CyclistThe next stage: Inside the life of a retired pro cyclistColombian climber Julin Arredondo was never one to do anything by halves: I was mixing drugs with alcohol and women. I took a little bit of everything, but it never filled this deep emptiness I had inside me, he tells Cyclist.As a young rider, Arredondo won a stage of Argentinas Tour de San Luis just two days into his pro career with Trek Factory Racing in 2014 against no less a rider than Nairo Quintana, who had finished on the Tour de France podium the year prior. But a few short years later his life had changed radically. A hip injury saw him fall out of the sport in 2017 and what followed was four years of depression and drug and alcohol misuse.Speaking about his experience publicly for the first time, he tells us, I was looking for what to do in life but found nothing. I was visiting various psychologists but none of them helped. All of my life since I was a kid revolved around the bike and the fact that I couldnt do anything on the bike was so frustrating.The Colombian is doing a lot better now, running a bike shop in the village where he grew up in the Colombian mountains, although he still suffers the effects of his hip injury. But Arredondos story is far from unique.Around five per cent of the WorldTour peloton retires each year. According to Pro Cycling Stats, 47 men and women from the WorldTour retired in 2025, and as of the start of 2026 a further 43 were without a contract. Pro riders leaving the sport often struggle to create a new life outside it, suffering from a range of issues including addiction, depression and serious financial difficulties.Its not a problem unique to cycling either. A 2013 analysis of 126 studies involving 13,511 sportspeople published in the International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology found 16 per cent reported difficulties in transitioning to civilian life. There are indications the percentage in the upper echelons of sport may be even higher. A 2018 Professional Footballers Association study found 54 per cent of ex-pros had experienced difficulties with their mental health or emotional wellbeing.Yet for decades the issues around managing this transition in cycling have gone largely ignored. There are, however, some signs that this is beginning to change, with the riders union Cyclistes Professionnels Associs (CPA) working to address some of these issues, and momentum building elsewhere behind moves to tackle others.End of the roadRetiring riders often suffer a loss of identity. The end of a career doesnt have to be sudden like Arredondos to cause this; a disappointing period of racing can also increase the disconnect felt. Track star Ed Clancy won gold medals at three successive Olympic games, but at his last in Tokyo in 2021, Great Britain crashed out in the first round of the team pursuit.There were no medals, there were no victory ceremonies, there were no B-list celebrity occasions afterwards. And into retirement you go, he says. The stalwart of the British team describes the months post-retirement as a prolonged period of hopelessness. He tried many different jobs both within cycling and outside it.I was just blowing around like a leaf in the wind, Clancy says. I think the fact I was doing so many things isnt like, Wow, that guy was doing well. Its more a case of that guy didnt have a clue what he really wanted.Adam NickelI felt like I had one very finely honed skill in life, and that was to put on a Lycra suit and ride around the track or a town centre very fast. And once I didnt have that anymore, I was like, Well, why am I here?Even Tour de France green jersey winner Marcel Kittel, who retired voluntarily in 2019 after coming to the conclusion that he no longer had the passion to continue as a pro, says he felt a pang of loss when he first saw his former colleagues jetting off to the annual December training camp.I was standing at the train station and saw the train leaving, but I wasnt sitting in it anymore, says Kittel.Dr Michael Liebrenz, a psychiatrist at the University of Bern, Switzerland, has co-authored multiple studies on the mental health of pro cyclists and is working on a study on retirement due for publication later this year. He says he has heard stories like Clancys, Kittels and Arredondos before.Several riders describe retirement as moving from a hyper-structured existence to what one called a dive into the deep, an ordinary life that feels strangely empty. All of this makes retirement less of a gentle transition and more of a psychological rupture, one that too often arrives without warning or adequate support, Liebrenz says.Friends disunitedThe first line of that support is usually a riders social circle. But for pros living a hyper-focused, performance-oriented lifestyle, this often has a major overlap with their teammates, coaches and colleagues and they frequently move on without them.When you retire, you get forgotten so quickly. Its unbelievable, says ex-pro and president of the CPA, Adam Hansen.Arredondo adds, I lost everything after I stopped riding, lost contact with everyone. No one from my career speaks with me. When I was good they did, but when I had difficulties everyone abandoned me. This hurt me, but this is life. When youre up you have friends, but when youre in crisis everything is more complicated.WorldTour riders experience this despite their work environment often being remote training alone or in small groups near their home. For Clancy as a track rider, he was used to a routine that more closely mirrors a regular job, going into the National Cycling Centre velodrome in Manchester several times a week. The change was dramatic.Youre out of touch with them after ten days, he says. I spoke to a therapist about this, and she always lets me speak, but the one time she interrupted me was when I was talking about British Cycling. I was like, British Cycling, they were my family. And then she stopped me mid-flow and said, But they werent, Ed. They never were.That therapy was something Clancy had to organise on his own, as that was another element of support that had ended when he ceased to be a professional. While pros have easy access to doctors and psychologists, usually when their pro contract ends on 31st December, this falls away. According to Liebrenz, this professional support is sorely missed by recently retired pros.Roughly half of the riders we interviewed spoke of depressive symptoms at some point during or after their careers, and very few had access to any structured mental health support once they left their teams. Related Posts I felt I was playing a character: Bradley Wiggins profile The next stage: Fabian Cancellara profile Pride and passion: Marc Madiot profile Famous and pennilessArredondo credits his current partner and returning to riding with getting him back to a place of better mental health. However, by that point the Colombian had also used up what little savings hed accrued in his short career.History is littered with famous and successful riders who retired penniless, says Giles Pidcock, co-founder of financial planning firm Fensham Howes and father of Tour de France stage winner and Olympic gold medallist Tom Pidcock. He points to three-time Tour green jersey winner Freddy Maertens, who suffered huge financial troubles for years after his racing career in the 1970s, and more recently Bradley Wiggins, who was declared bankrupt in 2024.The answer to not entering retirement with little to show for your riding career is, perhaps unsurprisingly, early planning.What we find useful is to build a financial model of their career, says Giles Pidcock, who advises several current WorldTour pros. Knowing their income, outgoings and making a few assumptions about their longevity, Pidcock builds a picture of their financial situation on retirement, giving riders greater certainty.Adam NickelThen theyll win a big race and they say, Oh, can I buy a Porsche now? And I say, Well, you can, but if you take 100,000 out of your planning then that means that when you end your career youll have 170,000 less, because youre not going to get growth on it. And your cars probably going to be worth 50,000 by then, so its up to you.Having said that, Pidcock adds that todays young riders are generally more aware of the risks of poor financial planning than previous generations, and agents are better at protecting their riders too.Even without planning, some financial support is available to retiring riders, who can access the UCI Transition Fund, which is paid for by race organisers. The CPA, which manages the fund, is mindful that this isnt enough, though, and in 2025 trialled its first Hire The Pro event, introducing riders to prospective employers within the cycling industry at the Eurobike trade show in Germany.The session was run in conjunction with cycling industry recruitment firm Bicitalent, and CEO Daniel Glaubitz says, Most of the pros dont really have a clear idea what they are good at and what they want to do. They also dont really know what the job world offers. So even if they know what theyre good at, they dont really know if theres a job existing for that profile.Glaubitz says he hopes to expand the programme to have more formal internships and entry-level jobs to deliver more comprehensive support into work. He maintains a WhatsApp community of riders and ex-riders that serves as an informal post-riding career support network too. However, the natural home for such a thing would be the sports governing body, the UCI, but when Cyclist asked what plans the UCI had for enhancing support, it directed us back to the Transition Fund.Finding fulfilling work is not just about money, its a major part of forming a post-racing identity too. Clancy, who now works to promote mens mental health with charity Movember, credits his role as active lives commissioner for South Yorkshire as instrumental in improving the low mood, insomnia and aimlessness he suffered after retiring.Liebrenz believes tackling these mental health issues needs a multi-layered approach: The first step is to recognise that preparing for life after sport shouldnt begin when the last contract expires. It has to be part of an athletes development from the very start. Education around financial planning, career options and mental wellbeing should be built into that process, he adds.A comprehensive solution is still some way off but a growing body of evidence and ongoing dialogue with the sports governing bodies will hopefully mean that in coming years instances of ex-pros seeking the rush of racing at the bottom of a bottle will become a thing of the past.Changing directionSome ex-pros have found a new life away from the bikeAxel DomontStalwart of French team AG2R-La Mondiale for his seven-year career, he now makes wine in Frances Savoie region. Many of his wines have cycling-appropriate names such as Kilometre 0 and Flamme Rouge.Tyler FarrarIn 2020 the American sprinter and Tour de France stage winner packed up his apartment in Ghent, Belgium, and returned to the States to train as a firefighter in Kirkland, Washington.Alfons Fons De WolfAfter winning the Giro di Lombardia in 1980, Milan-San Remo in 1981 and a stage of the Tour de France in 1984, Belgian Fons de Wolf retired in 1990 and later became a funeral director working for his family firm.Eric HeidenTransitions are nothing new for multiple Olympic gold medal-winning American speed skater Eric Heiden, who later raced on the road with 7-Eleven at the 1986 Tour de France. He is now an orthopaedic surgeon, specialising in sports medicine.Kristian HouseThe 2009 British National Champion eventually returned to Texas, where he grew up, and first worked as a para-legal before becoming an archery coach, focussing on teaching kids from disadvantaged backgrounds.Linus GerdemannThe German won a stage of the 2007 Tour de France and wore yellow for two days. He retired in 2016 and set up an Asian restaurant called Nama in Mallorca, where guests have included former teammate Lance Armstrong.Beat BreuIn 1982 packed crowds on Alpe dHuez witnessed Beat Breu win his second stage of the Tour de France. The Swiss climber clearly had a taste for spectacle as in retirement he went on to run a series of four circuses all of which folded.The post The next stage: Inside the life of a retired pro cyclist appeared first on Cyclist.

