While I may have spent the past week in a frenzy of Noner rehab, if Im totally honest I was merely procrastinating before confronting my nextand to date perhaps most terrifyingmission. However, with the bike rolling more or less smoothly, I was out of excuses. So I put up a post on the local Nextdoor warning my neighbors to lock up their children and small pets, and this morning I finally took to the roads on the Spinning Wheels of Death:At first I was both frightened that the wheels might explode and embarrassed to be seen on these things, but as I got the bike up to speed and various rodents scattered in my path Id by lying if I said I wasnt overcome by a certain amount of bloodlust:Nevertheless, prudence got the better of me, and as is wise with any piece of vintage equipment of unknown provenance (especially when its a piece of equipment with a reputation for spectacular failure) I did stop to perform a safety inspection early in the ride:By the way, I should note some quirks specific to this particular pair that I encountered during installation. Up front, there is a considerable amount of play in the bearings, and with the bike unloaded youd be forgiven for thinking youd left the skewer open:Naturally this cannot be adjusted out, and can only be addressed with new bearings.Meanwhile, out back, for some reason the whole wheel is markedly off-center on the axle:It was enough that I could actually shift the chain right off the small cog, and it required a fair amount of twiddling the limit screws:I had looked forward to wallowing in turn-of-the-century excess by switching quickly back and forth between Spinergy and Rolf with abandon, but alas, the wheels vexing off-kilterness will make that a more cumbersome undertaking than I had expected.Structurally, there is of course this somewhat disconcerting notch that looks like something was nibbling at it:But otherwise everything looks as fine as one could possibly expect a bunch of 25 year-old carbon fiber and aluminum held together with glue and rivets to look:And ultimately as the Classic Cycle Old Crap Test Pilot I have no choice but to put my life in the hands of Raphael Schlanger:Besides some valve rattle and some brake rubbing on the climbs thanks to those tired front wheel bearings the wheels functioned just fine, and once I got over my initial tripidation I even dared to take them on some gravel:Perhaps Spinergy will anoint me one of their Bike Ambassadors, and Ill get to meet the Grav Bros:But while I do seem to remember people using these things for cyclocross, it is of course a road wheel at heart:And on this day I was just another middle-aged guy playing with this vintage toys:Aesthetically the Spinergae take the LeMond deep into garish country, but it works in a lurid and pornographic way if youre into that sort of thing:Theyre like a pair of fake breasts: you might not like the idea of them, but you cant stop staring, either. While the extra heft was perhaps noticeable at times I cant say they meaningfully changed the overall feeling of the bike, which retained its characteristic smoothness, and any discomfort I may have experienced was entirely in my own mind, such as when I passed someone on a lovely Clem Smith, Jr. and had to stop myself from shouting, You know, I wouldnt normally ride something like this, I swear! And with that, I wish you all the best this Memorial Day weekend:See you back here on Tuesday.

19 stages down, just two to go now for UAE Team Emirates' Tadej Pogacar at the 2024 Giro d'Italia. With stage 19 a relatively calm day for the general classification riders, the Maglia Rosa remains firmly locked on the shoulders of the Slovenian.There was one moment of drama in the Maglia Rosa grou...

Returning to racing for the first time since a nasty crash at Dwars door Vlaanderen saw his plans for the Spring and a Giro d'Italia debut called off through injury, Team Visma | Lease a Bike's Wout van Aert has again suffered a crash on stage 2 of the 2024 Tour of Norway.I fell because a teammate...

In a race with legendary tough conditions, Unbound veterans share the gnarliest editions of years past as we look ahead to what 2024 may bring.

