We spotted no fewer than five unreleased bikes at the 2024 Criterium du Dauphine; here's a roundup! Which one would you have?

CyclistThe best photos from the spring Classics 2024Mud, rain, bergs, cobbles, the smell of frites in the air the spring Classics capture the imagination of cycling fans in a way the Grand Tours cant. As the kids would say, they just hit different. For the riders, the Classics season starts at the end of February with Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, but for seasoned Italian photographers Francesco Rachello and Eloise Mavian it begins even earlier with arranging press accreditation.With accreditation you can move more freely during the race and get to the finish line and the podium, says Mavian. But even with the magic pass, getting access to the race isnt always easy in the face of officialdom.Sometimes you still have problems, adds Rachello. You might find a policeman at an entry point who just says, Sorry, no, youre not coming through. Related Posts The best photos from the Giro dItalia 2024 The best photos from La Vuelta Femenina 2024: The empire strikes back The 8 best moments from the spring Classics 2024 For Mavian, officials lack of knowledge can be frustrating: Its often the police saying that our position is not safe, but as someone who understands bike racing, you know that the riders wont be anywhere near a certain part of a turning, for example. The police dont know as much about cycling as they should.Once they have talked their way past the uniforms, there is still the issue of how to keep up with a flying peloton while negotiating a course through crowds and past roadblocks. Google Street View is our friend, says Rachello. You can check the shortcuts between different spots and see if they match up. Alas, that doesnt always go to plan and sometimes we just get stuck in race traffic.Other photographers dont always do a lot of preparation, and then you see them following us on the day to try and capitalise on our homework, adds Mavian. But following other photographers isnt always the best plan.At Lige, we were taking a shortcut close to the finish. We saw some other experienced photographers turn down this road that was insanely muddy, and we followed them. And it got muddier. And muddier. And then it turned up a steep hill. Eventually we had to turn around, by which point wed missed a key part of the race. Lesson learned.Careful route planning and positioning is also key to getting those shots that are maybe missed by the bulk of photographers covering the race.We try to not always take the same photos, says Mavian. There are certain shots you need to take every year pelotons squeezing up cobbled alleys, those kinds of things but sometimes you go for the risky shots. Maybe from inside a barn or something in low light, where youve got to gamble. These can go badly, but the payoff is bigger when they go well. Lots can go wrong: the lighting, timing, people wandering into shot, even losing track of time and missing the front of the race go by. It does happen.Hard knock lifeFor race photographers, working days are long, especially when there are two races mens and womens in one day, with lots of additional admin elements to factor in.The safety meeting happens first thing, sometimes as early as 7am, says Rachello. Everyone will be there, from the Shimano service car through to ambulance drivers, TV commentators and doctors. And later on we will be editing until near midnight.And then there is the Classics weather to contend with. Sometimes the moto is a brutal experience, says Mavian. I had to do an hour to get to Bastogne on the highway and it was absolutely freezing and wet. Zero degrees. Ive never been so happy to get to the safety meeting. I had a boiling coffee and brought myself back to life.Flche Wallonne was equally savage. For the whole first half I couldnt feel my hands. It was agony to take the photos. My moto driver heated my gloves on the engine, which saved me.In the fight to get pictures while staving off frostbite, essential tasks like eating can easily get kicked down the list of priorities. Youve got to eat when you can, says Rachello. At Paris-Roubaix you do the start and then theres a good bar next to the first cobbled sector where all the photographers congregate. You can have some BBQ food and they play good music. It really kicks off.But lunch is usually a snack scoffed in a gaps between taking pictures and chasing the pack. You just dont get time, says Mavian. I pack a few bars but often they dont get eaten. I need a sticker on my top tube to remind me to eat, like the riders.I dont eat meat but once I had to make an exception as I was so cold, says Rachello. Id been starving on the moto and eventually had a sausage because there were literally no alternatives. Then on Strade Bianche I swallowed so much dust that I was sick in bed for a few days. That wasnt fun.Of course, they are not there for fun. As Rachello points