CyclistIs Van der Poel running out of steam: 7 takeaways from E3 and In Flanders Fields 2026The build-up is well and truly underway for what the Flemish call the Holy Week. Before we reach the Tour of Flanders on Sunday, however, last weekends E3 Saxo Classic and In Flanders Fields offered something of an amuse-bouche ahead of the big prize at Vlaanderens Mooiste.Fridays E3 Saxo Bank Classic offered our first big window into the form of Tour of Flanders contenders, with Mathieu van der Poel victorious for a third consecutive time, despite the concerted efforts of a four-man group in pursuit, including UAE rider Florian Vermeersch.At the newly-renamed In Flanders Fields, Gent-Wevelgem to you and me, the mens race saw a rejuvenated Wout van Aert just about match Van der Poels speed over the Kemmelberg, only for the pair to be reeled in under the flamme rouge. That left the sprinters to contest the win, with Van der Poels Alpecin-Premier Tech teammate Jasper Philipsen victorious ahead of Tobias Lund Andresen and Christophe Laporte. In the womens race, Lorena Wiebes became the first rider, man or woman, to win three editions on the trot after outsprinting a select group, with Lidl-Treks Fleur Moors just a wheel away from a breakthrough victory at just 20 years old.We had our eager eyes on proceedings over the weekend in Belgium. With a week to go until the Tour of Flanders, heres what we can take away from these pre-Ronde litmus tests. Related Posts 7 talking points from the Volta a Catalunya Opinion: Tadej Pogaars Milan-San Remo victory is his finest win yet Opinion: Mathieu van der Poel is the one to break the mens Omloop/Flanders curse Tour of Flanders history in 6 items at the Centrum Ronde van Vlaanderen Cycling Spring Classics 2026: Race dates, Monuments, cobbles and live TV guide Mathieu van der Poel overstretchedXavier PereyronThis weekend showed a rare sign of vulnerability for Mathieu van der Poel on the cobbles.This was most apparent at the E3 Saxo Classic, in which the Dutchmans move from 40km almost ended in embarrassing defeat. If it werent for a tactical cock-up by the pursuers in the final kilometre, Van der Poel would have been reeled in and smacked with a confidence-crushing loss.At five kilometres from the finish, I ran out of steam, Van der Poel explained at the finish. At first, I still had a reasonably good feeling about it [the solo effort], but I know how difficult that course is to ride alone. I thought I wasnt going to be able to hold on, I was done. In the end, I made it, but it cost blood, sweat, and tears. It is one of the victories that hurt the most.Intriguingly, Van der Poels Strava data from the race shows that he scored a best 90-minute power effort during the races final phase, averaging 446 watts. This is explained perhaps by a strong headwind, but it may also show that the gap to the challengers is closing. That should come as good news for the likes of Decathlon, Red Bull and Visma.While the wattage might be at a career best, this isnt the Van der Poel of the past two seasons. During those years, Van der Poels E3 attacks were clearly unmatched by the chasers, leading to winning margins of well over a minute in both editions. This, compounded with his Milan-San Remo disappointment, should raise some questions ahead of the Tour of Flanders on Sunday.Per Strand Hagenes confirms his Classics promiseXavier PereyronPer Strand Hagenes has been on the radar of many for a few years now. A Norwegian Classics prodigy, he won the junior World Championships Road Race in Belgium in 2021 and made a big splash at the Renewi Tour in 2024 when he finished on the final GC podium.On Friday, he managed to pick up his first podium in a WorldTour one-day race at the E3 Saxo Classic. He looked one of the strongest pursuers on the cobbled bergs, bettering his teammates Wout van Aert and Christophe Laporte on the day. Hed co-operate in the chasing group that almost made the junction, but hed ultimately win the sprint for second after failing to contribute one final pull.This result has been a long-time coming for the 22-year-old from Norway. He was strong earlier in the month at Le Samyn and GP Denain, but tactical immaturity would cost him the victory at the latter. To some extent, that lack of experience was highlighted at E3. However its clear that he has the talent to play a key role in future Classics.After an off-season spent shedding bucket loads of Classics specialists, Strand Hageness breakthrough should be a welcome sign for Visma-Lease a Bike. He can start to fill the spot left behind by Tiesj Benoot as a key helper in the Classics. When youre up against a full-flight UAE Team Emirates XRG, teammates like him will be greatly appreciated.Wout van Aert is backFlanders ClassicsWhile Strand Hagenes stole Vismas limelight at E3, Wout van Aert rolled back the years on Sunday to deliver a 2020-like performance at In Flanders Fields. This comes after a month of refinding his feet, with a podium finish at Milan-San Remo the clear highlight.On Sunday, Van Aert looked great on the cobbled hills, matching Van der Poels moves, even after a mechanical issue over one of the key bumps. On the final ascent of the Kemmelberg, Van Aert was glued to the Dutchman, which was impressive given his lack of spark during the past two Classics campaigns. The two were later reeled in, but it shows that Van Aert cant be discounted just yet. Hes still got that attacking spirit of old, and hes clearly got the fitness to follow the usually unmatchable Van der Poel moves.Knowing that, he may end up being a bigger player in the Tour of Flanders than we thought. Van der Poel will need to find some extra wattage if hes looking to drop Van Aert and block his rival from claiming a first title in Oudenaarde. Given his current shape, I dont think Van der Poel can afford to tow his Belgian enemy to a sprint.FDJ United-Suez in flying form ahead of Vollerings Flanders bidFlanders ClassicOne notable absence at the womens In Flanders Fields was Demi Vollering, who decided to take a Pogaar-like approach to the Ronde despite a victory during the Classics opening weekend at Omloop Nieuwsblad. Regardless, FDJ United-Suez managed to pull some big positives from Sundays race.Teammate Elise Chabbey made the key selection over the cobbled climbs, guiding her to a fourth place finish in Wevelgem. With that, Im starting to believe that Chabbey could be the person to make the difference for Demi Vollering when she takes on the Tour of Flanders this weekend.The Swiss rider has finished in the top ten of both Flanders and Roubaix in the past, so shes got what it takes to be in the mix on these kinds of profiles. She has always been a good one-day rider, but this is the best weve ever seen her. Of course, her win at Strade Bianche earlier in the month shows this, particularly when pitted against the likes of Elisa Longo Borghini and Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney. However, a fourth place at In Flanders Fields further proves her current form. While SD Worx-Protime and Lidl-Trek look stunted on a team front, FDJ United-Suez look in great shape and thats before we even start to praise winter signing Franziska Koch. Lotte Kopecky might be back to top speed, but the French team are firing on all cylinders, and now have Vollering back from a two-week altitude camp in Tenerife.Fleur Moors: Lidl-Treks new talentLidl-TrekThe Classics havent been great for Lidl-Treks teams. The mens squad have been struggling as Mads Pedersen recovers from injury, and the womens team have looked weak since the beginning of the one-day calendar. Elisa Balsamo has been off the boil, and the likes of Anna Henderson and Emma Norsgaard are MIA.To change the teams fortunes, enter Fleur Moors. At the age of just 20, Moors is a graduate of the cyclocross school of Classics racing. So by channelling her inner Van der Poel, she was able to turn it up a gear and hold onto the lead group over the Kemmelberg, dropping the likes of Balsamo, Millie Couzens, Sharie Bossuyt and Charlotte Kool.Having made the final selection of five, Moors played a good tactical game. While many of her competitors attacked, she was fixed to the wheel of Lorena Wiebes. This placed her in a great position in the sprint, having sucked the Dutchwomans slipstream for the preceding 3km. Beating the three-time winner, on the other hand, is almost impossible, but Moors came damn close in second.Lidl-Trek were in need of a big result this spring, and they finally have it. I dont think its too early to declare that Moors is a real talent, so itll be interesting to see how the youngster fares at the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix