is 44mm deep, but
both share the same
21mm internal width
hooked design.

APRIL 2024

65

Ridden & Rated
● Shootout – Midseason jackets

BEST ON
TEST

Scott RC Pro Warm
Gore-Tex Windstopper

Shutt Velo Rapide
Tourmalet Midseason

£209.99 Gore-Tex-infused jacket with weather-beating powers

£120 Quality Italian fabric from the Brit brand

It’s the battle of the
mid-season jackets this
month. Scott formed back in
1958 and, although they’re not
ubiquitous on the UK roads, I
hugely rate their clothing, their
RC Pro short-sleeve jersey a
particular long-term favourite.
The Gore-Tex Windstopperinfused RC Pro jacket is aimed
at dry and windy conditions,
ticking the boxes for spring,
autumn and early/late winter
riding in the UK, but you’ll need
something thicker for the
depths of mid winter.

elasticated cuffs sit neatly on
the wrists or around gloves and
stop drafts venturing upwards,
while the stretch panels on the
jacket’s sides ensure ventures to
the drops are restriction-free. A
full-length zipper with garage
and the soft inner fabric further
heighten the comfort levels.

Gore to the fore

The star of the show is the GoreTex Infinium Windstopper
fabric. Despite its light weight
and lean feel on the body, it
manages to thwart chilly winds
from having an impact, while
Comfort comes
the membrane also beads light
Available in black, yellow or the
rain. The initial outlay may
green tested here, the
seem high, but the RC
RC Pro is a classy
holds its own against
contender, its raceits £200+ rivals, with
The Good
leaning fit sitting close
both the construction
Top-quality
– but not too close – to
and versatility also
construction;
windproofing
the body, helped by a
proving impressive.
silicone bottom hem
The end result is a
gripper that stops it
jacket that’s pretty
The Bad
Higher price
riding up. The
darn hard to fault.

66

APRIL 2024

Mid-Wales-based Shutt
Velo Rapide have had an
occasional presence on these
pages since their launch in
2009, but many of you will
recognise their signature
rainbow branding from the UK
roads. That multi-coloured
motif is absent here, but you get
reflective detailing on the logo
and a bold design that stands
out on the roads, as well as a
zipper garage.

pockets. The upshot of the lack
of waterproofing is some
impressive breathability and
quick-drying abilities. And that
Italian-handmade fabric makes
up for the slender spec list of
the Tourmalet – the fleece inner
is soft on the skin, the fit is
unrestrictive, and it’s recycled
and Bluesign-certified.

Wide appeal

Shutt Velo Rapide bill the
Tourmalet for riding in 2°-12°C
temperatures and my testing
Made in Italy
As expected given the price
backed that up. The lack of rain
difference with the £200+ Scott,
and limited wind protection may
some features are missing,
make it seem a touch niche, but
including a zipped
I’ve used it regularly
pocket and the
on still and dry days,
windproofing powers
and it sat neatly
The Good
from the Gore-Tex
underneath an outer
Quality fabric and
construction;
material. Precipitation
shell when rain and
bold design
protection is largely
chilly winds were in
absent, too, meaning
evidence. The quality
The Bad
you’ll need to stash a
of the stitching and
No zipped
waterproof in one of
fabric also suggests
pocket; not for
the three open rear
longevity. Matt Baird
rainy days

cyclingplus.com

Ridden & Rated
Shootout – Bib tights ●

BEST ON
TEST

Bib tights
Trusty bib tights are essential for enjoyable
winter riding. Here are our circa-£150 picks

Endura
Windchill

Santini
Prime

Castelli
Tutto Nano

Gore C5
Thermo

£134.99

£130

£170

£159.99

Women’s version? No

Women’s version? No

Women’s version? Yes

Women’s version? No

Windproof panels at the front
keep out chilly breezes, while
a brushed-back thermal fabric
is used on the rear to balance
warmth with breathability and
moisture wicking. It works well,
with a DWR coating also
helping to shed light rain, plus
there’s high-viz detailing. The
zipped waist comes up high
above the belly button while a
warm panel also stretches up
the back. The shoulder straps
are soft but aren’t quite as
comfortable as seamless
options. The fit is fairly snug
(they come in S-3XL) but the
ankle zips help you get these
tights on, while the chamois
stayed comfortable during
lengthy test rides.

As usual with Santini kit, I sized
up, and got an ideal close fit that
allows for a great range of
movement (the bibs come in
XS-4XL). Comfort is high, with
the seamless shoulder straps
and thermofleece fabric in the
legs combining to great effect.
These are incredibly warm, too,
keeping you toasty to 0°C or
lower on calm, dry days. They’re
not particularly wind- or
waterproof, though, but they
wick moisture well (opt for the
Aldo, €189, for better weather
protection). There are no ankle
zips but getting them on/off isn’t
an issue, while large reflective
strips on the calves boost
visibility. The chamois pad
also performs well.

Again, I went up a size for these
tights (they come in XS-3XL).
While the shoulder straps aren’t
seamless, they’re comfy. The
soft, brushed internal material
feels warm against the skin,
offering adequate protection
down to around 4°C. These
aren’t totally windproof but
do wick moisture away well
and are breathable on milder
days, making them good for
changeable conditions: there’s
some protection against light
showers and road spray too.
I’d like a wider cup at the front
of the seat pad to add protection
in very cold conditions, but the
chamois is great, as were
the zipped cuffs with wide
reflective strips.

I expected more for the price
with these. Despite getting my
ideal size, the fabric didn’t fit
closely and bunched a bit. They
also rode up slightly at the
ankle. They’re comfy, though,
especially the seamless shoulder
straps. The stretchy fabric isn’t
the thickest, the waistband
doesn’t come up that high and
there’s only a very thin, narrow
back panel, but those prone to
sweating may like this. The
shaped windproof cup at the
front of the seat pad works well,
while light rain beads up on
the fabric’s surface. There are
several colourways including
one with high-vis touches, and
they come in sizes S-XXL.
Rob Slade

Verdict A warm yet
breathable option for
serious winter efforts

Verdict Comfy and
well-crafted bibs for
cold, windless days

Verdict Good for
changeable weather, but
not the really heavy stuff

Verdict Comfy with
good weatherproofing,
but fit and ankle issues

bikeradar.com

APRIL 2024

67

Ridden & Rated
● Six of the best

Winter gloves
£50 – £95 Which pair works best in the wet and cold?

01 DHB Aeron Lab All Winter Polartec £50
Sizes XS–XXL Colours Black

● These are brilliant: they’re impressively
warm, offer great wind protection and
don’t overheat your hands. Polartec’s
Power Shield membrane combines
windproofing, breathability and water
resistance, along with plenty of stretch,
which contributes to the good fit. The
Polartec Alpha insulation lines the top of
the glove from wrist to fingertips. This
highly lofted fleece allows air to circulate,
which helps ensure the gloves don’t get

clammy, even when you’re working hard.
A thinner palm means you don’t lose much
feel on the handlebar (but the smoothness
gives less grip on muddy gravel rides). In
heavy rain, the water-resistant membrane
was eventually breached, but my hands
didn’t get cold and there’s been little sign
of wear after being used and abused in
some awful conditions. There are no
reflective bits, but touchscreen-friendly
fingertips are a useful feature.

02 Endura Deluge £54.99
Sizes XS–XXL Colours Black, fluoro yellow

BEST ON
TEST

● The Deluge has been a staple in the
Scottish brand’s range for nearly a decade,
and this revamped version fits better, is less
bulky and gives more ’bar feel. The back of
the hand is a heavy-duty polyester weave
with a PFC-free DWR (durable waterrepellent) finish, while the brushed lining
feels soft and warm. Sandwiched between
the two is a waterproof membrane and
Thinsulate insulation. The suede-like palm
has silicone grip and gel padding and the

extended cuff with Velcro tab instead of
elastic is an improvement. The hardy
exterior sheds water impressively, and the
gloves stay warm and dry. The palms have
loads of grip and, while this bit does get
damp in extended rain, my hands never
felt cold. The fit is slim, one of the smallest
in this group, but a boon for pressing Di2
buttons. High-vis with reflective print and
finger inserts, these create safer signalling.
They’re also touchscreen friendly.

03 Castelli Perfetto Max £95
Sizes XS–XXL Colours Black

● Just like the lighter Perfetto RoS
(opposite), Castelli’s Max gloves come from
its premium Rosso Corsa range and are
made with Gore-Tex Infinium softshell.
Lined with a plush brushed fleece, the
Maxes feel super comfy and offer
impressive warmth and ample water
resistance even on all-day rides. Fit is
excellent, thanks to their thermoformed
single-seam construction, which gives
them a preformed curve, and

68

APRIL 2024

a small elasticated dart that allows the
close-fitting cuff to stretch over the hand.
While it’s not waterproof, the Gore
Infinium has a DWR coating and, because
the material is thicker, the Max’s water
resistance is much better than both the
Perfetto RoS and Shimano gloves here. You
do sacrifice a little dexterity, but they’re
less bulky than Sportful’s Sottozero, and
have fingertip touchscreen tech. The palm
has ample grip for the road and a gel pad.

cyclingplus.com

Ridden & Rated
Six of the best ●

“The Deluge has been a staple in Endura’s
range for nearly a decade, and this
revamped version fits better, is less bulky
and gives more handlebar feel”

04 Sportful Sottozero £75
Sizes XS–XXL Colours Black, yellow, red

● Rated down to -5°C, the Sottozeros are
superb on crispy, icy days: warm without
making your hands clammy thanks to their
breathable construction. The outer is a
water-resistant softshell, paired with a light
fleece liner that sandwiches toasty 60g
Primaloft Silver insulation. Their shape
conforms well to your hands so I never
felt like I was trying to operate controls
with oven mitts, and fit is spot on with a
generous finger length and long 2.5in cuff.

The lightly padded palms are made from
highly flexible Clarino artificial leather and
give superb grip, even for winter gravel. On
wetter rides, these gloves do hold water
eventually but my hands didn’t get cold.
Large reflective logos on the backs of the
hands are welcome for low-light rides, the
touchscreen fingertips operated my
Garmin flawlessly, and the thumb has a
nose wipe. These would be my first choice
for the very coldest of rides.

05 Castelli Perfetto RoS £85
Sizes XS–XXL Colours Black

● The lighter of two Perfetto options, the
RoS still have Gore-Tex Infinium softshell
and a DWR coating, making these hardy,
highly water resistant and windproof, and
the grid-patterned, brushed-fleece lining
adds warmth without sacrificing feel
on the bars. The Infinium fabric wraps
around your entire hand, like a modern
interpretation of the classic neoprene
winter glove. In lieu of a palm piece, there
are bonded silicone-grip panels with a

bobbled-grid print and Castelli’s CDS gel
pad, designed to distribute pressure. The
slimline fabric and stretchy, second-skin fit
make operating handlebar controls, zips
and using the touchscreen-friendly inserts
on the forefinger and thumb tips easy. In
the dry, they kept my hands impressively
warm, even in very low temperatures, but
if it’s wet too, your hands will get cold
fairly quickly, making these are best for
short, sharp rides and winter races.

06 Shimano Infinium Primaloft £59.99
Sizes XS–XXL Colours Black, Neon yellow, Metallic grey

● On paper, these hit all the right notes
with their Gore-Tex Infinium softshell
windstopper fabric on the glove’s outer,
Primaloft gold insulation, and palms made
from AX Suede, a brushed leather-like
material that’s highly compliant and
breathable. The fit is snug but not overly
tight on me. However, while these are
impressively warm in very cold, crisp
conditions, it was a different story in the
wet. The light palms have well-placed gel

bikeradar.com

padding that doesn’t intrude on the feel
but kept my hands comfortable, even on
gravel rides, but aside from a small silicone
print at the base of the forefinger there’s
not much grip, so they flounder when wet
and mucky. The palms also soak up water,
which is then drawn up into the ribbed
jersey-like cuffs. I still had warm hands,
but I had cold, wet, uncomfortable wrists.
All this means these aren’t the best winter
gloves for UK weather. Warren Rossiter

APRIL 2024

69

Ridden & Rated
● Most wanted

03

Quoc Escape Road
£150 Sharply designed British-born road shoes
British brand Quoc’s Escape Road
shoe is part of their Taiwanese
mountain flora, fauna and fungi-inspired
Lalashan collection that also includes the
Escape Off-Road shoe (reviewed in issue
411). The Escape Road is adventureorientated and aimed at endurance riders.
A durable lightweight and highly
malleable polyurethane upper sits on a
carbon outsole that’s been designed with
more give than the brand’s premium racegrade shoe (the Mono II, £270), balancing
stiffness, comfort and flexibility to suit
changing terrain and long days out. A
replaceable heel bumper should help
prolong the life of the shoe.
The easy-clean upper’s striking, fungiinspired amber colourway (it’s also
available in white and black) has patterned
laser-cut ventilation holes across the toe
box, down the flanks and through the
padded tongue. The upper is low volume
with a minimal depth around the ankle
of just 52mm (Fizik’s Tempo is 10mm
deeper on my size 45s), which gives them an
unobtrusive feel. It also helps to make them
impressively light for
a shoe in this price
bracket: in a size 45,
The Good
these weigh just
Light-weight,
low-volume,
572.6g a pair.
comfort-first
The light weight and
design works for
airy feel continues with
long rides
the outsole. This fullcarbon design has a
The Bad
25mm x 30mm squared
Inset threads
can make cleat
pattern of 24 holes
fitting tricky; less
below your toes to help
volume than
regulate temperature.
some shoes

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Sitting inside the shoe is Quoc’s
vibration-absorbing insole with its
pressure-point-release design under the
ball of your foot: a V-shaped bump that
helps the shoe feel balanced and stable
when pedalling. Initially it felt a little odd,
but I soon became used to it, and am now
something of a fan.
The clever zig-zag of ribbon that guides
the wire tensioner is low weight and
low volume, and doesn’t create any
uncomfortable junctions when you tighten
up the shoe. The ribbons also have a
reflective strip sewn in for a bit of low-light
visibility. The cleat plate on the sole has
printed guidelines to help cleat set-up.
I did find, however, that the forward cleat
bolt thread was set deeper into the sole than
the two at the rear, which made fitting
deeper cleats tricky as the bolt threads
needed to be deeper to catch the thread on
the sole. Time and Look cleats were more
of a problem, but Shimano worked fine
with their longer standard bolts.
The shoe is superb on long rides. It’s
comfortable and more compliant through
the sole than most. The toe box width is
good, similar to Fizik and Specialized, but
it doesn’t have the same volume as it has a
lower profile. This wasn’t an issue with
lightweight summer socks, but when I tried
a slightly thicker type such as Quoc’s own
luxurious All Road socks, I found the upper
rubbed against the first knuckle on my little
toe, so I’d recommend trying these shoes
before you buy. If the Escape Roads work
for your foot shape, they’re a superb
three-season option.
Warren Rossiter

01

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Ridden & Rated
Most wanted ●

“The shoe is superb on
long rides. It’s more
compliant through
the sole than most”

Also consider...

02

Udog Tensione
£130
● The Tensione’s knitted
upper combines with a unique
lacing system that wraps the
whole of your foot. This is
paired with a stiff yet
compliant carbon/nylon hybrid
sole. Smart touches include
a lace pouch built into the
tongue and bonded protection
panels on the upper. It’s a
beautifully made, wonderfully
comfortable, great-looking
shoe that won’t break the
bank and competes well with
shoes twice the price.

01

Carbon sole
The Escape’s outsole is allcarbon, but like the upper’s
relaxed design, it’s designed to
offer more flex than a race sole

02

The dial and lacing
The PU Microtex upper
features a single dial and
lightweight zig-zagging
ribbons to guide the dial’s
tensioning wire

03

Insole
As with Quoc’s gravel
shoes, these come with
vibration-absorbing
insoles that have a ballof-foot, pressure-pointrelease design

bikeradar.com

DMT KR3
£235
● DMT pioneered 3D-knit
technology so it’s no surprise
that the KR3s have the best
knitted uppers of any road
shoe we’ve tested. A complex
mix of weaves and weights
of material create a superb
second-skin fit and great
breathability, making these
excellent for riding in hot
weather. They share lots of
tech with the KR1s worn by
Pogačar but use a BOA dial
instead of lighter laces,
weighing in at 499.4g a pair.

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71

Ridden & Rated
● New bike – Cipollini Ago

27.2mm round unit offering more choice
for upgrades. While the 427mm chainstays
and 77mm BB drop remain constant across
all sizes, everything else is size-specific to
ensure a consistent experience for all sizes.
£7,800 The Italian brand’s first gravel bike
The geometry of the Medium Ago on test
gently points towards the performance end
Weight 8.37kg (M) Frame Monocoque carbon Fork Carbon Gears Campagnolo Ekar
of the scale with its 386mm reach, 572mm
13-speed (9-42t, 38t) Brakes Campagnolo Ekar Wheels Campagnolo Levante
stack, 71˚ head-tube angle, 73.7˚ seat angle
Finishing kit FS ACR 95mm x -6˚ alloy stem, FSA K-Wing AGX handlebar,
and 1,034.2mm wheelbase.
Cipollini carbon 27.2mm seatpost, Selle Italia Model X BB FEC saddle,
The Ago has a full, gravel-specific
WTB Raddler 700x45mm tyres
Campagnolo Ekar groupset including
hydraulic brakes with 160mm rotors. The
1x13 drivetrain comprises a 38t chainring
Like Mario Cipollini, the Italian
while improving power transfer and
and a 9-42t cassette, which offers enough of
ex-pro behind the brand, the Ago is
quickening handling.
a range for both winching up steep gradients
a fast, flamboyant performer. Unlike the
and hauling a serious pace on descents.
former racer, however, the bike won’t lose
Ready for adventure
The Ago has your adventurous
The closer jumps between the
interest part way when its preferred terrain
spirit covered too, with dual bottlehigher gears help make riding
is done. With a lot more off-road capability
cage mounts in the front triangle,
at speed smoother.
than the brand’s MCM Allroad, the Ago
The Good
accessory mounts on the underside
Campag’s Levante gravel wheels
seeks to tick boxes for the aspiring gravel
Versatile;
predictable,
of the down-tube and on the topare shod with WTB Raddler
racer as well as the long-distance explorer.
fun handling;
tube, triple-bolt cargo cage mounts
700x45mm tyres set up tubeless.
Made as a full monocoque (one-piece
comfortable
on the fork legs and an optional
The carbon seatpost is own-brand
frame) carbon unit to improve strength,
mounting kit for mudguards
and topped with a Selle Italia
the Ago has all the hallmarks of a modern
The Bad
and pannier rack (with limited
Model X BB FEC saddle, while
performance bike, including a BB86 pressMounts limit
compatibility due to its design).
the cockpit comprises FSA’s ACR
fit bottom bracket, subtly shaped aero
choice; soft
hanger;
There’s also scope to add
95mm, -6˚ alloy stem and 42cm
profiles and full internal cable routing. Its
temperamental
a double chainset to give you
K-Wing carbon bars, flared to
short, 427mm chainstays across all sizes
groupset; big
outlay
more gears, and the seatpost is a
49cm at the tips. The bike’s weight
keep weight over the rear axle to aid traction

Cipollini Ago

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“The first thing I
noticed when riding
the Ago was its
sprightly nature.
It’s a very fast bike
with comfortable
wide tyres”
Below The 45mm
WTB Raddler tyres
performed well
on and off road

Below right The 38t
chainring and 9-42t
cassette provide a
sensible gear range

including the Cipollini branded bottle cages
is a sensibly light 8.37kg.
The first thing I noticed when riding
the Ago was its sprightly nature. The low
weight, short chainstays and semi-deep
wheels make for a very fast bike (I wished
there were higher gears when riding it on
the road) with comfortable wide tyres.
On rougher unpaved roads, the Ago
remained comfortable and as composed
as you could expect a bike without
supplementary shock absorption to be. At
the local trail centre, it only really felt out of
its depth on the fastest, roughest sections.

