Former cyclocross national champion Ryan Trebon was the driving force behind the new US Cup-CX cyclocross series. We catch up with him at the Derby City Cup. He talks about how the first year went, where the series is headed, and why American 'cross needs a national series. The always-opinionated Trebon also sounds off on why he doesn't object to Lance Armstrong's donation to support the US Cup prize purse.
This year is starting to wrap up, which means that pro cyclists are heading to sunny Southern Spain for team camps. VeloNews European correspondent Andrew Hood was at Movistar's recent camp. He explains what happens at these camps and has an update on how the team will handle its wealth of GC contenders. (Somehow they're all going to race the Tour!?) The US Cup-CX cyclocross series also just wrapped up. We talk about the key riders — Stephen Hyde, Kaitie Keough, Katie Compton, and more. Plus, we...
Illness can be a big setback for cyclists at all levels. What causes us to get sick, and how do we avoid it? If we train too hard, will it ruin our immune system, or can we power through it and ride with the sniffles? We are joined by Dr. Jason Glowney of CU Sports Medicine to answer these questions and better understand the science of illness and how it can make us better, healthier cyclists.
It's our first-ever Mail Musette episode! You sent in scads of great cycling questions, and we picked out the very best queries. For this episode, we got our European correspondent Andrew Hood on the horn to lend his expertise on the Tour de France, the drama between Quintana and Landa, why Vino and Astana are suing Aru, and much more. Plus we've got our usual segments: Ask a Cat 3 and the VN Podium where we pick our favorite weird cycling team sponsors.
This is the Taiwan KOM Challenge, 105 kilometers and nearly 11,000 feet up into the heart of Taiwan. Sea level to the top of the world in one go. A brutal, seemingly Sysiphean symphony that builds over 90 kilometers to a crescendo in the final ten, where pitches over 20% stretch on forever and no gear feels quite low enough. It is one of the most spectacular rides in the world. One of the hardest, too. One of the best. Sign up for a chance to win $700 worth of Scott gear: www.scott-sports.com/ve...
Phil Gaimon is retired from pro racing, but he's busier — and maybe faster — than ever. In this week's interview, Fred Dreier talks to the former Slipstream rider about how he left the sport sooner than he'd wanted to. They also discuss what to make of ex-dopers who return to racing. And of course, we also get Gaimon's take on stealing Strava KOMs from the locals. All that and much more!
The cyclocross season is underway. Dutchman Mathieu van der Poel has been dominating the European scene, especially the World Cup. The women's field, on the other hand, has afforded more surprises and even a few fresh faces. On the domestic scene, Sho-Air has formed a new series in the US Cup-CX. Fred Dreier and Chris Case have traveled to the first two stops and share their insights. We take a look at some of the key riders to watch. Plus, we have our usual antics with Ask a Cat 3 and the weekl...
Ouch, it burns! But what is "it" — the root cause of the pain in your legs when you smash it up a hard climb? For the longest time, we colloquially called "it" lactic acid. It turns out that was wrong. Coach Trevor Connor and Caley Fretz examine the chemistry that occurs in our muscles while riding and racing. They talk to Dr. Iñigo San Millán, who is the director of Colorado University's exercise physiology lab. Best of all, they give you practical advice for your own training to help make that...
The Tour de France unveils its 2018 route. We've got to hand it to ASO for thinking outside the box. This could be the route that breaks Chris Froome and Team Sky. Or, it might be just a gimmicky way to include Roubaix cobblestones. We analyze the key stages, name some favorites and opine on the Tour's ambush-friendly route. In our segments, you #AskACat3 and we answer with all of our usual wisdom. Then, we pick our VN Podiums for the all-time best Tour de France villains.
Fred Dreier sits down with cyclocross star Stephen Hyde to talk about his unusual path to the top, the weight of his national championship jersey, his relationship with an old mentor, Jeremy Powers, and a battle with depression.
