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Thursday 12 January, 2023

WONDERFUL
WIEBES
WHAT NEXT FOR
THE WORLD’S MOST
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 STA R T LI N E 12 .01

I
n a few days’ time the Tour Down
Under returns as a fully fledged
WorldTour race for the first time
since 2020. Once again hundreds
34Tech to get excited about

of riders and staff from all round the

world will decamp to Adelaide, Australia,
to kick off the racing season and no doubt
get soundly beaten by the home riders all
absolutely flying thanks to a summer of
28 What next for Wiebes?

riding and lack of jet lag.

There’s a part of me that’s a little
surprised by its return, but the fact it’s
back demonstrates the robustness of
the racing calendar, and perhaps more
importantly the local demand for a good
bike race always being there.
Its return reminds me that it wasn’t
long ago that life, travel and sport were
still all affected by the pandemic. And
while it seems like a distant memory to
me, as I type this my body is fighting off
the most annoyingly persistent cold I’ve
ever suffered, leaving me wondering if I
should be a) wearing a face mask, keeping
my distance from people and washing my
hands to avoid infection, or b) trying to
catch as many bugs as possible to build up
my immune system.
One thing I have learnt over the last
Photos Andrew Sydenham, Getty Images

few years is how important it is to be fully

recovered before returning to exercise.
Time off the bike is always frustrating,
but at least soon I’ll have some bike racing
to watch.

SIMON RICHARDSON
Editor Benchmarks to build on
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,`

Choosing a line Belgian Thibau Nys (Baloise Trek Lions)

negotiates the sandy slopes of Zonhoven in the under-23 race
at the World Cup at the weekend. The youngster would win his
category by just eight seconds, but that was more than enough
to further cement his lead atop the World Cup standings
having won all three races so far this season.

Photo Getty Images

 Global backers
in talks over
new British
WorldTour team
Former Ribble-Weldtite management courting
interest in new project

G
lobal investors are in talks
with the management of the
now defunct British Ribble-
Weldtite team to build a new
squad capable of reaching WorldTour
level within a few years.
The British team’s former management,
Tom Timothy and Jack Rees, are in
discussions with multiple potential
investors in order to help them reach their
ambition of becoming the second UK
WorldTour outfit, alongside the highly
successful Ineos Greandiers, within the
next three years.
Speaking exclusively to Cycling
Weekly, former Ribble-Weldtite general
manager Timothy explained that they The right backing could see more
want fledgling set-up North East Pro British wheels in WorldTour races
Cycling to maintain strong British roots
with a new team, similar to the identity
they built with Ribble-Weldtite, but with “We have to talk to global partners
one eye to a future at the very top level,
something that the duo were unable to to reach a global scale”
achieve with their previous project.
“As a team, even from a decade ago we name in the background while we WorldTour and the Continental level that
always tried to build an identity around negotiated sponsorship and new deals. Ribble-Weldtite were operating at, the
a place that is really important to us. It’s We’ve now resurrected it,” he added. “It ProTeam level is unsustainable long term.
also something that our sport has lacked gives us that identity and description “The level that we were previously
a little bit,” Timothy said. “If you look at from the start, people clearly see that operating on was great for British brands,
football, for example, it’s something that we are a UK-based team and it will help and helping British brands access a British
really helps to tie things into an area. frame all the conversations we’re having.” market. Then the top level is, of course,
“When we started out as a small Expanding on their new plans, Timothy great for a global performance level and
regional club, we always used the name explained that both himself and Rees feel exposure. Then that bit in the middle is
‘North East Pro Cycling’ as our holding that while there is a “gulf” between the really tricky,” Timothy pointed out.

6 | 12 January, 2023 | Cycling Weekly


“Effectively we saw that middle ground
as unsustainable, unless you’re a Belgian
or French team that has a calendar that
works within that [because a lot of the
racing is there].”
Timothy and Rees have been seeking
potential sponsors internationally in
the last few months. “We’re now having
conversations with a variety of large
global partners, and we’re looking at a
three- year programme through 2024,
’25, ’26 to reach the highest echelons of
the WorldTour,” Timothy said. “We’ve
always been a British team backed by
British brands, but as part of our push
to reach a global scale, this obviously
means that we’ll continue to talk to
global partners.
“Nothing is fully confirmed yet but we
have several interested partners from
various regions around the world.”
He added: “I think it’s fair to say that
we know British sport as a whole is
becoming more popular among global
investors. However, one of the things
that we want to make sure of is that any
investment or partners we work with are
beneficial to the sport as a whole. We see
Timothy and Rees are hoping to use
their Ribble experience to level up
cycling as a way of giving things back –
it’s more than just riding a bike.”
Aligning targets
Two years ago the pair met with sponsors
for similar talks but they did not progress
further because, Timothy explained, they
didn’t match those values.
He said: “We decided to decline their
offer, even though it would have been a
fairly large Middle Eastern investment.
“At the time, it just wasn’t right.
That’s why I’m saying that the global
partners we’re currently speaking to
need to align with us trying to build any
sort of sponsorship into wider societal
progress,” he added. “For example,
wherever the potential partners are, we’d
want to work with local cycling clubs and
build some community outreach so that
we can develop that.”
Timothy was quick to reiterate that
even if their grand plan comes off, their
new WorldTour team would still look
to participate in the British scene.
That includes being able to provide
young, talented British riders with the
Words Tom Thewlis Photos Getty Images
opportunity to develop their careers.
“Myself and Jack are very aware of the
demands of the domestic scene. Look at
the Lincoln Grand Prix for instance, a
fantastic race and extremely difficult to
win. Arguably just as difficult as maybe
a 1.1 race in Belgium or somewhere,”
he said. “We have the awareness that
actually the British scene has some great
riders in it, and people deserve their >>
Cycling Weekly | 12 January, 2023 | 7

opportunities. That’s something we’d love
to continue, helping British riders get the
most out of what they’re capable of.”
At the end of 2022, British Cycling
announced that the National Road Series
was to be cut back to just four major
races, therefore shrinking an already
small top flight UK domestic scene even
further. However, Timothy believes that a
new WorldTour team would help create a
buzz around British racing once more.
“That’s certainly what we would
be hoping for,”
Timothy said.
“Certainly similar
“We’d hope for a
to the buzz that similar buzz that
there was around
what was once there was around
Team Sky. We’ve
seen kids going Team Sky”
up to their riders
asking for autographs, and the team
engaging with people. They really worked
to bring the community in.
“It’s also worth stating that with the
British riders that we’d have, and as a
British-based team, we’d certainly be
trying to get the riders training on British
roads as well,” he added. “So we hope that
would tie into transport and the societal
side of things so that we help people
actually feel happy and safe to get out on
their bikes.”
8 | 12 January, 2023 | Cycling Weekly
A new British superteam could
bolster the domestic racing calendar
Rees and Timothy’s ambition,
however, faces one stumbling block. As
things stand, they have no riders under
contract or support staff, therefore
attracting large scale global interest is
a gargantuan task. This is something
which Rees does not see as a turn-off
to investors, and he believes that what
both he and Timothy are able to achieve
comes as a surprise to many.
“In terms of new investors, we have had
good previous interest before,” Rees told
CW. “I think we
have always been
transparent about
what we were
operating on and
what we are able
to achieve, which
comes as a real
surprise to many!”
Timothy concluded that he feels he
and Rees have a proven track record
of forming positive partnerships and
helping brands grow.
“We are really set on forming ethical
partnerships, particularly having seen the
fallout from things like British Cycling
partnering with Shell,” Timothy said.
“That’s why we will continue to talk to a
range of potential global partners, all with
the capability to take us to the WorldTour
within the next three years.”
TOM
THEWLIS
Staff writer
Jack Rees and Tom Timothy’s
ambition for a second British
WorldTour team within three years
is certainly attention-grabbing. It is
hard not to admire it.
Forming and developing another
British squad capable of reaching
the WorldTour within a small time
frame would create a huge buzz
around the British scene and could
rejuvenate it in a way which it
urgently requires.
Races are being cut back, and
we’re now down to just three
Continental teams. Bringing in
big investors would certainly
give British riders hope that the
WorldTour is more accessible and
wouldn’t necessitate a move to
Europe. However, whether they are
able to actually secure the type of
large-scale financial backing they
describe is another story.
As I put to Rees, why would
potential foreign investors care
about a team that doesn’t yet exist?
The selling points of the project are
high, but without a visible starting
block in place, whether they will
be able to achieve them is another
matter altogether.
There are other, arguably,
more concrete opportunities for
investment in cycling that would
seem to stand a greater chance of
succeeding. However, it is worth
remembering all the best and most
successful projects start from the
ground up.
It’s hard to imagine another
British team of the scale of
Ineos Grenadiers, but if Rees and
Timothy can pull this off, they may
just bring around a buzz in the
British scene capable of matching
2012 and all of the success that
brought with it.
 Brian Cookson slams
‘lack of leadership’ at
British Cycling
Former BC and UCI president says responsibility
lies with British Cycling chair Frank Slevin to pull
governing body from the doldrums in 2023
B
rian Cookson, the former
president of both British
Cycling and the Union
Cycliste Internationale, has
spoken out once more on the difficulties
faced by British Cycling last year.
At the end of a tough 2022 for the
UK sport’s governing body with a string
of controversies over trans rights, the
Queen’s funeral and its sponsorship
deal with Shell, it ended without a
permanent CEO after former boss
Brian Facer stepped down. To add to the
problems, caretaker boss Danielle Every
is also heading for the exit after taking a
sideways move to UK football refereeing
organisation PGMOL.
Writing in a blog post on his website
Cookson’s got harsh words
for BC’s top officials
10 | 12 January, 2023 | Cycling Weekly
last week, Cookson said BC has been
continually “damaged by outsiders” in
what he described as a “brain drain” and
“hollowing out of the organisation”.
Speaking to CW, Cookson added that
he still believes British Cycling’s biggest
issue is the lack of cycling knowledge
among its senior leadership team.
“If you look back at the whole process
that’s gone on since 2017 when Frank
Slevin was appointed, since the hollowing
out of the organisation which was started
by Julie Harrington, all of the things
that have come up have been damaging,”
Cookson said.
“It’s interesting when you think about
it, that the problems that were identified
were all problems within the Great
Britain Cycling team.
“Yet somehow, that’s been
converted into a clearing out either elected or appointed directly. Plus,
over the years of [the whole of the four remaining independent board
organisation], all the long- members, three were members of BC
standing expertise, the long- before joining the board.
serving staff members and the
people who very much knew From the top
about cycling and contributed to Cookson laid much of his criticism at the
it for so many years,” he added. foot of Slevin, saying leadership needed
“So I don’t really understand to come from the top of the organisation.
why there was the need for that He added: “I’ve never seen an interview
drastic clear-out and to replace with the chair, I see occasional
it all with people who have statements from him when he’s
perhaps not got that depth of hectoring the UCI, which is a massive
knowledge within the sport. It misunderstanding of how international
was clearly very unnecessary.” diplomacy works.”
However, seven of the 11 In his blog post, Cookson, who
members of the board were organises the Lancaster Grand Prix,

