. E S T 1 8 9 1 . Thursday 24 August, 2023 FU L L S TAG E D E TA I L S P LUS R I D E R F O R M G U I D E T E C H A cyclist’s best friend: multi-tools on test N E W S What Glasgow Worlds means for GB’s Olympic preparation F U E L L I N G The ultimate guide to getting enough carbs AERO WARS Why the next aerodynamic battleground could be in the courtroom V U E LTA A E S PA Ñ A T H E B IG F O U R S E T T O D O BAT T L E I N S PA I N P R E V I E W
S C A N T O SU B S C R I B E ! S I M O N R I C H A R D S O N Editor [email protected] Getready for LaVuelta! S T A R T L I N E 2 4 . 0 8 I recently found myself in the ludicrous position of having three bikes at my disposal but not being able to ride one of them. It was a Saturday evening and I was going to do a turbo session. Bear with me. I was home alone with the kids and a busy weekend meant my exercise window was Saturday evening once they were in bed. A new test bike (Scott Addict) had arrived with a very bent mech hanger, so that was a no go. So I went to set up the Trek Madone (a previous test bike) on my Tacx Neo but couldn’t. The bolt of the thru-axle adapter wouldn’t screw into the frame for some reason. I then tried my Pearson Gravel bike (yes, a gravel bike on a turbo) but the thru-axle screws not into the frame itself, but another bolt head. I unscrewed that, hoping to find the necessary thread (still with me?) and the rear mech fell off! I swore loudly, took a deep breath, gave up on the turbo session and did some research. Turns out bike manufacturers now make thru-axles with three, yes three, different thread gauges: 1mm, 1.5mm and 1.7mm. So Tacx (AKA Garmin) now has to make an adapter for these three sizes. Progress is inevitable, but with prices already sky high, I’m starting to wonder if the bike industry is deliberately trying to destroy itself. Photos Getty Images, Future, Alamy N EVER MI S S AN I S SUE ! SUB SC R I B E AN D GE T CW DE L I V E R ED T O YO UR D O O R M AG A Z I N E S D I R E C T.C O M/C 39U MY HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK 06 Aero wars in the courtroom 36 More tech from the Worlds 62 Ugly, but still a classic 4 Calculating 6carbs FRE E L EZ Y N E C A DDY + L I T E PU M P WO R T H £7 3 Acyclist’s bestfriend
,` Scandinavian dramaThe peloton makes its way around the breathtaking coastline of Hammerfest during theArcticRace of Norway on its way to what proved to be a decisive hill-top finish in Havøysund.There, British rider StevieWilliams (Israel-Premier Tech) would take the win and the leader’s jersey (see p12). Photo ARN/Billy Ceusters
6 | 24 August, 2023 | Cycling Weekly Hope x Lotus: did sensation become imitation? “The potential infringements relate to the fork and seatstays” British Cycling is considering taking legal action over potential patent infringements from the new bikes of the Japanese and French cycling teams. The potential infringements are in relation to the ultra-wide fork and seat stays that British Cycling first used on the Hope x Lotus bikes unveiled ahead of the Tokyo Olympics. At the 2023 Glasgow World Championships, French and Japanese track riders were seen using bikes with similar characteristics. British Cycling told Cycling Weekly Aerodynamic patents become new Olympic battleground that they are aware of potential patent infringements. When asked if legal action is likely to be taken, head of performance Stephen Park said: “There might well be.” Crucially, the homologation deadline for new equipment to be used in competition ahead of Paris 2024 has now passed, which means any successful legal challenge could see the French and Japanese teams using old tech on the sport’s biggest stage. When the first Hope x Lotus track bike was released in 2019, it received much attention in the media around its peculiar-looking ultra-wide fork blades and seatstays. It was updated again this year with a split seatpin. The original design idea was to align the forks and seatstays with a rider’s legs in order to direct airflow around the rider. When we visited the Hope factory back in 2021, Hope’s design engineer Sam Pendred told us it was around 2-3% quicker. British Cycling considers legal action which could bar French and Japanese bikes from competition
Cycling Weekly | 24 August, 2023 | 7 Words Joe Baker Photos British Cycling, Andy Jones J O E B A K E R Tech writer Will cycling teams now start defending their technological gains in the courtroom? It’s a pretty uncertain outlook. Neither the French nor the Japanese bikes have been released – they were ridden in Glasgow with prototype approval and the Japanese bike was whisked away before we could get a closer look – so it’s impossible to judge very accurately how close their design is to Hope’s. The other point of contention is whether or not British Cycling would want to engage in a costly legal battle. Any legal action, I think, wouldn’t be considered the best ‘bang for your buck’ if you’re in BC’s shoes. Battles such as these can often turn ugly, and there’s a good chance any dispute would either end up being too costly from a financial or publicity standpoint. Then there is the science behind the design philosophy. Designers of the Hope x Lotus bike have spoken about the psychological advantages of the bike’s futuristic design. This, coupled with the fact that rider Dan Bigham, who doesn’t have a Hope bike as he’s is not on the BC programme, was able to keep pace on his own Pinarello track bike for the team pursuit, points to minimal gains. There are also the teams in question. Neither France nor Japan are major rivals in targeted races such as the team pursuit. Any action taken would look like BC, one of the best-funded teams in the world and one of the sport’s great innovators, stamping its authority over other less resourced squads, rather than compete on a more level playing field. The crucial section of the patent reads: “A bicycle comprising a pair of front forks, each fork extending downwardly and substantially parallel to each other from a crown, the forks widely spaced apart from each other and a wheel mounted therebetween, wherein the widely spaced forks are each aligned with the axis of the lower leg of a rider in a normal riding position.” Patent breach? It’s a similar story at the back of the bike too, where British Cycling’s patent describes: “A bicycle as claimed in any proceeding claim wherein the bicycle comprises a pair of seatstays, each seatstay extending downwardly and substantially parallel to each other from a crown, the seatstays widely spaced apart from each other and a wheel mounted therebetween, wherein the widely spaced seatstays are each aligned with the axis of the lower leg of a rider in a normal riding position.” Essentially, British Cycling has protected aligning the fork blades and seatstays with a rider’s legs. A second claim further outlines that this is applicable for widths of 180-240mm. Though we weren’t able to get a tape measure on the front forks of both the V-IZU TCM and Look P24, the bikes are both arguably designed with fork and leg alignment inline, which British Cycling could see as grounds for a dispute. Ambiguous outcome While it could be argued that both bikes have borrowed from this design philosophy, we must note though that, particularly in the case of the Look P24, the outlook is less clear. When we asked French team personnel whether or not it was tricky to design the bike around British Cycling’s patent, they simply said “Yes”, which indicates they were aware of the patent during its design phase. This may well be the reason for the outlandish dual-seatpost set-up seen on the Look P24 – a bid to blur the definition of seatstays. Similarly, at the front end, the Look P24 uses a single-crown fork, another characteristic that British Cycling has sought to protect.
8 | 24 August, 2023 | Cycling Weekly National champ Tarling’s a huge fan ofUKtime trialling Words James Shrubsall Photo Alamy As new data has been published revealing a worrying lack of young people coming into the UK TT scene, Ineos Grenadiers time trialling star Josh Tarling has been singing its praises. “I always loved it, and my dad used to do it… I think it’s such an advantage that you can get from the UK,” he said just days after claiming a bronze medal in the World Championship time trial behind Remco Evenepoel and Filippo Ganna. “There aren’t many places where you can pull on a skinsuit on a Wednesday night and just hurt yourself,” he added, “so it’d be rude not to use it.” His comments come as time trialling results platform Spindata released data showing the showing the median average age across all time trial participations has increased by around one year almost year-on-year since 2017, though there was a dip during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. It rose from 46 in 2017 to 48 by 2019. Though there was a dip down to 45 during Covid in 2020, it has since risen again, to 50 last year and 49 this year. Tarling backs ageing British TT scene New data suggest poor take-up by the young “It does look like there is sort of an inexorable progression in the median,” Spindata’s Dr Nick Wild said, “which is a good reason to try and get some more youngsters riding.” The data also showed a significant dip in participation at around the age of 18-20 as riders hit university age. Wild said it was hoping to address this drop-off by working alongside British Universities and Colleges Sports (BUCS) to help improve the club provision at universities, which can be patchy. “[At university] a lot of people are suddenly finding themselves in a big city,” Wild said. “So access to club courses is probably not as easy as it perhaps was in their home environment. They haven’t got a parent to drive them to events. And then there’s all the other distractions that come with being 18.” One piece of encouraging data from Spindata suggests the trend of a decline in rider numbers may have bottomed out, with an estimated 22,430 rides this year as opposed to 23,872 in 2022. It is still a fall, but only a minor one compared to the drop from 30,843 the year before, which itself is down from 44,799 in 2017. The organiser of the Tour of Britain has said it is now “very unlikely” the race will find a title sponsor for the 2023 edition. The event, which begins on 3 September, has already had most of its branding printed, with plans in place to go ahead without a sponsor. Speaking to Cycling Weekly, Peter Hodges of organiser SweetSpot explained he had not “given up hope” of finding last-minute commercial partners. “There’s not a point where you go, ‘It’s not possible,’” he said. “But realistically there comes a cut off where things get printed and so forth. We have to produce event branding, you know, the gantry, the podium artwork, the podium backdrop. Earlier in the year, you’re producing posters and leaflets, so I suppose there’s a diminishing time frame of what can be printed.” The Tour of Britain is also without a sponsor for its leader’s jersey, with a partnership only recently agreed for the King of the Mountains jersey. “This year has been tough for everyone in terms of cycling in the UK,” Hodges said. “I don’t think anyone, particularly from a commercial point of view, is having a super successful year.” In March, SweetSpot had to cancel the Women’s Tour after it was unable to find the funds to make the race financially viable. Conversations between the Tour of Britain and potential sponsors are ongoing, but are focused mainly “around 2024, 2025 onwards,” Hodges said. Tour of Britain ‘very unlikely’ to get title sponsor ToBwillstill go ahead
10 | 24 August, 2023 | Cycling Weekly Showing experience beyond her years, Millie Couzens timed her sprint to perfection from a leading group to win the women’s Ryedale Grand Prix. The 19-year-old has spent most of her season in Europe with the FenixDeceuninck team and showed her talent to win a first National Series event. Coming up against large domestic teams, lone rider Couzens rode cleverly to make a winning group of 10 riders which went clear in the closing stages. Couzens followed the experienced Mary Wilkinson coming into the finish at Ampleforth Abbey before launching her sprint, with Tiffany Keep taking second and Wilkinson third. “I didn’t know what to expect coming into this so I’m happy,” said Couzens. “It means a lot. Being on my own, it’s always harder and I have to play it well against the bigger teams tactically. Lone 19-year-old takes Ryedale GP victory Saint Piran men’s team take top-five clean sweep “There are only so many riders I can follow so I was letting a couple go and hoping that it would come back together near the end. I knew I had to launch my sprint late as I tend to go too early.” Couzens is a multi-discipline talent, having a combined road racing and cyclocross calendar. The win gave the Bicester rider a morale boost before heading to the Tour de l’Avenir with the Great Britain team, starting on Monday. “It means a lot. Being on my own, it’s always harder” Saint Piran continue dominance The men’s race had a familiar feel, with Saint Piran dominating the top five positions after riding away from their rivals. Not content with having two riders in the winning breakaway, three more Saint Piran riders chased across and then rode away from the rest. Entering the finishing circuits, Harry Birchill, Zeb Kyffin and Adam Lewis went clear, taking with them Ed Morgan (Wales Racing Academy). Themen’s podium: Kyffin, Birchill and Lewis Couzens’sprintwin came despite a lack ofteam-mates
Words Snowdon Sports, Tom Davidson Photos SWpix.com Cycling Weekly | 24 August, 2023 | 11 Virtual racing company Zwift has expressed its disappointment in losing the hosting duties of the Esports World Championships to competitor MyWhoosh. On Thursday, the UCI announced that it had awarded a three-year contract to the Abu Dhabi-based company to hold the Championships from 2024 through to 2026. The event, which was first held in 2020, has until now taken place exclusively on Zwift, with rainbow jerseys awarded to the best male and female riders. A spokesperson for Zwift told Cycling Weekly: “Naturally, we are disappointed by this outcome but we are extremely proud of the three great World Championships we have delivered with the UCI to date. “Our commitment to grow the sport of cycling esports from community racing upwards and to further our elite racing product remains unchanged. We will continue to innovate and drive this new sport forward.” Announcing the new partnership with MyWhoosh, UCI president David Lappartient said: “We are convinced that MyWhoosh will continue to develop this exciting and popular event. “Today’s announcement further confirms Abu Dhabi’s commitment to our sport after it hosted a magnificent edition of the UCI Urban Cycling World Championships in 2022.” Created in 2019 and based in the UAE, MyWhoosh is a lesser known, free-to-use virtual cycling platform. Every year, it hosts thousands of races for users but it has never organised any intermediate-level events. A spokesperson at MyWhoosh assured CW that the platform has the knowledge and tools to ensure fairness. They highlighted the company’s “comprehensive 3-step verification process”, and ‘Power Passports’ to monitor riders’ progress and detect discrepancies. Zwift loses World Champs MyWhoosh isthe newhost ofthe EsportsWorlds With the Saint Piran trio too strong for their breakaway companion, they were left alone and battled it out for victory between themselves. Under-23 rider Birchill was the strongest, charging clear of Kyffin, with Lewis finishing third, 1.45 back. Coming out of the remains of the breakaway, fellow Saint Piran riders Finn Crockett and Bradley Symonds completed the top five. Morgan held on to finish as the top non-Saint Piran rider, 7.46 back in sixth. “It was a hard day out, it didn’t go completely to plan at the start as we wanted to try and make it a bit harder,” said Birchill. “We raced against each other to make it a bit more interesting. We wanted Zeb [Kyffin] to keep the overall leader’s jersey and it was left to us to race it out.”