over the next fortnight. No pressure, she has plenty more years to come.Tobias Lund Andresen can contest the ClassicsFlanders ClassicsIn the absence of Olav Kooij this season, Denmarks Tobias Lund Andresen has been holding down the fort at Decathlon-CMA CGM. Not only has he been filling his Dutch teammates shoes, hes been delivering big result after big result. At this rate, Kooij shouldnt bother getting back on the bike, because Lund has got the squad covered.The 23-year-old Dane has finished a huge spread of Classics within the top ten this year, including Omloop Nieuwsblad, E3 Saxo Classic and a runner-up spot at In Flanders Fields. All in all, that makes him one of the most consistent Classics riders of the year, especially once we throw Mathieu van der Poel out of the equation.The final results are perhaps swayed in Lunds favour given his strong sprint, but it should be noted just how strong hes been on the decisive climbs at these big races. At In Flanders Fields, for instance, he was within the top six or seven riders up the Kemmelberg, which is impressive for a man considered to be a pure sprinter.Before this year, I saw Lund as just a sprinter. However, hes constantly proving that hes something more than that. Hes won hilly sprints and podiumed cobbled Classics this year. As part of Decathlons beefed-up Classics roster, I could really see him as a key player in the Classics to come over the next few years.Tadej Pogaars Paris-Roubaix bid looks more promisingXavier PereyronA faltering Mathieu van der Poel is great news for Tadej Pogaar. Weve seen that hes already got what it takes to crack Van der Poel at Flanders. But now it looks as though the gap is certainly closed between the two as far as Paris-Roubaix is concerned.Before the Slovenians crash on the cobbles during last years edition, Pogaar looked on equal pegging to Van der Poel on the French pav. Any let-up in form this time around, therefore, will be crucial.Pogaar is in great form, as we saw at Strade Bianche and Milan-San Remo. We dont know if the crash at the Primavera has had any effect on his fitness, but his recent Instagram posts seem to suggest not. Van der Poel, on the other hand, is the one with question marks. In comparison to last year, he looks weaker, as displayed this weekend and at Milan-San Remo.In that case, the pendulum swings in Pogaars favour.Fostering this boost in confidence is also some training and tech insights. This week Pogaar posted an image on the Arenberg Trench aboard Colnagos aero Y1Rs instead of the V4Rs used at last years edition. The tyres he was sporting there were very much on the chunky side. On close inspection, it looks as though hes specced the bike with 34mm or 35mm tyres, which is almost the maximum width possible on the Y1Rs.Pogaar is dialled in. Beware.The post Is Van der Poel running out of steam: 7 takeaways from E3 and In Flanders Fields 2026 appeared first on Cyclist.

Cyclist7 talking points from the Volta a CatalunyaJonas Vingegaard doubled down on his excellent early season form at last weeks Volta a Catalunya, romped to the overall win ahead of Bahrain Victoriouss Lenny Martinez by 1min 22sec, with last years Tour de France white jersey Florian Lipowitz finding some of that form a further eight seconds back. Aside from the entertaining racing and weather interruptions, there was plenty to take away from the seven stages, including Lipowitz finishing ahead of new teammate Remco Evenepoel, Tom Pidcocks crash, and Dorian Godons sprint success for Ineos Grenadiers.Jonas Vingegaard looking strong ahead of Giro dItalia debutVisma-Lease a BikeJonas Vinegegaard is leading the way as he charges towards the Giro dItalia. Vingegaard, who breezed to overall victory at the Volta a Catalunya with two stage wins in the mountains, barely facing any serious competition across the seven days. Hes now two-for-two in stage races this season after dominating Paris-Nice too.It bodes well for the Visma leader as he eyes the maglia rosa. If he succeeds, hell join the elite club of riders to have won all three Grand Tours. Given his superior level so far this season, its a shame that he wont face off against Tadej Pogaar prior to the Tour de France to really gauge whether Vingegaard can make the Tour competitive this summer. Although is it better to build the tension for the seasons biggest test?Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll. Related Posts Pro Log: Nairo Quintana to retire; Debora Silvestri injury update; Chris Froomes new job is in AI Top 10 transfers to follow in the 2026 pro cycling season Cycling Spring Classics 2026: Race dates, Monuments, cobbles and live TV guide Giro d'Italia 2026 to have Bulgaria start, Passo Giau Queen Stage and a lot less climbing: Full route breakdown Remco Evenepoel usurped in Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe hierarchyMaximilian Fries / Red Bull Content PoolIt was not the best of weeks for Remco Evenepoel. He did make it to the start line despite almost getting stuck on Tenerife, immediately sprinted to second on the opening stage but crashed on a crack in the road in the Stage 3 finale after ripping the peloton minus Vingegaard apart, allowing the sprinters to take over and battle for the days honours. Stage 5 did the biggest damage to his GC aspirations as teammate Florian Lipowitz followed a move from Decathlon-CMA CGMs Felix Gall before Vingegaard then attacked with 7km remaining, eventually distancing the field a kilometre later. Evenepoel looked to ride at his own pace however the gap stretched until he sat over a minute and a half in arrears.Even though he started the year hot in Mallorca and Valenciana, the first proper tests in the UAE Tour and Volta a Catalunya have been less than ideal. Evenepoels main goal this season is the Tour de France and hell be riding alongside Lipowitz there too, so it was a positive for Red Bull that at least one of them is finding his climbing legs. The dynamic between the pair will certainly be an interesting one to follow.More injuries for UAE Team Emirates XRGNot our day at #VoltaCatalunya105, but @JooAlmeida98 fought his way back to the peloton after the crash and gave everything to the line. Fora Joo #WeAreUAE pic.twitter.com/zmpAZzoMMP @UAE-TeamEmirates (@TeamEmiratesUAE) March 27, 2026 More riders are joining the injured list for UAE Team Emirates XRG. Jay Vine hit the ground hard on Stage 3 and abandoned, Catalunya being his first race back after fracturing his wrist in that kangaroo crash at the Tour Down Under. Teammate Ivo Oliveira was involved in the same crash and able to carry on before pulling out prior to Stage 4.Team leader Joo Almeida was another to tumble, coming down on Stage 5 while being unable to really leave any mark on the race. He admitted to not knowing why he didnt feel too great and that he would conduct some tests with the medical team, perhaps a worrying sign for UAE prior to his leadership role at the Giro.Tim Wellens and Jan Christen are still out of action. Wellens sustained a broken collarbone at Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne while Christen suffered the same injury at Milan-San Remo. Jhonatan Narvez has not raced since his crash at the Tour Down Under either having fractured several vertebrae.Movers and shakers: Lenny Martinez, Valentin Paret-Peintre, Felix GallLuis Angel Gomez/SprintCyclingAgencyLenny Martinez has been putting together a strong season. The 22-year-old claimed a couple of podiums in French one-day races to kick off 2026 before racing to a stage win and fifth place overall at Paris-Nice. He only got stronger throughout Catalunya, hoisting himself up the GC to finish second overall. Soudal-QuickSteps Valentin Paret-Peintre burst into life with a second place on a stage in the mountains at Paris-Nice and was very active in the breakaway a few days later. Like Martinez, he too improved his GC standings at Catalunya as the gradient increased, with fifth on the Coll de Pal and fourth in Queralt to end fourth overall, 13 seconds off the podium. Its a good time to be French.Things were looking good for Felix Gall of Decathlon-CMA CGM on the Coll de Pall, with his second place taking him into second overall behind Vingegaard, however he slipped down to sixth on the roads to Queralt with some descending struggles.Dorian Godon shines for Ineos GrenadiersSzymon Gruchalski/Getty ImagesDorian Godon moved from Decathlon to Ineos Grenadiers over the winter and has been a revelation for the team.The French National Champion Godon saw off a close challenge from Evenepoel to win the opening stage and take the leaders jersey before winning again two days later and just missing out on the win on the final