Kristin Armstrong is the most-decorated U.S. womens cyclist of all time and is now coach to some of the world's best female cyclists. Paris Olympics cycling medalists Chlo Dygert and Haley Batten awarded Armstrong, who is their coach, with the Order of Ikkos medal in Paris.

Remco Evenepoel was already widely regarded as one of the best all round riders in the world, but after claiming a podium on his Tour de France debut this summer, the Belgian has seemingly stepped up another level.With Belgian cycling long awaiting a new winner of the Maillot Jaune, there is growin...

Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com Great Britains Tom Pidcock broke French hearts to beat Victor Koretzky in a thrilling race and retain the Olympic title he won in the Tokyo 2020 Games.Pidcocks winning time on the cross-country Olympic course at lancourt Hill on Monday was 1:26:22. Victor Koretzky (FRA) finished second, +0.09, with Alan Hatherly (RSA) third, +0.11.The 36 men, representing 27 nations, tackled eight laps of the man-made course that featured fast compacted gravel, a challenging drop-off, and tough rock garden features. For half the race, Koretzky had promised a French double, following Sundays victory for Pauline Ferrand-Prvot, but despite the deafening support, it was not to be. Pidcock recovered the time lost due to a puncture to take glory.This week, with the Olympics there are so many things to consider by the time you get to the start line. I knew that it would not be easy today, said the new Olympic Champion, Tom Pidcock. I knew after the puncture that I had almost five laps, and thats 50 minutes, so I thought, anythings possible.In the end it was really fast with Victor, I just couldnt get rid of him! I just had to go for a gap. The Olympics is no different. Im sorry for him, the support for him was incredible.As South Africas Alan Hatherly (winner of the most recent UCI World Cup this year at Les Gets, France) and 22-year-old American Riley Amos pushed the early pace, some favourites including Pidcock, Switzerlands 2016 Olympic Champion Nino Schurter and New Zealands Sam Gaze worked their way through the pack.When Victor Koretzky and Switzerlands Mathias Flckiger hit the front with a relentless pace, UCI World Champion Pidcock and Schurter joined them, along with Italys Luca Braidot, USAs Christopher Blevins and Germanys Luca Schwarzbauer, forming a talent-packed lead group.Half an hour in, Pidcock hit the front and pushed the pace even further, splitting the lead group, taking Flckiger and Koretzky with him, before the Swiss rider was dragged back into the fracturing chasing group that included the second British rider, Charlie Aldridge.On lap 3, Pidcock pitted with a front puncture, and 29-year-old Koretzky winner of the test event on the lancourt course in 2023 took the lead solo from 2019 E-MTB Cross-country UCI World Champion Hatherly. A chase group formed with Flckiger, Aldridge and Gaze, joined by Pidcock, +38-sec towards half-distance.With the gap at +25-sec, the Yorkshireman broke from the chasers and bridged to the South African, 17-sec behind the Frenchman, and the duo reeled in the three-time UCI World Cup winner Koretzky on the penultimate lap before the 24-year-old Briton attacked on the climb. The trio took the race right down to the final lap. Attacks from Pidcock tested the pace before the Frenchman and the Briton swapped the lead and came together in the woods in the finale.Ireland did not have any riders in this event.Full ResultsThe post Paris 2024: Tom Pidcock retains mountain bike title + Full Results appeared first on IrishCyclingNews.com | Irish Cycling News | IrishCycling.

