The Australian BMX team is currently in Belgium, preparing for their starts at the Olympic Games. To their unpleasant surprise, they received an unwanted visitor on Wednesday. In Brussels, thieves smashed the windows of their van and then completely robbed the van. Luckily, no bikes were stolen.Aust...

Conor Murphy has made a big impression on the domestic and international scene since turning junior this year and now the 17-year-old has recorded the first ever sub 18-minute 10 mile TT by an Irish junior. At the Ernie Magwood Super 6 Series latest round, Murphy competing for Caldwell Cycles at home and U19 []The post Conor Murphy (17) clocks first ever Irish junior 17-minute 10 mile TT appeared first on Sticky Bottle.

Puck Pieterse will enter the Sunday's mountain bike event in Paris as one of the big favourites to bring back home to Netherlands at least a medal, if not gold. However against the strong French ladies on a home field, it won't be easy for the multitalented 22-year-old."Its special that Im the fav...

Wout van Aert is testing a time trial bike with two disc wheels ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic time trial.While its common for time trialists to run a single disc wheel on the back of their time trial bike, paired with a deep-rimmed front wheel, its rare for a rider to use a double-disc setup.A typical time trial setup a disc rear wheel and a deep-rimmed front wheel enables riders to take advantage of the significantly improved aerodynamics of a rear disc, without it having a disproportionately adverse impact on the bikes handling.Track pursuit riders regularly use two disc wheels, but its much less common for road riders to run a double-disc setup in a time trial. Choosing the most aerodynamic wheel at the front of the bike (i.e. a disc) wont necessarily be the fastest option if you cant control the bike in the wind.Why choose two disc wheels?A rider using two disc wheels on a time trial bike is a rare sight. - IMAGO / Photo NewsWout van Aert must be confident in or at least intrigued by the potential benefits of a double-disc-wheel setup for this Saturday's Olympic time trial.Shara Marche used a double disc at London 2012, although the Aussie finished in 13th place, 2:15 behind the winner.The Paris 2024 Olympic time trial course starts in Les Invalides in the 7th arrondissement of Paris before heading east to Fontenay-sous-Bois and back to its starting point via Place de la Bastille.The 32.4km course is flat with long straights and only 150m of ascent. Wout van Aert may think that, with few turns and little climbing, there will be little disadvantage to running two disc wheels. If thats the case, the extra weight and the compromised manoeuvrability of his Cervlo P5 time trial bike shouldnt be a penalty.Wout van Aert has also been testing the Paris course using a deep-rimmed front wheel. - Dirk Waem / Getty ImagesVan Aert may have also considered the weather, which is forecast to be raining but still on Saturday, meaning he doesnt have to worry about the front disc wheel being blown around in the wind. This is a point former WorldTour pro and time trial specialist Alex Dowsett acknowledges on Instagram. I wouldn't be surprised if it's used on race day though it's completely wind dependant, wrote Dowsett, also suggesting "a lenticular design should help stability".However, so far weve only seen Van Aert riding in training. He has also been testing a more conventional deep-section front wheel on the Paris Olympics time trial course and may opt for this setup on race day. View this post on Instagram A post shared by BikeRadar (@bikeradar) More aero tweaksWout van Aert using the Giro Aerohead 2.0 helmet. - Dirk Waem / Getty ImagesBeyond the two-disc wheels, Van Aert appears to be considering several other drag-reducing kit choices to improve his chances of standing on the top step of the podium.Hes been out testing the course wearing the Giro Aerohead 2.0 helmet, which was revealed earlier this year at Tirreno-Adriatico.The Aerohead 2.0 follows the trend for time trial helmets growing steadily in size. The helmets wide wings presumably shift air from the leading edge of the helmet and around the shoulder.The most striking aspect of the helmet, however, is its length. It extends far beyond the riders forehead to create a cone-like profile.Van Aert has also switched to lace-up shoes in testing. - Dirk Waem / Getty ImagesThe Belgians Paris time trial bike also has a 1x drivetrain with a huge front chainring. Forgoing a front derailleur can reduce drag and Van Aert wont need the gear range of a 2x setup on the flat course.Van Aert, who finished sixth in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic time trial and claimed silver in the mens road race, is wearing lace-up shoes from his team sponsor Nimbi in testing.Laced cycling shoes may seem to be lower-tech than those with wrap-around uppers and Boa dials, but they could offer Van Aert a further advantage.The low profile of laced shoes is purported to be more aerodynamic than cycling shoes with Boa dials that protrude upwards into the air.This isnt the first time Van Aert has switched to lace-up shoes for a time trial he opted for lace-up shoes for the closing time trial of the 2024 Tour de France.Dr Xavier Disley: Its not a surpriseDr Xavier Disley is head of AeroCoach, a performance consultancy that manufactures front disc wheels. He says Its not a surprise Wout van Aert is testing this technology for the Paris Olympics time trials.We sell front disc wheels on our website and have done for a couple of years now for TT use.It's a performance advantage as long as the wheel is fast and its a good course for it.We can only really talk about the data on the wheels that we make.At let's say 50K an hour, we say the difference between our 10mm-deep front wheel and then the front disc that we make, is about 4 watts. So that's somewhere between 10 and 15 seconds over the Paris course.I've ridden double-disc wheels outside and once you get up to speed, they're a lot more stable.The issue is if you're going slowly and you get crosswinds, that will sort of knock your front wheel. But when you're riding one of these things, the idea is you're going real quick. So once you're up to speed, the effective yaw angle decreases and therefore the impact of crosswinds decreases a bit as well.He knows what hes doing in terms of kit, so if he thinks hell be faster for it, hell do it.