12 | 24 August, 2023 | Cycling Weekly Williamswinsstage three after aweather-hitfinale Words James Shrubsall Photo ARN/Billy Ceusters Welshman Stevie Williams showed patience and timing to take victory in the Arctic Race of Norway at the weekend. The 27-year-old put himself into the lead of the four-stage race on stage three when he held off launching his sprint on the punishing uphill finish to Havøysund until just 75 metres to go. In the slow-motion sprint into a headwind he came round everyone to narrowly take the win, collect a 10- second time bonus and leave him and his Israel-Premier Tech team the job of defending the jersey on the final day. Speaking after his stage win Williams said: “It was horrible weather conditions out there again for the last hour or two, so the main thing was trying to stay warm and trying to make sure we did all the basics right. “All day the boys did a great job keeping us at the front, especially in the last couple of hours when there were crosswinds, bad weather, climbs and descents, so it was great teamwork Stevie Williams ‘getting stronger’ as he wins Arctic Race of Norway Late-season form pays off for Welsh pro today, and I’m really happy to finish it off like that.” The next day his team worked tirelessly to keep the jersey, pegging a 16-man escape over two minutes up the road throughout the day, before reeling it in. Williams came across the line in 10th, enough to secure the overall victory. Israel-Premier Tech sports director Steve Bauer heaped praise on Williams. “It was a great ride by Stevie, he’s only going to get stronger now,” he said. “I couldn’t ask for much more from him. We had a good plan and we needed to control the race today, and we did super well. It was definitely not a foregone conclusion coming into stage four, as we knew there would be attacks, and towards the end it got complicated with time bonuses on the line, but the cards fell for us.” It was Williams’s first win of the year and his second GC win after victory in the 2.1-ranked Cro Race in 2021. Up until Norway, Williams’s best result this year has been third in the British Elite National Road Race Championship. Staff and riders from the EF Education-TIBCO-SVB women’s team were said to be looking for work last week after team boss Linda Jackson confirmed the team will fold at the end of the year. Jackson told CyclingNews she had been unable “to secure the sponsorship needed to maintain my WorldTour licence”. The collapse follows the announcement in June of another EF Education-backed women’s team for 2024. In an email to Cycling Weekly Jackson sought to counter a report by Sporza that riders and staff were being blocked from joining the new EF team. “I have no say or influence on which members, riders or staff, from my team EF chooses to hire for the brand new EF Education-Cannondale team for 2024 and beyond,” Jackson said. Richard Freeman, the former British Cycling doctor, has received a four-year ban for his role in ordering banned substances to the governing body’s HQ in 2011. Freeman, who worked closely with British Cycling and Team Sky, has been at the centre of a long-running hearing, which saw him struck off the medical register in 2021. According to UK Anti-Doping (UKAD), Freeman “violated” antidoping rules by “taking possession of an order of 30 sachets of Testogel” – a banned testosterone substance. He was also deemed to have lied to UKAD in respect of that order and to have “tamper[ed]” with an anti-doping investigation. The ban is backdated to the start of his suspension in December 2020. EF EducationTIBCO to fold Richard Freeman sanctioned
14 | 24 August, 2023 | Cycling Weekly “The women’s team sprint progression is huge” With less than a year to go until the Paris Olympics and Paralympics, the British cycling team is riding a wave of confidence following their substantial medal haul at the Glasgow Worlds. Great Britain topped both the para and non-para medal tables at the first multi-disciplinary Worlds, collecting 100 medals in total, of which 47 were gold. They were significantly clear – in both gold medal and overall medal count – of Germany and France, who occupied second and third place respectively. A number of the team’s victories crucially came in Olympic events, with notable success in BMX, mountain bike and the women’s track programme. The only major mishap was in the men’s team pursuit, when the quartet crashed out in qualifying. Addressing the media after the Championships, British Cycling’s performance director Stephen Park hailed a “fantastic” week and a half for the squad. “We’ve had some great results,” he said. “Not least for the fact, of course, that we’ve had some great medal performances. We’ve had our best para-track Worlds ever. “I think the thing that’s huge for me personally is the progression of our women’s sprint programme. We haven’t had a women’s team sprint at the Olympic Games since 2012, and we’re now in a situation where we have some fantastic women’s sprinters coming through the programme.” Great Britain’s women’s sprint trio CharlieAldridgewill likely ply histrade in Paris Thewomen’s pursuitteamare on track to reclaimtheir Olympic title British Worlds success shows promise for Paris Olympics It’s next stop Paris for the British team after an impressive 100-medal haul at the Glasgow World Championships
Cycling Weekly | 24 August, 2023 | 15 Words Tom Davidson Photos Thomas Maheux/SWpix.com, Getty Images The format of the first combined UCI Worlds, in which 13 different disciplines came together, “largely worked” according to the event CEO Trudy Lindblade. Over 200 rainbow jerseys and 600 medals were awarded in Scotland as part of a cycling ‘mini-Olympics’ that will now be held every four years. “It has been a real journey, and an incredible journey,” Lindblade told the press following the event. “The last 11 days have completely surpassed what we thought it could do. It shows this model can work.” Lindblade cited the integration of para and non-para programmes on the track as “one of the most difficult things we had to do”. For a week, the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome witnessed unrelenting action. The congested schedule, however, gave little time for podium ceremonies which, typically held in the track centre, instead took place in a farflung room to a crowd of mostly team mechanics. There were issues, too, at the time trials in Sterling, where fans were unable to watch their heroes receive their medals. “It’s such a shame,” one Belgian fan told CW as Remco Evenepoel took to the podium. “There’s nobody to applaud.” The next Super Worlds will take place in 2027 in Haute-Savoie, France, where the number of disciplines will grow to 19. For Lindblade, an even larger event will be “complicated”. “I would say to France that’s something that they’ll need to consider,” she warned. “Out of this, we will have a blueprint. We will be able to give them a tangible piece of information that says, ‘This is how we’ve done it, now you need to overlay your France element to it.’” Super Worlds ‘largely worked’ despite teething problems Finucane, then went on to claim a maiden world title, beating Germany’s Lea Sophie Friedrich in the women’s sprint. There was success, too, for the women’s track endurance squad, who won the team pursuit and the Madison, two key Olympic events. “It’s a nice boost,” said Elinor Barker, who was present in both victories. The 28-year-old also highlighted the squad’s depth as they prepare to take back the team pursuit crown they lost in Tokyo. “We’ve got back-ups,” she said. “You know, five good riders plus others fighting to get into the team. I think it’s a really, really nice position to be in with a year to go.” Flat-bar breakthroughs For British Cycling’s new CEO, Jon Dutton, the World Championships in Glasgow marked his first major event at the helm of the governing body. One of Dutton’s major takeaways was the team’s “breakthrough” in the other, flatbarred Olympic disciplines. “From a GB perspective, watching Beth [Shriever, BMX racing gold medallist], and Kieran [Reilly], winning the BMX freestyle, they’re really significant moments for us away from the road and track. “Also Tom [Pidcock] and Charlie [Aldridge] in the mountain bike. They’re Olympic disciplines which are obviously important from a GB perspective.” In December 2020, British Cycling received £35.4 million to fund performance programmes for the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. Future funding will hinge on the Great Britain Cycling Team’s accomplishments, particularly medals won at the Games. broke the national record twice on their way to a silver medal in Glasgow, something Park praised as a “continuous step in the right direction”. On the final day of the track events, the team’s youngest member, 20-year-old Emma KadeenaCox helped Britain to its best ever para-trackWorlds
16 | 24 August, 2023 | Cycling Weekly W WorldTour teams given net zero extension Despite previously stating WorldTour teams would need to halve their carbon emissions by 2027, the UCI has now said the change will not take effect until 2030. In an interview with CW, UCI president David Lappartient has said that the non-obligatory objective is for teams to reduce their emissions by 2027, but that it will not be mandatory until 2030. N E W S UCI refuels Coos mania After the Glasgow Worlds Coo cuddly cow toys sold out earlier this month, the UCI has had to order in a new herd, CW can reveal. Having sold out of the original stock of 5,000, the sport’s governing body’s merchandising arm has ordered a further 3,000. UCI’s merchandise manager, Declan Carey told CW: “We are thrilled with how the cycling community took our wee Coo to their hearts, how excited athletes were to receive their medal versions.” 4 …of spa 0 te of explos % ive e-bike fires caused by conversion kits, London Fire Brigade (LFB) has said. LFB’s Charlie Pugsley told the BBC: “If you don’t have it fitted safely, then it’s not a safe product, particularly if you don’t use the right charger.” The fire brigade have recorded 93 e-bike fires and 18 e-scooter fires this year so far. Pugsley called it the “fastest growing trend” in the capital. T H E H U B Jumbo-Visma rider tests positive German cyclist Michel Hessmann has been provisionally suspended by his team, Jumbo-Visma, after he returned a positive anti-doping test. The squad announced the news on Wednesday, saying that the test was conducted in June, and revealed the presence of diuretics. Diuretics are used to treat several conditions, such as heart failure, liver disease and types of kidney disease. While they are not performance-enhancing by themselves, they are known to contribute to rapid weight loss. All the news you might have missed from the last seven days W Toon Aerts banned for two years Belgian cyclo-cross star Toon Aerts has been suspended from competition for two years following a positive anti-doping test for the testosterone-boosting drug letrozole. The former World Cup winner had argued that he tested positive due to contamination from a dietary supplement, but this was unable to be proved. Therefore, he has been handed a two-year ban from cycling dating from 16 February 2022 by the UCI. Hessmannwill be inactive untilmore details are known Aerts: backdated ban Words Vern Pitt, Tom Davidson Photos Getty Images, Javier Martínez de la Puente/SWpix.com UCI’sCoos are moo-ving fast
