Freddy Maertens: Cycling’s soul survivor recalls races bought, sold
The greatest classics rider never to have won a monument looks back on his wins — and some near-misses — and opines on the relative merits of Remco Evenepoel.
The greatest classics rider never to have won a monument looks back on his wins — and some near-misses — and opines on the relative merits of Remco Evenepoel.
Rivals brace for more dynamic and open racing as they look to upend the dominance of Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel.
On or off? French cycling expert explains confusion behind imminent Paris-Roubaix decision.
We rank cycling's monuments according to our personal favorites, and then argue our choices for the sake of... fun!
Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix are the major goals this spring for Wout van Aert as he races Saturday at Milano-Sanremo as defending champion.
Three-time world champion vows to return to top level to take on challenges from Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel.
Van Aert is over one minute back on Tadej Pogačar but has ticked one more box in growing list of ambitions.
Will van der Poel continue to crush the field? And will SD Worx dominate the spring? We consider all things classics.
Dutch superstar set to dominate the spring classics following his emphatic victory on the white roads of Tuscany.
It guarantees dramatic racing and is stacked with spectacle. So why not make Strade Bianche one of the five monuments? We argue either side.
Riders agree that Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert have enormous influences on the classics — no matter if they're present or not.
Strong Belgian opening weekend bodes well for the monuments, but Omloop Het Nieuwsblad winners don't often come out on top at Flanders or Roubaix.
Women’s classics will finish after men’s races and include uninterrupted TV images.
A new sense of urgency underscores the opening races of 2021.
Among the most celebrated and storied races in cycling, the spring classics begin in February and carry through to late April.
Organizers confirm wildcards for 'Belgian opener' as optimism grows that classics will be contested as scheduled this spring.
Belgian star expects to retire 'behind closed doors' and says riders are missing the energy and thrills that come with fans cheering them on.
Greg Van Avermaet says dynamic duo 'are the main players now' in the spring classics.
Olympic champion said finding balance is key to his 15-year career at the top.
This weekend's cyclocross world championships will add fresh vigor to the duo's long rivalry ahead of cobblestone clashes in April.
'Bling' is back on the Aussie-based Team BikeExchange with big ambitions
Luxembourger putting Ardennes and one-week stage races at center of ambitions, but vows to return to the Tour of Flanders.
Frenchman throwing full focus into classics campaign before contemplating Tour de France, Olympics and worlds.
Young Dane has come out of pivotal season in the rainbow jersey with a transformed attitude and brighter outlook.
Trek-Segafredo star biding time during rise of Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel.
Dutchman to bypass Ardennes races in favor of joining up with Wout van Aert at E3 Saxo Bank Classic and Tour of Flanders.
Belgian supremo increasing his focus on road racing despite years-long cyclocross rivalry with Mathieu van der Poel.
Belgian star outlines ambitious calendar with classics, Tour de France, Olympics and worlds all on radar for debut season with Ag2r-Citroën.
Next season could top everything that Mathieu van der Poel missed out on in 2020.
Organizers hint that racing without fans or VIP tents is only economically viable for one more year.
Cross-discipline duo have been fierce rivals for longer in cyclocross than they have been on the road. With a narrow defeat at Tour of Flanders fresh in the memory, Van Aert is braced for more as 'cross season kicks off.
From Mads Pedersen's winning-streak after returning to his Trek-Segafredo jersey to Julian Alaphilippe's showboating sprint dramas, maybe 'the rainbow curse' is more than a myth.
The Belgian all-star is hoping to target one-week races in 2021. I'm all for it – provided he keeps crushing it in the classics.
On this week's episode we discuss how Julian Alaphilippe would have fared at the Tour of Flanders had he not crashed. Then, Sepp Kuss and Brandon McNulty join the podcast.
Reporter Jim Cotton recounts the highs and lows of a ham-producing hilltop and the brain-busting Sunday of a Giro-Flanders doubleheader.
Boels-Dolman played its cards correctly to set Chantal van den Broek-Blaak up for the win, as Anna van der Breggen marked early moves and Amy Pieters took the bunch sprint for 2nd.
Wout van Aert laments losing to his rival Mathieu van der Poel at the Tour of Flanders; says Julian Alaphilippe's crash is 'a pity.'
The Tour of Flanders came down to a dramatic sprint between Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel. In the final push to the line, van der Poel was fastest.
Julian Alaphilippe crashed after tangling with a race motorcycle at the Tour of Flanders.
