February 2014

Campagnolo one of the iconic cycling brands. They make chains in house in Italy.
Subscribe to GCN on YouTube: 

Nearly every bike needs a chain to go forward. We went the the Campagnolo factory in Vicenza, Italy to find out how a chain is made.

Campagnolo are a brand steeped in cycling history. Their groupsets and chains will feature on the bikes of 5 World Tour teams in 2014.

Music: Custom composition by Bill Francis: 

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

Campagnolo - How A Campagnolo Chain Is Made

Marcel Kittel will be chasing bunch sprint victories in 2014 on this Giant Propel Advanced SL.
Want more pro bikes? Subscribe to GCN: 

Marcel Kittel of Team Giant Shimano dominated the sprints at the 2013 Tour de France. He'll surely be hoping for a repeat this year, and this is the bike that he'll be racing on.

A Giant Propel Advanced SL frame, equipped with Shimano Dura Ace Di2, Shimano wheels and PRO finishing kit, this is a bike that looks as fast as Kittel sprints.

We've got tech covered. Check the bikes of the 2014 peloton: 

Marcel Kittel's Giant Propel Advanced SL

Pro cyclists adopt many different positions so that they can descend as quickly as possible.
Subscribe to GCN on YouTube: 

You will have seen professional cyclists attempting to get as low as possible so that they are as aerodynamic and as fast as possible when they descend.

Whilst we certainly don't recommend trying these positions on the open road, we decided to find out just how effective they are.

We tried three different positions and compared time over an 800 meter stretch of road. We used a standard aero position - one that you might adopt if you were descending - on the drops and in the saddle. Then we adopted the 'tuck' that many riders adopt in search of speed. Hands on the tops and seated on the top tube - don't try this one... Finally, we tried the 'Human Saddlebag'. This is the position that the late Marco Pantani used for descending - arms stretched and backside off the saddle.

Watch to find out which position is the fastest!

How To Descend - Tuck Like A Pro

Four stage races, big news for women's cycling, Pioneer join the powermeter market and a new film on Marco Pantani.
Subscribe to GCN on YouTube: 

Four stage races have taken place in the last week. Chris Froome dominated the Tour of Oman, Alejandro Valverde won in Andalucia, and, despite claims that he is 6kg's overweight, Carlos Betancur won the Tour du Haut Var. At the Volta ao Algarve, Michal Kwiatkowski won the overall, with Mark Cavendish and Alberto Contador also taking stage wins.

European cyclocross has taken a step towards gender equality. American sponsor, Twenty20 Cycling have stepped in to ensure that the winning woman will win the same as 1st man. We spoke to Worlds Bronze medalist and UCI Cyclocross Commission member Helen Wyman about what this means.

We caught up with Matt Rendell, author of The Death of Marco Pantani, about the new film on Pantani.

Tech of the week comes from Pioneer, and tweet of the week fro Simon Clarke.

Don't forget to subscribe to GCN. We'll be giving away five sets of our exclusive GCN Cycling Kit when we hit 200,000 subscribers - 

Stage Racing, Women's Cycling, Marco Pantani And Pioneer Powermeter - GCN Cycling News Show - Ep. 60

Stages 5 and 6 of the 2014 Tour of Oman would prove decisive.
Subscribe to GCN on YouTube: 

Stage 5 featured a mountain-top finish at Green Mountain, and Stage 6 was another day for the sprinters.

Stage 5 was expected to show who of the overall favourites was on form after their winter break from racing. Vincenzo Nibali dropped off the pace but Rigoberto Uran, Chris Froome and Tejay van Garderen didn't disappoint. These three would battle it out for the win.

Stage 6 was another day for the sprinters. It wasn't without difficulty early on as the route featured some tough climbs to start. The usual sprint protagonists were up there, with FdJ and Lotto-Belisol battling it out for control.

Thanks to Pro Cycling Stats (@ProCyclingStats on Twitter) for the results!

Have you enjoyed our race reports? If so, let us know in the comments below.

Tour Of Oman 2014 - Stage 5 & 6 Race Report

How can you fix a broken derailleur hanger or rear mech?
Subscribe to GCN on YouTube: 

Don't reach for your mobile phone! If your rear mech or hanger breaks when you're cycling, improvise and turn your bike into a singlespeed.

You will need: a chain tool, allen keys and preferably a a quick link.

This fix should work on all types of rear mechs: Shimano, Campagnolo and SRAM, although it won't work on a full suspension mountain bike.

First, you'll need to open your chain. If you're using a powerlink or other quick link, this should be easy. If not, you'll need to use your chain tool. Then, remove the rear mech and un-thread the chain from the broken mech.

You'll need to select a gear where the chain line is straight, put the chain back on, and reattach it with either the quick link or using your chain tool.

You should now be good to go. This system will be weaker than your previous set up, so avoid putting too much pressure on the chain.

