Tadej Pogaar is putting previewers out of business. Hes won the last three editions of this race and his late season form seems so good so he can ride into the history books and for a change swap comparisons with Eddy Merckx for one with Fausto Coppi, who also won this race four times (1946-1949) but also took a fifth win in 1954.Its hard to write about the other contenders because how to get ahead of Pogaar? Still it might be fun to see them try.The RouteOf all the five Monuments, Lombardias route changes the most. As this mornings LEquipe mused this comes with peril as the race searches for its cultural anchor points. Watch the race on Saturday and itll look like Lombardia and the annual Bergamo-Como parentheses surely work better than past editions of years ago where the race finished in Milan, far from any climbs.This years edition is Bergamo-Como, 252km and well over 4,000m of vertical gain. The first four climbs contribute plenty to the days vertical gain with the Selvino a staple of the race and locals alike. It makes the first two hours or more hard going.The Madonna del Ghisallo is tackled via a new route. Rather than the poor mans spaceship ramp out of Bellagio as Gianni Brera once wrote, this way up is more a paupers travelator or in more cycling terms, a big ring kind of climb. At the top the race will pass the chapel and cycling museum in the other direction before descending to the lake for a breather. Only just as the road is narrow and being in position for the Sormano climb counts for plenty.Colma is an old word for a pass or a peak (from the Latin culmen, as in culminate) and this is a familiar climb but its not the Muro, the vicious side road, but just the main climb up. Its a quasi-Alpine climb, 13km at 6.4% but if we scratch the small flat area before the top most if the climb is 7% or more.The Finish: no Citiglio and the San Fermo features once which makes for a less selective finish, and probably more action before on the Sormano. Still its not easy, a tight turn at foot places a premium on going in first before the narrow road twists up through the woodland, its 2.7km at 7% reaching 10% before the top. Then its downhill and a slight modification to the finish with the race no longer finishing by the lake but more inland because of high water but it stays flat.The Contenders: Tadej Pogaar has won the last three editions, the course suits and hes in form. To paraphrase Pavel Sivakov after the Zrich Worlds, Pogaar was doing 700 watts uphill and Sivakovs problem was he kept doing this on the descent, then on the flat and he just couldnt follow the relentless pace. This makes him the five-chainring pick in sport they dont equate to 100% probability.Pogaars helped even more by a strong UAE squad where Marc Hirschi, Jan Christen, Adam Yates and Pavel Sivakov could all win but if theyre somehow in the mix for the win then so will be others from rival teams so as much as UAE may want to redistribute some opportunity, why risk it? For some this is boring, for others its the chance to see someone leading in their field at their pomp, like watching Fangio, Jordan or Woods. Theres no right and wrong here. However returning to the team theyre strong but lack a tractor-like rider who can pull on the flat as well as the climbs and rivals might want to exploit this.As ever the way to win is to move before Pogaar does but as weve seen lately he goes earlier than most expect. So itll be interesting to see the early breakaway and whether some big names go clear along with the usual Polti-Kometa and Bardiani invitees. Otherwise good luck to anyone hoping to stay on Pogaars wheel on the Sormano.This is the problem with citing all the other riders, someone like Tom Pidcock (Ineos) can sprint well, handles the climbs and especially the descents well and is searching for a result when others have already gone on holiday yet if anyone leaves it to the Sormano then Pogaar can take 30 seconds or more on the climb and parlay this into a minute going into Como.Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quickstep) is the other star name and itll be interesting to see what his plan is. He spoke of fatigue in his pre-race presser but some form should still be left, its more how to use it. Surprise perhaps, barging away on a flat piece of road where relative to Pogaar hes got an advantage and remember UAEs relative weakness here too. But pre-Sormano this implies building a buffer for the climb; post-Sormano implies hes still with the Slovenian.Enric Mas (Movistar) has been second here before and the form looks right now too but hed like a more selective finish to help narrow things down.Matteo Jorgenson leads a strong Visma-LAB and for a thought experiment, imagine how things would have been for the Dutch team had he not signed for them? Theres a lesson for UAE and us onlookers too when it comes to expectations for the following season.Another American contender is Neilson Powless whos just won Gran Piemonte. That race has an ever-changing course but the recent edition was like a mini-Lombardia and Georg Steinhauser was looking strong too so up them to invent something.Romain Bardet (DSM Firmenich-PostNL) rides his last Lombardia and is a sentimental pick. This was one of the races that made him when, as a neo-pro in 2012, he was on the attack. Back then a young pro active late into a 250km race was sign of potential. Hes got a capable team with Kevin Vermaerke capable of finishing off a solid season.Roger Adria has proved a useful signing for Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe but a Monument is probably asking too much.Simon Yates (Jayco) can say goodbye to the team hes been with for a decade and having finished fith in Emilia the form is there for a result.David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) could be like Mas as a Vuelta finisher in form but is less reassuring and how to win, as if hes alright in a sprint there are faster. Among them team mate Romain Grgoire.Bahrain probably want the season to hurry up and end, theyve slipped to 17th in the UCI rankings for this year. Still Pello Bilbao and Antonio Tiberi bring options.Home hopes probably rest on Giulio Ciccone who can climb with the best and packs a decent sprint, plus he was looking aggressive in Gran Piemonte but turning this into a result is tough.We could look wider, think Tobias Halland Johannessen (Uno-X), Davide Piganzoli (Polti-Kometa) or Alessandro Pinarello (VF-Bardiani-CSF) but of course for these riders just to get ahead of a few names above would impress, let alone finding away past Pogaar and Evenepoel.Tadej PogaarRemco EvenepoelTom Pidcock, Enric MasHirschi, Jorgenson, Yates2, Vansevenant, Ciccone, Bilbao, BardetWeather: 17C and mostly cloudy. The poetic label of the race of the falling leaves (la classica delle foglie morte for locals) feels redundant, even bizarre, in recent years given spells of warm weather in September and October. But this year the weathers been very different since early September and so look out for the autumnal tones and even leaves on the road.TV: RAI for locals and VPN surfers where its live from 10.25 CEST on RAI Sport, then 2.00pm on RAI Due. See Eurosport-Discovery-Warner-HBO-whatever-its-called-where-you-live for the international feed. KM0 is at 10.35am and the finish is forecast for 5.00pm Euro time.The post Lombardia Preview first appeared on The Inner Ring.

It's everyone's favourite cycling social media round-up

A toucan crossing, by definition, is for pedestrians and cyclists. But there is no way of actually cycling to get there

CyclistOpinion: How do you solve a problem like Ineos?The entire annual budget of Equipo Kern Pharma, whose three recent Vuelta a Espaa stage victories amounted to three more than Ineos Grenadiers managed, equates to the same estimated 4 million earned by a single Ineos rider, Tom Pidcock, each year. Thats the same Pidcock who has notched just a single road win in 2024 and who reportedly clashed with team management over his poor performances in the Tour of Britain.Architect of two of those Kern Pharma victories was Pablo Castrillo the same Castrillo whose links to Ineos Grenadiers resurfaced in the wake of his unexpected Stage 12 Vuelta triumph. No sooner had the 23-year-old emerged through the mist to double up at Cuitu Negru three days later, however, than doubts about his move began to arise.That was at the beginning of September. Fast forward a month and a bit and Movistar have just announced Castrillo will ride for them in 2025. How has it come to this the WorldTours once most dominant force outmanoeuvred even in the bargain basement?Unipublic/Sprint Cycling AgencyIt has now been more than three years since Ineos won a Grand Tour Egan Bernal in the 2021 Giro; more than four years since the last Tour win the same rider in 2020; seven years since Chris Froomes Vuelta victory. That period has produced just a single Monument win Dylan