Cycling Weekly | 24 August, 2023 | 19 Federico Bahamontes, who died on 8 August, was brought up in real poverty, jumping on the back of lorries to steal vegetables and breaking rocks as a road mender’s mate. He also scavenged Civil War trenches looking for live ammunition to sell, instead of going to school. This led him to a lifelong obsession over money and then a fierce determination to win the Tour de France. He was the first Spanish cyclist to do this and was greatly admired by General Franco. He saved up enough money – 150 pesetas – to buy his first bike and although it had no brakes he still managed to win his second race. When he became a full-time amateur he was soon earning more through prize money than his previous activities. Bahamontes’s personal mantra was ‘attack, attack, attack’ and he’d win the Tour’s King of the Mountains title six times. When Lucien Van Impe equalled that record it is said that he made a point of not trying to surpass his idol by going for a seventh win. To echo Phil Liggett’s quote: “Bahamontes was cycling’s most emblematic figure. When the road steepened he would power away from the impotent peloton.” Chris Hobby, Newark Bahamontes was a legend JoshTarlingcreditsWorlds success toUKtimetrial scene Clubs like 360cycling are doing a great job helping riders to experience time trialling. Having coaches and mentors who are encouraging and facilitating participation (and pinning on a number themselves) is what’s going to bring the medals in this discipline in years to come. They must have brought a dozen or so U18 riders to club TTs this week alone. Rob Doyle I rode them from 1986 until 2010. Can’t ride on roads now. The hostility and hatred from drivers, most of whom are checking social media notifications while driving, is too much for me. I stay off-road now and wish I had done it years ago. Andy Loomer We had two 11-year-olds, one 14-yearold and one 16-year-old at the regional time trials this past weekend, all on road bikes. Cycling is expensive and when people think they need all the fancy gear just to compete it turns people away. One of the top riders in the regional TT was someone on a road bike. It is possible. Melanie Guest What young riders would bother to ride time trials these days, given the price of time trialling kit, and that’s on top of the price of road bikes. I know this is being addressed by road bike time trials but the industry is killing the sport. Neil Dowie To my disgust, my club pulled out of supporting time trials. There are plenty of people with a competitive edge who simply want to race in their living rooms on Zwift. Luke Bosman Photo Getty Images Tarling ridesto TT bronze CYCLING WEEKLY, FUTURE PLC CONTACT US [email protected] Future plc, Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1AU, UK Editor: Simon Richardson Web editor: Michelle Arthurs-Brennan News and features editor: Vern Pitt Senior writer: James Shrubsall Fitness editor: David Bradford Online fitness editor: Anna Abram Tech features editor: Stefan Abram Tech writer: Hannah Bussey Web writers: Adam Becket, Anne-Marije Rook, Tom Thewlis, Tom Davidson Group production editor: Daniel Thomas Chief sub editor: Jonathan Emery Sub editor: Steve Shrubsall Group art director: Kevin Eason Group art editor: Daniel Baines Deputy group art editor: Ben Smith Designer: Michael Rawley Group Picture Editor: Richard Tole Video: Andrew Daley, Ed Westrop Video manager: Sam Gupta ADVERTISING Head of Sports: Richard Hemmings Head of Cycling: Rob Last Account directors: Rebecca Hutt, Nathalie Adams, Nathan Watts, Jack Lowe Content director: Rob Spedding Managing director Sport: Dave Clutterbuck Chief executive: Jon Steinberg Subscriptions hotline 0330 333 1113 Email [email protected] Or subscribe online at... www.cyclingweekly.com SUBSCRIPTION RATES (for 51 issues, including postage) £168.23 inside the UK; €294.90 Europe; USA $384.20; Rest of World £251.79 Send orders and correspondence to: Oakfield House, 35 Perrymount Road, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH16 3DH. 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22 | 24 August, 2023 | Cycling Weekly Spain’s three-week cycling fiesta is about to get rolling STAGE DATE ROUTE DISTANCE TERRAIN 1 26 August Barcelona > Barcelona 14.8km TTT 2 27 August Mataró > Barcelona 182km Hilly 3 28 August Súria > Arinsal 158.5km Mountains 4 29 August Andorra la Vella > Tarragona 185km Hilly 5 30 August Morella > Burriana 186.5km Hilly 6 31 August La Vall d’Uixó > Javalmabre 183.5km Mountains 7 1 September Utiel > Oliva 201km Flat 8 2 September Dénia > Xorret de Catí 165km Mountains 9 3 September Cartagena > Collado de la Cruz de Caravaca 184.5km Mountains REST 4 September 10 5 September Valladolid > Valladolid 25.8km TT 11 6 September Lerma > La Laguna Negra 163.5km Hilly 12 7 September Ólvega > Zaragoza 151km Hilly 13 8 September Formigal > Col du Tourmalet 135km Mountains 14 9 September Sauveterre-de-Béarn > Larra-Belagua 156.5km Mountains 15 10 September Pamplona > Lekunberri 158.5km Hilly REST 11 September 16 12 September Liencres > Bejes 120.5km Hilly 17 13 September Ribadesella > Angliru 124.5km Mountains 18 14 September Pola de Allande > La Cruz de Linares 179km Mountains 19 15 September La Bañeza > Íscar 177.5km Flat 20 16 September Manzanares El Real > Guadarrama 208km Mountains 21 17 September Zarzuela > Madrid 101.5km Flat in one year? Can Evenepoel challenge them, and will his team be 100% behind him if he really is on his way out? Is Ayuso good enough to earn joint leadership with Tadej Pogačar at the biggest races in 2023? And can Thomas produce a performance good enough to convince his team that he should, once again, lead them at the Tour next year? These scenarios and more will play out over the next three weeks as the peloton criss-crosses its way around the top half of Spain. Enjoy. Vuelta organiser RCS looks to be involved in a game of ‘anything you can do, we can do better’ with Tour organiser ASO this year. “Two lumpy stages to start this year’s Tour? Then we’ll hit the mountains on stage three. “You’re starting in San Sebastián? Well, we’re going to have a stage finish atop the Tourmalet, your most iconic mountain. And as for your finish lines placed at the bottom of descents… Pah! Nine summit finishes for us.” The race route oneupmanship has produced a tough parcours and attracted one of the strongest GC line-ups in recent memory. Remco Evenepoel is back to defend his title, while the winners of this year’s Tour and Giro are also here. Throw in an Ineos-backed Geraint Thomas and a much fancied Juan Ayuso and you have five genuine contenders forthis year’s crown. This list of Grand Tour grandees sets up a raft of intriguing questions. Can Jumbo-Visma win all three Grand Tours S T A G E G U I D E P R E V I EW Words Chris Marshall Bell
Cycling Weekly | 24 August, 2022 | 23 V U E L T A A E S P A Ñ A
S T A G E G U I D E 24 | 24 August, 2023 | Cycling Weekly 3 M O N D AY 2 8 A U G U S T S Ú R I A > A R I N S A L | 1 5 8 . 5 K M | M O U N T A I N S 2S U N D AY 2 7 A U G U S T M A T A R Ó > B A R C E L O N A | 1 8 2 K M | H I L LY 1 S AT U R D AY 2 6 A U G U S T B A R C E L O N A > B A R C E L O N A | 1 4 . 8 K M | T E A M T I M E T R I A L A GC rider already behind after the opening weekend will either have their torment increased or be able to claw back some seconds on the race’s first high-mountain day. Beginning in the north of Catalunya, and on roads very familiar to the hundreds of professionals who live and train around this area, the route crosses into the Principality of Andorra just in time for a double ascent of category-one climbs. The first, the Coll d’Ordino, a glorious, open and twisting road, takes riders up to almost 2,000m above sea level. A quick descent through pine forest brings them to the foot of Arinsal, a constantly steep climb that will be making its Grand Tour debut. A favoured haunt among local pros – Simon Yates lives on the road – it averages 8.2% over 7km, and is characterised by a series of hairpins that come in quick succession. Barcelona, the second most-visited city in all of Spain, welcomes back the Vuelta after an absence of 11 years. No stranger to hosting bike races – the final stage of the Volta a Catalunya is held here every year – the Catalan capital kicks things off with a short, dead-flat team time trial. TTTs have been in decline ever since the UCI put an end to the World Championships race in 2018, but the Vuelta remains a big fan, and this will be the seventh time in the past decade that the race has begun with a team test against the clock. Gaps between the top few teams will just be a few seconds, but some GC riders will lose at least 20- 30 seconds, immediately putting them on the back foot. Riders from JumboVisma, Soudal-Quick Step and Ineos Grenadiers will be most hopeful of having a rider in red at the end of day one. Starting just north of Barcelona, the riders head inland and start ascending the categorytwo Coll d’Estenalles as early as 43km into the day. A favourite among riders from the city, the climb traverses through the Parque Natural de Sant Llorenç del Munt and is a gentle affair, averaging just 3.8% over 14.4km. It’s therefore unlikely that anyone will be dropped from the back of the peloton, and it will all come back together upon arrival back into Barcelona. Anyone expecting a sprint, however, will have their hopes tempered by the finish taking place at Alto de Montjuïc, the most famous hill in Barcelona whose castle overlooks the entire urban area and the Mediterranean. Only a fourthcategory climb due to its length, the final few hundred metres ramp up into double-digit gradients, and it will bring the GC riders out for a short battle.
