Sepp Kuss returned to the peloton for the first time since theCritrium du Dauphin this Monday afternoon, on stage 1 of the 2024 Vuelta a Burgos. Sadly for the American, it wasn't quite the easy return to racing he may have hoped for as he was caught up in a nasty late crash.It was incredibly ho...

After a heroic performance at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Remco Evenepoel leaves France with a pair of gold medals and his stock higher than ever before. Despite seemingly being comfortable at Soudal - Quick-Step, rumours of the Belgian's imminent departure continue to rumble on.The loudest rumou...

From the 5th to the 9th of August the peloton will tackle the Vuelta a Burgos. The Spanish race is the single most important race in preparation for the Vuelta a Espana and features opportunities for the climbers, time-trialists and sprinters alike. We preview stage 2.Stage 2 of the race is indeed...

Ive ridden in a lot of XC race shoes over the years, and comfort usually isnt their strong suit. Thats a big reason why Ive gradually shifted away from them as my shoe of choice over the years, even for cross country riding. However, the new Shimano S-PHYRE XC-903 changes things. The shoe is a rare combination of comfort and efficiency that will tempt a lot of riders if you can stomach the price. Fit and comfort go hand in hand, so Shimano worked on improving the fit of the shoes with a new surround-wrapping upper made from a microfiber leather with increased elasticity. That supple and slightly stretchy upper is designed to better accommodate a variety of foot shapes which increases the comfort for a larger audience. The upper also features variable perforation with a mesh underneath to increase breathability. To close the shoe, Shimano uses twin BOA Li2 dials which allow micro-adjustment in both directions. Additionally, the lower BOA dial gets a shield to prevent it from being accidentally released on impact along with soft lower lace guides. According to BOA, the XC903 doesnt officially use their PerformFit Wrap design youll find on shoes like the Canyon Tempr CFR, but the Shimano does offer some degree of wrap, and thus, likely offer some degree of similar benefits.For Shimano, that Surround Wrapping upper improves the fit while offering maximum pedal efficiency without having to massively crank down on the BOA dials. For me, that was immediately evident on the trail as it didnt feel like the shoes were very tight, but the response under hard pedaling was impressive. Part of that response also comes from the heel cup with anti-twist stabilization which helps keep the foot locked-in without it being extra tight. Underneath, the XC903 offers a stiff carbon sole with a low stack height midsole and a massively grippy ULTREAD XC rubber outsole. The first time I tried the shoes on, I could feel just how soft and grippy the outsole was while walking around on concrete. That impressive grip inspires confidence off the bike, and its one of the reasons these shoes will appeal to more riders than just top racers. FitIm usually a firm 41.5 in Shimanos high-end shoes and that is the case here. Of all the shoes Ive tried from Shimano lately though, the XC903s seem to fit the best, particularly around the outside of my foot near the pinkie toe. It seems like the stretch of the upper only helps with the fit. Around the forefoot, the XC903 definitely feels a bit wider than the RX801, but the shoe doesnt feel particularly wide. Actual WeightOn our scale, a 41.5 shoe weighs in at 286g, for a weight of 572g for the pair. Offered in whole sizes from 38-48, and half sizes from 41.5 to 46.5, you can find the XC903s in Blue, White, or Black. XC vs Gravel Shoes?Ive spent a lot of time in the past few years in the Shimano RX801 gravel shoe, so it was an interesting comparison to the new XC903 MTB shoe. If anything, Shimano has now better differentiated the two categories with two options that provide different features. In my experience, the lighter RX801 provides a more rigid upper fit that is better suited to offer road-worthy performance on gravel. The XC903 on the other hand still provides the efficiency you need for a top-level MTB race shoe, but it allows the rider more freedom to move around on the bike without it being uncomfortable. The XC903 also provides far better grip and confidence off the bike thanks to the softer, wider, and more aggressive tread. Final ThoughtsFor me, the XC903s have had a big impact on what shoes I choose when heading out for a ride. Usually, Im not racing. I like to go fast, but also want to be comfortable. Over the past 5-10 years, I cant recall a time when I reached for an XC race shoe that I didnt have to ride. The XC903 has changed that. These shoes offer a perfect blend of comfort and efficiency which make them a great choice for long days in the saddle when youre racing nothing but the sun. Overall, there is a lot to love about the XC903s until you get to the price. At $450 per pair, the Shimanos are on par with the most expensive MTB shoes on the market. But if youre already comparing shoes at that price point, for me, the XC903s are the ones to get. ride.shimano.comThe post Shimano S-PHYRE XC903 MTB Shoes are More Comfortable Than Ever appeared first on Bikerumor.

The squad, formerly known as Drops, was founded in 2016

The road races at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games were an incredible spectacle. Thrilling racing, epic performances and drama fight until the last, the course was a real success with both the audience and experts, with some calling for a replication of the route as a stage of the Tour de France in futu...