CyclistShimano groupsets for road and gravel cycling comparedThere is a vast range of Shimano groupsets available. The term groupset generally refers to the parts on any bike that operate its gears and brakes, although they can include other items. Most commonly, a single groupset will supply the bikes drivetrain (derailleurs, chain, cassette, crankset, bottom bracket), combined or separate shift and brake levers, along with the brakes themselves.Covering thousands of different component options, all these parts are grouped into different tiers. At the top of the Shimano road bike groupset hierachy, you have the Dura-Ace groupset, ubiquitous on bikes at the Tour de France. The range goes all the way down to the Claris groupset found on entry-level road bikes costing a fraction of the price.This hierarchy means the groupset a bike uses is often employed as shorthand for where it sits in its makers range.Shimano groupsets at a glanceShimano road groupsetsShimano Dura-Ace R9200 Read our full review Shimano Ultegra R8100Shimano 105 Di2 R7100Shimano 105 R7100 mechanicalShimano Tiagra RX4700Shimano Sora R3000Shimano Claris R2000Shimano gravel groupsetsShimano GRX RX820/610 Read our full reviewShimano GRX RX810/RX600 Read our full reviewShimano GRX RX400 Related Posts Gravel groupsets reviewed: Shimano vs SRAM vs Campagnolo RIP Tiagra, Sora and Claris? Shimano CUES says long farewell to trickle-down tech for entry-level groupsets Complete guide to SRAM road and gravel groupsets Complete guide to Campagnolo road and gravel bike groupsets Best road bikes: Best bikes from under 1,000 to over 10,000 Buyers guide to road bike groupsets Which Shimano groupset should I buy?More expensive groupsets will tend to have more gears, better brakes, and offer lower weight from the use of more expensive materials. That said, many groupsets share technology, so key areas like braking power are often standardised across several tiers.Below youll find a quick explanation of each of the major Shimano road bike groupsets, along with a list of its key features and variants.Every Shimano road groupset comparedShimano Dura-Ace R9200: Flagship race groupsetMatthew LoveridgeVerdict: The best of the best. The electronic-only Dura-Ace groupset is very expensive yet almost identical to the cheaper Ultegra versionRRP: Dura-Ace R9270 (Di2 Disc without power meter): 3,632Cassette: 12-speedLargest sprocket: 34tShifting: Electronic onlyBrakes: Hydraulic disc or cable rimLaunched in 2021, these are the best road bike components Shimano makes. R9200-series Dura-Ace is designed to be as light as possible, is focussed on racing and is very expensive.The groupset youll see used by professionals at the elite level, Dura-Aces value/performance ratio is tipped firmly in the latters direction this is the money-no-object option. This is also where youll tend to see the latest features introduced.This dedication to new technology means the latest Dura-Ace R9200 groupset is available only with Shimanos Di2 electronic shifting.Matthew Loveridge / CyclistAlso upgraded to 12-speed, its still aimed at fast riding, yet now also includes some more user-friendly features.Key among these is its ability to accommodate a large 34-tooth rear sprocket, letting less-than-pro riders make it over steep or extended climbs.The system is now semi-wireless, unlike former Di2 products. This means that the shifters communicate to the derailleurs without cables, making for clean and easy installation. Both derailleurs are still linked to a single central battery to provide the power for shifting.Charged from a USB socket via a proprietary cable with a single port on the rear derailleur, Shimano claims most riders will manage over 1,000km before needing to recharge.Matthew Loveridge / CyclistWhile mechanical shifting might have got the chop, unlike its rival groupset-maker SRAM, Shimano has decided to provide both disc brake and rim brake versions of its Dura-Ace groupset.Dura-Ace is a groupset with an incredible range of race-specific options, including a dual-sided power meter, along with an oversized 54/40 crankset for fast and flat stages.Read our full Shimano Dura-Ace R9200 reviewShimano Dura-Ace vs. SRAM Red eTap AXSBuy Dura-Ace components from FreewheelShimano Ultegra R8100: Best buy for racersVerdict: If you want Shimano electronic shifting, buy this. All the critical functionality of Dura-Ace at a more moderate priceRRP: R8170 (Di2 Disc without power meter) 2,370Cassette: 12-speedLargest sprocket: 34tShifting: Electronic onlyBrakes: Hydraulic disc or cable rimShimano surprised many people when it released the newest Ultegra groupset at the same time as it did Dura-Ace. The two have always been closely linked, and with this latest update are now almost indistinguishable from one another when it comes to functionality.Both are electronic only, both use semi-wireless connectivity, both have 12-speed cassettes, and both offer options covering hydraulic disc brakes or conventional callipers.As has always