said that he still feels the current BC
leadership has “no empathy” with people
who make cycling happen. He added
there was “widespread demoralisation”
among volunteers and race organisers
nationwide as they have witnessed a
further reduction in events across all
cycling disciplines in recent months.
He said: “In my view, the continued
‘brain drain’ of the organisation has been
little short of disastrous, and the impact
is clearly beginning to show, for instance
in the dramatic fall in the number of
cycling events scheduled for 2023, which
I understand is 28% down on 2022,
across all disciplines.
“These events are largely organised
Cycling’s grassroots need tending to as
events look ever more thin on the ground
“The continued
‘brain drain’ has
been little short
of disastrous”
by volunteers in cycling clubs around
the country, and it is here where the
demoralisation of those people and their
commitment to British Cycling is most
obviously and seriously failing,” he said.
He added he believes the people
charged with maintaining the domestic
scene within British Cycling are
“massively under-resourced”.
“I don’t see any of that being acted
upon by the current board, it just doesn’t
seem to be a priority,” he said.
Cycling knowledge
Cookson explained that in order for BC
to begin the new year on the right footing,
and rectify what he sees as the damage
of the last 12 months, getting in the right
chief executive are critical in order to
then get solutions to other problems
affecting the organisation.
With membership numbers down,
partly due to a controversial sponsorship
deal with fossil fuel giant Shell, Cookson
says that bringing in a person with
cycling knowledge for the job is crucial to
getting members back on side, therefore
moving British Cycling forward in a
positive direction. In addition to this,
he believes that it is vital to the CEO
recruitment process this time around
that the senior leadership team does not
repeat its mistakes as it looks to find a
replacement for both Every and Facer.
“I think it’s down to the chair frankly.
I think the problem is that he [Facer]
was appointed to a position that really,
he wasn’t the right person for. What’s
exacerbated my concerns is that the
recruitment process to find his long-
term replacement seems to be in
danger of making the same mistakes,”
Cookson said.
“From what I’m hearing from
candidates who have already failed
to make the shortlisting process, the
person spec barely mentions cycling
at all, and some of these were pretty
good candidates who’ve got really good
knowledge and background in cycling,”
Words Tom Thewlis Photos David Hayward Photos, Getty Images
he added.
“I just wonder what sort of people
are now making the cut to get onto the
shortlist and into an interview.”
When contacted by Cycling Weekly,
British Cycling declined to comment
on Cookson’s latest comments and
pointed to the words of Slevin at the time
of Facer’s departure: “We remain fully
committed to the delivery of our ‘Lead
our sport, inspire our communities’
strategy, as we continue our work to
support and grow our sport and wider
activities, and provide our Great Britain
Cycling Team riders with the best
possible platform for success.”
Cycling Weekly | 12 January, 2023 | 11
 Rayner riders
revealed for 2023
Supported cyclists unveiled for coming season
T
he Rayner Foundation has
announced the names of the
24 riders it will support this
season. They include Ben
Askey, brother of WorldTour Lewis
Askey, and junior national road champion
Zac Walker, who will be riding in his first
senior year.
Thirteen of the riders will move to
teams in France, five in Spain, with others
finding places in Belgium, Switzerland
and Italy.
The Rayner Foundation, set up in 1994
in memory of popular pro rider Dave
Rayner, supports young riders as they
move abroad to pursue their careers, via
its Springboard scheme. The Foundation
celebrated its most successful year to
date in 2022, with two female and five
male riders finding WorldTour contracts.
These included Sam Watson to FDJ,
Oscar Onley to Team DSM and Josie
Nelson to Coop-Hitec Products.
However, there was disappointment
at a lack of suitable female candidates to
support in 2023, said the Foundation’s
Joscelyn Ryan: “It is all the more baffling
that this is happening at a time when
R AY N E R FO U N DAT I O N R I D E R S 2 0 23
Ben Askey (Groupama FDJ Continental)
Adam Bent (Eiser Hirumet)
Max Cushway (WB Fybolia)
Alfie George (Vendée U)
Alex Haines (GSC Blagnac Velosport 31)
Tyler Hannay (MastroMarco
Sensi Nibali)
Oliver Knight (AVC Aix)
Bjoern Koerdt (CC Etupes)
Owen Lightfoot (Previley
Maglia Conforma)
Logan Maclean (Ag2r Citroën U23)
Adam Mitchell (Team U Charente
Maritime)
Oscar Nilsson Julien (AVC Aix)
12 | 12 January, 2023 | Cycling Weekly
Ben Askey will be taking
the proven FDJ path
women’s professional cycling has never
been so healthy, with many opportunities
available to women riders. The Rayner
Foundation is therefore finding another
way to support young females.”
The Foundation’s Gateway scheme,
launched last year, supports women’s
and junior teams in funding trips to the
Continent to gain racing experience.
It will again run this season. “We hope
that by providing this support they can
gain the experience necessary to make a
career in the sport,” Ryan said.
Charlie Paige (Bourg en
Bresse Cyclisme)
Benjamin Peatfield (Vendée U)
Isaac Peatfield (VCU Schwenheim)
Tom Portsmouth (Bingoal
Pauwels Conti)
Max Rushby (Geofco Doltcini)
Oliver Stockwell (CT Friuli)
Louis Sutton (AVC Aix)
Lucas Towers (Caja Rural U23)
Callum Twelves (Fernando Barcelo)
Zac Walker (Tudor Pro
Cycling development)
Dylan Westley (Equipo Finisher)
Jamie Whitcher (Basso Team Flanders)
Mein lines up
CX title
defence
Thomas Mein fine-tuned his form
ahead of next weekend’s National
Cyclo-Cross Championships by
winning the final round of the
National Trophy Series in Kent.
The 23-year-old from Gateshead
took his second win of the season at
a muddy Cyclopark, a week out from
the defence of his national title.
Hope Factory Racing rider Mein,
who has spent large parts of his
season racing in Belgium, led from
the opening lap and built a winning
margin despite crashing on the
penultimate lap.
Under-23 rider Joseph Blackmore,
who finished third in last year’s
Nationals, led the chase behind in
the driving rain and took second
while Daniel Barnes (Spectra Wiggle
p/b Vitus) finished a further 1-18
behind in third.
After a consistent series which
included a race win and two further
podiums, Toby Barnes (Garden Shed
UK-Ribble) won the overall series.
“You never know what’s going to
happen next weekend so this has
finished my time as national champion
in a positive way,” said Mein.
Under-23 rider Millie Couzens
(Crelan-Fristads) also goes into next
week’s National Championships on
the back of a victory after winning
Words James Shrubsall, Snowdon Sports Photo Getty Images
the women’s event in Kent.
The 19-year-old started
quickly and built a comfortable
lead on the opening laps, and
despite Ella Maclean-Howell
(Hope Factory Racing) fighting back
in the second half Couzens held a
winning advantage of 29 seconds,
while Belgian Meg De Bruyne
finished third.
Alderney Baker (Team Empella
Cyclo-Cross.com) won both the
under-23 and elite women’s National
Trophy series overall.
 NEWS
Tour Down Under
KEY STAGE: Mount Lofty
Over the years, the Tour Down Under
has become synonymous with the
Willunga Hill climb. However, while
the race returns to the WorldTour
calendar this year, Willunga Hill
misses out.
Instead, race director Stuart
O’Grady has brought the fearsome
Mount Lofty into the fold and it
promises to provide a spectacular
finale to the 2023 race. Featuring an
average gradient of more than 7%,
with pitches up to 13.3%, the climb
promises to be decisive and will
almost certainly cause splits.
By the time Mount Lofty arrives,
the race leader may well look to
push on and take a stunning stage
win before being crowned the
overall winner.
14 | 12 January, 2023 | Cycling Weekly
PREVIEW
Adelaide, Australia
15 - 22 January
A
fter a two-year absence
from the calendar due to
the restrictions imposed by
the Covid-19 pandemic, the
Tour Down Under returns this January
and one of the home favourites, Jai
Hindley, can’t wait to get started.
“It’s going to be a great month
for Aussie racing over the summer.
Obviously we’ve got the Nationals, then
we’ve got Down Under, then the Cadel
[Evans] race. Then a couple of other
races around then too. Normally there’d
be the Sun Tour as well, although it’s
unfortunate that it’s not on this year,”
Hindley said. “So there’s a good month of
racing there which is going to be great for
the scene.”
Last year brought the Bora-Hansgrohe
man his greatest success on the bike to
date. Hindley landed a first-ever Grand
Tour victory at the Giro d’Italia and he
told CW that the Tour Down Under
will feel like a bit of a homecoming as
the Australian fans get to welcome their
Grand Tour winning star.
“Of course, there’s not that many races
over here in Oz, so having Down Under
back is really cool. It’s probably one of
the biggest weeks in the year for a lot
of the Aussie guys, you know, getting
to be back in that atmosphere and it’s a
 Sun-kissed ocean roads provide
the parcours for the WorldTour opener THE CONTENDERS
LUKE PLAPP
INEOS GRENADIERS
The newly crowned Australian national
road champion may well materialise
as being Ineos’s elected leader for the
Tour down Under, particularly if Ethan
Hayter and Geraint Thomas are still
some way off form.
Plapp is a respectable climber, and
strong on all other types of terrain.
BEN O’CONNOR
AG2R-CITROEN
Homegrown hope Ben O’Connor has
slightly more experience and GC know-
how compared to his fellow Aussie
Plapp. On his day, the Ag2r man is
undoubtedly one of the best climbers
on the men’s WorldTour and has stage
wins at both the Tour de France and
Giro d’Italia to his name. O’Connor
comes into the race as his French team’s
leader and possesses all the talents to
make a difference on the hillier stages
this year.
GEORGE BENNETT
UA E T E A M E M I R AT E S
Kiwi George Bennett is one of two
riders on UAE Team Emirates that
could threaten the top half of the GC
in Australia. After a lengthy spell with
Jumbo-Visma earlier in his career, the
32-year-old Bennett only gets a few
chances to ride for himself. Can he
take advantage?
GRACE BROWN
FDJ-SUEZ
Grace Brown recently finished second
to Brodie Chapman in the women’s
road race at the Australian national
championships, so will be in good form
for when the Tour Down Under gets
going. The 30-year-old had a highly
respectable 2022 which saw her secure
second overall at the Women’s Tour
as well as a stage win at the Ceratizit
Challenge by La Vuelta.
GEORGIA BAKER
T E A M J AYCO -A I U L A
A formidable rider on both the road
and track, Georgia Baker is a powerful
athlete capable of stamping her
authority on any race from day one.
While she may not possess the same
climbing ability as her fellow Australian,
Brown, the shorter, punchier climbs
on offer at the Tour Down Under
shouldn’t provide Baker with too
many problems.

STAG E S WO M E N
Stage Date Route Distance Terrain
1 Sun 15 Jan Glenelg - Aldinga 110.4 km Flat

2 Mon 16 Jan Birdwood - Uraidla 90 km Hilly

super-nice environment,” he said. “All
the Aussie fans descend on Adelaide and 3 Tues 17 Jan Adelaide - Campbelltown 93.2 km Hilly
get amongst it. It’s great for us riders,
but great for the fans too. You’ve got the STAG E S M E N
whole race based in one area, so it’s really
Stage Date Route Distance Terrain
accessible for the fans.”
Words Tom Thewlis Photos Getty Images

In the season’s curtain raiser, the Prologue Tues 17 Jan Adelaide-Adelaide 5.5km Flat
26-year-old explained that he is
1 Weds 18 Jan Tanunda - Tanunda 149.9 km Flat
predicting the unpredictable across the
five days of action in South Australia. 2 Thurs 19 Jan Brighton - Victor Harbour 154.8 km Hilly
“I think the course looks great and
I think there will be quite aggressive
3 Fri 20 Jan Norwood - Campbelltown 116.8km Hilly
racing. I’ve looked at all the stages, Port Willunga -
4 Sat 21 Jan 133.2 km Flat
they’re all actually quite short so I think Willunga Township
it’ll make for fun and aggressive racing,”
5 Sun 22 Jan Unley - Mount Lofty 112.5 km Hilly
Hindley said.

Cycling Weekly | 12 January, 2023 | 15

 NEWS

THE HUB
All the news you might have missed from the last seven days

WVA’s double cross

Wout van Aert won his second cyclo-cross World Cup race of the season
at Zonhoven at the weekend, beating big CX rival Mathieu van der Poel
into second place by a healthy 1.23min. The victory came off the back
of a win the day before in the Superprestige Gullegem, as van Aert
continues a fruitful cross season. The women’s elite race was won by
Shirin van Anrooij of Baloise-Trek Lions.

Van Aert took back-to-back

CX victories over the weekend
28%
That’s the monthly increase that Strava users
are looking at, as the popular social
media site reportedly prepares to
hike tariffs. The fee to access
premium features will rise
W BC streams from £6.99 to £8.99, with
National Champs the annual rate also going
British Cycling is to up from £47.99 to £54.99
stream the action from – a 14.5 per cent increase.
this weekend’s National The price hike gives a
Cyclo-cross Championships whole new meaning to
at Milnthorpe in Cumbria. the term ‘Strava inflation’,
The junior men’s (09:55) and which was previously
women’s (11:10) races, plus used to describe increases
the elite men’s (14:25) and in user numbers and
women’s (12:55) races – all segment speeds.
held on the Sunday – will be VeloVixen has been forced
available to watch on BC’s into liquidation
YouTube channel.
Words James Shrubsall Photos Getty Images, SWPix.com, Alamy
W Pridham receives
Tune into YouTube Bidlake prize
for the CX Nationals Lotto-Dstny DS Cherie
Pridham has been
awarded the 2022 F.T.
Bidlake Memorial Trust
prize “for being the first
British clothing brand goes under female sports director of
VeloVixen, a UK-based premium cycling apparel brand for women, has a men’s UCI WorldTour
been forced to enter liquidation after it admitted “feeling the pinch”. Team”. Pridham said: “To
In a statement shared on its website, the brand confirmed that it say I am honoured to
had entered liquidation and subsequently ceased trading. receive this prestigious
Based near Oxford, VeloVixen launched in 2012, riding the wave award is something of
of an increase in cycling’s popularity after the success of the London an understatement.”
Olympic Games. The Bidlake prize dates
back to 1934.

16 | 12 January, 2023 | Cycling Weekly


Will Pidcock’s season be a
monumental one?
What are your bold
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Tom Pidcock to win a Monument.
Andrew Crighton
I’m gonna say I won’t win any of the
Grand Tours this year. Robert Williams
Dare I say, Cav to finally find a team,
stay fit, get to the TdF, win a stage,
break the record. Ideally on the
Champs-Élysées, but I’m not fussy.
Stuart Hannan
One thing is certain, Primož Roglič will
crash this year! Manny Mislang
Remco wins the Giro, Pogačar the Tour,
and Roglič the Vuelta. James Tamburri
Ethan Hayter to win Milan-San Remo.
Yvonne West
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Cycling Weekly | 12 January, 2023| 19
 FE AT U R E

INSID

Tom Davidson goes behin

medal factory on Britis

22 | 12 January, 2023 | Cycling Weekly

E THE

nd the scenes of the new

sh Cycling’s doorstep

Cycling Weekly | 12 January, 2023 | 23

 FE AT U R E

I’ve come to Manchester for a tour.

tanding inside British Cycling’s new
wind tunnel, I’m immediately struck
by how cold it is. I had readied myself
for the force of the air, but as the
engines begin to whirr and the turbine
roars, an icy blast punches me in the
face. My fringe, still wet from the
Manchester rain, lifts off my forehead
and points skywards. To my left, a lady
scrambles to catch her lanyard, now
flapping from her neck towards the fan
at the back of the chamber.
The turbine spins to a halt. In front of
us, Ed Clancy, three-time Olympic gold
medallist turned test dummy, shivers as
he steps off his Lotus track bike. “Can
somebody pass me my jacket, please?”
he asks, rubbing his hands together for
warmth. We laugh and turn to fix our
dishevelled hairdos.
This wind tunnel
The nondescript warehouse that could
is British Cycling’s
raise the roof on GB’s Olympic performance
latest weapon in its
quest for marginal
gains. Valued at £1
million, the tunnel –
which used to be the
heart of the Boardman
Performance
Centre in Evesham,
Worcestershire – was
offered at a fire-sale
price by previous
owner, Halfords, and
Photos Andy Jones
My guide for the afternoon is Chris
Hebert, British Cycling’s senior
aerodynamicist and the only member of
staff qualified to run the wind tunnel.
The six or so of us walk along a corridor
and through a set of double doors. Here,
Hebert stops us. “No pictures,” he says.
Suddenly I feel like Charlie Bucket,
standing anxiously before the gates of
the chocolate factory.
Hebert, who has swapped a top
hat and cane for a branded polo shirt,
leads us into the first room. It’s a small
workshop. I recognise the belt sander
and milling machine from my tech
class at school. Where’s the glitz and
glamour, I wonder. Where are the giant
lollipops and chocolate river?
“The workshop is a critical part of
tunnel testing,” Hebert says. “You come
in with a bunch of parts that have been
designed and carefully crafted. And
then as you go, you’re like, ‘Well that
was crap. Oh, this was good.’ And you
combine things and redesign.
“Tunnel testing is expensive. You
want to make the most of every minute
that you’ve got in there.”
Going local
Efficiency, it turns out, is the operative
word. For years, Britain’s top cyclists Olympian who ran British Cycling’s
have travelled from their homes in research and development programme
Manchester down to Southampton to for almost a decade, says he travelled
use a satellite wind tunnel. a week every month to the south coast,
Chris Boardman, the former where he carried out some 20,000 tests.
When Boardman
left his post, he
wrote a list of 10
things to improve
the programme,
and left it on the
chief executive’s
desk. “Point number
one was buy a wind
tunnel,” he says, “it
will pay for itself in
five years.”
So passionate was
Boardman, who is here
to help with the tour,

was snapped up by the about wind tunnels

governing body for that he then went away
just £1. Less than my and built his own. In
bus fare there from 2018, he joined up
the train station. with Halfords to open

24 | 12 January, 2023 | Cycling Weekly

 THE HISTORY

Timeline
M AY 201 8
The wind tunnel, conceived
by Chris Boardman, opens as
part of Halfords’ Boardman
Performance Centre in Evesham,
Worcestershire. Sessions are open
to the public, starting at £195.

