Greatest Olympians of All Time

A reader left  a comment asking me what I thought about Chris Boardman’s choice of greatest Olympians of all time at the Independent Boardman’s Choice was Steve Redgrace Michael Phelps Carl Lewis Mark Spitz A British cyclist (in a few years time) Choosing the best Olympian or best Cyclist of all time, is the surest […]

Read full story Comments { 4 }

4Km Pursuit

The 4Km Pursuit The 4Km pursuit is one of the blue rib band events of track cycling. It has been in the programme for many years. I will never forget the excitement of Chris Boardman winning Olympic gold in Barcelona in 1992. In those days a track gold was a bit of a rarity. A […]

Read full story Comments { 5 }
Tapering for A Race

Tapering for A Race

When you have been training very hard, it can seem counter intuitive to hold back and train less. But, scientific and empirical evidence suggests the correct tapering is the most effective way to get the best performance on the day. I believe Chris Boardman made effective use of this tapering principle, at a time when […]

Read full story Comments { 2 }

Beijing 2008 Olympic Games – Review so Far

A review of the opening days of the Olympics: Beijing Olympics – The Good so Far Spectacular Opening Ceremony. Michael Phelps becoming most successful Olympic athlete of all time. The procession of  World Records set in the Swimming pool. (Of course, If it was cycling people wouldn’t be explaining these fast times on a new […]

Read full story Comments { 0 }

Post Race Interviews

As much as I have loved watching the Olympics, I’ve come to dread the post race interviews. I guess when you’ve just finished a race, the last thing you want to do is to have to give a coherent, well thought out interview. At the end of a race, all the emotions come to the […]

Read full story Comments { 0 }
Olympic Time Trial

Olympic Time Trial

A recent reader to this blog, shared a great comment: ‘Riding a time trial is a bit like banging your head against a brick wall – you’re really happy when it ends’ The Olympics is a far cry from the domestic time trial scene I compete in. But, it’s still a thrill to see your […]

Read full story Comments { 0 }

Olympic Track Cycling

List of Track Cycling Events Men Track Cycling Individual Pursuit 4Km 4km Pursuit. Winning time around 4 minutes. Race also won if the other rider is caught during the 4Km. Keirin Men 2Km race. Riders race behind motorised bike for 1.4km, before being released for last 600 meters sprint. Madison 50Km race. Involves a team […]

Read full story Comments { 5 }
Olympic Cycling Road Race 2008

Olympic Cycling Road Race 2008

A real aficionado of cycling may say that the Olympic Road race is less important than any number of classics, World Championships and stage races like the Tour de France. In part this is because of the great tradition surrounding classic races like Paris Roubaix and Milan San Remo. The Olympic road race by contrast […]

Read full story Comments { 0 }

Olympic Gold for Nicole Cooke

Nicole Cooke, takes Olympic Gold In the pouring rain, Nicole Cooke of GB, won an exciting sprint finish to win the women’s world race title. There is a good video of last 2 minutes of race at BBC website Riding a new Chris Boardman bike and wearing a skin suit rather than traditional jersey, Nicole […]

Read full story Comments { 5 }
British Cycling at the Olympics 2008

British Cycling at the Olympics 2008

Victoria Pendleton aiming for Olympic Gold in 500m sprint. British cycling has often been the butt of jokes on the continent. If Britain had any real success in cycling, it was because either: A rider moved to the continent e.g. Tom Simpson, Barry Hoban, Robert Miller Were completely unique e.g. Greame Obree However, in recent […]

Read full story Comments { 2 }

Cycling Doping Scandals

Doping is almost as old as professional cycling itself. When Henri Desgrange had the brain wave of instituting a tour around France, he wanted to create an event which required ‘superhuman effort’. Those intrepid cyclists who entered early editions had to pay a 5 Franc entrance fee and were also told they must supply their […]

Read full story Comments { 8 }