September 2015

The inaugural Abu Dhabi Tour has drawn several of the sport's biggest names, including newly crowned world champion Peter Sagan and silver medalist Michael Matthews.
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With three sprint stages and one medium-mountain stage, the inaugural Abu Dhabi Tour has something for everyone. In addition to two of the top three riders at the Richmond world championships, the event has also drawn 2014 Tour de France winner Vincenzo Nibali, 2015 WorldTour champion Alejandro Valverde, and German sprinter Marcel Kittel, who hopes to salvage something from his season with a stage win. The final stage will be a circuit around the Yas Marina motor track that will take place at twilight.

The Global Cycling Network puts you in the centre of the action: from the iconic climbs of Alpe D’Huez and Mont Ventoux to the cobbles of Flanders, everywhere there is road or pavé, world-class racing and pro riders, we will be there bringing you action, analysis and unparalleled access every week, every month, and every year. We show you how to be a better cyclist with our bike maintenance videos, tips for improving your cycling, cycling top tens, and not forgetting the weekly GCN Show. Join us on YouTube’s biggest and best cycling channel to get closer to the action and improve your riding!

Welcome to the Global Cycling Network | Inside cycling

Top 10 Riders To Watch At 2015 Abu Dhabi Tour

The 2015-16 cyclocross season promises to pick up on the rivalries and storylines from last year, as a young new generation has quickly assumed leadership of the elite men's category.
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In the span of one season, elite cyclocross was flipped on its head. Niels Albert retired, Zdenek Stybar was injured, and Sven Nys was finally starting to show his age. Filling the gap were two first-year elites, Belgian Wout Van Aert and Dutch rider Mathieu Van Der Poel; both too young to buy a beer in the U.S. These two precocious riders were so dominant last season that the rest of the field was left fighting for scraps. Meanwhile, on the women's side, Sanne Cant performed better, week in, week out, than any woman in the world last year, but came just short on the one day it mattered most, beaten to the line by Pauline Ferrand-Prevot at the world championship — a race where Katerina Nash failed to reach the podium for the first time all season.

Top 10 Cyclocross Racers To Watch 2015-16 Season

A position on the bike that reduces drag will help you go faster for the same amount of effort.
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Up to 80% of total drag while cycling comes from the body alone. While it's obviously impossible to eliminate, there are steps you can take to make yourself cut through the air better WITHOUT investing any money!

First, look at your arms. Flattening your forearms so they are parallel to the ground not only keeps them out of the wind, but it also brings your torso down. Tucking your elbows in line with the rest of your body will also reduce your exposure to the wind.

Next is the head. Try lowering it while still looking ahead and keeping your eyes on the road. Squeezing your shoulder blades together will reduce drag further.

It's worth mentioning that a fully aero position is not going to be sustainable for longer rides. Reaching a happy medium between aero and comfort is often the best solution.

How To Get Aero | Find The Most Aerodynamic Position On Your Road Bike

Winning a bike race involves a lot more than just pure strength. We asked the peloton to name the best bike handler in pro cycling.
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Whether it's cornering, descending, battling for position, or simply working one's way through the bunch, bike handling is an integral part of pro racing. And while all the pros are proficient, some are better than others. When asked which pro is the best bike handler, many answered Peter Sagan. Others, however, answered Danny Summerhill... including Danny Summerhill? Watch for yourself.  

Rider Poll: Who Is The Best Bike Handler In Pro Cycling?

The World Road Championships delivered thrilling racing and deserving winners, across the men's and women's road and time trial events. It's the GCN Show!
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Peter Sagan and Lizzie Armitstead walked away with the biggest prizes of the Richmond World Championships, and we analyze exactly how Sagan won — a mix of tactics, and uncanny skill. 

In Cycling Shorts, we discuss the controversy surrounding Linda Villumsen's winning TT bike, Team Sky's newest signings, and the never-ending question of wearing white shorts with world champion's kit.

Also: We announce the winners of our 6 pairs of tickets to the Six Day London, held October 18-23.

As you'd expect we have a great tech of the week, caption competition, tweet of the week, and more. So, chime in in the comments, SHARE this video and, if you haven't already subscribed to GCN, click here to do just that: 

How Peter Sagan Really Won The Worlds | The GCN Show Ep. 142

Tubular tyres, or tubs, are considered the best performance tyre of them all. Here's how to prepare and install them using tub glue.
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While tub tape is quicker, the purists prefer to use glue for extra security and longevity - several layers of glue will ensure a nice snug fit to the rim and less likelihood of the tyre rolling off the rim during a race.

This process does require a little bit of time over the course few days to complete - each layer needs to dry before applying another layer.