Music: Lack Of Afro feat. Wax - Passive Aggressive: 

Broken Rear Derailleur? How To Make A Singlespeed And Ride Home

Jens Voigt, Rory Sutherland, Wes Sulzberger and Bernie Sulzberger spoke to GCN during the 2014 Santos Tour Down Under. Here's the full story.
Follow GCN on YouTube: 

Hard racing, crashes, scorching sunshine and Jens Voight's last race in Australia. The 2014 Tour Down Under had it all. GCN followed to Trek Factory Racing legend, Jens Voigt, Tinkoff Saxo's Rory Sutherland and Drapac Pro Cycling duo Wes and Bernie Sulzberger about their experiences of the opening race of the 2014 pro cycling season.

We've pulled all of the interviews with the guys together to make a ten minute mini-documentary of what happened Down Under, showing you the guys' thoughts of what they might do ahead of the race, their feelings post stage and Jens' reflections on his last ever professional race in Australia.

Music:
The King Blues - The Future's Not What It Used To Be (Liquid Strange Remix Extended): 


Alright Junior - Minds Built Like Rome: 


The Harpoonist And The Axe Murderer - Nothing To 

Tour Down Under 2014 - The Documentary With Jens Voigt, Rory Sutherland, Wes and Bernie Sulzberger

Joaquim "Purito" Rodríguez is the UCI world number one ranked rider for the past three seasons, and he rides the Canyon Aeroad CF.
Follow GCN on YouTube: 

Resplendent in Team Katusha colours, this bike is full of neat touches and aero features, such as the slightly oval head tube and integral number clamp behind the seat tube.

Using a Shimano Dura Ace Di2 groupset throughout, a 53 - 39 chainset and electric mechs. Bars and stem are Ritchey WCS, the seat a Selle Italia SLR saddle and Dura Ace pedals. Elite carbon bottle cages, Mavic Cosmic Carbone 40 WTS wheels and Mavic SSC Yksion grip link tyres complete the setup. 

Joaquim Rodríguez's Team Katusha - Canyon Aeroad CF

Steeped in cycling history, Santini have made some of the most iconic jerseys in cycling. We were lucky enough to be shown around the company's Italian HQ.
Follow GCN on YouTube: 

Handmade in Italy since 1965 and proud of the care and attention to detail that goes into each and every single pair of bib shorts and jerseys - including the GCN kit of course. With the design studio overlooking the factory floor, and many of the staff at Santini having worked with the company for years it really is a family affair.

Providing teams from the local cycling club to the Belkin Pro Cycling Team, the Giro d'Italia jerseys and the rainbow stripes for the UCI, Santini has grown from founder Pietro Santini's passion for cycling at every level.

Music: The Willow - Some Sad Eyes (inst): 

Santini - Behind The Scenes At The SMS Santini Factory

Stage 4 of the Tour of Oman was set to test the serious contenders for the leader's red jersey.
Follow GCN on YouTube: 

The four ascents of Bousher Alamrat would certainly prove decisive near the finish, but a predominantly flat start allowed a four man group including our favourite Jelle Wallays to gain a lead upwards of 8 minutes. 

As the climbs came into view though, the chase in the peloton was hotting up, and riders in the break fell back.

By the fourth and final climb, a select group of riders remained and the attacks began. In the end, a trio including Peter Sagan broke free and made their bid for victory.

Despite a frantic chase from the bunch behind, Sagan won the three-up sprint to take his first victory of 2014 and the red leader's jersey.

Tour Of Oman 2014 - Stage 4 Race Report

Stage three of the 2014 Tour of Oman saw the riders on a 145km race from Bank Muscat to Al Bustan with a couple of short but steep climbs towards the end.
Follow GCN on YouTube: 

Like stages one and two it wasn't long before a small break formed. Today though they weren't given as much leeway as on the previous stages, with the peloton keeping the gap at 3 minutes or below.

Towards the end of the race as the climbing started the main protagonists got their men into position. Just before the second climb of the day the break was mopped up with Team Sky on the front. however it once again came down to a sprint finish with André Greipel taking his second stage win of the race.

Tour Of Oman 2014 - Stage 3 Race Report

Is the weather affecting your cycling? Here's GCN's rundown of some of the best winter training destinations.
Subscribe to GCN on YouTube: 

Many pro teams have a favourite place to undergo their training camps during the early stages of the season. A combination of reliable weather and challenging terrain is a great way to prepare them for the rigours of the months ahead.

If you've got an important race or big sportive coming up, why not make like the pros and hold your own training camp? Pack the bike up and on holiday with some friends or even by yourself to one of these great locations. There are plenty of companies who specialise in cycling vacations who offer ride support cars, workshops and even masseurs as part of the experience. 


Cape Argus Pick n Pay Momentum Cycle Tour / 

February 2014

Subscribe to the GCN Newsletter