CyclistPro cycling winners and losers in SeptemberFeel that chill in the air? With the Grand Tours now officially in the rear-view mirror, were racing full speed to the autumn Classics. But before that, lets recap the winners and losers from an exciting September that included the Vuelta a Espaa and the World Championships.WinnersRainbow jerseys galoreDario Belingheri/Getty ImagesWith the dusk of September came the World Championships in Kigali, Rwanda. Tadej Pogaar defended his title as expected in the elite mens race while Magdeleine Valliresshocked the world to become Canadas first gold medallist in the womens event. Remco Evenepoel and Marlen Reusser won the elite time-trials as Australia narrowly usurped France in the team time-trial event.This year also coincided with (finally) the first edition of a standalone race for the U23 women instead of having a race within the elite race. A strong display of teamwork from Frances Marion Bunel helped teammate Clia Gery to victory, and Italys Lorenzo Finn broke away for the gold on the mens course. Zoe Bckstedt (Great Britain) and Jakob Sderqvist (Sweden) easily won their time-trials.In the junior ranks, Harry Hudson flew to Great Britains first victory in the road race with Paula Ostiz (Spain) coming out on top in the womens race. The Netherlands doubled up in the time-trials courtesy of Megan Arens and Michael Mouris.A couple of bronze medals need shouting about too. Ben Healy raced to third in the elite mens road race for Irelands first medal since Sean Kelly in 1989. Then theres Oda Aune Gissinger. The Norwegian 18-year-old, who holds both titles in her national road race and time-trial, scored a bronze medal in the junior time-trial at both the World and European Championships. Shell be turning pro this winter as shes signed up to ride for Team CoopRepsol from 2026.UAE Team Emirates XRGSzymon Gruchalski/Getty ImagesUAE Team Emirates XRG made no secret of their plans to break the 16-year record for most victories in a season. Set by the Mark Cavendish-led Columbia-HTC in 2009, the benchmark was 85 wins. UAE matched this total with a Brandon McNulty and Pogaar 1-2 in GP Montral, then surpassed it with McNultys overall victory at the Tour de Luxembourg.They achieved the feat with 20 different riders winning at least once this year. Obviously leading the pack is Pogaar on 16, but a storming season from young star Isaac del Toro sees him best of the rest on 13. And theyre surely not done yet. Related Posts Pro Log: UCI Road World Championships headlines Vuelta a Espaa in review: Palestine protests, Pidcock podium and Vingegaard victory UEC European Road Championships 2025 preview: Routes, start lists and how to watch Cycling autumn Classics 2025: Canadian and Italian race dates, details and live TV guide Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) Luc Claessen/Getty ImagesSpeaking of wins, Lorena Wiebes has been sweeping up wherever possible. The Simac Ladies Tour kicked off towards the beginning of the month and Wiebes immediately dominated the race with four consecutive victories. After a brief respite in the time-trial where she still managed a top ten finish the Dutchwoman was back to winning ways on the last day.It was the first stage race victory for the sprinter this year, and she then went on to win the one-day La Choralis Fourmies too.Arnaud De Lie (Lotto) Luc Claessen/Getty ImagesArnaud De Lie spent the first part of the season sidelined from the Classics, abandoning Gent-Wevelgem and spending weeks away from racing. A podium at the Brussels Classic boosted his confidence as he tried to return to form, and during the Tour de France the Belgian raced to four top five finishes.After overall victory at the Renewi Tour and Bretagne Classic, he won three consecutive races in September with the Grand Prix de Wallonie, Super 8 Classic and Paris-Chauny. Sometimes you just need a little time off to be back to your best.Vuelta a EspaaHarry TalbotThe Vuelta a Espaa seems like an age ago. But in reality, the final Grand Tour of the season only finished midway through the month, albeit to less fanfare than usual with the last stage cancelled and the final podium done behind closed doors using cool boxes. But there were still remarkable stories throughout the race, which was ultimately won by pre-race favourite Jonas Vingegaard.Like Ineos Grenadiers Egan Bernal, who rode to his first Grand Tour stage victory since the 2021 Giro dItalia, with his career hampered by a life-threatening crash in early 2022. Or Tom Pidcock who made his first full GC run at a Grand Tour and didnt disappoint. The Brit reached the stratospheric heights of the podium after seeing off a challenge from former Grand Tour winner Jai Hindley.Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers)James YorkWelshman Geraint Thomas was able to end his career how he planned: crossing the line in Cardiff to applause from the peloton and spectators at the Tour of Britain. The 2018 Tour de France winner enjoyed a lengthy stint as a professional, spending almost all of the two decades at the top of the sport. Related Posts Pro Log: UCI Road World Championships headlines Vuelta a Espaa in review: Palestine protests, Pidcock podium and Vingegaard victory UEC European Road Championships 2025 preview: Routes, start lists and how to watch Cycling autumn Classics 2025: Canadian and Italian race dates, details and live TV guide LosersWomens road race favourites Dario Belingheri/Getty ImagesSometimes you just have to be afraid to lose. The favourites in the womens elite road race were too busy watching one another that they left it too late to catch the leading group, from which Magdeleine Vallieresescaped to victory. No one on the podium had been one of the big hitters, with an attacking Niamh Fisher-Black second and 41-year-old Mavi Garcia third.It was Demi Vollering down in seventh overall that would lead home the pre-race favourites over a minute and a half down, with the likes of Kim Le Court-Pienaar, Marlen Reusser and Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney all following.Vuelta a Espaa organisers Dario Belingheri/Getty ImagesThe Vuelta a Espaa received more eyes on the race than usual with the protests against the Israel-Premier Tech team amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. While not receiving direct funding from the Israel government, they bare the name of the country and the team owner, Israeli-Canadian billionaire Sylvan Adams, admitted in an interview with Velo in 2021 that the team is ambassadors of the country.Multiple stages were impacted by protests, including a stage with no winner and full cancellation of the final day procession and podium presentation.Israel Premier Tech vs sponsorsA.S.O./Billy CeustersFollowing the Vuelta, Israel-Premier Techs sponsors are also putting pressure on the team. Premier Tech is expecting Israel to be dropped from the team name and bike sponsor Factor is also threatening to leave, with founder Rob Gitelis saying without a name change, without a flag change, we wont continue.Just a few weeks ago, star rider Derek Gee said he was leaving the team as certain issues simply made my continuation at the team untenable.Yellow cardsRvS.Media/Basile Barbey via Getty Images22 yellow cards were dished out at the UCI World Championships. The most went to the Rwanda national team two for drivers and riders and one for a sports director with Estonia being hit with three and Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, Australia and even the neutral service all receiving two.See you next month.The post Pro cycling winners and losers in September appeared first on Cyclist.

