Cycling Pulse

Mathieu van der Poel is gearing up for one of the most demanding challenges of his cycling career as he prepares to defend his road race world title at the 2024 UCI Road World Championships in Zurich, Switzerland. The course, notorious for its grueling profile, spans 274 kilometers and boasts an elevation gain of over 4,000 meters. Riders will face seven hilly laps on a 26.8-kilometer city circuit that includes the sharply inclined Zürichbergstrasse, where gradients hover around 16 percent. This brutal terrain presents a significant challenge, particularly for those who thrive on flat courses, reinforcing the need for van der Poel to train meticulously. In the lead-up to the World Championships, van der Poel has strategically selected...

The new Lapierre Pulsium endurance bike has made waves in the cycling community, particularly due to its impressive aerodynamic features that have been fine-tuned through rigorous wind tunnel testing. These enhancements are not just numbers on paper; they translate into tangible performance benefits for riders, making the Pulsium a noteworthy contender in the endurance bike category. One of the standout features of the Pulsium is its aerodynamic gain of five percent over its predecessor. This increase means that riders can save 6.1 watts of energy when traveling at 50 km/h and 2.1 watts at 35 km/h. These savings are crucial for both competitive cyclists and long-distance riders, especially during extended rides when every watt counts...

Kristian Blummenfelt's decision to remain firmly entrenched in triathlon rather than making a bold leap into professional cycling has sparked insightful discussions among legends of the sport. Notably, Mark Allen and Chris McCormack have weighed in, providing a nuanced analysis that reflects their extensive experience and the current landscape of endurance sports. Their consensus highlights important considerations that resonate throughout the athletic community. Mark Allen, revered for his six IRONMAN World titles, emphasizes the unique blend of excitement and unpredictability that Blummenfelt brings to triathlon. Allen admires Blummenfelt's ability to showcase both moments of vulnerability and sheer invincibility. However, he raises...

Patrick Bevin, the former professional road racing cyclist from New Zealand, has recently announced his retirement, a decision that resonates deeply within the cycling community. Despite having a contract with DSM-Firmenich-PostNL for the 2025 season, Bevin's retirement is primarily attributed to ongoing health issues that have plagued him for years, particularly an irregular heartbeat and various injuries that have limited his participation in races. Bevin's struggles with health began to surface publicly in 2017 when he withdrew from the Tour Down Under due to cardiac arrhythmia. At that time, his team doctor, Max Testa, noted that Bevin had no previous history of heart problems. This unexpected development raised concerns about the...

The cycling world is abuzz with the recent developments surrounding Maxim Van Gils and Lotto Dstny, particularly after Van Gils announced the immediate termination of his contract on November 19, 2024. This unexpected decision has left both fans and team officials in shock, as it comes less than a year after the Belgian rider signed an extension to stay with Lotto Dstny until 2026. The backstory to this decision reveals a complex narrative of ongoing discussions. Prior to his announcement, Van Gils was reportedly in talks with his management and Lotto Dstny regarding a potential departure, with his agent confirming that negotiations had been in motion for some time. Rumors had been swirling about Van Gils seeking an early exit from his...

Andrey Amador, the renowned Costa Rican cyclist, has officially announced his retirement from professional cycling due to injuries sustained from a tragic truck accident during a training session in May 2024. At the age of 38, Amador's decision marks the end of a remarkable career that spanned over a decade and included significant achievements and contributions to the sport. The accident that led to his retirement occurred while Amador was training in La Garriga, Spain. Reports indicate that he suffered a severe mishap after slipping on gravel, which resulted in his bicycle sliding beneath a truck. This unfortunate incident caused him to sustain serious injuries, including multiple fractures to his ankle and foot, which necessitated...

