The June Issue Is Here: When Cycling Comes Fully AliveTo purchase a subscription click here.Theres something undeniably special about June on two wheels. Its the moment when cycling shifts from anticipation to actionlonger days stretch into golden evenings, roads warm under summer skies, and the riding calendar bursts into life in every direction. Whether youre chasing a start line, rolling out for a caf spin, or planning a bigger adventure, this is the time of year when cycling feels at its most vividand our June issue captures that spirit in full.A Season in Full FlowThis edition opens with a celebration of British cycling in all its richness and variety. From the grit and intensity of the National Series at the Tour of the Reservoir to the unmistakable spectacle of the Brompton World Championship, the UK scene proves once again that it thrives on contrast. Here, competition sits comfortably alongside community; serious racing shares the stage with playful participation.Mass rides like the London to Brighton Ride and Bike Oxford highlight cyclings unique ability to bring people together. Theyre not just eventstheyre gateways into a lifelong love of riding, where newcomers and seasoned cyclists alike find connection, challenge, and joy in equal measure.The Evolution of the RideBeyond Britains roads, cycling continues to evolve at paceand nowhere is that more evident than in the rise of gravel. The Gralloch in Galloway stands as a defining example of how far this discipline has come. What was once niche is now a thriving culture, blending elite competition with grassroots energy and a shared sense of adventure.Gravel riding today represents more than a categoryits a movement. It encourages riders to explore, to push boundaries, and to connect more deeply with the landscapes they traverse. In many ways, it offers a glimpse into cyclings future: diverse, inclusive, and endlessly adaptable.Journeys That InspireTravel remains at the heart of this issue, with features that span some of the most compelling riding destinations in Europe. We head to Albarracn, where raw and technical trails reward skill and curiosity in equal measure, before climbing into cycling mythology in Bormio. Here, the Stelvio, Gavia, and Mortirolo rise not just as physical challenges, but as icons of the sportclimbs that continue to captivate riders imaginations as much as their legs.Closer to home, we explore the gravel routes surrounding Edinburgh, proving that adventure doesnt require a passport. Sometimes, the most memorable rides are waiting just beyond the city limitsquiet roads, rugged paths, and a sense of discovery that feels worlds away from the everyday.One Sport, Endless MeaningsWhat binds all of these stories together is cyclings incredible versatility. For some, its about competition and performance. For others, its escape, exploration, or connection. Increasingly, its all of those things at once.June is the perfect reflection of that diversity. Its a month where cycling reveals its full spectrumfrom elite racing to first rides, from local loops to alpine epics. And more importantly, it invites everyone to take part, wherever they are on their journey.Step Into the SeasonOur June issue is a celebration of this momentof the energy, the opportunity, and the simple joy of riding. So however you choose to spend your time on two wheels this month, make space for it. The roadsand trailsare calling at their very best.Pick up the June issue now and be part of it.

Afonso Eullio endured a day of damage limitation on the final ascent to Car. The Portuguese rider finished 11th on stage 16 of the Giro dItalia 2026 and slipped from second to fifth overall, with five stages remaining. Despite the setback, the young rider radiated calm at the finish and made it...

Derek Gee-West's performance in stage 16 of the 2026 Giro d'Italia was among one of the few very pleasant surprises in the GC pack. While other contenders such as Giulio Pellizzari or Ben O'Connor entered the final week of this year's Giro with major losses, the Canadian champion was on top of his g...