V U E L T A A E S P A Ñ A Cycling Weekly | 24 August, 2023 | 25 4T U E S D AY 2 9 A U G U S T A N D O R R A L A V E L L A > T A R R A G O N A | 1 8 5 K M | H I L LY 5 W E D N E S D AY 3 0 A U G U S T M O R E L L A > B U R R I A N A | 1 8 6 . 5 K M | H I L LY 6T H U R S D AY 3 1 A U G U S T L A V A L L D ’ U I X Ó > J A V A L A M B R E | 1 8 3 . 5 K M | M O U N T A I N S The little mountain hideout of Andorra bids adiós to the race with a start in Andorra la Vella, a small city of glamour, luxury and tax-free goodies, a settlement that looks out of place in comparison to the rest of the unspoiled, stone-housed Pyrenees. It will be a quick day on the race’s march south towards Tarragona, the capital of Catalunya’s most southerly province. It should suit the few sprinters that are in the race, but the inclusion of two third-category climbs in the final 60km could also tip the balance in favour of the breakaway. The last one, the Coll de Lilla, tops out 30km from the end, and the fast and downhill run-in will force at least one of the escapees to jump clear. For them to deny a bunch sprint, they will require a disjointed chase. After four stages in areas where Catalan is the predominant local language, the race will now be getting used to hearing Valenciano, a form of Catalan that is spoken mostly in the villages and small towns throughout the Community of Valencia. Waving off the race with a bon dia will be the historic small town of Morella that is situated on top of a hill with a castle towering over it. At night, the fortified walls are illuminated, creating an entrancing visual spectacle. As for the racing, the peloton will drop off the high plateau after an hour and things will be controlled in anticipation of a sprint. The summit of the secondcategory Collado de la Ibola is reached more than 50km before the finish in Burriana, and thus it’s difficult to see how a breakaway could stay clear. Late-afternoon coastal wind, however, could cause a nervy finale. Just a stone’s throw away from the white beaches of the Med, the day may begin in holiday mode but it’ll be anything but relaxing for the riders, with the race’s toughest test yet. Once the 1,000m elevation marker has been breached after 83km, the peloton barely dips back below, readying themselves for the finale up to the space observatory of Javalambre, a mountain in the Teruel region that doubles as a small ski station in the winter. Otherwise known as the Pico del Buitre, there are constant ramps approaching 15% in the final seven kilometres, and very little respite. When the race came here for the first time in 2019, the winner came from the break – Burgos-BH’s Ángel Madrazo – but behind there were significant time gaps of a minute and more in the GC group. Expect the same again.
26 | 24 August, 2023 | Cycling Weekly 9S U N D AY 3 S E P T E M B E R C A R T A G E N A > C A R A V A C A D E L A C R U Z | 1 8 4 . 5 K M | M O U N T A I N S 8S AT U R D AY 2 S E P T E M B E R D É N I A > X O R R E T D E C A T Í | 1 6 5 K M | M O U N T A I N S 7F R I D AY 1 S E P T E M B E R U T I E L > O L I V A | 2 0 1 K M | F L A T At various points in today’s route the race is really in the hot, deserted and arid lands of southern Spain, and keeping cool and hydrated will be the main concern for a peloton getting weary after an intense opening week. A first-category climb, the Puerto Casas de la Marina la Perdiz, is situated in the first third of the race, but then the parcours is rather tame until the 150km mark. From here, the road steadily rises over 28km, before the Alto Caravaca de la Cruz begins. A 8.1km climb that averages 6.4%, there are repechos – steep slopes – of almost 20% two kilometres from the top. A small descent could bring dropped riders back into play, but then the gradient roars back up for a punishing final kilometre. The upper slopes are difficult enough to force notable time gaps, and with a rest day next, some riders will go all in to give themselves a morale boost. What’s on the menu? A snoozy (and boozy?) summer’s day in Spain. Beginning in the small town of Utiel, this entire upland region is known for its rich red wines. You’ll find way more bodegas – wine shops – than supermarkets, and the horizon is permanently drawn by distant viñas – vineyards. Coming off the plateau, the race speeds towards the city of Valencia, a historical city that has modernised itself in the past few decades and is popular with so-called digital nomads. Hurtling south along the coast road and passing the Albufera lake famed for its pink flamingos, the sprint teams will bring back the hapless escapees in plenty of time, preparing themselves for a nailed-on bunch sprint in Oliva. The only danger of note is the wind coming in off the sea that can pick up quite considerably after siesta time. A day of successive tough climbs in a region often used for winter training camps. In total, there are five categorised climbs, beginning with the popular Alto del Vall d’Ebo after only 20km. The puertos of Tollos, Benifallim and Carrasqueta are then stacked together one after the other, providing ample opportunity for the breakaway to build a substantial gap. It’s entirely plausible that a winner will come from the fuga, but attention will mostly be kept on the overall contenders, who won’t make a move until the finishing climb of Xorret de Catí. Used for the fifth time in the race, the 3.75km climb is hideously steep at an average gradient of 11.6%, the sort that only Spain seems to produce by the dozens if not hundreds. From the summit there’s a three-kilometre descent to the finish, a downhill that has previously proved crucial in allowing riders to catch back on to anyone who has a narrow gap at the top. S T A G E G U I D E
V U E L T A A E S P A Ñ A Cycling Weekly | 24 August, 2023 | 27 10T U E S D AY 5 S E P T E M B E R V A L L A D O L I D > V A L L A D O L I D | 2 5 . 8 K M | T I M E T R I A L 11 W E D N E S D AY 6 S E P T E M B E R L E R M A > L A L A G U N A N E G R A | 1 6 3 . 5 K M | H I L LY 12T H U R S D AY 7 S E P T E M B E R Ó L V E G A > Z A R A G O Z A | 1 5 1 K M | H I L LY The Vuelta likes tradition, and it will be the third time in five editions that the race resumes, following the first rest day, with an individual time trial. A huge transfer of nearly 600km will have prompted frustration from teams already unhappy by the amount of A to B distance covered in the race, but the only thing they can do other than sulk is to prepare themselves for a 25.8km test against the clock starting and finishing in the city of Valladolid. There’s a small bump early on, but other than that it’s a pure time triallist’s course, and thus will be the main target of any time triallist’s race. As for the GC riders, sizeable differences could be made. In a similarlength time trial in 2022, eventual winner Remco Evenepoel beat his closest competitor Primož Roglič by 48 seconds, and put in around two minutes to several more. “Siri, design a typical Vuelta a España stage.” OK, Cycling Weekly, here you go. Stage 11. Despite this being a day that starts high, stays high and ends high, it’s a stereotypical stage of the Spanish Grand Tour: mostly flat for its entirety, until the final 10km when the road points skywards and the chain drops into the smaller chainring. So drowsy will the day be – say a prayer for the TV commentators – that the breakaway might actually last until the finish, with the peloton in no rush to bring them back and with more than just a single eye on the weekend’s triple test. However, once they turn onto the first-category finishing climb, the GC riders will switch on. Don’t expect any moves from a distance though: there are few slopes significantly steep enough to really turn the screw. On the race’s one and only previous visit here, in 2020, Dan Martin won a finish line sprint from Primož Roglič and Richard Carapaz. On paper, this looks like a fairly tranquil day for the peloton, with a first bunch sprint in almost a week seemingly destined in Zaragoza. The reality, however, could be very different. That is because this area of Spain, distinguished by its vast, open plains and cereal farms, is also known for its crosswinds, and whenever the Vuelta passes through here, echelons are never far away. Any teams and riders caught out early on could lose more time 40km from the finish when the race goes up and over an uncategorised climb. Whether or not the peloton arrives as one or in several fragmented parts, the stage will be decided by a sprint in Zaragoza, the capital and largest city in the region of Aragón.
28 | 24 August, 2023 | Cycling Weekly 15S U N D AY 1 0 S E P T E M B E R P A M P L O N A > L E K U N B E R R I | 1 5 8 . 5 K M | H I L LY 14S AT U R D AY 9 S E P T E M B E R S A U V E T E R R E - D E - B É A R N > L A R R A - B E L A G U A | 1 5 6 . 5 K M | M O U N T A I N S 13F R I D AY 8 S E P T E M B E R F O R M I G A L > C O L D U T O U R M A L E T | 1 3 5 K M | M O U N T A I N S It would be very surprising if a rider from a big breakaway, probably numbering more than a dozen, did not win the final stage of the second week, with a tired peloton more than willing to let the escapees have their day in the spotlight. That’s not to say, however, that the riders in the hunt for red don’t have to concentrate: a secondcategory climb, the Puerto de Zuarrarrate, tops out just 8.5km before the finish in Lekunberri, and any rider who needs to get back a few seconds could go clear before the summit and maintain a small lead. The day begins in Pamplona, home of the San Fermίn bullfighting festival and Spain’s biggest team, Movistar. Expect the team in blue to be present during their home stage. The Queen stage of the race begins in Formigal, home of the country’s second biggest ski station, and climbs straight from the off, ascending to Portalet on the border between France and Spain. Once in the village of Laruns, a stage host of this year’s Tour de France, the following 65km are exactly the same as that of the 2022 Tour’s stage 18 where Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogačar memorably shook hands on the descent of the Col de Spandelles. The Col d’Aubisque, an HC climb, precedes the Spandelles, and then it’s up the western side of the Col du Toumalet from Luz-Saint-Sauveur. A climb that needs no introduction, its impact will no doubt play a weighty role in determining the final result of the race. Riders in search of King of the Mountains points will be present in the breakaway and may well hold on to the finish, but the major talking points will be the winners and losers in the fight for the red jersey. There are a further two French Pyrenean climbs in store before the race’s return to Spain, and although there’s another summit finish to conclude the stage, the first two ascents are difficult enough to cause repercussions early on. The Col de la Hourcère is an HC ascent with frequent steep pitches, and then the Puerto de Larrau averages more than 10% for five kilometres in its midsection. Any rider not feeling good will suffer greatly. Back into Spain, there’s a little respite for riders ahead of the day’s fourth and final climb: the Puerto de Belagua, which also goes by the name of the Piedra de San Martín. Consistent gradients of 7-8% wouldn’t otherwise force big gaps, but the fatigue from two gruelling days could result in irreparable damage for some overall favourites. S T A G E G U I D E
V U E L T A A E S P A Ñ A Cycling Weekly | 24 August, 2023 | 29 16T U E S D AY 1 2 S E P T E M B E R L I E N C R E S > B E J E S | 1 2 0 . 5 K M | H I L LY 17 W E D N E S D AY 1 3 S E P T E M B E R R I B A D E S E L L A > A N G L I R U | 1 2 4 . 5 K M | M O U N T A I N S 18T H U R S D AY 1 4 S E P T E M B E R P O L A D E A L L A N D E > L A C R U Z D E L I N A R E S | 1 7 9 K M | M O U N T A I N S The final week gets under way with a beautiful ride along the Cantabrian coast, taking in the small seaside towns of Suances, Comillas and San Vicente de la Barquera, surfing hot spots where Madrileños – people from Madrid – often have second homes. Also tracing parts of the Camino de Santiago, the peloton will turn off the pilgrimage route and turn due south in direction of Los Picos de Europa, a fabulous and unspoiled small mountain range. Upon entrance to the high peaks, riders will take a right at La Hermida and start climbing 4.7km to the tiny picturesque village of Bejes. Its year-round population is just 62 people, but there are three different queserías – cheese shops – each selling their own blue cheese. The near-9% average gradient will cause some time differences. There are a few contenders for the hardest climb in cycling, but speak to anyone who’s even ridden, let alone raced, up the Angliru and they’ll tell you that this monster in Asturias is most definitely top of the list. Ever since it debuted in 1999 it has gained fame and notoriety, its winners written into folklore and their names inscribed on a summit statue. Before the riders arrive at the base, they’ve got to get over two category-one climbs, the last one – the Alto del Cordal – coming immediately before the 13.1km of hell. The pain is at its most unbearable after the halfway point, when five kilometres average almost 14%, with some slopes well in excess of 20%. In 2020, Hugh Carthy became the only Briton to ever win a stage on the Angliru, that day putting over a minute into some of his rivals. No such thing as an easy day at a Grand Tour, and the Vuelta keeps its riders on its toes with another demanding day out in Asturias. It’s a stage that will appeal to the riders in the hunt for the mountains classification, with three lots of category-one ascents, as well as a second and third-rated climb. The consistently steep Puerto de San Lorenzo, a regular in recent years, will fatigue the peloton at the midway juncture, but then it’s full focus on the double ascent of the Puerto de la Cruz de Linares. Making its first appearance in the race, it’s the type of typical steep, narrow goat tracks that Asturias has in abundance. The second time up it counts as a summit finish, and there are enough sections hovering just below 20% for riders to attack or be attacked.
