Cycling Pulse

Lotte Kopecky demonstrated astounding resilience and strategic prowess at the Simac Ladies Tour by bouncing back from a high-speed crash to clinch the stage 6 victory and secure her overall win for the second consecutive year. The race, which took place on October 13, 2024, featured intense competition and showcased the impressive teamwork of the SD Worx-Protime squad. On stage 5, Kopecky faced a daunting challenge when she crashed at high speed. Remarkably, despite the incident, she managed to finish the stage in a position that allowed her to maintain her overall standing. Such incidents are part of cycling, where crashes can dramatically alter a race’s trajectory, but Kopecky's ability to recover speaks volumes about her...

Recent research has uncovered alarming vulnerabilities in Shimano's Di2 wireless gear shifters, which could pose significant risks in professional cycling events. Conducted by a team from the University of California, San Diego, and Northeastern University, the study highlights how these security flaws could allow hackers to manipulate gear shifts, potentially leading to dangerous situations during races like the Tour de France. One of the critical findings of the research is the susceptibility to replay attacks. This type of attack enables an intruder to capture gear-shifting commands and retransmit them, effectively allowing control over another cyclist's gear without needing to decrypt the commands. This could lead to a scenario...

Tadej Pogacar's recent dominance in the cycling world has not only cemented his status as a top competitor but also sparked a conversation about the integrity of the sport. Following his historic win at the UCI Road World Championships 2024, the cyclist took the opportunity to express gratitude towards his supporters while candidly addressing the ongoing criticism he faces. Pogacar's rise in cycling has been nothing short of spectacular. At just 25 years old, he has already secured multiple Grand Tour victories, including the Tour de France. His latest triumph at the World Championships adds him to an elite group of cyclists who have achieved the "triple crown" in a season, previously accomplished by legends such as Eddy Merckx and...

Michał Kwiatkowski's relationship with Ineos Grenadiers has been a topic of interest among cycling fans, especially as the team navigates a transition period. As of October 12, 2024, there have been no specific statements from Kwiatkowski denying rumors of a departure. However, his commitment to the team is well-documented and underlines his significance in the squad. Kwiatkowski has been with Ineos Grenadiers since 2014, initially joining when the team was known as Team Sky. Over the years, he has earned a reputation as one of the most versatile riders in the peloton, excelling in one-day Classics as well as Grand Tours. His victories include the prestigious Milan-San Remo, Strade Bianche, and the Amstel Gold Race, showcasing his...

The cycling world is mourning the tragic loss of Swiss junior cyclist Muriel Furrer, who passed away on September 27, 2024, following a severe head injury sustained during the women’s junior road race at the UCI Road World Championships in Zurich, Switzerland. This heartbreaking incident marks another somber chapter in the sport, which has seen its share of tragedies in recent years. The incident unfolded during the race on September 26, 2024, when Furrer fell heavily, suffering a serious head injury. Despite the prompt response from emergency services, who airlifted her to Zurich University Hospital in critical condition, she succumbed to her injuries less than 24 hours later. The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) confirmed her...

Neilson Powless secured an exhilarating solo victory at the 2024 Gran Piemonte on October 10, marking a significant milestone for both the rider and his team, EF Education - EasyPost. This prestigious one-day race, now in its 108th edition, saw Powless navigating a challenging course that began with a mostly flat route before transitioning into hilly terrain, showcasing his versatility as a cyclist. The Gran Piemonte is steeped in history, having been established in 1911 and serving as a key indicator for riders in the lead-up to the Giro d'Italia. This year’s event was particularly thrilling, as Powless seized the moment following a critical crash that altered the dynamics within the peloton. While the initial flat stretch allowed...