been the case, Ultegra is still very much a racing groupset despite a lower price. In fact, its not unusual to see pro teams using Ultegra components, either to save money or to make up a few grams and hit the UCIs minimum bicycle weight limit of 6.8kg.However, weight is another area where the two groupsets are again now more closely aligned. With tiny weight savings on almost every component, spending the extra 1,300 or so to level-up to Dura-Ace will add up to a cumulative reduction of less than 300g.Thats not enough to sandbag anyones racing dreams, and when you add in the ever-present possibility of having to replace a crash-damaged component, Ultegra might be the real racers groupset.So to reiterate, braking and shifting performance are exactly the same as that of Dura-Ace. You also now get the option to spec a dual-sided crank-based power meter, plus Ultegra now has a new range of matching carbon wheels, just like Dura-Ace.You dont get the same racing-only 54/40 crankest option, but you can always swap one in. Otherwise, the available ratios are now the same too.Read more about the launch of the Ultegra R8100 groupsetShimano 105 Di2 R7100: Electronic shifting at a (somewhat) sensible priceVerdict: With 12-sprockets and semi-wireless electronic shifting, theres little to separate 105 Di2 from its peers except for weightRRP: 105 Di2 R7100: approx 1,700Cassette: 12-speedLargest sprocket: 36tShifting: Electronic onlyBrakes: Hydraulic disc onlyShimano 105 has always been thought of as a workhorse, and 2022 saw the launch of a Di2 version of what many consider the first proper road groupset in Shimanos hierarchy.It brings over wholesale most of Ultegra and Dura-Aces essential features, and boasts 12-speed cassettes and semi-wireless electronic shifting. 105 Di2 R7100 is also the first Shimano groupset to completely kill off conventional calliper brakes.The new 105 Di2 is a direct competitor for SRAM Rival AXS, another option forbudget-focussed riders who still consider themselves too posh to push their own derailleurs.While the trend for off-road riding hasnt totally passed 105 by, like its bigger siblings, 105 Di2 R7100 remains a road-focussed groupset. At the same time, its single rear derailleur option can now work with cassettes as wide as 11-36t.Combining with a compact crankset to provide a sub 1:1 ratio, it should work well for all fitness levels and even off-tarmac riding.105 is the first of Shimanos groupsets to swap wholesale to disc, and its maker claims to have tweaked the brakes to provide a lighter, smoother lever action and expanded control, along with less rubbing and easier bleeding.While this hasnt been achieved using Shimanos well-regarded Servo Wave technology, which alters the leverage ratio as you pull the brake, almost every other facet of the group will be familiar to Ultegra or Dura-Ace users.These include the only slightly revised shape of the components and ergonomic interfaces. The semi-wireless cabling that sees both derailleurs connected to a central battery but then communicating wirelessly with the cockpit also carries over.Weight is one key area of difference. At around 3,000g for the complete groupset, this is about 300g more than the significantly pricier Ultegra.Theres no native power meter option, but 105 Di2 gets a matching range of wheelsets. These are non-series, i.e. at the same level but not strictly part of the groupset, and they feature all-carbon rims in 32 and 46mm depths.Read more about Shimano 105 Di2Read our buyers guide to bikes with Shimano 105 Di2Shimano 105 R7100 mechanical: Brilliant mid-range groupsetVerdict: Shimanos default mechanical groupset. Good value and very functional. Cassette: 12-speedLargest sprocket: 36tShifting: MechanicalBrakes: Hydraulic discThe workhorse in the Shimano range, and what moderately snobby people consider the first proper road bike groupset (real snobs will say its Ultegra).With its premium sibling having gone electronic, 105 has been left carrying the flag for mechanical shifting (alongside its own electronic option), now with the latest 105 R7100 upgraded to 12-speed shifting. Despite this, its an excellent groupset and outstanding value. Now available with disc brakes only, 105 is, of course, a bit heavier than Ultegra, but only by a couple of hundred grams in most configurations. However, youre often getting slight downgrades in terms of missing out on particular treatments or other small touches, such as the use of standard Hyperglide profiles for the cassette teeth rather than Hyperglide+, which is used for Ultegra and Dura-Ace and is claimed to increase shifting speeds.Still, 105 represents a safe haven for anyone who doesnt want to switch to more expensive electronic shifting.Historically, the difference between 105 and Ultegra has been minor and mostly in feeling and small refinements; now comparing it to Shimanos electronic groupsets means there are considerable differences to point out. In future, who knows?Read our Shimano 105 12-speed