Photography Steve Sayers

Great handling
On long, adventurous gravel rides when the
bike was laden with (sensibly distributed)
kit, the normally sharp, but not twitchy,
handling was slowed to a useful point. This
bike is fantastically smooth to ride.
The Levante wheels coped well with
everything thrown at them, remaining
arrow straight even after all they were
subjected to. The WTB Raddler tyres were
surprisingly grippy off-road considering
their speed on tarmac. The Selle Italia Model
X BB FEC saddle was comfortable in a range
of positions and, while I was unsure about
the shape of the FSA K-Wing bars, I warmed

bikeradar.com

Above Steering’s
smooth if the bike’s
loaded up or not

Below The brake
pads and rotors
struggled in the dirt

to them. I’d tape further along the tops to
improve grip, though.
The mech hanger is made of an extremely
soft alloy, and had to be straightened after
every second or third ride. Even with the
hanger straight, after one wet off-road
ride, the gears couldn’t be set up to shift
both ways without issue. With minimal
gap between brake pad and rotor, any dirt
entering that space does cause issues. The
rotors also seemed rather prone to warping,
then making all sorts of noises and needing
more looking after than most. Brake feel
stayed positive and solid though.
In short, the premium-priced Ago is fast,
light, comfortable, versatile and rides well
whether loaded or bare. It’d suit someone
wanting to be competitive at gravel races or
bikepacking using all the luggage capacity.
That makes it a pretty rare beast. Just take
some steps to weatherproof it. Will Poole

Verdict A highly capable, agile
bike that’s also very versatile
APRIL 2024

73

Words John Whitney

Images Joseph Branston

With his own bespoke bike brand, Lios,
Steve McCulley fulfilled a childhood dream
– one realised only after a catastrophic
incident in Afghanistan 13 years ago

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APRIL 2024

75

Tech Insight
● Lios bikes

If you subscribe to the idea
that relevant life experience
is a prerequisite for success
in your line of work, then
Steve McCulley always had
a head start with his firm,
Lios. He founded it back in
2012 with a modus operandi
to offer a bespoke bikebuilding service based
around bike-fitting.
Readers who’ve been through the bike-fitting process
will know that its central aim is to harmonise two very
different things – the simple, balanced machine of the
bicycle and the complex, often asymmetrical human
body – to enhance efficiency in the saddle, iron out
injuries and prevent new ones. And, once we’ve probed
into his back story, you’ll see why there are few cyclists
in need of his own services more than Steve himself. Just

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Below Steve
takes John
through a
Lios bike fit

days before our most recent conversation, he’d had plates
removed from his femur that had become so painful
that he saw no option but to have them taken out. This
operation was the latest in a long line since 2011 – “over
40”, he says, and who can blame him for losing count.
Other surgeries on injuries to his legs, arms and chest
(his riding these days is significantly compromised
by having had a lung removed) are the result of a
catastrophic 2011 incident in Afghanistan that put an end
to his career in the Royal Marines. There’s frame building
and there’s frame rebuilding…

It’s all about the bike
Blown up by an IED (improvised explosive device) during
his second tour in Afghanistan, Steve spent three weeks
in a coma, three months in hospital and three years
in rehab. He was subsequently medically discharged
from the Royal Navy with his sporting ambitions also
wrecked, having raced all kinds of bikes in the Navy’s
cycling teams. In his mid-30s, he needed to map out a
new future that he’d not envisaged.
“I didn’t want to follow the well-trodden path into
finance in the City that a lot of officers do when they
leave the military,” says Steve. “I didn’t want to wear a
suit: I wanted to run my own diary and be my own boss.
And if it had any chance of getting past year three it had
to be something I was passionate about.”
The cycling industry was the clear choice. Bikes and
cycling had been a lifelong passion – he’d raced mountain
bikes, cross-country then downhill in the nascent days
of the sport in the late ’80s; he would scour the dump
with his dad, hunting for broken bikes and parts to fix

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Tech Insight
Lios bikes ●

The process
Getting sized up for a Lios bike

Above Steve
fine-tunes John’s
fit to Lios’s ti
gravel bike
Left Retül fits you
to your bike using
dynamic 3D
motion capture

● To better
understand the service
Steve offers his
customers, he invited
me down to his unit in
Lee-on-the-Solent to
go through his custom
build and bike-fitting
process. While carbon
road bikes is a big part
of his business, I’m
riding as much gravel
as road right now, so
decided to go for his
titanium gravel frame/
carbon fork and build
from there.
“I thought gravel
would be a bit of a
fad but for so many
reasons – busy
roads, impatient
drivers, potholes,
getting off the beaten
track – they’re here
to stay,” says Steve.
“We’re selling quite
a few to people
who just want to be
more comfortable
on our poor roads.
Then there are those
who want it for new
adventures, huge trips
that involve riding
across continents.

Titanium has proven
popular, because it can
withstand a lot plus
unlike carbon [which
is sold in set sizes] we
can offer full bespoke
geometry – these are
truly one-off bikes.”
Steve sells Lios bikes
everywhere. His unit
and twice weekly rideouts with friends and
customers have raised
his profile locally, but
he also sells nationally
and internationally.
Visit him in person
and talk through
your preferences
and get sized up for
your bike on his rig,
or submit your own
measurements and
preferences online or
by phone, then visit
him once the bike is
ready to fine-tune your
position on Retül. This
technology fits you
to your bike through
dynamic 3D motion
capture, taking into
account your flexibility
and the type of riding
you’re doing.
liosbikes.com.

up for himself; and he built electric bikes for his GCSE
and A-Level tech projects. A degree in engineering
beckoned but instead Steve joined the Marines, having
got the idea from a friend who’d done the same. Racing
went on the backburner while he focused on his career,
before realising what was possible through competing
with the Navy’s sports teams. “Even at this point, I was
building my own bikes. I would always think, could I do
something in the industry, but no, I had my career and
that was that.”
His 2011 injuries changed all that and the idea for Lios
percolated through that rehab period. On one hand, it
was a ripe time to start a bike brand: 2012 was the year
of Bradley Wiggins winning the Tour de France, the
London Olympic road races and perhaps the peak of
road cycling mania in Britain. Then again, Steve
remembers, there were “a lot of smaller, niche brands
setting up” in the mould of Lios, competing for custom
in a flourishing industry.
He chose to train up in Retül bike-fitting tech, which
had only been going for three years at the time but was
being popularised by the likes of Phil Burt, the physio
at British Cycling. Help for Heroes, the charity that

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2024

77

Tech insight
● Lios Bikes

The bike
Lios’s made-to-measure gem
● The Lios Titanium
Gravel bike that Steve
built for me had a retail
price of £4,995, including
all consultations and
fittings. Frame and fork
is a set £2,100 but where
you go from there is up to
you. I opted for SRAM’s
second-tier eTap AXS 1x
groupset, Force, with a
40t front ring and 10-44t
cassette. Component
delays changed it to
a 10-52t ‘mullet’ – the
short up front, big out
back chainring/cassette
combo won’t be one for
the purists! Elsewhere,
Hope’s alloy 20Five rims

were given a touch of
class with their own
metallic orange hubs
(this touch is seen
elsewhere on the bike).
Fizik’s Antares R1 Versus
saddle and Pirelli’s
45mm Cinturato Gravel
H tyres are old personal
faves. As a comparison,
the (non-custom built)
Reilly Gradient titanium
gravel bike with the same
groupset is £4,974. The
Lios Ti gravel bike is now
back with Steve, so if
you’re 6ft and long of leg,
look out for it on Lios’s
website at a bargain
knock-down price.

supports forces personnel and veterans with injuries
and illness sustained while on duty, funded that, and the
Marines paid for him to go to America to do two months’
work experience with Chris Balser – AKA the ‘Bicycle Fit
Guru’ – in Minneapolis.
A bike fitter needs experience and Steve would offer
free and discounted fits to friends, family and injured
military personnel (he continues to offer free fits and
discounted bikes to the latter). Early on, rather than
getting people to come to him, he’d go to them. “I’d pack
up all of my kit and visit companies – big corporations
and law firms – and set up shop in their foyers for the day,
take their measurements, and, should they want it, go
away and build a bike for them. In those first few years it
was all about road and triathlon, the market for high-end
mountain bikes wasn’t there yet.” Eventually, he’d built

Opposite right
Fork mounts
boost my Lios
bike’s touring
potential

Below The huge
52-tooth rear cog
won’t be to the
taste of all

up enough of a reputation so that people would travel
to him on the south coast near Portsmouth.
Asked about the brands and frame-builders that
inspired him, Steve’s answer reveals the difficulties
of being in the bike industry in the 2020s. Two of his
favourites – Orange and Parlee – have both had financial
problems. Orange went into administration in January
2024, while leading carbon bike maker Parlee filed for
bankruptcy in early 2023 (though was bought out by the
end of the year, becoming Parlee Composites). When
plotting the creation of his business in 2012, Steve did
flirt with frame building but was dissuaded by what he
saw as the limitations of it as a business model. “If you’re
welding all day, how do you run a business? Even now
I’m up at 5am to do all the business admin and there’s
still not enough time in the day.”

Eastern promise
So rather than frame-building, Steve needed to source
frames and find a factory that would work with a
smaller operation like his. Like a lot of bike firms, big
and small, he looked to the Far East and China. And he
knew just the man. Nick Cunningham, a friend in the
Marines, left in 2005 with the idea of building barges
in China and shipping them back to the UK. “We all
thought he was crazy.” Once there, though, he realised
other opportunities and ditched it in favour of a new
business, China 2 West Services, which would act as a
Western go-between for firms wanting to manufacture
in China. It will source a factory, do quality control, set
up contracts and charge a fee per item produced. It saved
Steve a lot of time and money having a friend in the
country doing the legwork and he’s been with the same
factory ever since for his carbon frames.
Steve worked hard to navigate the pandemic years and
the ongoing aftermath, a period when his firm’s small
size meant he could avoid the worst of the price increases

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cyclingplus.com

Tech Insight
insight
●
Lios
Lios
bikes
Bikes
●

that pervaded the industry. As a small-scale importer he
uses air freight to transport his frames over here, rather
than shipping containers – the cost of which spiralled
from 2020 – and so was able to keep his prices steady.
He also adapted his business in response to the
pandemic. Shortly before Covid, he took on the unit in
Lee-on-the-Solent that you see in these photos, and from
a business that traded only in Lios bikes and fittings, it
became more shop-like, becoming a dealer for Cervélo
and Santa Cruz bikes, selling components and clothing
plus offering repairs and services, accepting the £50
vouchers that the Government offered for servicing
during the pandemic to encourage more people to
travel by bicycle.
Though Steve was glad to help the local community,
as well as raise Lios’s profile, after a couple of years
he wasn’t seeing great value for his business. “We’d
work on a rusty BMX in the workshop and get a good
reputation for doing a good job, but you’d spend six hours
working on it for £40. We went over and above with the
servicing because customer reviews were important as
we are selling nationally – all it takes is one disgruntled
customer leaving a bad review on Google to do real
damage. We had to go through it to realise it didn’t work
for us as a business. Had we not done it I’d have always
wondered if we should, but now I know the answer.”

“Steve worked hard to navigate
the pandemic years, a period
where his firm’s small size
meant he could avoid the
worst of the price increases”

Damage, of the less abstract variety, struck Steve and
Lios shortly before my visit in September when thieves
broke into his unit and stole over £100,000 of bikes,
including “irreplaceable” bikes such as a first prototype
of a suspension mountain bike he’d built. While none of
the bikes have been recovered, police investigations are
ongoing to bring the perpetrators to book.
It was hardly the way he wanted to get bikes out of the
door in a tough business climate for the industry, but as
a man who’s known far tougher moments in his life,
expect to hear more of Lios through 2024 and beyond.

The ride
Hitting Lios’s local gravel trails
● During my visit, we
headed out for some fun
on the gravel trails of the
nearby Queen Elizabeth
Country Park on the bike
that Steve made for me.
I’ve always found the
elegant design of titanium
frames irresistible and the
Lios, allied with the eyepopping Hope parts, did
not disappoint. As easy on
the eye as titanium is,
comfort and durability are
key pillars of it as a frame
material. I can’t comment
on that second aspect as I

bikeradar.com

didn’t have the bike for
long enough, but I took
an instant liking to the
supremely comfortable,
easy-handling Lios, which,
combined with the bulky
tread pattern on the
45mm Pirelli tyres, ate up
the uneven ground of the
park. The only downside
was the at-times flinty
surface carving a hole
through my rear tyre and
shredding the tube, a flat
so severe that running
them tubeless wouldn’t
have saved them.

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● The Big Ride / West Yorkshire

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West Yorkshire / The Big Ride ●

Words Simon Warren

Images Henry Iddon

What do you get when you take the spirit of the
Tour of Flanders and plonk it in West Yorkshire?
The Ronde van Calderdale, that’s what
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81

● The Big Ride / West Yorkshire

ous êtes des assassins! Oui, des assassins!’ (‘You
are murderers! Yes, murderers!’) This is the famed
quote bellowed by Octave Lapize during the first
monumental crossing of the Pyrenees in the 1910
Tour de France. Incandescent with rage that anyone
could dream up such torture, he spent the day
relentlessly berating race organiser Henri Desgrange
for what he saw as inhumane for the riders: “You
cannot ask human beings to do a thing like this!”
It’s these sentiments that are echoing through my
mind as I eventually roll across the finish line and
came to a halt at the headquarters of the quite
frankly bonkers Ronde van Calderdale sportive.
“Where are the organisers?” I demand. “I need to
talk to whoever is in charge.” Who on earth would
plot such a route?
I had waited a long time to ride the Ronde van
Calderdale (RVC), perhaps five years since I’d first
got wind of its unique route. What scuppered my
participation was the fact its traditional date in
the calendar had been the same date as the Tour of
Flanders, which was a problem for me, as it’s always
essential viewing. The reason for this shared
weekend was that RVC was always imagined as a
British take on the Belgium Spring Classic pro race.
Like ‘De Ronde’, RVC is packed with cobbled climbs:
14 in fact. Where Flanders has world-famous climbs

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such as the Koppenberg and Oude Kwaremont, RVC
possesses a clutch of climbs infamous among the
residents of Halifax and Sowerby Bridge and within
the wider British cycling firmament. These climbs,
such as Gibb Lane, Shibden Wall and Trooper Lane,
makes Flanders’ best look like mole hills. The route
of the RVC was devised in 2010 by Mick Collins, in
a first year where just 30 local riders took part, and
adds up to a devastating 120km challenge for all
who dare to take it on.
Mick’s replication of the Spring Classics with his
club started with Milan-San Remo, before settling
with their own take on the Tour of Flanders. With
access to cobbled climbs on their doorstep, it proved
a huge hit. After several years of it being run purely
as a club run, it was suggested that it be turned into
a public event, and in 2012 the RVC was born.

Spen force
As soon as you arrive at the RVC HQ, at Spen Valley
High School in Liversedge, West Yorkshire, you’ll
notice that it has a distinctive feel all of its own. There
is no number to strap to your bike, nor pin to your
jersey. There is no event timing: time is irrelevant
here, and the only goal is completion. In the world of
Strava, of course, most participants do upload their
ride to create an unofficial leaderboard at the end of

cyclingplus.com

West Yorkshire / The Big Ride ●

“Steele Lane is a wonderful creation, a snaking
rise of mish-mashed cobblestone sections that
goes on longer than you expect”

Above left Shibden Wall is
one of the ‘big beasts’ of
the course

Above right Unfortunately
for the riders, Steele Lane
goes on far longer expected

bikeradar.com

the day and, although it’s not a race, the unspoken
goal is to break the five-hour mark, which only a
select few do each year.
I’m a rider on the extreme end of the competitive
spectrum, so this casual, carefree feel to the event
is somewhat confusing. I’m told about a fast group
that is heading off first, so I make a beeline for it and
make it just in time for the flag drop. I barely have a
chance to catch my breath before we’re pedalling,
and when we do it’s like being ejected from a
catapult. I wouldn’t have been surprised to see
smoke coming out of my bike computer. Traffic lights
come to my rescue, splitting the group in two and
dispatching the biggest culprits for the excessive
speed up the road, never to be seen again.
I settle into a group made up almost exclusively of
members of York’s Clifton CC and I decide to hover
around this tight and well-drilled outfit like a bee
around honey as long as I can. Before climb one,
Steele Lane, there is a full 10 miles of constant
undulation so being in a group is hugely beneficial.
The climb is preceded by a sharp descent, which
leaves the whole group in the wrong gear as we ride
up. Half of us have to dismount and change gear
manually, before getting back on and struggling to
build back momentum over the rugged stones. Steele
Lane is a wonderful creation, a snaking rise of mish-

mashed cobblestone sections that goes on longer
than you expect, eventually delivering you above
Scammonden Water.
Our group comes back together at the top after
being blown to pieces on the climb, ratcheting up the
pace to a level that is a fraction too fast for me. I have
to drop back. It’s never a nice feeling to make such a
decision so early, but a totally necessary one here to
make to stop me blowing a gasket. I watch the red
blob of Clifton CC disappear into the distance.
Up next are the twin climbs of Cliffe Ash and
Dodlee Lane, the second of which is closed to traffic,
which means that I can romp up the centre of the
road searching for the smoothest line from bottom to
top. Each sector of cobbles takes its toll and wears me
down, incrementally robbing me of a finite amount
of strength. In isolation, each sector is perfectly
manageable, but strung together, as with today,
it’s a whole different story. Three more are safely
negotiated – Brighouse Wood Lane, Staups Lane
and The Hough – before we tackle the big beasts
of the course.

Percentage play
Looming on the horizon after this initial flurry of
lesser climbs is the triple whammy of Shibden Wall,
Gibb Lane and Old Lane in Halifax. Like the three

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83

● The Big Ride / West Yorkshire

Above Once you’re at
the top of Old Lane, you
plummet sraight back
down the other side

Right Be prepared for
some cheeky unclassified
climbs to add to the fun

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cyclingplus.com

West Yorkshire / The Big Ride ●

Top The brief stretches of
tarmac are bliss compared
to the cobbles

Right You may well have to
resort to two feet instead
of two wheels at times

Left Trooper Lane, perhaps
the hardest climb, is saved
until last

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APRIL 2024

85

● The Big Ride / West Yorkshire

Above This late in the day,
many resorted to walking up
Trooper Lane

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APRIL 2024

prongs of the Devil’s trident, these climbs are
waiting to skewer my legs, starting with the
legendary Shibden Wall. Of all the roads included
on today’s route, this is the best known, having been
used many years ago in the Milk Race and Kellogg’s
Tour pro races and, more recently, the Tour de
Yorkshire stage race.
Featuring 20% gradients, cobbles with gaps
between them so wide they can swallow even the
fattest of tyres and a hairpin so tight it forces you
almost to a halt, Shibden Wall is a total monster. I
battle up, encouraged by a few of the youngsters
from the Kirklees Cycling Academy, an organisation
that supports young bike racers and is a beneficiary
of the RVC. Also cheering me on is the event
photographer who calls me ‘young man’ (I’m in my
50s), as I battle to roll over the top in the shadow of
Halifax’s dry ski slope, west Yorkshire’s answer to
Val d’Isère.
In the gap separating Shibden and Gibb Lane there
are a handful of other paved climbs not featured in
the ride literature but one of which, Wood Lane, is
a total horror of a road that heads up under a rail
bridge on awful 20% slopes. The unclassified climbs
are always the toughest because getting hell when
you’re expecting respite is hard on the head.
Onto Gibb Lane, climb 8, which isn’t quite as steep
as Shibden but lingers far longer, and whose end
comes with me begging for smooth tarmac. When
the blacktop does come, it’s behind me just as
quickly, before I’m left to negotiate the godforsaken
Old Lane, a cobbled climb that stretches into the sky.
I’ve only ever made it up here once. Old Lane is

horribly steep and its stones are randomly packed,
covered in grass and moss and it is arguably the
toughest obstacle of the day.
At the foot of the climb I already have the feeling
that I won’t be adding to my tally of one sole
completed ascent. I begin well enough, but with just
40 miles in the rear view, my body is already turning
to jelly – I blame a dire week of back problems. I make
sure that I pass Henry, the photographer, before I
throw in the towel, but throw it in I do and I began
the walk of shame.
At the summit there’s a feed station and in it
are the Clifton CC riders that I’d slipped back from
earlier in the day. They’ve suffered a few timewasting mechanicals in the meantime. I’m quietly
pleased to see them, but I know there’s still a long
way to go, with plenty of tricky stuff yet to come.
Once I grovel to the top of Old Lane, I immediately
have to descend back down, losing 200m altitude,
only to have to traipse right back up again to the top
of the moor.