CyclistSitting pretty: The fourth generation Selle Italia SLR saddleRoad cyclists put a lot of stock in heritage, and with a history going back over 120 years, saddle specialist Selle Italia certainly has it. The company and its flagship SLR road saddle have been supporting WorldTour riders quite literally for more than a quarter of a century.Sitting on an iconThe SLR was the birth of an icon, says Selle Italia product manager Enrico Andreola. It was born in the peloton and has been there since 1999. Many champions have won using this saddle and we have no intention of stopping.When the first edition of the SLR launched at the turn of the millennium, it promised light weight and comfort for road racers, and to this day it continues to be designed with racing on tarmac in mind.These performance and comfort attributes were due to its long, slim shape, says Andreola. This was a key component of the minimalist design and was very popular with our riders and customers at the time.Selle Italia used idmatch Pressure Map data to refine the SLR saddles design.Evolution not revolutionWhile the SLR has been a constant WorldTour presence since its launch, that doesnt mean it hasnt moved with the times. Through its lifespan, the SLR has undergone a process of revision, with the second and third generation saddles released in 2010 and 2018 respectively. So the company led by president Giuseppe Bigolin was never going to tear up the script entirely when developing the latest model.Heritage is so important at Selle Italia, says Andreola. I have to mention Mr Bigolin, our president, who always says, There is no reason to change a concept that works so well. He insisted that the latest generation must be an evolution, not a revolution.The main changes to the second generation were the introduction of an additional size option and a lateral wing that created an overhanging profile. It was also the first SLR with integrated pressure relief.The extra size made the SLR accessible for a greater number of riders, says Andreola. The lateral wing created an iconic and instantly identifiable look for the SLR, but its far from being just an aesthetic inclusion. The wing is located where the flexion of the saddle occurs. If you remove the wing, you reduce stiffness, which will change the saddles behaviour.Another addition was the pressure relief cutout which we called Superflow, he says. This reduces pressure on the perineum and has the additional benefit of reducing material and saving some weight.Never staying stillThe revisions for the third generation in 2018 again changed the fundamental profile of the saddle. It became shorter, reflecting the trend of snub-nosed saddles aiding greater pelvic rotation for comfort, aerodynamics and power.We shortened the nose significantly without changing the contact point or the anatomical centre of the saddle, says Andreola. We knew that the way a rider sits on the saddle and places their ischial bones needs to be consistent across the generations. At 248mm it was certainly a short saddle, but the market was ready for this feature.The new kingThat pattern has continued in 2025 with the release of the fourth generation SLR, the culmination of seven years of development. The saddle is 6mm shorter than before, coming in just 2mm longer than the UCI minimum at 242mm.Using our idmatch software and pressure mapping, we discovered that riders simply arent using this part of the saddle, says Andreola. Yes it saves weight but this isnt the main reason for shortening it. A longer saddle allows you to sit on the tip, which is not ideal. We see a lot of pros doing this who could achieve a better position on an SLR. A short saddle minimises the chances of using it inthe wrong way.Some cushioning has been removed from the rear of the saddle, a change that was met with some resistance from some important stakeholders upstairs.It has been tough to convince our president Mr Bigolin that the saddle doesnt need padding in this area. It was only our scientific approach that could demonstrate it definitively. The knowledge we have collected from idmatch is absolutely vital. We have measured more than 100,000 riders and pros, recording their pressure pad results. This data helps us to understand what the best profile is for a saddle. Eventually we convinced the president that its still the SLR, just better.The Selle Italia SLR familyThe fourth generation SLR will be available in five versions, ranging from race-ready editions fitted with ovalised carbon rails, through to non-cutout saddles with round steel rails. All tiers maintain the same widths as before.Selle Italia has also invested time in improving its 3D printing capabilities. The new SLR 3D uses a unique lattice structure and Carbon DLS Technology to create areas with varied levels of give. The 3D model is more focussed on vibration damping and is available with either carbon or steel rails.We decided to do something different from our rivals, says Andreola. We make our 3D saddle pillar by pillar using a proprietary lattice structure, which means we can tune the dynamic behaviour of the pad. At the tip, for example, you can move from stiff to soft without any discontinuity of appearance.Starting with a photosensitive liquid polymer, the pad is produced layer by layer using a special light that polymerises the liquid, says Andreola. It is a time-consuming process, meaning this model has the lowest production rate and is the most premium.Life in the pelotonJust as it always has, the SLR continues to live its life in the pro peloton. Having been ridden by the likes of Contador, Valverde and Alaphilippe down the years, its still mixing it with the very fastest in the world today.Michael Woods from Israel-Premier Tech rode the fourth generation of the new SLR at the 2025 Tour de France, says Andreola. He had been training on it for months, and even though the saddle only launched just before the Tour, he was adamant he needed to use it. To find out more about the fourth generation Selle Italia SLR saddle, go to selleitalia.comThe post Sitting pretty: The fourth generation Selle Italia SLR saddle appeared first on Cyclist.

CyclistClassic UK climb: Nick O PendleOn a sunny summers day, a walk up Pendle Hill is a pleasant stomp of about an hour, with the reward of unrestricted views over Lancashires Ribble Valley. However, on a cold winters day, Pendle Hill is about as bleak and unwelcoming as any place in Britain, its featureless moors of rough grass offering no shelter from wind and rain nor providing any landmarks to help you find your bearings in the mist. Its exactly the kind of setting where, if you were of a suggestible nature, you would expect to find witches.In the early 17th century, Pendle Hill was home to 12 witches at least that was the finding of the infamous Pendle Witch Trials of 1612, when a group of women from two families were found guilty of using witchcraft to murder ten people and were subsequently executed by hanging. As you head north out of the village youre about to gain 145m of elevation in just 1.33km.Col MorleyIts possible that the women involved werent actually witches but were instead medicinal healers who sealed their own fate when the two families started accusing each other of sorcery because they were in competition. But its hard to argue with the findings of the court when its proceedings were documented in such an excellently titled publication as The Wonderfull Discoverie Of Witches In The Countie Of Lancaster.These days, the moorland around Pendle is less wild and dangerous than it was four centuries ago, but its still advisable to stick to the road.Into the countryside, the gradient hits double digits and peaks at 16%.Col MorleyFrom witch trials to time-trialsThe climb of Nick O Pendle starts from the village of Sabden and follows the road that skirts over the shoulder of Pendle Hill and descends to the town of Clitheroe. As its one of the main roads in the area it can get busy with traffic, but its still worth the effort for one of the best panoramic views in Lancashire at the top.Col MorleyThe first half-kilometre takes you northwards out of the village, between parked cars and past houses hidden behind hedges. Already the gradient is in double figures and it only gets steeper as you emerge into the countryside, the road carving a straight line through earthy embankments fringed by drystone walls. At around the 800m mark a cattle grid signals the easing of gradients for the next 300m to 8% or 9%, until an S-bend in the road sees the final 200m kick back up to over 12%.This is a proper, unrelenting, gut-punch of a climb, just as youd expect around these parts, and goes a long way to explain why Nick O Pendle has been the venue for the National Hill Climb Championships on five occasions since 1962.Col MorleyIn 1980 a 19-year-old Malcolm Elliott won here before going on to become a Grand Tour stage winner, while in 1988 a 20-year-old Chris Boardman claimed the first of four straight National Hill Climb victories here, riding a fixed gear. Boardmans time of 3min 29sec remains a course record, although over a slightly shorter distance than the current Strava segment KoM.As UK climbs go, Nick O Pendle is far from being the longest, toughest or the most beautiful, but it has the feeling and reputation of a classic qualities that make it a must-visit for anyone who likes to test themselves against gravity. Just keep an eye out for people in pointy hats.The post Classic UK climb: Nick O Pendle appeared first on Cyclist.

CyclistPro Log: UCI Road World Championships headlinesWelcome back to another edition ofPro Log. Heres a rundown of the World Championship results before we get started:Elite Womens Individual Time-Trial, Sun 21st September:1st Marlen Reusser, Switzerland, 43min 09sec; 2nd Anna van der Breggen, Netherlands, +52sec; 3rd Demi Vollering, Netherlands, +1min 05sec.Elite Mens Individual Time-Trial, Sun 21st September:1st Remco Evenepoel, Belgium, 49min 46sec; 2nd Jay Vine, Australia, +1min 14sec; 3rd Ilan van Wilder, Belgium, +2min 36sec.U23 Womens Individual Time-Trial, Mon 22nd September:1st Zoe Bckstedt, Great Britain, 30min 56sec; 2nd Viktria Chladonov, Slovakia, +1min 51sec; 3rd Federica Venturelli, Italy, +2min 11sec.U23 Mens Individual Time-Trial, Mon 22nd September:1st Jakob Sderqvist, Sweden, 38min 24sec; 2nd Nate Pringle, New Zealand, +1min 04sec; 3rd Maxime Decomble, France, +1min 04sec.Junior Womens Individual Time-Trial, Tues 23rd September:1st Megan Arens, Netherlands, 25min 47sec; 2nd Paula Ostiz, Spain, +35sec; 3rd Oda Aune Gissinger, Norway, +37sec.Junior Mens Individual Time-Trial, Tues 23rd September:1st Michael Mouris, Netherlands, 29min 07sec; 2nd Ashlin Barry, United States, +07sec; 3rd Seff van Kerckhove, Belgium, +09sec.Mixed Relay Team Time-Trial, Weds 24th September:1st Australia, 54min 30sec; 2nd France, +05sec; 3rd Switzerland, +10sec.U23 Womens Road Race, Thurs 25th September:1st Clia Gery, France, 3hr 24min 26sec; 2nd Viktria Chladonov, Slovakia, +02sec; 3rd Paula Blasi, Spain, +12sec.Junior Mens Road Race, Fri 26th September:1st Harry Hudson, Great Britain, 2hr 55min 19sec; 2nd Johan Blanc, France, +16sec; 3rd Janek Jackowiak, Poland, +16sec.U23 Mens Road Race, Fri 26th September:1st Lorenzo Finn, Italy, 3hr 57min 27sec; 2nd Jan Huber, Switzerland, +31sec; 3rd Marco Schrettl, Austria, +1min 13sec.Junior Womens Road Race, Sat 27th September:1st