day in Barcelona. He is leading Ineoss sprinting hierarchy at the moment as the rejuvenated team rack up the victories, with 14 already this season, just three behind UAE Team Emirates. Godon has three individual wins to his name this year as well as one team time-trial, and will take huge confidence from this race with a big summer ahead at the Tour de France.Tom Pidcock has a scary crash while descendingSzymon Gruchalski/Getty ImagesTom Pidcock suffered a horror crash into a ravine on Stage 5, while not caught by the TV cameras he said he was drinking on the descent, misjudged a corner and came off the road, admitting I was lucky I could talk on the radio. I was far from the road and nobody knew I was there.Although he managed to finish the stage, after evaluation he was confirmed to have sustained a number of knee and wrist injuries. He had been riding well with podiums on Stage 1 and Stage 4 off the back of his breakthrough Milan-San Remo performance, and was scheduled to make a run at the Ardennes Classics in April, but that looks ambitious now.Giulio Ciccone back to what he does bestLidl-TrekLidl-Treks signings of Juan Ayuso and Derek Gee-West mean some of the GC pressure has been removed from the shoulders of Giulio Ciccone. This allows the Italian to revert to what he does best: explosive breakaways, winning mountains classifications and throwing his sunglasses.Now he hasnt done any of the sunglasses throwing just yet, but he went on the offensive on back-to-back days for Stage 5 and Stage 6. He was out of the running in terms of GC, but would end the race on top of the mountains classification.The post 7 talking points from the Volta a Catalunya appeared first on Cyclist.

CyclistIn The Drops: Tour de France book, Pas Normal cycling trousers, smart Sunski shades, trendy Chrome sling and NomadlandIts been almost a full five days without our web leader Will Strickson and yet somehow were still struggling on. The classics are here, the sun is out, and hes missing it all doing whatever it is you do in the icy big apple.Depending on when you log on today, the E3 Saxo Bank race may well have already kicked off. Coverage starts at 12:50 on HBO Max/3pm UK time on TV and Robyn has all the information you need right here. Robyn also shared news of Nairo Quintanas retirement and Chris Froomes new hustle in Pro Log.If youre after some more timeless content, our tech editor Sam Challis has written a full history of the BMC Teammachine, and the icon it has become. Sams review of Shimanos new gravel groupset GRX GX827 is now on the website too.If its kit youre thinking about, then weve had a huge tranche of reviews drop in this week. From gilets to baselayers, a good place to start is Assos new springtime base layer or Sportfuls Fiandre Pro gilet. Talking of kit, deputy editor James Spender has had Castelli and Sportfuls global manager Steve Smith on the podcast to talk all things apparel.Otherwise, youre stuck with me and my drops.We Rode All Night bookAnother of Gareth Cartmans cycling books, We Rode All Day, was a fictionalised account of the 1919 Tour de France. With artistic license, Cartman recounted the experience of a brutal tour from the minds and mouths of the participating riders.We Rode All Night is the story of the 1926 Tour de France, again from the perspective of the riders. Their task is to complete the 5,745km race (the 2025 Tour was just 3,320km) without expiring; easier said than done when the Pyrenees are disappearing into a fog peppered with thunder and lightning.Organiser Henri Desgrange, the man with the power to mount rescue operations or simply do nothing, is thrust into the spotlight. Cartman unwinds spools of narrative, uncovering failing marriages, grieving domestiques and struggling champions, all under the umbrella of this one brutal race.Pre-order now from Pitch Publishing (14.99)Sunski Bernina GlassesSometimes full-fat cycling glasses arent whats required. For those days when youre maybe commuting in the morning but will need some civilian shades at lunch time, glasses that cover both bases like the Sunski Berninas, are far more appropriate.Firstly, the lenses are great. The CR-39 polycarbonate lenses are polarised with 100% UVA and UVB protection, meaning the field of vision is clear, sharp and safe.For additional sun protection, there are perforated sidewings built into the outer edge of each frame, meaning your peripheral vision gets a genuine block of shade exactly where it needs it. (Think a dialled-down version of glacier glasses from early arctic explorer photographs.)The other materials used feel refined and sturdy, from the tortoise-shell recycled plastic through to the electroplated stainless steel arms and nose bridge. Handily for a klutz like me, Sunskis warranty runs for as long as you own the glasses. If they break under normal use, you will get a replacement, or theyll be fixed.Buy now from Wild Bounds (97.95)Pas Normal Studios Off-Race Tech PantsIve flogged the life out of my previous commuter-friendly cycling trousers to the point where theyre neither waterproof, quick-drying, or remotely snug around the waistband so the launch of these Off-Race trousers from Pas Normal Studios comes at just the right time. PNS says the trousers are designed for spring and early summer which makes sense as the nylon and spandex material, which is both brushable and textured, sort of like a sturdy version of crepe paper, is thin and not insulated.Because of this, Ive found them to be nicely breathable on the commute though Pas says dont expect much waterproofing beyond the DWR added to the coating. The elasticated drawstrings at each ankle are really useful for keeping material away from the drivetrain and there are two zipped valuables pocket that I use constantly.And yes, they are Pas Normal, so theres a decent sprinkling of Gen-Z trendy baked into the general fit template. Im normally a large (and XL in PNS on-bike kit) but these are a medium and still a little on the loose side. So, make of that what you will. Buy now from Pas Normal Studios (195)Chrome Industries Kadet slingChrome Industries has a bag for more or less every occasion. The courier-adjacent design of the Kadet model has most bases covered if youre looking to transport small cargo while on the bike or running. This isnt the totally waterproof edition locate the Kadet WP for that feature but its super durable and features the signature buckle so that you know its a Chrome youre wearing. The Kadet comes in three different sizes, 5L, 15L and 9L (pictured) and slings super securely over one shoulder, courtesy of an additional interlocking strap.As well as a wire-reinforced ripstop material to enhance durability, there are also specific cycling-friendly design features like the padded D-lock holster, built-in bottle opener (essential) and reflective detailing. The dimensions allow for a 7 tablet to be stored, while the 9L volume means it can carry a load of essentials at once.Plus, it looks very fetching in this dirty pinky mauvey colourway. Because its Chrome, you benefit from its excellent reputation for making hard-wearing and long-lasting gear. Theres a lifetime guarantee and I think they actually match the trousers. Well I never.Buy now from Chrome Industries (100)What were into this week: NomadlandOne of the things people tend not to mention about becoming a parent (for the second time in this case) is quite how much reading its possible to get done. With a small human strapped to your body, no possibility of sitting down and absolute silence required, a book or magazine is the way to go.Having rewatched the film recently, I decided to dig a little deeper and pick up a second-hand copy of the non-fiction masterpiece the film is based on. And boy am I glad I did. Where the film clearly at the behest of Amazon- skims over some of the grimmer elements of this modern nomadic lifestyle that relies so oddly on the very heart of the corporate machine, the book lays everything bare.Excoriating polemics about the hateful impact of Amazon on almost every element of our capitalist society. Miles and miles and miles of tat in warehouses, none of which will last more than a month, inevitably ending up in landfill, is just one of the powerful images passed down by the people who pack those boxes up close.The film is nice, the cinematography is pretty, and the use of the actual characters in the book as actors is inspired. But if the film is a keyhole, the book is the door. Go on and push it open.Buy Nomadland from The Guardian Books (8.99)The post In The Drops: Tour de France book, Pas Normal cycling trousers, smart Sunski shades, trendy Chrome sling and Nomadland appeared first on Cyclist.