This spring Rocky Mountain Bikes released their redesigned 2024 Altitude, featuring an old-but-new LC2R suspension linkage. Initially introduced almost 20 years ago, the modernized LC2R linkage (and this models coil shock) gives the Altitude bump-eating capability that bests other RMB bikes Ive tested.Ive been riding the Altitude Carbon 70 Coil since late Spring, and its proven to be a capable descender. The shock and linkage suck up all kinds of impacts nicely, and the geometry offers adjustable reach and slack steering angles. Despite some bobbing from the coil-equipped linkage, the Altitudes pedaling prowess was surprisingly good on the trails.Rocky Mountain Altitude C70 Coil Key SpecsCheck out my launch article for all the details on the new Altitude lineup, but here are some key specs: Built for enduro riding, the Altitude Carbon 70 Coil has a full carbon frame with 160mm of rear travel. All models come stock with 170mm forks.For the 2024 Altitude, Rocky chose to revive the LC2R linkage they first debuted on the Slayer back in 2006. The linkage has seen a significant update, now featuring a concentric lower link around the BB and a much cleaner overall look. The linkage is a dual-link, VPP design.While RMB runs MX wheels on the small Altitudes, the medium and larger frames come stock on 29 wheels. On the larger frame sizes, an MX setup is still possible with a flip of the chip in the rear shock mount. The flip-chip maintains the bikes geometry (save for some slight variations) with the smaller rear wheel.One addition for the 2024 Altitude was an FSA Orbit reach adjust headset. The bike comes with a neutral cup and a +/- 5mm cup, allowing the reach to vary from 445mm to 463mm (depending on cups and Ride 4 chip position).RMBs Ride 4 chip allows riders to fine-tune the bikes geometry and shock rate. You can choose from a slacker/more progressive position or a steeper/more linear setup. The new Altitudes head tube angles are quite slack, varying from 63 to 63.8.Carbon framed Altitudes offer RMBs PenaltyBox 2.0 down tube storage compartment. RMB has also added an accessory mount to the bottom of the Altitudes top tube. Keen eyes will notice theres no accessory mount on my test bike early frame samples didnt include the mount but all production models do.The new Altitude frame is UDH compatible, and RMB has removed the chainstay flip-chip the previous Altitude included.The size medium Altitude Carbon 70 Coil tested hit my scale at 35.85 lbs (with pedals).Ride Impressions ClimbingI started riding the Altitude with the Ride chip in position 3 (neutral) and the headset in neutral position. That put the reach at 455mm, the head angle at 63.5, and the seat tube angle at 77.5. The Altitudes BB drop is 31mm, stack height is not super low at 630mm, and standover height is also not particularly low at 796mm.At 510, the reach provided a comfortable ride at 455mm and kept me sitting a bit more upright than usual. The bike never felt too short, but I did feel the front end getting a bit light on steep climbs in this position. Aside from the slightly conservative reach, the Altitude has typical modern geometry. The steering angles are nice and slack, and the seat tube is steep. I found the medium frames 440mm rear end (there are three different chainstay lengths across the size range) just long enough to provide great climbing traction, particularly on steep uphill bursts.After a few weeks, I switched to the +5mm headset cup. At 460mm the Altitude Carbon 70 Coils reach immediately felt more familiar to me, being closer to most of the recent bikes Ive ridden. I noticed my body leaning a bit more forward in this position, and I felt more equally balanced between the wheels on steep climbs. The longer position has a more performance feel to it, while the neutral position feels a bit more recreational.For my last few rides, I switched the Altitude Carbon 70 Coil to its slackest Ride chip position (1). This only changes the head tube angle from 63.5 to 63 (and reduces the seat tube angle by 0.5), so there wasnt a huge difference in handling or climbing agility. Ive found a slack head tube angle isnt a big detriment to climbing, but now that bikes are reaching around 63 degrees that front wheel does start to feel a bit floppy. I still had no issues navigating the tightest switchbacks in my area.I cant really say why, but the Altitude is an impressive climber. Its weight, wheels, and angles are similar to my personal bike (except for its slacker head tube) but it seems to shoot uphill with little effort. I always use the firm mode on the rear shock, but its not anywhere near a lockout the shock still offers good bump absorption and provides a comfortable ride. The bike somehow feels about 3lbs lighter than the scale indicates, and its surprisingly easy to crank those pedals around. Perhaps the Altitudes low center of gravity helps. This bike just seems to claw its way uphill easily!Despite a noticeable degree of pedal bob, partially from the Fox DHX2 Factory coil shock, the Altitude pedaled quite well on the trails. On paved surfaces, even with the shock in Firm mode, each pedal stroke produces noticeable movement from the rear end. Left open, the shock will bob freely on roads and pathways (even with a bit more low-speed compression than Id usually run). However, on trail, the Altitude 70 Coil climbed better than expected.The rear shocks Firm switch does a good job of limiting dive when pedaling over dips in the trail. Fully open the coil will dive into its travel quite easily, but in Firm mode it resists slow-speed compressions much better. On this bike, Id use the shocks Firm mode for climbing any trail, but its especially helpful on smoother terrain. The Altitude offers very good climbing traction even in Firm mode, as the coils sensitivity keeps the rear wheel glued to moderately bumpy terrain.DescendingIn the Ride 4 chip and headsets neutral positions, the Altitude Carbon 70 Coil was already a