Paula Ostiz, Spain, 2hr 09min 19sec; 2nd Chantal Pegolo, Italy, +00sec; 3rd Anja Grossmann, Switzerland +00sec.Elite Womens Road Race, Sat 27th September:1st Magdeleine Vallieres, Canada, 4hr 34min 48sec; 2nd Niamh Fisher-Black, New Zealand, +23sec; 3rd Mavi Garca, Spain, +27sec.Elite Mens Road Race, Sun 28th September:1st Tadej Pogaar, Slovenia, 6hr 21min 20sec; 2nd Remco Evenepoel, Belgium, +1min 28sec; 3rd Ben Healy, Ireland, +2min 16sec.Two very different elite road racesYour 2025 Elite Mens Road Race podium in Rwanda! Tadej Pogaar Remco Evenepoel Ben Healy pic.twitter.com/xgCZcIPmjI Cycling on TNT Sports (@cyclingontnt) September 28, 2025 The mens road race at the UCI World Championships was somewhat predictable Tadej Pogaar replicating last years feat of going on the attack well in advance by attacking with 100km to go in search of the rainbow jersey, athough this time he was defending the jersey and had Isaac del Toro, his UAE Team Emirates XRG teammate, for company. He shook off his Mexican colleague with 66.6km remaining. Where was Didi the Devil when you need him?Even though Remco Evenepoel would have to settle for a silver medal in the road race after his time-trial success, he put in an impressive ride, coming back from multiple mechanicals and bike changes including a slipped seatpost as Pogaar began to slip off the front. At one point, he kicked a bidon away with a fierce left foot reminiscent of his footballing days. But like Pogaar he dispatched those around him with relative ease in the last 20km, however it wasnt nearly enough to close the Slovenian down.Irelands Ben Healy was one of the final two riders fighting for the last podium spot alongside Denmarks Mattias Skjelmose. Healy managed to pull away from Skuji in the dying kilometres of the most brutal day of their careers to score his nations first Worlds medal since Sean Kelly in 1989.Meanwhile in the womens race, the rainbow bands surprisingly did not go to a favourite. Magdeleine Vallieres of Canada had only won one professional race when she took to the start line. That would soon change in a big way.It was at the foot of the final climb of the day that Vallieres attacked from the leading group of three to ride solo to her second professional victory, leaving behind New Zealands Niamh Fisher-Black, who helped illuminate the race. It took the cycling world by storm and sets her up for a perfect scenario with the next World Championships taking place in Montreal. A homecoming for the Qubcoise Vallieres, who claimed Canadas first gold medal in the race.Fisher-Black would race to silver with 41-year-old Mavi Garca completing the podium. It has been a strong season for the Spaniard with a solo victory on Stage 2 of the Tour de France Femmes.What happened to the favourites? Too much time watching one another waiting for someone else to do the work or attack. Demi Vollering led home the big names down in seventh place, 1min 34sec back.First standalone U23 women road raceYour Women U23 road Race podium at #Kigali2025 Clia Gery Viktria Chladoov Paula Blasi SWpix#Kigali2025 pic.twitter.com/Mat5CVo3f6 UCI (@UCI_cycling) September 25, 2025 Finally we were able to witness the first running of the U23 womens road race. For too many years it had been a race within the elite womens race, but no more, and it did not disappoint, with the peloton free to deploy their own tactics and ride among their peers.It was in the last 2km on the Kimihurura climb that Frances Marion Bunel launched an attack, drawing out teammate Clia Gery and Slovakias Viktria Chladoov from the leading group. It was a display of teamwork perfection as Bunel continued to set a fierce pace on the front. An outnumbered Chladoov kicked things up a notch, yet Gery matched her tempo and managed to come around in the last 100m and sprint to glory. It was another silver medal for Chladoov following ITT silver earlier in the week.Notably Spains Paula Ostiz impressed in the junior ranks with a silver medal in the ITT followed up by gold in the road race. Certainly one to watch in the coming seasons. Related Posts Cyclists way too early predictions for the six upcoming UCI Road World Championships Im a millennial roadie and this era of rim brake bargains is perilous for my wallet 10 incredible retro pro bikes you could own UEC European Road Championships 2025 preview: Routes, start lists and how to watch Pro Log: Evenepoel and Faulkner make history, Van Aert to the Vuelta, and 2024/25 transfers Will World Championship glory translate to European success?David Ramos/Getty ImagesLast week, Remco Evenepoel and Marlen Reusser won their respective time-trial world titles. For Evenepoel, it was his third consecutive title, as for Reusser, it was a long time coming.The jobs not done though. The European Championships start this week, with all the time-trials taking place on Wednesday 1st October and with all but the junior women racing on a 24km course with an uphill kick towards the finish. Will Evenepoel and Reusser dethrone Italys Edoardo Affini and Belgiums Lotte Kopecky in Drme-Ardche? Itll be a tough ask with the short turnaround and the long transfer from Rwanda, but theyre certainly in top form. Golds for Great BritainYour Men Junior Road Race podium at #Kigali2025 Harry Hudson Johan Blanc Jan Jackowiak SWpix#Kigali2025 pic.twitter.com/mXtgxvcw4Z UCI (@UCI_cycling) September 26, 2025 Harry Hudson is having an incredible season. The 18-year-old won the Junior CiCLE Classic and stormed to victory at Lige-Bastogne-Lige Juniors in May before lining up for Great Britain in Rwanda, where he became the first British winner of the junior mens road race with a 36km solo attack as teammates Max Hinds and Matthew Peace finished fourth and fifth respectively.And such is the calibre of Zoe Bckstedt that a gold medal was almost a foregone conclusion. She flew to victory in the U23 womens 22.6km ITT course, clocking a time almost two minutes faster than second place Chladoov.See you next week.The post Pro Log: UCI Road World Championships headlines appeared first on Cyclist.

CyclistClassic Climb: Timmelsjoch, Austrias ancient smuggling routeFor Austrian cyclists climbing to the border with Italy, its known as the Timmelsjoch. For Italian cyclists climbing to the border from the other side, its known as the Passo del Rombo. But long before any cyclists tackled this pass, it was a well-trodden route for smugglers.From the 13th to 15th centuries, tztaler Kraxentrger, or basket bearers, risked their lives to haul goods such as food, livestock and materials over the high-altitude pass, as it was the shortest route to the old capital of Merano, home of Tyrol Castle.Summer temperatures can be roasting so it pays to make an early start. The pass is closed from around October until April.Alice GoughThose smugglers would have to wait until 1933 before their route became paved, when Mussolini decided he needed a military access point, just in case he was in the mood to attack Austria. Then they would have to wait until 1968 for the road as it is now to be completed, and then another few decades still before their smuggling ways would be celebrated and immortalised in an imposing memorial, which comes just before the toughest part of what is now a beautifully well-maintained climb.Alice GoughUp the gurgling valleyIn roads, as in culture, the Austrians and the Italians do things differently (think The Sound Of Music vs The Godfather). The Austrian name Timmelsjoch has its roots in the Romansh word tmbl, which translates as small hill, making it sound rather feeble. Meanwhile the Italian name, Passo del Rombo, translates as The Pass of Thunder. Thats more like it.A lengthy downhill section makes the 5% average gradient misleading. The road kicks up to double digits while still in the early forested part of the climb.Alice GoughThis is a climb that deserves a dramatic name. At 2,474m (although confusingly signs en route state 2,509m) Timmelsjoch is Austrias highest road border crossing and the 12th highest paved pass in Europe. To get to it, you will likely start your ride in the town of Slden, which means climbing for almost 25km. However the climb proper begins with 12km to go at the village of Obergurgl, where the road splits and a signpost points you towards Hochgurgl.As the lightning fast 2km descent ends, try to carry some speed into the punishing final kilometres of the climb.Alice GoughImmediately the road ramps up and the burr of cars is replaced by the gentle shush of pine-scented wind hissing through the trees. The surface might be as smooth as churned goats milk but the incline averages above 8% for this first section, so while you crane your head to the left to take in the Ramolkamm mountain range, dont forget to drink in the soupy oxygen.After 3km of intensifying ascent, the gradient eases off and the road passes under a peculiar metal structure that turns out to be a sort of mini monorail, which in winter takes skiers up to the pistes in little glass cabins. Just under half of the climb sits above 2,000m, so if your legs start to give way and your heart rate surges as you ascend the final valley, thatll be why.Alice GoughYawning below is the valley that is home to Slden, while above the mountains look down on you with an icy pity. Allow yourself a brief congratulation on completing the testing first third. Your reward is the promise of a 2km descent up ahead.Hard and fastScant use has been made of this road in pro races despite its appealing length and attackable difficulty. The Giro dItalia went over the Timmelsjoch in 1988 the same year Andy Hampstens crossing of a snowy Gavia made cycling history but was overlooked for a summit finish and hasnt featured again since.Alice GoughAway from the pro scene, Timmelsjoch appears in Augusts annual tztaler Cycle Marathon 227km and more than 5,500m of climbing which is regarded as one of Europes hardest sportives. Austrian Anna Kiesenhofer was only able to finish second when taking part in the event in 2018 but made up for it somewhat by soloing to Olympic Road Race Gold in Tokyo in 2021.For riders engaged in their own personal mountain time-trial, the road continues to meander upwards at around 5%, passing the ski resort of Hochgurgl, before arriving at what looks like a giant wooden matchbox. The Top Mountain Crosspoint, featuring tollbooths, restaurant, motorbike museum and cable car, soon comes into focus, cowering beneath the muscular peaks beyond.Alice GoughDepending on the time of day it can be a hectic place. Dozens of leather-clad motorcyclists (around 85,000 ride through each year) are the welcoming party, accompanied as ever by an odour of petrol, sweaty leather and burning clutches. A rusty metal platform juts out over the precipice, at the end of which is a rock that everyone seems to be kissing. As you pass through the toll barriers (cyclists go free) its worth poking your head into the booth as theyve been known to hand out trendy laptop stickers to particularly beleaguered-looking cyclists.The Austrian side of the pass is magnificently maintained with silky tarmac. Descending the Italian side requires more concentration as the surface is noticeably rougher.Alice GoughDont be fooled by the name. Youre not at the top of anything, but once past the Top Mountain Crosspoint the road suddenly starts going down. Its advisable to soak in what you can of the delightful Alpine panorama because the