Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl is winning in all the ‘wrong’ places this spring
Alaphilippe and Evenepoel are on track to ace the Ardennes, but that may only paper over the cracks of Quick-Step's failings in Flanders.
Author
Jim Cotton
Jim is a UK-based editor and reporter.
With experience on the ground at the Giro d’Italia, Paris-Roubaix, Strade Bianche, road worlds, UAE Tour and many others, Jim has worked some of the biggest races in the world. Like any aspirational WorldTour rookie, he knows that a Tour de France debut is around the corner.
Jim covers a lot of race reports while also focussing on deep dives into the dynamics, personalities and training at the top of the sport.
And where are many of those story ideas dreamed up? While out training for trail running races – but don’t hold that against him.
My Stories
Mads Pedersen rises toward top of Paris-Roubaix power ranking with early season harvest
Former world champion stakes claim alongside Alexander Kristoff and Stefan Küng as rivals to Mathieu van der Poel in a reshaped 'Hell of the North.'
Master and apprentice: How Primož Roglič mentored Jonas Vingegaard to the Tour de France fast-track
Don't expect intra-team tensions inside the Jumbo-Visma bus at the Tour de France: Roglič and Vingegaard are cycling's biggest bromance.
Scheldeprijs men’s and women’s preview: Crosswinds and bunch-kicks at ‘festival of sprinters’
Brace for chaos in Wednesday's classic: 'It's traditionally a sprinter’s race, but there may be an added factor as it looks like there will be a lot of wind.'
Remco Evenepoel looks to salvage Quick-Step’s spring at Itzulia Basque Country
Evenepoel on a mission to 'give something back' in Itzulia after 'Wolfpack' leaves cobblestone classics with tails between legs.
How Mathieu van der Poel came back from season-ending injuries to win the Tour of Flanders
We speak to van der Poel's physio and dive into his training data to understand the Dutchman's fast-track from back problems to De Ronde.
Tadej Pogačar ‘not angry but frustrated’ after Tour of Flanders sprint miscue
Tour de France champion misses podium after animating the final hour of racing of De Ronde debut.
Why so many pro cyclists got sick this spring
From Tadej Pogačar to Wout van Aert, pro cycling's sickbay has been busier than ever. We speak to medics and riders to find out why.
Tadej Pogačar in, Wout van Aert out for Tour of Flanders tune-up race Dwars door Vlaanderen
Van Aert cools his engine while Pogačar plans to test cobblestone capacity at Wednesday's race: ‘It’s a bit of a step into the unknown.’
Jasper Stuyven reeling after Gent-Wevelgem near-miss: ‘I’d like to crawl under a rock’
Stuyven was haunted by memories of a string of high-profile near-misses as he rode toward Wevelgem. Now he has another ghost to grapple with.
Nairo Quintana not done yet: Aging ace keeps in Tour de France frame with Catalunya challenge
Elder statesman of South American stage racers refuses to buckle beneath pressure of new generation of talent at Volta a Catalunya.
Call it fate: Van der Poel, van Aert hit form for Tour of Flanders cobblestone collision
Van der Poel comeback victory at Coppi e Bartali on same day van Aert crushes E3 Classic promises resumption of epic rivalry at De Ronde.
Gent-Wevelgem quick-guide: Cobblestones, crosswinds, dirt roads promise pre-monument mayhem
All you need to know about the men's and women's Gent-Wevelgem, including routes, riders, and must-know narratives.
Jumbo-Visma boss: ‘Ineos Grenadiers is always one of the best teams in the peloton’
Jumbo-Visma believes the depth and experience at Ineos Grenadiers means the former Tour de France powerhouse can't be ruled out.
Inside the old-school training that took Sepp Kuss to the top of the Tour de France
'Sepp has a very special training program that's quite different from others,' said his team director. We dive into what Kuss is doing and why.
Why the Paris-Roubaix ‘delay’ is causing calendar consternation for cobblestone stars
The switch of dates between Amstel Gold and Paris-Roubaix forces top teams to rip up decades-old scripts for spring racing.
Tom Dumoulin searching for Giro d’Italia legs at Volta a Catalunya
Dumoulin looking to rediscover racing rhythm ahead of highly anticipated grand tour return after tricky start to season.
Mark Cavendish in, Caleb Ewan out for Brugge-De Panne
Cavendish leads all-conquering Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl train at Belgian classic, Ewan pulls out due to ongoing illness.
Volta a Catalunya quick-guide: Carapaz, Dumoulin, Almeida, Yates test Giro d’Italia shape in Spain
Here's all you need to know ahead of the Spanish WorldTour race next week, including route details, who to watch, and what to watch.
Filippo Ganna dreams of pulling a Cancellara-style coup at Milan-San Remo
'Spartacus' pulled a stunner with his solo dash down the finish straight in 2008 – Ganna hopes he could do the same.