Moor like it
There aren’t any significant cobbles for several miles,
but up next is another shining star of the route, the
incredible ride across Oxenhope Moor past the
Warley Moor Reservoir. It’s an oasis of calm away
from the chaos of the cobbles and congestion of the
valleys and, in stark contrast to the majority of
the climbing, I can sit in the saddle on a far more
agreeable slope and pedal away more comfortably.
Even better, following this there’s a long descent
into the outskirts of Hebden Bridge and all the way

cyclingplus.com

West Yorkshire / The Big Ride ●

HEBDEN
BRIDGE

H A L I FA X

HUDDERSFIELD

“It’s almost as hard to walk the 30% slopes
of Trooper Lane as it is to ride, but with
cleats somewhat worn down I cross
the brow with just six miles left, and
the Clifton CC posse out of reach”
back to Luddenden for a second visit to the Old Lane
feed stop. There are still riders battling up its slopes,
some on foot and some on two wheels, each greeted
with well-deserved applause as they finish.
Filling another bottle, I’m now starting to worry
about my legs. I can’t have been drinking enough
because the first signs of cramp are starting to
appear, with three further hideous cobbled climbs
remaining. The first two, Woodhouse Lane and
Wakefield Gate are fine but I know the final one,
the monumental Trooper Lane in Halifax, is going
to be trouble.
As I pass a couple of riders at the bottom who are
summoning the courage to climb, I crawl on, trying
my absolute best to nurse my cramping legs into the
lower slopes. If only I can keep on top of the cadence
and tiptoe across the cobbles, maybe, just maybe I
can make it up without climbing off… but no. Hitting
the start of the steepest section, the dreaded cramp
returns. It’s time once again to transfer to two feet.
It is a shame as this is such a magnificent road, one
that I have cycled up on many previous occasions.
Naturally, up ahead, Henry is standing waiting to
snap me in my moment of personal despair, pictures
he promises to delete. It’s almost as hard to walk
the 30% slopes of Trooper Lane as it is to ride them,
especially in cycling shoes, but with my cleats
somewhat worn down, I cross the brow with just
six miles left on the table, and the Clifton CC posse
tantalisingly out of reach for the rest of the ride. And
what a ride it has been. It might be a route that’s
mimicking another over the Channel in Belgium,
but this is a ride with a character all of its own.

bikeradar.com

LOC A L
K NOW L E DGE
Getting there
● The nearest train
station is Brighouse, a
little under five miles
from the start line.
Nearby Halifax and
Huddersfield are also
serviced by trains.
01 Where to stay
● The closest hotel
to the start line is
Healds Hall in
Cleckheaton, a few
miles away. Single
rooms in this highly
rated hotel are
currently £75 for
May 2024.
Next event
● The 2024 Ronde
van Calderdale
takes place on April
28th 2024. There are
two distances:
approx 54 miles and
13 cobbled climbs or
74 miles and 14
cobbled climbs. For

Above You’ll have earned a
pork pie or two by the end
of this gruelling ride

more information,
head to
rondevancalderdale.
org
Kirklees Cycling
Academy
● The RVC isn’t run
for profit: all funds
raised go to the
coffers of Kirklees
Cycling Academy,
which helps aspiring
young riders with
their racing career.
It supports riders
from ages 6-16 and
has helped with
everything from race
entries to providing
bikes and sending
riders to race abroad.
The biggest success
story is Mason
Hollyman, who
started with the club
and now rides at the
top level with IsraelPremier Tech team.
k-ca.org

Distance (full route) 122km Elevation 2,705m
Download the full route
komoot.com/tour/1248029213

APRIL 2024

87

04/ 2024
Inside
Boost your ride ......................p90
Nutrition.....................................p96
Experience............................... p98

Expert cycling advice on maximising your training

Masterclass...........................p100

Boost your ride p90

Masterclass

Event recces
Why knowledge is
power in a sportive
or other challenge

p100
Nutrition p96

Your Experts

Tim Ransley

Kate Percy

Kyle Macrae

Neil Laughton

Boost your ride
The personal injury solicitor
advises on what to do after
a cycling accident

Nutrition
This month the author
and nutritionist helps us to
power up at breakfast

Masterclass
The author of The Mental
Cyclist journal helps you
break down big challenges

Experience
Neil shares his invaluable
advice on adventure cycling
for charity in war zones

bikeradar.com

APRIL 2024

89

Training
zone

Performance Q&A The big cycling questions answered
by our team of expert coaches, nutritionists and riders

WHAT SUPPLEMENTS
WILL IMPROVE MY
PERFORMANCE?
Creatine, sodium bicarbonate
and caffeine all have a solid
base of evidence behind them.
But what about the new wave
of performance-enhancing
supplements? We investigate
four credible options...
Collagen
Collagen makes up a
whopping 30% of total protein

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Supp start?
Is it time to
embrace the
new wave of
supplements?

mass in your body and is
a must for performance
enhancers such as joint
mobility, strong bones and
healthy muscles. It’s why
Greg Whyte OBE launched
U-Perform with collagen at
the heart of the range.
Nutritionist Peter Res has
worked with Ajax FC. “We’ve
improved recovery rates of
our athletes by supplementing
with gelatin,” he says. “It’s a
powder and you dissolve it in
hot water.”
The theory goes that
collagen is essentially the

TOP TIP
Collagen is
important for
older cyclists
as evidence
suggests we
lose 1.5% of
collagen each
year after
20. By the
time we reach
40, levels may
have dropped
by 30%. By 50,
it’s 45%; by 60
it’s 60%

Cannabidiol (CBD)
“Pain relief and improved
sleep are two reasons for
taking CBD,” says Graeme
Close, professor of human
physiology at Liverpool John
Moores University. “The body
has an endocannabinoids
system, which is crucial in pain
management, and CBD is a
cannabinoid that can bind to
these receptors.”
However, you may need
to take a huge amount to

cyclingplus.com

Images Getty Images; Steve Sayers

30%

Collagen makes up
30% of the total
protein mass in
your body

same ‘material’ as that found
in tendons, ligaments and
bones. When you break a
bone or tear a ligament, the
first bridges over the injury
are collagen. “The ingested
collagen contains the same
amino acids as the collagen
in our body, so provides all the
building blocks,” says Res.
Exercise also increases
collagen production. A 2017
University of California study
found that short periods of
exercise with at least six hours
of rest increased collagen
production. When participants
took 15g of gelatin an hour
before six minutes of skipping,
it doubled the rate of collagen
synthesis. This means
cyclists could take a gelatin or
collagen supplement before a
short session in the morning to
boost their collagen levels and
so increase their resilience to a
lengthier afternoon ride.

Training
zone
enjoy much pain relief. Two
CBD products, Sativex and
Epidiolex, have licences
to treat MS sufferers and
epileptics, respectively.
“With Epidiolex, you start at
500mg [a day],” says Close.
“Whether athletes would
take it in those quantities,
with the potential risk of
anti-doping plus the cost
(£35K a year in that amount),
is unlikely. But the evidence
behind the smaller dosage
isn’t quite there.” This is
reflected in the experiences of
rugby players that Close has
studied, who admitted little
pain relief. They did, though,
report better sleep. The Food
Standards Agency recently
lowered its recommended
safe upper limit of CBD to
10mg a day for healthy adults.
Ketones
Ketones are an energy source
produced by the liver during
periods of low carb intake.
If you consume extraneous
ketones, the idea is that you’ll
spare precious glycogen for
hard efforts by tapping into
these more readily available
ketones that deliver a higher
energy yield than carbs.
So are ketones more
important the longer you ride?
Not necessarily. “We had
cyclists ride for 180mins
before a 15min time-trial, both
with and without ketones,”
explains Leuven University’s

“What’s plausible
is that probiotics
indirectly facilitate
performance by
keeping athletes
healthy”

training, with one group
consuming ketones and the
other a placebo. The ketone
group kept up a higher training
load as time wore on by
maintaining caloric intake and
sleeping better.
“During extreme day-byday exercise, athletes struggle
to eat, and sleep badly. We
showed that these groups had
different hormonal profiles,
specifically the stress-induced
hormone GDF-15, a key
hormone involved in appetite
regulation.” A gradual increase
in GDF-15 concentration kills
the urge to eat, but ketones

behind ketones improving
they could impede hard
efforts.” That’s because

also have a low pH and,
in power output and speed.
Arguably, the benefits of
ketones come when you’re
sedentary. Further research
by Hespel saw cyclists do
three weeks of intensive

bikeradar.com

The CBD market is
expected to harness
$20-billion in sales by 2024

for existing bacteria) and/or
probiotics (adding bacteria)
in the gut microbiome for
boosting performance has
been attracting attention.
The research is equivocal

when it comes to a link
between better gut health
and a new PB, but prebiotic
and probiotic supplements
are still useful. “There isn’t
strong evidence that both
directly influence athletic
performance, although one
study showed probiotics
improving running time-toexhaustion in the heat,” says
Dr Patrick Wilson, author
of The Athlete’s Gut: The
Inside Science of Digestion.
“What’s more plausible is that
probiotics indirectly facilitate
performance by keeping
athletes healthy,” Wilson adds.
“There’s evidence in both
athletes and non-athletes that
taking a probiotic can reduce
the chances of coming down
with an upper respiratory tract
infection (URTI).”
So, time to start fermenting?
“Taking a probiotics is the
wisest approach if you’ve a
specific goal like reducing the
odds of picking up an URTI or
preventing diarrhoea while
being on antibiotics,” says
Wilson. “Probiotic-containing
foods like yoghurt and
sauerkraut are great but offer
less certainty in terms of the
specific strains and dosages
that you get from eating
them.” James Witts

APRIL 2024

91

Training
zone

WHAT SHOULD I DO
IF I’M INVOLVED IN
A CRASH?
As thrilling and liberating as
cycling is, there’s always the
chance of being involved in
an accident with motorised
vehicles, pedestrians,
potholes or other cyclists. So
what should we actually do if a
collision happens? We asked
Tim Ransley, a partner and
solicitor in the Personal Injury
Department at Bennett Griffin
(bennettgriffin.co.uk) for his
key legal advice…
recovering the cost of a
replacement bike or not. Then
check your bike is roadworthy.
You don’t want your frame
failing on you when you’ve
already picked yourself up
off the concrete.
If the driver seems
reasonable then ask them
for their details. If they’re on
the angry side then don’t rile
them, but take a picture of
their registration plate so you
can search for their insurance
details. Write a description of
them in your phone. If anyone
witnessed the accident, get

MORE INFO
The Brushett v
Hazeldean
case that was
settled in 2020
highlights the
risks of not
having any
insurance if
you’re cycling
regularly.
Pedestrian
Gemma
Brushett was
looking at her
phone while
crossing a
road in front
of the cyclist
Robert
Hazeldean,
yet she was
entitled to a
payout after
the collision
because she’d
put in a claim
and Hazeldean
hadn’t.

them to write their details
in your phone. Independent
witnesses will often decide a
case in your favour. Finally, it’s
always a good idea to report
any accident to the police.

Safety first
Find a spot
that’s out of
danger

What happens if the crash
was caused by a pothole?
If you came off because of a
pothole, take a picture with
something in it like a multi-tool
to give an idea of the depth.
And then take a photo of
the general area so you can
locate where it happened.
If you’re on a new route you
may not remember where you
crashed and you’ll need this
info later. Establishing fault is
hard when it comes to crashes
caused by potholes. You need
to show that the defect was
sufficiently serious, but then
that the Highways Authority
responsible for the upkeep of
the road hasn’t followed their
own policies and procedures
in repairing the defect.

Images Getty Images

What should you do
immediately after a crash?
It’s likely that you’ll be in shock
and the adrenaline will be
rushing through your veins.
The first thing to remember
is to get somewhere safe as
you might still be in danger.
It sounds obvious but if you
need medical help, phone
an ambulance, and get a
hospital check-up if your
helmet is damaged. The
advantage of this is that it’ll
act as a permanent record
of the accident, which could
be the difference between

What type of insurance do
you recommend for cyclists?
I’d always recommend that
some sort of insurance covers

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APRIL 2024

cyclingplus.com

Training
zone
Code of
conduct
Highway
Code
changes in
2022 should
be beneficial
to cyclists

your bike and accessories
away from your house. That’s
because if you’re partially at
fault then you might only be
able to recover a percentage
of the cost of the damaged
items. In addition, you’ll
probably have to wait to the
end of your case to recover
that outlay and you’ll only
be able to claim the current
value of your bike, not a shiny
new replacement. Claims
involving potholes are also
difficult to win so don’t rely on
a successful claim covering
the cost of that new bike.
What are the key legal rights
and issues I might face?
Road users owe others a duty
to take care when using the
roads. The changes to the
Highway Code in 2022 added
further protections for cyclists
and there’s now a hierarchy
of road users placing those
most likely to be injured in
the event of a collision at the
top. It doesn’t remove the
need for everyone to behave
responsibly, but it does
mean that road users
who can cause the

1.5m

The minimum space
drivers should give
cyclists when
passing them

greatest harm bear the
biggest responsibility
to take care. The onus
is on you as the injured
party to prove everything and
comes into their own. Your
witness evidence will be
crucial in establishing whose
fault the crash was. If the
circumstances surrounding
the collision are complicated,
then evidence can be
obtained from an accident
reconstruction expert. If the
police turn up then there
might be good evidence
within their report, especially
if they’ve closed the road.
Are there any legal
requirements for kit?
The first thing to say here is
that there is no legal obligation
on cyclists to wear helmets
in the way that there is for a
motorcyclist. That being said,
if you aren’t wearing one then
the insurers will try to argue
that your damages should
be deducted in light of that
decision. In the legal world
this is called contributory
negligence. These

Head wear
Wearing a
helmet might
help you with
insurers

arguments are usually on the
basis that the Highway Code
basically says it’s a good
idea. But the Highway
Code also says that
pedestrians at night should
wear fluorescent clothing
such as sashes, gilets
and armbands. Courts are
therefore very reticent about
deducting damages for not
wearing a helmet. However, if
you ride at night with no lights,
it’s a different story and you
can expect a court to reduce
damages for this reason.
What happens if the
accident is my fault?
It’s rare that a cyclist is totally
at fault for an accident, but if
you hit a pedestrian then you
could be faced with a claim
yourself. Remember liability
can be split between two
parties when it comes to fault
and this is often the case with
pedestrians. If you think you
were partly at fault, then don’t
admit anything at the time
and when you get home write
down what happened and
sign it. If you have insurance,
report it to them immediately.
If you don’t and you are hit
with a claim, don’t bury your
head in the sand, contact a
solicitor as soon as possible.
I’m wary of ambulancechasing firms. How do I
know a solicitor is legit?
You shouldn’t automatically
be wary of a no-win, no-fee
solicitor as the majority of
cases are funded this way.
But, just like any industry,
there are good lawyers who
will fight every step of the way
for you and those who don’t.
It’s key you instruct someone
who knows what they’re doing
and is experienced in pursuing
cycling cases. Look for
someone who is recognised
by Chambers and Partners
(who produce international
legal rankings), or read public
reviews such as Review
Solicitors to see what clients
say about them. Don’t just rely
on whoever comes out top on
a Google search. Tim Ransley

bikeradar.com

APRIL 2024

93

Training
zone

CAN I LOSE BELLY FAT
BY CYCLING?
Belly fat is a concern for many
and is associated with a
number of pathological risks,
with men more prone than
women to accumulate fat in this
area. Although most experts
think targeting belly fat through
exercise isn’t possible, losing
fat everywhere will reduce
stomach fat stores.
Consuming fewer calories
than you expend is the way
to do this. By calculating how
many calories exercise burns,
you can create a negative
energy balance by tailoring your
eating. But bear in mind that a
calorie deficit impairs recovery,
so don’t cut your food intake
while training hard (always
seek expert advice before

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APRIL 2024

Increasing
your calcium
intake,
through milk,
cheese, Greek
yoghurt, eggs
and leafy
greens, can
protect your
bone health.
Fruit and veg
will aid your
immunity.
Omega-3-rich
food, such as
nuts and
seeds, will
help protect
your heart
and joints

trying to lose a lot of weight).
Fat is the body’s preferred
fuel source when you ride in
your lower-intensity training
zones, such as zone two in a
seven-zone model. Training in
the fat-burning zone improves
cycling endurance and aerobic
capacity or VO2 max.
Just remember that burning
fat by cycling may not equate to
losing weight, as Asker
Jeukendrup, Team JumboVisma’s nutritionist, explains:

Slow courses
Riding slower
can help you
burn fat

Images Getty Images, Russell Burton Illustrations Georgie Sturge

FAST FACT

“You can have high rates of
fat burning and not lose any
weight at all, or even gain
weight. Weight loss is all to
do with energy balance. If
you burn more then you’ve
taken in, you’ll lose weight.”
Calculating exactly what
is energy in and energy out
isn’t easy, but when short of
calories, the body uses stored
fat for energy and to top up
depleted muscle glycogen
stores. Over time, this process
reduces body fat.
Matt Fitzgerald, author of
Racing Weight: How to Get Lean
for Peak Performance, says
“anatomically specific weight
loss” is possible, but not from
the belly. “People doing sit-ups
to lose belly fat were scoffed
at, but more recent research
has shown that there’s site
specificity,” he says. Cyclists
often have leaner legs than the
upper body, so anytime you do
whole-body aerobic exercise
you will lose fat everywhere, but
it’s more concentrated in areas
where the muscle is active.
So, how can I burn fat by
cycling? The short answer is
by riding slower. As intensity
increases, the proportion of fat
to carbs your body resorts to in
order to fuel cycling decreases.
This is because fat reserves
are nearly unlimited even in
the leanest athletes, with your
body trying to preserve its finite
carb stores for when energy is
needed quickly. Jack Evans

’05

A 2005 study showed
that women are
better at oxidising fat
than men

cyclingplus.com

Training
zone

WHAT’S THE BEST
ANKLE POSITION
WHEN CYCLING?
The constant flexion and
extension of your ankles
during the pedal stroke was
long considered desirable
for a fluid and efficient
pedalling technique. However,
comprehensive analysis of
professional cyclists’ video
footage has shown no
evidence that they consistently
display significant ankling
action. Some cycle with their
toes more pointed, some with
almost flat feet, while some
exhibit a degree of flexion,
but there’s no pedalling
technique consensus.
Rather than focusing on
what your ankles are doing,
if you’re concerned about
your pedalling technique and
efficiency, your priority should

be getting a physio-led 3D
motion-capture bike fit. There’s
little point trying to improve your
pedalling style if your position
on the bike isn’t right. In fact,
excessive ankling can be a sign
of incorrect saddle height.
Once you’re happy with your
position, training tools such as
Wattbike’s Polar view are great
for dialling in your technique. A
more traditional way to develop
perfect pedalling is to use
rollers. If the whir of the rollers
is constant, it means your pedal
stroke is smooth and even.
Rollers are three metal or
plastic cylinders/rollers in a
frame, with the bike balancing
on top of the rollers instead of
being held in a fixed position
as it is on a turbo/smart trainer.
This produces a more lifelike riding feel as you have to
balance yourself as you pedal,
just like you would when cycling
outdoors. Rollers are also quieter
and more portable. Nik Cook

recovery needs
differ to men’s?
The accepted
requirement for
20g of protein
post-exercise isn’t
appropriate for
women during
every stage of the
menstrual cycle,
nor for peri- or
post-menopausal
women. “Our protein
needs are higher
due to oestrogen’s
influence in the brain,
and the reduced
amino-acid pool; and
we need more
leucine in the highhormone phase to
counter this,” says
Dr Stacey Sims. “Perimenopausal and
postmenopausal
women have shown
that 40g is what’s
needed postexercise to get the
repair going.” So how
much is this in real

terms? 40g of protein
is roughly equivalent
to a large chicken
breast, a 6oz steak or
a cup (237ml) of firm
organic tofu.

Is it possible to
increase my
mitochondria?
Mitochondria, found
in the cells of every
complex organism,
produce about 90%
of the chemical
energy that cells
need to survive.
While it’s a complex
topic, studies have
shown that how
much you train
determines how
much mitochondria
your cells will contain,
and how intensely
you train determines
how powerful each
unit of mitochondria
is. So to get more,
you need to do more
training. Up intensity
to boost their power.

Does blood
donation affect
cycling?
A pint of blood makes
up 10-15% of your
blood volume. Your
plasma volume will
recover within about
24hrs after donation,
but the haemoglobin
in your red blood
cells – the protein
that transfers oxygen
from your lungs to
your muscles – won’t
return to normal
levels for 2-4 weeks.
Studies on exercise
performance after
blood donation have
conflicting results;
some reported no
differences in fatigue,
heart rate and pulse,
while others detected
decreases in oxygen
delivery to muscle
tissue. But the Red
Cross explicitly tells
donors not to do any
vigorous exercise for
the rest of the day.

WALL QUAD STRETCH
Try this move
to increase
range of
motion and
flexibility in
your hip and
knee joints

01 from a wall in a

Start facing away

tabletop position on
your hands and knees.
Place a blanket under
your knees if this is
uncomfortable.

bikeradar.com

02 foot between

Step your right

your hands. Raise your
left foot so that you
can place the top of it
on the wall with toes
pointing upwards.

03 knee towards

Push your left

the wall to feel a
stretch through your
quad. The closer your
knee is to the wall,
the more you’ll feel
the stretch.

04 whether to stay 05 position for 30
Choose

in this position with
your hands by your
right foot, or walk your
hands up onto your
right thigh and lift
your chest up. Tilt your
pelvis down and
squeeze your glutes.