van Baarles Paris-Roubaix triumph in 2022.Like many, Van Baarle has since flown the nest. At the Vuelta, the best-placed rider from Ineos was Carlos Rodrguez, who slumped to tenth behind former teammates Richard Carapaz, Mikel Landa and Pavel Sivakov. Two more riders released by Ineos Adam Yates and Eddie Dunbar picked up stage wins in Spain. Rodrguez finished behind Yates and Landa in the Tour. Geraint Thomas made the final podium in the Giro, but behind another Ineos alumnus, Dani Martnez, who now rides for Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe.With Luke Rowe retiring and Thomas entering what looks to be his last year, fans are entitled to ask whats next? While Ethan Hayter and Jhonatan Narvez pack their bags, Ineos focus on extending the contracts of stagnating stalwarts like Omar Fraile. The outgoings are more acutely felt set against the quality of whats coming in. Last years star signing was Tobias Foss, while 2025 welcomes veteran Bob Jungels and youngsters Axel Laurance and Sam Watson. Pulses have not been set racing. Related Posts GOAT Bingo: What does Tadej Pogaar still have left to win? Opinion: What is PrimoRoglis legacy? Pro cycling transfers 2024/2025: Elisa Longo Borghini finally confirms move to UAE Team ADQ, Kasper Asgreen signs for EF and Tom Pidcock rumoured to join second-division Q36.5 Il Lombardia 2024: Everything you need to know A.S.O./Charly LopezI cant help but think Ineos missed a trick by not being involved in Mark Cavendishs Tour record bid. What Cav achieved at Astana would have brought prestige and purpose to a British team that has lost any hope of winning the Tour while Tadej Pogaar and Jonas Vingegaard are around.Snapping up Primo Rogli would have offered a lifeline: a proven all-round force as opposed to an ageing Thomas or a future prospect like Rodrguez.Its not just the riders and ambition that are disappearing: manager Rod Ellingworth has left again, directeur sportif Steve Cummings appears to be frozen out, and Dave Brailsford has aligned himself to Manchester United, a football team whose own fall from grace is even more staggering.So, how to stop the rot? Get Brailsford back, for starters. He has an aura and a winning mentality. Even when hes just visiting, Sir Dave gets the best out of the riders. Jim Ratcliffe may want him at Manchester United but thats like trying to knit a jumper with a knife when that knife would be far better carving a chicken.With Pogaar peerless at UAE Team Emirates, perhaps Ineos could exploit the frustrations of teammates Juan Ayuso or Joo Almeida? More realistically, young Frenchman Kvin Vauquelin is out of contract soon and could be an interesting project.Patrik Lundin/CyclistThen theres Belgian World and double Olympic Champion Remco Evenepoel, who could leave Soudal-QuickStep soon. Wouldnt he offer far better value for money than Pidcocks 4m? And should Evenepoel join Red Bull instead, then Rogli may reappear on the market. Even at 34, the Slovenian is a winner who could deliver while overseeing a much-needed transition.First up, though, is sorting out Pidcocks role and helping him get his mojo back. Sit him down and tell him he wont ever win the Tour. He is far more valuable as a livewire stage hunter and one-day specialist. To get the best out of him, Pidcock needs to be let loose. Once the hierarchy is clear, the atmosphere will return. Because as things stand, the instability on the team may explain why an emerging talent like Castrillo is more inclined to be an Ineos mutineer rather than a Grenadier. This article originally appeared in issue 157 of Cyclist magazine. Click here to subscribe Related Posts GOAT Bingo: What does Tadej Pogaar still have left to win? Opinion: What is PrimoRoglis legacy? Pro cycling transfers 2024/2025: Elisa Longo Borghini finally confirms move to UAE Team ADQ, Kasper Asgreen signs for EF and Tom Pidcock rumoured to join second-division Q36.5 Il Lombardia 2024: Everything you need to know The post Opinion: How do you solve a problem like Ineos? appeared first on Cyclist.

Matteo Cigala | Head coach, Cigala Cycling Whether you are a recreational cyclist or a performance athlete the food you eat can have a big impact on your general health and performance. However, there is so much information out there it can be complicated and confusing. At Cigala Cycling, we love riding our bikes, but []The post What should I eat for cycling training and how many calories? appeared first on Sticky Bottle.