Cannondale-Drapac pro Alex Howes is the celebrity guest on this week's episode of the VeloNews Podcast, which digs into crashes and descending skills at Lombardia, the emotional toll of Cannondale's summertime financial woes, and, for the first time ever, answers to your burning #AskACat3 questions.
What will bikes look like in five years? What will they ride like? Trevor Connor and Caley Fretz and joined by VN tech crew Dan Cavallari and Kristen Legan to dig into the future of bikes.
Straight from Interbike, Fred Dreier, Spencer Powlison, and Caley Fretz have more guests and more games in this week's special VN Podcast episode. Sabra Davison joins to chat about Little Bellas, a program that gets girls on bikes, and play a round of "Two Truths and a Lie." Geoff Kabush is "the Deaner" and both are tested on Geoff Kabush knowledge. Finally, Josh Tostado of Montezuma's Revenge fame is quizzed on the intricacies of toast.
"There’s no question there’s static there," Jeremy Powers says of his relationship with former protegé Stephen Hyde. So how does it feel when the apprentice becomes the master? Caley Fretz sits down with cyclocross star Powers to talk about fatherhood, Powers' relationship with Hyde, and the little Belgium that is Western Massachusetts cyclocross.
It was a three-Pete! The world championships in Bergen, Norway finished up over the weekend and Peter Sagan took home his third rainbow in a row. Fred Dreier, Caley Fretz, and Spencer Powlison discuss whether WorldTour riders should be allowed in the U23 race, how the American women could have factored in the finale, whether Tom Dumoulin's TT win is a bad sign for Chris Froome, and more. Plus, a deep discussion of a Belgian team's new beard ban.
Taking time off can feel strange, but it's absolutely necessary. Why do you need an off-season? Can't you just keep riding? Trevor Connor and Caley Fretz sit down with Dr. Andy Pruitt to discuss the physiological and psychological needs of athletes, and how an off-season is crucial to meeting those needs.
We're live from Interbike! So, of course, it's time to play some games. Fred Dreier, Caley Fretz, and Spencer Powlison quiz TJ Eisenhart on classic quotes, Alison Tetrick on her Alison expertise, and the Clif Bar team on its Luna Chix heritage. Plus, your host's favorite tech from cycling's annual tradeshow.
Did you know Nathan Haas can sing? In the first episode of our new interview series, Caley Fretz sits down with Dimension Data's smiling Australian to talk about racing against Peter Sagan, Haas' imminent move to Katusha, and the almost-collapse of Cannondale-Drapac (Note: This episode was recorded right before the team was saved.) Plus, a look at Haas' charitable efforts with the Girona Gala, which raises money for Qhubeka, and his favorite circus acts.
Did Chris Froome let Alberto Contador win on the Angliru? Should Jonathan Vaughters become an assistant professor? These questions, and many more, possibly answered on this week's podcast. Fred Dreier, Caley Fretz and Spencer Powlison are joined by European correspondent Andrew Hood to discuss the Vuelta a Espana, Cannondale's new sponsor, and what cycling feat Froome should attempt next.
Who should you trust? How can you verify? There's a lot of training advice out there, often contradictory, so what's the best way for an athlete figure out what to do? Coach Trevor Connor and Caley Fretz are joined by pro cyclist Sepp Kuss and the founder of FasCat coaching, Frank Overton, to dig into the best methods for dealing with contradictory advice and ignoring bogus science.
Who is "Superman" Lopez, and how did he get that great nickname? The young Colombian has won two stages of the Vuelta a Espana already and could take another before the week is out. Could he make it on to the podium? Fred Dreier, Caley Fretz, Spencer Powlison and Andrew Hood have some hot takes on the final grand tour of the season and its feared stage to the top of the Angliru. Then, a chat with Toms Skuijns about the uncertainty that hovers over Cannondale-Drapac and discussion of Andrew Talan...