The 2024 Paris Olympics is just around the corner and weve got our hands on the UCIs Final Equipment List a spreadsheet that records all of the bikes, wheels, handlebars, helmets and skinsuits approved for use at the Games.Listing nearly 800 items of equipment, it also includes the prices and manufacturer contact details for all items still 'commercialised' (still manufactured and listed for sale).From Team GBs 64,350 UKSI-BC1 frameset and 29,188 Hope HB.T Paris, through to Australias 55,091 Factor Track Bike and Italys 28,750 Pinarello Bolide F HR C-3D, the spreadsheet reveals the astonishing prices of equipment used by the sports leading nations.By far the most expensive item on the list, however, is Japans V-IZU TCM2 frameset, priced at a staggering 126,555.If you thought bike prices at your local bike shop were out of control, think again.Lets take a look at some of the highlights from the list and analyse why prices for Olympic equipment appear to be spiralling out of control.Oh, and before we forget all of the prices quoted are exclusive of VAT (Value Added Tax), so if you live in the UK and are thinking about an N+1 purchase, dont forget to add another 20 per cent to the listed prices.The UCI's Final Equipment List for the 2024 Paris Olympics reveals the sky-high prices of cycling's most advanced equipment. - PETER PARKS/AFP via Getty ImagesThe most expensive track bikes at the 2024 Paris OlympicsV-IZU TCM2 and TC-M1, as used by the Japanese cycling teamV-IZU TCM2 (complete bike): 126,555V-IZU TC-M1 (complete bike): 112,320UK Sports Institute UKSI-BC1, as used by the Great Britain cycling teamUKSI-BC1 (frame, seatpost and Lotus A1000M fork): 64,350Factor Pursuit Bike, as used by the Australian cycling teamFactor Pursuit Bike (frame, fork, base bar, seatpost, front and rear wheels, and small parts): 55,091Pardus Time10 and CT2020, as used by the Chinese cycling teamPardus Time10 (frame, fork and seatpost): 45,010Pardus CT2020 (frame, fork and seatpost): 36,500Hope HB.T Paris, as used by the Great Britain cycling teamHope HB.T Paris (frame, fork, seatpost, stem and handlebar): 29,188Pinarello Bolide F HR C-3D, as used by the Italian cycling teamPinarello Bolide F HR C-3D (frame, fork, seatpost, wheelset and handlebars): 28,750Needless to say, the list of wildly expensive track bikes doesnt stop there.When we covered a previous version of this spreadsheet ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the most expensive bike on the list was the Worx WX-R Vorteq Track, at 28,000.Now, that bike doesnt even make the top five (and looks a relative bargain compared to some of this years machines).The V-IZU TCM2 appears heavily inspired by the Hope HB.T, but it blows the Hope bike out of the water in terms of price. - Z-IZUIf its any consolation, splashing out for the most expensive bike on the list the 126,555 (remember, thats exclusive of VAT) V-IZU TCM2 does at least net you a complete bike, with a four-spoke front wheel and full-carbon rear disc.Like the Hope HB.T, the V-IZU TCM2 uses a radically wide fork and seatstays, with the rest of the frameset made up of blade-like aerofoil tubes.The V-IZU TC-M1 uses a more conventional design, but it doesn't reduce the cost by much. - V-IZUThe cheaper (but still extraordinarily expensive) TC-M1 track bike follows a more conventional design, with a narrow fork and dropped seatstays that hug the front and rear wheels more closely.Like the Felt TA FRD, both the TCM2 and TC-M1 use flipped drivetrains, with the chainring, chain and rear sprocket all placed on the left-hand side of the bike.The theory is this can be more aerodynamic due to the fact riders always race anticlockwise in track events.The only thing youll need to supply to ride off on one, then, is a set of pedals, but the same cant be said for the UKSI-BC1.The UKSI-BC1 frameset looks almost identical to the Hope HB.T Paris, but costs almost twice as much. - UKSIFrom the limited information available, the UKSI-BC1 appears to be a 3D-printed version of the Hope HB.T Paris (which is constructed using carbon fibre) made in collaboration with Metron Advanced Equipment the same company that markets a 500 3D-printed stem.Seeing as you only get a frame, seatpost and Lotus fork for your 64,350, youd also need to factor in cash for a drivetrain, wheels, cockpit and so on.Of course, that shouldnt be too difficult because the UCIs Final Equipment List is flush with all manner of expensive wheels and parts too (more on these later).Forebodingly, though, the UK Sports