In a spring classics campaign dominated by a couple of big stars, a few others made a name for themselves and caught the eye.Embed from Getty ImagesIf there was a draft system where teams could pick neo-pros after the classics then Laurence Pithie would probably be close to the top. The Groupama-FDJ is in his second year (so technically a neo-pro under the rules) and did well last year to win the GP Cholet, the day after finishing second in the Classic Loire Atlantique too.This year he swapped Coupe de France racing for the World Tour and thrived. Perhaps a surprise winner of the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, he backed this up with plenty more results, had a spell in yellow during Paris-Nice and was riding in the breakaway with Wout van Aert in Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, then with Mathieu van der Poel in Gent-Wegelgem. If hed crack each time with the distance he looked the part, elegant on the bike and smooth over the cobbles, including on his way to a top-10 in his Paris-Roubaix debut. Its an open secret hes joining Bora-hansgrohe and itll be interesting to see what kind of rider he becomes because the choice is on him, theres a range there to suggest a cobbled classics contender but also beyond for hilly finishes.Embed from Getty ImagesLuca Mozzato probably became famous for finishing second in the Ronde van Vlaanderen but he did win the Koksijde Classic before that this spring, taking the sprint ahead of Dylan Groenewegen and Gerben Thijssen. Hes been quietly tipped here a few times in passing because hes a crafty sprinter, able to cope with some climbing and has a good sense of positioning, this got him his first win in last years Tour du Limousin. When the B&B team folded he was one of the best riders to sign and Arka did well to get him as they need him for his ability to place in all kinds of one day races and score precious points. So far so good but how to progress is the challenge next, hes not the fastest sprinter and the niche of being a sprinter who can manage a short climb or two is busy with the likes of Jasper Philipsen and Wout van Aert.Embed from Getty ImagesLaurenz Rex (Intermarch-Wanty) won Le Samyn, an important win for his team as its their home event but with hindsight even more crucial given the squad have had a relatively discreet classics campaign, Thijssen and Biniam Girmay in the mix but not much more. Rex is a German speaker and just a big rider, when he collided with the sign in Paris-Roubaix they might have had to replace the metalwork. He looks made for Paris-Roubaix and if not a solid bodyguard for the flat.Maxim Van Gils (Lotto-Dstny) has had a great spring, if we discount his crash in Catalunya his worst result was 20th in the Amstel. The rest of the time hes been in the top-10 and often on the podium, think the Strade Bianche (pictured) and the Flche Wallonne. Lotto-Dstny still crave a big classics win and he is now up there with Arnaud De Lie as capable of delivering it. Lennert Van Eetvelt gets a mention too, the UAE Tour winner also placed 11th in Strade Bianche, another Dstnys child as he rolls off the Belgian teams development conveyor belt.Embed from Getty ImagesMatteo Jorgenson doesnt count as a revelation because he was handy last year. But his rise this year saw Decathlon-Ag2r management getting some flak for not signing him when he was on their feeder team but instead hiring the likes of Paul Lapeira instead. Jorgenson wanted to turn pro right away but they wanted him to do another year in the U23s so he went to Movistar. Anyway Lapeira came good this spring. First he bettered Pithies second and first places in the Loire-Cholet weekend last year with two wins, then took a stage in the Tour of the Basque Country. A slender rider he packs a mean sprint and seeing him on the attack in the Amstel this year showed depth as well.Embed from Getty ImagesIts not been a spring to write home about for Visma-Lease a Bike, if they did it might be to ask for more bandages. Still theyve had wins, were comparing results to expectations. Tim van Dijcke and Mick van Dijke both had a solid classics campaign. As twins theyre hard to differentiate, and if Mick emerged from the Arenberg forest in the company of Mathieu van der Poel and Mads Pedersen it was because he didnt puncture while Tim did.Embed from Getty ImagesJoseph Blackmore (IPT Development) gets a mention in passing for his ride in the Brabantse Pijl, promoted to the IPT team for a day he looked as strong as leader Dylan Teuns. The Londoner will join the main team next year, logical but also a surprise that other teams didnt get there first as