launch storyShimano Tiagra 4700: Affordable 10-speed groupsetVerdict: More capable than the snobs let on. With hydraulic disc and wide-ratios, its a competent and versatile if slightly heavy groupsetCassette: 10-speedLargest sprocket: 34tElectronic version: NoBrakes: Hydraulic disc or cable rimTiagra 4700 components look great compared to previous generations. Many of the features from Shimanos premium groupsets also carry over, allowing less expensive bikes to copy the appearance of top-end bikes.Lets first look at what you dont get: first of all Tiagra is 10-speed only, so you get two sprockets fewer than 105, Ultegra and Dura-Ace. However, Tiagra is the level where you start to see more weird and wonderful gearing options. Stick to a standard double crankset and youll get the conventional choice of pro-compact 52/36, compact 50/34, or easy-spinning sub-compact 48/34. Theres also the option to fit a triple crankset with three rings and a matching front shifter to unlock an even more comprehensive range of gears.Of course, with only ten sprockets at the back, the jumps between gears will be more significant, but the range you can attain is the same or bigger.All of this means that Tiagra is a versatile groupset thats great on a cheap racing bike but can also handle lots of other duties.As we continue to slide down the hierarchy, most components put on a bit of weight. Solid rather than hollow, the crankset is a particular offender, adding just under 200g.Some less glamorous components also get downgraded. For instance, the durable bottom bracket found on the 105 and Ultegra groupsets is jettisoned for one thats a similar weight but less robust.The Shadow design that allows the rear derailleur to closely follow the cassette on posher groupsets is also absent. Happily, other functions such as the operation and power of the Tiagra hydraulic disc or conventional rim brakes remain faultless.Shimano Sora R3000: Budget-conscious 9-speed groupsetVerdict: Gaps between the nine gears begin to tell, and no hydraulic disc option. Still, Sora works well and looks the businessCassette: 9-speedLargest sprocket: 34tElectronic version: NoBrakes: Cable disc or rim brakeClosing in on the entry-level, Shimanos Sora groupset uses nine sprockets on the rear. It accommodates cassettes with cogs of up to 34-tooth, so youll get an extensive range of gears if you want them, although the jumps between each might unsettle performance-focussed riders.While the groupset can be assembled with either rim brakes or disc brakes, its levers are exclusively mechanical. This means you can run mechanical disc brakes, but not hydraulic ones. Sora rim brakes are still a good choice.Obviously, the weight of all the components again goes up slightly. Still, its worth noting that the total effect is only a couple of hundred grams versus Tiagra, while the whole groupset is still within an incredibly respectable distance of Shimanos top-end groupsets.Its a fact that means, if you boil it down to pure physics, the amount you save with each push up the hierarchy comes with diminishing returns.Of course, there are some drawbacks besides the lack of sprockets, cable-only levers, and slightly increased weight. The single 50/34 crankset option is aimed at marginally more leisurely users, and wont suit some racers. The systems ergonomics arent quite as nice in the hand, while the action of the levers is a little more agricultural. At the same time, the durability of components like the chain, bottom bracket, and cassette remains excellent.Shimano Claris R2000: The cheapest mainstream road groupsetVerdict: A great introduction. Claris lacks some key features and can vary in how its assembled, yet offers reliable qualityCassette: 8-speedLargest sprocket: 32tElectronic version: NoBrakes: Cable disc or rim brakeAs the cheapest groupset Shimano makes with integrated dual control levers, the 8-speed Claris groupset is a dependable entry-level option.Following an update a few years ago, not only do its shifters now follow the same basic configuration as that found across the whole (mechanical) Shimano range, but their cables also run neatly underneath the handlebar tape.Theyre a great addition to any budget-friendly bicycle and have an extremely clean look.However, elsewhere many technologies found across other Shimano groupsets fall away. For instance, although the crankset still comes in a two-piece design with an external bottom bracket, you might find your bike fitted with a more lumpen three-piece crank using a square taper or Octalink bottom bracket.The smaller number of sprockets also starts to impact the gearing range. The largest rear sprocket drops to a 32-tooth, meaning if you want to go for a wide range of gears, youll need to use a more cumbersome triple front crankset.Weight jumps are noticeable depending on the configuration, while youll again be restricted to cable-operated discs or rim brakes. Youll still benefit from Shimanos excellent dual-pivot design if you do elect to