website notes: Any consumer purchases would be excepted from the right to cancel by the consumer once an order for the UKSI-BC1 is placed. Youd best be sure thats the bike you really want for Christmas before clicking that buy button.The 'standard' Hope HB.T Paris frame is made from carbon fibre, keeping costs down compared to 3D printing. - Alex Whitehead/SWpix.comIf you can make do with a version handmade in Yorkshire from good-old-fashioned carbon fibre, the standard Hope HB.T Paris costs a mere 29,188 and Hope is even generous enough to throw in an integrated stem and handlebar.Many will also recognise the Pinarello Bolide F HR C-3D from Filippo Gannas successful Hour Record attempt in 2022.3D-printed from Scalmalloy (an alloy of scandium, aluminium and magnesium), the Bolide F HR C-3D frame is produced in five parts, which are then bonded together using epoxy resin.The 3D-printed Pinarello Bolide F HR C-3D is modelled on the bike Ganna used to break the UCI Hour Record. - PinarelloIt also has a bumpy seat tube and seatpost inspired by the tubercles found on the fins of humpback whales. These are aerodynamic features designed to reduce drag.For 28,750, Pinarello includes a set of Campagnolo Ghibli 0.9 full-carbon disc wheels and a carbon fibre pursuit-style cockpit.As with Great Britains bikes, if you can make do with a bog-standard carbon fibre frameset, the Pinarello Bolide F HR C is also available for only 12,500.The Chinese cycling team will ride the Pardus Time10 track bike, which costs 45,010 for the frameset and seatpost. - PardusThe most expensive components at the 2024 Paris OlympicsPinarello, as used by the Italian cycling teamMOST custom 3D-printed bar extensions: 22,500Black Inc, as used by the Australian cycling teamZero tubular disc wheelset: 18,420Southern Spars, as used by the New Zealand cycling teamFront / rear disc wheel: 11,184Vorteq, as used by the Malaysian cycling teamTokyo Track Edition handlebars: 11,773FES, as used by the German cycling teamSLR16 front / SLR18 rear wheel: 11,634.55Pinarello showcases its MOST custom 3D-printed bar extensions in Filippo Ganna's personal configuration, although you can presumably have whatever geometry you like (within UCI rules). - PinarelloCockpits and wheels dominate the upper echelons of the components price list.As at the previous Olympics, Pinarellos MOST custom 3D-printed aero extensions (22,500) take the top spot by a decent margin.Its sobering to consider the extensions alone are by far the most expensive component on Filippo Gannas Bolide F time trial bike.The Australian cycling team will be riding Factor's new track bike, paired with Black Inc Zero disc wheels. - Sarah Reed/Getty ImagesBeyond that, we come to a selection of outrageously expensive track disc wheels.Constructed from carbon fibre, these typically offer low weight, high stiffness and world-class aerodynamic performance.For 18,420, Factor includes both a front and rear wheel and says there are a range of options for various hub bodies, meaning youll likely be able to match the wheelset to whatever frameset you choose.The New Zealand cycling team uses carbon wheels created by Southern Spars. - Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty ImagesAt 11,773 per wheel, the discs created for the New Zealand cycling team by composites specialist Southern Spars are even more expensive if you plan on getting a complete set.Details on the exact specs of these wheels are scant, but we suspect theyre designed specifically for the Avanti track bikes the team uses.Is this the most expensive drop handlebar available today? - VorteqVorteqs Tokyo Track Edition handlebar (11,184) is one of the most expensive drop handlebars being used at this years Olympics.It features a design focused entirely on aerodynamics and stiffness intended to deal with the enormous torsional forces and high speeds experienced in track sprint events.The German cycling team uses bikes and equipment manufactured by FES the German Institute for Research and Development of Sports Equipment. - Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty ImagesThe least expensive track frames, components and kit at the 2024 Paris OlympicsTextiles (clothing)Boodun sprint gloves: 5.11Bioracer Classic Team Sock Knitted: 13Velotoze short shoe covers Road 2.0: 16.50ComponentsDeda Elementi Piega handlebar: 34Nitto B136 Touring handlebar: 40Fouriers HB-RA011-A6-M handlebar: 40.17FramesJorbi Omnium Carbon: 1,381Dolan DF4: 1,683Argon 18 Electron Pro: 2,500WheelsCorima 58mm WS1 track