Tour de France 2024 route totals 3,492km of racing with 52,320 metres of overall elevation across 21 stages

CyclistWhat does it take to win the Giro-Tour double?The double requires strength of character, an ability to perform on the key days, Tour de France legend Raphal Geminiani says in William FotheringhamsFallen Angel. Only the greats of cycling have it in them.The Giro-Tour double is a cycling record of old. Few riders have succeeded in winning cyclings two biggest stage race titles in the same calendar year.In total, just seven riders have taken both the maglia rosa and the maillot jaune in the same season. These riders are: Fausto Coppi in 1949 and 1952, Jacques Anquetil in 1964, Eddy Merckx in 1970, 1972 and 1974, Bernard Hinault 1982 and 1985, Stephen Roche in 1987, Miguel Indurin in 1992 and 1993, and Marco Pantani in 1998.Pantani remains the last rider to win the two races in the same year, in 1998 a remarkable 26 years ago. This year, Tadej Pogaar will try to enter this elite club of riders andcement his name among the sports greats. Related Posts Who actually are the underdogs for the Tour de France? Who actually are the Tour de France team sponsors 2024? Tour de France history: Coppi triumphs on debut for first Giro/Tour double All the Tour de France team bikes, tech and kit 2024 Mens Tour de France 2024: Route, how to watch and all you need to know Fauto Coppi: The architectL'EquipeIn the post-war period, Fausto Coppi was the Grand Tour headman. Back in these days of intrepid and borderline inhumane stages, Coppi often prevailed. So is his strength, he claimed two Giro-Tour doubles, becoming the first person to do it.This first came in 1949. At the Giro dItalia that year, Coppi left his mark by taking three stage wins. A reversal in the final stages saw the Italian overcome a deficit to claim a whopping 23-minute lead over his rival Gino Bartali by the time the race concluded. A month later at the Tour, it was once against Coppi and Bartali, but this time as Italy teammates, and they put just about put aside their differences for Coppi to take the win on his Tour de France debut.Read more: Tour de France history: Coppi triumphs on debut for first Giro/Tour doubleRead more: Tour de France history: Coppi christens Alpe dHuez en route to second Giro/Tour doubleAnquetil and Merckx: The renaissance menL'quipeKnown for their Tour de France domination in the 1960s and 1970s, Anquetil and Merckx unsurprisingly took on the mantle of repeating Coppis Giro-Tour feat during their respective primes.Jacques Anquetil competed at the Giro on six occasions, winning the race twice, and started eight Tours, winning five. However, 1964 is the important year for the Giro-Tour double.That year, Anquetil was among just a handful of foreign hopefuls for the Giro. Regardless, the Frenchman silenced the Italians by taking a stage win and the jersey early on and keeping it all the way to the end. At the Tour de France, Raymond Poulidor pushed Anquetil in the final week, closing the gap to only a handful of seconds. Anquetil ultimately triumphed against PouPou in the final time-trial, securing his fifth Tour title by 55 seconds. These would be his last Tour and Giro titles.Of course, Eddy Merckx has clinched this honour more than any other rider. In 1970, 1972 and 1974 no less. In 1970, the Giro dItalia win came by accident to some extent as The Cannibal was unwell all spring. Merckx started winning early on Stage 2 but knee issues plagued the rest of the Giro. That said, he burst through in the final week to seal the maglia rosa before winning his second consecutive Tour. Despite a strong challenge from Poulidor in 1972, Merckx rounded out another double, and this time he secured the Hour record in the same year a unique achievement.Read more: Tour de France history: Anquetil and Poulidor go head to head on the Puy de DmeBernard Hinault and Miguel Indurin: A formalityL'EquipeAfter Merckxs Giro-Tour doubles in the 1970s, the hegemons of the 1980s and 1990s were Bernard Hinault of France and Miguel Indurin of Spain.The Badger from Saint-Brieuc rarely missed the top step of the Grand Tour podium throughout his career. Hinault completed three Giri dItalia, winning all three; took on the Vuelta twice, winning both; and eight Tours de France, winning five times. In 1982 and 1985, he finally reaped the rewards of this consistency by winning both the Giro and the Tour in the same season. Hinaults dominant Tour win in 1982 even came with a sprint victory on the Champs-Elyses. Beat that, Tadej Pogaar. Oh, the Tour doesnt finish in Paris this year, as you were.Miguel Indurin was similarly emblematic and dominant in his era. His time-trial prowess and steady mountain legs kept him at the top of the GC standings in Grand Tours throughout the early 1990s. In 1992, he claimed his first Giro crown and not long after he held his own at the Tour to seize the double for the first time in his career. After his 1992 Tour win, Hinault went on record to say, Indurin is the best rider of his generation but he has won this Tour quietly, without great opposition. Indurin would not suffer from any post-Giro-Tour hangover, however, replicating the feat just one year later in 