Our Reader's Rig of the week comes from Michael Rache of New Orleans, who shares his custom titanium irRascHional hardtail with unique anodization that matches his colorful trademark kit. Find build details, some backstory, and photos of his distinctive rig loaded up for the Gunny Loopy Loop race in Colorado here...The post Readers Rig: Michaels Custom irRascHional Titanium appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Lots for you this week, from Rapha's environmentally-friendly laminate rain jacket, to a super-lightweight Vado e-bike from Specialized

CyclistIn the Drops: Do-it-all Fizik shoes, do-it-all Panaracer tyres, easy chain waxing kit, new Shokz headphones and Magdalena BayIts Friday, its sunny, its In the Drops. Lets have it.Im feeling efficiency today, so Im going to sum up this weeks content in nice little bullet point sections.We started with the Gravel World Championships:Pro newsGravel Worlds galleryGravel Worlds tech galleryHow to fix the Worlds teething issuesHistory: Marianne Voss first road world titleWere gearing up for Il Lombardia:Everything you need to knowFavouritesHow to watchHistory: the legend of the first Il LombardiaAnd we looked at nice bikes:Gravel Worlds tech gallery yes again because its really goodMeet the Maker: Andr Pfeil of Kocmo Titan Bikes this bike is really niceBest steel road bikes reviewedA full guide to Bromptons rangeFinally, the transfer window is reaching its final stages, heres all the latest official moves and rumours.Now its time to get In the Drops. Fizik Tempo Beat shoesWill StricksonSearch for those shoes on the internet and youll come away more confused than you started. Some are calling them gravel shoes, some are calling them road shoes, some are calling them casual road shoes and some are saying theyre all-road shoes. What exactly are they? All I know is they are a sight to behold.Thats not entirely true, I know a bit more than that, although it doesnt exactly clear things up. Fizik describes them as versatile, casual road cycling shoes for riders who enjoy exploring both on and off the tarmac. So to answer my earlier question: all of the above. Will StricksonBut enough of that nonsense, what actually are they? Theyve got a big toe box, nice soft laces, a soft fabric upper material, two-bolt cleat tracks for SPDs, and a big juicy outsole with a grippy TPU tread and a stiffness rating of four, which means theyre stiffer than normal shoes for pedalling efficiency but much more comfy than performance road shoes. While Im here, Im starting a petition for an independent, universal stiffness rating rather than these proprietary scales that mean nothing. Write the word stiff in the comments below or on our social media post if you agree.Anyway, Im a big proponent of comfortable cycling shoes, so Ill be in these for the foreseeable future. Theyre available in all-black and sage green/desert too if youre scared of getting white dirty.RRP: 179Buy them now from Santa Fixie (151.30) Related Posts Hammerhead Karoo 3 GPS bike computer review Pro cycling transfers 2024/2025: Elisa Longo Borghini finally confirms move to UAE Team ADQ, Kasper Asgreen signs for EF and Tom Pidcock rumoured to join second-division Q36.5 Chain lube vs chain wax: Pros, cons and which should you choose? Il Lombardia 2024: Everything you need to know Panaracer Agilest Duro TLR tyresWill StricksonSpeaking of versatility, Panaracer dubs its Agilest Duro TLR tyres the flagship of all-road tyres. The Japanese brand says its Agilest models are made with The Panaracer Ratio, which means they balance lightweight, low-rolling resistance and durability. And the Duro model means theres extra protection from harsh surfaces and conditions while keeping the good things about the standard Agilests including the ZSG Agile compound. Panaracer says theres double the puncture protection and 20% more grip on Duro to the normal Agilests, and this TLR version has 15% less rolling resistance than the Agilest Duro clinchers. Theyve not been tested by bicyclerollingresistance.com yet, but Ill be on the lookout.Will StricksonThey come in widths from 25c to 32c, and you know me comfort is king, so these are the 32s. My bikes going through some changes at the moment so theyve not hit the road yet but if anythings going to have me excited for winter miles (or kilometres) its big, sturdy tyres. And considering Panaracer labels these as all-road, theyll go nicely with those shoes.Theres also a black sidewall option and, for what its worth, the correct wording should be most agile.Buy now from Panaracer (64.99)Cyclowax Clean Chain Starter KitWill StricksonTides are turning in the chain world and it feels like wax is going to continue to take over. Products like Cyclowaxs Clean Chain Starter Kit are making switching to waxing easier and quicker, and how could you say no to that?It arrives in this very neat box that has everything you need, including a pre-waxed chain of your choice to get you started.Will StricksonInside theres a full drivetrain-cleaning kit, the little crockpot that melts the wax in ten minutes, a stand that slides under the pot with a wire to hang the chain over the pot, a wax tablet, which costs 20 separately, and