hes been winning plenty outside of the classics, like the Tour of RwandaEmbed from Getty Images19 year old Jan Christen had been on the the longest contracts at UAE until Isaac Del Toro signed a deal taking him to 2029. Famous for signing such a long deal straight out of the juniors and being the grandson of a Tour finisher and the son of two pros, Christen is now building a palmars. He was second in Milan-Torino and fifth in the Trofeo Laigueglia and got his first win from a stage in the Giro dAbruzzo. He was once asked if hed like to win a classic, the worlds or the Tour de France and he replied all of them. Time will tell.Does Kvin Vauquelin (Arka-B&B Hotels) count as a revelation? He certainly progressed this spring as in the action. Likewise Oier Lazkano is literally the Spanish champion but was on the rampage in the cobbled classics, his challenge is to convert visibility and presence during the final hour into a result but hes been a rare light for Movistar. 23 year old Kevin Vermaerke (DSM Firmenich-PostNL) didnt get any breakthrough results but hes been consistent right into long races, he was in the group sprinting for third in Lige and is his teams third scorer of UCI points after Romain Bardet and Oscar Onley.He didnt win a classic but Paul Magnier (Soudal-Quickstep) won a round of the Majorca races and is notable because in training he was beating Tim Merlier, this got him the leadership, the leadout and the win. Similarly others like Vito Braet (Intermarch-Wanty), Pierre Gautherat (Decathlon-Ag2r La Mondiale) were visible in tough races. Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) needs no introduction but he was impressive in Gent-Wevelgem precisely because he wasnt a sprinter but because he was bossing the Kemmelberg.Any more picks? Share some suggestions in the comments please.The post The Classics Revelations first appeared on The Inner Ring.

Ahead of the first Grand Tour of 2024, a confident Lidl-Trek have unveiled their seven-woman lineup ready to take the fight to Team SD Worx - Protime and secure themselves a big win.Opting for a two-pronged attack, both Gaia Realini and Elisa Longo Borghini are both viable challengers, especially g...

This years edition of Sea Otter was awash with cool new road bikes, mountain bikes and gravel bike tech, but ample nuggets of charming niche weirdness could still be found.Sea Otter is not the wacky free-for-all that is Eurobike, where thousands of brands vie for attention by hawking odd wares, but gems such as a bikepacking BMX and plastic handlebars were still found nestling between taco trucks and mainstream tech.Here are our five weirdest and wonderful-est cycling tech highlights from this years edition of Sea Otter.Paul Components x HotSalad x Sierra Nevada Sierra Roamer bikePaul Components' custom bike never disappoints. - Jack Luke / Our MediaPaul Components has now commissioned a one-off custom bike in conjunction with neighbours, Sierra Nevada Brewing, for seven editions of Sea Otter.This years bike a monster cross drop bar shred sled from HotSalad Bikes is quite something.The silver White Industries cranks are a perfect match for the bike. - Jack Luke / Our MediaThe bike is decked out with a SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain, White Industries M30 cranks, a handsome polished Manitou Mattoc fork, Sim Works To Smile bars and, of course, full Paul Components regalia.Custom anodising perfectly matches the harlequin-wrapped bars.That custom anodising is something to behold. - Jack Luke / Our MediaIgus injection-moulded plastic handlebarsWould you ride plastic handlebars? - Jack Luke / Our MediaIgus, better known for its one-piece plastic frames, is developing handlebars (and other components) made from recycled plastic.Igus uses a patented process, over-moulding an outer plastic layer over a lattice core to provide stiffness similar to an alloy bar.The bar is fully recyclable and weighs 380g in an unspecified width. Igus says this compares to an average of around 300g for an equivalent alloy bar.Igus had grey and black bars on show. Other colours are also possible. - Jack Luke / Our MediaDifferent colours will be available by compounding pigments during the moulding process. Igus intends to offer colour-matched cranks and pedals.Igus expects to see the bars specced by OEMs on kids bikes, bike share schemes and commuting bikes, with the potential for aftermarket availability.Igus says it is also about to begin manufacturing its one-piece plastic frames, which first appeared in 2022, having invested in a 20-ton mould the size of our Sea Otter booth.Kogel Kollosos oversized pulley wheel