For the newly crowned Belgian national champion, Arnaud De Lie, expectations were high heading into the 2024 Tour de France. It's worth remembering that this is the first ever Grand Tour for the 22-year-old Belgian starlet though, and in his first Tour de France bunch sprint, De Lie took a creditabl...

Investment of 2m to build a permanent, protected cycle route as well as improving walking and wheeling infrastructure has been approved

CyclistIn celebration of the yellow jerseyYou will have the yellow jersey / Among the cheers, the flowers / If you can, like a cyclone / Overtake the riders / Then you will have the yellow jersey / Its the jersey of the winner.Thats a translated extract from the final chorus of the 1936 French song Le Maillot Jaune. The song is heavy on the accordion and is a celebration of what by the mid-1930s was growing into the significant symbol of French sport: the yellow jersey of the Tour de France.Fast forward 88 years and Tadej Pogaar is back in yellow over 700 days since he last wore it on Stage 9 of the 2022 Tour when the Jonas Vingegaard era began on the Col du Granon. The pair will spend the next three weeks wrestling to win the famous maillot jaune as its awarded outside Paris for the first time in its 105 year history. Related Posts What does it take to win the Giro-Tour double? How much is the 2024 Tour de France prize money? How to watch the Tour de France 2024 Mens Tour de France 2024: Route, how to watch and all you need to know History of the Tour de France jerseys and how they got their colours Rising from the rubbleIn 1919 the French publication La Vie au Grand Air ran colour illustrations of sporting exploits on its front covers. Rugby, tennis and athletics had all featured over the first eight months of the year, but it was their 15th August cover, the edition that reviewed the 1919 Tour, that went down in history.For that edition the journal opted to run an illustration of a racing cyclist: white cap and goggles on his head, tubulars draped around his shoulders. Hes followed by a car carrying three officials and bearing the tricolour flag.A few locals watch on, with chickens scattering from the road as the rider passes, but what makes this illustration noteworthy is the mustard-coloured jersey the cyclist is wearing. This is believed to be the first colour image of the Tours yellow jersey.When Christian Prudhomme announced the route of the 2019 Tour and the races centenary celebration of the jersey, he did so with no little hyperbole: It came straight out of the trenches, born from the rubble of a wounded France, Prudhomme told his audience.Danny Bird / CyclistA light was needed, a colour that can be seen better than any other, in the dust, in the night. A beacon was needed to guide France toward resurgence.In reality, the launch of Henri Desgranges innovation was far more understated. On 10th July 1919, when the first post-war Tour was already six stages old, a small paragraph ran on the second page of LAuto under the banner Around the Tour.A nice idea from our editor-in-chief, ran the story. In order to enable sportsmen to recognise at first glance the leader of our grand trek within the peloton of the Tour de France, our editor-in-chief, Henri Desgrange, has decided that in the future the rider in first place on the general classification will wear a special jersey. This jersey has been ordered today. It is likely that from Marseille the leader of the Tour will be wearing it.The idea of introducing the yellow jersey is credited to Alphonse Baug, a team director, who suggested to Desgrange that his race needed an easier way of identifying its leader on the road. As it turned out, the jerseys Desgrange ordered wouldnt arrive from Paris until the race reached Grenoble.It was there, at the Caf de lAscenseur, that race leader Eugne Christophe was presented with the races first official yellow jersey. Desgrange is quoted as telling Christophe, Youre the first one to wear it. I hope youll wear it until the end of the race.Ill fortune and grand exploitsUnfortunately for Christophe, no stranger to misfortune, that would not be the case. On the penultimate stage and nearly 30 minutes up on GC, Christophes forks buckled on the cobbles of northern France. Repairs cost him more than hour and Firmin Lambot inherited the jersey, and held it until Paris.Initially, Christophe hadnt much enjoyed wearing the jersey. Other riders poked fun at him, calling him a beautiful canary, but its loss was almost too much for him to bear.Danny Bird / CyclistReflecting on his career in Le Miroir des Sports in 1923, Christophe recalled the incident with great sadness: I thought, for a moment, to lose my reason, so much the blow struck me morally, he recalled. It was my yellow jersey and first place that was escaping me.Later in the piece Christophe calls the incident one of the most painful episodes of my sports career.According to procyclingstats, 307 riders have led the Tour at some point since its inception in 1903. Remove those prior to Christophe in 1919, and youre left with 286 riders who have worn the golden fleece up until the 2024 edition.On occasion multiple yellow jerseys have been worn during the same stage, the organisers unable to separate riders times. On others, no rider has worn yellow, out of respect for a previous incumbents ill fortune Luis Ocaas dramatic mountain crash in 1971, for example.The jerseys legend has been forged by exploits undertaken in pursuit, or defence, of yellow: Gino Bartali turning a 21-minute deficit into an eight-minute lead over two astonishing Alpine days in 1948; Bernard Hinaults 1985 ride through the Pyrenees complete with broken nose; Thomas Voeckler twice defending the jersey for ten straight days against all odds, seven years apart, are a few, selected, samples.The yellow jersey is the symbol of cycling excellence above everything else. To borrow the words of Eddy Merckx, who holds the record for most days spent in yellow (96, or 111 if you include half stages), it is simply the most important jersey you can wear.This jersey was supplied by Prendas Ciclismo. See prendas.co.uk for its full range of replica retro jerseysThis article was first published in issue 102 of Cyclist magazine in 2020. Related Posts What does it take to win the Giro-Tour double? How much is the 2024 Tour de France prize money? How to watch the Tour de France 2024 Mens Tour de France 2024: Route, how to watch and all you need to know History of the Tour de France jerseys and how they got their colours The post In celebration of the yellow jersey appeared first on Cyclist.