1993. Indurin remains the only rider to complete a double-double, winning the Giro and Tour back-to-back in two consecutive seasons.Read more: Tour de France history: Miguel Indurin time-trials to unique double-doubleMarco Pantani: The heroics of 1998L'quipeMarco Pantani is held in high regard and legend in the historical archives, mainly due to the intrigue of his troubled life and struggles. After some close calls at the Giro and Tour the years prior, 1998 was to be his year.The 1998 Giro dItalia proved to be the tougher of the two Grand Tours to win for the rider affectionately known as Il Pirata the pirate. The bald-headed Italian from Cesenatico started the race on the back foot, losing crucial time to the prior years Vuelta champion, Alex Zlle. In due time, the Swiss shed minutes on the climbs as Pantani laid claim to two stage wins at Piancavallo and Montecampione. The race concluded in Milan with Pantani in pink and perennial Giro favourite Pavel Tonkov in second place.The Grand Boucle that year began in Ireland, with more talk of doping than Pantanis chance to replicate the feats of Merckx and Indurin before.Pantani blew the race apart at Plateau de Beille, claiming stage glory. He would have to wait another handful of days before taking the yellow jersey at Les Deux Alpes where Pantani put minutes into race leader Jan Ullrich and the eventual runner-up Bobby Julich.The 1998 Tour de France saw among many notable storylines, the Festina Scandal. This doping affair was triggered by the uncovering of the French Festina team who were raided and slowly kicked out of the Tour de France. Many riders left the race early, and Pantanis victory was overshadowed by the omnipresent threat of doping in the sport during this era.Read more: Tour de France history: Pantani goes from hero to legendSince the Pirates 1998 challengeASO/Bruno BadeIn recent years, the Giro-Tour double has been tried and failed. In the modern era, only a handful of riders have even dared to target the two. Many speculate that the feat has now become impossible.Much has changed in the sport since 1998: helmets have become mandatory, training has become a data minefield, and far fewer riders opt to ride the two Grand Tours in the same year. Before, the idea of a Giro-Tour double was not as outlandish; these days its generally seen as accepting defeat in France.Alberto Contador: Trial and ErrorUK BENIES/AFP via Getty ImagesA year after winning the Tour de France in 2010 obligatory asterisks needed for that one, following a retrospective doping suspension Contador decided to try to pull off the Giro-Tour double. The Giro went swimmingly, he took a stage win and the pink jersey at the end of the first week of racing and he wouldnt let his hands off the maglia rosa until the races conclusion, ticking the first box. With the Tour approaching, more questions were being asked of Contadors potential doping violation at the previous years Tour. The Spaniard still hit out at the Tour in an attempt to seal the deal before any suspension would come into place. However, his big ambitions proved fruitless. He managed a fifth place overall, despite shedding minutes in the first half of the race. To add insult to injury, he was later stripped of his 2011 Giro title.In 2015, Contador attempted the feat once more. This time with less conversation about dodgy steaks. He began his campaign in flying form at the Giro. El Pistolero dominated the race, holding off the Astana tirade of Fabio Aru and Mikel Landa in the mountains.The attritional Corsa Rosa seemed to have affected Contadors Tour form, however, and the Tinkoff leaders high hopes were dashed in the Pyrenees as he failed to shake off the podium contenders. A consistent mid-table Tour yielded a respectable fifth place in Paris, putting to bed one last chance at doing the double.The 2018 anomaly: Chris Froome and Tom DumoulinASO/Pauline Ballet2018 saw a strange blip where the Giro was a prime warmup race for the Tour de France. Firstly, Tom Dumoulin laid down his hopes in doubling up at the Giro and the Tour. The Butterfly of Maastricht rode a consistent race, waiting in the wings in second place from the first weekend of racing until the last. At the Tour, the Dutchman characteristically rode onto the podium in steady fashion.On top of a Giro-Tour double, Chris Froome had more ambitious eyes in 2017/18. The British star of old won both the Tour de France and the Vuelta a Espana in the latter half of 2017. He then continued the gold rush at the 2018 Giro dItalia with one of the greatest comebacks in cycling history, making him the first man to achieve a royal flush of Grand Tours in a year. Greedy for more, he targeted the 2018 Tour de France.However Froome was overshadowed in the Grand Boucle by his teammate Geraint Thomas, who took the yellow jersey early on after a stage win at La Rosire. From there, the Welshman stamped his authority on the race to clinch his only Grand Tour victory. Froome did manage to slot onto the podium in third place, but the double dream was dashed.The extremities: the Triple CrownChris Blott / CyclistThe Triple Crown is the next step in cycling sweeps. In order to complete the triple crown, Pogaar has to round