a bottle of Pocket Wax to use in between hot wax sessions.Cyclowax says using one of these will extend your chains life by 300%, make maintenance easy, make riders smoother and save you a few watts in the process. Buy now from Cyclowax (156)Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 headphonesLaurence KilpatrickFinally, Shokz has released the second generation of its game-changing bone conduction headphones, the OpenRun Pro. They offer a balance of technologies to get the best sound while still being able to hear your surroundings while youre listening to music/podcasts or whatever gets you going.Laurence KilpatrickThey use bone condution for high and mid frequencies and air conduction for low frequencies to make its open-ear audio unparalleled. They have a claimed 12 hours of playtime, are fitted with a waterproof USB-C for safe charging and feature noise-cancelling microphones so phone calls are clear too.Buy now from Amazon (169)What were into this week Playlist #23While some of my colleagues dont like this segment, its my favourite bit. Im into all sorts this week: autumn sunshine, jumpers, Oreo ice cream, nice coffee, the New York Giants actually playing well, roast chicken, Clarksons Farm, sudoku, chasing squirrels with my dog, HTHAZE album reactions.That last one brings me onto the latest edition of my In the Drops playlist. Its not been the most exciting period ever for new releases, and Ive mainly been repeating the Mk.gee, Clairo, Fontaines DC and Zach Bryan albums, which have all been featured in previous playlists.There are still some big hitters though. Bon Iver is back, theres new singles from Maggie Rogers and Faye Webster, a cover by Clairo, an EP from Sunflower Bean and an album from Leon Bridges.For me the biggest discovery has been Magdalena Bay. The first I heard of them was people on social media proclaiming that Brat Summer was over and Imaginal Disk Fall had begun. They released the album Imaginal Disk in August and its a whirlwind, it took over the YouTube reaction channels I enjoy and I had to dive in. I dont want to spoil it but its genre-blurring, mixes pop and experimental and features incredible musicianship. Give it a try.Listen toIn the Drops #23 on SpotifyCheck outall my In the Drops playlists Related Posts Hammerhead Karoo 3 GPS bike computer review Pro cycling transfers 2024/2025: Elisa Longo Borghini finally confirms move to UAE Team ADQ, Kasper Asgreen signs for EF and Tom Pidcock rumoured to join second-division Q36.5 Chain lube vs chain wax: Pros, cons and which should you choose? Il Lombardia 2024: Everything you need to know The post In the Drops: Do-it-all Fizik shoes, do-it-all Panaracer tyres, easy chain waxing kit, new Shokz headphones and Magdalena Bay appeared first on Cyclist.

A massive congratulations goes out to Meaghan Hackinen, the first rider to finish the 2024 Arkansas High Country Race, completing the 1,012-mile route in a record-setting 5 days, 8 hours, and 44 minutes. Find a post-race recap from Meaghan with photos from Kai Caddy here...The post Meaghan Hackinen Wins 2024 Arkansas High Country Race + Sets a New Womens FKT! appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

In an attempt to #savethetrackbike, Ritchey recently released the Garden State track frameset. Ritchey states the new Garden City combines an urban fixie with a track bike, for a contemporary version of the multi-purposed fixie.(Photos / Ritchey Logic)The Garden State can be whatever kind of bike you want it to be (sans gears). It uses a triple-butted Ritchey Logic steel tube set and can hold a 30mm wide tire. The frameset comes with an EPD coating, keeping corrosion, dirt, and contaminants from wreaking havoc on the frame. The frame is designed to fit up to a 55t chainring, so if you wanted to sprint around the local track you could. If the track isnt your jam, thats OK too. The frame is equipped with places for bottles and brakes so it can be used as a stylish commuter as well.Garden City Frameset Retail & SpecsRetail: $1199FrameFrame material: heat-treated, triple-butted Ritchey Logic steel tubingUltra-light forged and machined straight 1-1/8 headtube27.2mm seat tube with integrated seat collar(max torque setting: 6Nm)Bottom Bracket: 68mm, English threadedChainline: 49mmMax Crankset: 55tBottle cage mounts: 2Dropout: Horizontal 120mm bolt-onFrame weight: 1,950g (size large)WCS headset included (upper IS42/28.6 16mm stack height | lower IS42/30)Colors: Midnight Violet and Moon YellowForkRitchey Comp Carbon Road Fork included 1-1/8 straight steererAxle to Crown: 368mmRake/Offset: 43mmSteerer Length: 300mmWeight: 525g (uncut steerer)30mm max spacers below the stemStandard quick releaseTire Compatibility700 x 28c tire clearance (depending on tire/rim manufacturer)Frame spacing: 38mmFork spacing: 32mmRitchey Garden City GeometryThe Garden City will come in sizes S / M / L / XL. It is a limited edition frameset, with 100 uniquely numbered frames being produced. And will be in stock and ready for purchase on October 15th at the link below.RitcheyLogic.comThe post Ritchey Heads Out of the Apron and Onto the Red Line w/ Limited Edition Garden State Track Frameset appeared first on Bikerumor.