Remco Evenepoel has impressed in the early stages of the 2024 Tour de France. Ahead of the first high mountain challenge at the Col du Galibier on stage 4 however, the Soudal - Quick-Step team has been dealt a blow.One of Evenepoel's key domestiques in a team built solely around the Belgian, Casper...

Shimano has updated its range of mid-tier and entry-level road cycling shoes, claiming the value-packed RC703, RC302 and RC102 incorporate tech from its flagship S-Phyre model.The brand says it offers more womens-specific models and sizes to bring lightweight, stylish performance to every rider.In addition, the brand has refreshed its SPD-compatible winter cycling shoe, the MW502, which is designed for riders with no off-season.Shimano RC703 and RC703WThe RC703 is third from the top of the range. - ShimanoThe latest version of the carbon-soled RC7, the RC703, sits below the RC9 and S-Phyre in Shimanos hierarchy of road cycling shoes.The RC703 looks similar to the previous generation RC702, released in 2022. But costing 229.99 / $250.00 / 229.95, the RC703 is 40 / $10 more expensive.It retains two Boa dials, a wraparound upper, a crossover lacing pattern for a secure fit, a breathable synthetic leather upper for ventilation and a moderately stiff carbon outsole.Shimano now calls the womens version of the RC703 the RC703W as opposed to the RC703 Women.Shimano says womens-specific last enhances comfort and performance for more riders.The RC703 has a carbon composite sole. - ShimanoBoth standard-fit and wide-fit versions come in sizes EU38-50 with half sizes available up to EU47 inclusive. The claimed weight of a size 42 shoe is 244g.Colours wise, you can choose from black, white and sage green.The womens model, the RC703W, is available in EU36-44 and in white and black.Shimano RC302 and RC302WThe RC302 has a single Boa dial and glass fibre sole. - ShimanoShimano claims the RC302 and RC302W are value-packed road shoes for everyday riding.Much like the previous generation RC300 and RC300 Women, they have glass fibre reinforced nylon soles, Boa L6E dials, a breathable synthetic leather upper and a midsole with a low stack height.Shimano says the RC302Ws last is specially designed for women.The RC302 also comes in navy. - ShimanoThe RC302 weighs slightly more than the RC703, at a claimed 252 grams in size 42. But they retail for 119.99 / $135.00 USD / 114.95, about 100 / $100 cheaper.The standard sizes run from EU 36-52 and the wide-fit comes in EU 36-52. Available colours are black, white and navy.A size 40 RC302W is claimed to weigh 237g. Choose from EU 36-44 sizes (it was previously available in 35-44) and black, white and navy.RC102 and RC102WThe RC102 is Shimano's entry-level shoe. - ShimanoThe RC102 and RC102W are priced at 99.99/ $110 / 94.95 and use a new three-strap closure for a secure fit and sleek look.Shimano claims the perforated synthetic leather upper, seamless midsole structure and reduced stack height provide comfort, cooling, and performance.Like models further up the range, the RC102W includes a womens specific last.The wider heel pad on the RC102 and RC102W is meant to be easier to walk on.The RC101 is available in EU 36-50, with a size 42 claimed to weigh 268g, and black, white and navy.The RC102W comes in EU 36-44 and black or violet. A size 40 has a claimed weight of 246g.Shimano MW502The Shimano MW502 is a weatherproof, off-road shoe. - ShimanoShimano says the MW502 will keep your feet warm and dry no matter the weather thanks to its waterproof Dryshield membrane.The fleece-lined winter cycling shoes feature a secure lace flap over the Speed Lace closure and a neoprene ankle collar.Shimano claims the cross-country racing pattern in the rubber outsole increases traction for winter mountain biking.The SPD-compatible MW502 is priced at 149.99 / $225 / 159.95 and is claimed to weigh 391g in size 42.The standard-fit wide-fit versions are both available in EU 38-48. Shimano does not offer a womens version.