Aim to hold this

seconds, then switch
to the left leg. Repeat
x 5 for each leg.
Pushing your bottom
back towards the
wall will give you
a bigger stretch.

APRIL 2024

95

Training
zone
NUTRITION

Big breakfasts
Give yourself an edge thanks to some potent ingredients and sensible fuelling

Signed up for an event this
spring? It’s worth practising
now to see which types of
foods work best for you before
a big ride. Pre-prep these
recipes the night before and
they’ll help you on your way,
thanks to their nutritional
content. The overnight oats
could give you an oxygen boost
as they fuel you, while the
kedgeree is a portable veggie
meal with complete protein and
plenty of carbs that’s relatively
easy on the stomach.

POMEGRANATE OR
BEETROOT BIRCHER (V)
As well as the many
antioxidant benefits of both
beetroot and pomegranate,
they also contain nitrates,
which convert to nitric
oxide in your body and open
blood vessels, allowing
more blood and oxygen to
be delivered to the muscles.
Why not try both?
Prep 5mins plus 3+hrs soaking
Serves 1
Ingredients
For the pomegranate bircher
• 50g natural muesli
• 130ml pomegranate juice
• 1 tbsp natural yoghurt
• 1 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 tbsp pomegranate seeds
• 1 tsp honey
For the beetroot bircher
• 50g natural muesli
• 130ml beetroot juice
• 1 tbsp natural yoghurt
• ½ apple, sliced
• Handful fresh blueberries &
flaked almonds

96

APRIL 2024

METHOD
1 Put the muesli into a bowl and
pour over the juice. Leave to
soak overnight, or for a good
few hours.
2 Add the extra ingredients,
depending which version
you’re preparing, and enjoy
immediately.
NUTRITIONAL ANALYSIS
Beetroot 426Kcals • 20g fat
• 3g saturates • 57g carbs
• 37g sugars • 7g fibre
• 9g protein • 0.2g salt
Pomegranate 414Kcals • 19g
fat • 4g saturates • 55g carbs

“Nitric oxide allows
more oxygen to be
delivered to the
muscles”

• 36g sugars • 6g fibre
• 8g protein • 0.2g salt
Key ingredients:
Pomegranate
Along with performanceenhancing nitrates, and
antioxidants that protect
the body against inflammation,
the high-fibre, jewel-like seeds
of this fruit are also rich in
potassium and magnesium.
Beetroot
This root is also packed
with antioxidants, and
iron, which helps with
oxygen transport in
red blood cells.

cyclingplus.com

Training
zone

VS
WHITE WINE

125

121

CALORIES (KCALS PER 150ML GLASS)

Fe
IRON (UG PER GLASS)

160

Crank up your oxygen-carrying capacity
with red wine

4

4

CARBS (G PER GLASS)
Both are relatively lean options

230

Mn
Fe
MANGANESE (UG PER GLASS)

210

Both deliver similar bloodflow benefits

520

VITAMIN B6 (UG PER GLASS)

520

They’re equal when it comes to making
mood-booster serotonin

Unlike its white sibling, red wine is fermented
in grape skins and seeds, making it high in
plant compounds that deliver a variety of
mooted health benefits including reducing
heart disease, increasing good cholesterol and
slowing brain decline. Both, of course, are
toxins so moderation is key.

VERDICT RED WINE WINS!

bikeradar.com

PROTEIN
NO-FISH
KEDGEREE (V, GF)

White has slightly fewer calories

230

Great for

This one’s for veggies and
those who find it hard to
stomach smoked fish first
thing. It’s packed with slowreleasing carbohydrate and
the full spectrum of proteinbuilding amino acids, and
is a good one to prepare in
advance and take to races.
Prep 5mins
Cook 15mins
Serves 4
Ingredients
• 4 large free-range eggs
• 250g Basmati rice
• 1 bay leaf
• 25g butter
• 1 small onion, diced
• 4 cardamom pods, crushed
• 1 tbsp curry powder or
madras curry paste
• 50g frozen peas
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 25g bunch fresh coriander,
roughly chopped
• 1-2 green chillis, thinly sliced
To serve
• 2 tbsp natural
yoghurt
• 4 lemon wedges
METHOD
1 Boil the eggs for
8mins. Drain and

Eggs contain all the
essential amino
acids you need

run cold water over them
to cool.
2 Rinse the rice until the
water runs clear. Add to
a saucepan and cover with
approx. 1cm water. Add salt and
the bay leaf. Bring to the boil,
cover and simmer for 10mins.
3 Melt the butter in a large
saucepan. Add the onion
and sauté until soft. Stir in the
cardamom pods and curry
powder/paste and cook gently
for 2mins.
4 Stir in the rice, peas, lemon
juice, coriander and chilli.
Season.
5 Shell the eggs, slice into
quarters and arrange over the
top of the kedgeree. Serve with
yoghurt and lemon wedges.
NUTRITIONAL ANALYSIS
Per serving 372Kcals • 11g fat
• 5g saturates • 56g carbs
• 2g sugars • 2g fibre
• 15g protein • 0.4g salt
Key ingredient: Eggs
Eggs are rich in vitamins B
and D plus immuneboosting selenium
and metabolismfriendly iodine.
They’re also a good
veggie source of
amino acids.

APRIL 2024

Recipes Kate Percy Food Fight James Witts Images Steve Sayers

RED WINE

97

Left
Neil cycles past
the opera house
in Odesa on his
Penny Farthing

EXPERIENCE

“I cycled through Ukraine,
delivering pizzas on a
Penny Farthing”
Adventure cyclists Neil Laughton and Paula Reid took on a
money-raising 700km ride through war-ravaged Ukraine
Neil: “Siobhan’s Trust provide
support, solidarity and pizzas
to displaced people in war-torn
Ukraine. Paula and I had wanted to
help raise awareness and funds for
their humanitarian aid efforts.
Paula likes to cycle and I run the
UK-based Penny Farthing Club,
teaching novices how to ride the
Victorian-designed velocipede. We
agreed to cycle from Odesa in the
south by the Black Sea to Chernobyl
on the Belarus border to the north.
During the ride, our routine was:
up at dawn, cup of tea, start riding,
pit-stops every 15 miles or so and
then find a suitable campsite before
dusk, avoiding areas where the
Russians had laid land mines.
Paula rode a basic racing bike with
drop handles and I rode a modern
UDC Penny Farthing with a 54in
diameter wheel, solid rubber tyres,
one gear and no suspension.

98

APRIL 2024

Ordinarily, I’d ride the full distance
for a challenge like this, but I chose to
ride just the first and last legs of each
day, about 20 miles out of the daily
65. Primarily, it was Paula’s challenge
and I didn’t want to steal her
limelight, plus I was a lot slower.
One day we rode into the largely
destroyed town of Borodianka (40
miles NW of Kyiv) to see a Banksy
artwork on a dilapidated wall. It
was called David and Goliath and

Find out more
To support
Siobhan’s Trust
and help buy
more pizzas for
the displaced
people of
Ukraine, go to:
justgiving.com/
page/paula-reidsiobhanstrust

Below
Helping
Siobhan’s Trust
in Ladyzhynska,
central Ukraine

depicted a young boy judo-throwing
an adult Putin.
We managed to link up with the
charity’s pizza-making teams to
help deliver a meal to hungry local
villagers and to an orphanage. At
a town called Makariv, we gatecrashed a 23-year-old woman’s
birthday party in a restaurant. We
were immediately welcomed and
joined them for a delightful evening
of local delicacies and home-made
vodka. Throughout the ride,
engaging with ordinary Ukrainian
families and hearing of their oftenhorrific experiences of war was
very poignant.
On arrival in Chernobyl, the
Ukrainian military police had
relocated the official border 10 miles
further south than pre-war, I guess to
have more of a buffer zone between
themselves and Belarus, so we didn’t
get to ride into the village itself.
Nevertheless, it was an eerie place
with memorials of the local heroes
who worked at the nuclear plant
after the explosion in 1986 dotted
around the other villages. Rob Kemp

Neil’s warzone words of advice
01 “I won’t complain any
Prepare for potholes

more about the roads in Sussex.
The smaller roads from village
to village in Ukraine were
peppered with horrendoussized holes.”

02 “We had to be cautious
Don’t go off-road

of landmines in fields and on
the edges of the highway. They
were often marked with warning
signs and white tape but
anywhere off-road was a risk.”

03 “We hired a converted
Call in favours

Mercedes Sprinter van and
persuaded friends to drive it to
Krakow in Poland for us to use
during our trip. Two other friends
drove it home afterwards.”

cyclingplus.com

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Training
zone
MASTERCLASS

The art of
the recce
Event day is edging closer – but knowing
the course can make a huge difference to
your performance. Here’s how to master
the art of the reconnaissance...

Winter riding is nearing
its end and, if it’s gone to
plan, you’ve racked up
volume in search of greater
aerobic capacity, increased
fat burning and improved
technique ready for events
season. Now, it’s time for
course reconnaissance.
Knowing exactly what
confronts you, whether
you’re facing the Dragon,
RideLondon or the Etape
this summer, will dilute the
surprises, mostly settle the
nerves and result in your
best effort. That’s why we’ve
brought you proven methods
to plan your best race yet.
Good luck!

100

APRIL 2024

Down it
It’s a big
advantage to
know when
the downhills
are due

HERE
TO HELP

James Witts
Author of The
Science of the
Tour de France

Kyle MacRae
Author of The
Mental Cyclist
riding journal

CHUNK IT

Break time
How long will
you have to
pedal for
before a feed
station?

Breaking your event and
its recce down into chunks
allows you to focus on more
manageable sections and will
ease nerves associated with
the enormity of the challenge.
Look for turnaround points
or hills on the bike course.
“Forget the overall mileage.
Study the ride profile and
chunk it up into manageable
segments,” says Kyle MacRae,
author of The Mental Cyclist.
“Focus only on the current
segment as you ride, treating
it as a mini challenge.” You
could also use this approach
to help you manage your
fuelling needs.

cyclingplus.com

Training
zone
Imagine
you’re there
Have a virtual
trial run in
your head to
calm nerves

03

ACE YOUR
PACE

02

6

hrs

VISUALISE ACHIEVEMENT
effective in activating the
relevant brain regions. Things
to think about are how does it
feel to ride well? What are the
sounds that are synonymous
with your performance
environment? Is there a
particular (ideally pleasant)
smell of your event gear
that you can recreate?

In training, work out
how long it should
take you to complete
the sportive

05

Visualise
success
Imagine good
technique to
boost your
performance

GET
SOCIAL

04

SIGHT FOR SUCCESS
Research shows that mental
imagery also stimulates
electrical activity in the
specific muscles you’re
thinking about, and resembles

bikeradar.com

Message boards and forums
are swimming with eventspecific information to help
you plan for the day. Many
races, or the clubs organising
them, will have Facebook
pages where you can swap
event thoughts. And you
could put a call out on social
channels such as Twitter to
ask the Twitterati cyclists for
their race input, too.

that seen during the actual
movement, helping to ingrain
good technique into your
neuromuscular system.
Evidence suggests using
imagery can accelerate
rehabilitation and recovery as
well. If all that’s still not enough
to convince you to give it a try,
to top it off, mental imagery
can also act as a mini workout
because 20% of your overall
daily calorie burn is down to
the brain. It’s time to let your
imagination loose!

Images Joseph Branston, Dave Sear, Getty Images

Visualisation is a common
psychological tool to run
through in your mind’s eye
key sections of the event
to decrease anxiety and
boost confidence. Find
a quiet space and make
your visualisation session
as realistic as possible, as
studies show that it’ll be more

If you line up at the start and
have no clear idea of your bike
pace for the distance ahead,
nerves could easily transcend
into fear. So make sure you
have a pacing plan. This is
where a power meter, heart
rate monitor and/or bike
computer all come in handy.
Not only will you know what
pace is sustainable, you’ll also
keep your ego in place if half
the field flies past you at the
start. Let them go, and instead
follow your pacing plan. You
may well pass them later!

APRIL 2024

101

Training
zone

06

1.5

hrs

The minimum length
of time before your
event that you should
eat a meal

PLAN, PLAN, PLAN

Yep, it’s not the sexiest of tips,
but ensure you plan your race
routine with military precision.
This is where a checklist
comes in. You should have one
for all the gear you’ll need on
the day, from suitable clothing
to nutrition. Also, write down
how your event build-up will
play out, from what time you
need to leave for the pre-race
hotel to what time to wake
for breakfast. Also note the
car parks close to the start,
the weather forecast and any
potential traffic hold-ups.

08

WORK BACK

07

Your training should be
course-specific, so recce
early and work backwards. If
the parcours boasts several
thousand metres of climbing

BE A LOCAL
KNOW-IT-ALL
While a goal event for many
of you will involve travel and
accommodation plus buildup races, a newcomer’s debut
sportive may well be local.
This affords you the perfect
opportunity to recce the
course within a whisker of its
life by riding on the route itself.

102

APRIL 2024

Insider
knowledge
Use a home
advantage to
practise on
the course

09
UTILISE
TECH

and you spend the build-up
on pancake-flat roads, you
could be in trouble come your
big day. Doing your homework
with a recce ride will give you
an edge. “You can work out
the best lines, how to avoid
potholes and gravel, and
identify the steepest parts,”
says
Matt Clinton of Clinterval
Coaching. “This recce will
also give you an idea of
pacing. Wind direction is
crucial so check that too.”

The digital age has made it
much simpler to have a virtual
look at cycling events all
around the world. Google
Maps is a popular recce tool
used by many, especially the
street-view option to pinpoint
places of change in a race.
Where you see hedgerow
end, for example, you might
be exposed to a side wind

Breakfast of
champions
Practising
your raceday food is
also a must

that could affect your
handling if taken by surprise.
Online outfit VeloViewer
cranks this up to the next level
with engaging 3D models of
bike segments and gradient
changes of hills. You can use
it free, though you can choose
to sign up for more features
for £10-£20 a year, to give you
even more of an advantage.

cyclingplus.com

Training
zone
2024 TARGETS

Three major events for you to
ride – and recce – this summer

10

Etape Caledonia

MATCH YOUR GEAR
Your equipment and clothing
should match your chosen
event. For instance, if it’s an
event renowned for winds
sweeping off the coast,

maybe leave the deepsection wheels at home. If it’s
historically a scorcher, ensure
you have a breathable jersey
and a nailed-down hydration
strategy to see you through.
And if there’s any chance of
rain, always pack a jacket.

Dress code
Don’t forget
to dress with
the weather
and terrain
in mind

40, 55 and 85-mile routes are on offer
at this major closed-road sportive, all
starting from lovely Pitlochry in the
Highlands on 12 May.

PLANNING PURCHASES
Three key buys to help your prep for race day
Struggle Dales

Wahoo Elemnt
Roam V2
£349.99

Veloviewer
Free-£20 per year

The Mental
Cyclist
£5.99-£39

One wrong turn can
curtail your recce
adventures, so a reliable
GPS bike computer that
can upload routes and
allow you to follow them
is key. Wahoo’s Elemnt
Roam V2 is intuitive
and powerful with a
clear screen.

VeloViewer app is a
data goldmine for
cyclists, taking course
reconnaissance and
race strategies to
another level. Have
it for free or as a Pro
membership (£10-20 per
year) depending on the
level of features.

Kyle MacRae’s
book offers mindtraining advice, selfdevelopment exercises,
weekly challenge
trackers and more
within its 300 pages.
Choose from hardback,
paperback, app and
deluxe Carbon versions.

bikeradar.com

Dartmoor Classic
Beginning life in 2007, this popular sportive
from Newton Abbot Racecourse will
witness around 4,000 riders taking on the
62, 109 or 177km routes on 22 June 2024.

APRIL 2024

Images Joseph Branston, Rosemary Watts, Joe Cotterill, Getty Images

The 108-mile Struggle Dales route takes
in 2,800m of elevation over its six major
climbs on 19 May, all set within some of the
greatest cycling roads of North Yorkshire.

103

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APRIL 2024

105

FINAL
WORD
MUSINGS ON THE WORLD OF PRO CYCLING

End of the
road?
So Welshman Stevie Williams won the Tour Down
Under. If, like me, you missed it because it takes
place in the middle of the European night, then this may
come as something of a surprise. But a wonderful one.
It’s quite a big deal, this race, despite the fact that it
slips a little under the radar outside of its passionate
host nation. It’s a hard race to win, and for this rider in
particular, the victory will mean the world. Williams
has been through a lot of setbacks and injuries over the
last couple of years, but the signs that he is hitting his
stride (as well as changing as a rider) have been there
for a little over a year now.
This transformation started with his first WorldTour
race win when he took a stage of the Tour de Suisse in
2022, winning from a group that came to the top of a
climb together, containing riders such as Marc Hirschi,
Alexey Lutsenko and Ilan Van Wilder. He did something
similar in 2023, taking a stage and then the overall at the
Arctic Race of Norway. That performance came just after
his bronze medal in the British National Championships,
when I remember thinking that I’d never seen him
throw caution to the wind like that before. A naturally
talented but cautious tactician, he had traditionally
relied on his physical attributes (pure climber) to get him
to the winning line. Now he has become a disrupter.
Which brings me to the final stage of the Tour of
Britain last year, when, in front of home support in
South Wales, he bit off more than he could chew and
blew a gasket attacking too far out on the Caerphilly
Mountain circuit finale. It was exciting racing, and, had
he held on to take the stage, he’d probably have won the
GC too, in what threatens to be the last Tour of Britain.
The race, which has boasted Julian Alaphilippe,
Mathieu van der Poel and (twice) Wout van Aert among
its most recent winners, is hanging by a thread, if it’s
even hanging at all. And the same goes for the Women’s
Tour and the Tour Series. The sticking point is the
terrible relationship between Sweetspot (who are now
in liquidation) and British Cycling.
To explain: Sweetspot actually run the race. They
design the route, raise the money, make it happen. They
also make a profit in doing so… or at least they used to
when times were better. British Cycling sanction the
event and charge the organisation a licence fee to claim
that it is a nation tour; essentially for the use of the
word “Britain”. That fee, renegotiated pre-Covid, is
comfortably in six figures; closer, as I understand it,

106

APRIL 2024

Ned Boulting
Sports journalist
——
Ned is the main
commentator
for ITV’s Tour de
France coverage
and editor of The
Road Book. He
also tours his own
one-man show

Above Brit
Stevie Williams
celebrates his
Aussie victory

to half a million pounds per annum. Unable to attract
a headline sponsor over the last couple of editions, the
money has dried up. British Cycling are pursuing their
unpaid fees, and no renegotiation has so far seemed
possible, leaving the immediate future of the races
extremely uncertain.
Unless there is a resolution to this stand-off, and a
magic money tree corporation steps in to save the day,
then there is every chance that the likes of Pfeiffer
Georgi, Lizzie Deignan and Zoe Bäckstedt, Fred Wright,
Tom Pidcock and Stevie Williams (to name just a very
few) will have no national race in which to demonstrate
to the passionate, and still enormous, home support
what it is that they do across the world for the rest of the
year. It would put the UK into a very small group of
European nations without something that resembles a
national tour. Albania is one, Liechtenstein another.
I am wise enough to understand that getting bike
races off the ground, especially here, is nightmarishly
hard. But it should be, in my opinion, the absolute top
priority of the governing body in the country to ensure
that the success of our riders against the odds in road
racing is rewarded and celebrated. Pursuit of serial
success on the track, brilliantly stewarded by British
Cycling, will forever remain achievable. But it is niche:
low-hanging fruit. The road is what matters. It brings
racing to the world and takes it out of the cloisters of the
velodrome.
Whatever pride needs to be swallowed by whichever
stakeholders, then I urge them to get swallowing and
start talking. If not, the sport’s governance in this
country can be fairly accused of failing those riders who
succeed as they do in the face of sustained adversity.

cyclingplus.com

Image Getty Images

British fortunes in races are at odds
with its ability to host them

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GUIDE TO THE
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WELCOME
Y O U R C O M P L E T E G U I D E T O T H E 2 0 24 S E A S O N
With scarcely a breath taken since racing for 2023 ended in October, the new pro
cycling season was up and running in early January, and if you’re reading this in
February the serious business of Spring Classics season will be upon us shortly.
From the Tour Down Under in January to the Tour of Guangxi in late October, the
men’s and women’s WorldTour calendar spans 10 months and has never been
more packed. We hope this pocket guide helps you to make sense of this
sprawling, globe-trotting sport. Alongside listings of the biggest races of the
season – and the best ones explained in detail – we profile the 18 men’s and 15
women’s WorldTour teams who will be contending for glory in 2024.
04

36

44

RACE CALENDAR

MEN’S TEAMS

WOMEN’S TEAMS

All the biggest races of
the season, including every
Grand Tour in depth

Who can knock UAE
Team Emirates off the
number 1 spot?