out, the hardships of shooting the Classics are balanced by the privilege of being at the centre of something special.The emotion you feel when you enter the cobbled sections is like nothing else, he says. It just explodes its intoxicating. There is nothing quite like it.Main image above: This is the first cobbled sector of Paris-Roubaix. I love the effect that this race has on spectators the volume of fans is growing every year. This shot is better from the back because its so true to life: a strong, fast, colourful peloton hammering past happy fans on dusty cobbles. And a tractor for good measure. (Eloise Mavian)Francesco RachelloGent-Wevelgem winds through the Westhoek region, the epicentre of the First World War, where I discovered the Frezenberg Ridge Scottish Memorial. The marching soldiers heading in the same direction as the riders contributes an embattled undertone to the atmosphere of the image. (Francesco Rachello)Francesco RachelloI found a room inside the In Flanders Fields Museum that had been set up as a waiting area for the teams before Gent-Wevelgem. Mads Pedersen looks calm and focussed in the thin sunlight filtering through the old windows. (Francesco Rachello)Eloise MavianI have always had good memories of Flche Wallonne. Its always warm and sunny but not this year. The weather on the day of the race was terrible, one of the coldest I have ever experienced. You can see in the riders faces and postures how they are struggling. The rain stopped briefly during the final climb but then as a punchline it started snowing during the podium presentations. (Eloise Mavian)Eloise MavianOmloop het Nieuwsblad was a cold, dark day on the moto. On the Muur van Geraardsbergen when Lotte Kopecky broke away from the group with Marianne Vos on her wheel, she was so powerful I really thought she could win the race [Vos would eventually take the victory in a sprint]. The light was great, creating contrast between that moody sky and the white-rainbow jersey of Lotte being chased by Voss yellow. (Eloise Mavian)Eloise MavianFlanders this year was treacherous. Before this shot was taken, my fellow photographers told me that some colleagues had fallen with the moto. Luckily no one was seriously injured. I love this photo because you can actually see the water pouring from the sky. The riders are focussed on chasing down the three women in front. And I love how the fans are cheering and totally unconcerned by the deluge. (Eloise Mavian)Francesco RachelloWhen the cobbles are slippery, all it takes is a single foot down from one rider and the whole group is walking. The Koppenberg was so slippery this year and the road so narrow that I had to lean on the muddy slope at the side to stay upright. The riders were using the banners and wooden poles on the roadside as support. A few were so close to me that they had to hang on to my trousers. (Francesco Rachello)Francesco RachelloWhen I arrived at the bottom of the Koppenberg during the Tour of Flanders I only had five minutes before the race came through and the moto was not allowed up the climb. The rain had made the cobbles so slippery that I had to walk incredibly carefully. I hadnt made it to the top by the time the race arrived, but as luck would have it, Mathieu van der Poel attacked right in front of me. Some you win. (Francesco Rachello)Francesco RachelloThe route of Milan-San Remo turns from good to spectacular as it arrives at the coast. For us in the car, its the last stop we can make before the Poggio and there are only a few vantage points from which to capture the race passing between the cliffs. We have to scale the rocks with a rope and cling onto a wire fence to get the shot, but the image of the snaking peloton is worth it. (Francesco Rachello)Francesco RachelloFor every creative shot of the Classics you take, there are a dozen iconic set pieces you also need to bank. The first cobbled sectors of Paris-Roubaix are always exciting but it takes a while to get really hectic so you can take your time. Soigneurs hoisting wheels aloft ahead of a dusty lead group is a key image. And there are bonus points for having the rainbow jersey and eventual winner in the shot. (Francesco Rachello)Eloise MavianThis year I took my first Paris-Roubaix shower shots. I was looking at how happy the riders were when the warm water was falling on them and I could feel that emotion. While I was taking photos of Femke Markus [SD Worx-Protime] in the shower I noticed the blisters on her hands. There was something strikingly beautiful about the sore wounds, especially next to the delight of hot, cleansing water. (Eloise Mavian) This article originally appeared in issue 153 of Cyclist magazine. Click here to subscribe Related Posts The best photos from the Giro dItalia 2024 The best photos from La Vuelta Femenina 2024: The empire strikes back The 8 best moments from the spring Classics 2024 The post The best photos from the spring Classics 2024 appeared first on Cyclist.