run rim brakes, which is the benchmark for good reason.Obviously, things are clunkier, but having dropped five levels from Dura-Ace, perhaps whats most surprising is how much remains familiar.Shimano GRX gravel groupsetsVerdict: A versatile gravel groupset with additional gearing and brake options that will appeal to other styles of rider tooCassette: 10-, 11- or 12-speedLargest sprocket: 51tShifting: Mechanical/electronicBrakes: Hydraulic disc onlyGRX is a slight curveball in Shimanos lineup in that its components are explicitly designed for gravel bikes, although their features will also appeal to touring cyclists and cyclocross racers.Related:Gravel bike gearing: Everything you need to knowIt offers a mixture of components at Ultegra, 105, and Tiagra-equivalent levels, and borrows liberally from Shimanos road and mountain bike ranges. The hierarchy breaks down like this:RX820/610 series: 12-speed shifting with two single chainring and two double chainring options with mechanical and Di2 variantsRX810 series: 11-speed Ultegra level (R8000 series equivalent) with mechanical and Di2 variantsRX600 series: 11-speed 105 levelRX400 series: 10-speed Tiagra levelBut what sets it apart? For one thing, GRX is only available with hydraulic disc brakes. It also comes in versions based around either single- or double-chainring cranksets.In terms of gearing, these cranksets can be paired to either a ten, 11 or 12-speed cassette (with the appropriate derailleurs).The GRX groupsets rear derailleurs are also unique in accommodating very wide cassettes up to a maximum 11-51 for the 112-speed variant, although only up to 42 teeth for 111-speed.The rear derailleurs allow incredibly easy-spinning gears for off-road adventuring, and also include a clutch mechanism that stops the chain from rattling around and detaching itself on bumpy ground.Many other features are tweaked to work better with bigger tyres and wilder conditions. For instance, the front derailleur and cranksets are designed to provide better clearance when used alongside wider tyres.The braking steals technology from Shimanos mountain bike products and, as such, is tailored to off-road riding. There are also unique features like in-line brake levers, which can be added to the top of the handlebars. These cut into the hydraulic brake lines to provide a second position from which to brake.The ergonomics of both sets of levers have also been tweaked for off-road use. Rugged and reliable, its not afraid of a bit of mud either.Read our 11-speed Shimano GRX Di2 and 12-speed GRX RX820 groupset reviews.Buy Shimano GRX components from FreewheelHow does each road groupset compare with its immediate neighbour?In a kind of groupset top trumps, weve listed the main differences between each groupset and its nearest neighbour in Shimanos hierarchy. Heres how they match up, to help you decide whether its worth spending a little extra or saving your pennies to spend elsewhere.Shimano Dura-Ace vs. UltegraIts pretty hard to think of legitimate reasons youd benefit from choosing Dura-Ace outside of WorldTour-level competition, considering Ultegra now comes with all the same features and only 300g difference in weight. From a raw physics point of view, youll save a tiny bit of mass, while the profile of some parts is marginally more aerodynamic.However, with the brakes and electronic shifting functioning in precisely the same way, a blindfolded tester would struggle to tell them apart. Part of the cost is probably recouping the firms development expenditure, plus some people will always want the very best regardless of the price. Dura-Ace is fancier-looking but Ultegra is by far the winner when it comes to cost/benefit analysis.Shimano Ultegra vs. 105 Di2It feels as if theres a bit of badge engineering with the drop from Ultegra to 105 Di2. Both are 12-speed and they share their electronics, but 105 Di2 has missed out on a few top features including Hyperglide+, fancier brake lever action, a third button on the shifters and a rim brake option. On the other hand, its cassettes go up to 11-36t, offering a little extra range.Shimano 105 Di2 vs. Shimano 105If the difference between the latest electronic-only 12-speed Dura-Ace and Ultegra groupsets is now minuscule, the gap between 105 Di2 and 105 is more significant, as its now a choice between electronic and mechanical shifting.However, in terms of mechanical function, the basic design of many components is still quite similar. These include elements such as the Shadow Plus derailleur design, gear range and the way the disc brakes work.Shimano 105 vs. TiagraThe mechanical Tiagra groupset is pretty closely related to 105, though it does drop two sprockets. With ten gears at the back, this leaves the resulting jumps quite a bit larger. Theres actually a more diverse range of parts to pick from, however, since Tiagra is less solely focussed on road racing.However, most suffer a little relative to their more expensive peers. This sees the rear derailleur employ a