Cycling Pulse

The global cycling gender gap presents a significant challenge, as women remain underrepresented in cycling across cities worldwide. Research from the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) highlights alarming statistics and insights regarding female participation in cycling, underscoring the need for targeted interventions and infrastructural improvements to promote inclusivity. In cities like Kisumu, Kenya, the disparity is striking, with men comprising a staggering 96% of cyclists, leaving women with a mere 1% representation. This trend is echoed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where women account for only 2.4% to 10.9% of cyclists, while men dominate with percentages ranging from 89% to 97.6%. Delhi, India, while...

Lizzie Deignan, a luminary in the world of professional cycling, has announced her retirement at the end of the 2025 season, a decision that has sent ripples through the cycling community. This announcement, made on November 15, 2024, is deeply personal, reflecting her desire to spend more time with her children while also transitioning into a mentorship role for aspiring cyclists. Deignan's career has been nothing short of remarkable, marked by a series of historic achievements that have not only defined her legacy but have also significantly influenced the landscape of women's cycling. Born in 1988 in Otley, England, Deignan entered the professional cycling scene with a determination that would soon lead her to the pinnacle of the...

Eurosport UK's announcement to cease broadcasting on February 28, 2025, after more than three decades, is significant news for the sports broadcasting landscape in the UK and Ireland. The integration of Eurosport’s content into TNT Sports represents a strategic consolidation by Warner Bros. Discovery, aiming to streamline the offerings for sports fans. With this merger, all live and non-live content that has been a staple for viewers on Eurosport will shift to TNT Sports, requiring fans to adapt to this new platform to access their favorite sports events. For cycling enthusiasts, this integration means that they will benefit from upgraded coverage through TNT Sports. The channel will continue to showcase pivotal cycling events...

Uno-X Mobility, a notable professional cycling team, has recently unveiled a groundbreaking zipless jersey, touted as the fastest design produced by its sponsor. This innovative garment seeks to enhance aerodynamics by eliminating the zipper, a feature traditionally seen on cycling jerseys. Despite its promising design, the team has opted not to wear this jersey during competitive racing, citing performance and practical considerations. The introduction of the zipless jersey represents a significant development in cycling apparel. Designed by Fusion, a Danish brand that has recently become the team’s sponsor, the jersey comes in various styles, including those with aero sleeves featuring trip-strip lines and others with breathable mesh...

Tom Pidcock has recently introduced the new Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team kit for the 2025 season, a significant leap forward in cycling apparel technology. This innovative kit promises to enhance the performance of elite cyclists through advanced aerodynamic features, superior comfort, and state-of-the-art thermoregulation. As cycling continues to evolve, the demand for high-performance gear that can provide even the slightest competitive edge has never been greater. One of the standout components of the new kit is the Dottore Pro bib shorts. These shorts have been meticulously designed to deliver ergonomic support while ensuring maximum comfort during rides. Tom Pidcock himself praised the Dottore Pro, stating that the comfort level was so...

On January 8, 2025, Garmin Connect, a pivotal platform for athletes and fitness enthusiasts, experienced a significant outage that has disrupted the routines of countless users worldwide. This central hub allows individuals to sync their fitness data from various Garmin devices, making its functionality critical for tracking performance and monitoring progress in activities such as cycling. The immediate impact of this outage has been profound. Cyclists and other athletes relying on Garmin devices have found themselves unable to upload their cycling activities, view essential metrics such as heart rate and training load, or access their workout history. While Garmin devices can still track activities offline, the inability to sync this...

Sam Welsford, a talented sprinter hailing from Perth, has captured the hearts of local fans with his stunning victory in the elite men's criterium at the Australian Cycling Road National Championships held on January 10, 2025. The race, set against the picturesque backdrop of inner-city Northbridge as the sun dipped below the horizon, showcased not only Welsford's speed but also the tactical prowess required in high-stakes criterium racing. The event unfolded on a challenging 1.2-kilometer street circuit, where riders navigated tight corners and fast straights, testing their abilities as much as their endurance. Welsford's win marks his second national title in this event, having previously triumphed in Ballarat back in 2020. This...

Tao Geoghegan Hart, the notable winner of the 2020 Giro d'Italia, has ignited a significant conversation within the cycling community regarding the escalating costs associated with viewing professional cycling in the UK and Ireland. His concerns have been amplified by the recent transition of Eurosport's coverage to TNT Sports, which will dramatically hike subscription fees from a more accessible £87 per year to an eye-watering £370 annually. This shift not only impacts avid cycling fans but also raises critical questions about the sport's accessibility and future sustainability. The impending paywall increase, set to take effect on February 28, 2025, poses a serious threat to cycling's fan base. Many supporters are already voicing...

On February 1, 2025, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) made a landmark decision to ban the repeated inhalation of carbon monoxide (CO) in professional cycling. This regulation, set to take effect on February 10, 2025, was announced following discussions during the UCI Management Committee meeting held in Arras, France, in conjunction with the 2025 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships. The move marks a significant step in prioritizing rider health and safety, particularly in light of emerging concerns surrounding the use of CO in sports medicine. Carbon monoxide has been utilized in sports science for over two decades, primarily as a means to measure total haemoglobin mass and assess endurance training and altitude adaptations...

Finn Fisher-Black and Laurence Pithie, two talented riders from New Zealand, are set to make waves in the 2025 cycling season as they join Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe. Their recent signings mark a significant shift not only in their careers but also for the team that is striving to establish itself as a formidable contender in the WorldTour. As they prepare for their debut at the Tour Down Under in January 2025, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how their journey unfolds together. Fisher-Black, just 22 years old, brings a wealth of experience after spending three and a half years with UAE Team Emirates. His signing with Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe in August 2024 came on the heels of impressive performances that showcased his potential...

ROUVY, the Czech-based indoor cycling application, has recently made headlines with its strategic acquisition of FulGaz from The Ironman Group. This move, announced on January 21, 2025, is emblematic of ROUVY's ambitious plans to expand its influence in the virtual cycling arena. FulGaz, which has garnered a reputation since its inception in 2014 for offering immersive virtual training experiences featuring real-world cycling routes from over 40 countries, provides a solid foundation for ROUVY's growth. FulGaz's journey has seen significant milestones, including its acquisition by The Ironman Group in 2021. This previous acquisition aimed to bolster Ironman’s foray into the connected fitness domain, enhancing their digital offerings...

Zwift, the leading virtual cycling platform, has recently made waves with the announcement of a grand prize bundle giveaway valued at over £1,300, celebrating its 10-year anniversary. This impressive giveaway is a testament to Zwift's dedication to its community of cyclists who have embraced indoor training over the last decade. At the core of this prize is the highly anticipated Zwift Ride indoor bike, designed to enhance the indoor cycling experience to unprecedented levels. The Zwift Ride indoor bike is not just any regular trainer; it is an all-in-one setup that integrates a Wahoo KICKR CORE smart trainer with a highly functional frame. This innovative combination allows users to experience a realistic cycling simulation, complete...

Mauro Schmid, the reigning Swiss champion, has made a significant mark in the cycling world by securing his first victory for an Australian team at the 2025 Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race. This event, which unfolded on February 1, 2025, along the stunning coastal roads of Australia, showcased Schmid's exceptional talent and strategic racing. His win not only represents a personal milestone but also highlights the growing competitiveness of the sport on the global stage. The Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race is more than just a one-day road cycling event; it is a key fixture in the UCI World Tour calendar, attracting elite cyclists from around the world. With its challenging terrain and scenic views, the race is both a test of...