next 2km of white-knuckle descent includes some of the fastest road in Europe. On one segment the top ten riders all averaged over 90kmh. It must be a hard one for Strava to police.Theres a 70kmh speed limit sign here, which for the Austrians is oddly draconian, and equally quite hard to stick to. The Timmelsbach river is somewhere many vertical metres down to the left, but youd be wise to keep your eyes on the road ahead.Inside the Timmelsjoch Pass Museum is a brooch from the pre-Christian era, suggesting that the pass was used as early as 300BC.Alice GoughThe tarmac veers 90 to the right and for a moment youre squeezed between a wall of moss and rock on one side and plunging nothingness on the other. If you dare to carry speed round the corner, do so the intimidating arrow-straight descent will be the last holiday for your legs, and you want to bank as much momentum as possible before the incline tilts back up to 5%.By the time the upward slope slows you down again, you should be arriving at the Smugglers Landmark. This giant cube of concrete looks jarring against the natural background of rock and grass, and in its sides is a cut-out silhouette of a smuggler, allowing people to wander inside. Its hard to know in quite what way it celebrates the areas history of smuggling, but it would certainly be a handy place to stash your illicit goods.At 2,474m, the Timmelsjoch is the highest pass in the Eastern Alps, with this summit cross marking the point where your uphill struggle is finally at an end.Alice GoughOn your uppersNow firmly ascending the Timmelsbach valley, the scenery looks like a hybrid of the Scottish Highlands and the Yorkshire Dales all greens and browns and peppered with scree. Its here that the real climbing begins. The next 4km averages around 9%, with the pain partially offset by the friendly bovine company. But the tinkling of their cowbells wont so much spur you on as make you wish theyd slip you a bit of Milka and give you a tow to the top.Intimidating as the eagle statue next to the cafe looks, its intended to be a symbol of the friendship between Austria and Italy.Alice GoughWhile you climb, the summit remains hidden from view, always around another corner, until towards the top the views close in completely, leaving just you and the tarmac to do battle. By the roadside, red signs highlight the 2,300m altitude, serving as a useful reminder of why your windpipe feels like a straw rattling around an empty can.Edging past the same stones those smugglers must have scrambled over hundreds of years ago, the coffee shop and hulking Pass Museum rear into view. Once youve surveyed the unnerving screaming eagle statue and registered the mountains of Italy appearing over the cliff edge, youll know you can finally relax.Dont be put off by the motorcyclists congratulating themselves only you and the smugglers of yore have really earned that flagon of grog.The post Classic Climb: Timmelsjoch, Austrias ancient smuggling route appeared first on Cyclist.

CyclistCyclists way too early predictions for the six upcoming UCI Road World ChampionshipsAt the first UCI Road World Championships on African soil, Tadej Pogaar and Magdeleine Vallires claimed the headline elite road races, securing their place in the history books and guaranteeing 12 months in the most coveted outfit in pro cycling.While the Rwandan Worlds have just slipped into the rear-view mirror, lets cut the afterglow of Pogaar and Vallires rainbow glory short and reach for our crystal ball.Well look ahead to the next six editions of the UCI Road World Championships, taking us from Montral 2026 to Trentino 2031. For each year, well predict the winners in both the elite mens and womens categories. Well gloss over the junior and under-23 ranks. The hopefuls for that are probably still wearing nappies.Montral 2026Alex Broadway/Getty ImagesNext year, we pack our bags and head to Montral. The city is no stranger to pro cycling, having hosted the GP Montral for some decades now. Following the philosophy of if it aint broke, dont fix it, the World Championships route will follow almost an identical city circuit around Mont-Royal, including the centrepiece Cte Camilien-Houde (1.7km at 7%). Thisll make the Canadian Worlds an open door for the puncheurs.Unlike the men, theres no GP Montral for the women, so well be going in blind. That said, the womens race will be 180km long, clocking up 2,502m of elevation gain a middle ground between the 2024 and 2025 parcours. While the reigning champion Vallires is Qubcoise, I think the peloton will have learnt their lesson from 2025 and wont let a strong escape group cloud the chances of the favourites although weve said that before.Now switched on, expect a showdown between Elisa Longo Borghini, Demi Vollering, Kim Le Court-Pienaar, Marlen Reusser and Pauline Ferrand-Prvot. The Dutch team have historically been dysfunctional in recent editions, but I see a situation that plays into the hands of the Oranje. Puck Pieterse and Vollering will be a lethal duo on a course like this, flanked by Amstel Gold champion Mischa Bredewold. On the other hand, the fast kick of Le Court-Pienaar shouldnt be underestimated, even if she has weak team support to lean on. Its hard to call the winner unlike the mens race but Le Court-Pienaar is my pick if she manages to translate her stellar 2025 form into the new year.For the elite men, the Quebec Worlds offer a far more palatable 3,720m in elevation gain almost 2,000m less than the Rwandan course this year and a fair few hundred lower than Zurich 2024. Even though the course is tamer than the two previous editions, prepare for another Pogaar showcase. Hes won GP Montral on two occasions, and he even gifted the victory this year to his North American teammate Brandon McNulty.Cyclists prediction: Kim Le Court-Pienaar and Tadej Pogaar Haute-Savoie 2027Dario Belingheri/Getty ImagesIf you thought the Rwandan course was hard, France has decided to raise that bar. This was to be expected, since the Worlds will be centred in the French Alps.As part of the next Super Worlds, the parcours for the 2027 World Championships has been released way ahead of time. The race will end in Sallanches, mirroring the iconic 1980 World Championships event, which saw Bernard Hinault decimate his rivals. The halo climb, the Cte de Domancy (2.5km at 9.4%), has been well-drilled in recent years, having featured on stages of the Tour de France and Critrium du Dauphin over the past couple of years. The Tour is also expected to trial the course during the final week of racing at next years race. In looped form, the elite mens course is expected to clock up close to 5,700m of elevation gain.Lets address the obvious. This biblical course begs another chance for Pogaar to claim the rainbow jersey. Yes, Jonas Vingegaard could be wheeled out in Danish colours to spoil the party. Realistically though, this course looks nothing but favourable towards UAE Team Emirates XRGs Tour de France machine. Surely wed know the words to the Slovenian national anthem by heart at this point.If he seals the win, along with the Montral edition in 2026, Pogaar would become the first rider in history to win four road race titles on the trot. Now this should truly solidify his place as the greatest of all-time, right?It seems as though the difficulty of the race should benefit the worlds top climbers. In the womens peloton, thats been proven to be Vollering in recent years. Thats if Ferrand-Prvot slows down as she reaches her mid-30s by the time her home Championships roll by. Vollering, on the other hand, will be 30 and supported by another monstrously strong Dutch squad, so it seems like her race to lose.Cyclists prediction: Demi Vollering and Tadej Pogaar Related Posts Where should the UCI Road World Championships visit next? We made 8 World Championships courses across the globe Cyclist Magazine Podcast: Kim Le Court-Pienaar Monument winner, history maker Being nervous is just wasted energy: Cat Ferguson Q&A The harder it is, the better: Interview with Paul Seixas, the next great French hope Ranking the last ten UCI Road World Championships Abu Dhabi 2028 Tim de Waele/Getty ImagesFrom the Alpss traditional hairpins, we move to the sandy roads of the UAE. Some have speculated a Jebel Hafeet cameo, but the UAE Tour staple is 180km away from central Abu Dhabi, which will presumably host the race finale. In that case, its almost a certainty that the 2028 Worlds will be one for the sprinters. Its a long time coming there hasnt been a sprinters Worlds course since 2016.There are a hell of a lot more variables to factor into a sprint finale. It could be windy, there might be crashes, untimely punctures or a whoopsie in the leadout. However, theres one woman who will probably start as the red-hot favourite. Indeed, Lorena Wiebes bagged heaps of stages at the UAE Tour earlier this year. Shes evidently the best sprinter in the world, and shes a proven force in the Middle East. The Worlds are three years away, but shell be 29 when the rainbow jersey gets dished out in the Arab state. She should still have that fire in her legs, and her leadout is likely to be rivalled only by Italy. Quite frankly, its a crime if Wiebes retires without a rainbow jersey.On the mens side, its harder to call. Unless the UAE builds a hill or two in central Abu Dhabi I joke, but this was considered for the Qatari Worlds in 2016 in favour of UAE Team Emirates XRGs crown jewel, a sprint should be closely contested. Three nations have clear candidates for victory: Belgium (Jasper Philipsen, 30), Italy (Jonathan Milan, 27) and the Netherlands (Olav Kooij, 26).The Belgian squad has a habit of dysfunctionality on the mens side, although this could change given a change in the drivers seat at the helm of the national squad. Philipsen will still have to contend with the conflicting interests of Jordi Meeus and Arnaud De Lie, who will probably be fielded as back-up options. Thisll remove some manpower for the leadout and could raise the opportunity for inter-team bickering.Milan, on the other hand, is likely to be Italys unrivalled top dog. Hell also be supported by his teammate and leadout aficionado Simone Consonni, who has piloted Milan on the road and on the track in the past. The same familiarity could be said for Kooij as hell soon lead a Dutch-centric sprint contingent at Decathlon-CMA CGM. Hell be familiar with his leadout, but Kooij has rarely defeated the aforementioned sprint mercurials. Hes the youngest of the three though, so his ceiling is more unknown.Cyclists prediction: Lorena Wiebes and Jonathan MilanCopenhagen et al. 2029Tim de Waele/Getty ImagesIts expected that Copenhagen will host the 2028 contest. On the other hand, several other Danish cities will be involved in the Championships, with Aarhus considered a co-host. Its mathematically impossible that the two will host the same races, but Ill have my fingers crossed for an Aarhus finale as its marginally less flat than Copenhagen.Regardless of whether itll finish in Aarhus or Copenhagen, lets assume the race will be pan flat. The new Copenhagen Sprint may give us an insight into what the organisers have in mind. In that case, a winding city-centre course tailored to a bunch sprint.The last time we came to Copenhagen, Britains Mark Cavendish took the mens title. Id love to forecast the same fate for Matt Brennan. Hell be 24 once the Danish Worlds arrive, so