more basic design, while the shifters are a tad less ergonomic.When taken all together, Tiagra is only a bit heavier than 105, although some components like the crankset are notably lardy versus those on the more expensive groupset.Shimano Tiagra vs. SoraMaybe its the fact that its top three groupsets have gone electronic, but both Tiagra and Sora are looking quite spruce these days. Youre looking at just 9 speeds by the time you get down to Sora, which well-heeled roadies first got their hands on in Dura-Ace guise in 1996, with 10, 11 and finally 12 speeds added in successive generations.However, other valuable features have trickled down faster, one of which is the 11-34t maximum cassette range. This means youll be able to find gears to get up most hills, even if the gaps between them will be slightly larger.In common with Tiagra, Sora carries quite a bit of weight in the cassette and crankset; not that this is annoying, were mentioning it more to point out that theres little benefit to upgrading these parts by a single tier.Shimano Sora vs. ClarisThe Claris groupset offers quite a range of different fitments, and can be built up in many ways. It does a passing imitation of the more expensive Sora in its most racing-style format, albeit with an 8-speed cassette and a slightly reduced range of ratios.However, if it comes made up with some alternative parts, you could lose out on the light and stiff two-piece crankset and end up with a chunkier triple chainring option that makes front shifting harder to keep in tune.Durability is excellent and Claris is still very competent for an entry-level groupset regardless of how it arrives, even if the operation is slightly clunky and gaps between gear ratios significant.Want to know more about groupsets? Dont miss our buyers guide to SRAM groupsets and our buyers guide to Campagnolo groupsets. Related Posts Gravel groupsets reviewed: Shimano vs SRAM vs Campagnolo RIP Tiagra, Sora and Claris? Shimano CUES says long farewell to trickle-down tech for entry-level groupsets Complete guide to SRAM road and gravel groupsets Complete guide to Campagnolo road and gravel bike groupsets Best road bikes: Best bikes from under 1,000 to over 10,000 Buyers guide to road bike groupsets The post Shimano groupsets for road and gravel cycling compared appeared first on Cyclist.

Whilst for the most part, stage 19 of the 2024 Giro d'Italia was a relatively calm and relaxed day for the general classification riders, INEOS Grenadiers leader Geraint Thomas had a late scare as the Welshman was brought down after a clip of wheel on the final climb.A quite innocuous incident, the...

From the 24th to the 26th of May the women's peloton returns to the Great Britain! The RideLondon Classique is one of the most important Women's World Tour events for the sprinters of the peloton and will provide a few golden opportunities to take key victories. We preview the stage ahead.The secon...

The Tour of Norway will take place from the 23rd to the 26th of May. Coinciding with the Giro d'Italia, it brings a secondary field of riders however it will provide exciting racing nevertheless over four days of racing. We preview the stage ahead.The third day of racing is that best suited to the...

Cyclist5 of the biggest and best final week Grand Tour comebacksTadej Pogaar is set to win another Grand Tour on debut at this years Giro dItalia should he hold on to his massive lead to cross the finish line in Rome on Sunday. If so, it will match his debut success at the 2020 Tour de France, with the Slovenian having claimed the maglia rosa on Stage 2 and steadily added to his lead ever since.Considering tomorrow takes in a double ascent of the iconic Monte Grappa, we cant entirely rule out someone snatching the jersey from Tadejs shoulders at the 11th hour. And if they do, theyll be joining some seriously illustrious company as this round-up of five epic final-week company demonstrates. Be warned, though, Pogaar himself is included in this very list. Related Posts Big Ride: Monte Grappa, the giant of the Giro Cyclist Magazine Podcast episode 84: Greg LeMond, winner of the greatest ever Tour de France How much is the 2024 Giro dItalia prize money? 5. 1958 Tour de France: Charly GaulA 16-minute deficit overturnedCharly Gaul on his way to winning the Stage 18 ITT at the 1958 Tour de France on VentouxSTAFF / AFP via Getty ImagesThe yellow jersey was restless during the 1958 Tour de France, being bandied about between eight different riders and only definitively settling on the shoulders of Charly Gaul at the end of the penultimate stage. The man from Luxembourg earned the moniker Angel of the Mountains for his performance in this Grand Tour, a far cry from his showing at the previous Tour de France, which he abandoned after the second day.Gaul arrived with the Luxembourg team at the 1958 Tour (the peloton comprised regional and national squads at the time) after finishing third overall at the Giro dItalia, behind winner Ercole Baldini (Legnano) and