off his year with a win in the road race at the UCI Road World Championships. Only two riders have ever won the Giro, Tour and Worlds road race: Eddy Merckx and Stephen Roche.1974 saw Merckxs greatest sweep, however, it came close to crumbling down. Pneumonia in spring threatened his presence at the Giro, but he managed to make it to the start. Then, a wobble on the 20th stage saw his lead fall to just 12 seconds ahead of Gianbattista Baronchelli, making it the tightest Grand Tour win in Merckxs career.Later that year, the Cannibal stormed to another Tour de France title, banishing his early season woes. A win in the opening time-trial saw Merckx become the early clubhouse leader before stretching his legs in yellow into the second and third week of racing. The final hurdle to the Triple Crown, the World Championships, was another close affair. Merckx and eternal rival Raymond Poulidor went tete-a-tete in Montral, with Merckx coming out on top in a final sprint to the line.L'EquipeIrelands Stephen Roche never planned to win the triple crown. He began his golden year in an uphill struggle at the Giro dItalia 1989. In opposition to strong Scottish climber Pippa York and teammate Erik Breukink, Roche had his work cut out to retain the pink jersey after taking the race lead early on; even his own teammates were riding against him, but that didnt stop the Dubliner from claiming his only Giro title. Later that year at the Tour, Roche found himself in a GC ding-dong with Spains Pedro Delgado. After losing the jersey in the final mountain days, it all came down to a time-trial in Dijon. There, Roche turned around his deficit to win the Tour de France by 40 seconds over Delgado.The Irish team at the World Championships was designed around Sean Kelly. However, on that day, Roche emerged as the leader. On the roads of Villach, he rounded out his triumphant year with the rainbow jersey. Pogaar has a strong chance to break into this most elite of cycling clubs given the capabilities needed to win in Zrichthis September. The rainbow jersey waits, but a yellow jersey must come first. And should he win yellow hell surely have eyes on an achievement that no man has ever done before: the Giro-Tour-Vuelta triple. Related Posts Who actually are the underdogs for the Tour de France? Who actually are the Tour de France team sponsors 2024? Tour de France history: Coppi triumphs on debut for first Giro/Tour double All the Tour de France team bikes, tech and kit 2024 Mens Tour de France 2024: Route, how to watch and all you need to know The post What does it take to win the Giro-Tour double? appeared first on Cyclist.

Groupama - FDJ are yet another team to announce their lineup for the Tour de France this Monday and they have an interesting '8' to present. No sprinting ambitions, only breakaways and possibly the GC; but the true surprise is the inclusion of Lenny Martnez in the team, which wasn't initially plann...

Two new motors from the Japanese brand, the Ep5 has 60Nm of torque and the E5100 50Nm... but theyre not eaxactly lightShimano EP5 Shimano has launched two new drive units with mid-power outputs that are just begging to be used on a lightweight Continue reading

Over the course of a 2700-mile bike race, things are bound to happenlike a nagging injury, running into a rainstorm, and yes, mechanical issues. While some of these things can be controlled, others sometimes happen by the luck of the draw. In this piece, Neil asks a few folks who participated in the 2023 Tour Divide to share their experiences with mechanical issues and how they handled them.The post Things That Break on the Tour Divide: Mechanicals in the Worlds Toughest Bikepacking Race appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

The best womens cycling jerseys are a ticket to comfort and convenience on the bike, with easy-access pockets, aerodynamic fit and good ventilation.Weve put a selection of womens jerseys to the test to find out which will serve you best, whether youre racing, bikepacking or extending your commute.You can also jump to the end of this article to read our buyers guide to womens cycling jerseys, which explains what to look for in a jersey, the different types and what to wear them with.Best womens cycling jerseys in 2024Gore Distance Jersey The Women's Gore Distance Jersey would be our choice for summer tours. - Ashley Quinlan / Our Media120 as testedSizes: EU 34-42Weight: 121g (Size XS/36)Pros: Longer sleeves with raw-cut cuffs; effective grippers; spacious pockets; feels amazingCons: Not cheap The Gore Distance Jersey is expensive, but arguably worth it. Every aspect of this exceptional jersey is design is well thought out. The jersey features an ergonomically shaped neck, with a much more subtle take on a traditional collar.There are long sleeves with raw-cut hems, contributing to a modern and clean look.Available in block single colours, the material is a polyamide/elastane mix, incorporating recycled content.The construction is flattering and allows for a super-comfortable fit. Attention to detail is exceptional the secure zipper pocket has a rubberised grip, which makes it easy to access even when riding.The reflective details are classy, too. The substantial