January 2014

Niels Albert is a two-time Elite World Cyclocross champion. We took a look at his Colnago Prestige bike.
Subscribe to GCN on YouTube: 

Following Sven Nys's move to Trek, Niels Albert is the most successful cyclocross rider left racing a Colnago. Albert has two elite world titles to his name. His Colnago Prestige features a high-end yet standard build. He uses, like the most of the cyclocross 'top renners' Dura Ace 9070, Shimano subsidiary Pro handlebars, stem and seatpost, Dura Ace wheels, and Dugast tubs. Albert mixes it up a bit on the brake front, using TRP's RevoX carbon fiber offerings.

What do you think of Albert's bike? Comment and let us know!

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

Niels Albert's Colnago Prestige Cyclocross Bike

The 2014 cyclo-cross World Championships will take place in Hoogerheide, The Netherlands.
Follow GCN on YouTube: 

Sven Nys and Marianne Vos will go into the elite races as strong favourites, but the cyclo cross worlds are never so clear cut. Riders like Tom Meeusen, Philipp Walsleben and Francis Mourey have shown great form in recent weeks, and Lars van der Haar is a force to be reckoned with if the race comes down to a sprint.

The battle between Marianne Vos and Katie Compton should be fascinating. We think that the race of the weekend could be the under 23 race, with Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert going head to head.

Comment below and let us know who you're looking out for.

Check out GCN's cyclo-cross Worlds playlist for live coverage of the race in the UCI Channel: 

Follow GCN on YouTube NOW for full analysis of the races in the News Show: 

Top 10 Riders To Watch At The 2014 Cyclo-Cross World Championships

Strong wind produces epic bike racing conditions, but how can you adapt the pros' strategies to your everyday riding?
Follow GCN on YouTube for more pro tips: 

Whether you're racing at elite level or trying to beat your training partners to the cafe, adapting your riding style to suit strong wind can help you to go faster with less effort.

If you're facing a crosswind, knowing how to ride in an echelon will help you to move forward rather than get dropped. In a headwind, adapting your position will make you more aerodynamic, and when faced with a tailwind... Hammer it.

How To Ride In Strong Winds

Nairo Quintana wins the Tour de San Luis, Simon Gerrans wins the Tour Down Under and Fabian Cancellara plans an attack on the Hour Record.
Follow GCN on YouTube: 

Nairo Quintana took victory in the Tour de San Luis. Philip Gaimon of Garmin-SHARP took the lead after a solo break on the first stage. he looked to be holding on until Quintana took control on the mountaintop finishes and the individual time trial.

Simon Gerrans beat Cadel Evans by just a second to win the Tour Down Under in the Australian champions jersey, on Australia Day. Fitting really.

the final round of the cyclocross World Cup threw up few surprises in the overall. Katie Compton, guaranteed of her overall victory before the race started, pulled out after one lap due to an asthma attack, meaning that Marianne Vos had it all her own way. Lars van der Haar came 4th in the Elite mens race to take overall victory ahead of Philipp Walsleben. Niels Albert was first Belgian in 3rd place overall.

As usual, we've got competitions, news from the GCN Strava club 

), tweet of the week and the weekly schedule here on GCN.

Tour De San Luis, Tour Down Under And Cyclocross World Cup - GCN Cycling News Show - Ep. 56

We caught up with Jeremy Powers, Ian Field, Ryan Trebon and Tim Johnson before the 2014 Cyclo-cross Worlds in Hoogerheide. 
Follow GCN on YouTube: 

Ian, Jeremy, Ryan and Tim are all national title winners with significant results at World level. They took some time out in the week before the 2014 Worlds to talk about the upcoming World Championships in Hoogerheide, European racing and the Belgian winter, the World Cup in Nommay, Belgian beer, mud, and frites.

Photos: © Wil Matthews & Cannondale p/b 

Talking Cyclocross - Checking In With Jeremy Powers, Tim Johnson, Ian Field And Ryan Trebon

Are your bike lights out of battery? Find out how to make a light using your smartphone with GCN.
Follow GCN on YouTube: 

If you're riding at night or in low visibility and your lights run out, you're a bit stuck. If you have a smart phone and some tape, you can make a front light that will make you visible to other traffic.

This isn't an approach that we'd recommend as a first choice. There's really no substitute for remembering to charge your lights and having a good set of lights plus a back-up in the first place. If you're riding on a bike path, or other traffic-free environment, this could get you home.