Jean Brankart (Saint Raphal).He would lose time early in the race, finishing over 10 minutes behind the days winner Martin van Geneugden (Belgium) on Stage 6. But he would thrive in the individual time-trials.He won the 46km Stage 8 ITT around Chateaulin by seven seconds over Jacques Anquetil (France). As late as Stage 17, though, he was still over 10 minutes down on overall leader Vito Favero (Italy). That would soon change. During the 21km Stage 18 ITT that finished on Mont Ventoux, he would set a 41-year record from the Bdoin side with a time of 1h 02min 09sec, lifting him to third overall. But a disastrous day would then follow, in which he finished almost 11 minutes behind stage winner Gastone Nencini (Italy).Fortunes turned again on Stage 21. After starting the 219km stage from Brianon to Aix-les-Bains 16 minutes down overall, he crossed the line eight minutes clear of second placed Jan Adriaensens (Belgium). He was still sitting in third place overal, but just 1min 07sec down on maillot jaune Favero.What counted in Gauls favour was that Stage 23 was the third and final individual time-trial of the race, and the Frenchman won again, taking three minutes out of Favero to claim the yellow jersey with one day remaining.He then finished safely in the bunch on the final stage to claim the 1958 Tour de France by 3min 10sec over Favero.4. 2020 Tour de France: Tadej PogaarA debut on La Planche des Belles Filles to go down in historyTadej Pogaar on his way to victory atop La Planche des Belles Filles at the 2020 Tour de France Marco Bertorello - Pool/Getty ImagesStage 20 of the 2020 Tour de France is regarded as one of the greatest individual time-trials witnessed in the history of the sport. So much can change in such a short period of time, and maillot jaune-wearing Primo Rogli of Jumbo-Visma found that out first hand to see his chances of victory snatched away by Slovenian compatriot Pogaar.The day would take riders up the punishing La Planche des Belles Filles climb, a Category 1 slog culminating a 20% gradient just before the line. Hairpins of agony and suffering for 5.9km to the summit finish a dramatic finale befitting the Tour de France.Pogaar, starting the day 57 seconds down on Rogli in his first Tour de France appearance, passed his two-minute man Miguel ngel Lpez (Astana) halfway into the 36.2km stage. But it was in the final 5km of the climb that Rogli truly began to slip into the red and see Pogaar overtake him in the standings. Crossing the line, Pogaars time was the best of the day, nearly a minute and half inside erstwhile leader Tom Dumoulins time.As they waited for their team leader, the camera focussed on Roglis Jumbo-Visma teammates Dumoulin and Wout van Aert as the pair watched the scene unfold on the road. Rogli, helmet slipping and elbows jutting in his efforts to cling on to his overall lead, crossed the finish line almost two minutes down on his rival.As a consolation, Rogli would go on to at least partially exorcise his time-trial demons at the 2023 Giro dItalia, when he overhauled a 26-second gap at the beginning of the day to then-maglia rosa Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) on the Stage 20 18.6km race against the clock to Monte Lussari. He would ultimately win the race by just 14 seconds overall.3. 2018 Giro dItalia: Chris FroomeAn 80km solo attack that flipped the standingsChris Froome on the Colle delle Finestre at the 2018 Giro dItaliaLuca Bettini/AFP via Getty ImagesChris Froome did not begin the 2018 Giro dItalia in ideal fashion. Despite arriving as the reigning Tour de France and Vuelta a Espaa champion, the Team Sky rider crashed during a recon of the opening day 9.9km time-trial. He was left with a bloody knee and ripped skinsuit but managed to make the start line in Jerusalem, though he would drop 37 seconds to stage winner Dumoulin.By the end of the first week, Froome was 2min 27sec down, now to countryman Simon Yates of Mitchelton-Scott. A sub-par second week followed in which Froomes deficit would balloon to nearly five minutes. Froome would win the pivotal Stage 14 ascent of Monte Zoncolan, but Yates stuck to him like glue, and the following day Froome was nowhere to be seen when Yates attacked himself to win in Sappada, dropping a further minute and a half behind.Everything would change on Stage 19, a 185km day finishing in Bardonecchia atop the Category 1 Jafferau. With Yates riding defensively and looking vulnerable on the 9% gradients of the 18.5km Colle delle Finestre, Team Skys Kenny Ellissonde drove a fierce pace at the front before peeling off as Froome went on the attack with all of 80km still remaining.Dumoulin and Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) tried and failed to bridge the gap. Up Froome went, claiming the Cima Coppi at the top of the Colle delle Finestre and continuing to push the pace on the descent, all the while putting more and more time into the floundering Yates. By the time Froome reached the summit finish at the top of Jafferau, one fist punching in the air in celebration, he had definitively pedalled his way into the maglia rosa, Yates having given up nearly 40 minutes on the day. The fates of Froome and Yates had switched overnight, one on his way to completing a hattrick of Grand Tour victories, the other kicked off the podium altogether having looked so secure in top spot for so long.2. 