The cycling world is currently at a crossroads, grappling with significant financial instability that has led to the collapse of several teams and left many professional cyclists searching for new opportunities. The reliance on sponsor funding has created a precarious environment, where shifts in economic conditions can spell disaster for even the most established teams. For instance, the recent collapse of the British women's cycling team Lifeplus-Wahoo in August 2024 highlights the financial pressures teams face. This team, along with others like the French B&B Hotels, succumbed to sponsorship issues, leaving many talented riders without contracts. In the realm of professional cycling, sponsorship is not just an endorsement; it is...

Derek Gee, a promising Canadian cyclist, has recently opened up about the challenges he faced during the latter part of the 2024 season, particularly concerning fatigue and maintaining his form. His candid reflections provide valuable insight into the often-overlooked struggles of elite athletes, shedding light on the physical and mental demands of professional cycling. Gee’s season started with a bang. He delivered impressive performances at key events, including a notable third-place finish at the Critérium du Dauphiné and an admirable ninth in the overall classification at the Tour de France. These achievements had set high expectations for the remainder of the season. However, as the summer progressed, maintaining that high level...

The Zwift Racing Score (ZRS), a groundbreaking shift in virtual racing categories, is set to officially replace the traditional FTP-based system starting October 7, 2024. This new scoring model promises to revolutionize how racers are categorized and recognized on the Zwift platform, making racing participation more engaging and competitive for cyclists of all levels. At the heart of the ZRS is a sophisticated calculation that leverages the maximum power outputs over specific time intervals. By focusing on 30 seconds and 10 minutes of maximum effort from the past 90 days, ZRS aims to provide a dynamic and more nuanced reflection of a rider's current fitness and performance. This approach is a significant departure from the static...

Campagnolo's latest innovation, the Super Record S Wireless groupset, launched on September 10, 2024, has already caught the attention of cycling enthusiasts and professionals alike. With an MSRP of $4,299 or €3,990, this new offering promises a competitive edge in the world of high-performance cycling components, merging advanced technology with a broader range of gearing options. One of the standout features of the Super Record S Wireless is its expanded gearing choices, which now include six chainring configurations. While the previous models offered options like 45×29, 48×32, and 50×34, the new groupset introduces 52×36, 53×39, and 54×39 configurations. This versatility caters to a wider array of cycling styles and terrains, making...

Sir Mark Cavendish, the legendary cyclist from the Isle of Man, has recently received the prestigious honor of knighthood, officially bestowed upon him by Prince William at Windsor Castle on October 2, 2024. This significant moment in Cavendish's life was met with heartfelt emotion as he described the experience as "super humbling" and "very, very special." The accolade not only celebrates his remarkable achievements in cycling but also recognizes his contributions to the sport and his country. Despite this momentous occasion, Cavendish's competitive spirit remains intact. He has not closed the door on future racing opportunities, revealing that he is still training and has several events scheduled for the year ahead. His excitement...

The recent 2024 UCI Road World Championships in Zurich delivered a thrilling spectacle, particularly highlighted by Tadej Pogacar’s audacious attack that reshaped the race's dynamics. Remco Evenepoel, a prominent contender in the event, offered his thoughts on the implications of Pogacar's bold strategy, which he initially labeled as a "suicide attempt" when the Slovenian launched his move with 100 kilometers remaining. The race course itself was a challenging one, characterized by multiple accelerations and technical sections that tested the riders' stamina and tactical acumen. Evenepoel noted how the course facilitated energy conservation at certain points, allowing riders to sit in the draft before explosive efforts were required...

Niklas Behrens, the newly crowned U23 world champion, has made headlines with his recent signing to Team Visma | Lease a Bike, a Dutch WorldTeam, on a three-year contract that takes effect in 2024. This significant announcement, made on September 30, 2024, marks a pivotal moment in Behrens's burgeoning cycling career, which has seen remarkable growth in a relatively short span of three years. Before immersing himself in the world of cycling, Behrens dedicated his athletic pursuits to swimming and triathlon, showcasing his versatility as an athlete. His transition to cycling has proven successful, culminating in his stunning victory at the U23 World Championships. In a gripping two-up sprint against Martin Svrček from Soudal-QuickStep...