Just one more day to go until the weekend, Dan Alexander will be trying to help you through it with all your cycling news, reaction and more on the live blog

Based outside the Olympic village, in an area closer to their competition and training locations, the cyclists of the French road team are still experiencing their compatriots' Olympic exploits intensely.The day after Lon Marchand's Olympic double, Valentin Madouas appreciates experiencing these mo...

Get all the information you need to watch the action of the men's and women's Olympic cycling road races at Paris 2024

Puncture-resistant tyres with an excellent balance of durability, grip and speed 9/10

One of the highlights of August 2024 is the Vuelta a Espaa, the final Grand Tour of the cycling season.Free to read Special Edition is available hereTo get hard copies click hereBIKE Magazine August 2024 CoverThe Vuelta, known for its challenging mountain stages and unpredictable weather, offers a thrilling spectacle as riders tackle Spains diverse terrain. The race is a key battleground for general classification contenders and specialists seeking to make a mark in one of the most prestigious events on the cycling calendar. Fans can expect breathtaking climbs, tactical battles, and the emergence of new talents in this three-week race.In addition to the Vuelta, other notable professional events include the Tour de Pologne and the BinckBank Tour, both of which attract strong fields and offer opportunities for sprinters and all-rounders alike. These races are critical for riders preparing for the late-season classics and World Championships, providing valuable points and exposure.August is also a popular month for amateur cyclists and charity rides. Events like the Prudential RideLondon here in the UK offer cyclists of all abilities the chance to ride iconic routes, including closed-road sections through London and the Surrey countryside. This event not only celebrates cycling but also raises significant funds for various charities, making it a fulfilling experience for participants.Across Europe and beyond, many cycling festivals and gran fondos are held, giving amateurs a taste of professional race routes and the opportunity to ride in a supported, festive environment. These events often include family-friendly activities, vendor expos, and opportunities to meet professional cyclists, making them popular for spectators and participants alike.For those who prefer dirt to tarmac, August 2024 also features several exciting mountain biking and off-road events. The UCI Mountain Bike World Cup continues its season with events in scenic locations, attracting top riders in cross-country, downhill, and enduro disciplines. These competitions are known for their demanding courses and spectacular settings, drawing large crowds and offering thrilling viewing.In North America, the Leadville Trail 100 MTB in Colorado stands out as one of the most gruelling and prestigious endurance mountain bike races. This high-altitude challenge tests even the most seasoned riders, with its tough climbs and rugged terrain.August is also a time for local cycling events, often organised by community groups and local clubs. These include criteriums, cyclocross races, and time trials, providing cyclists of all levels with the opportunity to compete, improve their skills, and enjoy the camaraderie of the cycling community.Cycling in August 2024 is not just about competition; its also about celebrating the joy of riding. Whether participating in a local bike ride, watching the professionals tackle the Vuelta a Espaa, or exploring new routes and trails, there are countless ways to engage with the sport this month.Overall, August 2024 is set to be a vibrant and thrilling month for cycling, filled with events that highlight the sports diverse appeal and the passion of its community.