CyclistRoval extends its deep front/shallow rear rim design to gravel with the new Terra Aero CLX wheelsetRoval has launched two new gravel wheelsets. The Terra Aero CLX transports the deeper front/shallower rear design seen in Rovals Rapide III road wheels to gravel, while the Terra CLX III is its lightest ever gravel wheelset at 1,079g.It says that its new wheels are designed to provide aero efficiency and terrain compliance at the faster speeds now seen in elite gravel races. It targets the Terra Aero CLX at gravel riders looking for maximum aero gains in exposed conditions, while the Terra CLX III is designed to offer compliance and low weight for climbing and technical descents.Truncated aerofoil shapesThe Terra Aero CLX wheelset has a 1,340g claimed weight. The 640g front wheel has a 50mm depth, while the 700g rear is 45mm deep. When it launched the Rapide III road wheelset, Roval claimed that, since the majority of the aero gains from a deeper wheel occur at the front, the deeper front/shallower rear design reaped most of the available aero gains, while reducing the wheelsets weight and rotating mass.Rather than the smoothly curved profile normally seen on the best gravel bike wheels, the new Terra Aero CLX front wheel has a truncated, cut-off profile. Roval claims its new design is up to 5.84 watts faster than its previous generation Terra CLX II wheelset at 40km/h with a Specialized Tracer 45 tyre fitted. It reports the largest gains at 5 to 12 degree yaw angles, which it says are typical in gravel races.The truncated shape is claimed by Roval to have the aero characteristics of a 70mm deep front wheel. Its simulations took into account the need for stable handling at lower speeds when fitted with wider and hence taller tyres with a tread and in gustier winds than road tyres. It also modelled the whole bike, using a Specialized Crux, not just the wheel, before taking prototypes to Specializeds own wind tunnel for testing.As with its premium road wheels, Roval has switched from steel to Arris carbon spokes to reduce weight by a claimed 96.6g and increase wheel stiffness. It says that the thinner spoke profile than steel spokes also contributes between 0.3 and 0.5 watts of aero benefits.The rim width has increased too, with a 27mm internal, 38.5mm external width thats suitable for gravel tyres from 35mm to 60mm wide. Roval claims that the wider rim helps smooth the tyre-to-rim interface and avoid flow separation.Another technology ported over from Rovals road wheels is its FlatStop bead hooks, which help avoid pinch flats. Theyre 5.38mm wide and, Roval claims, require 91% more impact energy than the older Terra II wheels to induce a pinch flat.The Roval Terra Aero CLX wheels are priced at 1,299 / 1,499 front and 1,699 / 1,999 rear. Related Posts Best gravel bike wheels 2026 Best gravel race bikes 2026 reviewed The best gravel bikes 2026 reviewed Best gravel bike tyres 2026 and how to choose the right ones Terra CLX III has low weight and increased complianceThe Terra CLX III wheelset, meanwhile, has a 1,079g claimed weight with valves and tape and a 27mm depth front and rear.Roval says its its lightest gravel wheelset ever.It says its actually reduced the wheels lateral stiffness by 22% for increased compliance, better control on awkward surfaces and reduced rider fatigue, although the wheels use the same composite spokes as the Aero wheels.The FlatStop bead hook is a little narrower than for the Aero wheels at 4.86mm and, while the internal width is the same 27mm, the outer width is 38mm.The Roval Terra CLX III wheels are priced at 1,149 / 1,299 front and 1,599 / 1,899 rear.The post Roval extends its deep front/shallow rear rim design to gravel with the new Terra Aero CLX wheelset appeared first on Cyclist.

CyclistE3 Saxo Bank Classic 2026 preview: Route, favourites, how to watch and start listThe E3 Saxo Bank Classic will take place on Friday 27th March 2026. The race formerly known as E3 Harelbeke is regarded as The little Tour of Flanders due to its shared climbs with the Ronde van Vlaanderen route, including the Paterberg and Oude Kwaremont. The one-day cobbled classic hits after Milan-San Remo and tees up a run of action that includes In Flanders Fields from Middelkerke to Wevelgem, Dwars door Vlaanderen and Ronde van Vlaanderen.Tom Boonen has won here the most with a total of five victories, including a dominant stretch of four consecutive wins. LeiedalKoerse, the womens edition, ran in 2022 and 2023 until its cancellation.Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) won his second consecutive edition last year ahead of Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) and Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers). Van der Poel seems to have avoided a serious hand injury after his crash in Milan-San Remo so is fit to line up once again. This will only be Pedersens second race back following the early-season fractures to his wrist and collarbone.E3 Saxo Bank Classic 2026 key informationTim de Waele/Getty ImagesDate: Friday 27th March 2026Start: Harelbeke, BelgiumFinish: Harelbeke, BelgiumDistance: 208kmTV coverage: HBO Max, FloBikes, Sporza2025 winner: Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin Premier-Tech)E3 Saxo Bank Classic 2026 routeThe E3 Saxo Bank Classic has shaken things up for 2026. Organisers have added a double ascent of the Oude Kwaremont from a different direction and slotted in the E3-Col climb. At 1.2km in length, it brings an average gradient of 6% and will be undertaken twice, after 113km of racing and in the last 35km of the day.The first ascent of the Oude Kwaremont comes after 121km, just after the debut of E3-Col and will be scaled in an unused direction via Keuzelingstraat. The race heads over the likes of the Taainberg and Eikenberg before encountering the Paterberg and Oude Kwaremont duo in the final 42km. From there, its once again over the E3-Col as the last climb of the day of the Tiegemberg comes with 20km remaining. Related Posts Classic climb: Paterberg, the Tour of Flanders instant classic Classic climb: Oude Kwaremont, an institution of the Tour of Flanders Cycling Spring Classics 2026: Race dates, Monuments, cobbles and live TV guide E3 Saxo Bank Classic 2026 favouritesDavid Pintens/Belga Mag/AFPPrevious winner Van der Poel will be on the start line for the E3 Saxo Classic. Trying to knock him off the top spot and prevent a third straight win will be Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek), perhaps a hard ask in only his third race day this year. Former winner Wout van Aert will not be here for Visma-Lease a Bike, but Frenchman Christophe Laporte will be, having finished fourth at Omloop Nieuwsblad. If a rider goes clear, the last 20km will be a chance for the chasing bunch to reel them back in and force a bunch finish instead.Cyclists ratings:: Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech): Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek): Christophe Laporte (Visma-Lease a Bike), Jasper Stuyven (Soudal-QuickStep), Tobias Lund Andresen (Decathlon CMA CGM): Matteo Trentin (Tudor Pro Cycling), Florian Vermeersch (UAE Team Emirates XRG), Matej Mohori (Bahrain-Victorious), Kasper Asgreen (EF Education-EasyPost), Gianni Vermeersch (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), Tibor Del Grosso (Alpecin-Premier Tech): Laurence Pithie (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), Antnio Morgado (UAE Team Emirates XRG), Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno-X Mobility), Romain Grgoire (Groupama-FDJ United), Biniam Girmay (NSN Cycling), Ivn Garca Cortina (Movistar), Fred Wright (Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling)E3 Saxo Bank 2026: How to watchThe 2026 E3 Saxo Classic is available to watch in the UK and Ireland onHBO Sports after Discovery+/TNT Sports move to the platform on Thursday 26th March. More information on this coverage will be available soon. It is currently showing on TNT Sports 1 in the UK for television viewers.Elsewhere, its VTM and Eurosport in Belgium (and Eurosport throughout the rest of Europe), Max and FloBikes in the USA, FloBikes in Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and DirecTV in Latin America.If the E3 Saxo Classic isnt being broadcast in your country, or you are travelling abroad, a VPN will allow you to hide your devices location to access content that is normally geo-blocked.Read more:Which countries can watch cycling for free in 2026Read more:How to watch cycling for less in the UKE3 Saxo Bank 2026: UK TV timesAll times are GMT and subject to change by the broadcastersHBO Max: TBCTNT Sports 1: 15:00-16:45E3 Saxo Bank Classic 2026 start listData powered by FirstCycling.comE3 Saxo Bank Classic: Previous winners2025: Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck)2024: Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck)2023: Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma)2022: Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma)2021: Kasper Asgreen (Deceuninck-Quick-Step)2020: No race (COVID pandemic)2019: Zdenek tybar (Deceuninck-Quick-Step)2018: Niki Terpstra (Quick-Step Floors)2017: Greg van Avermaet (BMC Racing Team)2016: Micha Kwiatkowski (Team Sky)2015: Geraint Thomas (Team Sky)2014: Peter Sagan (Cannondale)2013: Fabian Cancellara (RadioShack-Leopard)2012: Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma-Quick-Step)2011: Fabian Cancellara (Leopard Trek)2010: Fabian Cancellara (Team Saxo Bank)2009: Filippo Pozzato (Team Katusha)2008: Kurt Asle Arvesen (Team CSC)2007: Tom Boonen (Quick-Step-Innergetic)2006: Tom Boonen (Quick-Step-Innergetic)2005: Tom Boonen (Quick-Step-Innergetic)2004: Tom Boonen (Quick-Step-Davitamon)2003: Steven de Jongh (Rabobank)2002: Dario Pieri (Alessio)2001: Andrei Tchmil (Lotto-Adecco)2000: Sergei Ivanov (Farm Frites)The post E3 Saxo Bank Classic 2026 preview: Route, favourites, how to watch and start list appeared first on Cyclist.