There were some questions about Remco Evenepoel's level heading into the 2024 Criterium du Dauphine, with the Belgian returning to action for the first time since a crash earlier in the year. In the stage 4 individual time-trial however, Evenepoel put those concerns firmly to bed.It went better th...

After taking the Maillot Jaune at the 2024 Criterium du Dauphine with a sensational stage 3 victory, Derek Gee fought with all his might to keep a hold on the race lead in the stage 4 individual time-trial but eventually had to pass on the lead to Remco Evenepoel.Despite losing the Maillot Jaune, Ge...

Throughout the 2024 Criterium du Dauphin, there will be many riders to withdraw from the race, for several different reasons. We make a list of all riders who leave the race, as well as list out a few of the main crashes that take place during the race.Two riders abandoned during the stage. Q36.5'...

Cycling Ireland is now recruiting a new high performance pathway coach, a position that aims to aid the development of Irish riders on a pathway from the youth and junior ranks, through the U23 years and up to elite level. Michael Black has occupied the post for the last year but is now being promoted []The post Cycling Ireland seeking new high performance pathway coach appeared first on Sticky Bottle.

CyclistMens Tour de Suisse 2024: Route, how to watch, start list and everything you need to knowThe mens Tour de Suisse, the final warm-up race before the Tour de France, starts on Sunday 9th June with a prologue around Vaduz and finishes the following Sunday, 16th June, in Villars-sur-Ollion, less than two weeks before the Tour starts in Florence, Italy. The eight-stage race has, together with the Critrium du Dauphin, long been where Tour hopefuls test their legs before the biggest race of the season.Last years Tour de Suisse was won by Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek) ahead of Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emriates) and Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep). However, the race was marred by tragedy, as 26-year-old Swiss rider Gino Mder died after a crash on a descent on Stage 5. Stage 6 was then neutralised before racing resumed on Stage 7, when winner Evenepoel dedicated his victory on the day to Mder.The 2024 edition will honour Mder, retiring his race number (44) and creating a new #rideforGino prize given to the first rider to cross the highest point of the race, the Nufenenpass on Stage 6. A memorial ride will also take place covering the route of the final stage. Related Posts Tunisia Diaries: Cycling up the Gotthard Pass with 20kg of luggage Critrium du Dauphin 2024: Route, TV guide and everything you need to know Pro history: Roger De Vlaeminck dominates the 1975 Tour de Suisse Big Ride: Switzerlands seat of power Mens Tour de France 2024 route announced: What will riders face on the road from Florence to Nice? Tour de Suisse 2024: Key informationMichael Steele/Getty ImagesDates: 9th-16th June 2024Start: VaduzFinish: Villars-sur-OllonStages: EightUK television coverage: Discovery+Most wins: Pasquale Fornara (four)2023 winner: Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek)Tour de Suisse 2024: The routeThe route is once again bookended by individual time-trials, with the stages in between packed with climbs. The queen stage comes on Stage 6 and features the HC category Nufenenpass (21km, 6%) before a Category 1 summit finish.Tour de Suisse 2024: Stage-by-stage previewStage 1: Sunday 9th June, Vaduz Vaduz, 4.8km, ITTPancake flat, as usual. Last years opener was won by Stefan Kng (Groupama-FDJ) ahead of Evenepoel and Wout van Aert.Stage 2: Monday 10th June, Vaduz Regensdorf, 177.2kmOne for the sprinters, which says a lot about the testing nature of the Tour de Suisse courses. Once theyre over the Category 2 climbs, riders hit a Category 3 with just under 10km to the finish to thin out the pack before the line. Stage 3: Tuesday 11th June, Steinmaur Rschlikon, 161.7kmPlenty of time to talk at the beginning of a backloaded Stage 3, with all the climbing action coming in the last 30km before an uphill finish into Rschlikon.Stage 4: Wednesday 12th June, Rschlikon Passo san Gottardo, 171kmStage 3 is all but pan flat before an all-important slog up the famous Gotthardpass.Stage 5: Thursday 13th June, Ambr Car, 148.6kmA fierce day that will test the general classification contenders. From the Category 2 Ronco, riders will then crest the Category 1 Cari and head over the finish line for the first time, travelling out to Arbedo-Castione, looping back on themselves and finishing back on top of the Cari climb.Stage 6: Friday 14th June, Locarno Blatten, 151.4kmThe queen stage. The highest point of the race sees the peloton scale the Nufenenpass, which peaks at a huge 2,421m. The first rider over will receive the #rideforGino award dedicated to Gino Mder. For those who handle the altitude best its a long descent before a kick