May 2013

The riders on Team Blanco are lucky enough to have a choice of three Giant road bikes at their disposal and this is the aerodynamic bike in the stable, the Propel. This team issue is a very special example.
Follow GCN on YouTube: 

Giant claim that this Propel is the most aerodynamic road bike on the market, with some really nice, innovative touches such as custom integrated brakes. Weight for the frame is an impressive 950 grammes. 

Groupset is Shimano throughout, with the top of the range 9070 DI2 electronic Dura Ace. Shimano also provide the C50 wheels, and dictate that Blanco use 25mm tyres with them for aerodynamic purposes. 

The frame is more versatile than just an aero road bike. Several days after this was filmed, team Blanco built this model up as super light time trial bikes for a mountain time trial, complete with aerobars. 

Music: The Ramona Flowers - Dismantle and Rebuild (instrumental) - 

The Global Cycling Network puts you in the centre of the action: from the iconic summit of the Stelvio to the epic trails of Fort William, Scotland, everywhere there is pavé or dirt, world-class racing, and pro riders, we will be there bringing you all the action, essential analysis and unparalleled access every week, every month, and every year.

Welcome to the Global Cycling Network | Inside cycling

Music licensed by Cue Songs
Music - licensed by Cue Songs

Team Blanco's Giant Propel Pro-Bike

The chef of a pro cycling team is one of the key members of any squad, and because of this their secrets can be closely guarded. GCN was granted access to the chef of Team Garmin-SHARP, Sean Fowler, to find out some of his pro secrets. 
Follow GCN on YouTube: 

Sean talks through life on the road as a team chef, the riders nutritional requirements, when they eat, what they eat, and why they eat it. There a plenty of tips to be gained and lessons to be learned!

Pro Cycling Team Chef - Sean Fowler Of Garmin-SHARP

Our slow motion camera got a good work out at the 2013 Giro d'Italia, so we compiled some of our favourite shots in a great montage, along with some surprising statistics. 
Follow GCN on YouTube: 


The Global Cycling Network puts you in the centre of the action: from the iconic summit of the Stelvio to the epic trails of Fort William, Scotland, everywhere there is pavé or dirt, world-class racing, and pro riders, we will be there bringing you all the action, essential analysis and unparalleled access every week, every month, and every year.

Giro d'Italia 2013 - An Epic Race, In Slow Motion

GCN were at the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of Campagnolo on 22nd May which included a star studded presentation featuring some of the legends of cycling from throughout the decades of the company. 
Follow GCN on YouTube: 

Presentazione 80° Anniversario Campagnolo

There is a technique to pedalling efficiently and smoothly, but many people ride without giving it a second thought. In this video, we explain how to get the most out of your pedal stroke with a few simple tips from the pros. 


Get exclusive GCN gear in the GCN store! 

Firstly, we look at eliminating dead spots in the pedal stroke. Scraping back with your foot at the base of the pedal stroke, and then pulling up with your hip flexors. 

We cover the differences between in and out of the saddle, and give tips on how to get the most out of your pedal stroke when out of the saddle too. 

We also pass on hard earned Pro Tips, pedalling training drills, riding with a slow cadence and also riding one legged. 

All this and more, straight from the pros. 

If you want to contribute captions and video info in your language, here's the link to help out 👍 : 

How To Pedal Like A Pro | Road Bike Skills And Technique

In our final News Show straight from the Giro d'Italia, Daniel and Simon recap a truly memorable race. We also have news from the Tour of Belgium, the Bayern-Rundfahrt and the cross country Mountain Bike World Cup. 
Subscribe to GCN: 

Vincenzo Nilbali of Team Astana has taken a heroic victory in the Giro d'Italia, including a magnificent double stage win on stages 18 and 20.

Mark Cavendish has also had a landmark race, not only crossing the 100th win threshold, but also securing the Maglia Rossa Points competition, his first in the Giro and the final one from the set of Grand Tours. 

At the other end of the race, the fight for the Maglia Nera, formerly awarded to the last placed rider, also went down to the wire. We heard from Adam Blythe of Team BMC as he sought to defend that lead. 