he could be starting to hit his prime years. Hell also be supported by a strong British squad, which will be starting to reap the benefits of its golden youth generation.However, I have to return to the likes of Philipsen, Kooij and Milan. While De Lie and Philipsen bicker for leadership, the Dutch come out victorious in the Danish capital, with Kooij bringing home another rainbow jersey to Benelux.As for the women, refer to my previous Lorena Wiebes musings. She won the recent Copenhagen Sprint as well, dont forget.Cyclists prediction: Lorena Wiebes and Olav KooijBrussels 2030James YorkThe World Championships will return to Belgium in 2030. While the Championships usually require a city circuit to conclude things, Belgium has the best possible sandbox to create a stellar Worlds suited towards the Classics men. The route wont be known for another two or so years, but the capital is near the iconic Kapelmuur and the brutal cobbled climbs of the Brabantse Pijl parcours. If the organisers tick some of those bergs off, the pack can return to Brussels for the final dash to the line.In this case, Im going to consider this a cobbled World Championships. This will provide a rare opportunity for the Tour of Flanders specialists to score a gold medal. However, with the cobbles a fair distance away from Brussels, sprinting legs will be needed to pull on the rainbow jersey.Now, this is where I see Matt Brennan thriving. Hes fairly unproven on the cobbles at this point in time, but hes got the hilly capabilities of making a crucial selection through the hellingen. Antnio Morgado, Thibau Nys and Albert Philipsen could all show their hands too, with the former the youngest top ten finisher at the Tour of Flanders in a century. Pitted in a sprint though, Brennan is the rider who comes to mind.I hear you crying out Mathieu van der Poel, Mads Pedersen and Pogaars names, but Van der Poel will be 35 once the race comes to Brussels, and the Danish former champ will be 34. Pogaar might be bored of winning come 2030, having worn the rainbow jersey for four years in our alternate timeline.As for the women, I wouldnt be surprised if Wiebes won a third rainbow jersey on a Classics-adjacent course. It was on a similar route last year that she won the UEC European Championships in Belgium. Irelands Lara Gillespie could also be in the frame, but I think theres a chance for the British to double up here if Cat Ferguson continues her stratospheric rise through the ranks. At age 24, shed be close to hitting her physical prime, but so will Puck Pieterse, who will be 28 at the time of the Belgian Worlds. Dont count out a 32-year-old Elisa Balsamo either. At the end of the race, a sprint could be what separates them.Cyclists prediction: Cat Ferguson and Matt BrennanTrentino 2031UCIThe Italian region of Trentino was just announced as the host for the 2031 UCI World Championships, which will serve up the sports third edition of the so-called Super Worlds.The decision came last week, so we dont have any idea of what the parcours will be. That said, the regional capital of Trento hosted the 2021 UEC European Championships. On that occasion, the route was punchy, covering the Povo climb (3.6km at 4.7%) on each lap. If thats adopted here, the race could suit the climbers and puncheurs.With that cleared up, lets start by predicting the womens race. For this, its hard to predict just who will still be in the frame in six years time. The current wave of world-leading talent will all be retired or close to retirement age. By 2031 however, Sarah Gigante, Niamh Fisher-Black, Cdrine Kerbaol and Juliette Labous will still be kicking about. Some more names thatll still be under 32 years of age once the Trentino Worlds come around include Sarah Van Dam, Liane Lippert, Pieterse, Karlijn Swinkels and Dominika Wodarczyk.I could really throw a dart at a page here, but part of me wants to believe in the current crop of youngsters rising through. For that, Im torn between Viktria Chladoov and Marion Bunel. Both teammates at Visma-Lease a Bike, Bunel has shown more promise on the elite stage over the past two years. The Frenchwoman has bags of talent, and this could be the place to demonstrate that.As for the men, theres a similar predicament. Were inundated with talented riders wholl be in their mid-20s come the 2031 World championships. Its another matter guessing which ones will stand the test of time and be able to compete for a rainbow jersey. Juan Ayuso will be 29 and Oscar Onley 28, but I see this as a showdown between Frances Paul Seixas and Mexicos Isaac del Toro. Both are incredibly capable one-day riders, proven recently at the 2025 Championships. Pitted against each other, I have to side with Del Toro mainly to avoid another clean sweep after the Netherlands and Great Britain dominated the previous two years.You could argue that Ive been blinded by the newcomers. Pogaar will only be 33 and Remco Evenepoel 31 at these Super Worlds, so both could be in contention for another rainbow jersey in Italy. Chances are, Evenepoel will still be World Champion against the clock come 2031.Cyclists prediction: Marion Bunel and Isaac del ToroThe post Cyclists way too early predictions for the six upcoming UCI Road World Championships appeared first on Cyclist.

CyclistFavero Assioma PRO RS power pedals: One for the roadFaveros Assioma PRO MX pedals combine smart design and class-leading engineering in a unique dual-sided power meter solution headlined by one key feature: the fact that all the electronics are housed in the pedal spindle rather than the pedal body itself.Like all good ideas, it makes more sense the longer you think about it. The key components are better protected from dirt and water ingress, not to mention the wear and tear to the pedal that comes from ground strikes and the torsional stresses of pedalling. The pedal can be lighter and more streamlined, and can be replaced on its own at a much lower cost if needed.The only catch for road cyclists is that as its name suggests the Assioma PRO MX pedals are aimed at off-road riders, whether thats MTB, cross-country, gravel or cyclocross. Now comes the Assioma PRO RS, which take all the technical and technological strengths of the PRO MX and repackage it for road riders.Lets find out more about what it has to offer.Body of evidenceThe reason why the PRO RS a road pedal is obviously apparent just by looking it. While the PRO MX features a Shimano SPD-compatible pedal body to work with the Japanese brands highly popular off-road platform, the PRO RS is built around the Shimano SPD-SL road pedal instead.The rest of the formula is exactly the same as the PRO MX: the precision-engineered stainless steel spindle, the class-leading data accuracy from the electronics protected inside, the convenience of the rechargeable batteries its all there, and thats a good thing since the PRO MX is one of the best-reviewed off-road power meter pedals on the market.But lets get back to those SPD-SL pedal bodies. For starters, they weigh just 124.8g per pedal, which is actually half a gram lighter than Shimanos own Ultegra PD R8000 pedals, making the PRO RS the lightest road power meter on the market. Its not lightness for the sake of it either no compromises have been made to the pedals strength or the quality of materials used to achieve it. The reinforced tech-polymer carbon-fibre pedal body features a wide stainless-steel contact surface and needle roller bearings for smooth and stable running and precise clipping in and out with a widely adjustable release tension range.Having all the power components in the spindle allows for an impressively low 10.5mm stack height from the spindle to the pedal surface, and means Q-factor the distance between the outer edges of the crank arms is maintained at an industry-standard 53mm Q-factor, ensuring precise and responsive cornering uncompromised by the presence of the power meter.As such it means you dont have to adjust anything else on the bike such as saddle height or cleat positioning to make the switch to power pedals. And with the PRO RS built around the same power meter spindle as the PRO MX, you can easily interchange between the two in minutes without the need for special tools or adapters.The magic insideNow lets talk about that all-important pedal spindle and whats inside it. The spindle is completely sealed to protect the electronics, strain gauges and the rechargeable battery housed inside, ensuring long-term durability, performance and data accuracy.The battery is welded directly to the circuit board, and being rechargeable rather than replaceable not only allows the whole spindle to be sealed and IP67-rated against water and dust ingress, it also removes the risk of faulty readings or power dropouts caused by faulty contacts when replacing the battery.USB-C recharging means you can charge up using any compatible charger, and Assioma says even after 500 full charges (or about 25,000km of ridings worth), overall capacity is reduced by just 20%.Whatever kind of rider you are, data is what you buy power meter pedals for, and it needs to be both comprehensive and accurate. And the Assioma PRO RS credentials are just as impressive here as anywhere else on the spec sheet.Data is not estimated like with some other power medals, it is measured directly to within +/- 1% accuracy by Faveros bespoke IAV Cycling Dynamics power system, which uses an integrated gyroscope to detect velocity and measure power during every phase of the pedal stroke.The data differenceThe IAV system also provides the foundation for in-depth ride analysis, which is delivered in the form of a wide range of metrics to the companion Favero Assioma smartphone app or to other compatible devices. These include the usual speed, power and cadence metrics, but also advanced measurements such as PCO (Platform Center Offset) to measure where on the pedal force is being applied, PP (Power Phase), which indicates the segment of the pedal stroke where power is generated, and RP (Rider Position). These advanced metrics can be displayed on any ANT+ compatible device, though RP cannot be shown in the live section of the Favero Assioma app.Having such an array of digital tools at your fingertips gives you unmatched power to analyse and refine your pedal stroke, improve your technique and become a better cyclist overall as a result, all with the knowledge that data is accurate, reliable and repeatable in any weather conditions.Building on the same foundations that have made the Assioma PRO MX the gold standard among off-road riders means the Assioma PRO RS is already a winner for road riders before a single pedal stroke has been made. Add in the superbly lightweight yet durable design of the pedal body itself and the fact that the modular design allows you to switch between the road and off-road bodies anytime, and the Assioma PRO RS ticks all the right boxes if youre a road rider looking to make the switch to power meter pedals.The Assioma PRO RS power meter pedals are available from Favero, with three models to choose from: Assioma PRO RS-2: Dual-sided power meter pedals, 539.83, click here Assioma PRO RS-1: Single-sided power meter pedals, 331.89, click here Assioma PRO RS-UP: Convert PRO RS-1 into RS-2, 306.93, click hereTo find out more about the Assioma PRO RS range, click hereThe post Favero Assioma PRO RS power pedals: One for the road appeared first on Cyclist.