CyclistThe complete history of the BMC TeammachineThe BMC Teammachine has epitomised the lightweight race bike for the past 16 years. The latest version reviewed in the last issue of Cyclist continues the remit of maximum stiffness for minimum weight, constructed with the attention to detail youd expect of a Swiss company. But while the brief for the Teammachine hasnt altered over the decades, how the bike has been constructed very much has.To get the story behind the Teammachines development, Cyclist turned to BMCs head of R&D, Stefan Christ.Ive been at the company a long, long time now but to account for the Teammachines history in full, we have to go back to a time even before me, Christ says. The first Teammachine was the SLT 01, which came out in 2002 and was a direct result of businessman and cycling fanatic Andy Rihss investment.BMC already had a strong foothold as a mountain bike brand in Switzerland at that point, but business wasnt exactly booming internationally. Rihs took it over with a view to producing what he said would be the Porsche of race bikes. It was a shrewd plan, Rihss company, Phonak (which made hearing aids) already sponsored a road team, and now he could supply them with his own BMC bikes.Andys investment allowed us to manufacture our own road bikes, not in-house at that point but still in Switzerland by a company called Futec, says Christ.At the time, full carbon construction for race bikes had not been realised, so initially the Teammachine SLT 01 had an aluminium front triangle with carbon stays and a Mizuno carbon fork, before switching to carbon tubes, aluminium lugs and an Easton carbon fork a couple of years later.Maximising tube cross-sections and optimising load transfer on the connection points was the engineering principle behind those carbon-alloy composite frames, says Christ. The most visible and distinct design feature on those frames was the Crosslock, the seat tube cluster lug that connected the top tube to the seat tube in two places.Danny Bird / TapestryChrist says the Crosslock design helped to distribute forces better through this area, and a subtle nod to the feature was in evidence in later, all-carbon designs. Features such as this quickly helped make the Teammachine competitive with more established rivals, but before it truly hit its stride it was usurped at the pro level when BMC introduced the Promachine SLC 01 to sit alongside it.We launched the Promachine at the 2004 Tour de France, Christ says. It was BMCs first full carbon frame and included industry firsts such as full carbon dropouts and carbon headset bearing seats. It was our first frame under a kilo, so it stole the Teammachines spotlight for a good few years.Survival of the fittestBecause they were such different bikes in both looks and construction the Teammachine being lugged and the Promachine being all carbon BMC thought the two models could sit harmoniously in parallel, not unlike Colnagos V-series and C-series bikes today. However, as both bikes were lightweight racers BMC soon realised one impeded the success of the other. Ultimately, only one lightweight race bike could remain in the range.Having joined the company in 2006, by the late noughties Christ well and truly had his feet under the table at BMC and was in a position to help decide which way the call fell. The Teammachine came out on top by virtue of its greater heritage as the brands first race bike, and was reborn in 2010 as the Teammachine SLR 01, which combined the best bits of both models into one platform.By that point we had the Impec Lab, our in-house testing and production facility, which the SLR really benefitted from, says Christ. Id say that bike is really where the modern history of the Teammachine stems from; the SLR was that much different from the models before it.It introduced comfort as a third performance parameter BMCs Tuned Compliance Concept, which saw flex built into the carbon layup and features such as dropped seatstays, which of course are now ubiquitous on lightweight race bikes.By this time BMC had its own WorldTour team and had recruited proven rider Cadel Evans. Having won the World Championships Road Race the year before, Evanss first season with BMC Racing Team saw the new Teammachine stand out with a rainbow stripes colour scheme. Evans followed a strong first year with victory at the Tour de France in 2011.The next few years were a true purple patch for BMC. The team won a slew of races on the WorldTour and the BMC pro team signed another World Champion in Philippe Gilbert in 2012. As a result, the Teammachine built a reputation as a winners bike and its popularity soared.Danny Bird / TapestryUnderstandably, Christ sought to revise rather than revolutionise the next version in 2013. BMC exploited powerful computer modelling software to refine the carbon layup and tube architecture. Put simply, tube diameters got bigger and their wall thicknesses got thinner.The effect was dramatic, says Christ. Pedalling stiffness was up by 40% without adding any weight. That bike accelerated like a rocket.To prove the point, Greg Van Avermaet used the bike to win the 2016 Olympics Road Race in Rio, meaning the Teammachine got yet another attention-grabbing special paint scheme: bright gold.First to the punchThe late 2010s was a time of uncertainty in bike design as the widespread move to disc brakes began. BMC was one of the first to incorporate the technology without obvious compromises, launching the first disc-equipped Teammachine in 2017.Wed released the Roadmachine [BMCs endurance/all-road platform] with discs the year before, so knew it was possible to build them in by making the frame asymmetrical with respect to the disc callipers and the forces they put through the frame, says Christ.Each of the fork legs was shaped differently, as were the chainstays designs aimed at stopping the new braking system from dulling ride feel or greatly increasing weight.Discs quickly became standard on road race bikes, with models such as the Teammachine leading the way. To stay at the cutting edge, BMC was prompted to consider an attribute that until then was almost solely reserved for bikes not concerned with weight or ride quality: aerodynamics.We updated our modelling software to account for aero performance in the Teammachine design and incorporated learnings from our Timemachine aero road and time-trial bikes, says Christ. Teammachine SLR 01 version four came out in 2020. With clean cockpit integration plus small details such as narrower fork blades, integrated bottle cages and smoothed-over thru-axle threads, we could make it measurably faster.Danny Bird / TapestryIts telling that all those features, rare at the time, are now commonplace on rival bikes.That 2020 release instigated the longest tenure for a Teammachine model since the Promachine stole its thunder for a while during the noughties. The fifth-generation SLR 01 Cyclist reviewed last issue (and which is pictured here) was launched a full five years later, coming to market with relatively dramatic claims considering the models maturity: a frameset more than 200g lighter, and faster again.Christ says BMC was able to take another step forward with the Teammachine SLR 01 because, rather than resting on their laurels, his team had been working hard on Teammachine-adjacent projects, including a cost-no-object version of generation four called the Teammachine SLR 01 Mpc (short for Masterpiece), and a Teammachine R 01 aero bike produced in partnership with the Red Bull Formula 1 teams vehicle engineering division.The construction and aero experience from those projects was fed back into the Teammachine SLR 01 so it could be updated once more, says Christ.Considering BMCs lineup includes a more versatile bike for everyday riders in the Roadmachine and a faster bike for racers in the Teammachine R, its tempting to think the new Teammachine SLR 01 could face the same rivalry issues that the