Movistar mechanic builds a bike blindfolded
We're not really sure what the purpose of this video is other than to showcase the skills of one of the mechanics from the Movistar team. In the video, the mechanic builds one of the team bikes from scratch, including fitting the bottom bracket and chainset, forks, headset and handlebars, routing the cables and seemingly setting the saddle to...
‘Reverse congestion charge’ could benefit cyclists in Stockholm
A 'reverse congestion charge' for cyclists has been proposed by a group of researchers at Sweden's Royal Institute of Technology as a means of promoting cycling in Stockholm. Motorists in the city currently pay a congestion charge for driving in the city and the proposal would see cyclists receive a 'reverse congestion charge' in the form of points for...
Tom Boonen to concentrate on motor racing after retirement
Earlier this year, former World Champion Tom Boonen told the press that he is looking at retiring sometime in the "near future" but it looks like he will keep his competitive streak as he turns his attention to motorsport. "It is one hundred percent sure that after my cycling career finishes, I will be involved in motorsport," he told Het...
Team Sky to target cyclosportives and other news on Spain’s version of ‘April Fool’s Day’
It's Holy Innocents’ Day today and in Spain, Hispanic America, and the Philippines, it’s a day for pranks, similar to April Fool’s Day. Pranks (bromas) are also known as inocentadas and their victims are called inocentes. Newspapers, radio, and TV often give fake content or distort news as well. The cycling media and race organisers in Spain have also...
BBC Radio 4 pays tribute to Irish cycling legend Mick Murphy
A recent episode of Last Word on BBC Radio 4 included a piece on the legendary Irish cyclist Mick Murphy who died in September of this year. The Kerryman became known as 'The Iron Man' following his win in the Rás Tailteann in 1958 and in addition to being a cyclist, Murphy was also a farmer, wrestler, circus performer, bricklayer...
Mathieu Van der Poel on form in Heusden-Zolder
World Champion Mathieu Van der Poel appears to be coming into form at the right time to defend his title next month, as he took his second UCI World Cup victory in Heusden-Zolder yesterday, one week after winning the Namur round. Van der Poel set a furious pace early on, with only three riders able to keep up - Belgian...
“I can not forgive myself” – Luca Paolini talks about his cocaine use
During this year's Tour de France, Italian rider Luca Paolini was informed that he had tested positive for cocaine. An Adverse Analytical Finding of Cocaine (Benzoylecgonine metabolite) was found in a sample collected during an in-competition control on 7 July 2015. He initially denied the use of the drug. “I do not know what to say, I’m stunned. I did...
Sanne Cant wins Heusden-Zolder round of Cyclocross World Cup
Belgian Champion Sanne Cant took her second UCI World Cup win of the season in Heusden-Zolder yesterday and takes back the white World Cup leader’s jersey from eighth-placed Eva Lechner (Team Colnago SudTirol). Following a re-start due to technical problems, Lechner was the initial leader of the race before Ellen Van Loy (Belgium) took over with Cant stuck to...
New Californian law will require cyclists to pull in if traffic backs up
A new law being introduced in California will require cyclists to pull over when traffic backs up. The law takes effect from January 1st and cyclists who are now considered slow-moving vehicles will have to pull in to the right to allow backed-up traffic to pass. As with other vehicles, bicycles with five or more cars behind them will be...
Campbell Flakemore returns to cycling with JML Racing
Following on from the recent announcement that Campbell Flakemore was walking away from his contract with BMC Racing, the 23 year-old has now been included on the roster for the Australian JML Racing team for the 2016 season. Flakemore had a difficult season this year having broken his collarbone in the Tour Down Under and started to question his decision...
How to teach your child to use a balance bike
A balance bike is a small bike for toddlers. It has no pedals and rather fat pneumatic tyres. Most bikes come with one brake, although most toddlers will slow down using their feet at first. If your child is a bit bigger, you can just remove the pedals on a bike and transform it into a balance bike. This is...
UCI launch new World Ranking system
The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) have announced a new UCI World Ranking for men’s professional road cycling, reflecting a similar ranking in place already for women’s professional road cycling. The UCI World Ranking – individual and nations – will be published in parallel with the UCI WorldTour Ranking (individual, teams and nations). The new UCI World Ranking will be published once...