After a 16-year hiatus, the Marin Quake a bike synonymous with long-travel, downhill-oriented riding is back.With an aluminium frame, 180mm of rear travel, and 200mm of front travel, this downhill/bike park bike fills a gap in Marins range.Driven by athlete demand and influential employees, Marin says the new Quake has been nine years in the making.Rather than develop an all-out downhill race bike, Marin is aiming the new Quake at riders who want to have a blast on a big-travel bike, sending jumps, drops and the steepest features.Marin tells us: The Quake is for everyone who wants to have fun on a big bike. Its a jumpy, playful, fun-loving machine. Available from March 2025, a complete Marin Quake will cost 4,499 / $4,699 / 5,199. A separate frameset costs 1,799 / $1,899 / 2,099.Athlete-drivenMatt Jones hipping the Marin Quake in Whistler. - Kateland ClarkeThat Marin has been developing the Quake is no secret.The Marin Quake has made multiple Red Bull Hardline appearances under Matt Jones, with Vince Moonen also riding it at Fest Series events.We sat down with Matt Cipes, product manager for the Quake, and Marins marketing manage John Oldale to get the lowdown on the new bike.Party laps over podiumsThe Quake is built for party laps and good times rather than hunting milliseconds. - Kateland ClarkeWhile theres no reason it couldnt be raced, Marin didnt set out to make a podium-threatening bike for the World Cup.Cipes explains: The Quake is meant to feel like an old friend, something youll get along with and have a great time on."Modern downhill race bikes can be stiff, difficult or even worse dull at slower speeds for mere mortals.The Quake is designed to be a long-travel bike that will take on the burliest lines but keep you engaged, no matter your riding style or ability.The Quakes epicentreThe new Marin Quake is Marin's latest long-travel downhill and bike-park bike. - Kateland ClarkeThe Quake is built around a Series 4 Alloy frame the same tubing used on other Marin bikes, including the Alpine Trail AX AXS. The bike has 180mm of rear travel based on Marins latest MultiTrac 2 LT suspension design a Horst-link pivot layout.Marin switched to this kinematic over its previous single-pivot, linkage-driven design because it enabled it to reduce anti-rise, allowing for better chassis control while braking, more mid-stroke support and improved feel at bottom-out.While the Quake comes with a 27.5in rear wheel, a flip chip enables you to choose a 29in wheel if you prefer. - Kateland ClarkeRelocating the pivot also enabled Marin to introduce adjustable chainstay lengths and bottom bracket heights.The Quake features two flip chips.The first enables you to choose between 27.5 and 29in rear wheels (the bike comes with a 27.5in wheel as standard).The second chip enables you to switch between a short chainstay/high bottom bracket setting (430mm/361mm) and a long chainstay/low bottom bracket setting (440mm/353mm).You can tailor the Quake's geometry to suit your riding style and the trails. - Kateland ClarkeMarin uses a straight 56ZS (56mm-diameter, zero-stack) head tube on the Quake to maximise aftermarket adjustable headsets.With a 1.125in straight steerer tube (as found on downhill forks), you can fit up to a 10mm reach-adjust headset to tailor the frame's reach.The head tube will take a 1-, 1.5- or 2-degree angle-adjust headset for fine-tuning the head tube angle.The frame is also compatible with 27.5in forks, although riders will need to fit a 10-15mm external lower headset cup.This means the Quake can run a 180-190mm single-crown fork or a 200mm dual-crown fork.Marin has built the Quake with a ZS56 (Zero Stack 56mm) head tube, so riders can fit aftermarket reach-adjust and angle-adjust headsets. - Kateland ClarkeElsewhere, the frame features chainstays and seatstays equipped with durable rubber guards to minimise noise and protect the paint finish.A gasket around the cable exit hole reduces cable rattle and prevents the brake hose and derailleur cable from scratching the frame.A mud flap positioned over the lower suspension pivot keeps dirt and spray off the bearings.An integrated lower down tube guard helps deflect rocks, logs and other obstacles, while an upper down tube shuttle pad protects the frame when hanging over a tailgate.There's no headset cable routing on the Quake. New cable ports keep