cageIt's now trite to describe something as 'fast standing still'... but still. - Jack Luke / Our MediaOversized pulley wheel systems are a popular marginal gain for drivetrain friction weenies.Larger pulley wheels reduce drivetrain drag because the chain articulates less as each link moves through the derailleur.Kogel has taken its oversized pulley wheel system a step further with the Kollosos an oversized pulley system hidden beneath a striking aero fairing.Kogel also produces fun neon-coloured versions of its cages. - Jack Luke / Our MediaThe cage debuted on a wild custom Scott Foil RC made by Dangerholm a large Swedish man with a penchant for short shorts and custom bikes.Kogel does not supply claimed aero savings for the cage, but heck at least youll look fast with it fitted to your bike.The cage is available for SRAM 12-speed or Shimano 11-speed road bike derailleurs in a black or silver finish.Kyoot Itty Bitty minivelo/bikepacking BMXWe so badly wanted to take this home. - Scott Windsor / Our MediaKyoots pronounced cute Itty Bitty minivelos were a highlight of the show.Developed by BMXer and industry veteran, Phil Bailey, Kyoots bikes are designed to be ridden hard jumps are strongly encouraged here.Pitched as a minivelo, the bikes are based on simple standards. Except a 20in disc wheelset, 100/135mm spacing, 31.6mm seat posts and a standard ISO bottom bracket, your very own Itty Bitty can probably be built with spare parts.The bikes are similar to the Velo Orange Neutrino, though slightly simpler, foregoing sliding dropouts, featuring fewer accessory mounts and using less ornate tube shaping.Theyre also slightly cheaper, at $699 for a frameset versus $825 for the Neutrino. A complete itty bitty can be yours for $1,599.Kyoots bikes are currently only available in the US but is seeking international distributors.Sava STJARN 8.0/Dream Maker integrated aero road bikeSava's aero road bike has a front end you won't forget in a hurry. - George Scott / Our MediaWell end on a bike with a foot firmly in the weird camp of this weird and wonderful roundup.The Sava Stjarn (or Dream Maker, depending on where you look) is a wild aero road bike with an unusual dual crown fork.The blades of the fork join the bar somewhere beneath the tape around the tops. - George Scott / Our MediaUnlike a conventional dual crown fork, the blades of the Savas wide stance fork bend outward near the top of the hourglass-shaped head tube, joining the one-piece cockpit beneath the ramps of the bars. Fork blades (or stanchions) generally attach to an additional crown above the head tube on a dual crown fork, hence the name.Aero tubes for the Dream Maker. - George Scott / Our MediaFactor employed a similar(ish), albeit far narrower, design on its Vis Vires road bike launched back in 2013. However, its on the track that wide-stance dual crown forks have found favour.Beyond that, the bike demonstrates many common contemporary aero features, with dropped seat stays and aero-shaped tubing.Available in two sizes, for 6,699 you get a full Dura-Ace Di2 groupset, Savas own carbon wheelset and a Fizik saddle.Another look at that front end. - George Scott / Our Media

We have all been biking for quite some time, but nothing has proved cycling is a way of life like this damn pandemic period. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic at the beginning of 2020 established biking as one of the finest mobility ideas worldwide. We want to highlight that you should stick to spinning your legs or vote during the next elections for more cycling-orientated people - all proved by scientific data! Let's take a sip and dig into the bicycle-related reactions of municipalities in urban planning to address the change pandemic brought.From the rider's point of view, it was all about staying sane during the lockdown. We still didn't know how dangerous the virus was, yet we wanted to go out and ride. Overall, there was a decrease in general mobility due to travel restrictions, school closures, or people working from home. As a result, mobility behaviour developed very differently during the COVID-19 pandemic. We wanted to be separated from others but kept on travelling. Solution? Bikes!Cycling was a reliable and resilient option during pandemic times as it enabled social distancing and a low risk of contagiousness. Additionally, it combined further advantages like being outside, staying physically active, and strengthening the immune system. After all, who doesn't like a good stroll on your bike?Figure 2 (c) Unsplashed - Jared LisackBicycle sales had already been rising before the pandemic. The surge in demand caused them to