CyclistBig Ride: Pogaars playground in SloveniaMountains are an integral part of Slovenias identity. Its highest peak, Triglav, is even etched onto the national flag and coat of arms. Where the country borders with Italy and Austria in its northwest corner, the Julian Alps form a natural barrier that has been fought over for centuries and has shaped the nations history, but which has also played a crucial role in the countrys cycling success.Despite having a population of just two million similar to that of Greater Manchester Slovenia has nurtured a host of pro riders since its independence from Yugoslavia in 1991. Juan Trujillo Andrades / CyclistNames such as Tadej Valjavec and Janez Brajkovi may ring some bells from Grand Tours gone by, but it has been within the past decade that the countrys sporting assembly line has truly hit overdrive, led by the mercurial duo of Tadej Pogaar and Primo Rogli. Within just six years the pair have taken ten Grand Tour victories between them, plus an Olympic gold and a rainbow jersey. What is it about these mountains that have spawned such outstanding cyclists? Ive come to the heart of the Julian Alps to find out.Our starting point of Bovec is a popular base not just for cyclists but also hikers visiting the Triglav National Park.Juan Trujillo Andrades / CyclistHigh in the saddleI meet German-born Irishman Constantin for a curbside coffee in the mountain town of Bovec, slap bang in the middle of the Triglav National Park. As we sip our drinks and watch passers-by from beneath a parasol, the village looks like any in the Eastern Alps: clean, with neat streets and pastel-shaded shopfronts. Its not obviously Slovenian, but this could be explained by Bovecs position within a corner of the country that has been the scene of a centuries-long geopolitical tug-of-war between the Venetians, Italians, Austro-Hungarians and Yugoslavians.Riding northwards from Bovec were confronted by the cost of these land grabs, passing mass graves and cenotaphs engraved with Italian and German verses. They line the path to the battlefront at the Soa River or, as it was known in Italian, the Isonzo. There are only a handful of homes and a roadside altar in Strmec na Predelu, which was rebuilt after the Nazis razed the village in 1943.Juan Trujillo Andrades / CyclistToday the scene is calm and bucolic but during the First World War the Isonzo Front saw the Austro-Hungarian and Italian armies clash in a series of bloody battles that accounted for half of Italys entire death toll during the war.Leftover fortresses still dot the valley road as it follows the river upstream. The most unsettling, Trdnjava Klue, has stood on the riverbank since Napoleonic times and is a hulking block of grey stone that looks like a prison and has no doubt witnessed its share of horrors.The Predel Viaduct crosses the limestone-forged creek of the Mangartski Potok.Juan Trujillo Andrades / CyclistAfter about 12km we turn away from the Soa River and head into the highlands, passing through hamlets once used as military outposts, now decorated in all the hallmarks of the Alps. As we ride out of Strmec na Predelu, a village of only nine permanent residents, we come to a junction. To the left is the road to Italy; to the right, the Mangart Saddle.Juan Trujillo Andrades / CyclistWe turn right, riding past a glowing sign that reads vacant like a B&B. Inconspicuous at its base, the Mangart Saddle is the highest road in Slovenia and once the testing ground of Pogaar, who trained here ahead of his Grand Tour debut in 2019. Back in that summer he obliterated the Strava KoM a matter of weeks before podiuming at the Vuelta a Espaa. Unsurprisingly that record remains unbroken and I cant imagine Ill be challenging it today.The longest of the three tunnels on the Mangart Saddle is 300m in length.Juan Trujillo Andrades / CyclistFit for a World Champion, the climb is 11km in length, cruelly beginning with its toughest slopes after the tollbooth halting motorists for their 10 visitor fee. With double-digit gradients for the first few kilometres, Constantin and I are forced to pedal out of the saddle as we ascend at sub-Pogaar pace through dense woodland.Higher up, the whiff of pine is replaced by thinning air and the slopes are shielded by grey rock faces on either side. Its only when the road reaches its opening hairpins that I settle into a rhythm, now complemented by an unspoilt view of the Triglavs peaks.At 2,679 metres, the real Mangart is the fourth-highest mountain in Slovenia.Juan Trujillo Andrades / CyclistPast the halfway point the road twists under and over itself via a series of sharp switchbacks and unlit tunnels that echo with the sound of water trickling from the ceiling. Once past the last of the switchbacks the road straightens out briefly and up ahead is revealed a vast fist of rock punching through the Alpine air the Mangarts summit. As more sweat collects on my brow Im reassured that the road doesnt go all the way up but instead culminates in a one-way loop at the foot of this geological brute.The Mangart Saddle was built by Italian soldiers in the late 1930s as a line of defence against the Yugoslav army.Juan Trujillo Andrades / CyclistEventually we reach the 2,055m summit on the loops northern curve, which follows a line of demarcation stones indicating the Italian border. With a tip-toed glance over the cliff edge, I catch a fleeting view into the valley through the thickening clouds that shroud the Mangarts cap. As the panorama fades, Constantin coaxes me away from my perch, ready to lead us back down the way we came.Juan Trujillo Andrades / CyclistCrossing the Eastern BlocReturning to the junction at the bottom of the climb, we now take the road to the Italian border just a kilometre or so further on. It was only after the Second World War that this pocket of Slovenia was granted to Yugoslavia as part of the 1947 Paris Peace Treaties. Under the communist rule of Josip Broz Tito, the border was strictly monitored by the regime, even if some escaped through the disused toln tunnel underneath the mountain. However, since Slovenia joined the Schengen area in 2007, the shabby checkpoint has been left unmanned, with little trace of its Yugoslav past.The Triglav National Park occupies 4% of Slovenias total landmass.Juan Trujillo Andrades / CyclistThe route swings northwards for 15km to the town of Tarvisio, mostly downhill on long, straight, fast roads. We may now be on Italian tarmac but this was another region that swapped hands on numerous occasions and used to be under Austrian rule. By all accounts, Tarvisio didnt become Italian-speaking until the inter-war period, and when we swing eastwards past it, the road signs leading us back towards the border again are in three languages.At Ratee we cross back into Slovenia and the change from the Italian side is noticeable. Gone are the espresso bars, replaced by hay-drying racks known as kozolec. To our right, Constantin points out the Planica ski jumping centre where Primo Rogli both set his personal best and bade farewell to competitive ski jumping. Rockfalls have made the Saddles 2,055m-high summit inaccessible to cars.Juan Trujillo Andrades / CyclistHaving failed to crack Slovenias Winter Olympic team, the future Vuelta champion would sign his first two-wheeled contract roughly a year later. During his first pro season, Rogli would turn heads at the 2013 Tour of Slovenia by finishing in the top 15.Following in his cleated footsteps, we turn onto the 12km Vri Pass, the finale to that races queen stage.A fortress once stood on the banks of Lake Predil, but was destroyed during the Isonzo Front in the First World War.Juan Trujillo Andrades / CyclistThe Russian RoadVris metrics are reminiscent of a Grand Tour classic, with 818m of elevation gain and a 7% average gradient from the foot in Kranjska Gora. Weve barely left the ski town, however, when the rattling of cobblestones cuts