Spia Cycling, Giant Manufacturing's indoor cycling subsidiary, has made a bid to obtain the assets of Stages Cycling LLC and its related companies that filed for bankruptcy in June.

We dived right into Bespoked at Victoria Baths in Manchester over the weekend and spied plenty of intricate, intriguing and unique bike tech. Here is a cool quintet of highlights

CyclistRunning riot with Ribble RebellionThis year, Ribble Rebellions nine-man team of hard-hitting disrupters has its sights set on global crit racing domination, and theyre already handing American racers their chamois-clad asses on a plate. This could be the most exciting thing to happen to homegrown racing for quite some time so, whats the story?Mission controlThe Ribble Rebellion team is the latest chapter in Ribbles long history of involvement in bike racing and is focussed on one of the fastest and most furious sub-categories of the sport action-packed, nowhere-to-hide crit racing.In crits, every performance advantage counts, says Ribbles Head of Marketing and PR, Sasha Castling. And when you have the fastest riders in the world competing on the worlds most aerodynamically optimised bike, you have something very special.The team is made up of nine of the planets hardest racers hand-picked from around the world for their power, cunning and sheer grit all piloting Ribbles Ultra SLR, the bike that won last years UK National Crit Series.Wall-to-wall hittersRibble Rebellions squad of riders is turning in some standout performances, even this early in the season. Ex-US National Road Race champion Cole Davis is already notching up wins, while 23-year-old Yorkshireman Jim Brown a domestic crit supremo, with Tour Series and national race wins to his name has now had his first taste of victory on foreign shores too. Among the other riders on the high-class roster are ex-ProTour rider Ruben Apers and Manx crit specialist Matt Bostock. Grimsby-born, Girona-based road captain Joe Laverick, the consummate all-rounder, sums up the teams ambitions: Ride to compete, to podium, to win.American revolutionThe teams race calendar takes its riders around the globe in pursuit of those victories. In April the team jetted to Atlanta, Georgia for Speedweek, an eight-crit series on the states sinewy public roads. Ribble Rebellion took four wins from a possible eight, the highlight being Jim Brown and Cole Daviss dramatic 1-2 in the closing race at College Park (just dont ask Cole if Jim jumped him on the line to win).Brown netted another top-five finish in the teams return to Stateside competition at the Armed Forces Classic in Arlington, Washington. And the Ribble Rebellion boys made their presence felt at Oklahomas notorious Tulsa Tough crits too, with Davis finishing a strong second. Add to this the UK National Crit titles, domestic racing, a mid-summer foray into Canadian races and a full-scale assault on Belgiums punchy kermesse races in September, and you can guarantee youll be hearing a lot more about these boys as the year hots up.Weapons-grade assaultEven when the team arent off the front of the pack, their presence remains unmistakable thanks to the colour-clash paintjobs of their Ribble Ultra SLR framesets. Each rider has their own unique handlebar and fork colour, while the components hanging off the frame are as high-end as the teams performances.The frame and fork are T1000/T800 carbon fibre, with shifting accuracy and finesse delivered by a 12-speed Shimano Ultegra Di2 groupset matched to Rotor 56/44 chainrings. Mavic supplies Cosmic SL 65 tubeless disc wheels fitted with 28mm Continental GP5000 tyres. The riders sit on Selle Italia SLR Boost saddles fixed to Ribble Ultra SLR carbon seatposts, and completing the lightweight, aero-optimised package are Ribbles own Ultra Aero integrated carbon handlebars.Feeling inspired? The Ribble Ultra SLR starts at 4,499, and in the absence of a team replica edition, you can design your own custom colour scheme at ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-customcolourThe post Running riot with Ribble Rebellion appeared first on Cyclist.