front / rear wheel: 777DT Swiss TRC1100 80mm clincher front wheel: 827Walker Brothers HI-5 tubular front wheel: 1,000While its possible to spend outrageous sums of money piecing together a cutting-edge track setup, its certainly not mandatory.The UCIs spreadsheet also includes a number of comparatively cheap and ordinary frames, components, wheels and cycling kit.Dolan's DF4 track frameset isn't as advanced as some, but it costs a fraction of the price of the most expensive bikes available. - DolanPreviously, even basic items such as saddles and pedals needed to be approved and added to the spreadsheet.For Paris, though, only frames, forks, seatposts, wheels, handlebars (including drop bars, base bars and aero extensions), clothing (skinsuits, baselayers, gloves, socks and shoe covers) and helmets (plus accessories) needed to be explicitly approved.Compared to many other wheels set to be used at the Olympics, the DT Swiss TRC1100 80mm clincher front wheel is a relative bargain. - DT SwissEverything else used in competition still needs to adhere to the UCIs equipment regulations, of course, but it no longer needs to be officially registered and approved unless its one of those items.With an ever-expanding selection of frames, wheels, components and items of technical clothing being created, perhaps the UCI wished to simplify its approvals process for the 2024 Games.Why does the UCI Final Equipment List exist?Track-bike development has raced ahead in recent years, with prices ballooning as a result. - PETER PARKS/AFP via Getty ImagesThe UCI keeps a list of registered and approved equipment in an attempt to create something of a level playing field.Ensuring everything is commercially available means each nation/rider can theoretically access the same pool of equipment.The UCIs registration document states: For track races, any equipment used at the Olympic Games must have been commercially available in accordance with article 1.3.006 at the latest on January 1st of the year of the Olympic Games and may therefore not be in development phase (prototype).Article 1.3.006 of the UCIs technical regulations states the retail price of the equipment shall be publicly advertised, shall not render the equipment de facto unavailable to the general public and shall not unreasonably exceed the market value for equipment of a similar standard.It also notes that use of equipment that is not commercially available can result in disqualification and/or fines ranging from CHF5,000 to 100,000.This is all laudable in theory of course, but considering how much it would cost a nation to kit out a single rider let alone a whole team with top-of-the-range equipment, we might reasonably question whether it works in practice.The UCI's regulations are intended to keep a level playing field in terms of technology, but it's debatable whether it works as intended. - Ian MacNicol/Getty ImagesOf course, the manufacturers of such equipment would doubtless argue the extensive research and development, ultra-high quality materials used and tiny production runs necessitate such high prices.To an extent, thats a fair argument.To wheel out a well-worn comparison, Olympic track bikes are like the Formula 1 cars of cycling the prices are always going to be orders of magnitude higher than the mass-produced bikes seen at races such as the Tour de France.But its also clear the UCI rules provide manufacturers plenty of wiggle room to spend as much as they wish on R&D and production, and then price things accordingly.If the UCI really wants to assert the primacy of man over machine the first principle of its technical regulations then perhaps it needs to look at things such as cost caps to keep things in check.Otherwise, what might bike prices look like ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics?

Netherlands' men put all their hopes in Mathieu van der Poel for the road race next week. The world champion will hope to add the Olympic gold to his palmares, supported by Dylan van Baarle and Daan Hoole. The latter will also line up for the time trial this Saturday, aiming to prove that his nation...

There's always a shadow of doubt for the new 'home recruits' at Astana Qazaqstan. Concerns usually surround their readiness to race at the highest level, as not many Kazakhs reach even half the level of the country's heroes Vinokourov, Kashechkin, Iglinskiy and most recently Alexey Lutsenko. But if...

From the velodrome to the road and beyond, there's more than enough cycling action to keep you entertained