Reigning silver and gold teams Denmark and Italy qualify third and fourth on a sweltering night at the track

CyclistTour de France Femmes 2024: Route, how to watch and all you need to knowThe Tour de France Femmes, returns on the 12th August 2024. The third edition comes after a successful launch of the new race in 2022.In 2024, the race will begin abroad in The Netherlands. The parcours will see the riders travel down France via Belgium to the Alps where the race will conclude atop the iconic Alpe dHuez. The race begins later than normal this year due to the scheduling of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, taking place from 12th August 2024 to 18th August 2024.The reigning champion is Dutchwoman Demi Vollering of SD Worx-Protime. Vollering will start as the favourite following a barnstorming Vuelta Femenina performance in May. This is also likely to be her last Grand Tour in SD Worx colours after rumours have circulated surrounding her future at the team. Other favourites will include the recent Giro dItalia Women winner Elisa Longo Borghini of Lidl-Trek, last years polka dot jersey Kasia Niewiadoma of Canyon-SRAM and French hope Juliette Labous of DSM-Firmenich-PostNL.At the 2024 Tour de France Femmes, four jerseys will be up for grabs. The yellow jersey will be the main prize for the GC, just like at the mens Tour de France, and the green jersey and polka-dot jerseys are also the same as in the mens Tour. However the white jersey for the best young rider is only open to riders under the age of 23 unlike the mens, which is under 25.Tour de France Femmes 2024: Key informationA.S.O./Charly LopezDates: Monday 12th August to Sunday 18th AugustGrand Dpart: Rotterdam, NetherlandsFinale: Alpe dHuez, FranceTotal elevation gain: 10,700mTotal prize money: 250,000UK television coverage: Eurosport, Discovery+2023 winner: Demi Vollering (SD Worx)Most overall wins: Annemiek van Vleuten, Demi Vollering (both one)Most stage wins: Lorena Wiebes (three)Tour de France Femmes 2024 routeThe 2024 Tour de France Femmes will begin with three stages in the Netherlands, marking the first foreign Grand Dpart in the races short history. In fact, half of the 2024 Tour de France Femmes will take place outside of France.After a couple of flat days of racing in the Netherlands, the race will travel through the Ardennes with Stage 4s ode to the late-April Classics. Once back on French soil, the race moves southwards with some lumpy intermediate profiles on Stages 5 and 6. The race will finally reach the Alps for the first time in its history. Organisers have placed two mountain stages at the back end of the race, first at Le Grand Bornand, then at Alpe dHuez. The 21 hairpins of the famed Dutch mountain will round out the race a very Dutch race this year and the victor of the 2024 Tour de France Femmes will be declared.Tour de France Femmes 2024: Stage-by-stage previewStage 1: Monday 12th August, Rotterdam The Hague, 124kmThe 2024 Tour de France Femmes begins with a road stage from Rotterdam to The Hague. The profile is as flat as they come. The altitude will barely surpass double digits above sea level during the day. The approach to the line in The Hague could be wind-stricken and echelon-prone however. To add to that the general stress of the opening stage will most likely add a shakiness to the peloton.Sprinters such as Lorena Wiebes and Charlotte Kool will relish the opportunity to sprint for the yellow jersey on home turf at the end of Stage 1.Stage 2: Tuesday 13th August, Dordrecht Rotterdam, 64kmStages 2 and 3 will be raced on the same day. To begin with, the riders will race a 67km long road stage. The profile sees the riders head out from Dordrecht to Rotterdam, the epicentre of this Dutch Grand Dpart.Like Stage 1, the second stage is as flat as a Dutch pancake.The favourites will be the sprinters again. For them, this will be a crucial time to gain points in the green jersey classification.Stage 3: Tuesday 13th August, Rotterdam Rotterdam, 6.3km, ITTLater that day, Stage 3 will require the teams to swap road bikes for time-trial bikes. This brief six-kilometre jaunt will be the only time-trial in the 2024 race.The course is straightforward and you guessed it flat. The course will, however, pass over the iconic Erasmusbrug in Rotterdam before a final dash to the line in Rotterdams regenerated quays.Stage 4: Wednesday 14th August, Valkenburg Lige, 122kmHalfway through the race, things get more serious for the general classification. Crossing into Belgium for a mini Amstel Gold Race and Lige-Bastogne-Lige crossover, with eight climbs on Stage 4 that includes the Cauberg, Cte de la Redoute and the Cte de la Roche aux Faucons. This medley of Ardennes staples will be very familiar to the puncheurs. The approach to the finish line will be very similar to that of Lige-Bastogne-Lige. Stage 5: Thursday 15th August, Bastogne Amnville, 150kmAnother nod to the Classics is given with Stage 5s departure from Bastogne. From