How To Glue Tubular Cyclocross Tyres | Bike Maintenance

Chris Froome’s Pinarello Bolide is a marvel of aerodynamics and technology, from the carbon frame and wheels, to his custom 3D-printed aerobars and Osymetric chainrings.
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When it comes to a grand tour, every second counts. And for Chris Froome and Team Sky, no stone goes unturned in the pursuit of victory. His aerodynamic Pinarello Bolide time trial bike is designed for one thing — speed. His Fizik Tritone saddle was designed specifically for the demands of time trials. In addition to Shimano’s electronic Dura-Ace Di2 drivetrain, he rides 54-42 Osymetic chainrings, designed to maximize his pedal stroke, with the effective leverage of a 58-tooth big ring in the downstroke. His carbon PRO wheels — rear disc, front tri-spoke — are paired with 22mm Continental tires. The aerobars are custom 3D printed to fit Froome’s arms. Team mechanics use Muc-Off chain lubricant on every link, for ultimate power efficiency, while a crank-based Stages power meter measures Froome’s wattage.

Chris Froome's Team Sky Pinarello Bolide Time Trial Bike

Who is the greatest U.S. woman to have ever raced a bicycle — over the years and across disciplines? It's a subjective question, no doubt, so we asked the women’s peloton to find out their opinions.
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U.S. cycling has produced several world-class women, in different disciplines of the sport, from Connie Carpenter’s gold medal at the 1984 Olympics to Alison Dunlap’s rainbow jersey at the 2001 world XC championships; from Kristin Armstrong’s two Olympic gold TT medals to Evelyn Stevens’ win at La Flèche Wallonne to Katie Compton’s pair of cyclocross World Cup overall titles. And what about Alison Powers, becoming the first American, man or woman, to concurrently wear the stars and stripes as national champion in road, criterium, and time trial? We spoke with several prominent women of the North American peloton, to find out which woman, if any, deserves to be labeled “the best of all time.”

Photos: Courtesy USA Cycling, Michael Aisner, ©Tim De Waele / 

Rider Poll: Who Is The Best U.S. Woman Of All Time?

Could the ex-pros beat the current pros when GCN took on the Cannondale-Garmin team using Garmin's Live Segments feature? Watch this to find out!
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Garmin's Live Segments allows you to track yourself against your rivals and your own times on Garmin Connect – or Strava – while you're riding.

We've been looking forward to trying this feature out in a competitive setting for a long time, so, we took the opportunity to go up against Rubens Zepuntke and the Cannondale-Garmin back at the Garmin Ride Out.

GCN Vs. Cannondale-Garmin – The Garmin Live Segment Race

Simon took on you, the GCN viewers and Zwifters over 2 laps of the Richmond world championship course. Who would win?
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In two brutal laps of the Richmond world championship course on Zwift, the GCN viewers and Zwifters took it to our very own Simon Richardson. Could Simon's ex-pro legs hold you off in the race for the line? 

Race In Richmond With GCN And Zwift – THE HIGHLIGHTS

Want to look cool in front of your cycling buddies? One of these facts should do the trick!
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When did the individual time trial become a world championship event? Is the curse of the rainbow jersey real? Grab a coffee with Matt and Dan as they reveal some seriously interesting facts about the Road World Championships. Memorise them all and become a cycling guru!

NOTE: All statistics correct at time of publishing.

By Unknown photographer, fotograaf onbekend, Collectie SPAARNESTAD PHOTO/ANP [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/nl/deed.en

"1974 World Championship Road Race Montreal Canada" by Ken from Worcester, Massachusetts - August 25, 1974. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons - 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1974_World_Championship_Road_Race_Montreal_Canada.jpg#/media/File:1974_World_Championship_Road_Race_Montreal_Canada.jpg

Fliedermaus at lb.wikipedia [CC BY-SA 3.0 lu 

(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/lu/deed.en

"Eddy Merckx Canada 1974 WK" by Ken - Eddy Merckx on Mount Royal Montreal Canada August 25, 1974 World Championship Road Race. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons - 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eddy_Merckx_Canada_1974_WK.jpg#/media/File:Eddy_Merckx_Canada_1974_WK.jpg

Top 10 World Championships Facts and Statistics

To mark the new 6 Day London, Dan and Simon take on Matt and our very special guest, the most decorated Olympic cyclist of all time, Sir Chris Hoy, in a 1km madison. 
Who will win? 
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The London 6 Day will bring the legendary 6 Day atmosphere back to the UK. We're excited to go and check the event out, but, before the racing starts we wanted to try our hand at riding on the track.

The madison is a key part of 6 Day racing, which is raced in teams of 2. So, Dan and Simon and Matt and Olympic cycling legend Chris Hoy teamed up to see who would be the fastest over 1km.

Check out the video for the results and please SHARE this one!

Music:
Mark Denis, Veigar Margeirsson - Dawn Of The Dark
The Rubys - Good Times
Jungle Doctors - Fugitives
Spector - Elekrify

September 2015

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