Music: Passive Aggressive - Lack Of A Fro feat. Wax: 

Lights Out? Make A Smartphone Bike Light - GCN's Roadside Maintenance Series

Stage 6, the final stage of the Tour Down Under was an 85km circuit race in  Adelaide on Australia Day.
Follow GCN on YouTube: 

The battle between Cadel Evans and Simon Gerrans for overall victory wasn't over. With just one second separating Evans and Gerrans, the race could be won on time bonuses from the final stage. 

ORICA-GreenEDGE avoided this by taking control early. A break went off the front, with Will Clarke of Drapac making yet another appearance and taking his third most combative rider jersey of the race. The break of three swallowed up all the time bonuses on offer and with the sprinters eyeing another chance for a stage victory, Gerrans looked to have overall victory sealed. Lotto-Belisol led out the sprint for Andre Greipel and he delivered, taking his career total of TDU stage wins to 16.

Gerrans took a record-breaking third overall victory, with Evans second and Diego Ulissi third.

Tour Down Under 2014 - Stage 6 Race Report

Indoor cycling is a fantastic way to keep fit. Before you try our upcoming fitness class videos, make sure your bike is set up correctly.
Follow GCN on YouTube: 

Turbo sessions are a great way for everybody - cyclists or non-cyclists - to keep in shape throughout the year. As classes involve high cadences and time in and out of the saddle, you need to make sure that your position is right. This will help you to avoid injury and enable you to keep going.

Music: Darwin Deez - Redshift (instrumental): 

How To Set Up An Indoor Bike

Stage 5 of the Tour Down Under had been spoken about as the decisive stage for the overall. 
Follow GCN on YouTube for full TDU coverage: 

With the hilltop on finish on Wilunga Hill, stage 5 looked to be the decisive stage before a final criterium in downtown Adelaide. Simon Gerrans, Cadel Evans and Richie Porte were all gunning for the stage and overall victory.

An early break was allowed off the front, with Evans's BMC team controlling the peloton. Going into the final ascent of Wilunga Hlll, Jens Voigt remained off the front, with the leaders fast approaching.

Evans as the first to make a move, distancing Gerrans, before Porte attacked and soloed to victory. Behind Porte, the battle for the overall came down to a nailbiting finale. Gerrans leads Evans by just one second going into the final Stage 6.

Tour Down Under 2014 - Stage 5 Race Report

GCN went behind the scenes as Alberto Contador, Bjarne Riis and Oleg Tinkov were in attendance at the Tinkoff-Saxo team launch.
Follow GCN on YouTube: 

Team Tinkoff-Saxo are aiming for Grand Tour success this year. We took a look at where it all begins - the early season training camp and team launch. Matt Stephens interviewed team manager Bjarne Riis, riders, mechanics and even went training with the team.

Follow GCN on YouTube as we take you behind the scenes of pro cycling throughout the 2014 season. 

Music:
Alan Hurst - Before The Dawn (Jonas Reinhardt Remix): 

Behind The Scenes At The Team Tinkoff-Saxo Launch And Training Camp

Stage 4 of the Tour Down Under saw a battle for overall seconds, crosswinds, mechanical dramas and a bunch sprint.
Follow GCN on YouTube for full TDU coverage: 

Simon Gerrans and ORICA-GreenEdge went on the offensive today, aiming to get bonus seconds to take back the ochre leaders jersey from Cadel Evans and BMC.

The race was split by the ORICA team in the crosswinds in the run in to the bunch sprint, when Lotto-Belisol took up the reins and Andre Greipel took his 15th Tour Down Under stage win.

We spoke to ORICA-GreenEdge DS Matt White, KOM Adam Hansen and Nathan Haas of Garmin-SHARP, who is well positioned overall.

Will Gerrans get enough seconds back on Cadel? 

Tour Down Under 2014 - Stage 4 Race Report

Stage 3 of the 2014 Tour Down Under saw a showdown on the fearsome Corkscrew Hill.
Follow GCN on YouTube for full TDU coverage: 

Simon Gerrans, Cadel Evans and Richie Porte all went on the attack on the climb of Corkscrew Hill. Evans forged ahead, taking the stage and the overall lead. Can Gerrans and Porte get time back on the hilltop finish at Willunga Hill?

Also in action today was GCN's rider diarist Jens Voigt, who, as normal was off the front in a long breakaway.

Can Cadel hold onto his lead? Comment and let us know.

January 2014

Subscribe to the GCN Newsletter