Julian Alaphilippe leads Deceuninck–Quick-Step's powerhouse squad at Sunday's Tour of Flanders.
CCC Team star will miss final major battle between the classics stars in 2020.
This year's Tour of Flanders has plenty of storylines to follow, from the race's prohibition of fans, to the debut of Romain Bardet and Julian Alaphilippe, to the heated rivalry between Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel.
The Belgian-based squad takes on a temporary name change for the upcoming Ronde van Vlaanderen.
Mads Pedersen said that Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel marked each other in the thrilling finale to Gent-Wevelgem. As the two men eyed each other, Pedersen escaped to take a much-deserved win.
Van Aert back in top shape and ambitious as ever after physically and mentally struggling to keep momentum after worlds.
Gilbert raced in the Tour of Luxembourg and has been racing in the BinckBank Tour this week. But as knee pain continued he was forced to abandon.
Dutchman has gotten his legs back after feeling overcooked and off the pace in summer's races.
The Classics Tire from Cadex takes on endurance riding with puncture resistance, a supple casing, and a grippy compound for cobble season.
Classics talent to follow up strong performance at Strade Bianche with Milano-Sanremo, Il Lombardia.
Italian classics star hoping for home success in men's and women's races Saturday.
Belgian all-rounder looking to restart season strong next weekend and hold form through to October.
French star plans to start season slightly off the boil to allow form to last a busy schedule set to run through the fall.
Young Slovenian quells hype but refuses to rule himself out ahead of first-ever Tour de France appearance.
Dutch star and teammates scout out key cobbled sectors, with van der Poel taking a Strava record in the process.
Cobbles veteran hoping to stay loyal to EF Pro Cycling through contract year and financial difficulties.
French star yet to confirm full 2020 race schedule, but a first-ever Flanders is a certainty.
Boonen, Naesen react to 26-kilometer reduction and loss of the Muur from 2020 Tour of Flanders.
The Oude Kwaremont and Paterberg — often proving to be decisive ascents — are still on the route, and now with the Valkenberg which has been added to the race circuit.
Thew 2019 Tour of Flanders winner is still working out his racing calendar in what promises to be an action-packed end of the season.
Promising Dane not bitter despite missing chance at wearing world champion's jersey in northern classics.
Decock was also known for his sacrificing his own chances at the Tour to stop and help a rival who had fallen down a ravine. He passed away at home Saturday night.
Belgian cross-discipline star focused on conquering the cobbles, recalls mental battle of comeback from time trial crash.
The Dutch classics specialist says targets such as Flanders and Roubaix fit nicely with the Tour de France in cycling's new program.
Classics specialist left considering career options if he doesn't get the opportunity to ride Flanders and Roubaix this year.
Iconic race may have to go ahead 'behind closed doors' this October as Belgian Prime Minister urges caution.
Frenchman Bardet eyes Paris-Roubaix and Tour of Flanders in reshuffled race schedule for the year.
The UCI's new calendar sees October stacked with one-day races as the fall takes on a new complexion in 2020
Monuments in August and October, 18-day Giro and Vuelta - the rumor mill churns as races look for dates in new-look cycling season.
The 35-year-old fears losing a whole season of racing as he approaches twilight of career.
Gravel rides, smashing Zwift, and trying to dodge the cookie jar: Breakaway specialist De Gendt is keeping the engine running in lockdown in Belgium.
Cobbles veteran Vanmarcke hopes to see season goals Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix raced later in the year.
Organizers of Primus Classic prepared to give up September 19 start date if no other option is found.
Long-distance rides draw criticism from rivals and critics as Europe imposes uneven lockdown conditions.
Johan Museeuw won his final Flanders title with a display of dominance by his Mapei team, which ruled the classics in the 1990s.
Cycling fans were up in arms in 2012, when a new Tour of Flanders route was introduced, but a familiar Belgian won the day.
32km virtual race on BKool will be live-streamed from 1530 CET / 0730 MT.
Belgian star speaks candidly about missing the classics, salary cuts, and his hopes of racing again in 2020.
Lampaert talks about the pain of the Kwaremont and his love-hate relationship with Belgium's national obsession, the Tour of Flanders.
Must the 2021 Tour-Olympic clash be fixed? Will Froome win the Tour again? Flanders vs Roubaix - which is the best? Time to argue it out.
The amiable 34-year-old is doing his best to focus on the positive: spending time with his family, and exploring new roads.