Can anyone match
the unstoppable
force of Team SD Worx?

Words John Whitney Images Getty Images

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1.UWT - Men’s WorldTour one-day
2.UWT - Men’s WorldTour stage race
1.WWT – Women’s WorldTour one-day race
2.WWT – Women’s WorldTour stage race
1.Pro - Men’s/women's ProSeries one-day
2.Pro - Men’s/women's ProSeries stage race
1.1/1.2 - Men’s UCI Tour one-day race
2.1/2.2 - Men’s UCI Tour stage race

04

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1 8 -2 5 F E B R U A R Y

TOUR DU RWANDA

2023 Podium
1 Henok Mulubrhan 2 Walter Calzoni
3 William Lecerf
Africa’s biggest men’s stage race
takes on extra significance, with
next year’s Road World
Championships taking place in
Rwanda’s capital, Kigali. The 2024
route is intent on enticing top
teams, with shorter stages fitting
the time of the year and a final stage
in Kigali that incorporates the circuit
of the Worlds. The race also has
team and solo time trials and a
summit finish on Mt Kigali (stage 6).

24 FEBRUA RY

OMLOOP HET NIEUWSBLAD

2023 Podium
1 Dylan van Baarle 2 Arnaud Die Lie
3 Christophe Laporte
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad serves as a testing primer for the cobbles season

JANUARY

DATE

RACE

COUNTRY

CAT

10-14

New Zealand Cycle Classic

NZ

2.2

12-14

Santos Tour Down Under

Aus

2.WWT

16-21

Santos Tour Down Under

Aus

2.UWT

20

Clàssica Comunitat Valenciana 1969

Spa

1.1

27

Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race

Aus

1.WWT

28

Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race

30-1 Feb Volta a Mallorca

Aus

1.UWT

Spa

2.Pro

31-4 Feb Etoile de Bessèges-Tour du Gard

Fra

2.1

31-4 Feb Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana

Spa

2.Pro

COUNTRY

CAT

DATE

RACE

FEBRUARY

6-11

Tour Colombia

Col

2.1

8-11

UAE Tour Women

UAE

2.WWT

10

Figueira Champions Classic

Por

1.Pro

bikeradar.com

It’s leg warmers and winter jerseys
at the ready as the men’s peloton
jumps into Belgium’s one-day
Classics season. While the race is a
stepping stone towards its biggest
race, the Tour of Flanders, no male
rider has ever done the double in
the same season. While the
cobbled hills give similar terrain,
Omloop’s shorter distance, a fiveweek gap and the vagaries of
Classics riding are possible factors.

25 FEBRUARY

KUURNE-BRUSSEL-KUURNE
2023 Podium
1 Tiesj Benoot 2 Nathan van
Hooydonck 3 Matej Mohorič

Held the day after Omloop as the
second part of ‘Opening Weekend’
of Classics season, KBK also
punches above its weight thanks to
its calendar position. While again
packed with cobbled climbs, a
much flatter run to the finish
typically makes it a less selective
finale. Sprinters fare well, with
Mark Cavendish, Peter Sagan and
Fabio Jakobsen all winning in the
past decade.

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2 MARCH

DATE

RACE

COUNTRY

STRADE BIANCHE DONNE

10-14

Tour of Oman

Oma

2.Pro

11

Clasica de Almeria

Spa

1.Pro

14-18

Volta ao Algarve

Por

2.Pro

14-18

Vuelta a Andalucia Ruta Ciclista Del Sol

Spa

2.Pro

15-18

Volta Comunitat Valenciana Fèmines 2024

Spa

2.Pro

EVIE

2023 Podium
1 Demi Vollering 2 Lotte Kopecky
3 Cecille Uttrup Ludwig
The exquisite medieval Tuscan city
of Siena is the lynchpin of this
modern classic. Its name refers to
the historic white gravel roads that
link the region’s cities and towns
and play a huge part in the route.
Last year’s 135km course had nine
gravel sections, which whittled the
field down to Vollering and Kopecky.

CAT

18-25

Tour du Rwanda

RWA

2.1

19-25

UAE Tour

UAE

2.UWT

24

Faun-Ardèche Classic

Fra

1.Pro

24

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad

Bel

1.UWT

24

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad

Bel

1.WWT

24-28

Tour of the Gila

USA

2.2
1.Pro

3-10 MARCH

25

Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne

Bel

PARIS-NICE

25

Faun Drome Classic

Fra

1.Pro

28

Trofeo Laigueglia

Ita

1.Pro

2023 Podium
1 Tadej Pogačar 2 David Gaudu
3 Jonas Vingegaard
The nickname of this first major
European men’s stage race of the
year, ‘The Race to the Sun’, can feel
ironic. Stage 6 of last year’s race,
close to the Med, was canned due
to 100kmh winds. Pogačar beat
Vingegaard last time, but in such
conditions, long before the Tour,
wins should be taken in isolation.

MARCH

DATE

RACE

COUNTRY

CAT

2

Strade Bianche

Ita

1.UWT

2

Strade Bianche Donne

Ita

1.WWT

3-10

Paris-Nice

Fra

2.UWT

4-10

Tirreno-Adriatico

Ita

2.UWT

Pogačar got the better of
Vingegaard at Paris-Nice
but the Dane had the
last laugh at the Tour de
France in July

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17 MARCH

TROFEO ALFREDO BINDA –
COMUNE DI CITTIGLIO

2023 Podium
1 Shirin van Anrooij 2 Elisa Balsamo
3 Vittoria Guazzini
This is one of the oldest and most
prestigious one-day races in the
women’s calendar. Held in
Lombardy, the start varies year to
year, but it always culminates in a
hilly 15km circuit around Cittiglio.
The winner’s list is a who’s who of
greats, including Marianne Vos,
Lizzie Deignan, Emma Pooley
and Nicole Cooke.

22 MARCH

E3 SAXO CLASSIC

2023 Podium
1 Wout van Aert 2 Mathieu van
der Poel 3 Tadej Pogačar

The Tour of Flanders is Belgium’s biggest sporting spectacle of the year

DATE

RACE

COUNTRY

10

Miron Ronde van Drenthe

Ned

CAT
1.WWT

13

Danilith Nokere Koerse

Bel

1.Pro

13

Danilith Nokere Koerse Women

Bel

1.Pro

13

Milano-Torino

Ita

1.Pro

14

Grand Prix de Denain-Porte du Hainaut

Fra

1.Pro

15

Bredene Koksijde Classic

Bel

1.Pro

Staged just over a week before the
Tour of Flanders, this acts as a dress
rehearsal, even if it’s a big men’s
WorldTour event in its own right. It’s
50km shorter but has many of the
same key cobbled climbs, such
as Oude Kwaremont and the
Paterberg, and it has a good record
of predicting the Flanders winner,
with Kasper Asgreen, Niki Terpstra
and Fabian Cancellara all doing the
double in the past decade.

16

Milan-Sanremo

Ita

1.UWT

31 MARCH

17

Trofeo Alfredo Binda-Comune di Cittiglio

Ita

1.WWT

TOUR OF FLANDERS

18-24

Volta Ciclista a Catalunya

Spa

2.UWT

19-23

Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali

Ita

2.1

20

Classic Brugge-De Panne

Bel

1.UWT

21

Classic Brugge-De Panne

Bel

1.WWT

22

E3 Saxo Classic

Bel

1.UWT

24

Gent-Wevelgem In Flanders Fields

Bel

1.WWT

24

Gent-Wevelgem in Flanders Fields

Bel

1.UWT

27

Dwars door Vlaanderen

Bel

1.UWT

27

Dwars Door Vlaanderen Women

Bel

1.Pro

30

Gran Premio Miguel Indurain

Spa

1.Pro

31

Tour of Flanders

Bel

1.UWT

31

Tour of Flanders

Bel

1.WWT

bikeradar.com

2023 Podium
1 Tadej Pogačar 2 Mathieu van
der Poel 3 Mads Pedersen
Belgium’s biggest annual sporting
event rarely disappoints, a race
where a public ravenous for pro
cycling meets a course in which
supreme skill, tenacity and
endurance is required. It’s the
culmination of five weeks of action
on the cobbles for the men, often
exploding on one of the three
ascents of the Kwaremont. Pog’s
win in 2023 sealed his status as the
pound-for-pound best in the world.

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16 MARCH

MILAN-SANREMO

Established 1907 Editions 114
Recent winners Mathieu van der Poel (2023); Matej Mohorič (2022); Jasper Stuyven (2021)

IF THERE’S ONE THING
Milan-Sanremo has in its
favour, it’s anticipation. Not just
because it’s the season’s first
Monument (the big five one-day
races on the men’s calendar). Il
Lombardia, the fifth Monument
of the year, has the benefit of
being the last, but other races can
get lost on the calendar. Being
first, however, commands a big
audience, as well as a peloton
fresh and chomping at the bit to
get going. Anticipation is also
reflected at Milan-Sanremo in
the way the race unfolds.
Nudging 300km (2023’s course
was 294km), it’s the longest race
on the calendar and, for 90% of it,
you’d be forgiven for thinking
not much of note is happening.

The peloton departs Milan to the
south on flat roads, scales the
Turchino Pass, descends to the
Mediterranean coast and heads
west along it for the second half.
It gets more undulating at this
point, followed by a trio of Capi –
more substantial rises – in the
final quarter. Still nothing much
typically happens until the
Cipressa (5.6km at 4.1%), which
in many years can be negotiated
without too much disruption to
the peloton. It’s only on the
Poggio (3.6km at 3.8%), 10km
outside of Sanremo after over six
hours of racing, where moves
tend to be made.
Wins can be fashioned in
several ways, including making a
solo Poggio breakaway stick,

Most wins (7)
Eddy Merckx 1966, 1967,
1969, 1971, 1972, 1975 & 1976;
Costante Girardengo (6)
with a daring descent off the
Poggio or winning in a sprint of
various sized bunches. The fact it
happens so quickly, after so long
without much happening at all,
and that it can produce such a
variety of winning scenarios, is
what makes Milan-Sanremo so
popular. It’s also one of the few
races on the calendar that such
different sorts of riders can win.
Sprinter Arnaud Démare, for
example, won it in 2016, followed
up two years later by Grand Tour
winner Vincenzo Nibali. It’s a
race that holds immense promise
for so many riders at the outset,
one in which there’s so much to
be gained from the briefest of
hard efforts and act of cunning
in the finale. Last time out, big
favourite Mathieu van der Poel
finally added the race to his
considerable palmares.

2023 Podium
1. Mathieu van der Poel
2. Filippo Ganna
Half of Milan-Sanremo’s length runs along the hilly Mediterranean coast

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3. Wout van Aert

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Mathieu van der Poel’s
luck was finally in at
the previous staging
of Milan-Sanremo

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3 APRIL

SCHELDEPRIJS

2023 Podium
1 Jasper Philipsen 2 Sam Welsford
3 Mark Cavendish
The midweek following the Tour of
Flanders comes another race of the
region, and this one has an even
longer history. The first Scheldeprijs
was held six years before ‘De
Ronde’, in 1907. These days it’s a
level one rung down from the
WorldTour, on the UCI ProSeries,
and with its midweek date and
slam-dunk certainty of it finishing in
a bunch sprint, the tasty ingredients
of a Flanders or Roubaix is missing.

15-19 APRIL

TOUR OF THE ALPS

2023 Podium
1 Tao Geoghegan Hart
2 Hugh Carthy 3 Jack Haig
Formerly the Giro del Trentino until
2017, when this Italian race
rebranded into the more marketable
Tour of the Alps. It’s a mountainous
race of five stages and is seen as a
bellwether of form ahead of the first
men’s Grand Tour of the season,
the Giro d’Italia, which begins a
couple of weeks later. That said, it’s
been a decade since its winner
went on to win the Maglia Rosa
(Vincenzo Nibali, 2013).

APRIL

DATE

RACE

1-6

Itzulia Basque Country

Spa

2.UWT

3

Scheldeprijs

Bel

1.Pro

6

Paris-Roubaix Femmes

Fra

1.WWT

29 APRIL-5 MAY

7

Paris-Roubaix

Fra

1.UWT

LA VUELTA FEMENINA

10

De Brabantse Pijl

Bel

1.Pro

14

Amstel Gold Race

Ned

1.UWT

14

Amstel Gold Race Ladies Edition

Ned

1.WWT

15-19

Tour of the Alps

Ita

2.Pro

17

La Flèche Wallonne

Bel

1.UWT

17

La Flèche Wallonne Féminine

Bel

1.WWT

21-28

Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkiye

Tur

2.Pro

21

Liège-Bastogne-Liège

Bel

1.UWT

21

Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes

Bel

1.WWT

23-28

Tour de Romandie

Swi

2.UWT

28

Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic

2023 Podium
1 Annemiek van Vleuten
2 Demi Vollering 3 Gaia Realini
The rebranded and fortified La
Vuelta Feminina emerged in 2023 as
a seven-day stage race, meaning
each of the three men’s Grand
Tours – Giro, Tour and Vuelta – now
has credible, seven-day+ tours for
the women’s peloton. In 2023
Annemiek van Vleuten got the
better of arch rival Demi Vollering,
as she would subsequently do at
the Giro, though Vollering had the
last laugh at the Tour.

10

If Demi Vollering lost the battle at the Vuelta, she won the war at the Tour

29-5 May La Vuelta España Femenina

COUNTRY CAT

GBR

1.2

Spa

2.WWT

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7 APRIL

PARIS-ROUBAIX

Established 1896 Editions 120
Recent winners Mathieu van der Poel (2023); Dylan van Baarle (2022); Sonny Colbrelli (2021)

THE ADVANCEMENT OF
bike tech, with aeroeverything, choice suspension and
faster, tougher tyres, has rendered
Paris-Roubaix – the throwback
race of rutted cobblestones in
northern France – not quite the
technical, painful challenge it
once was. The men’s race, first
held in the spring of 1896, just
before the first Olympic Games,
has never been faster. Tactics do
have something to do with the
increase, and a helpful tailwind
will always ease the passage in
this point-to-point race towards
the Belgian border, but the speed
has been trending faster for the
past 40 years, with the past two
editions the fastest ever.
Last year’s edition was raced
at 46.84kmh, lasting just 5hr
28mins, 2hr 9mins faster than the
(admittedly 8km longer) 1990
entry. However much easier the
riders have it these days, it takes
nothing away from the spectacle
of Paris-Roubaix. Whether run in
a soggy mud bath or dusty arid
conditions, the flat landscapes
and ancient roads conspire to
conjure an atmosphere like no
other on the calendar. Grizzly
sectors of cobblestones, while

2023 Podium
1. Mathieu van der Poel
2. Jasper Philipsen
3. Wout van Aert

bikeradar.com

Mathieu van der Poel’s solo effort at Paris-Roubaix netted him a huge win

often repaired ahead of the race to
prevent them breaking up, remain
a long way from uniform. The
most famous section, the Forest of
Arenberg, remains a thundering
2.3km of brutality.
Before the cobbles begin, the
race departs not from Paris but
Compiègne, to the north of the
French capital. How far in the
cobbles start changes each year,
but it’s around 100km and the
remaining 150km or so has 25-30
cobbled sectors. Being at or near
the front of the sectors, especially
early on, is vital and jockeying for
position up there - a tactic to
avoid being caught up either in or
behind the many crashes that
occur - is hectic. Typically, the

field thins out and the winning
group, if one or more riders don’t
make a successful attack, is often
the one that best survives what
can become a war of attrition.
This iconic race climaxes in
its own unique way, with laps of
the historic outdoor velodrome
in Roubaix. However it ends,
whether in a nervous sprint of
a handful of riders or a soloist
soaking up the acclaim of fans,
it’s always one of the moments
of the year. Mathieu van der Poel,
the cyclo-cross prodigy turned
Classics-guzzling star of the road,
finally got his win tally here off
the mark in 2023 in a race that
always seemed tailormade to
his talents.
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Demi Vollering (SD
Worx) outsprinted
Elisa Longo Borghini
(Trek-Segafredo) in
the 2023 race finale

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21 APRIL

LIÈGE–BASTOGNE–LIÈGE FEMMES
Established 2017 Editions 7
Recent winners Demi Vollering (2023, 2021); Annemiek van Vleuten (2022)

THE WOMEN’S VERSION
of the men’s Liège-BastogneLiège, the oldest of the five oneday Monuments and first held in
1892, took a further 125 years to
come into being. Its inclusion
on the calendar meant that the
women’s peloton had the full set
of Ardennes Classics to tackle
each spring, alongside Amstel
Gold and La Flèche Wallonne.
Only the two Italian
Monuments, Milan-Sanremo and
Il Lombardia, don’t currently have
a women’s race running alongside
the men’s, but there are rumours
of the former getting off the
ground. Any women’s MilanSanremo wouldn’t be able to start
in Milan, with the near-300km
route well beyond the maximum
distance currently allowed on the
Women’s WorldTour, so it would
need to take a lead from LiègeBastogne-Liège Femmes, which
gets round the distance problem
by running the race from
Bastogne, the southern tip of the
men’s race, to Liège.
Last year the route was
142.8km, mapping roughly the
same route, if a little shorter, as
the men’s race up to the iconic
climb Côte de la Redoute (1.8km

at 7.8%) 36km from the finish.
From there the route is the same
back to the flat finish in the city,
including climbs such as Côte des
Forges and Côte de la Roche aux
Faucons. This is the hilliest region
of Belgium; the race skips the
longer, shallower climbs that
define the route from Liège to
Bastogne, and makes the most of
the shorter, sharper climbs in the
back end.
It’s one of the toughest days out
on the women’s calendar. One of
the longer stretches of flat comes
into the finish in Liège, by which
point we’re often treated to a
sprint contested by only a handful
of riders. In its seven editions to
date, its four winners are a who’s
who of the women’s peloton and,
like the men’s race, it’s been won

Most wins (2)
Anna van der Breggen 2017-18;
Annemiek van Vleuten
2019 & 2022
by a mix of one-day specialists and
Grand Tour climbers. Lizzie
Deignan won in 2020, while three
other serial winners, Anna van der
Breggen, Annemiek van Vleuten
and Demi Vollering, have all won
it twice. Vollering, subsequently
Tour de France Femmes
champion, won here last year,
outsprinting Elisa Longo Borghini
and showing the form that would
power her to the yellow jersey.

2023 Podium
1. Demi Vollering
2. Elisa Longo Borghini
3. Marlen Reusser

bikeradar.com

Despite its name, the race actually runs from Bastogne to Liège

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4-2 6 M AY

GIRO D’ITALIA

Established 1909 Editions 106
Recent winners Primož Roglič (2023); Jai Hindley (2022); Egan Bernal (2021)

14

JUST AS THE 2024 TOUR
de France features a tough
start in Italy, so too – though
somewhat more fittingly – does
this year’s Giro d’Italia. The first
Grand Tour of the season begins
in Turin, in northwest Italy,
and stage 1 includes a climb to
Superga, 75 years on from the
1949 plane crash that killed the
entire Torino football team. Stage
2 is even more hilly, with a
summit finish to Santuario di
Oropa (11.8km at 6.2%). To mix
things up, on stage 6 a quick
11.6km of Tuscany’s strade
bianche white roads feature. Then
there’s a meaty 68.2km of time
trialling, split over two stages (7
and 14). Another exciting stage (8)
comes in Abruzzo with an
undulating route climaxing with
the stiff climb to the Prati di Tivo
ski resort (14.6km at 7%).
The highlight of the second
week comes in the Italian Alps
to Livigno, and this mammoth
220km mountain stage has a
bruising finish at high altitude to
the ski resort on the Swiss border.
After a rest day, the peloton will
climb the Giro’s iconic climb,
Passo dello Stelvio – the race’s
loftiest point at 2,758m – on stage

16, at the start of the stage, before
following it up on 17 with an even
tougher summit finish stage in
the Dolomites. Best is saved until
last with a double ascent of
Veneto’s mighty Monte Grappa
(18.1km at 8.1%), though the
finish, perhaps unnecessarily,
comes after the long, dizzying
descent of the second.

In all, it’s a compact route, with
fewer overly long stages, and
shorter transfers helped by Naples
being the route’s southernmost
point. Tadej Pogačar will be
making his debut at the race and
will be a big favourite to win.
Thanks to another debutant, Wout
van Aert, this year’s edition won’t
be short of star wattage.