Slipstream Sports and its Cannondale-Drapac team are in jeopardy. The team may not have enough sponsorship to carry on in 2018. We talk to team principal Jonathan Vaughters as well as riders Joe Dombrowski and Michael Woods about the situation. Plus, we lead off with a look at the Vuelta, which Chris Froome may or may not be ruining by riding so darn fast. Senior editor Andrew Hood checks in straight from Spain and has his own perspective on the Cannondale situation.
For decades (almost a century, in fact), we've been told that cramping is caused by electrolyte imbalance or bad hydration. But new science suggests that this probably isn't why you cramp during exercise. So why do you cramp? It all comes down to something called altered neuromuscular control. And how do you stop it? Well, that's where things get even trickier. Listen in to find out.
Just half a week into the the Vuelta a Espana and already the GC battle is on. Chris Froome and Esteban Chavez fired warning shots on Monday, but Vincenzo Nibali was the one with his hands up — or, rather, a fin up — at the finish line. Fred Dreier and Caley Fretz are joined by Andrew Hood from Spain to chat about the first big mountain stage and what lies ahead. Then, takes galore on the hotter than usual transfer market. Your hosts question some of the moves riders and teams are making, and lo...
Are you considering riding a Haute Route event or another multi-day sportive? We talk to a veteran rider to learn some tips and tricks for training, packing, and more. The Haute Route Pyrenees mini-series is sponsored by Topical Edge lotion. Go to www.topicaledge.com/velonews for a free sample of a product that's clinically proven to reduce lactic acid. What's this special podcast mini-series all about? Spencer Powlison is off in France doing this seven-day sportive with his friend Matt Mollo. A...
On this episode we talk to Mavic mechanic Max Ruphy about what it takes to keep riders running at the Haute Route Pyrenees. How do bikes break? Is it harder than a pro race? Should you tip with beer? That last one is easy to answer... The Haute Route Pyrenees mini-series is sponsored by Topical Edge lotion. Go to www.topicaledge.com/velonews for a free sample of a product that's clinically proven to reduce lactic acid. What's this special podcast mini-series all about? Spencer Powlison is off in...
For Thursday's stage 5 time trial, we've got a special interview with the Haute Route race director. He explains how he balances famous cols with lesser-known mountains. Plus we ask him about the difficulties involved in wrangling 800 volunteers throughout the French mountains. What's this special podcast mini-series all about? Spencer Powlison is off in France doing this seven-day sportive with his friend Matt Mollo. Along the way, they'll discuss the history of these big climbs and the delicio...
What do Chris Froome, Alberto Contador, Romain Bardet, Vincenzo Nibali, Fabio Aru, Ilnur Zakarin, the Angliru, and the Yates brothers all have in common? They're all in the upcoming Vuelta a Espana. This year's Vuelta might just be the best grand tour of the year. It certainly has the most star-studded GC field. So in this episode, Fred Dreier and Caley Fretz call up VN European Correspondant and amateur bon vivant Andrew Hood to dive into the course, the favorites, and the storylines of the imp...
On stage 4 of the Haute Route Pyrenees, the guys tough it out on a rainy ride over Col d'Aspin. They talk about the crazy mountainous route on the first-ever Tour de France and Fernando Escartin's raid over the Peyresourde in the 1999 Tour. What's this special podcast mini-series all about? Spencer Powlison is off in France doing this seven-day sportive with his friend Matt Mollo. Along the way, they'll discuss the history of these big climbs and the delicious wines of the region. Don't worry, a...
On this episode of the Haute Route Pyrenees special podcast, we take on the Col du Tourmalet. This famous climb was the first high-mountain ascent included in the Tour, back in 1910. We talk about that, Eddy Merckx's unbelievable win to Mourenx in 1969, and more. What's this special podcast mini-series all about? Spencer Powlison is off in France doing this seven-day sportive with his friend Matt Mollo. Along the way, they'll discuss the history of these big climbs and the delicious wines of the...