here, the race will pass through southern Belgium for 60km before crossing the border into France. In total, theres 2,000m of climbing on offer during Stage 5, culminating in a false flat sprint in Amnville.Stage 6: Friday 15th August, Remiremont Morteau, 160kmStage 6 is all about Frances untouched east. The stage begins in Remiremont, the hometown of double Olympic mountain bike champion Julien Absalon. Not long after the start of the stage, the race passes through Mlisey, the birthplace of Thibaut Pinot, as the race moves towards the hills.The two climbs of La Roche du Prtre (5.5km, 5.6%) and Cte des Fins (1.8km, 6.9%) come in the closing quarter of the stage. These climbs have the real potential to whittle down the group and create a key selection in the GC.Stage 7: Saturday 16th August, Champagnole Le Grand-Bornand, 167kmStage 7 will take the riders into the Alps at last. At 167km, this will be the longest day in the saddle of this years Tour de France Femmes. The focal point will be the closing climb of the Monte de Chinaillon (7km at 5.1%), which peaks in the ski resort of Le Grand Bornand.Le Grand Bornand has hosted womens racing before, having played host to the Tour de Frances La Course in 2018.Stage 8: Sunday 17th August, Le Grand-Bornand Alpe dHuez, 150kmThe Tour de France Femmes will end with a bang this year. A final day through the Alps will push the riders up the Col du Glandon (19.7km at 7.2%), the highest point in the race, before heading up the 21 hairpins of Alpe dHuez.The Alpe dHuez is steeped in mens Tour de France history. Champions from Fausto Coppi to Marco Pantani have won atop the famed mountain. 2024 will mark the first time that the womens peloton will climb the Alpe in the Tours history.Tour de France Femmes 2024: How to watch on live TV and streamingA.S.O./Charly LopezThe 2024 Tour de France Femmes will be available to watch on Eurosport 1 for those with the channel. You can also stream it onDiscovery+for 6.99 per month with the basic package, which includes cycling and all other Eurosport programmes.It is being broadcast across 198 countries, but its not being shown in your country, you may be able to watch coverage using a VPN Virtual Private Network which allows users to mask their IP address and watch geo-blocked content, provided they dont need to pay for a subscription. This is also helpful for watching paid-for coverage while travelling abroad in countries without access. One such example isExpressVPN, which is verywell reviewed, helps users to find a way to watch cycling without having to pay for broadcasters services, and costs 5.36 per month, with three months free.Other options includeNordVPN,SurfsharkandKapersky.Tour de France Femmes official broadcastersAbu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi SportsAsia (excluding China and Japan): Eurosport Asia-PacificAustralia: SBSBelgium: RTBF, VRTCanada: FloBikesCentral and South America: ESPNDenmark: DKTV2Europe: EurosportFrance: France TV Sport, France 24Germany: One 1, SportschauIreland: TG4Japan: JSportsNetherlands: NOSNew Zealand: Sky SportNorway: TV2Spain: Caracol, RCN, RTVESubsaharan Africa: SupersportSwitzerland: SRG-SSRUnited States: CNBC, PeacockTour de France Femmes 2024 broadcast timesA.S.O./Charly LopezAll times BST and subject to change by broadcastersStage 1: Monday 12th AugustDiscovery+:11:00-15:00Eurosport 1:11:00-15:00Stage 2: Tuesday 13th AugustDiscovery+:08:30-11:00Eurosport 1:08:30-11:15Stage 3: Tuesday 13th AugustDiscovery+:14:30-17:15Eurosport 1:14:30-17:15Stage 4: Wednesday 14th AugustDiscovery+:12:30-15:30Eurosport 1:12:30-15:30Stage 5: Thursday 15th AugustDiscovery+:12:30-15:30Eurosport 1:12:30-15:30Stage 6: Friday 16th AugustDiscovery+:12:30-15:30Eurosport 1:12:30-15:30Stage 7: Saturday 17th AugustDiscovery+:12:00-15:15Eurosport 1:12:00-15:15Stage 8: Sunday 18th AugustDiscovery+:15:00-18:30Eurosport 1:15:00-17:30Tour de France 2024 start listA.S.O./Thomas MaheuxData powered by FirstCycling.comFor all Tour de France-related stories, check out ourhub. Related Posts The best photos from the womens Olympic Road Race Paris 2024 Big Ride: A climb and a half on Alpe dHuez Pro cycling transfers 2024/2025: Simon Yates to Visma, OConnor to Jayco, Pidcock to leave Ineos? The best photos from the Tour de France Femmes 2023 Up front: Orla Chennaoui profile The post Tour de France Femmes 2024: Route, how to watch and all you need to know appeared first on Cyclist.

Inspired by Nils Politts emergency Amlie-themed comfort beak during the mens Olympic road race, we delved into cyclings history of panicked, mid-race bathroom emergencies and picked our favourites. Who said cycling journalism was in the toilet?

Coming into the 2024 Paris Olympic Games off the back of a stunning first ever Giro d'Italia win, big things were expected of the experienced Italian, Elisa Longo Borghini in the women's road race. Sadly, the legs just weren't there on the day for the 32-year-old."I'm so sorry. It's not the result...