reflective strip underneath the back pockets worked brilliantly when cycling.The rear pockets give ample capacity for a days worth of snacks.Gore Spinshift Breathe Jersey Womens The Gore Spinshift Breathe Jersey Womens is ideal for long summer rides. - Dave Caudery / Our Media109.99 / 109.95 as tested Sizes: EU36-44Weight: 97g (XS)Pros: Flattering fit, beautiful colours, lightweightCons: Flimsy feeling main zip, mesh fabrics may not be the most durableThe Gore Spinshift Breathe Jersey Womens is superlight, fits well and is hard to fault despite its premium price tag.If our tester had to choose one jersey for a summer bike tour, it would be this one.Soft and stretchy fabrics offer good ventilation while remaining reasonably opaque as you sweat.At the back, the pockets are generously sized and well-designed with reflective details on either side. There is a smaller zipped pocket for valuables.However, the main zip and some of the mesh fabric feels a little flimsy.Le Col Womens Sport Jersey The Le Col Women's Sport Jersey uses lightweight fabrics. - Ashley Quinlan / Our Media105 as testedSizes: XS-XLWeight: 93g (Size S)Pros: Lightweight fabric; waterproof secure pocketCons: Baggier fit; minimal reflective detailsThe Le Col Womens Sport Jersey is designed to be your go-to training jersey. In testing, it provided excellent comfort and a soft touch.The jersey is constructed from a stretch-knit polyester, resulting in a soft, less compressive jersey with a slightly matt finish. Our tester found the fabric to be breathable on warm days and when working harder.There are three rear pockets, with a fourth secure zipped pocket that's waterproof.A silicone hem gripper sits on the rear, and the sleeves are cuffed without any form of gripper.The sleeves are on the shorter side, positioned slightly higher up than most jerseys, but still comfortable.The relaxed fit meant the material bunched a little over our testers chest.Being very lightweight, though, it was fast to dry out after being rained on, and wicked sweat away effectively.Santini Colore Riga Jersey The Santini Colore Riga Jersey has gorgeous colours, but misses a zipped pocket. - Ashley Quinlan / Our Media90 as testedSizes: XXS-XXXLWeight: 101g (Size M)Pros: Gorgeous colours and pattern; comfortable relaxed fit; breathableCons: Missing a zipped pocket; reflective details minimalThe Santini Colore Riga is a dreamy summer jersey with materials that ooze quality.The design aims for a second skin weightless feel and a flattering fit, in beautiful colours with a subtly striped top panel.The raw-cut sleeve cuffs are soft and keep the sleeves neatly in place.The fabric itself is lightweight and felt breathable even on hotter rides, which was helped by the relaxed cut.Santinis kit has a reputation for running small. However, our tester found this jersey to run big, which hopefully means the size range will cater for a broader range of cyclists up to around UK18-20.The Santini Colore Riga jersey achieves near perfection its just a shame it lacks a zipped pocket for valuables.Altura Icon Plus SS Jersey The Altura Icon Plus has great reflective details. - Ashley Quinlan / Our Media70 as testedSizes: 8-18Weight: 170g (Size 10)Pros: Great reflective details; large pockets; nice zip toggles; flattering fitCons: Over-enthusiastic sleeve grippers; back gripper could be better; main fabric a little heavyThe Altura Icon Plus SS jersey is constructed from a soft streamlined body and recycled mesh panels, with a classy pattern and attractive colourway.The fit is flattering and comfortable with the longer-cut sleeves and well-fitting panels.The reflective details are subtle in daylight but highly effective at night, offering a good boost to visibility.The zip toggles are substantial and grippy without being clunky, allowing for easy access and adjustment when riding.The grippers could be improved. The sleeves gripped a little over-enthusiastically, leaving behind indents on our testers skin, and the back gripper struggled to keep the jersey in place when the spacious rear pockets were full.The main fabric is a little heavier than most comparable summer jerseys, making it slightly warm to ride in at times.The Icon Plus SS jersey is ultimately a great summer jersey that punches above its price.Sportful Light Pro W Jersey The Sportful Light Pro W Jersey is lightweight and comfortable in the heat. - Dave Caudery / Our Media110 / $140 / 99.90 as testedSizes: XS-XXLWeight: 100g (M)Pros: Highly flexible pockets; lightweight; aesthetically pleasingCons: No secure pocketThe Sportful Light Pro W Jersey wicks sweat and dries quickly, making it an excellent choice for riding in the heat.Lightweight, super stretchy and incredibly comfortable, the Light Pro W has laser-cut sleeves which sit gently on the skin.The jersey body is longer than some other brands and it didnt ride up on our tester.The pockets are generous and expand to fit larger items (including up to four bananas). But theres no zipped compartment.Also considerThe following jerseys scored fewer than four out of five stars, so we haven't included them in our main list. However, you may find they tick the right boxes for you. Rapha Womens Pro Team Training Jersey