APRIL 2020
Less than two years after opening,
the Boardman Performance
Centre closes following a
“strategic review”. Boardman
says: “It is my hope that we can
find someone who is in a position
to take the centre on.”

JUNE 2021
Halfords donates its wind tunnel
to British Cycling as a “million-
pound gift”. The governing body
pays £1 to receive it.

Having a wind tunnel in BC’s Manchester HQ OCTOBER 2022

could be Team GB’s golden ticket in Paris British Cycling unveils its new wind
tunnel at the Manchester Institute
of Health and Performance.
the Boardman from the
Performance “It’s not always workshop into
Cycling Weekly is invited to the
ceremony, which takes place
Centre in
Evesham,
about kit, it’s a high-ceilinged
warehouse. In
inside an astro-turfed sports hall.

Worcestershire,
making
about knowledge.
tunnel testing It’s about
commercially
available to understanding”
the public.
“This was literally my tunnel,” he says
of British Cycling’s newest toy. When
the centre was closed down in 2020,
Halfords set out to find another home
for the state-of-the-art facility. That
place, it was decided, would be here –
the Manchester Institute for Health and
Performance – located on the eastern
outskirts of the city, a convenient
10-minute stroll from the National
Cycling Centre.
Moving it, Boardman explains, wasn’t
simple. “It was a nightmare. It’s like
moving a house,” he says. I can see why.
As my tour progresses, we amble
the middle is a
giant suspended
box of freshly
sanded wood,
held up by a
bulky steel
framework. We walk up some stairs
and into a control room, from which we
have a perfect side-on view of Clancy
on his bike.
In the coming months, hundreds of
British athletes will step inside this
chamber, many of whom wouldn’t have
been deemed worthy enough for a trip
to Southampton. “Once you have it
on your doorstep, you can feed riders
through here very, very efficiently,”
says Boardman. “The benefits from this
are not always what you might think.
It’s not always about kit, it’s about
knowledge. It’s about understanding.”
NOVEMBER 2022
The first members of the Great
Britain Cycling Team try out their
new toy. The women’s sprint team,
bronze medallists at the Track
World Championships, are the first
athletes on the schedule.
AUGUST 2023
The deadline for British Cycling to
register all equipment that will be
used at the 2024 Paris Olympics
with the UCI.
This feeling is echoed by
aerodynamicist Hebert. “The main
thing is about the athletes,” he says.
“Proximity to them, integrating it into
how they train, how they develop,
not just from a power production

Cycling Weekly | 12 January, 2023| 25

 FE AT U R E
point of view, but
holistically.
“They can keep
coming in and
refreshing, keep
incrementally Halfords helped make it happen
improving. It’s also
less disruptive
because it’s just down the road. It can
be an integral part of what they do, day
by day.”
GAI N WITH O UT PAI N
Dialling in
the sweetspot
Understanding how much
a person can gain from
wind-tunnel testing isn’t
straightforward. Beyond the
equipment, aerodynamicists have
to account for an individual’s
build, as well as how comfortable
and viable a certain position is.
Recalling his days as British
Cycling’s head of research and
development, Chris Boardman
says: “I think the first Olympic
cycle was an average 6%
improvement, which was just
unbelievable. It was taking people
from fourth to first.
“Alex Dowsett, we couldn’t do
much for him because he was
already really aero. Whereas
Victoria Pendleton got over 10%
[performance gain] at one point.”
Still, says former Olympic
champion Ed Clancy, there’s more
to it than just going “slippy”.
“I’m telling you now, we could
put you in a wind tunnel, sit you
on the top tube and do something
with your handlebars and we
could make you as aerodynamic
as a fish.
“But you won’t be able to pedal
fast, you won’t be able to go
round corners and you won’t be
able to see where you’re going.”
The trick, Clancy highlights,
is to look at it holistically. It’s not
a gain if it leaves you injured and
in agony.
26 | 12 January, 2023 | Cycling Weekly
Big pressure
For the first time,
athletes will be
able to do wind
tunnel testing in
the morning, before
heading over to the
track to trial what
they’ve learnt. The hope now is that,
the more the riders use the tunnel,
the more aware they’ll become of
the impacts of aerodynamics and
positioning on performance.
They haven’t got long to learn,
though. “There’s big pressure,” says
Hebert. British Cycling has until
August this year to register all of its
equipment with the UCI for use at the
Paris Olympics in 2024.
“This window is absolutely crucial,”
Hebert says, looking ahead to the next
seven months. “If we want to have
everything that we use submitted to
the UCI, we kind of need to know what
positions [the riders] are going to be in,
so that we can design bars and suits.
“But we’re not daunted by it. We
know what resources we’ve got, we
know where we can push and pull
things to go faster.”
The Brits, Hebert explains, are at a
distinct advantage. As it stands, British
Cycling is the only national cycling
federation in the world with its own
wind tunnel, but this competitive edge
might not last
long. On the drawing closer,
other side of “We’re going some might
the globe, the
Australians are
to continue wonder if Paris
is too soon for
also developing
their own tunnel,
to augment it, Great Britain
to reassert
scheduled to
be built at the
improve it, add its former
track cycling
Adelaide Super- new systems” dominance.
Drome, where British Cycling’s
the elite squad trains. performance director Stephen Park
“The rest of the world has been doesn’t think so.
catching up,” says Hebert. “The Great “We’ll see an impact in Paris for
Britain Cycling Team was completely sure,” he says, “particularly, I think,
dominant for Beijing, London and around positioning, but also around
Rio. But that’s definitely not the case maybe suit-fitting or helmet-fitting. It’s
anymore. This is part of shifting us so much more individualised now than
forward again.” it has ever been.”
The real shift, Park adds, is likely
Is Paris too soon? to come at the summer Olympics in
With the clock ticking and the deadline Los Angeles in 2028, by which time
 NEW FRONTIER

Aero gains
for BMX?
Until now, wind tunnels have
mostly been the domain of track
riders and TT specialists. Riders
competing across other disciplines
may never have stepped inside
one before. Now, though, with
British Cycling’s new toy, comes a
keen desire to test more athletes
than ever.
Asked what he’s most looking
forward to, senior aerodynamicist
Chris Hebert says: “I’m excited for
this to benefit way more people
in the squad than it would have
done previously.
“I’m excited about the fact
that para-athletes, BMXers, other
people on other squads will get an
opportunity to avail themselves.”
Former Olympic champion Ed
Clancy agrees. For the three-time
gold medallist, BMX in particular
is a sport with a lot of untapped
marginal gains to be made.
“When you’re going down a
start ramp, you’re approaching
Team sprint national champ Emma a reasonable rate of knots,” he
Finucane gets ready to feel the flow says. “If you go into the first turn
in a reasonable position, you tend
to finish the race in a reasonable
the current academy prospects will of the public. Though that’s unlikely to position, more often than not.
be leading the squad. “They’ll have be any time soon. “While it’s not my area of
had access to positioning work in the For now, everything is focused on the expertise, I can’t help but think
tunnels that historically they haven’t elite-level athletes. There’s a schedule that there’s potential to have a
done because it’s just too expensive for in place. Each day, Hebert and his team look at that as well. But I’m not
us to do that,” he says. “I think it’s going will welcome rider after rider into the sure we’ll ever convince them to
to be a game-changer.” chamber. There, they’ll bend and twist wear Lycra.”
Although the themselves into
wind tunnel will different positions,
Aero guru Hebert’s the man with the fan
save British Cycling trying on new kits to understand: air is not blown into a
money in travel and dipping their wind tunnel, it’s pulled through.)
fees (“we’ll save heads to brave the British Cycling has only had its new
a fortune,” Park cold air. weapon a few months, but already it’s
says), running costs The wind, planning to upgrade it. “We’re going to
for the machinery reaching top speeds continue to augment it, improve it, add
are still big. The of 80kph, will flow new systems, improve the fidelity,” says
goal, at some over their backs, Hebert, “whatever we can do to make it
point, is to find a pulled through a better instrument.”
commercial partner to the back of the Asked what those upgrades might
to run services for suspended wooden involve, Hebert returns a wry smile.
individual members box. (A crucial point “That’s for me to know,” he says.

Cycling Weekly | 12 January, 2023| 27

28 | 12 January, 2023 | Cycling Weekly
 Lorena Wiebes won 22 races in 2022, including
two stages at the Tour de France Femmes and a
clean sweep at the RideLondon Classique.
She tells Adam Becket how she did it
EW SPRINTERS can claim
to have truly dominant seasons.
Of course, someone always tops
the pile of most wins, but in the
vagaries of bunch finishes, it is
rare for one rider to pile up great
seasons. If we take the measure
of 20 wins in one season, in
the last decade only Alexander
Kristoff in 2015 (20) and Peter
Sagan in 2013 (22) have managed to clear this hurdle in
men’s cycling. Only one woman has managed to do it in
that time period: Marianne Vos, in 2013 (22) and 2014
(21). That was until her compatriot Lorena Wiebes came
along in 2022.
Of course, the pair are very different riders at
opposite ends of their careers – there are 12 years
between them – but these two Dutch riders are the two
most dominant riders in the modern era.
Sure, Annemiek van Vleuten, Anna van der Breggen
and Lizzie Deignan might claim to be more the all-round
riders of the last decade, and with good reason, but
none of these have had such an authoritative season,
numerically speaking, as Wiebes did last year.
At just 23, in her second full year at WorldTour level,
every time Wiebes lined up for a bunch sprint she was
expected to win. How she handled that was never more
evident than at the RideLondon Classique last May,
where on three consecutive days she blasted away the
opposition, making world champion Elisa Balsamo and
rival Emma Norsgaard mere bystanders.
It must have become repetitive, this constant
winning. “For me as a person, I’m never really excited
after I win, that has never been it,” Wiebes explains to
CW in late October. “I think I’m more introverted. Any
time I’m happy with a win and the help of the team. It
gets a bit more normal, though. It sounds a bit strange,
but at one point this season I felt the pressure was on,
Cycling Weekly | 12 January, 2023 | 29
 LORENA WIEBES

because for a long time I hadn’t lost a the next day she crashed out
sprint, so I thought I had to win… you just have to THE SD WORX on stage seven.
“I think I can cope with the pressure race,” she says. TOUR DE FRANCE FEMMES By that point
naturally. If I lose, I’m already looking “Then I had the DREAM TEAM her dream of
to the next race. I don’t feel it during the crash, and I was winning green
race, but maybe a bit before. I think this disappointed Demi Vollering had also gone, to
year the most pressure was during the I didn’t finish General classification leader, the woman who
Tour de France, but I think it mostly came the race, but 2nd last year and QoM preceded her
from myself because I wanted to get the afterwards I Lorena Wiebes dominance, Vos.
yellow jersey there. realised what a Sprinter, two stage wins However, 2023
“This year [2022] went way better than nice experience Marlen Reusser is a fresh year,
I expected. I achieved almost all my goals it was, with so Rouleur, super-domestique, and if she gets
we were talking about before we started. many spectators one stage win there, she wants
It was a great season, and I’m already at the side of the Lotte Kopecky to target the green
motivated for next year. To race more, to road. I’m already Puncheur, two third places jersey, as well as
be stronger.” looking forward Christine Majerus stage wins. It is
to this year; I Super-domestique not hard to see
Tour immortality don’t know if I Niamh Fisher-Black her becoming the
The bonus to her monumental year will ride it, but to Climber record holder for
was becoming the first stage winner at see it, follow it. Barbara Guarischi stages, as Vos is at
the inaugural Tour de France Femmes, “It was a bit Lead-out woman the Giro Donne,
therefore being the first rider to don the hard to enjoy my before her career
new yellow jersey, and immortalising day in yellow is over in well
herself in the process. It was an odd because it was so chaotic in the race, but over a decade’s time.
sight, with Wiebes being joined on the it was a really good experience, and at the “Everyone wants to finish the race, and
podium by a friend’s baby, but it was end Juliette [Labous] did a really I also want to be on the podium with the
Photos Getty Images

historic. However, it was, she says, hard
to appreciate at the time.
“At the moment [you win] you
don’t realise that it is so special and
important for women’s cycling, because
good GC. So it was a good race for the
whole team.”
There was another stage win, in
Saint-Dié-des-Vosges, on stage five, but
it was to be her last act in the race as
green jersey… it would be really nice to
ride there again,” she says.
“I think there are some chances for me
this year. [We know] already that it won’t
be starting or finishing in Paris, which I