At the start of the Giro this would have been the breakaway day for everyone with dreams of a life-changing stage win. It could still be but with several sprinters teams struggling for success and Paul Magnier needing points they now have an interest to try and lock this down.Encore: another stage win for Jonas Vingegaard, his fourth and this time in the maglia rosa so a photo to keep. He attacked in the last 7km of the climb, very much his style to surge clear to get a gap, then keep going to gradually take more time. Felix Gall tried to respond but surrendered to reason after 14 pedal strokes and finished in second but only just, with Jai Hindley, Thymen Arensman and Derek Gee-West near by.Red Bull had worked hard but it gained Hindley three seconds on Arensman but Giulio Pellizzari cracked, losing 18 minutes and sliding to 19th overall, a disastro said the Giro website. It means Afonso Eulalio is in the white jersey but Davide Piganzoli is 2m17s behind and probably fancies his chances.For all the stasis overall, theres a lot going in the secondary classifications. Giulio Ciccone was out points hunting and got 54 points for winning the first four climbs but Vingegaard got 50 for the final one. The arithmetic looks very difficult for the Italian. Jhonathan Narvaez seems to know his maths better and closed in on Paul Magniers points lead, now just two points in it.The Route: 202km and the hardest climbing comes early with the Passo dei Tre Termini, 8km at 6%. The Cocca di Lodrino is what Italians call pedalabile, literally pedalable as you wont be walking up and its a big ring climb of 8km at 4%. The intermediate sprint looks like a climb on the profile but its a drag up the main valley road. The unmarked climb to San Lorenzo Dorsino is 2km at 7%.The Finish: into the town of Andalo and then back out for a loop that includes some climbing. Its all on wide roads but the gradient gets difficult for plenty, it suits punchy riders. From the 4km to go point to the 1km point it climbs at 6%,The Contenders: a breakaway or sprint? Probably a breakaway, as if the sprinters crave an extra shot at the win, several will find todays stage is too mountainous for them which leaves few teams willing to try. Paul Magnier has a tiny chance, Dylan Groenewegen none. Movistar can try playing their Orluis Aular card again but it might well benefit someone else again.Breakaway picks are Jhonatan Narvaez (UAE) but with fatigue unknown after all the accumulated efforts and he might just want to grab points at the intermediate sprint as he only needs three to fleece the ciclamino off Paul Magniers shoulders. Team mate Igor Arrieta is suited too.Andreas Leknessund (Uno-X), Ludovico Crescioli (Polti-Malta) and Michael Valgren (EF) are outside picks.Alberto Bettiol (XDS-Astana) is suited but hes such a rare winner that once feels like a lot, well see if soon to be 37 year old Diego Ulissi can play a role.Edoardo Zambanini (Bahrain) sprints well from a reduced group and is a local along the route today.Narvaez, Ciccone, Silva, ValgrenCrescioli, Aular, Leknessund, Ulissi, Bettiol, ZambaniniWeather: sunny, 30CTV: KM0 is at 12.20pm and the finish is forecast for 5.15pm CEST.Postcard from AndaloThe Giro last came here in 2016. That day Alejandro Valverde won Stage 16, pipping Steven Kruijswijk for the win but the Dutchman was arguably the bigger winner as he took the time bonus for second and had distanced all the other riders in the field. The second-placed rider on GC was Esteban Chaves at three minutes, Valverde was next and then came Vincenzo Nibali and Ilnur Zakarin, both almost five minutes down. Stages 17 and 18 were flatter days with wins for Roger Kluge and Matteo Trentin.Stage 19 reversed all of that. After cresting the giant Colle dellAgnello Kruijswijk went wide on a corner, he seemed to lock-up, as if fixated by the approaching wall of snow and collided with the bank of ice, causing him to somersault over the bars and land hard on the road. Nobody waited why should they? and Kruijswijk was now isolated with no team mates and over 50km to ride. Nibali rode way for the win and Kruijswijk finished almost five minutes down. Chaves took the overall lead and the following day Nibali overhauled Chaves to win the race.Should Vingegaard be worried given his team lost the Giro after things had looked so comfortable? Never say never as accidents happen but back then Nibali remarked Kruijswijk had three weaknesses: descending, the propensity for a bad day in a grand tour and a weak team. Kruijswijk alas was confronted with all of these on the Agnello. Vingegaard is a different customer.The post Giro dItalia Stage 17 Preview first appeared on The Inner Ring.

Olav Kooij's acquisition by Decathlon CMA CGM Team was one of the key moves of last winter's transfer market. But since then, mostly silence. The Dutchman was sidelined from racing by a mystery virus for the first four months of this season and will only make his racing debut in new colours this wee...

Statistically, we know that cycling is safe, but a little more cyclist-friendly road planning could go a long way

Lotte Kopecky still isn't quite on her previous defeat-less streak, but the Belgian woman clearly enjoys cycling more again after a year full of struggles. And a lot of the credit for her mental (and physical) recovery goes to Axel Merckx. The two personas of Belgian cycling have been dating since l...