Teammachine of 20 years ago had with the Promachine. But Christ is confident.The Teammachine SLR is still the best lightweight racer we offer. Nothing else in our range rides like it, he says. The Teammachine will always be there. Its part of our identity. Related Posts The complete history of the Pinarello Dogma The complete history of the Specialized Tarmac The complete history of the Cannondale SuperSix Time teamWeaving the Teammachines rich tapestry2002: Teammachine SLT 01 introduced. Mostly aluminium front triangle with carbon stays and seatpost.2005: Teammachine SLT 01 moves to carbon tubes and aluminium junctions.2010: Teammachine SLR 01 released, the first full-carbon Teammachine that considers comfort alongside stiffness and weight.2010: World Champion Cadel Evans puts in a strong showing at the Giro dItalia, winning the points classification and coming fifth on GC.2011: Evans races the new Teammachine SLR 01 to victory at the Tour de France.2012: Philippe Gilbert wins the World Championships Road Race. The Teammachine gets another rainbow paintjob.2013: The second-generation Teammachine SLR 01 refines rather than revolutionises, becoming stiffer for the same weight thanks to computer modelling software.2016: Greg Van Avermaet wins gold in the Olympics Road Race in Rio. BMC celebrates by supplying him with a gold Teammachine SLR 01.2017: Greg Van Avermaet kicks off his season strongly, winning Gent-Wevelgem on a silver Teammachine. He switches to BMCs Gran Fondo RBX, for extra tyre clearance, to win Paris-Roubaix.2017: Teammachine SLR 01 gen three is one of the first race bikes to include disc brakes, plus it adds enough tyre clearance that Van Avermaet uses this at Paris-Roubaix from now on.2020: Version four of the Teammachine SLR 01 now considers aerodynamics alongside stiffness, weight and comfort, with BMC claiming its 6% faster than before.2022: Teammachine SLR 01 Mpc is introduced as a cost-no-object option. Stiffer and lighter than the regular frameset due to its monocoque construction, its made in Germany.2023: Aurlien Paret-Peintre wins Stage 4 of the Giro dItalia aboard the Teammachine SLR 01 Mpc.2024: BMC launches the Teammachine R, an aero-focussed alternative to the Teammachine SLR 01 that the brand says sits alongside the bike in the range.2025: Generation five of Teammachine SLR 01 underlines BMCs commitment to the platform, using the experience gained in making the Mpc and R bikes to make the bike lighter and faster than ever.The post The complete history of the BMC Teammachine appeared first on Cyclist.

CyclistPro Log: Nairo Quintana to retire; Debora Silvestri injury update; Chris Froomes new job is in AIWelcome back to another edition ofPro Log. Heres a rundown of the latest results before we get started:Volta a Catalunya, Stage 2, Tues 24th March: 1st Magnus Cort, Uno-X Mobility, 3h 45min 28sec; 2nd Noa Isidore, Decathlon CMA CGM Team, +00sec; 3rd Francesco Busatto, Alpecin-Premier Tech, +00sec.Volta a Catalunya, Stage 1, Mon 23rd March:1st Dorian Godon, Ineos Grenadiers, 4h 01min 09sec; 2nd Remco Evenepoel, Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, +00sec; 3rd Tom Pidcock, Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling, +00sec.GP Jean-Pierre Monser, Sun 22nd March:1st Dylan Groenewegen, Unibet Rose Rockets, 4h 09min 36sec; 2nd Simon Dehairs, Alpecin-Premier Tech, +00sec; 3rd Kamil Malecki, Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling, +00sec.Milano-San Remo Donne, Sat 21st March:1st Lotte Kopecky, SD Worx-Protime, 3h 47min 17sec; 2nd Noemi Regg, EF Education-Oatly, +00sec; 3rd Eleonora Gasparrini, UAE Team ADQ, +00sec.Milano-San Remo, Sat 21st March:1st Tadej Pogaar, UAE Team Emirates XRG, 6h 35min 49sec; 2nd Tom Pidcock, Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling, +00sec; 3rd Wout van Aert, Visma-Lease a Bike, +04sec.Nairo Quintana to retire at Vuelta a EspaaNairo Quintana will retire at the end of the 2026 Vuelta a Espaa. The Colombian, whose professional career spans almost two decades, revealed the news in a press conference prior to the Volta a Catalunya.The 36-year-old said, I learned that this wasnt just a sport. It was a way of life, lived step by step, without rushing the process. Then, in 2012, a new chapter began. From that point on race after race, victory after victory, my triumphs were not mine alone. They belonged to an entire continent. They belonged to the Colombian land, to every life, every climb, and every finish line crossed.He won the Tour de lAvenir in 2010 and developed into quite the thorn in the side of British squad Team Sky. His first individual Grand Tour stage win came in 2013 at the Tour de France, a race in which he would finish second behind Chris Froome and secure both the young rider and mountains classifications. A Trofeo Senza Fine awaited him in 2014 ahead of fellow Colombian Rigoberto Urn before a Vuelta victory in 2016, again sharing the podium with another countryman in Esteban Chaves. He has also triumphed in stage races like the Tour of Catalunya and Tour de Romandie.After an eight-year stint at Movistar, Quintana stepped down to ProTeam level with Arka-Samsic. Despite initially finishing sixth overall at the 2022 Tour de France, he was later disqualified after a positive Tramadol test. He did not serve a suspension as it was deemed to be an offence that fell under the UCIs Medical Rules rather than an anti-doping rule violation, but he left Arka-Samsic that season and spent a year without a professional team.He returned to Movistar for the 2024 season and raced in the Giro dItalia that same year. In Italy, he recored a second place finish behind Tadej Pogaar on the Mottolino and bagged two combativity awards. In 2026 so far, his best result is a seventh place on GC at the Tour of Oman.Debora Silvestri breaks multiple ribs in Milan-San Remo DonneParte mdico Debora Silvestri contina mostrando una evolucin clnica favorable, en lnea con la gravedad de las lesiones sufridas. Como consecuencia del fuerte traumatismo torcico, todava requiere soporte respiratorio por lo que el cuerpo mdico del equipo, junto a pic.twitter.com/2jog5xlPpO LABORALKutxaTeam (@LABORALkTeam) March 24, 2026 It was a scary sight as riders crashed on the descent of the Cipressa during Milan-San Remo Donne. The worst was Debora Silvestri for Laboral KutxaFundacin Euskadi, who fell over the guardrail and down onto the lower concrete road.Her team posted that the Italian rider was stable and in hospital, with Silvestri confirming the extent of her injuries.Sure, not the final I had imagined, she wrote on Instagram, I feel quite good, five ribs broken and a micro fracture on the shoulder could be worse.Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney (Canyon-SRAM Zondacrypto) and Kim Le Court-Pienaar (AG Insurance-Soudal) were also taken down in the crash. Le Court-Pienaar could be seen checking on Niewiadoma-Phinney at the side of the road, with both escaping serious injury.Chris Froomes new jobA.S.O/Thomas MaheuxChris Froome might not have released a statement yet on his retirement he hasnt raced since last August and is without a team for this season but there has been an update in his career. Froome, a four-time Tour de France winner, is now Chief Innovation Officer at Vekta.The company is an AI training platform. Its a similar route to Bradley Wiggins who hired out his likeness as one of six AI mentors for the Coachsters app. Related Posts Opinion: Tadej Pogaars Milan-San Remo victory is his finest win yet Pro Log: Cycling streaming moves to HBO Max in UK and Ireland; Wiggins is an AI coach now; Remco is red hot What is Chris Froome's legacy? Isaac del Toro is not at the E3 Saxo ClassicTim de Waele/Getty ImagesDespite the presence of Isaac del Toros name on the provisional start list for the E3 Saxo Classic, the UAE Team Emirates XRG rider will not be making his debut on the cobbles, reports Wielerflits. It was, in fact, a communication error instead.The race will take place on Friday 27th March with Omloop Nieuwsblad victor and defending champion Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) as the big favourite despite picking up a hand injury in the crash at Milan-San Remo.Volta a Catalunya updateVolta CatalunyaDorion Gordon was the favourite heading into the opener of the Volta a Catalunya and Ineos Grenadiers man won, yet not without a close challenge from Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohes Remco Evenepoel.Evenepoel, who almost didnt make the start after being trapped by snow in Tenerife, packed an equally fast finish to finish a whisker behind the Frenchman. Tom Pidcock (Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling) came home in third.As for Stage 2, Magnus Cort (Uno-X Mobility) won the sprint for his first victory in a year. See you next week.The post Pro Log: Nairo Quintana to retire; Debora Silvestri injury update; Chris Froomes new job is in AI appeared first on Cyclist.

