“The most likely thing is that I will ride the Giro”, said Ayuso in a recent interview. “In 2025, I will be at the start of the Giro. That is the starting point for now, although the plans can still change. I am waiting until all the routes are known. You never know what will come of it and maybe the Vuelta suits me better than the Giro. But a Giro participation is the most likely.”

Ayuso made his first appearance in the Tour de France this year, but eventually had to step down due to an infection. This turned out to be the start of a period of health problems, which meant that he was unable to reach his usual level at the end of 2024.

Ayuso did take the final victory at the Itzulia and a second place at Tirreno-Adriatico, but the expectations are much higher for him.

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Pidcock has been with INEOS since 2021, and therefore still has a few years left on his contract. However, that could change. Q36.5 is said to be interested in recruiting the MTB Olympic champion.

Q36.5 is one of the teams that are very active on the transfer market and they already signed Milan Vader and Harm Vanhoucke. Earlier it was also announced that Sjoerd Bax and Emils Liepins are moving to the ProTeam.

Pidcock has been in conflict with the INEOS management for some time and was left out of the team for Il Lombardia at the last minute.

“I don’t know what’s going on either,” said Geraint Thomas. “A lot of people are asking about his situation. I have to be honest and say that I don’t know what’s going on. What I do know is that Tom is the best paid rider in the team. It’s clear that it’s a real crap situation.”

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Castrillo, who only turned pro last year, officially had a contract with Kern Pharma until the end of 2025. However, the rider was able to make use of a clause that allows him to leave if a WorldTeam offered him a contract.

Marca reported a month ago that Castrillo was in advanced negotiations with INEOS Grenadiers, although there was also talk with Movistar at the time.

“The last few weeks have been a huge leap forward for me as a person and an impulse to my sporting career, ‘crowned’, so to speak, with this WorldTour contract with a squad like the Movistar Team. They are the reference in Spanish cycling, and it’s always motivating to race for this team”, said Castrillo.

“I’m now entering off-season mode and trying to fathom all that’s happened in La Vuelta and the whole 2024 season, which I think was really consistent from my side. Those two wins; also, being able to end the race at the home of my new team, with those impressive Telefónica headquarters — it’s been really intense, and I won’t easily forget it.

The post Pablo Castrillo saga ends as Movistar wins the battle for his transfer appeared first on Cycling Today.

The Slovenian is going to recharge for the new season, his team Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe said.

“A long season comes to an end”, Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe wrote on X. “Primož and the performance team decided to draw a line under an exciting year and to start his off-season immediately. Join us wishing him a good recovery and a wonderful off-season – well deserved Primož!

After winning the Vuelta a Espana, he races the World Championships but without any major result. Last week he did start in the Giro dell’Emilia and the Coppa Bernocchi, but the Slovenian did not finish in either race.

The post Primoz Roglic ends season and skips Lombardia appeared first on Cycling Today.

“At the neutralised start there were already seven flat tyres and a few broken wheels. We tried to race, but on a descent I was in second position. That was behind my teammate Alessandro Covi, but I couldn’t even see where we were going”, Tadej Pogacar said.

“Everyone wanted to stop. It was just waiting for crashes. The only question was: in which lap? The worst crashes happen when you no longer have control over your handlebars. I know a lot of friends in the peloton who have suffered a concussion this year. That is something we have to be more careful with in the peloton”, the world champion added.

“We understand that organizers want to see a race, but in the end the riders made the right decision. We think it’s a shame that the race is not going ahead, but that’s the way it is.”

“Fortunately, we all remained calm and reasonable. I saw how hard it was for the boss of the organization. There were tears in his eyes. This race means a lot to him. But if you can’t race, you can’t race. They understood that right away. I am really grateful to them for that.”

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Moscon’s future seemed to lie with his current team Soudal Quick-Step, but according to new rumours, the transfer to Red Bull-BORA hansgrohe has already been completed.

The 30-year-old Italian swapped Astana Qazaqstan for Soudal Quick-Step at the end of last year. The Italian all-rounder’s performances have been disappointing in recent years, but this season he was given the chance to add new life into his career.

Moscon himself did not achieve impressive results in the Soudal Quick-Step outfit, but he did become an important teammate in the service of Remco Evenepoel. He played an important role for the Belgian in the recent Tour de France, who eventually finished third in the final general classification.

“Gianni will probably stay for two more years”, said Patrick Lefevere in August. “He wanted to stop racing last year because he was so disappointed with his previous team. His manager told me then that if he couldn’t come to our team, he would stop. Moscon was a very good rider in the Tour. He rode on minimum wage, but as a reward he now gets a two-year contract”.