Sweat patches can become prominent on this otherwise quality jersey. - Dave Caudery / Our Media110 / $145 / 130 / AU$180 as tested Sizes: XXS-XLWeight: 106g (S)Pros: Soft supple fabrics; flattering cut; robust zips; comfortable sleevesCons: Shows sweat (at least in the blue colourway); short in the body; small pocketsThe Rapha Womens Pro Team Training Jersey is a good summer jersey, let down by a tendency to show sweat in the blue colour we tested.On the plus side, it has a subtle and comfortable low-profile neckline, close-fitting cut, and soft stretchy fabrics. There are three small rear pockets and one zipped pocket.The relatively long sleeves have comfortable sewn ends which stay put.But the jersey is quite short in the body and the gripper only covers the rear half. This led to it riding up at times.Specialized Women's Prime Short Sleeved Jersey Although it changes colour when sweaty, this is a decent jersey. - Dave Caudery / Our Media100 / $170 / 140 as tested Sizes: XS-XLWeight: 114g (S)Pros: Classy colour palette; elegant fit; comfortableCons: Readily shows sweat (in terracotta)The Specialized Women's Prime Short Sleeved Jersey is great, but hindered by how much it shows sweat (in the terracotta colour we tested).Wearing a sports bra underneath highlighted the issue further giving a two-tone appearance with colour changes above and below boob level.But that aside, theres a lot to love. The fit is flattering, the material is smooth and supple and the Terracotta colour on test was rich and gorgeous.The rear pockets are sufficiently roomy and one has a small reflective logo. The secure, zipped pocket uses the same robust zip as on the front of the jersey.Sportful Kelly Thermal Jersey The Sportful Kelly Thermal Jersey is suitable for temperatures down to 9C with a short-sleeve baselayer. - Ashley Quinlan / Our Media85 as testedSizes: XS-XXLPros: Bright colours; comfortable; tapered wrist cuffsCons: Zip lets cold air in; no secure pocket; few reflective detailsThe Sportful Kelly Thermal Jersey is a solid if not spectacular jersey designed for riding in cool weather.It uses a combination of brushed fleece and lighter textured panels, focusing warmth around the core while enabling excess heat and moisture to escape.The jersey performs well and was warm enough with a short-sleeve baselayer to ride in temperatures around 9C.The tapered cuffs are close-fitting and sit comfortably under gloves to keep warm air in. Unfortunately, the front zip is draughty.While this jersey does a lot of things well, it falls short in several areas. A zipper pocket for valuables would be nice and so would more reflective details.Read our full Sportful Kelly Thermal Jersey reviewBuyers guide to womens cycling jerseysLong-sleeve or short-sleeve, a cycling jersey is your ticket to convenience and comfort. - Steve Sayers / Our MediaA cycling jersey is one of the first items youll want to invest in when starting out, possibly only second to a pair of the best cycling shorts.An abundance of options exist and the choice can be somewhat overwhelming, but our guide will help you pick out the right jersey for you.How should a cycling jersey fit?A jersey should be comfortably close-fitting for aerodynamic efficiency. - Dave Caudery / Our MediaA cycling jersey should be comfortably close-fitting without being baggy or loose. It should gently hug you, and any zips or seams especially around the neck or under the arms should not dig in.Length-wise, a cycling jersey should overlap a little with the top of your shorts. Too short and you risk bare patches when cycling, too long and the jersey will bunch and roll up.The pockets should sit at a suitable height for you to access when riding, with an opening thats large enough to get your hand inside easily.Note that sizing can vary substantially between brands, and some can be much longer in the body than others, so its always worth checking the brand-specific size guide if ordering online, or trying the kit on in person.What to look for in a womens cycling jerseyBesides fit, there are several key features to consider when choosing a cycling jersey.MaterialsChoose a light material to keep you cool in summer. - Dave Caudery / Our MediaMost cycling jerseys will be a blend of synthetic materials, creating a soft stretchy fabric. They are commonly a polyamide/elastane blend. These jerseys are often lightweight and quick-drying.Alternatively, Merino wool or Merino blend jerseys exist. These utilise Merino wools natural antibacterial and insulating properties.Summer jerseys will often be constructed from lightweight synthetic fabrics and may feature mesh panels to maximise ventilation. Meanwhile, winter jerseys are long-sleeved and often fleece-lined for warmth.ZipsFull-length zips make the jersey easier to put on and take off. - Dave Caudery / Our MediaMost modern jerseys are designed with a full-length front zip for ease of changing. Many of the best womens cycling jerseys include housing for the zip at the neckline and a protective backing for it, both helping to prevent chafing.PocketsA zipped pocket is handy for carrying valuables in your jersey. - Dave Caudery / Our MediaRear pockets are a key feature of cycling jerseys and one of