CyclistOquo adds four carbon spoked wheelsets to its aero and performance rangesBasque wheel brand Oquo, a sister company to Orbea, has added four wheelsets with carbon spokes to its Road Aero and Road Performance wheelset ranges.Oquo claims that the replacement of the steel spokes in its LTD wheelsets which were launched last year with Vonoa aero carbon spokes increases the wheels torsional stiffness by 17%, as the spokes are stiffer and less prone to elongation under stress than steel. This, it says, leads to a more reactive wheel.Oquo/HarryTalbot It also reduces compliance, so Oquo has dropped the spoke count from 24 to 20 in each wheel. Its also re-engineered the carbon layup in the rim to add back compliance to compensate, while its used finite element analysis to reduce stress points in the rim section, ensure impact resistance and optimise load distribution.The wheelset weights have decreased by 6% on average, with the lightest Road Performance 45 LTD CS wheelset having a 1,223g claimed weight.Oquo also claims a 2 watt saving in drag for the carbon wheelsets in its wind tunnel testing thanks to the flatter spoke profile and lower spoke count, despite the rim sections remaining the same as its steel spoked LTD wheels.Four carbon spoked wheelset optionsOquo will offer four carbon spoked wheelsets, two in its Road Aero range and two in its Road Performance range.The deepest section RA80 LTD CS wheels are aimed at time trial and triathlon use, with an 80mm deep, 23mm internal width rim with mini-hooks and a 1,567g claimed wheelset weight.Oquo/HarryTalbot The RA57 LTD CS wheels have the same internal width and a claimed 1,373g wheelset weight. Oquo claims that the 23mm rim width offers optimal aerodynamics for 28mm and 30mm tyres.The Road Performance range includes the RP50 LTD CS with a 25mm internal width and 1,371g claimed weight, which Oquo says targets road, gravel and cobble use and can be used with tyres from 29mm up to 50mm width.Finally, the RP45 LTD CS is, at 1,223g, the lightest wheelset. It has a 21mm internal width, which Oquo says it has chosen firstly to keep weight low and also because its found that, in some markets, riders looking for low weight will want to run tyres narrower than 28mm, and these are better supported by the narrower rim.All four carbon spoked wheelsets are priced at 2,599 / $3,149 / 2,999. Related Posts Best aero wheels for road bikes 2026 reviewed DT Swiss launches its first wheels with carbon spokes Oquo launches premium LTD wheelset range with updated profiles and its own lightweight hubs Free customisationOquo/HarryTalbot The carbon spoked wheels turn on Oquos own Q10 hubs, which have been redesigned for the carbon spokes lower spoke count and to enhance the wheel geometry. Designed and built in its factory in the Basque Country, Oquo claims that their custom bearings and seals and a specially formulated low friction grease help to reduce friction. Theyre also designed for tool-free maintenance.Oquo points out that its one of the few wheel brands with its own in-house manufacturing and assembly, which it says gives it greater control over quality than outsourced manufacture. It has capacity to produce up to 1,500 wheels a day, although it says it aims for quality over volume with hand-assembly of all its wheels assisted by machine verification.Oquo/HarryTalbot It supplies wheels to the Lotto Intermarch pro team, which has been using the carbon spoked wheelsets in competition since Omloop Nieuwsblad in February. Its RP50 LTD CS will be used by its four sponsored gravel racers in the upcoming gravel races in Europe and the US.Since Oquo manufactures in-house there are free customisation options available for the wheels rims, logos and logo colours. Oquo offers a lifetime warranty and a three year damage replacement programme.The post Oquo adds four carbon spoked wheelsets to its aero and performance ranges appeared first on Cyclist.

CyclistZwift helps you to get out more and expands its Paris and gravel worldsZwift has announced its enhancements for the coming season, with a new gravel map, Montmartre added to its Paris map and more data fields and planning capability.If you spend too much time searching for what to ride and not enough time actually riding, Zwift will help, as it now recommends a Next Up activity in the Zwift companion app. Its recommendation is based on your preferred activity tyres and your recent ride history, but you can change your preferences if you dont like Zwifts first choice.Plus, if you reckon you need to get out more, Zwift will also recommend an outdoor workout to take advantage of the increasing daylight north of the equator. Its got a camp running 6 April to 17 May with five workouts to help you transition to the great outdoors and during the summer there will be a series of indoor/outdoor challenges for riders with linked Garmin, Wahoo or Hammerhead bike computer accounts.Better planning, more levelsZwiftThe Zwift companion app has also been enhanced to allow you to plan a range of workouts and activities, along with routes and events up to a week in advance. It will sync in schedules from third party training apps too.ZwiftComing in May, youll be able to add up to four data fields to Zwifts workout screens, choosing from 13 metrics including cadence, core temperature and more.Meanwhile, if youve reached level 100 on Zwift, thats no longer the limit, so you can keep on levelling up to infinity and beyond. Related Posts Insider training: three leading indoor framesets compared Zwift Ride smart bike frame review Best indoor training apps and Zwift alternatives compared 2026 Best smart turbo trainers 2026 reviewed: Top Zwift compatible indoor trainers More gravel, more ParisZwiftIn early April, Zwift will be adding the event-only Gravel Mountain map to Watopia and will offer a four stage gravel racing series to experience the new routes. It reckons you should find yourself a new virtual gravel bike in its Drop Shop to ride there will be new bikes and wheelsets on offer.In July and August theres a Tour Fever Challenge to celebrate the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes. It will run on an expanded Paris map, which from 26 June will include the Montmartre climb thats now a feature of the final stage of the Tour..The post Zwift helps you to get out more and expands its Paris and gravel worlds appeared first on Cyclist.