Wiebes made history

in Paris last July

was a little disappointed about, but I hope
there are as many spectators as last year.”
New start
2023 is a big year for Wiebes. After two
and a half years at DSM she is moving
on, having signed a three-year deal with
SD Worx, the preeminent squad in
women’s cycling. She will no long be the
unchallenged team leader, but instead one
of several leaders. The Dutch squad might
not have won as many races as she did last
year (19, to her 22), but the collection of
stars they have is envied across the peloton.
She will no longer be the protected rider
in most races, something she is willing to
concede, but will be another card to play
alongside Demi Vollering, Lotte Kopecky
and Marlen Reusser.
However, joining the team has been a
long-term goal for her: “From the moment
Wiebes’s top-flight career with the team came in California, where
is still in its infancy the 2023 squad assembled to train, visit
Specialized’s headquarters and watch an
ice hockey match. It certainly does seem
like that family Wiebes wants, something
she experienced at Parkhotel Valkenburg
too, her first squad. They also seem to
work for each other very well, despite the
evident talent and egos.
“Lotte and I will race for victories,
but we have to work for each other too,
which is fine,” she explains. “In harder
races, I know she can finish it off, and I
hope she believes in my ability to finish
it off too. With [Barbara] Guarischi
coming in for the sprint train, you can
also see that they’re thinking of me.
She’s really good as the last lead-out
person as she’s not afraid.”
There are some who worry that Wiebes
and Kopecky will be looking for the
same opportunities, but they are varied
enough that they should have differing
objectives; the former could not win
“I think I
can develop
myself in
a new way”
Strade Bianche or the Tour of Flanders
in the mould of the latter, and the latter
could not win the first stage of the Tour
I thought I could be a professional, I de France Femmes like the former.
wanted to be at that team, even when it “I don’t know Lotte, so we will see at
was Boels Dolmans,” she says. the first team camps, but I think it will be
“It’s a smaller team [than DSM, with fine,” she says. “I’ve never heard anything
its men’s team], but it is big, and there are bad about her. I think all the riders fit in
more top riders. It will be different for the team, and that’s what they look at.”
me, and we can’t ride for a sprint every As for the future, Wiebes is
time. That’s fine, because I think I can not the finished article yet: “I
develop myself in a new way. know I can still grow, and
“Looking from the outside, I think that’s the most
the last couple of years, important thing. Just
the team has seemed like like Annemiek [van
a family. They have a lot Vleuten], who is still
of fun with each other. saying she is better
It gives me a lot of every year. I want
motivation to see how to grow in hillier
Demi and Lotte are races, and I
riding there. I want to think I
help them also in the have found
harder races.” In cyclo-cross action a good team
Her first meeting on New Year’s Day for it.”
Cycling Weekly | 12 January, 2023 | 31
 FINISHERS All the riders who completed our challenge last year
or 131 years readers of while we still print that mileage chart in riders have a target in mind. They’re
Cycling Weekly have the first issue of each year, there are of riding through the year, and taking on
been logging their miles course many other ways to log miles the monthly challenges we set them,
and letting us know and share our achievements with aiming for 5,000 miles in their legs. This
about them. Back in the everyone else. page lists everyone who achieved that in
early part of the 20th For some people it’s a case of the 2022 and let us know about it. From Ross
century our annual mileage chart was, further the better, for others it’s simply Duncan who completed it in January, to
other than a riding diary, one of the only as many miles as they can fit into their the riders who finished on 31 December –
ways to keep track of your mileage. And busy schedules, but all our CW5000 well done to all of them.

2022 FINISHERS Warwick Bradbury Giles Cudmore Alastair Flood Chris Heason
Dom Ainger Ron Bradley Sammy Cumerlidge Kevan Fox Christopher Henderson
Steve Ainscow Ross Brennan Daniel Cunningham Tom Fox Debbie Henderson
Kate Alderson Simon Bricknell Richard Curtis Mary Franklin Simon Hickman
Catherine Allen David Bristow Richard Cutler Pete Franks Jonathan Hill
Christopher Allum David Brock Ian Dalby Andy Gaul David Hirt
Nick Anderson Andy Brocklehurst Paul Dallain Dave Gibson Mark Hitchcock
Tom Aust Jamie Brown Ann Darbyshire Michael Gillingham Nora Holford
Dan Baines Peter Brown Chris Dauris Steven Gilmore David Holland
Iain Baker Chris Brown Rob Davidson Mike Googe Martin Holmes
Martin Bane Kym Brown Carl Davies Alex Graham Caroline Honour
Tim Banks Andrew Bryans Andy Davis Damian Gray Andy Hopper
Kevin Bannister Nick Bullen Ivan Dawes David Griffiths Danny Howard
Gary Barnes Rod Bulmer Philip Day Saulius Grigas Justin Howe
Les Bauchop Roland Buzas Graham Denny Colin Harris Graham Hughes
Andrew Bayliss Simon Camm Steve Dickinson Andrew Harris David Hughson
Terry Belbin Paul Campbell Scott Digert Geoff Hartley Sam Hunt
Martin Belfield-Smith Martin Carr Eamonn Donnelly Phil Hatton Andy Hutchings
Andy Bell Geoff Carter Stephen Drape Scott Hayworth Ian Jackson
Steve Bell Andy Cartlidge Ross Duncan
Peter Bevan Ken Castle Oliver Dyson
Colin Bezant Stuart Caton Adrian Elliott “The motivation to get out
John Binczyk Tizzie Chandler Oliver Emmerson-Fish
John Blair Ian Charlton Peter Evans there is immense – simply
Ian Bond Iain Clark Lydia Evitt
Mary Boothroyd
Gary Boothroyd
Hannah Cockerill
Steve Cockram
Mark Fairhead
Kieran Farmer
because of CW5000. I
Giles Borton
Clive Bourne
Dave Cooper
Ronnie Cowen
Peter Farnley
John Fickling cannot thank you enough”
Jason Bowker David Cox Gavin Finch
James Bowman Bernard Crossley Stephen Fletcher JACQUIE WRIGHT

STAT I ST I C S

Total miles ridden in Days it took first finisher Miles Ross Duncan rode Riders completed the
2022 by Cat Allen on Zwift Ross Duncan to over the final three days of challenge on 31 December
complete 5,000 miles January to hit 5,000 miles

32 | 12 January, 2023 | Cycling Weekly

 CW5000 FINISHERS

“I can’t overstate how important

the Cycling Weekly challenge has
been for me. Of course I would have
ridden without the challenge but not
Andy Gaul took our simple mileage chart with the same persistence and focus”
to the next level, showing an array of stats
from his year of riding STE PH E N WALKE R
Peter Jackson Ian Miller Jon Ramsbottom Paulo Vergara Bill White
Steve Jenkins Stephen Milner Chris Reeve Daryl Verrion Stephen White
Alex Jeynes Mark Minglegreen Tony Reeve Gavin Vest Ian Whitehouse
Robin Jones Wayne Moeller Gordon Reid Paul Vickers Paul Whitlock
Frank Jones Cindy Mok David Reid Stephen Walker John Wilkin
Glenn Jones Barrie Morris Leslie Reissner Steve Walmsley Tim Williams
Michael Jones Andy Morris David Renfree Christopher Walsh Richard Wilson
Alan Joyce James Munson Ian Reynolds Phil Ward Anne Wilson
Andy Knapton Geoff Myatt Paul Roberts Ian Ward Sebastian Witek
Kelvin Knight Andy Myers Neal Roberts Steve Webster Neil Withnell
Christian Körner Paul Naysmith Peter Robinson Mark Welch Stephen Woessmann
Zoltan Labas Jonathan Newbould Paul Robson Robert Welham Chris Woodcock
Michael Lamb Piers Newson-Smith David Roe John Wells Tim Woolridge
Stacey Larkin Jerry Nicholls Chris Ronan Mark Wells Jacquie Wright
Lew Lawton Tom Niersbach Steve Rough Robert Wells Martin Wright
Chris Leng Graham Nix Mark Runge Paul Weston Steve Yates
Gavin Lingard Ronan O’Sullivan Claire Rushton Paul Weyer John Young
Ian Long David Oakes David Saleem
Andrew Luck Gareth Olley Peter Salkus
Jake Lunt Jeremy Ott Julie Sampson
John Lunt Michael Padwick Elaine Scott
John Lythgoe Linda Palmer Keith Scott
Tom Macfarlane Kevin Palmer Tim Searle
Ewan Mackenzie Noe Paramo Nick Senechal
Neil Mackley David Parker Paul Shoesmith
Lonnie Maddox Stuart Parker Steve Short
Mark Marsden Mark Parlour Stephen Shrubsall
Alison Matthews John Peaston Nick Simmons
Steve Mavin Rob Phillips Andrew Singleton
Sean McAuliffe Ben Phillips Mark Skinner
Alison McErlane Beth Phillips Pavol Slivovsky
Paul McFarlane Olivia Poole Rod Smith
Gavin Mead Martin Power Ian Smith SIGN UP TO THE 2023
Kevin Meldrum Berry Puyk Howard Smith
Callum Metcalf David Quintrell Mark Smith C H A L L E N G E A N D STA R T
Eddie Miles Bashir Rabiu Clifford Smith LOGG I NG YOU R MI LES
David Soulsby
Lionel Spooner
Pete Stanton Sign-up is free and once you’ve
10,000 MILE Simon Stenning
Michael Stewart
joined all you need to do is start
HALL O F FAM E Luke Storey logging your miles. We’ll send you
CW5000 riders don’t stop when they get to the David Stott two smaller challenges on the first
Douglas Strang
magic number, they just keep on pedalling. Here Nick Sunley day of each month to keep you
is a list of all those who have managed to double Simon Sutton motivated throughout 2023. These
Mark Swanson
the distance and hit 10,000 miles in 2022. Douglas Swarthout range from distance to climbing
Peter Sweeney challenges, photographic and
Cat Allen Steven Milner Jason Taylor exploration. You can sign up at any
Carolyn Taylor
Andrew Bell Jonathan Newbould Harry Taylor time of the year, all your miles ridden
John Binczyk Michael Padwick Jackie Taylor from 1 January count. If and when
Les Thomas
Jamie Brown Martin Power Rob Thomas you reach 5,000 miles all you need to
Tizzie Chandler Terry Reeves Paul Thomas do is send proof and we’ll add you to
Shelly Thornborrow
Dave Cox David Renfree Mark Tonks the 2023 finishers’ list.
Ross Duncan Steve Rough Jackie Townsend
Stephen Fletcher Tim Searle Spence Trivett VISIT
Jeremy Tucker
Martin Holmes Elaine Scott David Vallis W W W. C YC L I N G W E E K LY.
Ian Jackson John Wilkin Jacques van Wersch COM/CW5000
Richard Vandermark
Lonnie Maddox

Cycling Weekly | 12 January, 2023 | 33

 TECH & BIKES 2023

REVEALED!

What new bikes and innovative kit

does the bike industry have in store
for us this year? We take a look into
our crystal crankset to find out

34 | 12 January, 2023 | Cycling Weekly

O
ver the next eight pages. we
dust off the crystal ball – the
one that was on the blink last
year and missed 105 Di2 – and leave its less-well-off mechanical-loving
try to interpret the shifting (14-speed?)
silhouettes of what we can expect from the
road bike and components manufacturers
for 2023.
In 2022 the pace of innovation started
to pick up again after the pandemic and
we’re expecting big things for 2023.
Groupsets are undergoing something
of an electronic revolution at the moment
and we expect that development to
continue in 2023, but where does that
leave mechanical?
As for frame
design, the
scrapping
of the UCI’s 3:1
rule has meant
we’re seeing
wilder-looking
shapes and
innovative
new ways to build
in comfort and aerodynamics while
keeping weight down.
And we have it on good authority that
tyres for road bikes will not be getting
much wider than 28mm or 30mm – as
long as road surfaces don’t get any worse.
Which of course can’t be guaranteed
after that icy December…
Electronic groupsets trickle down
to the fourth tier, and a new SR AM
Red gruppo at the top
SR AM has been spearheading the
electrification of its groupsets, with the
top three – Red, Force and Rival – all
coming in wireless eTap A XS versions.
Shimano has only just launched
105 Di2, the electronic version of its
third-tier groupset, but patents recently
discovered suggest SR AM is about to
launch an electronic, wireless version of
Apex, its entry-level
road groupset. Road tyres won’t grow
Meanwhile, new beyond 30mm
shifters spotted at
pro team training
camps appear to be
signalling the
arrival of a new
flagship groupset
for SR AM.
Evolution of Shimano mechanical
groupsets
We don’t believe Shimano will completely
customers in the lurch and we wouldn’t
be surprised if Shimano introduced a
lightweight, sophisticated mechanical
groupset aimed at hard-up amateur racers.
Dura-Ace, Ultegra and 105 electronic
groupsets are 12-speed – so what about a
12-speed mechanical 105 groupset? And
maybe an 11-speed Tiagra?
It also seems likely that Shimano will
simplify the lower, non-series groupset
for better clarity on compatibility.
We expect a
refinement,
perhaps based
on how many
speeds drivetrain
components
are designed
for – Shimano 7,
Shimano could rebadge Shimano 8 and
its lower-end groupsets Shimano 9 rather
than Tourney,
Claris and Sora, for example.
Road tyres stop getting wider
We’ve been seeing wider road tyres
made possible by the move to disc
brakes, but how wide is too wide? Well,
wheel brand Parcours’s Dov Tate said
he thought there was no need for a tyre
wider than 30mm as long as roads don’t
get any rougher.
After 30mm, tyres are heavier, likely
to be less aerodynamic – and more
importantly are not yet manufactured.
The ‘all-road’ sector with its mixed
terrain starts to take over from that point,
although Continental does make the
Grand Prix 5000 S TR in a 32mm.
So it could be that if the industry
settles on 28 or 30 as the standard for
the road, there will be no need for frames
to be designed with clearance for 34mm
and we could see ‘fag
paper’ clearances
returning to
dedicated road bikes.
Campagnolo goes
wireless or 13-
speed for the road?
Things have been
very quiet on the
INEOS’S
‘ V I S I B LY FA S T ’
NEW KIT
Bioracer’s kit offers aero refinements
Belgian brand Bioracer is entering
its second year as the “on-bike
performance partner” of the Ineos
Grenadiers. Ineos, formerly Team
Sky, have used some of the best
known brands in the business,
including Rapha and Castelli, but
Bioracer with its Bike Valley wind
tunnel literally seems like a great
fit – and this bright new orange kit is
claimed to be both visible and fast.
Bioracer supplied skinsuits for
Filippo Ganna and Dan Bigham’s
Hour records, so it seems like a
no-brainer for the team that coined
the phrase ‘marginal gains’ to stay
with the firm.
For the ‘Visibly Fast’ 2023 kit,
Bioracer says it has worked closely
with Ineos’s riders and performance
specialists, with “continuous
testing and new developments
resulting in the next generation of
cycling apparel.”
According to Bioracer: “Bioracer
and the Ineos Grenadiers spent
more than 300 hours in various wind
tunnels. Additional aerodynamics
tests were also done to determine
which fabrics produce the best
results for each Ineos Grenadiers
rider individually. Depending on
their morphology, some fabrics
provide better air conduction than
others. This not only resulted in
records, but also in an even faster
time trial suit that will be used by all
the team’s riders in 2023.”
Cycling Weekly | 12 January, 2023 | 35
 TECH & BIKES 2023