30 | 24 August, 2023 | Cycling Weekly 21 S U N D AY 1 7 S E P T E M B E R Z A R Z U E L A > M A D R I D | 1 0 1 . 5 K M | F L A T 20S AT U R D AY 1 6 S E P T E M B E R M A N Z A N A R E S E L R E A L > G U A D A R R A M A | 2 0 8 K M | M O U N T A I N S 19F R I D AY 1 5 S E P T E M B E R L A B A Ñ E Z A > Í S C A R | 1 7 7 . 5 K M | F L A T On the final processional stage the racing won’t really get serious until the bubbly has been drunk, the celebratory photos have been snapped and each of the peloton has applauded one another for making it this far. The speed will increase when the riders turn on to the finishing circuit for the first of 10 laps, taking in the centre of Madrid. Whatever sprinters remain will be gearing themselves up for one final throw of the dice. If the points classification is still not settled, the intermediate sprint after the second lap will act as a prelude to the main event 50km later. As has become traditional in Grand Tours, the race culminates in the fading evening light, with the winners’ podium illuminated by the lights of the Fuente de Cibeles. The high plains of Castilla y León will mark a welcome return to flat roads for an exhausted peloton, but they will have to be on high alert for any potential crosswinds. Having crossed south of the Cordillera Cantábrica, the other notable difference – aside from the terrain change – will be the weather, which will switch from mainly cool and wet to baking hot and dry. The route criss-crosses parts of the Vía de la Plata – the Silver Route – an ancient commercial and pilgrimage north-tosouth route that was engineered by the Romans. Ironically, the road was never used in the silver trade. If strong gusts of winds haven’t resulted in echelons, a sprinter will almost certainly be the winner here, with a pan-flat finish in the sleepy settlement of Íscar – a village that probably hasn’t ever had so much attention on it. The penultimate day of the race and the final opportunity to cause a reordering in the hierarchy. Taking place in the mountains north of Madrid, there are 10 category-three climbs, with a cumulative total elevation gain of over 4,000m. It’s a stage that would make for an enthralling one-day Classic. Although there aren’t any ascents that are particularly hard in isolation, the repetitiveness of them, allied to this being the longest stage of the whole race and coming off the back of almost three weeks of relentless racing, means that there could be consequences for both the general and mountains classifications. Ridden as a series of circuits, the final climb of the Alto San Lorenzo de El Escorial – better known by locals as Abantos – has several steep inclines, and its summit is reached 12km from the finish in Guadarrama. S T A G E G U I D E
P R I M O Ž R O G L I Č 33 | Jumbo-Visma | Slo Vuelta starts: 3 Best GC result: Winner, 2019-2021 Best stage result: 1st (x10), 2019-2022 The redemption arc was completed at the Giro d’Italia in May with Primož Roglič finally putting to bed the ghosts of the past and winning a Grand Tour courtesy of a mountain time trial, once and for all ending the memes and jovial derision that had come his way since that fateful day on La Planche des Belles Filles in 2020. For many spectators, the sight of Roglič in pink was one of joy and relief, for he has dominated one-week races in the past five years, arguably being this generation’s most prolific and consistent GC rider. His winning streak at the Vuelta a España came to an end last year when he crashed at the end of stage 16, and though he was over a minute adrift of Remco Evenepoel in the standings, the momentum had definitely started to swing his way. He is back for another go at winning a record-equalling fourth title, but his form is a mystery, having not appeared at any race since winning the Giro. It is likely, however, that the Slovenian will be in top shape: in the last 17 stage races he has finished, he has won 13 of them, including all three he has completed in 2023. Getting to the end of races, though, isn’t always guaranteed with the crash- and injury-prone Roglič. If he can stay on his bike, Jumbo-Visma have a potentially devastating hand to play with both Jonas Vingegaard and Roglič. It was only last July at the Tour de France when they combined over the T H E C O N T E N D E R S Can Giro champ Rogličmake it a Grand Tour double? 32 | 24 August, 2023 | Cycling Weekly C O N T E N D E R S Col du Galibier to crack Tadej Pogačar on the Col du Granon. How, and if, they will work together is a different question now: Vingegaard is a two-time Tour champion, and Roglič is eager to not only win the Vuelta again, but remind his team that he justifiably deserves leadership at the Tour. Jumbo are adamant that the pair are friends and can work together, but team dynamic is a subplot to keep an eye on. The jerseys The red jersey – maillot rojo in Spanish – is awarded to the leader of the general classification. The green jersey, or maillot verde, is given to the rider at the top of the points classification standings, typically a sprinter. The blue and white polka-dot jersey will be on the shoulders of the King of the Mountains. The leader of the young riders’ classification, the best-placed rider under the age of 26, will be dressed in white.
J O N A S V I N G E G A A R D 26 | Jumbo-Visma | Den Vuelta starts: 1 Best GC result: 46th, 2020 Best stage result: 14th, 2020 The last time a reigning Tour de France champion went to the Vuelta a España a month after winning cycling’s biggest prize, they won. That man was Chris Froome in 2017, and some would say that Jonas Vingegaard is as introverted, as shy, and as cold and clinical as the Briton. At the Tour he demonstrated that no one else is a match for him over the highest mountains – the Vuelta’s Queen stage that finishes at the Tourmalet looks primed for him – and also underlined once again just how strong he is against the clock with that phenomenal stage 16 time trial. His 2023 palmarès reads like a fantasy game: 46 days racing, 23 days in the lead, four GC triumphs, 10 stage wins. If he has sufficiently recovered from his Tour exertions – and there’s no reason to believe he hasn’t – then he has to be backed to add to his Grand Tour tally. Cycling Weekly | 24 August, 2023 | 33 V U E L T A A E S P A Ñ A Words Chris Marshall-Bell Photos Getty Images C I A N U I J T D E B R O E K S Bora-Hansgrohe | Bel It’s a highly anticipated Grand Tour debut for the Belgian with the best/most unfortunate name in cycling: Uijtdebroeks in Dutch means ‘to pull your pants down’. Extremely affable and talkative, the 20-year-old is being backed as a future winner of three-week races and last year won the Tour de l’Avenir. He’ll be working mostly for Aleksandr Vlasov and Sergio Higuita, but cannot be discounted for a top-10 finish overall himself. E D D I E D U N B A R Jayco-AlUla | Ire After four frustrating years at Ineos Grenadiers, Dunbar proved his worth with a seventh-placed finish at May’s Giro d’Italia. Supported by a team dedicated to his ambitions, Dunbar, who turns 27 during the first week, should be considered a possible podium finisher. He lacks the necessary punch to win closely fought stages, but has the stamina to stay the distance and is rarely dropped from the picture entirely. K É V I N V A U Q U E L I N Arkéa-Samsic | Fra France’s 22-year-old sensation has been steadily building an impressive palmarès in his first two years as a professional. He has combined strong GC showings – he won the Tour des Alpes Maritimes et du Var in February – with a canniness in one-day races. His first Grand Tour will be an exercise in learning, but he has the capabilities to win a stage or be in the hunt for a top-10 overall. O V E R A L L O U T S I D E R S The GC wild cards R E M C O E V E N E P O E L 23 | Soudal-Quick Step | Bel Vuelta starts: 1 Best GC result: 1st, 2022 Best stage result: 1st (x2), 2022 Twelve months ago the Belgian superstar silenced all those critics who doubted whether the former footballer could really turn his one-day and one-week prowess into Grand Tour-winning potential. Evenepoel was unbeatable in the first half of the Vuelta and a slight wobble in the high mountains in the final week couldn’t stop him securing his country’s first three-week victory in 44 years. Since then, he has been buoyed by winning the World Championships, Liège-Bastogne-Liège and the San Sebastián Classic again, engaged in an enthralling tussle with Primož Roglič at the Volta a Catalunya… and was leading the Giro d’Italia before a Covid positive forced him out of the race. Evenepoel doesn’t seem distracted by all the talk of him wanting an exit from Soudal-Quick Step, and his preparation for his Vuelta defence has been as meticulous as ever.
