Former Tour de France winner Greg LeMond has dismissed the suggestion that the high level of salbutamol found in Chris Froome’s test results at the 2017 Vuelta was due to taking a rapid succession of puffs from his inhaler to prevent coughing in post race interviews.
Read MoreFroome Conquers Vuelta but not the British Public
As Chris Froome secured his fifth Grand Tour victory yesterday, and only the third man in cycling history to achieve the Tour/Vuelta double in the same year, he could be forgiven for looking on enviously at his rival, Alberto Contador. The Spaniard riding his last race may not have even made the podium but the Spanish public’s love and adoration for him could not be denied.
It seems that whatever Froome manages to do, and his success to date has been astounding even compared to cycling greats like Merckx, Hinault and Anquetil, the British press and public remain underwhelmed. What should have been front page news was relegated to today’s Sports pages, and even then, was deemed by many editors to fall below the importance of the news that Crystal Palace have sacked their manager.
Read MoreHappy Christmas from Ride Vélo!
It seems that cyclists love Christmas! Twitter, Facebook and the internet have been bombarded by Christmas messages, videos and pictures from everyday cyclists as well as the professionals. As we wish you a Happy Christmas from Ride Vélo we bring you a selection of some of our favourites.
Read MoreGiant Alpecin’s 'Bulletproof' Bib Shorts
If you watched John Degenkolb, Warren Barguil and Tom Dumoulin of Team Giant Alpecin on the Tour de France this year, you may have noticed a difference in the team kit they were wearing. Their special edition July white kit symbolised a new start after a terrible pre season training accident which saw their key team members badly injured and unable to compete for months afterwards. Look even more closely, however, and you may notice that their shorts, although still the traditional black, feature a mesh design that claims to protect the riders if they find themselves skidding across the tarmac.
Read MoreMont Ventoux, the Giant of Provence
On 13th July 1967, on the 13th stage of that year’s Tour de France, the British rider Tommy Simpson was climbing the dreaded Mont Ventoux when he started to veer from side to side of the road. Insisting that he be “put back on my bike” he continued until he was 1.5 km from the summit when he finally collapsed still clipped into his pedals, and died. A mixture of amphetamines and alcohol were later found in his bloodstream causing heat exhaustion and dehydration. Tomorrow will see this year’s tour pass the memorial which marks that spot where the brave Tommy breathed his last gasp and pedalled his final stroke.
Read MoreMaurice Burton's De Ver
A teenage boy wipes the steam from the bus window and peers out onto a grey 1960s street in Forest Hill, South London, on the way to his weekly school swimming lesson. His eye catches a bike abandoned in the front garden of a Victorian terraced house and he realises that he noticed the same one last week. A racing tourer that’s seen better days. But nothing a bit of a TLC wouldn’t put right. “I’ll go back after school,” he says to himself. “I’ll go back and see if the owner wants to get rid of it.”
Read MoreP is for Peloton
Last week Ride Velo profiled Mark Fairhurst who, as well as being one of the most fascinating cycling artists of the moment, also illustrated one of last year’s best cycling books: P is for Peloton.
Read MoreMark Fairhurst: Cycle Illustrator Extraordinaire
Cycling has always inspired artists and photographers to produce some of the most striking images: the noble heroism of the rider, the stunning landscape of the Tour and the Giro, not to mention the sheer elegance of the bicycle itself. No one has captured the essence of the romance of cycling in recent years better than illustrator Mark Fairhurst, so we asked him about his inspiration and how he has become one of the most sought after cycling artists of today.
Read MoreVélochef - Food for Training and Competition
Ever wondered what Chris Froome, Geraint Thomas and their fellow star riders at Team Sky eat on the Tour de France? Vélochef, by Henrik Orre, provides some of those answers, as well as giving a fascinating insight into the workings of a top racing team, while offering no less than 80 nutritious recipes for you to recreate at home.
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