With three stages down at the 2024 Tour de France, Soudal - Quick-Step leader Remco Evenepoel sits in 3rd in the general classification, level on time with race leader Richard Carapaz and the last two men to win the Maillot Jaune, Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard.Whilst nothing was ever to be gai...

Hey there,Can you taste the difference?Are you a coffee connoisseur who could tell La Marzocco, Bialetti and Moccamaster apart, blindfolded?First things first: Meet us at Eurobike! This year we will have a large stand in Hall 12, number B03, with an exclusive exhibition and lounge. And of course we have some cool activities up our sleeves which you can be a part of!For everyone in the industry: On Friday we will celebrate our cargo bike group test under the motto Paris Paris croissants and coffee will be on us. You will need to pick up your invitation from our stand to celebrate with us on Friday. Remember, there is only limited availability, first come, first served.For our sister magazine DOWNTOWN, we dive into all sorts of adventures from a massive roof tent group test, to visiting a sex club (with clothes on!), to a unique cargo bike group test in Paris, including an Oceans Eleven-style heist of the Mona Lisa on a cargo bike. Now were excited to bring you a big coffee feature, showcasing some of the hottest brands and brewing methods.This is where you come in:For two days at EUROBIKE, were offering an exclusive blind coffee tasting, limited to just ten participants! So hurry up and secure your place!Test your coffee expertise at our exclusive EUROBIKE blind tasting!Show us how good your coffee palate really is. Visit us at Hall 12, Stand B03 and take part in the DOWNTOWN Blind Coffee Tasting!Best of all, as well as delicious coffee, we have lots of cool merchandise for you. Take a break from the hustle and bustle of EUROBIKE and grab a few souvenirs with your shaky, caffeinated hands.Please note: Outside of the blind tasting, coffee will only be available in exchange for our secret code word, which will be shared confidentially with everyone who registers for the blind tasting. So shhhh!David vs. Goliath: You vs. the coffee machinesCan you really taste the difference when your coffee is brewed by a super-fancy 5,000 La Marzocco machine, or is it mostly in our heads?Sure, the luxury machine from this traditional Italian manufacturer has a lot of charisma, but does the coffee really taste better?What about Grandma Margits famous drip coffee? Or is it the honest and lovingly prepared brew from the battered old Bialetti that tastes the best? We want to find out.You dont need to be a barista to know: A real war is brewing over the right way to make coffee. But whats it like to taste a cup of coffee without seeing the machine behind it? Lets find out together. Its going to be fun! Register now and join us for the Coffee ChallengeGet in quick before other coffee junkies and barista masters beat you to it! We have two possible dates and times for you: Saturday, 06/07/2024 (3:00 PM)Sunday, 07/07/2024 (11:00 AM)Location: Hall 12, Stand B03Choose your slot and show us your coffee prowess. We look forward to seeing you there.P.S. Im Jan, by the way, and Ill be looking after you and your coffee at EUROBIKE. Im currently doing an internship at 41 Publishing, working with the editorial team on great projects like this coffee special. After I mentioned that I had worked as a barista for two years, it quickly became pretty obvious who would be organising this particular event.Der Beitrag Up for some sleepless nights? Come and visit us at EUROBIKE! erschien zuerst auf GRAN FONDO Cycling Magazine.