very competent descender. The 63.5 head angle is slack enough for anything, and with the reach at 455mm, the bike still felt long enough to offer good stability. If anything the Altitude just felt a bit more playful at 455mm versus 460mm.I did prefer the longer reach setting, as I am a lanky guy and I like a roomy front end. Even at 460mm, the Altitude isnt a huge bike, and it feels like my weight is better centered over it with the extra 5mm up front.I find 440mm is a good length for a 29er rear end. Its long enough to provide a solid, stable ride but not so long that the bike feels sluggish in corners. Lifting the front wheel for a short manual or over an obstacle is still easy, so Id say RMB nailed it with the Altitudes newly fixed rear-end length.When I moved the Ride 4 chip into its slackest position, the bike got just slightly more comfortable on steep terrain. Again, theres only a 0.5 difference between the two settings I rode, but on back-to-back test laps, there was an appreciable difference. I took the Altitude to the steepest trail in my area and it made the descent a bit easier than most bikes do! The steering feel didnt change much between these settings, but in slack mode, the front wheel reaches out a little further on the steeps.The first thing I noticed about the new Altitudes LC2R suspension was that it plows through medium-sized bumps very well. After many laps of fast, rooty trails, Id say the Altitude absorbs impacts better than previous RMB bikes Ive tested. Of course, the coil shock is a big factor here, but the linkage seems to be very willing to suck up big impacts.Smaller chatter was easily smoothed out by the coil shock, but the Altitude handled all kinds of bumps well. I rallied down one of my roughest local trails and aside from one bottom-out the bike took the harshness out of impacts from the big, sharp rocks quite capably. At no point did I feel a big hit come through the frame or smash the rear wheel. I wouldnt say the Altitude rounds off nasty impacts as well as some bikes can, but it feels highly active and keeps the rear wheel well-planted through fast, rough terrain.In the slackest Ride 4 chip position, the shock rate is at its most progressive. Its a fine-tuning tool, but on a nice rough run I could tell the bike was resisting bigger impacts a bit more than in the neutral setting. Fortunately, this setting wasnt overly progressive for a lightweight rider like myself. I like to jump, so I was pleased to find the Altitude Carbon 70 Coil was great in the air. Even with the coil shock the linkage provided predictable and lively pop, and with that lighter than it is feel whipping the Altitude around in the air was fun and easy.RMB says the Altitudes short suspension links and one-piece rear triangle should offer good lateral stiffness, and Id have to agree. Im not a heavy guy, but this is not a flexy frame. Pinning through rough rocky trails, the bike held a line nicely and felt more solid than squirmy. Id also agree the low center of gravity on this frame contributes to a stable feel, especially at higher speeds.Noisy CablesOne irritating issue I had with the Altitude was noise. The cables/hoses rattle inside the frame quite easily, and they do it constantly. I removed the tool roll from the frame, and even tried stuffing some rubber behind the cables inside the frame storage compartment, but it made no difference. The noise was obvious enough that I checked over the bike after my first few rides, making sure nothing was loose. A second opinion from my local bike shop backed up my suspicions even with the frames internal guide tubes, the cables/hoses are creating the rattle.Frame StorageThe 2024 Altitude Carbon 70 Coil features RMBs PenaltyBox 2.0 down tube storage, and the bike comes with both a tool roll (pictured above) and a tool bag. Ive found rolls do a better job of preventing things from rattling inside the frame, so I used it instead of the tool bag.I easily fit my c02 inflator head, a large c02 canister, a plug tool, spare plugs, and a multi-tool in the tool roll. The roll will slide deep into the down tube as you ride, so youll want to make sure the pull strap is on the top end. The tool roll did keep things quiet in the frame, and the storage door latch worked perfectly and was easy to operate with gloved hands. I was also thrilled to find a large water bottle fit in the medium frame with enough room to remove/replace it easily.ComponentsFinally, some notes on components. The 170mm Fox 38 Float EVOL GRIP2 Factory fork performed great; it provides a stiff front end that blows through rough terrain in a commanding fashion.The Altitude Carbon 70 Coils Shimano XT shifting provided near-perfect performance, and the XT Trail 4-piston brakes on 203mm rotors offer more than ample power and good modulation.If youre tough on wheels, youll appreciate that all carbon Altitude models and the Alloy 70 coil include Cush Cores front and rear. Race Faces AR30 rims have proven to be quite strong on previous bikes Ive ridden, and both are within 1-2mms of perfectly true after three months of test riding.The Maxxis Assegai/Minion tire combo is proven and welcome on any bike I ride. RMB stocks an EXO+ casing on the front, and a DoubleDown DH casing on the rear wheel.The Race Face Turbine R dropper post got a bit sticky a few times but generally worked well. Its 150mm travel is OK but 170mm would be great for a medium frame. It would be nice if I could drop the saddle a bit further than I can. WTBs Volt saddle agrees with my anatomy nicely.RMB stocks its own 40mm stem and 780mm handlebars. I like the 40mm stem length, but with longer arms, Id prefer an 800mm bar width.MSRP for the Altitude Carbon 70 Coil is $7199. Frame color options are UD Carbon/Still of the Night/Black Dog (as tested) or Across the Universe/Sweet Leaf. bikes.comThe post 2024 Rocky Mountain Altitude Carbon 70 Coil Review: For a Smoother Ride, Go For the Coil appeared first on Bikerumor.