Campagnolo front lately – there was

nothing new of note in 2022. With
Shimano going semi-wireless with
Dura-Ace and Ultegra and now 105 Di2,
and SR AM eTap possibly to feature in
four of its groupsets next year, Campag
must surely be planning a wireless
groupset or groupsets.
Or – and maybe even ‘and’... 13-speed
for the road? Campagnolo traditionally
has been one cog ahead of the others, so
will it port over some of the 13-sprocket
tech from 1x Ekar to 2x Super Record,
Record and Chorus? Perhaps the Italians
are designing something really huge –
13-speed, wireless Super Record?! That
really would be something we’d love to
see. Imagine an 11-23 straight-through
block – a time triallist’s dream.
3D printed titanium cranks, like these from
3D-printed bikes and components Sturdy, could become commonplace
It’s fair to say that 2022 was the year
when 3D printing arrived in earnest
on the cycling design scene. Filippo very difficult to make using standard Dimitris Katsanis, worked with Pinarello
Ganna’s Hour record Pinarello track manufacturing methods. to produce the bike, and is fully invested
bike had a 3D-printed aluminium Metron, the British company headed up in 3D printing, so the technology is well
frame with aerodynamic features by the designer of the UK Sport track bike and truly up and rolling.
We reviewed a 3D printed skeleton-
like stem last year that, although it
didn’t actually offer any performance
J U M B O -V I S M A TO G I V E S R A M I T S
T H I R D TO U R D E F R A N C E W I N ?
Jumbo- his chain on
Visma’s the Port de
Cervélos will Balès and
be running Contador
SRAM didn’t wait –
groupsets but maybe
instead of SRAM
Shimano doesn’t
in 2023, want to be
with the reminded
possibility about that.
that Jonas Shimano
Vingegaard – or even Primož is, of course, ahead in Tour victories
Roglič – could give the US groupset with 11 (after subtracting Lance
manufacturer its third Tour win. Armstrong’s seven) but it will be a long
Alberto Contador gave SRAM its first time before either of them surpasses
victory in 2009 on his Red-equipped Campagnolo’s 43.
Trek Madone, and Andy Schleck won Talking of Campagnolo, Tadej
in 2010 (after Contador was disqualified Pogačar’s UAE Team Emirates has
for the notorious clenbuterol- just swapped from Campy to Shimano,
contaminated steak) on a Specialized which could mean another one
Tarmac SL3 with SRAM Red. gets chalked up for the Japanese Cannondale’s SmartSense could
This was the year Schleck dropped manufacturer in 2023. light the way to an integrated future

36 | 12 January, 2023 | Cycling Weekly

 “We’re leaving
behind the era
of the ‘cookie
cutter’ bike”
advantages, demonstrated that 3D
printing can now safely make any part of
a bike – and steel, carbon, titanium and
aluminium can all be 3D printed.
Creative ways to build in comfort
and reduce weight
With the UCI’s relaxation of the 3:1 rule
we’ve been seeing some deeper tubing
on the latest aero bikes such as the Trek
Madone, Scott Foil and Cervélo S5. But
wing-shaped profiles don’t flex like round
tubes do, at least not in the direction that
helps with ride comfort, so we’ve seen the
bike designers actually removing some
of the material from seat tubes to make
them a bit more compliant.
The Scott Foil RC has a cutout at the
rear of its seat tube that’s filled with a
fairing to preserve the aerodynamics (or a
clever integrated rear light as an upgrade)
that allows it to flex.
Meanwhile the Trek Madone simply
has a hole called IsoFlow, which serves
a total of three purposes: it is claimed to
improve aerodynamics, reduce weight
and increase comfort.
It seems as though we’re leaving behind
the era of the ‘cookie cutter’ carbon bike
and entering an era where designers are
getting imaginative again so we’re sure to
see some wild new shapes in 2023.
Device integration adopted by
more manufacturers
Cannondale’s SmartSense system, which
has integrated lights and rear-facing
radar that are charged by a single frame-
mounted battery, got a mixed reaction
from the public when it launched with the
new Synapse endurance bike in 2022.
It’s likely more manufacturers of road
bikes will start to think along the same
lines as Cannondale. E-bikes have all this
integration for the sake of convenience
and confidence, so weight issues not
withstanding, why not road bikes too?
COFIDIS’S FRENCH CONNECTION
W I T H LO O K A N D CO R I M A
WorldTour
Cofidis: bringing it all
team Cofidis
announced
back home for 2023
a multi-year
sponsorship
deal with Look,
starting in 2023.
And the wheels
will be from
Corima – also
a famously
French brand.
This isn’t the
first time Look
and Cofidis have
joined forces: the team rode Look bikes continuously by Cofidis since 2010.
from 2009 to 2014 before switching to
Orbea and then De Rosa in 2020.
In the interim, Look-sponsored Pro
Conti team Fortuneo from 2014 to 2018, deployed throughout 2022.
launching the original 5.9kg rim-brake
785 Huez RS during that time.
Cofidis’s wheels will continue to be
supplied by Corima, the team’s existing separate identities.
wheel sponsor.
Last March both Look and Corima
withdrew their partnership and
technical support of the Gazprom-
RusVelo team after the Ukraine
invasion and have wisely decided to
invest closer to home.
Now, with both brands equipping
Cofidis, we are about to see a very
French set-up in action.
At the moment the groupset supplier
has not been confirmed: Cofidis used
Campagnolo components with their De
Rosa bikes but the new bikes are fitted
with Shimano Dura-Ace.
The bikes Cofidis will have at their
disposal will be the lightweight 785
Huez RS, the 795 Blade RS aero bike,
and for time trials, the awesome-
looking 796 Monoblade RS.
The brand most recently launched a
new 765 Optimum, its endurance bike
platform, and we’re anticipating a
new race bike or two which will no
doubt be developed with and for the
Cofidis team.
The new
partnership
will cover the
Cofidis men’s
WorldTeam
as well as
the women’s
Continental
Pro and UCI
Paracycling
teams.
Look will
also supply its
Keo Blade Ti
pedals, as used
As for the Corima wheels, these
will be the carbon MCC DX, WS Black
DX and WS TT DX – all of which were
Look acquired a majority stake in
fellow French brand Corima in 2016,
although both brands retain their
Look’s clipless pedal revolutionised
road cycling and was first ridden to a
pro victory by Bernard Hinault in 1984.
Then, in 1986, Greg LeMond was the
first to win the Tour de France on a
carbon-fibre frame – the Look KG86.
Luc Leblanc won the world road title
for Look in 1994 on the KG171.
Later in the 1990s, the golden era for
aerodynamic bikes, Look’s innovative
TT machines became the envy of
the cycling world. There was most
memorably the 1997 KG296 CLM with
its sail-like fairings that was ridden by
Alex Zülle in the ONCE period.
Look became associated with
Chris Boardman as bike sponsor of
Crédit Agricole in the final years of
the decade.
British bike fans also associate
Boardman with Corima from the days
before the British rider turned pro
on the road: he broke the world Hour
record in Bordeaux in 1993 on a swoopy
Corima Cougar frame with the brand’s
four-spoke wheels.
Cycling Weekly | 12 January, 2023 | 37
 TECH & BIKES 2023

5 aero
predictions
for 2023
Scott, Giant, Cervélo and Trek proved in 2022
that aero bikes are back in a big way… we look at
what the other big names might have in store

B
y removing the UCI’s 3:1 Canyon Aeroad
regulation, which meant that The Aeroad received a significant
tube profiles could not exceed a update back in 2020 but garnered more,
ratio of 3:1 between their height albeit unwanted, attention a year later
and width, deep-section tubes have become when Mathieu van der Poel broke its
more exaggerated again. You only need to handlebar while racing in Belgium. The
look at the changes made to some of the bars were recalled and the Aeroad rolled
highest-profile (or lowest-profile, depending on, continuing to play a leading role in
on your standpoint) aero bikes released in WorldTour races.
2022 for confirmation of the trend. At first it seemed unlikely that we’d
The latest iterations of the Scott Foil, see much change in 2023, given that the
Giant Propel and the Cervélo S5, for Aeroad line-up was rejigged just last “Might we see
example, have seen the bikes cut new year, with new build options offered, but
silhouettes thanks to oversized head and then photographs surfaced on the Dutch a fully aero
down tubes, beefed-up bottom bracket website Wielerflits of van der Poel on
areas and deeper fork blades. Scott claims a pre-season training ride aboard what
that the new Foil looks like an
road bike from
is 20% faster than
the outgoing model,
updated Aeroad.
The differences
Colnago?”
which equates to it are hard to spot at
being 1 minute, 18 first but the fact looks a little beefier. Van der Poel’s
seconds faster over that the frame was tyres look particularly plump in the
40km at 40kph. both unpainted images too, so perhaps clearance has
Similarly, Giant and unbranded been increased to accommodate the
managed to shave suggested a current preference for running wider
over 200 grams off prototype was tubeless tyres.
its bike’s weight in play.
while making it a Look a little Cannondale SystemSix
claimed 27 seconds closer and Of all the aero bike headliners,
faster over the same Scott Foil: aero gains you’ll notice Cannondale’s SystemSix might seem
distance and speed. offer a big speed boost what appears to the most likely to see a few tweaks.
Other big-name be a reshaped head The current model was released in
aero bikes are due tube, with new 2018, which given the cycling industry’s
a refresh for 2023 or 2024 – here we aero properties, as well as what could propensity for change, is akin to a
survey the top contenders for deeper be a revised seat tube, especially around lifetime ago. That said, on release it
aerofoil tubing and lower CdAs. the junction with the top tube, which cut a pretty futuristic shape.

38 | 12 January, 2023 | Cycling Weekly

 All-new Colnago
Might we see a fully aero machine from
the peloton’s most venerated marque,
Colnago? This may sound far-fetched,
especially since the new V4Rs has just
been launched, but you can argue that of
all the top brands, there’s a larger gap in
Colnago’s range than most.
The Italian brand showed with the
introduction of last year’s Prototipo,
prominently ridden by Pogačar at the TdF
– eventually unveiled as the V4Rs all-
rounder – that it’s not resistant to change
and is clearly listening to the needs of the
UAE Team Emirates riders. We rode the
V4Rs recently at a UAE Team training
camp and it’s undoubtedly been built with
this team – and winning professional
races – in mind. It’s stretched out and
stiff, with a more aerodynamic front end
than the V3Rs and claimed to be 27 watts
faster in a racing set-up.
Despite having this new aero-
enhanced all-rounder as their ‘go to’ race
bike, you could still argue a case for the
introduction of another race bike. UAE
riders must hanker after a dedicated aero
race bike for flatter stages and certain
one-day races? Given that Colnago makes
the TT1 time trial bike (pictured), it’s not
The bike features truncated aero of aero advancements, including F-Wing much of a stretch to imagine how it could
sections on the down tube, top tube fairings on the forks, a D-shaped seatpost use the experience of designing the TT1,
and seat tube, dropped seatstays, a fully and a groove in the NACA tubing that’s alongside the expertise of VR4s designer
integrated cockpit and clearance for up designed to help air flow more efficiently Torgny Fjeldskaar, to inform new aero
to 28mm wide tyres – all of which you along the tubes. tube shapes and the like.
expect to see on any aero bike released But stand the Noah Fast next to,
in 2023. Cannondale also champions the say, the Madone or the Foil and you’ll BMC Timemachine
SystemSix’s ability to climb and descend. see that the tubes aren’t quite as deep, There’s no doubting BMC’s Timemachine
It’s hard then to see where they might especially the head tube and down tube. is one of the best-looking aero bikes out
look for improvements, with any change This could be something that Ridley there. Naturally it features the Swiss
likely to be a nip and a tuck rather than looks to address in any future update, brand’s signature dropped stays but there
a significant especially as it are a few less obvious details here that
facelift. WILL SPECIALIZED AND can offer its pro are just as interesting; now a disc-only
riders the Helium frameset, BMC added an integrated,
PINARELLO STICK WITH
Ridley SLX for lumpy but removable, cover to hide the front
A L L- R O U N D E R S ?
Noah Fast stages and races. disc brake caliper and improve airflow
The Belgian Both Specialized and Pinarello appear By beefing up the as a consequence.
brand’s Noah committed to an all-around race bike, Noah Fast yet The Timemachine has been around
Fast was released certainly with aero properties but not further, it would since 2012, with the most recent iteration
in 2018 and rose as pronounced as some of the other create further appearing in 2020 – so it’s not beyond
to prominence brands. Could this change in 2023? separation the realms of possibility that it could take
as the bike It’s highly unlikely given the success between the another trip into the future sometime
of choice for at the WorldTour level of both the brand’s aero soon. If so, BMC will be at pains to ensure
Aussie sprinter Tarmac SL7 and the Dogma F – and bike and its that it retains both its good looks and
Caleb Ewan. It it’s not long since Specialized ‘retired’ climbing its reputation as being one of the more
features plenty its out-and-out aero bike, the Venge, machine. comfortable aero bikes on the market.
in favour of the updated Tarmac.
Cycling Weekly | 12 January, 2023 | 39
 TECH & BIKES 2023
Which
direction now
for gravel?
As gravel bikes split into racing and adventure
factions, we look forward to future tech trends
G
ravel bikes are already
becoming more discipline-
specific, aimed at either racing
or adventure – what’s in store
for 2023?
The popularity of all things gravel
continued unabated in 2022, with a
host of new bikes released from all
of the big guns, as well as plenty of
associated tech and clothing too.
The growing level of specialisation
found within gravel riding was
reflected in much of this gear, with it
becoming more segmented, tuned for
Classified’s Powershift hub is aiming to
make the front derailleur redundant
40 | 12 January, 2023 | Cycling Weekly
the specific needs of gravel racers and
gravel adventurers.
We saw the racing gravel bikes get
lighter and more aerodynamically
enhanced while the adventure bikes got
burlier, with huge tyre clearances and
integrated suspension.
So what’s in store for the new year
ahead? Discipline-specific bikes and
gear will persist as the gravel categories
continue to mature and become more
nuanced – but will this be to the
detriment of the good old-fashioned
all-rounder?
Specialized’s rear Future Shock is a bold
new seatpost suspension system
Classified kills off the front mech
A 1x set-up is simpler for gravel – as it
is for mountain bikes – but can mean a
considerable jump between gears if you
are to achieve a sufficient range.
Classified’s Powershift hub sought
to solve the issue of removing the front
mech while still offering a sufficient gear
range. The wireless system that’s housed
in the rear hub is also designed to allow
the rider to shift no matter the torque
applied. It all added up to a piece of tech
that seemed tailor-made for the rigours of
gravel riding, albeit an expensive one.
With investors including Tom Boonen
and a recent injection of cash to the tune
of $23 million by the Active Partners
group, the Belgian-based company will
enter 2023 with plenty of momentum. We
expect to see more gravel bikes offered
with the Classified hub in 2023; in recent
days we’ve seen the launch of Ridley’s
all-new, all-road Grifn that includes
an option equipped with a Shimano