34 | 24 August, 2023 | Cycling Weekly The fastest riders in the men’s peloton are focusing on other races that are far friendlier towards them, such as the sprint-heavy Renewi Tour and Tour of Britain. The upshot is that there will be no high-profile sprinters on the start line in Barcelona. This is despite there being half a dozen stages that logic would suggest will finish in a mass sprint. Winning those stages, then, will be a collection of riders more used to being the last men in lead-out trains, and to rising stars. Chief among them is Bora-Hansgrohe’s Danny van Poppel, who won a stage of the Vuelta in 2015. Colombian rider Juan Sebastián Molano (UAETeam Emirates) won the final stage in Madrid last year and claimed an unlikely victory at February’s UAE Tour, highlighting his potential. Also look out for Intermarché-Circus-Wanty’s Gerben Thijssen. The 25-year-old beat some big players to win three separate Belgian one-day races in the spring, and has the ability to win multiple stages. The same can also be said of Milan Menten, Lotto-Dstny’s late bloomer. Turning 27 on Halloween, the Belgian had an understated start to his career, but this year has regularly come close to winning; indeed, 20 times he has finished in the top 10 this season, the highlight being winning Le Samyn. C O N T E N D E R S G E R A I N T T H O M A S 37 | Ineos Grenadiers | GBr Vuelta starts: 1 Best GC result: 69th, 2015 Best stage result: 12th, 2015 If only he hadn’t changed his helmet… ah, we’ll never know in reality, but what is true is that in May Geraint Thomas dramatically lost the Giro d’Italia to Primož Roglič in the most astounding penultimate day uphill time trial, just when he was on the cusp of becoming the oldest ever win of the maglia rosa. Immediately following the heartache, Thomas announced that he would be re-focusing for a tilt at the Vuelta a España, only the second time he has ridden the Spanish Grand Tour. The inclusion of a team time trial and flat TT plays to his advantage, and he reminded everyone in Italy that he remains no slouch in the mountains despite his advancing years. In fact, on stage 16, he put almost half a minute into Roglič on steep slopes that similarly characterise the Vuelta. P O I N T S F A V O U R I T E S The sprinters’ battle J U A N A Y U S O 20 | UAE-Team Emirates | Esp Vuelta starts: 1 Best GC result: 3rd, 2022 Best stage result: 3rd, 2022 Along with Carlos Rodríguez, the Catalan-Valencian is the great hope of Spanish cycling, and he is confident that he can become the race’s youngest ever winner; he turns 21 on the penultimate stage. In his debut Grand Tour last year, Ayuso rode to third place, staying with the climbers on the toughest of mountain stages. Tendonitis made for a late start this season but when he did finally get going he demonstrated his improvement against the clock, winning time trials at both the Tour de Romandie and Tour de Suisse, the latter against Remco Evenepoel. UAE-Team Emirates have signed him until the end of 2028 for good reason, and there are many within the peloton who are quietly backing Ayuso to win red. His team-mate João Almeida, third at the Giro d’Italia, is also targeting the win, but though the Portuguese is in good form, it’s clear that Ayuso is the fancied card.
Cycling Weekly | 24 August, 2023 | 35 V U E L T A A E S P A Ñ A E N R I C M A S 28 | Movistar | Esp Vuelta starts: 5 Best GC result: 2nd, 2018, 2021, 2022 Best stage result: 1st, 2018 The Majorcan abandoned the Tour de France on stage one with a fractured scapula but returned to riding on the road at the end of July. He will again lead Movistar in his and their home Grand Tour, a race in which he has finished on the podium three times. Despite this, Mas still struggles to cut through to the general public in Spain and was the victim of abuse and widespread mockery at last year’s Vuelta. His riding style appears to be the reason why: steady, consistent but unremarkable and lacking the required finishing touch to win stages. So often he has finished second or third, and to date he has only ever won four stages in European races. Should he be fully recovered from his injury, a fourth visit to the podium is a possibility. P O D I U M P O S S I B L E S Others to watch Most likely to be the youth revelation L E N N Y M A R T I N E Z | G R O U P A M A - F D J | F R A Hailing from a revered cycling family, the 20-year-old is one of France’s brightest prospects. In his first year as a pro, he has shown his worth in the mountains already, and won the CIC-Mont Ventoux race in June. A bright future is expected. Most likely to win the TTs F I L I P P O G A N N A | I N E O S G R E N A D I E R S | I T A Making his Vuelta a España debut, Ganna will be crucial to Ineos Grenadiers’s success in the opening day team time trial, and will fancy himself to win stage 10’s individual TT. A sprint win at the Tour de Wallonie showcased his versatility. Most likely to win up mountains G I U L I O C I C C O N E | L I D L - T R E K | I T A The Italian has been one of the standout riders of the season, finishing in the top-10 of various stage races, winning on numerous occasions – including directly against Remco Evenepoel and Primož Roglič – and then winning the mountains jersey at the Tour de France. He’ll be the favourite for the polka-dot jersey. Most likely to be best Brit H U G H C A R T H Y | E F E D U C A T I O N - E A S Y P O S T | G B R The Prestonian, 29, has been unable to truly kick on since finishing third at the Vuelta in 2020, but his class shone through in the spring before he pulled out of the Giro d’Italia in the third week with stomach issues. Should he forgo the GC, Carthy could rack up stage wins and target the mountains classification.
36 | 24 August, 2023 | Cycling Weekly T E C H P R O B I K E S I f there was an award forthe most abstract-looking track bike at the 2023 World Championships, the Japanese Track Cycling Federation would have stolen the show. The V-IZU TCM, named afterthe Tokyo 2020 Izu Velodrome, is the third bike to take a leaf out of British Cycling’s book, with ultrawide fork legs and seatstays. The V-IZU TCM follows a similar aerodynamic notion to both the Hope x Lotus and Look P24 (see news, page 6), which we covered last week. The wide fork legs, it’s understood, are designed to sit in line with a rider’s lower leg which can aid in smoothing airflow around this part of the rider. Still unreleased, no details have been divulged on the V-IZU TCM, but on the Hope x Lotus bike, these savings were said to be as much as 3% – certainly not to be sniffed at. There are a number of interesting nuances on the Japanese bike that sets it apart from the Look P24 and the Hope x Lotus track bike. As well as wide fork blades, the V-IZU TCM also features carbon-fibre elements that sit horizontally on the side of the fork. These, we think, along with a fork shape that flares air slightly outwards, is an effort to throw air around the rider’s leg, and reduce drag. It’s a similar story at the rear of the bike too, the widened chainstays helping to smooth airflow behind the rider’s legs. The biggest thing that sets this bike apart though is a left-handed drivetrain. The design, which was first seen on the Felt TA FRD in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, is said to be more efficient in the velodrome due to the fact that the bike is often leaning left – though it hasn’t taken off since 2016, so we speculate that gains could be less than marginal. Team Japan’s V-IZU TCM TheV-IZUhastaken geometric cuesfrom BC’strack rigs The Super Worlds showcased many superbikes, as Joe Baker discovers Space-age aero lines combinewith left-handed drivetrain
Cycling Weekly | 24 August, 2023 | 37 Photos Andy Jones As a member of the Bahrain Victorious WorldTour team, Fred Wright has the choice of two Merida race bikes: the Scultura and the Reacto. For the elite men’s road race the Englishman opted for the latter, a dedicated aero bike with a few interesting tweaks that reveal themselves upon close inspection. At first glance, it looks to be a pretty standard affair. Wright does position his Shimano Dura-Ace shifters a little inwards to help promote a narrow, tucked-in position on the hoods but it’s far from extreme. The Vision Metron cockpit is fully integrated, while the tube shapes take advantage of the relaxing of UCI regulations, adding depth for aerodynamic gains. While there’s a certain homogenous quality to today’s aero race bikes, the Reacto’s seatstays do give it a little added character. Low, angular but thin, they presumably help add a little compliance to what’s a stiff bike overall. Head down from the stays, however, and it’s here where things start to get interesting. Wright’s running a 12-speed Dura-Ace Di2 rear mech and corresponding cassette but it’s the adornments that catch the eye. The inside of Wright’s rear dropout is fitted with what looks like a custom metal chain catcher (it’s the small metal plate located outside the chain), designed to stop the chain dropping off the 11t sprocket. Or perhaps it’s just to protect the dropout itself? Either way, it’s not something we’ve seen before. And the customisation doesn’t stop there. The rear mech hanger is equipped with what looks like a 3D printed insert, complete with rubber band, that helps to better protect the Di2 cable from any interference, presumably from the chain and during any mid-race wheel changes. FRED WRIGHT’S MERIDA REACTO Customtouches on rearmech hanger Wright’srocking 12-speedDura-Ace All angles accounted for Fairingsforsmooth airflow The Brit chose the Reacto for hisWorldstilt
38 | 24 August, 2023 | Cycling Weekly TECH PRO BIKES The two-time Australian road race champion and Ineos Grenadier Luke Plapp has a pretty special custom Pinarello Dogma F. A dazzling white frame is complemented by sleek yellow and green lines on the fork, a subtle nod to Plapp’s success back in his home country. The frameset isn’t the lightest, at a claimed 996 grams for a size 56, but its all-rounder credentials match those of Plapp. To further aid the bike’s aero properties the 22-year-old has opted for a long stem and narrow handlebars – a 140mm stem and 360mm wide bars to be precise. The groupset duties are handled by Shimano, and just like the rest of his Ineos Grenadiers team-mates, he is riding the full complement of Shimano DuraAce R9270. For the elite men’s road race Plapp opted for a 54/40t chainring set-up at the front, alongside a 11-34t cassette at the rear, giving him plenty of range for the tough climbs around Glasgow. Like Fred Luke Plapp’s Dogma F Wright, Plapp has ‘adapted’ his rear mech hanger to protect the Di2 cable, this time with what looks like a piece of inner tube. Elsewhere his Dura-Ace C60 wheels are equipped with 28mm Continental GP5000 TR tyres, set up tubeless. Plapp rides a Fizik Argo 00 Adaptive saddle, which utilises a 3D printing process to create the honeycomb padding alongside carbon-fibre rails. It adds up to a saddle that’s both light – 186g – and expensive, at just a penny shy of £400. The Aussie’s souped-up road racing steed Cockpit appointed for pure speed A premium perch for Plapp
Cycling Weekly | 24 August, 2023 | 39 The latest edition of the Propel Advanced SL is in many ways the quintessential modern aero race bike. Both stiff and light, it features deep-section head and down tubes, dropped stays and fully integrated cabling throughout. Even the bottle cages are designed to fit seamlessly with the bike to reduce drag. But Matthews has added a few personal touches that take his machine from off-the-peg to a little more bespoke. The Aussie favours a two-piece cockpit for extra stiffness. He matches 38mm wide Giant Contact aero bars with a 140mm long stem to encourage a long and tucked position. It’s accentuated further by the extreme inward angle of the hoods of his MICHAEL MATTHEWS’S GIANT PROPEL ADVANCED SL There’s nothing particularly out of the ordinary about the 22-year-old German’s Cervélo S5 set-up – albeit in proportions befitting his 6ft 3in frame. And that’s just the point. Gone are the days when under-23s rode distinctly different bikes from their WorldTour counterparts. For his first participation in the elite men’s road race he opted for the distinctive S5 aero bars and stem, as well as an adaptive Fizik saddle and Reserve 44mm wheels shod with 28mm tubeless Vittoria Corsa Pro tyres, while his SRAM Red groupset featured a 54/41t chainset. In a season of firsts, the man from Münster also completed his maiden Grand Tour as part of the Jumbo-Visma team that helped Primož Roglič to win the Giro win back in May. MICHEL HESSMANN’S CERVELO S5 12-speed Dura-Ace shifters. Matthews was an early adopter of Cadex’s newest saddle, the Amp, which he rode to victory in stage three of this year’s Giro as a prototype. Other noteworthy details include a Fouriers chain catcher, Di2 sprint shifters, which are located on the underside of the drops, and tubeless 28mm Vittoria Corsa Pro tyres matched with Cadex’s 50mm deep wheelset. Cadexwheelsetintegral to an uber aero package Hessmann’s S5 is dressed in SRAMRed Angled hoodsforminimal front-end air obstruction Marginal gainsthroughout
