The Week in Spokes: Superstars Collide, Tech Takes a Leap, and British Cycling Shines!
Well, hasn't this past week been a veritable smorgasbord of cycling delights? From titanic clashes on the road to revolutionary tech whispers and homegrown heroes gracing the podium, there's been enough pedal-powered drama to keep even the most jaded of cycling enthusiasts glued to their screens. So, grab a cuppa (or a sports drink, if you're feeling pro) and let's delve into the top five news items that have truly spun our wheels.
1. The Dauphiné Delivers: Pogačar, Vingegaard, Van der Poel, and Evenepoel Go Head-to-Head
If you thought the opening stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné would be a gentle warm-up, you clearly haven't been paying attention to the current crop of cycling titans! The anticipation for this year's Dauphiné was palpable, promising a precursor to the Tour de France, and boy, did it deliver. On Saturday, June 8th, the cycling world was treated to an opening stage that saw a quartet of absolute superstars – Tadej Pogačar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, and Remco Evenepoel – all battling it out for supremacy.
The stage, which traditionally might have been earmarked for the sprinters, was instead ripped apart by the sheer ambition and explosive power of these "Big Four." Pogačar, ever the showman, eventually took the stage win, outsprinting Vingegaard, Van der Poel, and Evenepoel in a finale that left commentators breathless. It was a clear statement of intent from the Slovenian, who looks to be in formidable form. Vingegaard, true to his demanding nature, was reportedly "not happy" about losing those four seconds to Pogačar, a testament to the intense rivalry that defines this era of cycling. As for Mathieu van der Poel, he admitted to being "really on the limit," suggesting that even the multi-disciplinary maestro found the pace set by the GC contenders a bit much. This early skirmish at the Dauphiné has set the stage for what promises to be a thrilling week of racing, and an even more electrifying Tour de France. Forget the polite introductions; these guys went straight for the jugular, and we, the spectators, are all the richer for it.
Original article link:https://cyclinguptodate.com/
2. Tour of Britain Women: Ally Wollaston Snags Overall Victory in a Thrilling Finale
While the men were tearing up France, the Tour of Britain Women was providing its own brand of nail-biting excitement closer to home. The final stage, on Sunday, June 8th, saw New Zealand's Ally Wollaston (FDJ-Suez) overturn a three-second deficit to claim the overall title, denying British teenager Cat Ferguson (Movistar) a fairytale victory. It was a masterclass in bonus seconds from Wollaston, who sprinted to third on the final day, just enough to leapfrog Ferguson in the general classification.
The race saw its fair share of drama throughout the week, with stage wins for Kimberley Le Court de Billot, Mara Roldan, and Cat Ferguson herself, who had taken the race lead after a brilliant Stage 3. However, the cycling gods (or perhaps just the cunning of Wollaston) had other plans for the young Brit. It's a cruel mistress, this sport, but the tactical battle for those precious bonus seconds highlights the strategic depth of modern women's racing. While Ferguson will undoubtedly be disappointed to miss out on the top step, her performance throughout the Tour of Britain Women, especially at such a young age, bodes incredibly well for the future of British cycling. We'll be keeping a keen eye on her progress; she's clearly got the grit and talent to be a future star.
Original article link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling
3. Tech Talk: Campagnolo's 13-Speed Wireless Groupset Arrives, and Wild New Bikes Emerge
For those of us who get as excited about a new drivetrain as we do about a sprint finish, this week has been a treat! Campagnolo, the venerable Italian brand, has officially launched its overhauled Super Record 13-speed wireless road cycling groupset. This isn't just an extra cog in the cassette; it's the world's first 2x13-speed wireless road cycling groupset, and gloriously, the iconic thumb shifter is back! Team Cofidis riders have been spotted with it for a while now, proving that the pros get all the good toys first. This development could be a game-changer, offering an even wider range of gears and the slick, cable-free aesthetic that wireless systems afford.
But the tech innovation didn't stop there. The Critérium du Dauphiné has also become a veritable runway for prototype bikes. We've seen a "wild unreleased Factor aero bike" with huge fork legs and seatstays, looking less like a road bike and more like something designed for the moon. Israel-Premier Tech's Jake Stewart was spotted riding it to a respectable fifth place on stage 1, proving that radical designs can indeed perform. Not to be outdone, Cervélo also snuck out a new S5 aero bike, boasting an all-new cockpit and subtle frame changes to make it "faster and lighter." It seems manufacturers are pushing the boundaries of aerodynamic integration, making our current bikes look positively old-fashioned. And for those of us who fear the end of mechanical shifting, Shimano has also teased its Q'Auto Di2 automatic shifting for mechanical gravel, urban, and trekking bikes. Could completely automated gear changes be the future? My lazy legs certainly hope so!
Original article link: https://road.cc/content/campagnolo-13-speed-official-world-tour-outing-only-if-good-enough-giant-restrap-tech-week-314307
4. Wiggins Speaks Out: Lance Armstrong as an "Inspiration"
In a surprising turn of events this past week, Sir Bradley Wiggins, the 2012 Tour de France winner, made headlines by stating that Lance Armstrong has been "a great inspiration" to him during his post-retirement struggles with addiction.Wiggins, speaking candidly, claimed to be "indebted" to Armstrong for his mental and physical position today, adding that "people only like to hear the bad stuff."
This statement is certainly a conversation starter, to say the least. Armstrong's fall from grace, due to his extensive doping, is one of cycling's most infamous chapters. For Wiggins to publicly acknowledge Armstrong as an "inspiration" in any capacity, let alone for personal struggles, is a bold move. It highlights the complex and often uncomfortable relationships that exist within the professional cycling world, and the personal journeys individuals undertake, sometimes seeking solace or guidance in unexpected places. While Armstrong's legacy remains undeniably tarnished in the eyes of many, Wiggins' comments offer a glimpse into the very human side of elite sport and the often-hidden battles that athletes face. It's a reminder that even heroes have their own personal demons and find support in their own unique ways, no matter how controversial.
Original article link:https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling
5. Training Smarter: Unlocking Your Cycling Power and Mastering the Taper
Beyond the glitz and glamour of professional racing and the shiny new tech, there's always the grunt work: training. This past week saw some excellent articles focusing on how to improve your cycling power and, crucially, how to nail that pre-race taper. TrainingPeaks, a well-respected resource in the cycling world, offered five simple tips to increase cycling power, including riding in bigger gears, tackling hills, and even embracing headwinds (because who needs a tailwind when you're building character, right?). They also delved into the concept of "block training" – intense workouts followed by equal recovery – and the "75-percent rule," which dictates that a significant portion of your weekly mileage should be at a lower intensity.
But perhaps even more vital for any cyclist eyeing a big event is the art of tapering. CTS, another training authority, weighed in on what to do the week before your cycling race. Their central message? "Know when to say when." No amount of last-minute training is going to significantly boost your fitness in the final five days; instead, it's about reducing your workload to allow your body to adapt and recover fully, ensuring you hit the start line fresh and ready to unleash all that hard-earned fitness. They provided sample taper schedules for different race types, from road races to criteriums, emphasizing the balance between rest and maintaining just enough stimulus to keep the body primed. So, next time you're tempted to cram in that extra interval session the day before your big ride, remember: sometimes, the best training is no training at all. Your legs (and your race results) will thank you for it.
Original article link: https://www.trainingpeaks.com/blog/5-simple-ways-to-increase-bike-power/