DATE

START

FINISH

KM

1

4 May

Venaria Reale

Turin

136

2

5 May

San Francesco al Campo

Santuario di Oropa

150

3

6 May

Novara

Fossano

165

4

7 May

Acqui Terme

Andora

187

5

8 May

Genoa

Lucca

176

6

9 May

Viareggio

Rapolano Terme

177

7

10 May

Foligno

Perugia

37.2

8

11 May

Spoleto

Prati di Tivo

153

9

12 May

Avezzano

Naples

206

10

14 May

Pompeii

Cusano Mutri

141

11

15 May

Foiano di Val Fortore

Francavilla al Mare

203

12

16 May

Martinsicuro

Fano

183

13

17 May

Riccione

Cento

179

14

18 May

Castiglione delle Stiviere

Desenzano del Garda

31

15

19 May

Manerba del Garda

Livigno

220

16

21 May

Livigno

Santa Cristina Valgardena

202

17

22 May

Selva di Val Gardena

Brocon Pass

154

2023 Podium

18

23 May

Fiera di Primiero

Padua

166

1. Primož Roglič

19

24 May

Mortegliano

Sappada

154

2. Geraint Thomas

20 25 May

Alpago

Bassano del Grappa

175

3. João Almeida

21

Rome

Rome

126

26 May

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GIRO D'ITALIA

ROUTE 2024
SWITZERLAND

16

17
18
20

15

02
03

19

14

01
04
05

13
06

I TA LY

07

A D R I AT I C
SEA

12

08

09
21

11

TYRRHENIAN
SEA
10

Key
Stage start
Stage finish
Time trial

Most wins (5)
Fausto Coppi; Alfredo Binda;
Eddy Merckx

S I C I LY
IONIAN
SEA

S

W

EVIE

16

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24

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Primož Roglič (front)
pipped Geraint
Thomas to the Maglia
Rosa in 2023

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5 MAY

TRO-BRO LÉON

2023 Podium
1 Giacomo Nizzolo
2 Arnaud de Lie 3 Nils Eekhoff
In 1984 this race took the essence
of Paris-Roubaix, the famous
cobbled classic, and transplanted
it to Finistère in western Brittany.
In 2000 it graduated to a men’s
professional race and now
sits on the ProSeries calendar.
Its gnarly farm track sectors made
it a gravel race long before gravel
racing and, while still something
of a cult race, its prestige
continues to grow.

10-12 MAY

ITZULIA WOMEN

2023 Podium
1 Marlen Reusser 2 Demi Vollering
3 Kasia Niewiadoma
Itzulia is the new name for the
Tour of the Basque Country, and
in 2022 it became another in a
long line of races originating in
men’s cycling to give the women’s
peloton their own race. Currently
it’s three days long and traverses
typically hilly Basque terrain.
The world’s dominant team,
SD Worx, won all the major
classifications last time out.

24-2 6 M AY

FORD RIDELONDON
CLASSIQUE

2023 Podium
1 Charlotte Kool 2 Chloe Dygert
3 Lizzie Deignan
Following the demise of the Tour
de Yorkshire (2020) and the
cancellation of last year’s Women’s
Tour, this three-day race was the
only WorldTour-level women’s race
in the UK in 2023. The 2024 route
follows the pattern of last year, with
stage finishes in the Essex towns of
Colchester and Maldon, followed
by a showpiece circuit race
in central London.

18

Swiss rider Marlen Reusser led the SD Worx charge at Itzulia Women

MAY

DATE

RACE

COUNTRY

CAT

1

Eschborn-Frankfurt

Ger

1.UWT

4

Grand Prix du Morbihan

Fra

1.Pro

5

Tro-Bro Léon

Fra

1.Pro

4-26

Giro d’Italia

Ita

2.UWT

8

Navarra Women’s Elite classic

Spa

1.Pro

8-12

Tour de Hongrie

Hun

2.Pro

9

Circuit de Wallonie

Bel

1.1

10-12

Itzulia Women

Spa

2.WWT

14-19

4 Jours de Dunkerque

Fra

2.Pro

16-19

Vuelta a Burgos Feminas

Spa

2.WWT

19-26

Tour of Japan

Jap

2.2

20

Paris-Troyes

Fra

1.2

23-26

Boucles de la Mayenne-Crédit Mutuel

Fra

2.Pro

23-26

Tour of Norway

Nor

2.Pro

24-26

Ford RideLondon Classique

GBR

2.WWT

26

Gran Premio Ciudad de Eibar

Spa

1.Pro

26

Rund um Köln

Ger

1.1

29

Circuit Franco-Belge

Bel

1.Pro

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JUNE

P

24

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2-9 JUNE

DATE

RACE

COUNTRY

CAT

2

Brussels Cycling Classic

Bel

1.Pro

2-9

Critérium du Dauphiné

Fra

2.UWT

4-9

Women’s Tour

GBR

2.WWT

5-9

ZLM Tour

Ned

2.1

8

Duracell Dwars door het Hageland

Bel

1.Pro

9-16

Tour de Suisse

Sui

2.UWT

12-16

Baloise Belgium Tour

Bel

2.Pro

12-16

Tour of Slovenia

Slo

2.Pro

14-23

Vuelta a Colombia

Col

2.2

15-18

Tour de Suisse Women

Sui

2.WWT

25-30

Internationale LOTTO Thüringen Ladies Tour

Ger

2.Pro

29-21

Tour de France

Fra

2.UWT

CRITÉRIUM DU DAUPHINÉ

2023 Podium
1 Jonas Vingegaard
2 Adam Yates 3 Ben O’Connor
This mountainous men’s race in
southeast France is one of the
few preparation races that has
had an uncanny ability to predict
July’s Tour de France: six times
in the last 11 years, riders have
done the double. Run by the same
organisation, ASO, it’s something
of a Tour de France in miniature,
with time trials and mountain
stages mimicking the
Grand Boucle’s.

4-9 JUNE

WOMEN’S TOUR

2022 Podium*
1 Elisa Longo Borghini
2 Grace Brown
3 Kasia Niewiadoma
A significant question mark hangs
over the running of the 2024
Women’s Tour in Britain. The race
was put on hiatus in 2023 due to
increased running costs and a
decrease in commercial support.
Sweetspot, the organisers, have
since entered liquidation, with a
financial dispute with British Cycling
over the Tour of Britain at the centre
of its money troubles.

9-16 JUNE

TOUR DE SUISSE

*2023 race postponed

2023 Podium
1 Mattias Skjelmose
2 Juan Ayuso 3 Remco Evenepoel

Jonas Vingegaard’s 2023 Dauphine performance emphasised his form

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Last season’s men’s race was
overshadowed by the tragic
death of home rider Gino Mäder,
who crashed into a ravine
descending the Albula Pass
on stage 5. It showed just how
vulnerable road cyclists are in
their jobs. Won last year by the
promising Danish rider Mattias
Skjelmose, its status as a Tour
preparation race is compromised
by its proximity to it.

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29 JUNE – 2 1 JULY

TOUR DE FRANCE

Established 1903 Editions 110
Recent winners Jonas Vingegaard (2023, 2022); Tadej Pogačar (2021)

AT THE END OF THE 2021
season, Tadej Pogačar’s
dynasty at the Tour de France
looked set to reign for years to
come. He’d won his second yellow
jersey in as many years, in
imperious fashion too, over five
minutes up on second-placed
Jonas Vingegaard. Vingegaard,
however, was already plotting his
succession. He rode a stealthy race
in 2021, only coming into the light
late on with strong showings in
the Pyrenees, and then in 2022,
backed up by an ironclad support
team, surged to victory in Paris.
Further success in 2023 only
emphasised his talent, with a
searingly fast time trial on stage
16 detonating the general
classification and paving the way
for a huge 7:29 margin of victory.
For his tilt at a third title in
2024, the challenge starts anew.
Pogačar, as is his wont, is fighting
on all fronts again, this year
attempting a very ambitious GiroTour double – something that
hasn’t been done since Marco
Pantani in 1998.
Vingegaard will also have to
deal with the much-anticipated
race debut of Remco Evenepoel.
To this point the Belgian, now 24,

20

had focused on the Spanish and
Italian Grand Tours, but he’ll be
unleashed by his SoudalQuickStep team this summer. His
support team lack the Grand Tour
clout of the 2023 treble-winning
juggernaut of Vingegaard’s VismaLease a Bike, however.
They’ll all be facing a very
difficult route. Starting in Italy for

DATE

FINISH

KM

29 June Florence

Rimini

206

2

30 June Cesenatico

Bologna

200

3

1 July

Plaisance

Turin

229

4

2 July

Pinerolo

Valloire

138

5

3 July

Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne

Saint-Vulbas

177

6

4 July

Mâcon

Dijon

163

7

5 July

Nuits-Saint-Georges

Gevrey-Chambertin

25

8

6 July

Semur-en-Auxois

Colombey-les-Deux-Églises 176

9

7 July

Troyes

Troyes

199

10

9 July

Orléans

Saint-Amand-Montrond

187

11

10 July

Évaux-les-Bains

Le Lioran

211

12

11 July

Aurillac

Villeneuve-sur-Lot

204

13

12 July

Agen

Pau

171

14

13 July

Pau

Saint-Lary-Soulan Pla d’Adet 152

15

14 July

Loudenvielle

Plateau de Beille

16

16 July

Gruissan

Nîmes

17

17 July

Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux Superdévoluy

178

1

START

the first time, there’s a hilly start
in Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna,
an early visit to the Alps on stage
4, 59km of time trials, 32km of
gravel on stage 9, four summit
finishes and the novelty of a
competitive final stage, in the
form of a hilly time trial in Nice,
relocated from Paris because
of the Olympics.

198
187

2023 Podium

18

18 July

Gap

Barcelonnette

179

1. Jonas Vingegaard

19

19 July

Embrun

Isola 2000

145

2. Tadej Pogačar

20 20 July

Nice

Col de la Couillole

133

3. Adam Yates

21

Monaco

Nice

34

21 July

cyclingplus.com

TOUR DE FRANCE

ROUTE 2024

09

T R OY E S
10
08

S A I N TARMANDMON T RON D

DIJON

07
06

11

05
12

03

19

BOLOGNE
17

13

NIMES

04

02

18

FLORENCE
21

PAU

20 N I C E

14

16
15

Most wins (5)
Jacques Anquetil; Eddy Merckx;
Bernard Hinault; Miguel Indurain

Map legend
Stage start

Stage finish

Time trial

01

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22

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Jonas Vingegaard
is bidding for a third
successive Tour de
France win this July

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12-18 AUGUST

TOUR DE FRANCE FEMMES

Established 2022 Editions 2
Recent winners Demi Vollering (2023); Annemiek van Vleuten (2022)

THE TIMING OF THE 2024
Olympics in Paris has forced
this, the third edition of the race,
back in the calendar, to three
weeks after the conclusion of the
men’s Tour. This is arguably good
news, distinguishing it further
from the men’s race and ensuring
its own spot on the calendar,
untethered from the attention
black hole of Le Tour.
This will be the race’s first start
outside of France, in the city of
Rotterdam, Netherlands, and it
won’t make it back until after the
halfway mark, midway through
stage 5. Although it’s again eight
stages long, there’s a throwback
split-stage on the 13 August, with
a stage for the sprinters on stage 2
followed by a short 6.3km time
trial on stage 3. Stage 4 pulls the
best of the Ardennes Classics,
including the Cauberg from
Amstel Gold and La Redoute from
Liège–Bastogne–Liège for a
crackerjack parcours. Stage 5 will
be a third opportunity for the
sprinters after stages 1 and 2,
before a hilly stage to Morteau.
By the weekend we’re into the
Alps for the toughest finish in the
race’s short history. First up is a
summit finish, although not an

2023 Podium
1. Demi Vollering
2. Lotte Kopecky
3. Kasia Niewiadoma

24

The previous TdFF editions have been settled in the mountains

especially difficult one, at Le
Grand-Bornand in the HauteSavoie, though the complexity of
the route to that point will mean
tired legs. They’ll need to be
awakened quickly, however, as the
finale sees the peloton climb the
Col du Glandon (19.7km at 7.2%)
before a summit finish on Alpe
d’Huez (13.8km at 8.1%). This
showpiece climb made famous by
the men’s race will provide madefor-television racing.
The race to date has seen the
race’s outstanding climber
(Annemiek van Vleuten in 2022,
Demi Vollering in 2023) grab the
race by the scruff of the neck as

soon as the race has hit the high
mountains. The task of the
organisers is to make the course
even enough to stop a single rider
dominating, and that’s the
question again this year, with a
finish on Alpe d’Huez, one of the
toughest in the French Alps. Van
Vleuten and Vollering have shared
the win in the first two editions,
but with the retirement of van
Vleuten, where will Vollering’s
major rival come from? Kasia
Niewiadoma has finished third
twice and, though a consistent
rider, has few wins to her name.
Will a new, younger rider make a
name for themselves this year?

cyclingplus.com

TOUR DE FRANCE FEMMES

ROUTE 2024
DATE

START

FINISH

1

12 August

Rotterdam

La Haye

KM
124

2

13 August

Dordrecht

Rotterdam

67

3

13 August

Rotterdam

Rotterdam

6.3

4

14 August

Valkenburg

Liège

122

5

15 August

Bastogne

Amnéville

150

Most wins (1)

6

16 August

Remiremont

Morteau

160

Demi Vollering;
Annemiek van Vleuten

7

17 August

Champagnole

Le Grand-Bornand

167

8

18 August

Le Grand-Bornand

Alpe d’Huez

150

R O T T E R DA M
03
01

02
04

BELGIUM

05

FR ANCE

AMNÉVILLE

06

REMIREMONT

07

LE GR A ND-BOR NA ND

08

Map legend
Stage start

Stage finish

Time trial

A L PE D’H U E Z

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7-14 JULY

GIRO D’ITALIA WOMEN

2023 Podium
1 Annemiek van Vleuten
2 Juliette Labous 3 Gaia Realini
Perhaps spurred on by ASO’s
success with the Tour de France
Femmes, organisers RCS Sport
have ditched the Giro Donne
moniker for Giro d’Italia Women,
and invested more resources into a
race that has been on the decline.
Its date also moves deeper into July
and, though it still clashes with the
men’s Tour de France, riders will be
extra motivated, with the Olympic
road race on the immediate horizon.

8-11 AUGUST

ARCTIC RACE OF NORWAY

JULY

DATE

RACE

COUNTRY

CAT

6-9

Sibiu Cycling Tour

Bel

2.1

7-14

Tour of Qinghai Lake

Chi

2.Pro

7-14

Giro d’Italia Women

Ita

2.WWT

13-15

Tour de l’Ain

Fra

2.1

2023 Podium
1 Stevie Williams 2 Christian Scaroni
3 Kevin Vermaerke

22-26

Tour de Wallonie

Bel

2.Pro

23-24

Vuelta a Castilla y Leon

Spa

2.1

Part of Tour organiser ASO’s race
stable since its creation in 2013,
what the men’s Arctic Tour of
Norway lacks in prestige and history
it makes up for in its fantastic
scenery in the Arctic Circle.
The town of Bodø, which hosts
the start and finish of the 2024
race, is one of three European
Capitals of Culture for the year. It
was won by Briton Stevie Williams
last season.

24-28

Tour Alsace

Fra

2.2

25-28

Czech Tour

Cze

2.1

27

Olympic Games-ITT Men / Women

Fra

Olympics

DATE

RACE

COUNTRY

CAT

3

Olympic Games-Road Race Men

Fra

Olympics

4

Olympic Games-Road Race Women

Fra

Olympics

10 AUGUST

5-9

Vuelta a Burgos

Spa

2.Pro

CLÁSICA SAN SEBASTIÁN

8-11

Arctic Race of Norway

Nor

2.Pro

10

Clásica San Sebastián

Spa

1.UWT

12-18

Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift

Fra

2.WWT

12-18

Tour de Pologne

Pol

2.UWT

14-18

PostNord Tour of Denmark

Den

2.Pro

17-8

La Vuelta Ciclista a España

Spa

2.UWT

21-25

Deutschland Tour

Ger

2.Pro

24

Classic Lorient Agglomération

Fra

1.WWT

25

Bretagne Classic

Fra

1.UWT

25

Grand Prix de Plouay

2023 Podium
1 Remco Evenepoel 2 Pello Bilbao
3 Aleksandr Vlasov
Usually held the week following
the Tour de France, the race has
been pushed back a couple of
weeks because of Paris hosting
the Olympic Games. Starting and
finishing in the Basque culinary
capital of San Sebastián, the route
is chock full of the region’s sharp
climbs. Remco Evenepoel, who’s
taken a distinct liking to the race, is
aiming for a record fourth
victory here.

26

Remco Evenepoel
has mastered
the Clásica San
Sebastián route

AUGUST

Fra

1.2

27-1 Sept Tour of Scandinavia

Nor

2.WWT

28-1

Bel

2.UWT

Renewi Tour

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26 JULY – 11 AUGUS T

OLYMPIC GAMES
Established 1896 Editions 33

WITH ITS SEPARATION
from the race calendar and
riders’ day jobs on trade teams and occurrence every four years gold in the Olympic Games road
race hasn’t always been the
prestige victory that it is for other
sports. In recent years, however,
that has changed and though gold
here still doesn’t carry as much
weight on a palmares as, say, a
Paris-Roubaix, it’s still a feather in
the cap of any rider.
That’s particularly true for the
winners of the Tokyo 2020 road
races who, for very different
reasons, returned home to heroes’
welcomes in 2021 (when the
delayed Tokyo Games took place).
Richard Carapaz became just the
third athlete from Ecuador to win
Olympic gold, while Austria’s
Anna Kiesenhofer was the
ultimate outsider, who kept the
world’s best at arm’s length by
being the sole survivor of the
race’s breakaway.
Neither the Tour de France or
the Tour de France Femmes will
visit Paris this summer, with the
Olympic road races being held in
and around the city on 3 (men’s)
and 4 (women’s) August. The
273km men’s road race departs
Paris to the southwest after a

procession by the Eiffel Tower.
The Chevreuse Valley offers
challenging terrain, with Classicsstyle inclines coming thick and
fast. The next 225km of the route
takes place in the wider Paris
region, before a final 48km on a
circuit in Paris, including three
ascents of the Butte Montmartre
(1km at 6.5%) cobbled climb.
There’s close to 10km of flat roads
into the finish before a likely
sprint finish on the Trocadéro.
The women’s race is 158km,
following a similar route out of
Paris, though has a less thorough
exploration of its hinterland,

2020 Podium (Women’s RR)
1. Anna Kiesenhofer
2. Annemiek van Vleuten
3. Elisa Longo Borghini

before the same three ascents of
Butte Montmartre into the finish.
It’s a course that’ll suit the
usual suspects of the one-day
Classic, the Tour of Flanders, such
as Mathieu van der Poel and Lotte
Kopecky. For the first time in
Olympics history, an equal
number (90) of men and women
will compete in the road races. In
the context of the calendar, these
are small fields and inevitably
affect tactics. Countries have
different numbers of riders on
their teams, according to past
performance, but even the biggest
teams have just four riders in
them (GB will have four in both
men’s and women’s races). In the
time trial, equality rules again, as
35 riders will contest both men’s
and women’s races on the same
course, a flat 32.4km.

2020 Podium (Men’s RR)
1. Richard Carapaz
2. Wout van Aert
3. Tadej Pogačar

bikeradar.com

The previous women’s Olympic road race in Japan had a surprise winner

27

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17 AUGUST – 8 SEPTEMBER

VUELTA A ESPANA

Established 1935 Editions 78
Recent winners Sepp Kuss (2023); Remco Evenepoel (2022); Primož Roglič (2021)

TEAM JUMBO-VISMA
didn’t just record an historic
trio of wins across the three
Grand Tours of 2023, they also
swept the podium of the Vuelta a
España, with Primož Roglič and
Jonas Vingegaard helping to lift
American Sepp Kuss to his first
general classification win in a
three-week race.
Whether Kuss returns to
defend his title or not, the
contenders of the 2024 race will
be similarly flyweight, with a
route that seeks to touch the sky.
Juxtaposed against two flat
individual time trials totalling
34km, which will bookend the
race in Lisbon and Madrid, are a
huge nine summit finishes. Aside
from the two TTs and the stages
described as mountainous,
medium mountains and hilly,
there’s a solitary flat stage (5) into
Sevilla, after which the sprinters
are surplus to requirements.
This orgy of climbing, however,
is the Vuelta’s USP. After a hilly
opening in Portugal, the treachery
begins in Spain on stage 4 with a
summit finish at Pico Villuercas.
Difficulty is ramped up in Sierra
Nevada on stage 9. The finish into
Granada comes after a descent,

28

but the three preceding category 1
climbs (including two ascents of
Alto de Hazallanas) make for a
fearsome stage. A big transfer to
the hilly northern region of
Galicia precedes the first rest day,
with summit finishes on both
stages 12 and 13, the latter on the
steep climb to Puerto de Ancares,
where Alberto Contador got the

better of Chris Froome in 2014.
It’s got nothing on the insidious
Cuitu Negru on stage 15, which
concludes at gradients north of
20%. Stage 20 to Picón Blanco
ends the mountain suffering with
perhaps the toughest stage of the
lot, while a competitive final time
trial in Madrid has the potential
to shake up a tight GC battle.

