Liège-Bastogne-Liège, affectionately known as “La Doyenne” due to its status as the oldest of the cycling classics, is a formidable challenge characterised by relentless climbs and strategic depth. With iconic ascents like La Redoute and Roche-aux-Faucons, Liège-Bastogne-Liège tests the riders’ endurance and tactical savvy. Legends such as, the 5-time winner Eddy Merckx, 4-time winners Moreno Argentin and Alejandro Valverde and more recently Tadej Pogacar, who won in 2021, have triumphed here, making it a race where true men’s cycling greats are made. As we approach the 2024 edition, let’s exp ..read more

In a display of sheer determination, Kasia Niewiadoma of Canyon Sram clinched a long-awaited victory at La Flèche Wallonne, marking her first win since 2019. The race, notorious for its gruelling finish on the Mur de Huy, was a fitting battleground for Niewiadoma’s triumph, making her the first Polish rider to win this prestigious event. The women’s race followed the men’s event under slightly improved weather conditions, though the early part of the race was marred by challenging weather with hail and heavy rain marking the start from Huy. A three-rider breakaway featuring Julie Van de Velde ..read more

Flèche Wallonne Femmes is the middle of the 3 Ardennes Classics and features the brutally steep Mur de Huy as its final. Dotted with hills throughout, it’s the Mur de Huy that sees a tough uphill sprint to the line that can only be won by a select few. Anna van der Breggen absolutely dominated this race in her time with 7 victories in a row and Marianne Vos managed 5 herself before then. Demi Vollering got off the mark last season and will be looking to build a similar dynasty of wins to her mentor. A route change this year sees the Cote de Cherave removed which both had a tendency to shed rid ..read more

As the Flèche Wallonne Femmes approaches, notable alterations to the course have sparked comments, particularly from seven-time winner Anna van der Breggen, who now serves as a team director for SD Worx. The reconfigured approach to the iconic Mur de Huy, a hallmark of this race, sees the removal of the Côte de Cherave, a move Van der Breggen views unfavourably. “The Côte de Cherave previously added an extra layer of tactics to the finale, giving riders who didn’t want to wait for the Mur a chance to make a significant move,” she noted. Van der Breggen pointed to the new route leading into the ..read more

Anna Shackley, a rising talent within the women’s peloton, has been compelled to end her professional cycling career due to a heart condition. The decision follows a series of medical tests which diagnosed Shackley with cardiac arrhythmia back in January. Her team, SD Worx-Protime, stated that subsequent heart screenings conducted at the Maxima Medisch Centrum in Veldhoven, along with further examinations in Barcelona near her hometown, uncovered additional irregularities. The findings have ultimately deemed that the heart issues are incompatible with the demands of top-level sport. “We are ve ..read more

Imogen Cotter, a significant figure in professional cycling, has announced her decision to retire from the sport via an Instagram post. Cotter, who has encountered notable obstacles, including a serious crash, conveyed appreciation to her team and reflected on her journey in the sport. In her announcement, Cotter mentioned her increasing discomfort with competitive racing, highlighting feelings of anxiety and fear during training rides. She recognised that prioritising her mental well-being was crucial and made the challenging decision to step away from professional cycling. Despite the challe ..read more

The upcoming Ford RideGlasgow FreeCycle event, scheduled for Sunday, June 9th, aims to enhance Glasgow’s cycling legacy by offering a unique opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy cycling on traffic-free roads in the heart of the city. This free event, organized in collaboration with Glasgow City Council and Glasgow Life, builds upon the city’s commitment to becoming more bike-friendly, as demonstrated by its status as the UK’s first UCI Bike City and the success of last year’s UCI Cycling World Championships. Participants in the inaugural Ford RideGlasgow FreeCycle will tra ..read more

Flèche Wallonne Femmes History The women’s Flèche Wallonne, recently renamed Flèche Wallonne Femmes, has been a cornerstone event in women’s cycling since its inception in 1998, hosting many of the sport’s most formidable climbers. The race’s early history was dominated by Italian cyclist Fabiana Luperini, who clinched three wins in the first five editions and was a celebrated Giro Donne champion. Following Luperini, Nicole Cooke and Marianne Vos each had their periods of triumph, with Vos notably securing five victories between 2007 and 2013. Interestingly, since her last win, Vos has not r ..read more

Preparations for the rebooted 2024 Tour of Britain Women are advancing, with today’s announcement of the stage hosts setting the stage for a thrilling competition. The Grand Départ is scheduled for Thursday, 6 June, from Welshpool. The previous organisers Sweetspot unfortunately were unable to continue their organisation and British Cycling had to take over the running of the Women’s Tour from 2024 for the foreseeable future. 2024 Tour of Britain Route Women The race kicks off in Welshpool, a town celebrated in cycling lore. Notably, it is close to where the men’s Tour of Britain featured a dr ..read more

The 58th edition of the Amstel Gold Race saw Tom Pidcock of INEOS Grenadiers outpace his breakaway companions Marc Hirschi and Tiesj Benoot in a gripping finale sprint, securing a redemptive victory. Top favourite Mathieu van der Poel was unable to play a significant role in the race’s outcome. The renowned Dutch race attracted a stellar lineup, including defending champions like Tadej Pogacar, Wout van Aert, and van der Poel himself. Despite high expectations, van der Poel found himself overshadowed by formidable competitors such as Pidcock, Ben Healy, Benoît Cosnefroy, Mattias Skjelmose, and ..read more