T E C H G R O U P T E S T Pocket-sized saviours for on-the-road repairs Multi-tools The best multi-tools are designed to keep you rolling if your bike needs adjusting during a ride. They can also double up for home workshop use too, negating the need for lots of individual tools. But given the growing complexity of today’s road and gravel bikes, coupled with the range of bolt sizes used, means that finding a tool that has you covered for most eventualities isn’t always that straightforward. From hex to Torx heads, chainbreakers to spoke keys, the list of required tools can grow quickly. The adoption of tubeless tyres means that tubeless repair is now a consideration for many. Do you carry a separate tool for the job or look for a multi-tool that features a plugger? Naturally the more complex the tool, the larger and heavier it becomes, so finding a balance between what you need without excess can be key – especially if you prefer to travel light. Material choice and design are also important components of any multi-tool. How a tool feels in the hand is subjective but can be the deciding factor as to whether it becomes a permanent fixture in your saddle bag. With the intention of covering all bases, we’ve chosen six multitools that run the gamut from the pared back to ‘everything but the kitchen sink’, testing them for their usability, practicality and durability. The price points are generally similar, with the cheapest option just a little over £20 and the most expensive a few pounds short of £50. There’s something here for both the minimalist and the ever-ready rider, with choices in between. But there can only be one winner… “From hex to Torx heads, the list of required tools can grow quickly” 40 | 24 August, 2023 | Cycling Weekly
An annoyance when using many multitools is that it can be awkward to access some of the smaller bolts on a bike. The tool’s smaller heads tend to be on shorter stems and the tool body can get in the way when trying to adjust small bolts like derailleur limit screws. The Blackburn Wayside 19 gets around this problem by having separate L-shaped hex keys with ball ends for the 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 4mm and 5mm heads. These clip securely to a plastic insert on the tool body and there’s a rubber retainer band that sits around the whole tool to ensure that they stay put. Torx heads are limited to the larger size T25 and T30, so it’s worth checking if these are useful for you. Blackburn Wayside 19 £39.99 Park Tool IB-3 £36.99 Rather than two side plates, the Park Tool I-Beam tools have a central spine in Park Tool’s signature blue, with the tools bolted to the outsides. This makes them significantly easier to access, although it does result in a lumpy profile that can dig into you when carrying or using. The smaller hex head tools are quite short as well, which can make getting at small bolts awkward. There’s a good array of hex wrenches though, right down to 1.5mm and up to the 8mm size required for We weren’t sure what we’d do with the serrated blade, and it’s an extra that only adds to the already hefty weight. Cycling Weekly | 24 August, 2023 | 41 Words Paul Norman Photos Phillip Barker most pedals. The chain tool is very robust and sits well away from the tool body. The punch is operated using the separate tyre lever, which gives plenty of leverage when in use, for easy chain rivet removal. The tyre lever clips onto the side of the tool. It stays in place well, but the two-part design means it’d be easier to lose Weight 196g Weight 178g R A T I N G R A T I N G The chain tool clips into the opposite side of the plastic insert to the hex keys, which avoids the rattle that’s often a feature of multi-tools which include a chain tool, while the extra-long chain retainer clips over the two ends of the tool. than a single piece tool. The IB-3 has the quality feel of other Park Tool products and should prove durable, but it is a little hefty to carry around, particularly if you intend to use your pockets for onbike storage. S P E C S Size: 85 x 54 x 23mm Weight:196g Hex keys: 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5 (as removable wrenches), 6, 8mm Torx keys: T25, T30 Screwdrivers: Flat blade Spoke keys: #0, 1, 2 Chain tool: 7-12 speed, chain hook Extras: Presta valve core tool, disc pad spreader, serrated blade, breaker bar S P E C S Size: 90 x 41 x 30mm Weight: 178g Hex keys: 1.5, 2. 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8mm Torx keys: T25 Screwdrivers: Flat blade Spoke keys: 3.23mm, 3.45mm Chain tool: 5-12 speed Extras: Tyre lever, 8mm box wrench
T E C H G R O U P T E S T The Crankbrothers M20 multi-tool is another option that looks to do it all, but at the expense of weight and bulk; it’s the heaviest tool we tested and is aimed at the cyclist who likes to leave home knowing they’re covered for most mechanical issues. There is the full range of hex heads, from 2mm to 8mm, so no hex bolt on your bike should be unadjustable. The T10 and T25 Torx heads, two Phillips heads and a flat screwdriver should take care of most other things that might need adjusting. Crankbrothers M20 £39.99 42 | 24 August, 2023 | Cycling Weekly But the most useful feature of the M20 is its tubeless repair tools, with a onepiece reamer and fork included in the array of tools. It’s the only tool featured beside the PNW Pebble to include tyre plugs, but in its case there are five of them in a plastic box that clips to the side of the tool, rather than the PNW tool’s Topeak Ratchet Rocket Lite DX £31.99 +++++ R A T I N G The Ratchet Rocket Lite DX is one of three ratchet tools in Topeak’s expensive multi-tool range. Here the tools include a nylon pouch rather than housing the tools in a one-piece metal body. The flat profile and soft pouch make them a good option to carry in a pocket. It includes two tyre levers as well as the ratchet drive and a comprehensive range of hex heads, alongside three Torx options and a Phillips number 2 screwdriver. The heads slot into the ratchet itself, but there’s also an extender rod to make it easier to get to hard-to-access bolts. The ratchet bar gives good leverage and is separate chain tool, while the NTX tools also include Topeak’s TorqBits, so you can ensure that you’re tightening bolts to their correct torque value. R A T I N G Weight 206g reversible via a tiny lever on its head. It makes tightening and loosening bolts a lot easier than a multi-tool, where you need to turn the entire tool’s body or repeatedly insert and remove the head when a bolt needs more than a small tweak. It also makes the tool versatile enough for home workshop use. While the Ratchet Rocket Lite DX has just the tool and bits included, the more expensive DX+ adds a S P E C S Size:132 x 63 x 27mm Weight:160g Hex keys: 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8mm Torx keys: T10, T15, T25 Screwdrivers: Phillips #2 Spoke keys: No Chain tool: No Extras: 2x tyre levers, ratchet w/extender S P E C S Size: 89 x 54 x 27mm Weight: 206g Hex keys: 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8mm Torx keys: T10, T25 Screwdrivers: Phillips #1 and #2, flat blade Spoke keys: #0, 1, 2 Chain tool: 8-12 speed Extras: Tyre plug tool, tyre plugs, valve core remover, rotor straightener, 8mm open wrench one-hit design. The box also provides space for a chain split link if you want to carry more spares. The chain tool sits below the box of plugs, which stops it from rattling. Although the small handle has grips stamped into it, there’s not a lot of room to get a good hold for leverage when breaking the chain though. Weight 160g
The Birzman Feexman E-Version 15 multi-tool has a quality look, and features forged tools, rather than the cheaper to produce wrap option. Not only does this make for a better fit when adjusting bolts, it typically results in a longer lasting tool. The Feexman also benefits from being relatively compact and lightweight. The flat profile means that you can comfortably fit it in a jersey pocket or slot it down the side of a saddle pack, making it easier to carry than more bulky multitools. Despite its size, it has a comprehensive range of hex heads from the tiny sizes needed to adjust derailleurs and pedalrelease tension through to an 8mm for pedal axles Birzman Feexman E-Version 15 £27.99 – which is usually the largest size you need on a bike, certainly for roadside repairs. There’s only one Torx head, a T25, but there is a Phillips and a flathead screwdriver included. The chain tool is sleek, smooth edged and provides good leverage. Cycling Weekly | 24 August, 2023 | 43 Weight 126g B E S T O N T E S T R A T I N G S P E C S Size: 69 x 50 x 16mm Weight:126g Hex keys: 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8mm Torx keys: T25 Screwdrivers: Phillips #1 Spoke keys: 3.2, 3.4, 4.0, 4.4mm Chain tool: 9-12 speed Extras: None It does rattle against the tool when not in use though. You could always tape it to the tool or put an elastic band around it, but that would spoil the aesthetic of what’s an elegant product. PNW Pebble £38 many duties, including tightening headset bolts. The smaller sized hex keys will tighten cleat bolts, but note that some parts including derailleur limit screws and Garmin mounts require smaller sizes still that are not catered for. Despite its size, the Pebble’s rounded edges make it comfortable to use and it comes in a tasty range of colours too, Weight 50g R A T I N G The PNW Pebble multitool is one for the minimalist. It’s tiny and at 50g is by far the lightest tool in this test. As you’d expect, it omits many of the less-used tools and there’s no chain tool. Despite that, it provides a good range of the essentials. If you’ve ever been stranded due to not having a suitable hex key to remove a thru-axle wheel to fix a flat, you’ll appreciate the inclusion of the 6mm hex. The Pebble has a hollow core which holds in place the brass nose of a Dynaplug tubeless repair worm. Tubeless repair is the new frontier of multitool function and many tools now include reamers and plug inserter forks, but this all-in-one inserter and worm is a neater, more compact solution. There’s also a Torx T25 head sitting below the screw-on inserter. The selection of other tools will allow you to perform S P E C S Size: 65 x 21 x 15mm Weight: 50g Hex keys: 3, 4, 5, 6mm Torx keys: T25 Screwdrivers: No Spoke keys: No Chain tool: No Extras: Dynaplug and insertion tool
T E C H G R O U P T E S T 44 | 24 August, 2023 | Cycling Weekly Verdict Allthe tools featured had their merits.We should also preface the results with some specific requirements, such as tubeless repair or low weight, would rule out some options. The lowest scoring tool was Park’s IB-3 which, although really well-made, wasn’t overly comfortable in the hand. Next up is Crankbrothers M20. It’s a great option for those needing the inclusion of a tubeless repair tool, but a tad hefty. Just missing a spot on the podium is the Blackburn Wayside, which is both comprehensive and, as a result, weighty but gained extra marks for the removable hex keys, which made it easier to use than many of the other tools. The first couple of spots on the podium Birzman turnsthe screw appeal but doesn’t come with a chain tool. That leaves our top spot to the Birzman. It has no extras but contains a range of hex keys as well as spoke keys and a chain tool. Its flat, lightweight design made it comfortable to use and easy to store – a solid all-rounder and worthy winner. are taken by two multi-tools that sit at opposite ends of the spectrum but fill their desired rolls with aplomb. The PNW Pebble is stripped back and elegant. In essence it’s a Dynaplug tool with some hex keys added. Topeak’s Ratchet Rocket Lite delivers great functionality and has plenty of Tool PNW Pebble Blackburn Wayside 19 Park Tool IB-3 Topeak Ratchet Rocket Lite DX Crankbrothers M20 Birzman Feexman E-Version 15 Size 65 x 21 x 15mm 85 x 54 x 23mm 90 x 41 x 30mm 132 x 63 x 27mm 89 x 54 x 27mm 69 x 50 x 16mm Weight 50g 196g 178g 160g 206g 126g Hex keys 3, 4, 5, 6mm 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5 (as removable wrenches), 6, 8mm 1.5, 2. 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8mm 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8mm 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8mm Torx keys T25 T25, T30 T25 T10, T15, T25 T10, T25 T25 Screwdrivers No Flat blade Flat blade Phillips #2 Phillips #1 and #2, flat blade Phillips #1 Spoke keys No #0, 1, 2 3.23mm, 3.45mm No #0, 1, 2 3.2, 3.4, 4.0, 4.4mm Chain tool No 7-12 speed, chain hook 5-12 speed No 8-12 speed 9-12 speed Extras Dynaplug and insertion tool Presta valve core tool, disc pad spreader, serrated blade, breaker bar Tyre lever, 8mm box wrench 2x tyre levers, ratchet tool, ratchet extender Tyre plug tool, tyre plugs, valve core remover, rotor straightener, 8mm open wrench None “It’s light,flat, comfortableand easytostore” B E S T O N T E S T