DATE

START

FINISH

1

17 Aug

Lisbon

Oeiras

12

2

18 Aug

Cascais

Ourém

191

3

19 Aug

Lousã

Castelo Branco

182

4

20 Aug

Plasencia

Pico Villuercas

167

5

21 Aug

Fuente del Maestre

Sevilla

170

6

22 Aug

Jerez de la Frontera

Yunquera

181

7

23 Aug

Archidona

Córdoba

179

8

24 Aug

Úbeda

Cazorla

159

9

25 Aug

Motril

Granada

178

Ponteareas

Baiona

160

10 27 Aug
11

28 Aug

KM

Padrón

Padrón

164

12 29 Aug

Ourense

Estación de Montaña de Manzaneda

133

13 30 Aug

Lugo

Puerto de Ancares

14 31 Aug

Villafranca del Bierzo Villablino

199

15 1 Sept

Inifiesto

Valgrande-Pajares, Cuitu Negru

142

16 3 Sept

Luanco

Lagos de Covadonga

181

17 4 Sept

Arnuero

Santander

143

171

2023 Podium

18 5 Sept

Vitoria-Gasteiz

Maeztu

175

1. Sepp Kuss

19 6 Sept

Logroño

Alto de Moncalvillo

168

2. Jonas Vingegaard

20 7 Sept

Villarcayo

Picón Blanco

188

3. Primož Roglič

21

Madrid

Madrid

8 Sept

22

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VUELTA A ESPANA

ROUTE 2024
16
17

S A N TA N D E R

18

13
15

11

20

12

19
14

BA RCELONA

10

PORT UGA L
21
03

MADRID

04

S PA I N

01

LISBON

08
05

02

07

09
06

G I B R A LTA R
ALBOR AN SEA

Most wins (4)
Roberto Heras; Tony Rominger
(3); Alberto Contador (3);
Primož Roglič (3)

Map legend
Stage start

Stage finish

Time trial

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Fans come out in their
droves for the Vuelta a
España, notably in the
mountains

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1-8 SEPTEMBER

TOUR OF BRITAIN

2023 Podium
1 Wout van Aert 2 Tobias Halland
Johannessen 3 Damien Howson
The future of Britain’s national race
was thrown into doubt in November
when it was revealed that British
Cycling, who license the race to
promotor Sweetspot, were
embroiled in a financial dispute with
the race organiser, saying that it had
terminated its agreement with
rights fees owed into the hundreds
of thousands. It’s on the calendar,
but whether it goes ahead remains
to be seen.

5-8 SEPTEMBER

TOUR DE ROMANDIE FÉMININ
2023 Podium
1 Demi Vollering 2 Kasia
Niewiadoma 3 Marlen Reusser

Now in its third year, this Swiss
women’s race gets an extra day
and, as the final major mountainous
stage race before a demanding
World Championships in Zurich, it’s
sure to add extra spice. Demi
Vollering’s stage 2 win on the
summit finish to Torgon, near the
UCI’s Aigle HQ, propelled her to
victory in 2023 to cap an
exceptional season for the
Dutchwoman.

SEPTEMBER

DATE

RACE

1

Maryland Cycling Classic

COUNTRY

CAT

USA

1.Pro

1-8

Tour of Britain

GBR

2.Pro

5-8

Tour de Romandie Féminin

Sui

2.WWT

5 OCTOBER

8

GP de Fourmies / La Voix du Nord

Fra

1.Pro

GIRO DELL’EMILIA

8

GP Industria

Ita

1.Pro

8

BEMER Cyclassics

Ger

1.UWT

8-13

Simac Ladies Tour

Ned

2.WWT

12

Gran Premio città di Peccioli-Coppa Sabatini

Ita

1.Pro

13

Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec

Can

1.UWT

2023 Podium
1 Primož Roglič
2 Tadej Pogačar 3 Simon Yates
Like Il Lombardia a week later, the
roll call of winners of this Italian oneday Classic is a who’s who of great
stage racers. Gino Bartali, Eddy
Merckx and Jan Ullrich are all
historic winners, while Roglič has
claimed three of the past five
editions to stake his claim as the
man to beat. It all takes place in the
northern region of Emilia-Romagna,
with a hilly circuit finish in the city
of Bologna.

32

Have we seen the final edition of the Tour of Britain in its current guise?

14

Memorial Marco Pantani

Ita

1.1

15

Women’s Cycling Grand Prix Stuttgart

Ger

1.Pro

15

Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal

Can

1.UWT

18

Grand Prix de Wallonie

Bel

1.Pro

18-22

Skoda Tour de Luxembourg

Lux

2.Pro

21

SUPER 8 Classic

Bel

1.Pro

21-29

World Championships

Sui

WC

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DATE

RACE

COUNTRY

CAT

1

Binche-Chimay-Binche

Bel

1.1

1-6

Cro Race

Cro

2.1

3

Sparkassen Münsterland Giro

Ger

1.Pro

5

Giro dell’Emilia

Ita

1.Pro

5

Tour de Vendée

Fra

1.1

5

Giro dell’Emilia Internazionale Donne Elite

Ita

1.Pro

6

Paris-Tours

Fra

1.Pro

8-13

Simac Ladies Tour

Ned

WWT

8

Tre Valli Varesine

Ita

1.Pro

10

Gran Piemonte

Ita

1.Pro

10-13

Tour of Taihu Lake

Chi

2.Pro

12

Il Lombardia

Ita

1.UWT

13

Chrono des Nations

Fra

1.1

15-20

Gree-Tour of Guangxi

Chi

2.UWT

15-17

Tour of Chongming Island

Chi

2.WWT

16

Giro del Veneto

Ita

1.Pro

20

Tour of Guangxi

Chi

1.WWT

20

Japan Cup Cycle Road Race

Jap

1.Pro

20

Veneto Classic

Ita

1.Pro

IL LOMBARDIA

2023 Podium
1 Tadej Pogačar 2 Andrea Bagioli
3 Primož Roglič
This final Monument of the season,
which has alternated recently
between starts and finishes in
Bergamo and Como, feels
tailormade for Tadej Pogačar.
Cooler temperatures, lower-altitude
mountains and aggressive racing all
suit the Slovenian, and he’s won on
each of his three appearances here.

13 OCTOBER

CHRONO DES NATIONS

2023 Podium
1 Josh Tarling 2 Remco Evenepoel
3 Stefan Bissegger
This standalone time trial for men
and women has its roots in the
defunct Grand Prix des Nations. It’s
still a big deal for the time trial
specialists, so it was a real coup for
Ineos Grenadiers’ 19-year-old
wonderkid Brit Josh Tarling to beat
world champion Remco Evenepoel.

Pogačar has won
Il Lombardia every
year he’s entered

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Lotte Kopecky of
Belgium slipped away
in last season’s finale
for her biggest win

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2 1 -2 9 SE P T E MB E R

UCI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Established 1927 Editions 88

THE EXPERIMENT OF LAST
season’s combined World
Championships, staged in
Glasgow and across Scotland, was
an undoubted success for the
wider sport of cycling, especially
for those strands of cycle sport
that are less heralded or have a
smaller, cult following, with races
and competitions being shown on
live television all week.
The sticking point for the big
beast of road racing, which has a
vast worldwide audience to begin
with, was its switch-up in the
calendar. It got brought forward in
the calendar, at the request of the
Scottish organisers, to early
August, and not only was this
shortly after the men’s and
women’s Tours de France, leaving
riders little time for specific
training, but it also stripped the
tail end of the season a focal point.
For 2024, to the delight of many,
it’s back in its usual late
September slot, and heading to
Zürich, Switzerland, for the fourth
time, with some gruelling courses
on the menu.
While mountain biking,
cycle-ball and the rest are back to
having their own Worlds (the
‘Super Worlds’ is set to be staged
every four years), para-cycling

road events are being rolled into
the World Championships for the
first time. All told, around 1,300
cyclists from 75 countries will
compete for 53 gold medals across
the week. All the races – time
trials and road races – will finish
on Sechseläutenplatz, in the
centre of the city on the shores of
Lake Zürich, with starts either in
Zürich or in a variety of
neighbouring towns.
The men’s and women’s elite
road races start in Winterthur and
Uster respectively, covering
distances of 273.9km and
154.1km. Elevations are a chunky

2023 Podium (Women’s RR)
1. Lotte Kopecky
2. Demi Vollering
3. Cecillie Uttrup Ludwig

4,470m and 2,488m, which
primarily comes from the
finishing circuit in and around
Zürich; the men complete the
27km with 501m elevation seven
times, while the women must
contend with four.
With the Worlds, the UCI does
tend to mix up the courses to give
all types of rider a shot at the
winner’s rainbow jersey, so it’s a
little unfortunate that the 2024
course is so similar to the Glasgow
course of 2023, albeit with fewer
corners on the circuit. Expect the
winners from last year, Mathieu
van der Poel and Lotte Kopecky,
to be among the favourites to
defend their titles. In the elite
time trials, the men’s race will be
over 46.1km (413m elevation) and
the women’s 29.9km (327m), each
on rolling courses.

2023 Podium (Men’s RR)
1. Mathieu van der Poel
2. Wout van Aert
3. Tadej Pogačar

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Mathieu van der Poel (Netherlands) on his way to his first road rainbow jersey

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MEN’S
WORLDTOUR
TEAMS
The same 18 teams who held men’s UCI WorldTour (WT) licences in
2023 have got one for 2024. The licence period now runs over threeyear periods, with points accumulated over those seasons and the top
18 teams being awarded a licence for the next three years. So despite
Astana-Qazaqstan and Arkéa–Samsic finishing outside the top 18 in
2023, they’ll continue with a WT licence until 2026. A WT licence
means the team has to ride all WT races, while those with a ProTeam
licence, the next level down, must rely on invites. Exceptions to this
rule are the top two 2023 ProTeams, Lotto-Dstny and Israel-Premier
Tech, who receive automatic wildcards to the Grand Tours, even if
they’re not obliged to accept them. Ranking points are awarded not
just in WT races but all UCI races, including World and National
Championships and under-23 racing. The number of points awarded
depends on the prestige of the race. For example, the Tour de France
winner nets the biggest haul, 1,300 points, a one-day Monument like
Tour of Flanders gets 800, week-long WorldTour stage race TirrenoAdriatico 500 and one-day Classic Brabantse Pijl 200.

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UAE TEAM EMIRATES

Nationality UAE Established 1999 Manager Mauro Gianetti
Bike Colnago 2023 WT wins 28 2023 UCI ranking 1
Despite Jumbo-Visma winning all three Grand Tours, the vagaries of the
rankings system ensured UAE Team Emirates finished the season as world
number one. A big part of that, of course, was the 10 WorldTour wins of Tadej
Pogačar, but it was a bigger spread of wins across the team – a weakness up
until now – that elevated the team. The signing of Adam Yates proved inspired.
The Bury man offered strong mountains support for Pogačar in the Tour de
France, the first yellow jersey of that race and wins in Romandie and
Montreal. Incoming for 2024 are climber Pavel Sivakov and Nils Politt, who’ll
be a strength for Pogačar as he takes aim at the Giro-Tour double.

Tadej Pogačar
Though runner-up in the Tour
de France again, big wins
elsewhere ensured Pogačar’s
world number one ranking for
the third year running

TEAM VISMA-LEASE A BIKE

Nationality Netherlands Established 1990 Manager Richard Plugge
Bike Cervélo 2023 WT wins 38 2023 UCI ranking 2

Jonas Vingegaard
Back-to-back Tour de
France wins mean
rivals have a seemingly
impenetrable puzzle to
crack this July

How do you top a season like 2023? Winning all three Grand Tours of the year
was unprecedented. However, they’ll be without the rider who’s done so
much to elevate them to the top, Primož Roglič, who has moved on to BoraHansgrohe and will prove a thorn in the side of Jonas Vingegaard at the Tour
de France. Vingegaard himself will be trying to do it all again in his bid for a
third successive yellow jersey, after cruising to his second last year. Focusing
his season entirely on the Tour has helped him get the better of Tadej Pogačar
in France two years running, but he will face additional challenges this
summer, against Roglič and, on debut, Remco Evenepoel.

SOUDAL QUICK-STEP

Nationality Belgium Established 2003 Manager Patrick Lefevere
Bike Specialized 2023 WT wins 23 2023 UCI ranking 3
Talk of a merger with Jumbo-Visma thankfully came to nothing – two of the
three best teams being carved up into one would have been bad for the sport.
2023 was, by their own standards, unspectacular. Almost half of their
WorldTour wins went to Remco Evenepoel, who delivered a curate’s egg of a
season. Two stage wins at the Giro d’Italia were undermined by his Covid
withdrawal before stage 10, then there were three wins at the Vuelta either
side of a catastrophic plunge out of the general classification hunt. Mikel
Landa joins to add support to Evenepoel on his expected Tour de France
debut, while American prodigy Luke Lamperti joins from Trinity Racing.

bikeradar.com

Remco Evenepoel
After rumours of a move to
Ineos Grenadiers came to
nought, the Belgian will want
strong support from his team
on his Tour debut

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INEOS GRENADIERS

Nationality Great Britain Established 2010 Manager John Allert
Bike Pinarello 2023 WT wins 9 2023 UCI ranking 4

Tom Pidcock
Does the supremely
talented Brit need a tighter
focus on the road, for
danger of spreading
himself too thin?

A WorldTour win tally of nine in 2023 was poor for a team with such largesse.
And Ineos aren’t going to get close to winning the Tour again until they either
uncover a challenger to the big three of Vingegaard, Pogačar and Evenepoel, or
recruit one of them. There’s been internal upheaval in the winter, with
manager Rod Ellingworth’s sudden departure and a raft of high-profile
departures including Tao Geoghegan Hart to Lidl-Trek. Sir Dave Brailsford is
no longer part of the day-to-day running of the team in his role as Director of
Sport at Ineos and will have a role at Manchester United once Sir Jim
Ratcliffe’s investment in the football club is confirmed.

LIDL-TREK

Nationality USA Established 2011 Manager Luca Guercilena
Bike Trek 2023 WT wins 8 2023 UCI ranking 5
Last year was a much-improved showing for Lidl-Trek, surging up the
rankings from 12th in 2022 to fifth in 2023 with big wins in crunch races.
Former world champion Mads Pedersen was again their star man, bagging
major stage wins in the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia, while his Danish
compatriot Mattias Skjelmose won the overall at Tour de Suisse. The team has
addressed their lack of a Grand Tour leader with the signing of British 2020
Giro d’Italia winner Tao Geoghegan Hart. The team will hope he thrives in the
leadership role he often had to share at Ineos Grenadiers, though much will
depend on his recovery from the broken femur sustained at the Giro in May.

Mads Pedersen
Coming into his prime at
28, the Dane has won in
all three Grand Tours and
was on the podium at the
2023 Tour of Flanders

BAHRAIN VICTORIOUS

Nationality Bahrain Established 2009 Manager Milan Eržen
Bike Merida 2023 WT wins 12 2023 UCI ranking 6

Matej Mohorič
This Slovenian winner of
Milan-Sanremo in 2022, and
winner at all three Grand
Tours, has spectacular
performances in his arsenal

38

The team lived up to their name in last season’s Grand Tours, winning stages
in all three of the Giro, Tour and Vuelta – six in total, with a bumper three at
the Tour de France. Even Wout Poels got in on the act, winning at the Tour and
Vuelta, for his first ever Grand Tour stages at the age of 35. Sprinter Jonathan
Milan was another to have a good year, winning a stage and the points jersey
at the Giro, so his departure to Lidl-Trek will be a blow. They’ll likely be a stage
hunting team once more, with weight on the shoulders of Matej Mohorič, a
five-time winner at Grand Tours. British national champion Fred Wright can’t
be far away from a big win on the world stage either.

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GROUPAMA-FDJ

Nationality France Established 1997 Manager Marc Madiot
Bike Wilier 2023 WT wins 2 2023 UCI ranking 7
France’s top team will have to contend with the loss of the services of longtime talisman Thibaut Pinot, who exited stage left in 2023 after a
distinguished career defined as much by the crushing lows (leaving the 2019
Tour de France late on) as swaggering highs (stage wins on Alpe d’Huez and
the Tourmalet). Another homegrown rider, Arnaud Démare, left mid-season
2023 after a dispute with management. Both were major riders for GroupamaFDJ and their absence will be hard to absorb. David Gaudu will again be their
leader in the Tour but consistency continues to evade him. Brit Matt Walls, the
Tokyo Olympic Omnium champion, joins from Bora-Hansgrohe.

David Gaudu
This mercurial talent
has two top 10s in the Tour
under his belt and could
threaten the podium if he’s
on top of his game

ALPECIN-DECEUNINCK

Nationality Belgium Established 2009 Manager Philip Roodhooft
Bike Canyon 2023 WT wins 17 2023 UCI ranking 8

Mathieu van der Poel
The Dutch rider, by
his own admission,
completed his palmares in
2023 and won’t even be
30 until next year

Eighth place in the UCI rankings in 2023 wasn’t a reflection of a brilliant
season that netted Alpecin two of the five one-day Monuments (MilanSanremo and Paris-Roubaix through Mathieu van der Poel) plus four Tour de
France stage wins and the green jersey (sprinter Jasper Philipsen). Kaden
Groves also chipped in with three sprint wins at the Vuelta and one at the
Giro. It was done in Dutch colours, but Van der Poel’s Worlds road race win in
Glasgow means he’ll carry the rainbow jersey for the team through 2024.
They’re a team that consistently punches above its weight, thanks to both van
der Poel and Philipsen, who are the best in the world at what they do.

BORA-HANSGROHE

Nationality Germany Established 2010 Manager Ralph Denk
Bike Specialized 2023 WT wins 7 2023 UCI ranking 10
Stage wins in all three Grand Tours in 2023 couldn’t disguise an under-par
season, which saw Bora-Hansgrohe slip six places in the rankings and nearly
halve its WorldTour win tally. Jai Hindlay earned a creditable seventh place
finish and a mountains stage win on debut in the Tour de France, following up
his Giro d’Italia win in 2022. He may have to turn his attention back to the
Italian race, however, with the winter arrival of big beast of the peloton,
Primož Roglič, from Jumbo-Visma. This serial winner needs a Tour de France
win to complete his career, and with Jonas Vingegaard firmly number one on
his old team, the Slovenian will receive unconditional support on his new one.

bikeradar.com

Primož Roglič
34 now but a late
starter in cycling terms, the
reigning Giro champion’s
winter transfer shows his
continued motivation

39

Jayco AlUla’s Chris
Harper helped Simon
Yates to a fourth place
finish at the 2023 Tour
de France

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EF EDUCATION-EASYPOST

Nationality USA Established 2004 Manager Jonathan Vaughters
Bike Cannondale 2023 WT wins 4 2023 UCI ranking 11
A couple of stage wins at the Giro d’Italia was the best EFE got in terms of
victories in 2023, though there was much more competitiveness about the
team, with its ranking surging seven places in 2023. Chief among these, with
his disruptive style of racing, was England-born Irishman Ben Healy, 23, who
enjoyed a fine Ardennes Classics season, with second at Amstel Gold and
fourth at Liège–Bastogne–Liège. They’ll be looking for more from marquee
signing Richard Carapaz, who endured a dismal debut with the team in 2023,
while Magnus Cort, a reliable performer over the years, departs for Uno-X.
Veteran former world champion Rui Costa has joined and adds experience.

Neilson Powless
Alongside Healy, this
American was a top
performer in 2023 and will be
looking to convert high
placings into wins

MOVISTAR TEAM

Nationality Spain Established 1980 Manager Eusebio Unzué
Bike Canyon 2023 WT wins 3 2023 UCI ranking 12

Enric Mas
The 29-year-old Spaniard
has three second-place
finishes in his home Grand
Tour of the Vuelta but is
running out of time to win it

It’s been slim pickings at the Spanish WorldTour team since the prime years
of Alejandro Valverde and Nairo Quintana. Valverde retired at the end of
2022 at the grand old age of 42, at a time when his days of winning big were
over, while Quintana, who won the Giro and Vuelta for the team, left for
Arkéa–Samsic in 2020. In a sign that they’ve struggled to move on,
Quintana returns for 2023 after a year without a team and at 34 will
be hard pressed to rewind the clock. Enric Mas has occasionally looked like a
Grand Tour contender, but in 2023 crashing out on the first stage of the
Tour didn’t give him a chance to get going.