increase at an even higher rate. The more considerable demand understandably led to supply bottlenecks, resulting in some would-be cyclists needing help accessing bicycles.When people realised they could stay safe on two wheels, it just switched. Following an article from Angela Francke:"The increase in cycling is also reflected in the higher demand for bicycles and its sales figures. According to the NPD Group, bicycle sales in the United States between April 2020 and April 2021 were up by 57% (Sorenson, 2021). In France, the number of bikes sold increased by 1.7% to 2.68 million in 2020, and e-bike sales increased by 31% (Beckendorff, 2021). In the United Kingdom, a report sales in the cycling market grew by up to 60% at the start of the pandemic, and e-bike sales more than doubled (Bicycle Association (2020). Data from the first half of 2021 show that sales increased (+ 52%) compared to pre-pandemic levels (Bicycle Association, 2021). The report also suggests that the demand for bikes could not be fully satisfied because of a lack of bike availability. In Germany, bike sales (including e-bikes) increased by 17%. E-bikes sales alone increased even more (44%). Total revenue from bike sales was 6.44 billion euros, an increase of 61% (Zweirad-Industrie-Verband (ZIV), 2021)."Figure 3 (c) Unsplashed - Venrick AzcuetaResult? Skyrocketing bike prices in every sector and lack of equipment on bike shop shelves. As the Asian market stopped its massive cogs with production, producing bike-related stuff became a nightmare for brands worldwide. The bottleneck of transportation (remember the big ship issue?) Made it even harder, but here we are in 2022, riding and waiting for the next bike order delayed since 2021. As Crow Bicycles, we hope to keep the promise of delivering our packages on time, but if anything happens, feel free to get in touch!Yet, during the most intense times of the pandemic, biking had a far more significant impact on our lives than just pushing the dollar through the companies. The whole scene has changed. Cities started to recognise biking as a way to decrease pandemic numbers. It was time to support a shift to cycling-based movements in cities. Those urban planning measures, like the famous pop-up bike lanes, street closures, or tactical urbanism interventions, were often temporarily and quickly installed.Many cities used actions of tactical urbanism to react to the urgency of the pandemic. In contrast to long-term, strategic urban planning, tactical urbanism is seen as a quick, low-cost approach to tackle problems in the urban environment to improve life quality and sustainability. The further expansion of bike-sharing systems can be a solution here. Further, it is attractive for municipalities to encourage first-time cyclists to continue to use the bicycle post-pandemic.What is the best way to encourage explorers to get on bikes? Show them their neighbourhood from a different perspective. It is amazing how many gems are hidden around the corner if you are eager to take them. Making more places accessible for bikes is a solution to bring more people on them. YouTube and any other social media with a local outreach were a great success in promoting local endeavours.With a post-pandemic reality, we can keep making people stoked about the process. After years in the saddle for us, having a trusted friend spend a day with us, just fooling around on a bike with perfect weather, hits the nail. If you don't have any, go for a group ride by your local bike shop or look up bike communities online, or just hit us on our social media channels @crowbicycles and join any of our test rides we are organizing, we are willing to introduce you to electric cycling and show you how fun it is!At Crow Bicycles, we embrace Agenda 2030, meaning we do our best to become much more conscious of our resources and how we use them. Our planet needs it as soon as possible! We genuinely believe bikes are the future of micro-mobility. Make breathing easier for the rest of us, and choose cycling!To sum it up, the different stages of the pandemic revealed how changeable mobility and cities are. Bicycles are an ideal mode of transportation to enable a resilient mobility system in a city. Yet making friends through biking could be a life goal we are definitely pursuing!ReferencesCycling during and after the COVID-19 pandemic by Angela Francke https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9188448/

Looking forward to your upcoming trip but not sure what to bring? Our comprehensive packing guide has got you covered!La entrada Packing List for a Cycling Tour se public primero en Eat Sleep Cycle.