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The Dutch rider put on a real show around Leuven on Sunday as he attacked multiple times. Eventually, he rode away together with Florian Vermeersch and took his first world title in gravel.

“It is great to add another rainbow jersey to the collection, in a different discipline too. The one on the road may be rated even higher, but I am very happy with this one. I didn’t have this one yet. It is nice to tick that one off. Gravel is becoming immensely popular and I do it a lot myself, so yes, it is very nice”, he said afterwards.

It also became clear that the Dutchman is waiting for a holiday.

“How long has it been since I had a French fry? It’s been a long time, but now I won’t wait long to eat one,” said Van der Poel.

It is not yet clear what the coming months will look like for Van der Poel. Cyclocross fans naturally hope that he will soon get into the field, but that is far from certain at the moment.

“Will I go cyclocross? Maybe. If I knew, I would tell you. We still have to decide whether or not I will go cyclocross this winter. I am going on holiday first, then we will see.”

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To be a successful mountain biker, having speed and fitness isn’t enough. It’s never too late to brush up on the basics, so there’s no reason to be embarrassed. 

Find Your Perfect Off-Road Ride 

A big asset for many, a mountain bike is sturdy, which means it’s designed to perform over all kinds of terrain, so it’s perfect for a fast and efficient commute within your city, but the real benefits come through when you hit the dirt. Buying one can be exciting but intimidating. An electric bike is an excellent option, allowing you to go much further and faster, so you won’t be socially or physically excluded. When cycling with non-e-bikers, you’re not allowed to hurt their feelings, so swipe bikes with others if they’re too tired to go on. If you want a high-quality bike that will last (almost) forever while sticking to a tight budget, a used electric bike may work for you. 

Roughly 30-40% of the price of the bike is in the frame, and it typically hinges on what it’s made of (e.g., steel is cheap, but it’s very heavy) and how and where it’s made – a hand-welded frame from the US is more likely to be expensive (and is the best of its kind). Manufacturers use different dimensions for the frame size, and at the end of the day, the choice depends on what feels right for you and the riding you’re doing. As far as the cockpit length is concerned, it’s of secondary importance. To a certain degree, it can be adjusted by exchanging parts and making adjustments to the components, that is, the brakes, drivetrain, forks, and rear shock. 

Let Your Bike Do Its Job, Which Means Keeping Your Body Loose 

Body position is undoubtedly the biggest key to mountain biking success. You ride on off-road trails such as fire roads, back-country roads, and wider bike park trails, to name a few, that require a combination of physical and mental strength, not to mention technical skills and endurance. The correct posture ensures a happy, pain-free ride, but if you get it wrong, you’ll be uncomfortable on the electric mountain bike, and at worst, you run the risk of crashing. Keep your body loose so the bike can move beneath you, rolling along efficiently and agreeably.  

When the trail becomes steeper and rockier, it’s recommended to move into the attack position, which will reward you with a more controlled ride. It prepares you for the technical section of the path. Stand up, lower your chest, and use your arms and legs like suspension – look down the trail where you want to go. The attack position guarantees the centrality of the bike, which means you’ll be able to face obstacles and perform temporary unbalancing movements, during which the load moves forward or backward. It’s more than a mere posture. It’s the interface between you and the bike. 

Jumps Are For Show, But Corners Are For Dough 

Letting the bike rip between turns isn’t as complicated as it seems, but you can improve your technique, irrespective of how talented you might be. Being able to corner makes all the difference, as you can catch your opponents in a high-speed chase or who records the fastest time. Turning on a mountain bike requires more pressure on the outside foot, but unlike skiing, where you keep your feet underneath the hips, you have one foot forward and one foot back. Put more pressure on your right foot to turn left and more on your left foot to turn right. Reviewing photos or videos will highlight common faults.

Go Easy On The Brakes 

The mountain bike’s braking system is one of its most vital components because it allows you to manage the bike’s speed on descents and stop the bike immediately in unforeseen situations. Braking is a dynamic process that requires skill and precision. Push back on the bars to put the additional load on the front wheel, which is responsible for the actual stopping. Grabbing both brakes and pulling them to the bars with all you’ve got is a mistake because mountain bikes are so powerful that you only need one or two fingers to balance speed. 

Attention must be paid to the fact that fearless, pro-level mountain bikers aren’t made overnight, meaning it takes time and practice to master the forces at play when braking, like deciding what position to adopt or figuring out how much force is needed. You should always maintain a stable speed before corners or rock gardens. Still, if you find yourself going too fast, stay off the front brake because it will send you over the bars and onto the ground. The friction is directly proportional to the pressure applied by the wheels to the road. 