to the Blatten summit finish.Stage 7: Saturday 15th June, Villars-sur-Ollon Villars-sur-Ollon, 118.2kmA shorter but not sweeter stage, featuring a double ascent of the Col de la Croix before one last summit finish.Stage 8: Sunday 16th June, Aigle Villars-sur-Ollon, 15.7kmThe 2024 Tour de Suisse ends with a time-trial as is customary, featuring almost 900m of altitude gain.Tour de Suisse 2024: Live TV and streaming guideThe Gotthard Pass is not to be missed.Tim de Waele/Getty ImagesThe Tour de Suisse will be shown throughout the week on Discovery+in the UK and Europe. Theres no Eurosport coverage. In the US, the racing will be shown on FloBikes and in Switzerland it is on SRF.If its not being shown in your country, you may be able to watch coverage using a VPN Virtual Private Network which allows users to mask their IP address and watch geo-blocked content, provided they dont need to pay for a subscription. This is also helpful for watching paid-for coverage while travelling abroad in countries without access.One such example isExpressVPN, which is verywell reviewed, has specific advice for watching cycling and costs 5.36 per month with three months free.Other options includeNordVPN,SurfsharkandKapersky.Read more:How to watch cycling post-GCNLive TV and streaming timesStage 1: Sunday 9th JuneDiscovery+: 14:00 16:40 Stage 2: Monday 10th JuneDiscovery+: 14:00 16:40Stage 3: Tuesday 11th JuneDiscovery+: 14:00 16:40Stage 4: Wednesday 12th JuneDiscovery+: 14:00 16:40Stage 5: Thursday 13th JuneDiscovery+: 14:00 16:40Stage 6: Friday 14th JuneDiscovery+: 13:30 16:00Stage 7: Saturday 15th JuneDiscovery+: 13:50 17:00Stage 8: Sunday 16th JuneDiscovery+: 14:00 16:40Tour de Suisse 2024: Start listData powered by FirstCycling.comTour de Suisse: Previous winnersTour de Suisse2023: Mattias Skjelmose2022: Geraint Thomas2021: Richard Carapaz2021: Richard Carapaz2020: No race2019: Egan Bernal2018: Richie Porte2017: Simon pilak2016: Miguel ngel Lpez2015: Simon pilak2014: Rui Costa2013: Rui Costa2012: Rui Costa2011: Levi Leipheimer2010: Frnk Schleck2009: Fabian Cancellara2008: Roman Kreuziger2007: Vladimir Karpets2006: Koldo Gil2005: AItor Gonzlez2004: Jan Ullrich2003: Alexandre Vinokourov2002: Alex Zlle2001: Lance Armstrong2000: Oscar Camenzind1999: Francesco Casagrande1998: Stefano Garzelli1997: Christophe Agnolutto1996: Peter Luttenberger1995: Pavel Tonkov1994: Pascal Richard1993: Marco Saligari1992: Giorgio Furlan1991: Luc Roosen1990: Sean Kelly1989: Beat Breu1988: Helmut Wechselberger1987: Andy Hampsten1986: Andy Hampsten1985: Phil Anderson1984: Urs Zimmermann1983: Sean Kelly1982: Giuseppe Saronni1981: Beat Breu1980: Mario Beccia1979: Wilfried Wesemael1978: Paul Wellens1977: Michel Pollentier1976: Hennie Kuiper1975: Roger De Vlaeminck1974: Eddy Merckx1973: Jos Manuel Fuente1972: Louis Pfenninger1971: Georges Pintens1970: Roberto Poggiali1969: Vittorio Adorni1968: Louis Pfenninger1967: Gianni Motta1966: Ambrogio Portalupi1965: Franco Bitossi1964: Rolf Maurer1963: Giuseppe Fezzardi1962: Hans Junkermann1961: Attilio Moresi1960: Alfred Ruegg1959: Hans Junkermann1958: Pasquale Fornara1957: Pasquale Fornara1956: Rolf Graf1955: Hugo Koblet1954: Pasquale Fornara1953: Hugo Koblet1952: Pasquale Fornara1951: Ferdinand Kbler1950: Hugo Koblet1949: Gottfried Weilenmann1948: Ferdinand Kbler1947: Gino Bartali1946: Gino Bartali1945: No race1944: No race1943: No race1942: Ferdinand Kbler1941: Josef Wagner1940: No race1939: Robert Zimmermann1938: Giovanni Valetti1937: Karl Litschi1936: Henri Garnier1935: Gaspard Rinaldi1934: Ludwig Geyer1933: Max Bulla Related Posts Tunisia Diaries: Cycling up the Gotthard Pass with 20kg of luggage Critrium du Dauphin 2024: Route, TV guide and everything you need to know Pro history: Roger De Vlaeminck dominates the 1975 Tour de Suisse Big Ride: Switzerlands seat of power Mens Tour de France 2024 route announced: What will riders face on the road from Florence to Nice? The post Mens Tour de Suisse 2024: Route, how to watch, start list and everything you need to know appeared first on Cyclist.

The ZLM Tour takes place from the 5th to 9th of June this year. The Dutch race has become a popular preparation race ahead of the Tour de France as it features plenty opportunities for the sprinters to fight for and take victories ahead of a big goal. We preview stage 2.The first set bunch sprint o...

The Criterium du Dauphin has had it's first key stage and in the time-trial, Remco Evenepoel took control of the race. His first day in the race lead should be a relatively calm one as it features the last opportunity for the sprinters. We preview stage 5.The final opportunity of the race for the...

With the first Grand Tour of his time at Lidl-Trek looming large, Tao Geoghegan Hart could be coming into form at just the right time. On the stage 4 individual time-trial at the 2024 Criterium du Dauphine, the former Giro d'Italia winner showed some of his best legs of the season so far."You can o...