Jason Osborne's journey from professional road racing to the burgeoning realm of cycling esports has sparked significant discussion within the cycling community. In a recent interview, he candidly reflected on his departure from Alpecin-Deceuninck, a move that he felt was necessary for regaining control over his life and career. Osborne described the atmosphere within the team as overly controlling, a sentiment that resonates with many athletes who have encountered the pressures of traditional cycling teams. Osborne's background is quite unique; he is not only a talented cyclist but also a former Olympic rower who made a remarkable transition to cycling. His victory in the inaugural Cycling Esports World Championship in 2020 marked him...

Chris Froome, one of the most celebrated figures in professional cycling, has recently shifted his focus from the fierce competition that has defined much of his career to a more reflective and enjoyable approach to the sport. As he nears the end of his tenure with Israel-Premier Tech, where his contract runs until the conclusion of the 2025 season, Froome's evolution embodies a profound appreciation for cycling beyond just winning. Entering this new phase, Froome embraces a mentor role, guiding emerging talents like Derek Gee, Matthew Riccitello, and Joseph Blackmore. This shift highlights his understanding of the sport’s dynamics and the importance of nurturing the next generation of riders. While he may not regularly stand atop the...

The cycling world was recently rocked by Geraint Thomas's outspoken criticism of the management decision that led to Tom Pidcock's deselection from the Il Lombardia lineup. Pidcock, who had expressed excitement about the race after a strong performance at the Giro dell'Emilia, took to Instagram on October 14, 2024, to announce his removal from the team. His post, which communicated a mixture of disappointment and gratitude for the support he had received, underscored the emotional impact that such decisions can have on riders, especially those in peak form. The situation was compounded by team sports director Zak Dempster's remarks that the deselection stemmed from a managerial decision rather than performance-related issues. This left...

Rohan Dennis, a former Olympic cyclist known for his remarkable achievements in the sport, is currently navigating a challenging and highly publicized legal situation following the tragic death of his wife, Melissa Hoskins. The recent decision to delay his court case by six weeks has drawn significant attention, allowing time for further negotiations between his defense team and the prosecution. On October 31, 2024, Dennis appeared at the Adelaide Magistrates Court, facing serious charges related to the fatal car accident that claimed the life of his wife on December 30, 2023. The incident occurred outside their home in Medindie, a suburb in Adelaide's inner north, when Melissa was struck by a dark grey Volkswagen Amarok driven by...

Tadej Pogačar has become a prominent figure in cycling, showcasing a combination of talent, strategy, and a keen understanding of nutrition. His emphasis on dietary adjustments has played a significant role in his recent successes, particularly as he prepared for the 2024 World Championships in Zurich. Pogačar has revealed that he increased his carbohydrate intake to sustain energy levels during races, a decision that reflects the evolving nature of professional cycling where nutrition is critical to performance. During the Tour de France, he typically maintains a weight of around 65 kilograms, allowing for optimal climbing capabilities, while his off-season weight hovers around 69 kilograms. At the 2024 World Championships, Pogačar...

UAE Team Emirates has made headlines in the cycling world by achieving a remarkable 76 wins during the 2024 season, surpassing the previous record of 75 wins held by QuickStep teams in 2018 and 2019. This impressive feat was accomplished by an astonishing 20 different riders, equaling the record set by Mapei-QuickStep in 2000 for the most riders contributing to a team's victory tally in a single season. Such a strong performance underscores the depth and talent within the UAE Team Emirates roster. One of the standout moments came on October 2, 2024, when Colombian rider Sebastian Molano clinched victory in Stage 2 of the CRO Race in Croatia. This victory marked him as the 20th different rider from the team to win a professional race...

The use of carbon monoxide rebreathers in professional cycling has ignited a vigorous debate within the community, particularly following the recent advisory issued by the Movement for Credible Cycling (MPCC). At their 18th Annual General Meeting in Paris on November 15, 2024, the MPCC took a definitive stance against these devices, raising critical concerns about their potential health risks and the ethics surrounding their use in competitive cycling. Carbon monoxide rebreathers have garnered attention for their capacity to measure blood metrics, specifically hemoglobin levels, by delivering controlled doses of carbon monoxide to the lungs. This technology has been employed in altitude training assessments, where riders seek to...