the major advantages of a jersey over a T-shirt.The ideal pocket is stretchy, with some form of band across the top to prevent items escaping when riding.Many jerseys also include a secure zipped pocket or waterproof zipped pocket for valuable items such as keys or electricals, which you dont want to lose in the process of retrieving your waterproof jacket or any snacks.GrippersSome jerseys have silicone grippers to hold the hem in place. - Dave Caudery / Our MediaGrippers are bands of tighter material, or stickier substances (often silicone), which help to keep parts of the jersey in place.Grippers are common on jersey sleeves, and around the bottom of the garment to stop the jersey from riding up.The gripper should give a firm hold, without irritating your skin.SleevesLaser-cut sleeves can prove very comfortable with no gripper biting into your arm. - Dave Caudery / Our MediaSleeves come in a variety of lengths and whichever length you choose is largely personal preference, although aero jerseys will generally have longer-cut sleeves made from aerodynamic fabric.The sleeve hem should stay in place neatly without cutting into your skin. If the hem gives your arm a waist, its too tight.Laser-cut sleeves dont have a hem and often remove the need for grippers. These can be very comfortable.What type of cycling jersey do you need?Climate is the main thing to consider when choosing which jersey to get. - Steve Sayers / Our MediaThere seems to be a type of jersey for every niche in cycling, from race jerseys to gravel jerseys.Be reassured that most jerseys work for most disciplines, and you wont be disadvantaged wearing a training jersey to a race, or a road jersey on gravel.The main decision-making factor will be the climate youre riding in. This determines the need for a summer/lightweight jersey, a midweight short-sleeved jersey or a long-sleeved winter jersey.Other variations include aero jerseys for races and time trials, jerseys with more carrying capacity for longer adventures and (rare) maternity jerseys for cycling while pregnant.What to wear under a cycling jerseyIt's a good idea to wear a baselayer beneath a jersey in most conditions. - Dave Caudery / Our MediaTemperatures will also help you decide what you wear under your jersey. Wearing just a sports bra under the jersey will suffice for warm weather, or on harder rides.However, combining jerseys with different baselayers can broaden the range of temperatures theyre suitable for.As the weather cools, a short-sleeved baselayer underneath a jersey is a good call.A thick, long-sleeve baselayer can make a long-sleeve jersey designed for spring or autumn suitable for winter riding.

Double gold medallist misses out on spot in five-man road team

Alpecin-Deceuninck are set for the Tour de France where they will chase stage wins and the points classification. In the lead we have the same riders who had a terrific 2023 race: Jasper Philipsen and Mathieu van der Poel.Philipsen won four stages and came close to winning several more at last year...

We first got a glimpse of a uniquely-shaped 2nd generation Rondo Ruut carbon gravel bike nearly a year and a half ago. And then followed up with more details at last summers Eurobike. But while those bikes looked finished, there was still some refinement to be done on the design. Now finally, Rondo officially launch their new Ruut CF Gen 2 carbon gravel bike, and you can get it at your local dealer now.So what makes it special (and whats changed) besides the fact that its kinda missing the lower half of its seattube?We rode the new gravel bike to see how it stacked up against the original adjustable geometry gravel bike!Rondo Ruut g2 CF unique 2nd generation carbon gravel bike(Photos/Cory Benson)When we got a first tease of Rondos gen 2 Ruut, its interrupted seattube was the big news. Especially, coming a day after we saw the strikingly similar Specialized Angled Strutdesign patent that became their Sirrus commuter. That first rideable Ruut v2 prototype of Rondos brand manager was showing off the unique new styling to their Polish dealers. 2023 prototype (Screengrab/Velopoint)But the design work wasnt quite complete, featuring dramatically asymmetric chainstays that didnt make it into the final design.Later, last summer at Eurobike we got a closer look at an updated boxy carbon frame and massive forks following the likes of Rondos rough off-road Mylc & Ratt all-road bikes with their decidedly anti-aero flat headtubes. But even then, those show bikes Whats unique?Instead of the couple of triangles that make up a traditional bike frame, the new Ruut intentionally opts for less geometrically-stable polygons. By redirecting the seattube forward midway, theres more opportunity for vertical flex, without necessarily losing stiffness in all other directions. To get the most flex out of the almost-parallelogram rear quadrilateral (sorry, no more triangles, here) the new bike also gets super dropped seatstays to match the now symmetric dropped chainstays.Rondo describes the unique look as a move to bring some vertical compliance into the otherwise boxy carbon frame. But also just to create a bike that looks different in a sea of same-ness.Rondo calls the new