the cables rattle-free. - Kateland ClarkeThe cable ports feature an all-new design that keeps the interior of the frame sealed.These ports use rubber membranes punctured during initial assembly, tightly sealing around the housing or hose once inserted. They will be available as a service part for riders making component changes.The Quake utilises SRAMs Universal Derailleur Hanger standard for the dropout and hanger.This enables Quake riders to upgrade to a direct-mount rear derailleur if desired.The rear-hub spacing is a sensible Boost 148mm for easy replacements, rather than a 157mm downhill standard.Hitting the sweet spotMarin is releasing the Quake in three frame sizes: small, medium and large. The bikes geometry blends progressive angles with modest sizing to strike a balance between stability and usability.In the long chainstay/low bottom bracket setting, the Quake features reach numbers that range from 418mm to 438mm and 478mm in sizes small, medium and large respectively.These are matched with gravity-influenced 630mm, 639mm and 639mm stack heights.The head tube angle is a slack 62.3 degrees to maximise downhill control.The seat tubes are short to help get plenty of clearance at 380mm, 415mm and 430mm for the three frame sizes.The chainstay in this setting is a well-balanced 440mm and the bottom bracket sits a middling 453mm off the floor for the frame's 180mm of travel.There are four geometry charts, thanks to the two-position chainstay flip chip and the two rear-wheel sizes. Marin Quake STOCK geometry - 27.5in rear wheel, long/low chainstay SizeSmallMediumLarge Reach (mm)418438478 Stack (mm)630639639 Head angle (degrees)62.362.362.3 Seat tube (mm)390415430 Seat tube angle (degrees)75.875.875.8 Top tube (mm)577599639 Chainstay (mm)440440440 Front centre (mm)790815855 Wheelbase (mm)1,2301,2551,295 FC:RC ratio(1.80)(1.85)(1.94) Bottom bracket drop (mm)4.4(r)/26.4(f)4.4(r)/26.4(f)4.4(r)/26.4(f) Edit Table A build for the peopleThe Quake comes with a custom-tuned RockShox Vivid Ultimate Coil shock a proven downhill performer with plenty of adjustments. - Kateland ClarkeCipes says Marin tried hard to assemble a build kit that balances performance and value for money.He explains: Were maximising what were doing for the rider in terms of spec, but also making sure were not breaking the bank and emptying your pockets.Marin has done an impressive job with the spec list, which has been fine-tuned after listening to its retail partners and rental shops: a big focus for this bike.The rental shops wanted quality, durability and replaceability. They requested sealed headsets and SRAM parts for warranty purposes.Oldale adds: Communicating with the rental shops was interesting, as the feedback came back saying they would rather have more expensive parts to meet their requirements than what Marin were initially aiming for.The Quake gets a RockShox Vivid Ultimate Coil shock, custom-tuned for the frame and paired with the 200mm-travel RockShox Boxxer fork up front.SRAM's Maven BRZ brakes pack a punch. - Kateland ClarkeTheres a full SRAM GX DH 7-speed drivetrain with Truvativ cranks, SRAM Maven Bronze brakes with 200mm HS2 rotors and a Truvativ direct-mount handlebar and stem.The Quake uses DH-casing Maxxis Assegai 3C MaxxGrip 2.5in tyres. These shroud Marin-branded wheels. Marin-spec parts include the saddle and seatpost.Marin Quake spec, pricing and availabilityThe Marin Quake is available from March 2025, costing 4,499 / $4,699 / 5,199 for the full-bike build and 1,799 / $1,899 / 2,099 for the frameset.Marin Quake2025 Marin Quake. - Marin BikesFrame: Series 4 Alloy frame, 180mm travelFork: RockShox Boxxer, 200mm travelShock: Vivid Coil DH UltimateDrivetrain: SRAM GX DH 7-speed drivetrain, 11-25tBrakes: SRAM Maven Bronze Disc Brakes w/ 200mm HS2 rotorsTyres: Maxxis Assegai 3C MaxxGrip DH 2.5inPrice: 4,499 / $4,699 / 5,199Marin Quake frameset2025 Marin Quake frameset. - Kateland ClarkeFrame: Series 4 Alloy frame, 180mm travelShock: Vivid Coil DH UltimateHeadset: FSA No 74Price: 1,799 / $1,899 / 2,099

The Brit Simon Yates will be riding for Team Visma | Lease a Bike starting in 2025. The experienced climber has signed a contract that will see him wear yellow and black jersey until the end of 2026.With a Vuelta a Espana overall victory from 2018, there's no need for lengthy introduction of Yates....