1948 Tour de France: Gino BartaliA phone call to save ItalyGino Bartali after winning the 1948 Tour de FranceKeystone-France/Gamma-Rapho via Getty ImagesIn July of 1948, Palmiro Togliatti, the leader of the Italian Communist Party, was shot three times by a student at point-blank range in Rome. He survived, but Italy descended into riots, strikes and demonstrations.It is said that Alcide De Gasperi, leader of the Christian Democrats, called Gino Bartali amidst the countrys unrest to ask if he would win the Tour de France as a matter of national patriotism. The problem was, by this point it was the third rest day in Cannes after nearly two weeks of racing and Bartalis fortunes in the general classification had soured. The Italian had won the 237km opening stage from Paris to Trouville and tasted further success in Lourdes and Toulouse, but had drifted to now sit over 20 minutes down on maillot jaune-wearing Frenchman Louison Bobet.A few decades later, Bartali told La Repubblica that he had replied: I cant promise you that I will win the Tour because the Tour is won by arriving in Paris in yellow. I guarantee you the stage I will make it beautiful.A man of his word, Bartali attacked on the Col dAllos the next day and won in Lausanne after eight hours on the bike to rocket up the general classification. It kicked off a run of three successive stage victories that ended with Bartali wearing yellow and Bobet over 13 minutes down.Bartali would end up winning the 1948 Tour de France by 26 minutes from Belgian Briek Schotte. Bobet would finish off the podium in fourth, over half an hour down.1. 1989 Tour de France: Greg LeMondFrom being shot to winning the Tour de France by eight secondsGreg Lemond wins the 1989 Tour de FranceJean-Yves Ruszniewski/Corbis/VCG via Getty ImagesIn truth, Greg LeMonds comeback to win the 1989 Tour de France victory began long before the race even started in Luxembourg.He had risen to fame by becoming the first American to win the Tour in 1986, despite fierce competition from La Vie Claire teammate Bernaud Hinault. The Frenchman had spent much of the race seemingly riding at odds with his public declaration to help LeMond to victory after the American had helped Hinault win the 1985 title.Following his success, however, LeMond had been unable to defend his title in the 1987 after being accidentally shot by his brother-in-law during a hunting expedition and only narrowly escaping death.His recovery complete, LeMond would return to the Tour in 1989, now riding with the unfancied ADR team and not considered among the favourites for overall victory. What followed was a duel for the ages between LeMond and another Frenchman, Laurent Fignon of the Super U team himself already a double Tour winner and the coveted maillot jaune would swap shoulders between the pair multiple times over the three weeks that followed.With all the drama of a well-written masterpiece, it would all come down to the final day a day that would write itself into the history books as one of the greatest sporting comebacks of all time.In a break from the tradition of the Tour finishing with a processional sprint stage on the Champslyses in Paris, in 1989 the final stage was a 24.5km individual time-trial into the French capital from nearby Versailles. Fignon held a 50-second advantage over LeMond going into the stage, and while LeMond was widely acknowledged as the superior rider against the clock, few game him any chance of overhauling his deficit given the stages relatively short distance.LeMond set off two minutes in front of Fignon, instructing his team not to give him time splits over the course. He crossed the line 26min 57sec later in what was at the time the fastest average speed ever recorded in a Tour time-trial. And then he waited. Fignon, his muscles straining and his face contorted in pain, could only manage a time of 27min 55sec, good enough for third place on the day, but a cruel eight seconds shy of what he needed to hold onto the yellow jersey and win the Tour.Eight seconds. It remains the narrowest Tour de France winning margin in history, and surely has to go down as cyclings greatest ever final week Grand Tour comeback.Click for more on the Giro dItalia and Tour de France.The post 5 of the biggest and best final week Grand Tour comebacks appeared first on Cyclist.

Attacking, exciting and forcing the pace in the breakaway yet again at the 2024 Giro d'Italia, Julian Alaphilippe couldn't quite get himself a second stage win of the race, eventually crossing the line in ninth-position."I feel like I gave it everything today. So I can't have any regrets," the 31-y...