GR X Di2 1x
groupset and a “Have we perhaps the
most significant
Classified hub.
reached development
in the shape of
More Specialized’s
suspension the limit of rear Future
With an increasing Shock, which
number of gravel tyre width?” accompanied
bikes being the release of its
designed to handle Diverge STR gravel
extreme off-road conditions, as well as bike. It features 30mm of travel built
multi-day off-grid bikepacking jaunts, into the seatpost which is controlled by
it was little surprise that mountain- a damper in the top tube – the idea being
bike inspired suspension gained a that the system only works when a
solid foothold. rider is seated, meaning that out-of-the-
Specialized debuted its Future Shock saddle efforts aren’t accompanied by a
front suspension as far back as 2017, spongy ride that wastes energy (typically
while SR AM released its Rudy Ultimate an issue with suspension forks).
XPLR fork in late 2021. We’ve also seen We expect that more brands will join
suspension stems and seatposts for the Specialized in creating gravel bikes with
gravel sector, from Canyon’s leaf-spring integrated suspension without having
VCLS post to RockShox’s suspension to resort to suspension forks that add
dropper post. weight and only make sense for gravel
However, the end of last year saw riders who spend the majority of their
time tackling harsh and technical terrain
previously reserved for mountain bikes.
Faster gravel racing bikes
Gravel racing is growing, with a slew of
ex-WorldTour pros now competing in
gravel events around the globe, including
in 2022 the first UCI-sanctioned Gravel
World Championships.
This means the makers of gravel
tech are being charged with creating
gear that will see riders go faster than
ever before.
We saw a number of out-and-out
gravel race bikes released in 2022,
including Factor’s Ostro Gravel and
an updated Aspero from Cervélo. Both
place a focus on speed and are built
around a lightweight carbon frame with
aero tube shapes.
Expect to see more of the same in
2023, with brands taking tech used
on their road race bikes and applying
it to their gravel equivalent. As well as
gravel race framesets, look for more
accompanying components, too, such as
gravel-specific integrated cockpits, which
hide cables and hoses and help to improve
a bike’s aerodynamics.
Wider tyres still?
In the last few years clearances have
got ever more capacious, resulting
in the release in 2022 of the Canyon
Grizl, which can handle tyres as wide as
700x50mm.
While smaller brands were early
adopters of super-wide tyres, the Grizl
was a significant marker among the
big brands and we expect to see more
mainstream marques continue to follow
suit in 2023.
That said, have we reached the limit
of tyre width for gravel bikes? Or will
Jules de Cock’s custom beach racer, built
around a Canyon Exceed XC hardtail
frame but equipped with drop bars and
64mm (measured) Schwalbe G-One
Speed tyres inspire brands to create
gravel bikes with yet more clearance,
enabling them to tackle any terrain that
comes their way?
When it comes to bike tech, there’s
often a yin to the yang, so it would make
sense that while brands continue to
develop slick gravel race rigs they also
offer some counterbalance, with bikes
Cycling Weekly | 12 January, 2023 | 41
 TECH & BIKES 2023
designed for those
with the gnarliest
“Will 2023
of requirements.
be the year
The gravel
all-rounder of the gravel
Gravel riders have
benefited from the all-rounder?”
specialisation that’s
happened over the last few years. It’s now
far easier to find the right bike for your
needs as well as supporting kit, whether
that’s a featherweight superbike like
Specialized’s Crux or a burly offering like
the aforementioned Grizl.
But where does this leave the all-
PAT E N T S U G G E S T S N E W S H I M A N O G R X W I T H A 9 T S P R O C K E T I S C O M I N G
Shimano might be about to introduce
its first ever nine-tooth sprocket on
a 12-speed cassette, a new patent
has revealed.
Dated 3 November 2022, the US
patent application is titled ‘rear
sprocket assembly and lock device’
and comes with attached drawings of
a 12-speed cassette, with a smallest
nine-tooth sprocket.
42 | 12 January, 2023 | Cycling Weekly
Lighter, more aggressive bikes
show gravel racing’s influence
rounder? After all,
the appeal of a gravel
You could also argue that any of
the bikes mentioned could handle an
bike for some was
its ability to handle
alternative life – and you’d be right.
There’s nothing to stop you strapping
a broad spectrum
of riding, especially
bags to the Crux and heading off into the
wilderness. Equally, you could enter a
relevant if you can gravel race on the Grizl armed with the
only afford to own correct tyres. But neither bike would be
one bicycle. in their element.
You could argue that the all-road Will 2023 be the year that the gravel
category has this covered. A bike like all-rounder rises to the fore? We’ll have
the Trek Domane has clearance for to see, although Ridley’s approach with
38mm tyres, built-in compliance and the brand-new Grifn (and the Domane,
neat extras like integrated storage – in of course) is perhaps the more likely
essence, ideal for a spot of light gravel blueprint for other brands to follow for
among other things. those looking for one bike to do it all.
There are currently limited nine-
tooth sprocket options on the market.
Most notably Campagnolo offers its
13-speed Ekar, a gravel groupset with a
nine-42 ratio.
Is Shimano about to match it or even
surpass it with a new GRX series? The
gravel-specific groupset first launched
in 2019, so going by the usual four-year
cycle, 2023 will be the year.
 FE AT U R E

OFF-BIKE
BENCHMARKS
TO N AI L TH I S
WINTER
Throwing down a dozen strength, f lexibility and health
benchmarks, Chris Marshall-Bell dares us pedalling
specialists to put some numbers on our all-round athleticism
Photos Andrew Sydenham, Daniel Gould, Getty Images, Alamy

e get it. You’re a The biggest gains are made by cyclists

cyclist – you enjoy
riding your bike,
not picking up
and putting down
heavy objects. But bear with us. Strength
and flexibility training really does benefit
cycling performance for all types of rider
– research has shown it time and again.
who target their weaknesses and work
towards objective targets. To that end,
we’ve compiled a list of 12 key exercises,
split into four categories, with benchmark
targets for each. Start gradually, work
on each one over the remaining weeks of
winter, and we promise you’ll notice the
benefit once the spring sunshine arrives.

46 | 12 January, 2023 | Cycling Weekly

 Strength
benchmarks
It’s an uncomfortable truth, admits
British Cycling S&C coach Peter
Gascoigne, but “athletes who have only
ridden their bikes all their life really
struggle for function and range of
movement – they lack basic movement
competence.” Most other sports require
a greater and less repetitive range
of movements, he explains, whereas
“cycling creates very one-dimensional
athletes who are fit in a cycling sense,
but often with many areas of weakness,
stiffness and a lack of flexibility.” This is
why Gascoigne believes all cyclists, and
particularly those aged over 40, need
to make time for off-bike exercise. “You
need to make sure you’re looking after
the joints, muscles and bones. If not,
your musculoskeletal system will begin
to decline.” These exercises won’t just
fend off decline, they’ll also boost your
cycling performance. “As well as basic
movement,” adds Gascoigne, “strength
training improves power production at
the pedals. It’s a no-brainer.”
1
S Q UAT
What is it? A simple but highly
functional exercise where you
lower the hips from a standing
position, then stand back up. There are
multiple forms, but the most beneficial
for cyclists are the double-leg, single-leg,
back and bench squats.
Why do it? Gascoigne says: “Any variation
of squatting helps stabilise the hip and
works the prime movers.” In other words,
hip, leg and core muscles are activated,
improving mobility and strength.
How to do it? With feet shoulder-width
apart and back straight, push your hips
back and bend the knees, lowering into the
squat – as low as possible. Press through
the heels to stand back up.
Benchmark: Gascoigne recommends
starting with three sets of 10 bodyweight
squats every few days for four weeks,
before adding external loads. “A kettlebell,
barbell or dumbbell of up to 30kg, held at
the chest, will help you progress,” advises
the coach.
Step it up: With sufficient training, a Target mobility, stability and
strong cyclist should be able to squat leg strength with squats
1.5x their bodyweight.
2
For a whole-body strength boost
ROMANIAN DEADLIFT
deadlifts are hard to beat What is it? An exercise that not
only targets the back, core, hips,
arms and legs, but also trains
you in lifting heavy loads. It’s all-round
strength training in one move.
Why do it? “Deadlifts are so important,”
opines Gascogine. “Hip-hinge movements
where the spine is held firm and you move
through the hips are beneficial because
they strengthen the glutes and hamstrings,
which are typically short in cyclists.”
How to do it? Adopt a stance with shins
shoulder-width apart; bend down and grip
the barbell with straight arms. Straighten
your back, take a breath, and pull the
bar up by extending your knees and hips
until you are standing up straight, with
the barbell resting just above the knees.
Reverse the movement to lower the bar
back to the floor. Repeat 10 times for
two sets.
Benchmark: A decent amount to deadlift
is 1.3x one’s bodyweight, but an optimal
amount is 1.6x.
Step it up: With prolonged training, a
strong cyclist should be able to deadlift
twice their own weight.
Cycling Weekly | 12 January, 2023 | 47
 FE AT U R E
Flexibility
benchmarks
“People mistakenly link a lack of
flexibility to the status of their health,
which can be very misleading,” says
bike racer turned yoga teacher Becci
Curtis. It’s normal for certain yoga poses
and stretches to hurt or be difficult to
achieve.” Even so, the hard work pays off,
in Curtis’s view. “A cyclist who improves
their flexibility will have a better posture
and be more comfortable in everyday
tasks like bending down, getting up off
the floor or out of bed. Your resilience and
overall sense of well-being will benefit.”
48 | 12 January, 2023 | Cycling Weekly
Leg press machines offer a foolproof way
to target your quads, hamstrings and calves
Eliminate tight hamstrings with
wide-leg forward bends
The pigeon pose stretches hip
flexors, hamstrings and quads
3
LEG PRESS
What is it? The leg press
machine develops strength
in the quadriceps, glutes,
hamstrings and calves. “The stronger the
glutes and hamstrings, the more back
protection and greater power you are able
to push out,” comments Gascoigne.
Why do it? “Leg press machines work
the legs and the key cycling muscles hard
without being technically demanding –
just sit and push!”
How to do it? With a 90° knee angle, push
the platform slowly away from you. Keep
the heels flat and don’t lock the knees.
Return slowly to the start position.
Benchmark: Start with three sets of 10,
and over time increase the number of reps
and weight. A suitable long-term aim is
1.5x of your bodyweight.
Step it up: Move from double-leg to
single-leg work at half the weight.
4
WIDE-LEG
FORWARD BEND
What is it? This exercise helps
alleviate tight hamstrings and
stretches the calves, hips and lower back.
Why do it? “This is another way of
increasing the flexibility in the hamstrings
and hips,” says Curtis.
How to do it? Stand tall, with the feet
set wide apart, then bend forward from
the hips without rounding the back while
keeping legs straight.
Benchmark: Hold the position for 20
seconds, take a five-second break, and
repeat three times a week.
Step it up: With each passing week, hold
the position a few seconds longer.
5
HIP STRETCH
What is it? Yoga’s ‘pigeon pose’
stretches the hip flexors, as well
as the upper leg muscles.
Why do it? “This is a really accessible and
useful exercise,” says Curtis. “By wiggling
around, leaning forward and back, you will
flex all parts of the hamstrings and quads.”
How to do it? Cross one leg, extend the
other behind, and place both arms out in
front, with hips square and facing forward.
Straighten your back and lean forward.
Benchmark: Start by holding the pose for
10 breaths and progress to three minutes.
Step it up: Move into a 90/90 hip stretch,
with legs on the floor in a Z-formation.
 6
SIT AND REACH
Lengthen your hamstrings by
What is it? A standard test of
trying to touch your toes
the flexibility of the lower back
and hamstrings.
Why do it? Curtis says: “This gets us into a
position to stretch the hamstrings. Trying
to touch your toes can be an unpleasant
effort for many people, but done regularly
it lengthens the hamstrings and improves
their function.”
How to do it? Sit on the floor with straight
legs, feet against a box, and lean forward
with straight arms as far as you can go.
Benchmark: Aim to touch your toes. If you
struggle, wrap a resistance band around
one foot and hold onto it firmly while
extending the other hand forward.
Step it up: The most flexible athletes are
able to extend their whole hands beyond
their toes; try to improve 2cm every week.