in. This is no one-off either. Through each of the 24 hairpins on this northerly route, Vri offers its own slice of the Classics, with a brief injection of pav through every bend like Alpe dHuez in a Flemish disguise.Juan Trujillo Andrades / CyclistBefore the First World War the Vri Pass was a ragged trail used by loggers. Due to Kranjska Goras strategic position near the Isonzo Front, however, the Austro-Hungarian authorities ordered the pass to be completely rebuilt by some 10,000 Slavic prisoners of war in 1915, most of whom came from the Russian Empire, hence the passs official name: Russian Road.A reminder of that lies across from the eighth hairpin. There, a small church sits within the forest, adorned in wood panelling, Cyrillic text and two curved steeples crowned by a pair of Orthodox crosses. Known as the Russian Chapel, it was built by the prisoners during their first year at the camp. However, the church soon became a burial ground for some 400 Russians who died building the road and a further 100 who succumbed to an avalanche.Slovenia gained independence from Yugoslavia in 1991 and joined the EU in 2004.Juan Trujillo Andrades / CyclistOn each cobbled corner is a signpost marking the number of the hairpin and its altitude, and as we get towards the twenties, the thick forest is brushed away. With no towering pines to block the view, the skyline opens into a colosseum of jagged peaks, with the Triglav to the left and our old friend Mangart to the right.The Russian Road finally tops out after hairpin number 24, its summit at an altitude of 1,611m and overlooked by vertical walls of pale limestone cliffs. Its a summit that has also been overlooked by the Grand Tours, but that could be about to change.Each of the 24 hairpins on the 12km Vri Pass is cobbled.Juan Trujillo Andrades / CyclistFollowing Pogaars fourth Tour de France victory this year, the Slovenian government signed off on a bid to host the races Grand Dpart in 2029. The bid proposes a mountaintop finish here as part of the three-day visit.Thats still four years away, but from where Im sitting its hard to imagine a world in which Pog doesnt claim victory atop the Col de Vri, setting the scene for what could be his seventh or eighth title by the time the Tour visits his homeland. Thats if he doesnt get bored of his own success by then.Vris southerly route to Trenta offers 30 hairpins but no cobblestones.Juan Trujillo Andrades / CyclistOnly time will tell whether the Slovenian win machine continues to whirr away, or whether it will receive a software update once Pogaars tufts start to grey. Though judging from the hordes of teenagers shooting past in baggy UAE Team Emirates jerseys, the groundwork has already been laid for the next Slovenian phenomenon, spurred on by their Tour idols whose faces appear everywhere, from banking billboards to supermarket shelves.And while we might not know the name of Pogaars successor assuming there is one its almost certain they will know Mangart and Vri by heart once they turn pro.The Russian Chapel is dedicated to Saint Vladimir and was completed in early 1916.Juan Trujillo Andrades / CyclistHow we did itTravelVenice Marco Polo is the best served airport for reaching Bovec and the Triglav National Park, with regular flights scheduled from London, Bristol, Manchester and Edinburgh.From Venice, its a two-hour drive into the Julian Alps. Alternatively you can fly to Trieste, Klagenfurt and Ljubljana airports from London for a shorter road transfer.The only rail link nearby is in Tarvisio, which sits between the Mangart and Vri Pass.AccommodationCyclist stayed at Hotel Alp in Bovec. Located in the town centre, its bike-friendly and geared towards guests heading out into the park for outdoor pursuits. For convenience the hotel also offers its own restaurant and bar. Rooms from 54pppn. For more information go to hotel-alp-bovec.com.ThanksMany thanks to our guide Constantin from Marmot Tours, who kept my spirits up during this Slovenian odyssey. Thanks also to our driver Ewa for looking after our photographer for the day and for providing mechanical support.Marmot Tours runs guided cycling trips around the Julian Alps on both sides of the Slovenian-Italian border. For more information go to marmot-tours.co.uk.The post Big Ride: Pogaars playground in Slovenia appeared first on Cyclist.

CyclistRaphas new Pro Team Shadow cold weather kit says goodbye to Gore-TexRapha has launched a new range of race and training kit called Pro Team Shadow, reviving the Shadow moniker from the previous 2019 release.Its pitched as a comfortable performance line, including a jacket for low single-digit temperatures as well as a jersey and a gilet for between 7-12C. Collectively, they replace the Pro Team Gore-Tex Infinium line.Moving away from Gore-TexWith all the changes in PFAS legislation, weve moved away from Gore-Tex and have had to find an Infinium and Windstopper replacement, says James Stannard, Raphas head of product management. The Pro Team Shadow Winter Jacket comes in as the pinnacle of our cold-weather kit.As the name suggests, it has been developed with pros, but Rapha says the kit works just as well for amateur riders, especially when conditions look changeable. According to Rapha, the pros wanted improvements to stretch, functionality and weather protection.Among the key features are a high-stretch fabric said to be breathable, windproof and water-resistant, and the seams have been taped to provide more protection.New materialsWe worked with a UK company to develop a new membrane which is exclusive to Rapha, says Stannard. Its very durable, dials up the water resistance and windproofing and weve tried to strike a good balance with breathability too.At this stage its difficult to compare the Shadow range with other like-for-like options because rather than broadcasting breathability, air permeability and waterproofing ratings, as Castelli has done with its recent Aircore and Ristretto launches, Rapha is more general emphasising what it claims are the garments main attributes.We are reluctant to do comparison tables because lots of the tests and measures are different, says Stannard. We know our products test well in the lab, and then we take them to climate chambers too to use thermometers to check on microclimates within the riders garments. But we also focus a lot on perception and how our test riders are feeling when they go out wearing the kit. So going beyond just lab testing. Related Posts Castelli and Polartec claim market-leading breathability for new cold-weather membrane AirCore Home and dry? The latest next-generation rain jackets The good cult: Behind the scenes at Rapha Fit and extrasThe jacket has three rear pockets that have been lowered for easier access, and a double-ended main zipper. As is now standard, the material is PFAS-free. The fit has been amended from the Infinium line after feedback from customers, with a focus on stretch to negate the need for specifically stretchy panels.The biggest thing was including four-way stretch material, says Stannard. Previously the Infinium had an aggressive fit with stretchy underarm panels, but they were porous and led to cold spots.This time we wanted a conforming fit across different body types. We know that pros are hating rain jackets more and more from a wattage point of view, so it needed to be svelte still, he says.DetailsThe Pro Shadow kit line includes three items: the Shadow Winter Jacket (325), the Shadow Long Sleeve Jersey (275), and the Shadow Gilet (225), which all come in both mens and womens variants.The Mens jacket (black/silver, carbon/silver, blue/silver, green/silver) and jersey (black, carbon, aqua, green) come in four colours, and the gilet (black, carbon, blue) in three. The womens garments come in two colours each.Find out more at rapha.ccThe post Raphas new Pro Team Shadow cold weather kit says goodbye to Gore-Tex appeared first on Cyclist.