46 | 24 August, 2023 | Cycling Weekly F E A T U R E G e t y o u r c a r Matching carbohydrate intake to your own needs re We explore three different str
Cycling Weekly | 24 August, 2023 | 47 b s j u st r i g h t eally does matter – Goldilocks was right to be picky! ategies for getting it just right
48 | 24 August, 2023 | Cycling Weekly hen it comes to carb intake, cyclists have three main options: first, ‘fuel for the work required’ (FFTWR) – matching carb intake to the energy you intend to burn. Second, ‘low carb, high fat’ (LCHF) – eating few carbs and instead getting most of your energy from dietary fat. Finally, high-carb fuelling (HC) means feeding the body the maximum amount it can absorb while exercising vigorously – upwards of 90g per hour. The benefit of consuming plentiful carbs is obvious: you won’t run out of fuel. But why would you deliberately restrict carb intake, and is it worth the risk? Low-carb, high-fat (LCHF) Where did the idea come from? The idea of consuming a diet low in carbohydrate has been around for a long time. Ancient Greek Olympic athletes are believed to have consumed little carbohydrate, since they ate mostly meat. Two thousand years later, in 1958, physician Richard Mackarness published Eat Fat and Grow Slim, calling for a massive reduction in dietary carbohydrate – the first popular, modern LCHF manifesto. In endurance sport, the LCHF approach is underpinned by the knowledge that the human body, even the leanest, carries tens of thousands of calories in fat reserves. LCHF proponents argue that, rather than plying ourselves with sugar, we should train our bodies to burn some of the approximately 50,000kcal available from stored fat. Does it promote weight loss? In December 2020, a metaanalysis published in the National Library of Medicine concluded that a LCHF diet was effective at improving weight loss – though it has not been shown to be more effective than other forms of caloric restriction. Be aware too that most weight loss studies are conducted on relatively inactive people. For cyclists, cutting carbs is likely to impact your performance on the bike. Does it improve fat-burning? Yes, it’s true, eating fewer carbs makes the body better at burning fat. An extensive literature review published in 2020 concluded: “Reduction of CHO intake decreases muscle glycogen [carb stores], yielding greater fat oxidation and associated metabolic benefits.” An LCHF diet is believed to encourage the body to shift to preferencing fat as a fuel source. This occurs partly via ketosis – the liver producing ketones from fat as an alternative energy source – and partly through boosting the enzymes responsible for oxidising fat. The result is that, during low-intensity riding, a greater proportion of your energy comes from fat, thereby conserving glycogen. If you’re training for long events such as ultra-endurance gravel riding, a LCHF diet may help you achieve your goals – you’ll have more stored carbs left for high-intensity efforts during the latter stages. For riders competing in shorter, more intense races that require you to be in carb-burning zones from the gun, these effects may be less useful. Does it have metabolic benefits? Many studies have shown that low carbohydrate intake benefits insulin sensitivity in insulin-resistant and type-2 diabetic patients. Lower blood sugar means reduced insulin demand, lower risk of type-2 diabetes, potential for fat loss and some research even hints at inflammation reduction. What are the downsides? The downsides of restricting carbohydrates are that you miss out on the upsides of consuming carbohydrates. Consuming plentiful carbs while exercising has been shown, in numerous studies, to improve time to exhaustion and submaximal performance, as well as making it easier to recover. With any low-carbohydrate diet combined with endurance training, there is a significant risk of failing to meet your caloric demands, i.e. under-fuelling. This carries an increased risk of adverse health effects such as fatigue, poor recovery, immune system suppression, injury and burnout. To meet energy demands while eating less carbohydrate, consumption of fat must be increased. If the high-fat diet is rich in saturated fats, there is an additional risk of raising levels of LDL cholesterol and promoting inflammation, which are implicated in “With any low-carb diet there is a risk of failing to meet caloric demands” F E A T U R E FFTWR isthemiddleway between high and low-carb training Photos Olly Curtis, Andy Jones, Getty Images
T H E U N D E R - F U E L L I N G T R A P How to avoid RED-S We asked Scott Tindall, nutrition coach and founder of the Fuelin app, about RED-S (relative energy deficiency in sport) and how to avoid it CW: What is RED-S? ST: Firstly, it is essential to define low energy availability (LEA). This is the underlying aetiology [set of causes] of RED-S syndrome. This can be an acute or temporary state whereby the caloric intake is not matched with energy expenditure through exercise and daily living. It is when LEA becomes continuous and chronic that physiological impairment occurs. CW: How does LEA occur? ST: LEA can be an intentional caloric restriction for weight loss or through disordered eating. It can also be unintentional through misguided nutrition planning or avoidance of certain foods. It affects men as well as women. CW: How does RED-S impact athletes? ST: RED-S has a multi-factorial impact on the human body. Traditionally the ‘triad’ focused on menstrual dysfunction, low-calorie intake and bone health. It is now recognised that RED-S affects both sexes, with impacts on reproductive system, immunity, bone health, hormones, metabolism, blood, growth and development, psychology, the cardiovascular and digestive system. CW:How can it be diagnosed and treated? ST: Unintentional underfuelling may result from poor planning of nutrition. If caused by intentional underfuelling, more questions must be answered. Was the intention just to lose weight? Were signs and symptoms ignored for too long? Is there a more pressing underlying psychological issue related to body dysmorphia and disordered eating? How long has this been occurring? When did it start? With the assistance of a specialist medical practitioner, these questions must be addressed promptly and compassionately. cardiovascular disease. These risks can be reduced by consuming healthy, unsaturated fats from plant sources, such as olive oil, avocados, and nuts. Fuel for the work required (FFTWR) What is it and how to do it? A rider following FFTWR consumes low carbohydrate for easy sessions, moderate carbohydrate for moderate sessions and high carbohydrate for hard sessions. For example, a one-hour recovery spin might be done first thing in the morning before breakfast after a lowcarb dinner the night before. At the other extreme, a three-hour ride with threshold efforts would be done after a high-carb breakfast, thereafter consuming 100g carbs per hour during the session. FFTWR keeps carb intake closely aligned with carb expenditure, which is useful for athletes eager to avoid overall surplus or deficit – weight can be controlled without the risk of under-fuelling. Doesn’t this involve a lot of carb and calorie counting? Yes, but there are apps to help – Myfitnesspal is one of the easiest to use, has a free version, and syncs with TrainingPeaks. The Hexis app (£6.99 per month) comes with a FFTWR plan included. That said, it is possible to fuel for the work required – albeit less precisely – without keeping written records of your energy intake and expenditure. However, this relies on your being highly attuned to your body, intuiting through hunger how much Cycling Weekly | 24 August, 2023 | 49 Low-carb diets dial up the body’s ability to burn fat
energy your body requires for any given training day. What are the benefits? The benefits of FFTWR include some of the perks of following a low-carbohydrate diet, such as improved fat oxidation and fat loss, but without the risk of running out of carbs on long or intense sessions. In this respect, it’s the best of both worlds. Does it improve fat oxidation? Yes, when it’s done right. A paper published in 2018 outlining the theoretical framework underpinning FFTWR concluded that when we look at having less carbohydrates available during training ( a “train low” approach), research shows that there are stronger signals inside cells (73% of 11 studies), changes in how genes work (75% of 12 studies), and improvements in the enzymes and proteins that help with using oxygen (78% of nine studies). It’s well established that carbohydrate manipulation can increase a rider’s ability to oxidise fat but it’s worth reiterating that muscle adaptations and cell signalling are not the same as cycling performance. Bike races are primarily about power output, and it’s not necessarily the case that cell signalling and gene expression improvements convert into the ability to output more power when it matters. What are the downsides? FFTWR requires forward-planning and is easy to get wrong. If you train at a higher volume, mistimed or miscalculated meals can scupper the following day’s fuelling objectives. If done correctly, FFTWR carries more upside than downside but the difficulty lies in executing it properly. Is it right for me? FFTWR is the right strategy for any rider willing to pay enough attention to the details. If you’re a detailsoriented cyclist looking to maximise your performance, FFTWR is likely to be the right approach for you. High carbohydrate availability What does this involve? Of the three approaches, this is the option that requires the least discipline. The idea here is to train every session with full glycogen stores and to keep the carbs coming as you exercise. Stuffing your face, essentially. Practically, this means consuming substantial amounts of carbohydrate with practically every meal and snack, as well as upwards of 90g per hour while training. C W T R I E D I T ‘FFTWR worked for me’ Tom Epton writes: I recently experimented with carbohydrate periodisation in an attempt to lose some weight, around 1.5kg, over the course of a month. As a triathlete, I train quite a lot, 18 and 25 hours per week, and usually sustain a very high carb intake during and around training. This makes it difficult to lose weight without the risk of compromising my fuelling. I wanted to lose weight to improve my efficiency across cycling and running as I had some races approaching with significant amounts of climbing. My target weight was 75kg. I decided to follow a simplified version of FFTWR, following just two simple rules: if tomorrow was an easy or rest day, today I’d have a low-carbohydrate dinner. Secondly, if my first session was easy (less than 90 minutes), it would be done pre-breakfast and fuelled only once 60 minutes had passed. Everything else remained the same. The plan worked: I lost 1.5kg and it has since stayed off. I think it was effective because I didn’t sail too close to the wind; never did I allow a large calorie deficit to accrue, nor did I ignore hunger warning signals. Just as importantly, I made sure that all my high-intensity and long sessions were well-fuelled. For me, FFTWR was a good means of getting a little leaner in a sustainable way. If I was looking to shift a more significant amount of weight, I’d do so with the assistance of a professional nutritionist. 50 | 24 August, 2023 | Cycling Weekly How to consume 90g per hour on the bike? There are two ways to increase the amount of carbohydrate one can oxidise while training. Firstly, practise consuming more, as the gut is trainable. Secondly, consume two sources of exogenous carbs (such as a combination of fructose and glucose) as this has been shown to boost oxidation rates by up to 50%. What are the benefits? Numerous studies have observed decreased feelings of fatigue and increased recovery speed from sessions undertaken when well fuelled. This allows athletes to train more often and F E A T U R E Ahigh-carb dietisthe foolproofway tomaximise glycogen stores