Lunges challenge the joints and muscles

involved in pedalling

Bodyweight
exercises
You don’t need gym machines or
weights to build strength. Bodyweight
is enough, provided you know how to
use it. The three exercises in this section
can be done with bodyweight alone –
meaning you can do them wherever,
whenever. Difficulty can be increased
by varying your position (e.g. press-ups
with narrower hands). Core strength in
particular can be trained to a very high
level with body weight exercises alone.
There are countless holds and moves to
choose from – just search online.

7
LUNGES
What and why? Lunges
target all of the muscles
involved in the cycling pedal
stroke, exercising the hip, knee and ankle.
Proficient lungers go faster.
How to do it? Take a big step back with
one leg. Now, with hands on hips, bend
both knees, lowering your body towards
the floor. Straighten the back, and
push back up to the starting position
and repeat.
Benchmark: Start with two sets of 10 reps,
and work up to three sets of 15.
Step it up: Add weight – a pair of 12kg
dumbells or kettlebells is ideal.

Cycling Weekly | 12 January, 2023 | 49

 FE AT U R E
Hold the plank position to give
your core muscles a workout
8
PLANK
What and why? Planking
activates all of the core muscles
that support good cycling
posture, making us more fatigue-resistant.
Press-ups boost upper-body endurance so
you can hold your cycling posture for longer
9
PRESS-UP
What and why? Cyclists are
liable to neglect the upper body,
but the press-up is a great way
to strengthen the arms and shoulders,
as well as the core. When you’re a few
hours into a ride or long time trial, you’ll
50 |12 January, 2023 | Cycling Weekly
How to do it? With your elbows under
your shoulders, forearms flat on the
ground, raise your body until there’s
a straight line from the heels to the
shoulders. Hold this position.
be grateful for the improved stability and
endurance in the upper torso that this
exercise can help to develop.
How to do it? Position the hands slightly
wider apart than your shoulders, and keep
your back straight – don’t elevate your
bum. Slowly bend your elbows and lower
Benchmark: Start at one minute, and add
five seconds every few days.
Step it up: Want a rock-solid core?
Your aim should be to build up to a
three-minute plank.
yourself until your elbows are at a
90° angle.
Benchmark: Start with two to three sets
of 10 reps, and gradually build up to 30
reps per set.
Step it up: Work your way up to being
able to do single-arm press-ups.
 General health
PRO RIDER VIEWS
benchmarks
The markers of all-round fitness go
beyond strength and flexibility. The three
‘The gym works – you can
tests in this section give a snapshot of
your balance, respiratory function and feel the difference’
the explosiveness of muscular response.
Fun for all the family!

A
n Olympic gold medallist and
one of Britain’s rising sprint

10
STA N D I N G O N
ONE LEG
What and why: A decade-
long study published last year found that
an inability to hold a balanced position for
10 seconds was associated with an 84%
increased risk of death from any cause, in
particular cardiovascular and respiratory
illnesses. Good balance matters.
How to do it: Raise one foot by bending
a leg at the knee to 90°, balance on the
standing leg and maintain the position.
Benchmark: Practise balancing on one leg
every day for at least 10 seconds at a time.
Step it up: Aim for a full minute.
stars, Matt Walls credits his
ascension through the sport partly to
the gym routine imposed on him
when he was part of British Cycling’s
academy. It is a structure he maintains
through the winter with his road team
Bora-Hansgrohe.
“The gym and the bike go hand-in- Strength work is crucial for Walls (right)
hand, and you can see the progress
from time spent doing squats, leg on the track, shares Walls’s enthusiasm
presses and Romanian deadlifts,” for the gym. “I don’t go to the gym
says the 24-year-old. “You know twice a week just because it’s part of
it’s helping you and putting you in a my training. It’s something I would
position to be better on the road or choose to do anyway – because I can
track. It’s not always that you see a feel the difference,” she says, and refers
big jump in your numbers, it’s more a to improvements across the board.

11
HOLDING YOU R feeling. A big winter block is key, as it’s “These exercises improve strength in
B R E AT H tricky to maintain during the season. general, help with robustness and help
What and why: The claimed It’s important to keep doing these with injury prevention and recovery.
benefits of breath-holding range from exercises when you can. You can feel You can be explosive with lifting and
increased longevity to healthier stem cells and see the difference.” that will help explosiveness on the bike,
to resistance to infections and improved Jess Roberts, the 2018 British road whether it’s track or road. The gym
lung function. Failing that, it’s a fun test! race champion who has also won really helps me to feel stronger
How to do it? Sitting in a relaxed position, national, European and world medals and more stable.”
take a deep breath, fill your lungs to near
capacity, close your lips, relax and hold
Roberts (left) needs no
your breath for as long as you can – but do persuasion to hit the gym
not push into severe discomfort.
Benchmark: Most people manage 30-45
seconds. Aim for 60-90 seconds.
Step it up: Try box breathing: hold your
breath for a minute, breathe normally for
90 seconds, then hold for another minute.

12
VERTICAL LEAP
What and why: Road cyclists
aren’t renowned for our
jumping skills, but a vertical leap measures
our explosiveness and power – a great
marker of athleticism.
How to do it? Place feet shoulder-
width apart, bend the knees, then jump,
throwing up your arms for added lift. Do
three sets of five reps. Jump next to a wall
to measure the height achieved.
Benchmark: Aim for 40cm high.
Step it up: Strive to leap over 50cm.

Cycling Weekly | 12 January, 2023 | 51

 FITNESS

MY T R A I N I N G S PAC E WA L L A R T
To cover the crack in the wall,
I put up any pictures I could
find – the main one is Bradley

Neil Cresswell Wiggins, alongside a

collection of retro posters

D
uring lockdown I turned
our laundry room into a
pain cave. The first job was
to paint over the massive
crack in the wall. The only paint I had to
hand was sage green, so I mixed it with
Polyfilla, which turned it a baby-sick-
green colour. Thankfully it looked better
once it had dried, though the crack was
still visible, so I hung up some framed
cycling jerseys from the local race team.
Hey presto, the crack was gone!
I’m a lifelong cyclist – a former
mountain biker who switched to the road
mostly because I hate cleaning muddy
bikes! I enjoy riding and racing on Zwift
over the winter, and switch to outdoor
riding for the summer. I ride for six or
seven hours per week.
My turbo of choice is the Wattbike M O O DY L I G H T I N G
Atom, and I created the Facebook group These Philips Hue lights
‘Wattbike Atom Owners’ to keep in touch link to my TV and give off
with others. I wanted a fully integrated an ambient glow that
bike rather than a turbo trainer, and the matches the colour on
Atom’s tablet holder allows me to easily screen on Zwift
type messages. For racing, I switch to
using an Apple TV box with a Philips
Ambilight TV.
My platform of choice is Zwift, where
PROFILE
my favourite event is the Monday SZR Age: 45
Joyride – two laps of London, finishing Height: 5ft 10in
with a race up Box Hill. After a while, FTP: 280W
Zwift introduced the sweeper feature and Rides for: Team ShaverSports
I jumped at the chance to perform that Lives: Gloucester
role. I’ve since also become a ride leader. Occupation: Service industry
There is only one rule on my rides: If you professional
moan, I just go faster! My rides take place Proudest cycling achievements:
on Mondays at 6pm (SZR Joyride Cat C) Winning the SZR Spring series on
and Fridays at 5:35pm (SZR Funride). Zwift in 2018

52 | 12 January, 2023 | Cycling Weekly

 THE BIKES
My summer bike is a 10-year-old
Look 695 in special-edition Union
Jack colours, and my winter
workhorse is a Focus Izalco Max
THE TRAINER
I’ve used a Wattbike Atom since
they were introduced – first a V1
model and now a V2. I’ve stuck with
Wattbike, as I’ve had good
experience with their customer
service and I like the nice, solid
screen holder
F R A M E D J E R S EYS
The framed jerseys are from
my local race team Ride 24/7,
which sadly no longer exists.
One of the team’s sponsors
was the Somewhere Else
cocktail bar, whose owner
Andy Sampson kindly
donated the jerseys to me
REPLICA JERSEY
This black-and-white jersey
is a Tom Simson-inspired
Rapha design, and I plan to
have it framed and added to
the wall of fame
Photos Andrew Sydenham
Want
to show CW around
your training space? Email
a pic to: david.bradford@
futurenet.com
Cycling Weekly | 12 January, 2023 | 53
 R AC I N G R E S U LT S
DOMESTIC
R E S U LT S
CYCLO-CROSS
S AT- S U N , 7 - 8 JA N U A RY
National Trophy Series round six (Cyclopark, Kent):
Elite Men: 1. Thomas Mein (Hope Factory Racing)
57.09; 2. J. Blackmore (Team Inspired) +0.31;
3. D. Barnes (Spectra Wiggle p/b Vitus) +1.49; 4. T.
Barnes (Garden Shed UK-Ribble) +1.57; 5. M. Wuyts
(Cycle Passion-Scott RT) +2.00; 6. J. Coukham
(Garden Shed UK-Ribble) +2.16; 7. J. Young (Garden
Shed UK-Ribble) +2.43; 8. S. Wylie (Spectra Wiggle
p/b Vitus) +3.03; 9. G. Ferguson (Hope Factory
Racing) +3.12; 10. S. Chisholm (The Cycling
Academy) +3.33.
Elite Women: 1. Millie Couzens (Crelans-Fristads)
53.53; 2. E. Maclean-Howell (Hope Factory Racing)
+0.29; 3. M. De Bruyne (Proximus-Alpha Motor
Homes) +3.07; 4. L. Mansfield (Montezuma’s Race
Team) +3.29; 5. S. Thackray (Paul Milnes Bradford
Olympic) +4.03; 6. E. Day (Ignite) +4.05; 7. C. Wiejak
(Saint Piran WRT) +4.58; 8. R. Preece (Hope
Factory Racing) +4.54; 9. R. James (Hope Factory
Racing) +5.04; 10. A. Perryman (Montezuma’s Race
Team) +5.14.
COMING UP
The Rawlinson Bracket
Date: Sat 25 Feb
Test your winter climbing legs
in this ‘Wilds of Warwickshire’
sportive, held in memory of local
rider Nick Rawlinson. Choose
between the hilly 99km ‘Top
Bracket’ and shorter 56km
‘Bottom Bracket’ rides. Money
raised will go to research into
SADS (sudden arrhythmic
death Syndrome).
Closes: Fri 17 Feb
Perfs Pedal Race
Date: Sun 12 Feb
This 46-mile race is open to
E/1/2/3 category riders, who
tackle laps from the village of
Southwick near Portsmouth,
up onto Ports Down and back.
It’s usually oversubscribed,
so get in quick.
Closes: Sat 21 Jan
54 | 12 January, 2023 | Cycling Weekly
Alderney Baker and Toby Baker celebrate
their National Trophy Series wins
Under-23 Men: 1. Joseph Blackmore
(Team Inspired) 57.40; 2. D. Barnes
(Spectra Wiggle p/b Vitus) +1.18; 3. J.
Coukham (Garden Shed UK-Ribble)
+1.45; 4. J. Young (Garden Shed
UK-Ribble) +2.22; 5. S. Wylie (Spectra
Wiggle p/b Vitus) +2.32; 6. S. Chisholm
(The Cycling Academy) +3.02.
Under-23 Women: 1. Millie Couzens
(Crelans-Fristads) 53.53; 2. E.
Maclean-Howell (Hope Factory Racing)
+0.29; 3. L. Mansfield (Montezuma’s
Race Team) +3.29; 4. E. Day (Ignite)
+4.05; 5. A. Perryman (Montezuma’s
Race Team) +5.14; 6. A. Baker (Team
Empella Cyclo-cross.com) +5.58.
Junior Boys: 1. Oliver Akers (Garden
Shed UK-Ribble-Verge) 45.41;
2. A. Amey (GKR Racing) +0.09; 3. N.
Henderson (Hetton Hawks CC) +0.36;
4. S. Fisher (Una Forza Racing) +0.47;
5. S. Grindley (Garden Shed UK-Ribble)
+0.56; 6. L. Gibson (4T+ Cyclopark)
+1.52.
Junior Girls: 1. Elizabeth McKinnon
(Montezuma’s Race Team) 36.33; 2. K.
Eyeington (Derwentside CC) +0.02; 3. E.
Carrick-Anderson (T-Mo Racing) +0.13;
4. N. Murphy (Montezuma’s Race Team)
+0.21; 5. L. Bell (Garden Shed UK-Ribble)
+1.03; 6. A. Colling (Shibden CC) +1.36.
Over-40 Male Veterans: 1. Adrian
Lansley (Pedal On) 40.49; 2. L. Craven
(Wheelbase-CabTech) +0.01; 3. P.
Oldham (Hope Factory Racing) +0.34;
4. T. Fawcett (Scott Racing) +2.21;
5. A. Gunner (Verulam-Really Moving)
+2.42; 6. M. Lawton (Macclesfield
Wheelers) +3.01.
Over-40 Female Veterans: 1. Ceris
Styler (Backstedt-Bike Performance)
39.20; 2. S. Halhead (unattached) +2.15;
3. C. Goward (GS Vecchi) +3.13; 4. D.
McLelland (unattached) +5.01; 5. D.
Smith (Nova Race Team) +5.19; 6. V.
Strila (Quick Release CC) +6.39.
Over-50 Male Veterans: 1. Nicholas
Craig (Scott Racing) 40.54; 2. I. Taylor (Shibden +2.30; 5. J. Bringlow (Crawley Wheelers) +3.05;
CC) +0.38; 3. P. Middleton (Zepnat RT) +1.32; 4. S. 6. P. Caton (Verulam-Really Moving) +3.51.
Henshall (Port Sunlight Wheelers) +2.08; 5. S. Hale Over-60 Female Veterans: Carolyn Speirs
(Army CU) +3.22; 6. A. Turner (Cotswold Veldrijden) (Kendal CC).
+3.23.
S U N DAY, 8 JA N UA RY
Over-50 Female Veterans: 1. Helen Pattinson
(Montezuma’s Race Team) 40.59; 2. N. Hughes Eastern League round nine (Snetterton, Norfolk):
(Southborough & Dist Wh) +1.40; 3. T. Fletcher Men: 1. Kieran Jarvis (Brother UK-Orientation
(Morvelo Magspeed Racing) +1.45; 4. M. Whitehurst Marketing) 58.45; 2. C. Laborde (Wheelbase
(Reflex Racing) +3.12; 5. C. Speirs (Kendal CC) +9.10; CabTech) +0.43; 3. S. Herrod (ROTOR Race Team)
6. C. Mansfield (Magspeed Racing) +9.31. +1.36; 4. F. Barker (Hope Factory Racing) +1.41; 5. C.
Over-60 Male Veterans: 1. Grant Johnson Hurst (Velo Schils-Interbike) +2.04; 6. M. Richards
(unattached) 45.29; 2. D. McMullen (Cotswold (DAP CC) +4.33; 7. O. Maynard (St Ives CC) +5.00;
Veldrijden) +1.29; 3. M. Davies (Pedal Power 8. G. Green (unattached) +5.29; 9. D. Preece (Army
Loughborough) +2.29; 4. R. Delve (Mid-Devon CC) CU) +7.03; 10. C. Rumbles (Strada 2020) +1 lap.
Women: 1. Alison Hogg (unattached) 36.28; 2. C.
 Z W I F T R E S U LT S
C Y C L I N G W E E K LY C L U B 1 0 T T
EVENT #129
COURSE: TEMPUS FUGIT
WED 4 JANUARY
MEN
1 Pete Younghusband Race3R 20:56 5.2w/kg 356w