Nino Schurter's legendary status in the sport of mountain bike is assured but in the 38-year-old Swiss' Olympic Games swansong, the 2016 gold medallist was sadly unable to compete for the medals once again.I had the feeling, at least beforehand, that anything was possible today. But of course I ha...

Mountain biker and cyclo-cross rider Puck Pieterse will make her debut in the Tour de France Femmes this year. It will be her first major tour on the road.During the review of the second day of the Olympic Games in Studio Parijs at NOS, she mentioned almost casually that she will participate in the...

The men at the start of the Olympic mountain bike event provided for a spectacle you don't see very often. The extremely technical course didn't offer too many options to make a difference and so unlike in the women's race where Pauline Ferrand-Prvot won by more than three minutes, we have seen thr...

Good news for Matteo Moschetti. Victim of a terrible accident last Tuesday suffering two vertebral fractures, the Q36.5 Pro Cycling rider had undergone emergency surgery following the injury, but fortunately he has already been able to leave the facility where he remained hospitalized for seven days...

scar Freire was one of the leaders of the Rabobank team. He looks back on his years in Dutch service. His son Marcos has inherited his father's genes and is considered one of the greatest junior talents in Spain. Father scar hopes his son will find more luck in his professional career than he has...

Exciting news for the French World Tour FDJ - Suez as the ambitious women's team was able to secure the services of junior cyclocross star Clia Gery for next two seasons. Gery is currently both European and World champion in cyclocross and she's not lacking in her road performances either as in 11...