Great news! SRAM has succeeded in creating the worlds most expensive pedal or something!Finally, its the $440 pair of pedals that youve been waiting for:Im pretty sure theyve got their Pounds and Euros mixed up there, but in any case its the ultimate expression in pedal technology:Of course you cant bolt the ultimate expression of pedal technology to just anything, so youll also want to run out and buy a diamond-coated titanium crank:No word on price yet, but if you want to save some money the non-coated version is a real bargain at only $999.99:That may sound like a lot, but remember, the experts say titanium cranks relieve joint fatigue and leave your ankles feeling fresh:I mean come on, nothings worse than chattery cranks. Hey, weve all been there, right?But to fully take advantage of all of these youll need a proper shoe, and for only $3,000 you can get a pair of these:Congratulations you paid three grand for a pair of carbon fiber Crocs.And now, Im pleased to present you with a quiz, and the theme of this quiz is The Golden Age of Hybrids. As always, study the item, think, and click on your answer. If youre right youll know, and if youre wrong youll see why you need at least 10 speeds.Thanks very much for reading, ride safe, and may your ankles stay fresh.I love you,Tan Tenovo1. Complete the model name: Bianchi _______DetourTangentWalkaboutDiverge2. Complete the model name: Fisher ______HybridGravel GrinderAdmixtureVersatilitysaurus3. Complete the model name: Bruce Gordon ____________Rock n RollerRockin RoadieScalped Judas Priest TicketThis is silly, I can see the model right there on the top tube4. Complete the model name: Miyata __________This ones even more obvious, do you think Im stupid?Good Hybrations5. Complete thewhat are we even doing at this point?Beats me.6. Complete the model name: Serotta _______SlickerSlackerLine-PickerBike-Packer7. How much for this classic hybrid frame and fork from 1989?$69.99$699.99$999.99$1,000 or will trade for a Miyata Good Hybrations***Special Fuck Hybrids, Im Getting One Of These!-Themed Bonus Video!***

Did you watch the Tour de France Femmes Avec Zwift last summer? If so, you have Kate Veronneau to thank.Kate is the Director of Womens Strategy at Zwift (the popular indoor cycling platform you probably already use). She has done an amazing job not only of elevating the company, but also the sport of professional womens cycling. In this interview, we chat about parity in womens cycling, the barriers to getting more sponsorship for women, and how Zwift has acted as an entry way for women getting into cycling. Even if you arent into professional cycling or biking indoors, youll love the female empowerment message in this episode.Listen To The InterviewOr Watch On YouTubeStuff We Discuss In This EpisodeThe importance of social motivation and community for women cyclists, who often feel like a minority in outdoor cycling.Whats next for professional womens cycling. Why sponsorship of womens cycling has a positive return on investment.Why female athletes are great ambassadors for the sport.Kates experience as a professional cyclist.Why we need more women in leadership roles in the cycling industry.Connect With Kate Instagram:@kateveronneau Strava:https://www.strava.com/athletes/295625More Episodes You Might EnjoyWhy We Need Bikes Designed For Women With Georgena TerryOn Being A Woman In The Bike Industry With Sarah JohnsonOn Living Authentically With Jess Hana (aka Jess The Maker)About The HostKristen Bonkoski is the founder and owner of Femme Cyclist.An avid cyclist for a few decades now, she took to cycling during her late teen years a time when she needed something to help boost her self-esteem and confidence.Mission accomplished, the sport has become an important part of her life. Kristens favorite disciplines are mountain biking andbike commuting, although youcan also find her crankingout a century on her road bike and touring with her husband and son. If it has to do with two wheels, she enjoys doing it.Kristen is a certified USA Cycling coach, and she runsRascal Rides, a website about biking with kids.IG:@kristenlbonkoskiAre You Listening To The Femme Cyclist Podcast?!?A podcast for women who love bicycles! We we celebrate all forms of riding and all forms of women, so whether youre a road cyclist, mountain biker, or bike commuter, youll find your community here. Each week well week bring you interviews from inspiring women, and offer tips and tricks to help you thrive on the bike.The post Kate Veronneau Interview: The Future Of Womens Cycling appeared first on Femme Cyclist.