General cycling news and discussion

[Over The Post]

'Born entertainer' Julian Alaphilippe to race Tour Down Under

French showman Julian Alaphilippe will bring some flair to the 2024 Tour Down Under, with the two-time World Champion taking to the Australian start line for the first time since 2014.

www.abc.net.au

 

[eth-dog]

'Born entertainer' Julian Alaphilippe to race Tour Down Under

French showman Julian Alaphilippe will bring some flair to the 2024 Tour Down Under, with the two-time World Champion taking to the Australian start line for the first time since 2014.

www.abc.net.au

Huge get. Will do another Aussie summer of cycling thread once we start seeing more names filter through.

Wonder if he has GC ambitions?

 

[Over The Post]

Stayed in Willunga a couple of days ago, lovely place and will definitely be back.

Rode up the hill, well rode as in drove, and up as in we went down it, but it was enough to absorb the vibe of the ascent. These clowns ride up in 40 degree heat??? Wow.

Having breakfast at a cafe at the foot of the climb, watching the MAMILs puffing away, had to resist calling out "6:39! 6:39!" as they went past. Which was a good call as a couple of them only went up 200m or so and rolled back down to the cafe for a post-hill coffee.

 

[eth-dog]

Arkéa Start a Comeback as Cofidis Run into Trouble | March UCI Ranking Analysis - Lanterne Rouge

After the first three months of the season, UAE Team Emirates still dominate the UCI ranking with an incredible Tadej Pogacar, but the trend has changed in the relegation battle. While Astana is still in a deep results crisis, Arkéa is seeing the light by scoring points with its multiple fast...

lanternerouge.com

Interesting article on how the relegation battle is going. Hard to see Astana surviving for 2024. Cofidus, DSM and Arkea fighting for the bottom 2 spots outside of it seemingly.

 

[Over The Post]

In 1978, French professional cyclist Jean-Claude Rude embarked on an ambitious endeavor to set a new world speed record for cycling, targeting a speed of 240 km/h. To accomplish this, Rude utilized the slipstream of a Porsche 935 Turbo. This unique setup included an 800-hp Porsche 935 Turbo equipped with a specially designed roof structure and a trapezoidal screen to maximize slipstream benefits. Rude's bicycle was modified to have an unusually large gear ratio, enabling him to travel up to 27 meters with each rotation of the chain ring.
However, due to the bicycle's inability to generate enough power independently, Rude required assistance from a motorcycle, which used a lance to push him into motion. This collaborative effort between the modified car and the cyclist aimed to achieve a record-breaking speed, demonstrating the potential for bicycles to reach unprecedented velocities under the right conditions.
He blew a rear tyre at 170km/h and managed to keep it upright until stopped.