We also catch up with the latest news from Belgium, Germany, and the fight against doping. 

Finally, we discuss our highlights from this years race. What are yours? 

Music: SS Arcadia - Flammable Cannibal   

Giro d'Italia - GCN Weekly Cycling News Show - Episode 22

We check back in with our three young Grand Tour riders, George, Elia and Alex, as they near the end of what has been an horrific few weeks, filled with highs and lows. 
Follow GCN on YouTube: 

Alex Dowsett, in his maiden Grand Tour, famously took a memorable stage win earlier in the race, but reveals that the success has made the remaining stages mentally very tough. One stage in particular was a fight for survival. 

Elia Viviani, ever pragmatic, is soldiering on with the promise of one last fight for a stage win. He is hungry for it, and his determination is clear for all to see, as is his realisation that he is up against the world's greatest ever sprinter. 

Finally, George Bennet has been through an emotional roller coaster. As we enter the final few tough mountain stages, we see a glimmer of confidence return to this incredibly talented New Zealander after a solid performance on one of the toughest stages. 

Music: Deadly Avenger - The Raid
           Lights Motion - Faded Fluorescence 

Giro d'Italia 2013 - Rider Diaries Episode 4

The start line of the final stage of the 2013 Giro in Riese Pio X saw a relaxed peloton and a carnival atmosphere as the sun finally made an appearance. We took the opportunity to capture the mood of the peloton after one of the most arduous Grand Tours in years. 
Subscribe to GCN: 

We chatted to both riders and directeurs to find out their highs and lows, and their summations of the Giro d'Italia 2013. 

Giro d'Italia 2013 - Rider Reactions

Stage 20 of the 2013 Giro d'Italia will go down in legend after the snowy finish at Tre Cime di Lavaredo. It wasn't just the riders showing great feats of endurance though, it didn't escape our notice that the spectators were equally impressive. 
Follow GCN on YouTube: 

We went and met some of the spectators who had trekked through arctic conditions for upwards of 20 kilometres to watch as the queen stage of the Giro d'Italia unfolded in front of them. 

It was a fantastic finale, and none were disappointed. 

Music: Self Evident Featuring Chadio - Oh Baby Baby Yan Zombie Remix - 

Giro d'Italia - Stage 20 - Tribute To The Fans

The team truck is seldom seen, as it is rarely needed at races. Instead, it acts as a hub for the team, travelling from hotel to hotel. It is part warehouse, part bike shop, and part kitchen, and this Radioshack-Leopard-Trek truck is a great example. 
Follow GCN on YouTube: 

The rear of the truck is given over the the mechanics as a workshop, and also storage of the 41 bikes the team is carrying around the Giro d'Italia, and the 50 pairs of wheels. 

Further forward is the soigneurs section, with a washer, a dryer, full fridge/freezer, and space to store bottles and food for the race. 

Let us explain the inner workings of the truck, and give you a bit more of an inside line. 

Music: White light parade - Rebellion Call (instrumental) 

Giro d'Italia Inside Line - Team Trucks

Stage 19 of the Giro d'Italia was completely cancelled due to snow, and on days like these talk always tends to turn to Giro legend Andy Hampsten on the Gavia in 1988. It's fortunate then that we ran into him the other day. 
Subscribe to GCN: 

Andy Hampsten's ride on the snowy, freezing stage featuring the Gavia pass is ingrained in cycling legend, and we were thrilled to be able to chat to the man himself about his Giro memories and the realities of racing in the cold. 

Giro d'Italia - Andy Hampsten

Earlier in the Giro d'Italia we caught up with the Tech Editor of Velonews, Caley Fretz, to get the inside line on all the new tech news from the race. He's back, by popular demand, to fill us in on developments now the race has hit the mountains.
Subscribe to GCN: 

The burning question is bike choices that are governed by weight. In the earlier stages of the Giro, aerodynamics were key, but now power to weight ratio is the most important factor. So what are the decisions being made? 

Given the terrible conditions that have befallen the riders for much of the race, we also discuss another hot topic, clothing, and in particular the domination of the Castelli Gabba jersey. 

May 2013

Subscribe to the GCN Newsletter