bike both significantly more comfortable and stable. Comfort mostly from its unique shaping, and that added stability from completely reworked geometry.All-new adjustable gravel geometryThe Ruuts gravel geometry hadnt really changed much at all since its groundbreaking debut back in 2017. Already then, Rondo offer the uniquely adjustable geometry with fork flip chips to let you pick a Race or Endurance feel to the bike. It was a smart move ahead of its time, letting early gravel adopters get both a race-ready and bikepacking-ready bike in one.What has changed in this update is relatively minor, including extended frame Reach and higher Stack with taller headtubes for a more comfortable position, presumably inspired by the Mylc. Plus, a 0.5 slacker head angle for a bit more stability, with the same short 420mm chainstays and some extra standover clearance.But just as big news, is the addition of a new fifth size, the new XS with 650b wheels takes advantage of the longer/higher rider position to squeeze one size back in, either for smaller riders or those who prefer the shorter/lower fit.Tech detailsThe new boxy carbon frame features a kinked toptube, interrupted seattube, and symmetric rear end. Cable routing is fully integrated internally, through the massive new CNC machined in Poland alloy stem and into the Acros headset.Up front is an ultra-deep redesigned TwinTip fork, with a giant non-driveside wing that smooths air over the flat mount front brake. The new fork carries over Rondos unique TwinTip flip-chip offering 10mm of axle-to-crown height & 10mm offset adjustment that alters your head angle by 0.7, reshaping the gravel bikes ride character.There are plenty of mounting points for accessories. Two sets of cage mounts on top of the downtube will fit 2 full-size bottle on Medium and larger frames. Then, theres a set of mounts under the downtube and a toptube bag mount. Plus, theres a 5th set of mounts above where you would normally find a front derailleur, where weve been told a custom bolt-on bag could be placed. There are even mounts for full coverage fenders, but its gonna be a pretty custom setup due to the unique frame shaping.The new Ruut is obviously 1x only with no place to hang a front derailleur, right? Wrong apparently Rondo will make some form of custom hanger to make a 2x drivetrain work.The frame features a new integrated wedge-style seat clamp for a good old 27.2mm round seatpost. It gets an asymmetrical T47/77 threaded bottom bracket, that is SRAM power meter compatible. And now theres a UDH for T-type drivetrain compatibility. With 12mm thru-axles and flat mount brakes, max tire clearance is now 700c x 45mm or 650b x 50mm.Riding ImpressionsI had the chance to ride the new Ruut G2 CF1 earlier this spring on familiar fast but often rocky Spanish gravel roads. And a bit contrary to Rondos descriptions, I would say that it was one of the stiffest riding gravel bikes I have ridden in recent memory. Thats not entirely a good or bad thing, but something to keep in mind.With that said, the stiffness felt like it was mostly coming from the front end. It starts with that massive new fork and boxy headtube. And stiffness carries through the stiff machined stem into a quite rigid alloy bar.As much as it is a strong visual, I dont feel like the interrupted seat tube offered much noticeable vertical compliance. At least not compared to a more conventional bike design. Thats not really a huge surprise. I suspect the redirected seattube design probably simply offsets extra stiffness from the massive boxy carbon tube shapes everywhere else.Fast-rolling 40mm tires are certainly a good choice for speed. But theres plenty of room up front to get a bigger tire here for more comfort and even improved grip. And I think that if this were my bike, it would greatly benefit from a more compliant handlebar and/or stem. And of course larger volume tires. All relatively simple tweaks to make. measured 9.28kg Medium complete with 40mm Tufo tires & tubes, without pedals2024 Rondo Ruut g2 CF Pricing, options & availabilityThe new 2024 Rondo Ruut g2 CF now comes in four complete 1x builds. The top tier will be the new Rondo Ruut g2 CF0 with a complete SRAM Force AXS Xplr (10-44T) groupset, a Easton SC70 AX carbon bar, and a set of 42mm deep carbon Hunt Limitless Gravel aero wheels.I tested the 5000 g2 CF1 with a SRAM Rival AXS Xplr (10-44T) groupset. But Rondo fits the CF1 with an alloy Spank Wing 12 bar and alloy Hunt Gravel X-Wide wheels.Theres also the more affordable 3800 Rondo Ruut g2 CF2 with a mechanical Shimano GRX groupset an RX812 derailleur paired to a MicroShift 11-42T cassette, plus house brand alloy bar & wheels. And Rondo will also offer a similarly priced CF2 option with mechanical Apex Xplr in the near future, as well.And lastly, another cyclocross-inspired build. The Ruut g2 CF X gets SRAM Apex AXS, tighter 10-36T cassette, aero carbon bar & Hunt Aero Wide alloy wheels.The new 2nd generation Ruut CF1 & CF2 are available now through your local Rondo dealer. The others will come later this summer into autumn.Rondo.ccThe post Rondo Ruut g2 Carbon Gravel Bike Launches Interrupted Triangle Styling First Rides appeared first on Bikerumor.