2 Marcel Schubert LEVEL Esports 21:18 4.8w/kg 397w

3 Sam Ward Otley CC 21:26 5.1w/kg 340w

4 Cameron Muir - 21:46 4.9w/kg 317w

5 David Raynham Burrito 21:55 4.5w/kg 335w

6 Steve Strange - 22:17 4.6w/kg 293w

7 Jon Groves - 22:33 4.2w/kg 378w

8 Jules Bosley IDCA 22:36 4.2w/kg 296w

9 Simon Crisp - 22:38 4.6w/kg 293w

10 Matthew Rivers ACC 22:59 4.0w/kg 312w

WOMEN

1 Rachael Maxwell Team Electricspirit.co 25:10 3.1w/kg 183w

2 Carol Westmorland Border City Wh 26:19 3.3w/kg 184w
3 Celine Knockaert - 27:51 2.9w/kg 185w
4 Bethan Gibson - 28:15 2.9w/kg 135w

Ride the
C LU B 1 0 AT T I C K TO C K CW CLUB 10
to unlock the new
FAST FACTS Cycling Weekly
Heritage
FASTEST MAN FASTEST WOMAN jersey
Will Lowden Frances Owen
19:53 (Week 15) 21:46 (Week 2)
29 VISITS TO THIS COURSE
D o n ’t m is s n ex t Wed n esday ’s event
on the London 8 course
Words Snowdon Sports Photos British Cyclo-cross

Hime (Paradigm Cycles) +0.43; 3. E. Grace

(Cambridge CC) +0.58; 4. E. Branch (XRT-Elmy
Cycles) +1.09; 5. L. Prime (West Suffolk Wh) +3.06;
6. K. Scotter (ViCIOUS Velo) +5.05; 7. J. Newstead
(XRT-Elmy Cycles) +5.10; 8. L. Lawson (Velobants.
cc) +5.38; 9. E. Canham (Rapha CC) +5.45; 10. E.
Johnson (XRT-Elmy Cycles) +5.49.
ROAD RACING
S AT U R DAY, 7 JA N U A RY
Full Gas Winter Circuit Series round 10
(Lee Valley VeloPark, London):
2, 3: 1. William Gilbank (Lee Valley YCC); 2. A.
Salmon (Hart Performance Coaching);
3. C. Williams (VC Londres); 4. C. Leveridge (Team
PB Performance); 5. S. Leslie (Lee Valley YCC);
6. A. Murray (Islington CC); 7. P. Torrison (LVC
Racing); 8. P. Fuller (Velo Schils-Interbike RT);
9. A. Rouyer-Brown (Southend Wheelers); 10. L.
Kebbell (Lee Valley YCC).
Fourth Cat: 1. Raif Ososki (Kingston Wheelers);
2. H. Aubrey (Histon & Impington Bicycle Club);
3. S. Cooke (Lee Valley YCC); 4. L. Bely (unattached);
5. M. Malysa (Kingston Wheelers); 6. F. Bannister
(Imperial College CC); 7. B. Kimber (Kingston
Wheelers); 8. M. Brown (West Suffolk Wheelers);
9. N. Renny (Peckham CC); 10. T. Hands-Hart
(Kingston Wheelers).
Full Gas Winter Circuit Series round five
(Hillingdon circuit, Middlesex):
Third Cat: 1. Thomas Mead (Lee Valley YCC): 2. H.
Dorrance-King (London Dynamo); 3. C. Abraham
(Lee Valley YCC); 4. B. Buenfeld (VC Venta); 5. M.
Thompson (Team Cystic Fibrosis); 6. O. Hoult (VC
Venta); 7. E. Storti (Lee Valley YCC); 8. J. Shillingford
(Thames Velo); 9. A. Franks (VC Londres); 10. R.
Pittman (Lee Valley YCC).
Women: 1. Selina Clifford (London Dynamo); 2. S.
Wheatley (Full Gas RT); 3. G. Pasmore (VMCC
powered by Y Beic).
Over-40 Veterans: 1. Kevin Argent (unattached);
2. J. McKie (Regents Park Rouleurs); 3. G. Dyer
(ROKiT-SRCT).

Cycling Weekly | 12 January, 2023 | 55

 As a new year begins, the Doc ponders the jolly prospect that one
day his bike riding days will be over – and so will yours
A
ccording to several press
releases I’ve been sent, this
is the most depressing week
of the year. And so I found
myself having this gloomy thought: one
day I’ll go for my last ever bike ride. Same
applies to everyone. One day we’ll all
turn our last pedal, climb off, and put the
bike away.
When it comes, it seems unlikely I’ll
know that’s what’s happening at the time.
The days of deliberately retiring from
cycling are long gone – it used to be called
‘hanging up your wheels’, and it was sort
of expected of riders of a certain age.
For a very long time the assumption
was that a pro retiring from racing
wouldn’t ride again – when Jacques
Anquetil hung up his wheels, the story
goes that he buried his bike in his garden.
Whether or not that’s literally true (if
you’re retiring from the hard graft of
cycling, are you going to want to dig a
hole quite that big? I buried a cat once,
and it took all day), it’s clear that he
G reat Inventions of Cycling 18 87: Winter cycling
Winter riding was to all intents and
purposes invented along with the
pneumatic tyre and the puncture in 1887.
Prior to the pneumatic tyre, roads were
impassable for most of a typical northern
European winter. The mud made riding
a penny-farthing almost impossible, and
the only relief from the drudgery of
attempting to make progress was
getting your stupid big wheel caught
in a rut, falling off and getting mud on
your tweed riding suit.
Instead, most cycling clubs passed
the winter months in their clubrooms.
There they spent their time sitting by
the fire, playing billiards, reading the
papers, ordering new bikes for the
58 | 12 January, 2023 | Cycling Weekly
following year, drinking port and singing
bawdy songs about the club captain’s
relationship with his machine. Occasionally
they’d all get a train to somewhere else,
repeat the activities in a country inn and
count it as a club run.
With the pneumatic tyre came enough
Tyre innovations
spoiled everything
subsequently rode on no more than
another three occasions, and never for
very far. That was fairly typical.
These days the end of the line is a lot
more blurred and uncertain. The only
clear wish for most of us is that the final
ride doesn’t end badly. I don’t want to
end run down by a driver who’s on the
phone, not least because after I’m dead
people will say, “At least he died doing
what he loved,” as if that makes it better.
Honestly, I want them to be able to say,
“He died doing his tax return. And he’d
only just started.”
But even if there are days on the road
when a violent end feels a certainty,
statistically it remains unlikely. There are
many more probable outcomes. Some can
still be abrupt. One college friend’s last
ride finished with him hurling his bike
into a hedge in a moment of pure rage at
his own lack of ability, then calling a taxi.
When the taxi arrived, the driver
wouldn’t let him put the bike in the car.
My friend weighed up the options for a
grip and suspension to make the winter
roads rideable and safe. At last it was
possible to get away from the warmth
of the fireside and the pleasure of
port-soused sing-songs, and get out
there into the cold and wind and driving
Victorian rain.
Finally, a rider could experience
the joy of trying to fix a puncture with
frozen fingers, and relish the delicate
feeling of water soaking through their
socks. Instead of the mud being a
barrier to pleasure, they could bring
vast quantities of it home, and tread it
all over their rugs and carpets so they’d
always have it near them.
And that’s what we call progress.
“Is that deep enough,
Maître Jacques?”
moment before throwing the bike back
in the hedge and getting into the taxi. I
don’t approve of people giving up cycling,
but I do admire the finality of that. He did
go back and retrieve the bike, but to this
day says it was only because he felt guilty
about littering. He has not ridden since.
My guess would
be that my own
last ride will
“My guess is my
sneak up on me
very gradually.
last ride will
I’ll get slower and
the rides will get
sneak up on me”
shorter. If I draw
a historical graph of my weekly mileage,
the mean has been dropping since about
2006. A bit of extrapolation suggests that
my last ride will be in the year 2115.
At least that that’s when the regression
line hits zero, so we’d be assuming my last
ride is under a metre in length.
For something a bit more realistic, the
analysis says that my last ride of more
than 10km will be in a more plausible
sounding 2065, and that unless I buy
an e-bike, it’s going to take me about an
hour and a half. This is worryingly easy
to believe.
All I really ask
is that I don’t
know it’s the last.
I don’t imagine
I will. Denial is
very much the
stock in trade of
the declining rider
– “I could be just as fast as I used to be
if I trained harder.” “I could still do 200
miles in a day if I wanted to, I just don’t
want to.” And, “I’ll be on the club run next
week, just as long as the nurse unhooks
me from all these machines.”
That last one is probably going to be me.
ACTS O F CYC LI N G
STUPIDITY
I got a photo on New Year’s Eve from
Alan Murchison, the only person I
know who has both beaten 18 minutes
for a 10-mile time trial and been
awarded a star by the Michelin Guide
to restaurants.
It was a picture of the screen on his
computer, showing a 12hr 45min ride
on his turbo trainer that covered the
500km of the Festive 500 in one hit.
All done on his time trial bike, in full-
Photos Getty Images, Alamy
on aero position.
“To make it interesting,” he
reported, “I’d do an hour at 90rpm,
then an hour at 80rpm.”
He says he’s not in a hurry to do
it again.
Cycling Weekly | 12 January, 2023 | 59
 FROM THE ARCHIVE

Tour de France
2 July, 1964

R
iders in the 1964 Tour de
France get their hydration
supplies off the back of a
lorry, so to speak, on a hot
day in the south on stage 11 from Toulon
to Montpellier.
The thirsty line-up includes Rudy
Altig (number two), who had already won
his stage earlier in the race – from Forest
in Belgium to Metz on stage four – and
donned the yellow jersey for three days.
Following the in-stage resupply in
this image, Belgium’s Sels Ward (Solo
Superia) was first into Montpellier at the
head of the bunch, edging out Michael
Wright (Wiels-Groene Leeuw) of
Britain in second. Overall winner was
Jacques Anquetil, winning his fifth Tour
and denying (of course) second-placed
Raymond Poulidor.

Photo Getty Images

60 | 12 January, 2023 | Cycling Weekly

Cycling Weekly | 12 January, 2023 | 61
 FROM THE ARCHIVE

Cycling Weekly
24 July, 1987
“I’ts Roche! It’s
Stephen Roche!”...
behind Pedro Delgado

S
tephen Roche had just become
the first Irishman to win the
Tour de France so it’s perhaps
a little surprising to see Pedro
Delgado as the main focus of the cover
image this week, with Roche glued to his
wheel and neither of them sporting the
yellow jersey. importantly 61 club or division
Roche had in fact only snatched the seconds ahead championships,
yellow jersey back from Delgado – Roche of Delgado, sealed Roche saw his
had worn yellow for stage 19 – in the time the deal. future following
trial on the race’s penultimate stage. So “Triomphe de Sean Kelly’s
photo ops were few and far between. Roche!” read the wheel marks.”
Having chipped away at the Spaniard’s headline inside as Elsewhere in
lead in the final Alpine stages, it was the 27-year-old the magazine the
stage number 24 – this was back in the added himself to British Cycling
days of split stages – where the Irishman the select group of Federation’s
took the jersey back. Second place in the riders who’d won director of
38km time trial around Dijon, and more the Giro d’Italia and coaching, Jim
Tour de France in Hendry, wrote
the same year. “Not about over-
C L ASS I C A DV E RT
only was the Mayor training. Despite
GEOFFREY BUTLER of Paris, Jacques the development
Chirac, there to of sports science
greet Ireland’s over the last 30
sporting hero, years, much of the
but also the Prime Minister of Ireland, advice given on spotting and recovery
Charles Haughey, who had flown to from overtraining is as pertinent today as
Paris especially.” it was then.
Writer Keith Bingham had met
Roche years before and remembered his
NEXT WEEK
ambition. “In a quiet Douglas guest house
a young Dublin clubman laid out his E T H A N H AY T E R
plans for the future with the confidence I N T E RV I E W
of someone who had met a good story-
teller. It was eight years ago and an eager Ineos rider set for big things
Stephen Roche had taken time off from Adopting a pro mindset
his job as a fitter in a dairy to race in Isle Winter jackets grouptest
of Man Week. ‘My aim is to win the Tour Rating the 2023 jersey designs
de France,’ he told me. I remember his
smile as he said those powerful words
Pro rider. Regular customer. Model for they were the stuff of dreams for O N SA LE JA N 19
good looks. Russell Williams had it all. every other cyclist on the Isle of Man – www.magazinesdirect.com/B23G
bar this one. As other riders thought of

62 | 12 January, 2023 | Cycling Weekly

9000 9001