CyclistMid-market race bike test: Cannondale SuperSix Evo vs Trek Madone vs Specialized TarmacIn the second instalment of Group Think, we turn our minds to race bikes. The all-road bikes featured in part one of this series (see issue 164) may be hogging the spotlight currently, but race bikes are a perennially popular option. Their designs offer the compelling quality of helping the rider to go as fast as they can through a combination of low weight, stiffness, aerodynamic efficiency, sharp handling and an aggressive ride position.An equally attractive attribute of a race bike is the potential for normal riders to emulate the idols they watch on TV. They allow us to not only ride the same roads as the pros, but on the same bikes as well. That being said, the best-of-everything builds that are raced on the WorldTour command pricetags now well into five figures. Happily those brands offer models at a range of price points, with material differences in the frameset or component changes helping each build sit at different levels of the market.Mike Massaro / CyclistBut what differences do these changes introduce? How do they affect the ride experience? Where is the best place to compromise and where should you invest? To work this out, Cyclist editor Pete, deputy editor James and tech editor Sam took three of the most popular race bikes the Trek Madone, Cannondale SuperSix Evo and Specialized Tarmac to the Surrey Hills, a location synonymous with pro racing since the Olympic Road Race visited in 2012.Mike Massaro / CyclistCannondale SuperSix Evo 3Price 4,100Weight 8.1kg (56cm)Groupset Shimano 105 Di2Wheels DT Swiss R470Finishing kit Vision Trimax Aero bars, Cannondale C1 Conceal stem, Cannondale C1 Aero Carbon 40 seatpost, Prologo Nago RS STN saddle, Vittoria Rubino Pro 25mm tyresMore info cannondale.comMike Massaro / CyclistTrek Madone SL 6 AXSPrice 4,125Weight 8.43kg (medium/large)Groupset SRAM Rival AXSWheels Bontrager Aeolus Elite 35Finishing kit Bontrager Comp bars, Trek RCS Pro stem, Madone Aero Carbon seatpost, Bontrager Aeolus Comp saddle, Bontrager R3 Hard-Case Lite 28mm tyresMore info trekbikes.comMike Massaro / CyclistSpecialized Tarmac SL8 ProPrice 8,000Weight 7.2kg (56cm)Groupset Shimano Ultegra Di2Wheels Roval Rapide CL IIFinishing kit Roval Rapide cockpit, Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8 Carbon seatpost, Specialized Power Pro with Mirror saddle, Specialized S-Works Turbo 2BR 26mm tyresMore info specialized.comMike Massaro / CyclistThe same but differentPete: I know our discussion needs to focus on the differences, but I do think its worth starting with the things these bikes have in common with the top-tier models. No matter whether youre buying the 12-grand version or coming in at the entry level, the geometryand frameset shaping is the same.James: Yep, and when you combine that with the lower cost, its a decent advantage for the budget models. They benefit a huge amount from the R&D that goes into the top-end frames. Your Madone, Pete, with its IsoFlow speed hole thing, is probably the best example of that. Its a feature designed with comfort and aerodynamics in mind in a race situation, yet is the same no matter what levelof Madone you buy.Mike Massaro / CyclistSam: Ah, but I do think that also illustrates a point of difference when you drop down the range. As well as dropping the standard of the build components, generally brands get the price down by using less fancy materials to make the frame. My Cannondale for example comes in three grades: Lab71, Hi-Mod and regular. Brands will say the frames arent any different in stiffness and ride feel but lower-grade carbon isnt as stiff so they need to use more of it, which pushes the weight up. Interestingly though, both the SuperSix and your Tarmac, James, have pretty simple designs, so the weight doesnt go up that much.Mike Massaro / CyclistJames: Thats right, the Tarmac Pro I rode is a 780g frame, versus the S-Works version which is 685g and 12,000.Sam: But you said, Pete, that your Madone SL, which is the second-tier frameset, is a lot heavier than the SLR.Pete: Its about 300g more. With the build on top, this SL 6 is a kilo and a half heavier than the SLR 9. Ive been fortunate enough to ride both and the difference is significant. Just for the core quality of feeling fast, the extra weight dampens that down. It feels like with more complex frame designs, and equally perhaps with more aero designs too that have more surface area, weight is likely to increase more in relative terms as you move down the range. That said, at the Madone SL 6s four grand price point its great to have a bike that doesnt look like any other bike, and I think the comfort element of the IsoFlow thing plainly still works just as well as it does on the top-end bike.Mike Massaro / CyclistJames: I think its worth pointing out that this is one of the reasons why the price continues to climb as you go up the range despite performance becoming a game of diminishing returns in all of our bikes. The materials are more expensive, yes, but a lot of it becomes to do with the precision that you need to manufacture to. It takes that much more time to develop and fabricate very light bikes, there are that many more quality-control failures.Mike Massaro / CyclistFinding the sweet spotSam: What you said about diminishing returns, James, is an important thing to talk about. Your bike sits at a different level of the market than ours at eight grand versus mine and Petes bikes at about half that. Looking at it, Id say yours sits at a sweet spot, where you get as much performance of the top-spec bike as possible before it really starts to flatten off as the price keeps rising up to the S-Works models 12k mark. Youve got an Ultegra Di2 groupset, the second-tier Roval carbon wheels, nice finishing kit. It seems to me like youre getting way more for that four grand on top of our bikes than someone would get spending four grand on top of your bike. With my SuperSix for example, Im down to the third-tier frameset, and very basic wheels and tyres.Mike Massaro / CyclistJames: Yeah, thats fair, but if Im honest Id probably come down another rung and go for the Tarmac Expert. You still get Ultegra Di2, the wheels are a downgrade but still carbon and decent enough, plus you get a two-piece cockpit, which I think is preferable for most amateurs anyway.Sam: I totally agree its one area that in practical terms gets better the lower down a bike range you go. Its the same for Petes Madone. Two-piece cockpits offer so much more adjustability and make things easier and cheaper to service. When youre living with a bike rather than just using it for races, thats a huge plus. Its an aspect I really like about this SuperSix. Where the Lab71 version has an integrated bar/stem, I can fit any bar to this stem. Its heavier, and is it objectively slower like-for-like? Yes, probably, but Id prioritise getting a good fit and being able to work on my bike easily over the fastest kit any day. Thatll make me faster and more comfy overall.Mike Massaro / CyclistPete: I also want to be able to stick a Garmin mount on my bars, and lights, which is all infinitely easier on a traditional bar and stem than an aero integrated one. In the day-to-day of using a race bike, you need all this stuff regardless of whether it can be fitted neatly or not, so sacrificing some refinement for practicality here is something I would look for when considering bikes at lower tiers. If theres the choice between similarly priced bikes and one of them has a one-piece bar/stem and the other doesnt, I know which one Id go for.Mike Massaro / CyclistShifting and braking democracySam: So with it being a case that youre almost better off spending less on front end components, would you say the case is now similar with groupsets? Electronic gearing and hydraulic brakes have pretty much brought groupsets in line with each other in functional terms, I think. And that goes as much between brands as between tiers within the same brands.Roughly speaking, Dura-Ace/Red/Super Record weigh about 2.5kg, and the equivalent tiers below go up in steps of about 200g. There isnt that difference in performance that used to exist when it was cable shifting and rim brakes. They all work basically the same way. So it comes down to weight and looks. Most bike brands these days will offer Shimano and Sram equivalents at similar prices, so it can be down to preference, but even if you have the money, is a top-tier groupset really worth it?Mike Massaro / CyclistJames: Obviously there is an advantage to spending more if you can afford it, but that advantage is nowhere near what it used to be. These days I really dont think there is a case for it in performance terms. Normal riders wont notice an extra 200g, but they will notice the extra 2,000 to jump up a bike tier, because unless you buy from a brand that has a build configurator option which I think is the future, by the way, and something that all brands should offer to get a higher-tier groupset brands will also bump up the spec in every other area as well. Tiering ranges like this makes the hierarchy clear of course, but it can be limiting to a lot of customers, particularly if they have clear ideas on the type of bike they want.Mike Massaro / CyclistPete: In groupsets I think there are certain thresholds that mark important steps up in performance. Moving from cable-operated brakes to hydraulic ones at the very entry level is one point, then another is going from mechanical gearing to electronic. Once you reach that 105 Di2/Sram Rival AXS point in a range, the degree of difference it makes to the ride experience by going to Ultegra or Force and beyond is minimal. Its in wheels and tyres that I see the compromises being made at lower price points. The frames in many cases are pretty much as good as the ones above, as are the groupsets. The finishing kit in some instances is more versatile lower down. But wheels and tyres never are.Mike Massaro / CyclistSam: My SuperSix is a case in point. Decent frameset thats only a couple of hundred grams away from the top-tier one; sensible two-piece cockpit thats adjustable but still looks tidy; 105 Di2, so the best value groupset. But then the wheels are fairly shoddy they retail at 150 and come with basic, narrow tyres.Mike Massaro / CyclistPete: I think brands almost expect customers to change the wheels at the price point of my Madone and your SuperSix. And I think thats the best way of going about it wheels count for a lot in terms of aerodynamics and acceleration, and how lively the bike feels to ride. Similarly with the tyres, you stand to gain a lot of grip, comfort and speed by upgrading there as well. Plus they are the easiest components to change out.Sam: I agree. I think the case holds largely across the market that buying in at the 105 Di2/Sram Rival AXS level and upgrading the wheels and tyres ultimately results in a better bike than if you were to commit to a stock build for the same total price.Mike Massaro / CyclistJames: Its important for the rider to keep in mind the type of owner they are, though. If they just want something to buy and ride, I think theyd be better off investing more initially and going for a higher stock build. While wheels and tyres drop off lower down the range, at the mid-to-high-end even stock options are excellent these days. In which case its in the 6,000-8,000 zone of my Tarmac SL8 Pro where Id say performance tops out in the most meaningful ways. Youll stand to gain a little more by going over that, but only if you spend a lot more on top of what is already an expensive machine. But Id agree with you guys and Id go for a mid-priced bike like yours and spec it up over time. After all, upgrading and customising your bike is all part of the fun of owning one, isnt it?The post Mid-market race bike test: Cannondale SuperSix Evo vs Trek Madone vs Specialized Tarmac appeared first on Cyclist.