JAYCO ALULA

Nationality Australia Established 2012 Manager Brent Copeland
Bike Giant 2023 WT wins 4 2023 UCI ranking 13
A rise in the rankings from 16 to 13 came despite a significant fall in
WorldTour wins from nine to four. A big part of this points haul was Simon
Yates’ fourth place finish at the Tour de France, his best ever result at the race
and the team’s joint best (with twin Adam in 2016). It was the first Grand Tour
since his podium at the 2021 Giro d’Italia that Simon hadn’t been forced to
pull out with injury or illness, and the team will hope he has another
incident-free ride through the Grand Tours in 2024. Their sprint ranks will be
boosted by the return of homegrown rider Caleb Ewan, whose five-year spell
at Lotto-Dstny ended ignominiously. Luke Plapp joins from Ineos Grenadiers.

bikeradar.com

Simon Yates
The Brit, now 31, is Jayco
AlUla’s only Grand Tour
winner (2018 Vuelta) and
when fit and healthy is very
competitive over three weeks

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TEAM COFIDIS

Nationality France Established 1997 Manager Cédric Vasseur
Bike Look 2023 WT wins 4 2023 UCI ranking 14

Guillaume Martin
The 30-year-old Frenchman
has four Tour finishes
between 8th and 12th place
and was their biggest points
earner for two years running

An analysis of Cofidis’ 2023 season can only begin with its double stage win at
the Tour de France. For 15 years, as both a wildcard invite and an automatic
WorldTour pick, the French team had endured a barren run at the race, and
was very much viewed as the Tour’s whipping boys. They were finally able to
uncork the champagne that had been on ice for so many years when Victor
Lafay won on stage 2. Tour stage wins can be like buses and Ion Izagirre had
his arms aloft on stage 12. Lafay is out for 2024, having moved on to
Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale Team, but Cofidis has added experience by signing
Ion’s older brother Gorka Izagirre and French climber Kenny Elissonde.

INTERMARCHÉ–WANTY

Nationality Belgium Established 2009 Manager Jean-François Bourlart
Bike Cube 2023 WT wins 4 2023 UCI ranking 15
The Belgian team punched well above its weight in 2022 to finish fifth in the
world rankings although fell to 15th last time out, which is still par
considering its budget and squad. After winning big at Gent-Wevelgem in
2022, Biniam Girmay didn’t do anything last year to match or better it in a
year beset by illness and injury. Veteran Rui Costa, at the Vuelta, was the
team’s sole Grand Tour stage winner and biggest points winner across the
season. His departure to EF-Education EasyPost, therefore, will be a keenlyfelt loss. The team’s incoming transfers for 2024 are very much focused on
youth, with five riders signing between the ages of 19-24.

Biniam Girmay
This Eritrean with a fast finish
and talent for the Classics
won at the Tour de Suisse in
2023 but will be looking for
more this season

TEAM DSM-FIRMENICH POSTNL

Nationality Netherlands Established 2005 Manager Iwan Spekenbrink
Bike Scott 2023 WT wins 5 2023 UCI ranking 17

Romain Bardet
Now 33, Frenchman
Romain Bardet is a steady
hand on their Tour de France
GC tiller in what may be
his final season

42

Ever since 2017 this Dutch team has had the youngest average age in the
WorldTour – just 24.2 years old in 2023. Youth means promise, but it also
means a gamble on the present and future, and a scramble for results. There
were two wins at the Vuelta, including a satisfying one in the team time trial,
and another at the Giro d’Italia. All three wins involved sprinter Alberto
Dainese, the team’s most prolific rider across the season, and it’ll be a regret
that he’s left for ProTeam Tudor Pro Cycling. His replacement, Fabio Jakobsen,
is an upgrade, while highly-rated young Brit Oscar Onley took his first
individual WorldTour win at the Tour Down Under at the start of 2024.

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DECATHLON-AG2R LA MONDIALE TEAM

Nationality France Established 1992 Manager Vincent Lavenu
Bike Van Rysel 2023 WT wins 3 2023 UCI ranking 18
The team received a significant budget increase for 2024 following the
announcement in November that French sports retail giant Decathlon had
signed on as title sponsor, with the team taking the firm’s race bike brand Van
Rysel on as their bike supplier. A history of over 30 years as a cycling team
counted for nothing when Citroen left their title sponsorship early and its
future looked uncertain. Decathlon is on board until 2028, which puts that
discussion to bed. Austrian Felix Gall was the star performer last year,
winning a stage in the Tour de France. Ireland’s Sam Bennett has joined and
will look to get his career going again after several fallow years.

Ben O’Connor
Struggles at the 2023 Tour
after coming third in the
Dauphiné earlier that summer
will raise motivation as he
heads into 2024

ARKÉA-B&B HOTELS

Nationality France Established 2005 Manager Emmanuel Hubert
Bike Bianchi 2023 WT wins 0 2023 UCI ranking 19

Arnaud Démare
The French sprinter joins
with an impressive CV
behind him, including the
2016 Milan-Sanremo and 10
Grand Tour stage wins

2023 was another season of struggle for the lowly French team. It produced
zero WorldTour wins and only 10 of any kind, and its tumbling down the
rankings can be partly attributed to the departure of hitherto team leader
Nairo Quintana. Its top point scorer was Arnaud Démare, though he only
joined in August and much of his haul was achieved on his previous team,
Groupama-FDJ. He looked rejuvenated by the move and they’ll look to him for
success this season. B&B Hotels coming on board as a new title sponsor is a
boost, and the team will be aiming for further renewal after the departures of
past-their-prime big names such as Nacer Bouhanni and Warren Barguil.

ASTANA-QAZAQSTAN TEAM

Nationality Kazakhstan Established 2006 Manager Alexandre
Vinokourov Bike Wilier 2023 WT wins 1 2023 UCI ranking 20
The big transfer news at the Kazakh team was persuading Mark Cavendish to
sign another contract for 2024. The Manxman had joined on a one-year deal
with a clear goal (not that he’d ever say as much) to become the sole record
holder of the most Tour de France stage wins. In May last year he announced
his retirement at the end of the season. That goal was left in tatters when he
crashed out of the race at a point when the record looked tantalisingly close.
He returns, however, and has called for reinforcements: Michael Mørkøv and
Davide Ballerini, lead-out men for Cavendish at Deceuninck-Quick Step in the
2021 Tour when he won four stages, are back with him.

bikeradar.com

Mark Cavendish
39 at the Tour de France in
July, he’s still box office after
almost 20 years as a pro rider
and still motivated after 162
pro wins

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WOMEN’S
WORLDTOUR
TEAMS
2024 marks the start of the second licensing cycle for
UCI Women’s WorldTour teams (the first running from
2020 until 2023). A total of 15 licences have been
allocated for this cycle, which runs for two seasons
(2024/2025). In all 16 teams applied, with two
Continental teams graduating to fully-fledged
WorldTour teams: AG Insurance-Soudal Quick-Step
and Ceratizit-WNT Pro Cycling Team. The Continental
team to miss out were Spanish team Laboral KutxaFundacion Euskadi, with sporting criteria the deciding
factor (they finished lower in the rankings than the
other two teams). As well as sporting criteria, licences
are also contingent on teams proving their commitment
to meeting certain ethical, financial, administrative,
organisational and sporting standards, including
minimum salaries and benefits such as maternity leave.

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TEAM SD WORX-PROTIME

Nationality Netherlands Established 2010 Manager Danny Stam
Bike Specialized 2023 WT wins 40 2023 UCI ranking 1
2023 was an utterly dominant year for the Dutch team – 40 wins on the
Women’s WorldTour was more than the teams ranked 2 to 7 combined.
It wasn’t just the volume of wins, either, but the quality too. Strade
Bianche, Tour of Flanders, all three of the big Ardennes races (Amstel Gold,
La Flèche Wallonne and Liège–Bastogne–Liège) all came before the big one,
Tour de France Femmes. Hoover-upper-in-chief was Demi Vollering, who
won 15 of the 40, including that first yellow jersey. Surpassing such a stellar
tally will be difficult in 2024, but for a team so used to ending the season
flying high at the top of the rankings, they’re sure to give it a good go.

Demi Vollering
With arch-rival Annemiek
van Vleuten retired, who can
stop the powerhouse Dutch
rider from winning a second
yellow jersey in France?

LIDL-TREK

Nationality USA Established 2019 Manager Luca Guercilena
Bike Trek 2023 WT wins 6 2023 UCI ranking 2

Lizzie Deignan
The British legend has
nothing left to prove in
the sport but has fresh
objectives for 2024, including
the Paris Olympics

While finishing season riding high in second, wins were down for the team,
which was hamstrung by the absences of Lizzie Deignan and Ellen van Dijk,
who both recently gave birth. Deignan returned last spring, remaining winless
for the season but building form. With the Olympics in 2024, she’s hoping to
return to a leadership role for 2024. Van Dijk, the 2022 time trial world
champion who gave birth in the summer and missed the entire season, is also
targeting the Olympics. For the new season, Clara Copponi joins from FDJSuez, while 18-year-old Brit Izzy Sharp, having impressed with second in the
World Junior Time Trial Championship, signs on.

CANYON // SRAM RACING

Nationality Germany Established 2002 Manager Ronny Lauke
Bike Canyon 2023 WT wins 3 2023 UCI ranking 3
The German team was boosted last season by the long-awaited return of
American Chloe Dygert. The time trial specialist badly lacerated her leg at
the 2020 Worlds and returned after nine months out, only for further health
problems to put her on the sidelines. Her Worlds time trial win in 2023
capped a remarkable comeback. Elsewhere, stage wins in prestigious tours
Giro Donne and Tour de France Femmes were welcome but, like every other
team, their haul was limited by the dominance of SD Worx. Zoe Bäckstedt,
a world junior champion on the road, track and cyclo-cross, begins her first
full season with the team after a mid-season transfer.

bikeradar.com

Kasia Niewiadoma
Third place finishes at
the 2022 and 2023 Tour
de France Femmes showed
the quality of this Polish
climbing specialist

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UAE TEAM ADQ

Nationality UAE Established 2011 Manager Cherie Pridham
Bike Colnago 2023 WT wins 5 2023 UCI ranking 4

Silvia Persico
Heading into her prime
years, Persico will be eyeing
a big win in 2024 after her
biggest win last season at
Brabantse Pijl

The UAE-owned team, for 2023, brought in plenty of talent from the defunct
Valcar Travel squad, including Italian duo Silvia Persico, a breakout star of
2022, and Chiara Consonni. Persico won Brabantse Pijl and had a top 10 finish
in the Giro Donne, while sprinter Consonni secured three of the team’s five
WorldTour wins. For 2024, Brit Cherie Pridham, who in 2021 became the first
woman to be a sporting director on a men’s WorldTour team, joins as Head of
Sport. Karlijn Swinkels and Tereza Neumanova join from Team Jumbo-Visma
and Liv Racing-Teqfind, which has merged with Jayco AlUla. 2019 Tour of
Flanders winner Marta Bastianelli retired midway through last season.

MOVISTAR TEAM WOMEN

Nationality Spain Established 2018 Manager Sebastián Unzué
Bike Canyon 2023 WT wins 9 2023 UCI ranking 5
The Annemiek van Vleuten show came to end in 2023 and for her team,
Movistar, she’ll be impossible to replace. Her three years at the Spanish team,
particularly in 2022, produced a bountiful return, with wins at the first Tour
de France Femmes, the Giro Donne, the Tour of Flanders and Liège–Bastogne–
Liège. The women’s peloton’s dominant rider for years, until Demi Vollering
matched her in 2023, van Vleuten’s retirement will disrupt the sport as much
as her erstwhile squad. With an eye on the future, the highly-rated Brit Cat
Ferguson, 17, who won the junior Tour of Flanders last spring, will join in
August as a stagiaire – a trainee – before joining on a three-year deal in 2025.

Liane Lippert
Following a season where
she became German national
champion for the third time,
opportunities will open for
Lippert in 2024

FDJ-SUEZ

Nationality France Established 2006 Manager Stephen Delcourt
Bike Lapierre 2023 WT wins 6 2023 UCI ranking 6

Marta Cavalli
Returning to the Tour
de France, in form and on
the hunt for stage wins,
is a goal of Cavalli’s
in 2024

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Italian Marta Cavalli, 25, was the team’s breakout star in 2022, after an
impressive run in the Ardennes Classics (wins at La Fleche Wallone and
Amstel Gold) and second place at the Giro Donne. A heavy crash at the biggest
race of the season, the inaugural Tour de France Femmes, left her with several
injuries, with a concussion having a lingering impact that lasted well into
the following season. 2023 ended with her showing signs of her top
form again and FDJ-Suez will hope she can start the season with momentum.
Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig, bronze in the Worlds road race in Glasgow,
is another team leader who is a consistent winner for them.

cyclingplus.com

Liane Lippert will
once again wear the
German national
jersey for her trade
team, Movistar

bikeradar.com

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TEAM DSM-FIRMENICH POSTNL

Nationality Netherlands Established 2010 Manager Iwan Spekenbrink
Bike Scott 2023 WT wins 9 2023 UCI ranking 7

Charlotte Kool
The speedy Dutchwoman
will surely be looking for a
big win at the Tour in 2024,
after a close second
last year

Last season began with former star sprinter Lorena Wiebes transferred to the
SD Worx super-team so DSM was looking to others to get on the scoresheet
(Wiebes won 13 of its 16 WorldTour successes in 2022). The 24-year-old Dutch
rider Charlotte Kool ably stepped into that breach, winning all nine of her
team’s WorldTour victories, including the overall at the RideLondon
Classique. The team mirrored the men’s counterpart in their focus on youth
development. Britain’s Pfeiffer Georgi, just 23, is a team leader now and
performed the role with aplomb last year with several key wins, including
becoming British national champion again.

TEAM VISMA-LEASE A BIKE

Nationality Netherlands Established 2021 Manager Rutger Tijssen
Bike Cervélo 2023 WT wins 3 2023 UCI ranking 8
The team were hindered last season by the plight of the sport’s greatest ever
rider, Marianne Vos, who underwent iliac artery surgery for the second time
in August. A pinched artery left her in pain and lacking in power and
successes were thin on the ground for a rider who’s been so prolific for almost
two decades. She’ll be back for the start of the season, however. Cyclo-cross
prodigy, Fem van Empel – world champion in 2023 – had a light road
programme last year on debut but rode to a promising 11th at the Giro Donne.
Karlijn Swinkels, Coryn Labecki and Kim Cadzow have moved on to pastures
new, while Dutchwomen Lieke Nooijen and Mijntje Geurts join.

Marianne Vos
Fingers crossed the
Dutch legend will be free
of injury in 2024, after
enduring one of her worst
ever seasons

FENIX-DECEUNINCK

Nationality Belgium Established 2020 Manager Philip Roodhooft
Bike Canyon 2023 WT wins 1 2023 UCI ranking 9

Christina Schweinberger
No wins in 2023, but
this Austrian was a consistent
performer, finishing 12th in
the UCI rankings, including
third in the Worlds TT

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In a season of hard graft for little reward, the Belgian outfit’s debut season at
WorldTour level was made by Yara Kastelijn’s stage win at the season’s biggest
race, the Tour de France Femmes. In the longest stage of the race (177km) the
Dutch rider spent almost the entire stage in the break before winning solo.
The team had almost tasted victory the day before when Julie Van de Velde’s
solo break was flummoxed by sprinter Lorena Wiebes. For 2024, Van de Velde
has transferred to AG Insurance-Soudal Quick-Step. Incoming is 30-year-old
Pauliena Rooijakkers from Canyon//SRAM, a general classification rider who
finished 12th at the Giro Donne last year.

cyclingplus.com

ROLAND

Nationality Switzerland Established 2018 Manager Ruben Contreras
Bike Pinarello 2023 WT wins 0 2023 UCI ranking 12
British rider Claire Steels, now 37, was the standout 2023 performer for the
Swiss-registered team. A latecomer to the sport, the former duathlete only
turned pro in 2020 and enjoyed both a win (reVolta) and high placings in
prestigious races, such as 18th overall at the Tour. Such was her impact, the
team’s top ranking points scorer is no longer with the team and has secured a
big three-year deal at Movistar. Russia’s Tamara Dronova, a solid performer for
the second season running is, however, and will be looking to match her 2022
points haul that put her 30th in the world. After an impressive 2023, British
rider Natalie Grinczer, 30, joins from Lifeplus Wahoo.

Tamara Dronova
This consistent performer,
Russian national road and
time trial champion in 2022,
will be wanting to convert
high placings into wins

UNO-X MOBILITY

Nationality Norway Established 2022 Manager Thor Hushovd
Bike Dare 2023 WT wins 0 2023 UCI ranking 13

Anouska Koster
The team’s top performer
in 2023 had a podium finish
at the Tour de France
Femmes on stage 3 from
Cahors to Rodez

While its riders are a dominant force in the Nordic countries’ national
championships (their ranks currently wear the national championship
colours of Denmark, Norway and Finland), the Norwegian team made
little impact on the tour, certainly in terms of wins. Elinor Barker, the
Brit enjoying a full season on the road after giving birth, had decent results
on the tarmac, on top of winning Madison gold on the track alongside
Neah Evans. Hannah Barnes, after an impressive career blighted recently by
injury, has retired and is now working as an agent to riders. New to the team
is Teuntje Beekhuis (Jumbo-Visma) and Katrine Aalerud (Movistar).

HUMAN POWERED HEALTH

Nationality USA Established 2013 Manager Ro De Jonckere
Bike Factor 2023 WT wins 2 2023 UCI ranking 14
Daria Pikulik bookended the team’s season with Women’s WorldTour wins at
the Tour Down Under in January and the Tour of Guangxi in October. In
between, too, the Polish sprinter was its leading rider, with wins at Bretagne
Ladies Tour and finishing 28th in the individual world rankings. Six-time
French time trial champion Audrey Cordon-Ragot joined in April after the
collapse of her team, Zaaf, and remains a reliable performer at 34. Newcomers
include Krista Doebel-Hickok, an American from EF Education-TIBCO-SVB,
which has folded, and Katia Ragusa, from Liv Racing TeqFind, which has
merged with Jayco AlUla.

bikeradar.com

Daria Pikulik
The 27-year-old enjoyed
a fabulous debut season
for the team in 2023, winning
the WWT race, the Tour of
Guangxi, in China

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CERATIZIT-WNT PRO CYCLING

Nationality Germany Established 2016 Manager Dirk Baldinger
Bike Orbea 2023 WT wins 1 2023 UCI ranking 10
It was a season of punching above its weight for this German Continental
team, finishing 10th in the rankings above five squads with a WWT licence.
The 26-year-old Polish rider Marta Lach was its best rider, winning three
(non-WorldTour) races and finishing 27th in the world rankings. The team’s
only WorldTour win in China was a suitable note to end on as it (successfully)
bid for a WorldTour licence. Incoming for 2024 is Marta Jaskulska of Poland,
from the old Liv Racing TeqFind squad that has been absorbed into AlUla
Jayco. This is the team of Britain’s two-time Olympic track champ Katie
Archibald – just don’t expect to see much of her on the road in Olympics year.

Marta Lach
2023 was her best-ever
season, with wins including
Grand Prix de Wallonie in
September. What does 2024
hold for the Pole?

AG INSURANCE–SOUDAL TEAM

Nationality Belgium Established 2019 Manager Natascha den Ouden
Bike Specialized 2023 WT wins 0 2023 UCI ranking 11

Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio
Riding for at least another
year after putting off
retirement plans, the
South African remains
a contender

Another team graduating to the WorldTour after a solid season. A big
part of that was the recruitment of South African climber Ashleigh
Moolman-Pasio who, while now 38, remains a significant force in the peloton
(she finished the season ranked inside the top 20 for the third season
running). Even if she didn’t win a race – at least on the WorldTour – results
such as sixth overall at the Tour and three top-20s at the Ardennes Classics
gained her team big points. On board for 2024 is Australian Sarah Gigante,
who after several years struggling at Movistar won on debut at the Tour Down
Under, her home race, in January.

LIV ALULA JAYCO

Nationality Australia Established 2012 Manager Brent Copeland
Bike Liv 2023 WT wins 1 2023 UCI ranking 15
A pedestrian 2023 went some way to explaining the end-of-season merging
with the Liv Racing-Teqfind team, which was announced in July. The coming
together of two of the lowest ranked teams should make for a more
competitive single outfit, which will run alongside a development team that
will feed the WorldTour squad. Ruby Roseman-Gannon enjoyed a consistent
year in stage races, but there was little to cheer as far as big results went, aside
from a lone WorldTour win at the start of the year at Tour Down Under.
39-year-old Mavi García, who only turned pro in her 30s, joins from Liv
Racing; 7th at the Giro Donne in 2023 shows just how capable she remains.
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Mavi García
She’s dominated Spanish
cycling for the past four
years, winning the national
road race title on each
occasion

cyclingplus.com

T H E
J U S T

B E S T
G O T

B E T T E R

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