Wrapping It Up 

Mountain biking is an increasingly popular outdoor activity on the extreme continuum, but the hazards can be mediated through a process of building competence and skill via experience. You can still experience fear as you test your abilities in challenging situations, but it’s just a sign of breaking through boundaries. Thrill-seeking is part of the motivation for mountain biking, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re an adrenaline junkie. It’s worth looking after your electric bike to ensure it performs well and is safe to ride all year round. Carry out basic maintenance prior to riding your bike. 

The post Feel Like You’ve Hit Your Limit? Here’s How To Come To Grips With Mountain Biking appeared first on Cycling Today.

Primoz Roglic

Three-time Vuelta a España winner Primoz Roglic is looking to tie the record for the most wins in the Grand Tour event this year. Should he prove successful, he will match the record set by Spaniard Roberto Heras.

@giroditalia 🩷 pic.twitter.com/Tap3HNIhNU

— Primož

Roglič (@rogla) May

29, 2023

Roglic prevailed in the Spanish race in 2019, 2020, and 2021. He did not finish in 2022, while 12 months ago, he was third in the competition won by Sepp Kuss following another big performance.

Unfortunately for Roglic, he was forced to withdraw from the Tour de France this year after stage 12 due to an injury suffered in a crash. He has since recovered from that accident and is expected to be 100% fit in his bid to win a fourth Vuelta a España title.

The Slovenian is the 6/4 favourite across the betting sites UK for the 2024 race. If you are looking to back the former champion, consider one of the leading promotions available ahead of the Grand Tour contest, including a free £50 bet with Betfred and Tote when you place £10.

Enric Mas Nicolau

With three second-place finishes in the Vuelta a España, Enric Mas Nicolau has come very close to getting his hands on the trophy. He was runner-up in 2018, 2021, and 2022, while in 2020 and 2023, he also finished inside the top 10.

The Spaniard was 19th in this year’s Tour de France. He picked up the Combativity award in stage 20 of the Grand Tour competition. Earlier this year, he was fifth overall in the Volta a Catalunya and sixth overall in the Tour de Romandie.

With his experience in the Vuelta a España and his ability to climb during the mountain stages, Mas Nicolau is a big contender to win his maiden Grand Tour title. He is aiming for his first major success since winning the 2022 Giro dell’Emilia.

Adam Yates

UAE Team Emirates rider Adam Yates will be buoyed by an excellent performance in the Tour de France heading into the Vuelta a Espana. He finished sixth in the most prestigious Grand Tour event, securing the fifth top-10 finish of his career.

Yates last raced in the Vuelta a España in 2021 when he was fourth. Since then, he has had success in the Tour de Romandie and Tour de Suisse. The latter came back in June. He was triumphant in stages five and seven, while he also won the mountain classification.

The 31-year-old is on course for the best season of his career so far. A generation classification victory in Spain would help secure that. The British rider is bidding to match what his twin brother Simon achieved in 2018 by winning the race.

Sepp Kuss

Only two men in the last 20 years have defended their title in the Vuelta a España. Heras achieved that feat in 2005, while Roglic also won three consecutive races between 2019 and 2021.

Sepp Kuss made history by

becoming the first American in a decade to win a Grand Tour, securing victory at the Vuelta

a España after a fierce three-week battle.

Read the full recap on the rest of #Team

USA: https://t.co/DVuxRgKrmM pic.twitter.com/HMhxcLvWuj

— USA

Cycling (@usacycling) S

eptember 27, 2023

Kuss finished with a time of 76 hours, 48 minutes, and 21 seconds in 2023. It was 17 seconds quicker than his Jumbo-Visma teammate Jonas Vingegaard, while Roglic was one minute and eight seconds further back in third place.

The American showed how consistent he was in 2023 by becoming only the second rider in history to win a Grand Tour event and finish all three races in the same calendar year. He was 14th in the 2023 Giro d’Italia, 12th in the 2023 Tour de France, and then he secured first place in Spain.

Kuss should be much fresher this year as he bids to retain his title. He did not feature in either of the two other Grand Tour competitions in 2024. An infection ruled him out of the Tour de France on the eve of the race.

The 2024 Vuelta a España is set to feature a strong field of riders who will begin stage one in Portugal in a time trial. As is tradition, stage 21 will conclude the race in Madrid, with a time trial on the 8th of September.

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