Specialized says its new Crux DSW is the lightest alloy gravel bike frame available, weighing just under 1.4kg.When Specialized redesigned the carbon Crux in 2021, the headline feature was a feathery 725g frame weight (size 56cm). With the Crux DSW, the focus is again directed towards the scales, with the frameset and one complete build available at launch. The move brings Specializeds gravel race bike down to a 2,300 / $2,600 / 2,700 / AU$4,000 entry point and shows that the biggest brands are still keen to push alloy frame design.How much does the Specialized Crux DSW weigh?A 56cm frameset weighs 1.98kg. - SpecializedSpecialized claims the Crux DSW frame weighs 1,399g in a size 56cm.Specialized pairs the frame with the S-Works Crux's carbon fork bringing the frameset weight to 1.98kg.Specialized says a complete Crux DSW build weighs 9.37kg. For comparison, Trek claims its 3,000 Checkpoint ALR 5 is 9.86kg in a size 56cm. Meridas Silex 700 weighs a claimed 10.14kg while Canyons Grizl 7 is heavier still at 10.68kg.What is DSW?Specialized's latest Crux carries the D'Aluisio Smartweld name. - SpecializedAs with several alloy bikes from Specialized, such as the Allez and Diverge, the new Crux carries the DAluisio Smartweld (DSW) name. According to Specialized, this patented method for welding a bike frame is why the Crux is more than the lightest alloy gravel bike in the world.Specialized says DSW helps create a "unique single-piece downtube and bottom bracket for the Crux DSW." This, it claims, saves weight while simultaneously increasing responsiveness.The DSW method sees Specialized hydroform the tube shapes with what it says are precisely matched joints. This allows the tubes to intersect without any old-fashioned mitring or fudging.DSW welding is said to be stronger than the welding used on 'traditional' alloy frames. - SpecializedSpecialized says that focusing the material needs towards the high-stress weld areas leads to stronger welds and, ultimately, a lighter frame that can be twice as durable as a traditional alloy frame.After the 2021 Crux moved away from its cyclocross roots to cater for the burgeoning gravel bike market, fans of the Californian brand were left with one fewer alloy options.Alloy is often associated with lower prices and many riders, from recreational cyclists to keen racers, favour alloy for its value credentials.Tried and tested featuresThe bike shares many features with the carbon Crux. - SpecializedWhile many alloy gravel bikes, such as the Trek Checkpoint and Canyon Grizl, are aimed slightly more towards adventure riding, Specialized has stuck with the Cruxs lightweight race bike ethos.The DSW design carries several features from the carbon Crux, such as the singular additional cage mount at the base of the down tube.Tyre clearance remains unchanged with the frameset boasting clearance for 700x47c or 650x2.1in gravel tyres. This matches the Diverge STR, Specializeds dedicated adventure machine.As with the carbon Crux, the tube shapes are slightly ovalised, prioritising low weight over any aero optimisation.A feature found on many of Specializeds more affordable bikes is a fork from a much more expensive bike. This is the case with the Crux DSW as its Fact 12r carbon fork is the one youll find on the 11,300 S-Works Crux.GeometryThe Crux DSW has the same geometry as its carbon equivalent. - SpecializedThe Specialized Crux DSW also has the same geometry as the carbon Crux.Specialized made the Crux longer in 2021, taking the bike from a nippy cyclocross racer to a more stable gravel platform.A 56cm Crux DSW has a 397mm reach and a 578mm stack. Specialized also continues with a 72mm bottom bracket drop (on all but the two smallest sizes) to aid stability.Pricing and availabilityThere is one build available at launch. - SpecializedCurrently, the Crux DSW is available in one complete build only, alongside a frameset.The singular build features a Sram Apex mechanical groupset with hydraulic disc brakes. The 1x setup pairs a 40T chainring with an 11-44T Sram XPLR cassette.Alloy finishing kit is used throughout with the Adventure Gear bar up front providing a 118.9mm drop, 70mm reach and 12 DEG flare at the drops.The Crux DSW Comp has alloy finishing kit. - SpecializedThe bike has DT Swisss gravel-specific G540 wheels with a 25mm tubeless-ready internal profile. This alloy wheelset provides a wide base for 700x38c Specialized Pathfinder Pro 2BR tyres.The complete bike costs 2,300 / $2,600 / 2,700 / AU$4,000 while the frameset will set you back 1,500 / $1,700 / 1,650 / AU$2,500.