The Pompeiana and the Sprinters: Why the fast men are being marginalised.

Who would be a sprinter these days? No really, once you get over the fact that if you are one, you're likely to be a great hunk of muscle with elaborately quaffed hair and no shortage of high end speed and confidence, they really don't have a very good lot in the cycling world these...

Is Boonen v Cancellara a rivalry that never was?

I'm sure you've read all the 2014 preview pieces this year, all telling you pretty much the same thing: The Tour de France is going to be Chris Froome versus Vincenzo Nibali, with a side helping of Mark Cavendish versus Marcel Kittel, the Giro will become an Aussie battle ground with Cadel Evans and Richie...

Peloton Fashions 2005-2014: Are the teams becoming more difficult to tell apart?

One of the more common complaints about the peloton these days is that the teams are too hard to tell apart. Everyone, it is said, is wearing dark, black kits that make extricating just who is who altogether impossible. In order to see how fair this was, I collated the jerseys of every team that...

2014 Team Previews: Cannondale

  Who are the sponsor? Cannondale are a USA bike manufacturer. Nationality: Italian-American 2013 Ranking: 9th Past Stars: Danilo Di Luca, Vincenzo Nibali, Daniele Bennati, Romain Kreuziger, Robert Kiserlovski, Franco Pellizotti Selected Team Palmares:   Green Jersey 2012 & 2013 Tour de France , Stages, Tour de France 2012 x 3, 2013,Stages, Vuelta a Espana 2011 x...

2014 Team Previews: FDJ

Who are the sponsor? FDJ are the French Lottery. Nationality: French. 2013 Ranking: 17th Past Stars: Philippe Gilbert, Bradley McGee, Baden Cooke, Thomas Lofkvist, Bernard Eisel, Gustav Larsson, Sandy Casar. Selected Team Palmares: Stage, 2012 Tour de France (Thibaut Pinot), Stages, Tour de France 2006, 2009, 2010, 2012, Criterium International 2010 (Pierrick Fedrigo). Brief Team...

2014 Team Previews: Lampre-Merida

Who are the sponsor? Lampre make prefinished steel products, Merida are a Taiwanese bike manufacturer. Nationality: Italian 2013 Ranking: 14th Past Stars: Alessandro Petacchi, Daniele Bennati, Alessandro Ballan, Gilberto Simoni, Danilo Napolitano, Michele Scarponi Selected Team Palmares: 1st, Giro d’Italia 2004, 4 Stages, 2004 Giro d'Italia, 2 Stages, Vuelta a Espana 2009, White Jersey, 2006...

2014 Team Previews: Ag2r La Mondiale

Who are the sponsor? Ag2r are an insurance company that merged with La Mondiale, who offer similar services. Nationality: French 2013 Ranking: 12th Past Stars: Lauren Brochard, Alexandre Vinokourov, Jaan Kirsipuu, Jean-Patrick Nazon, Cyril Dessel, Christophe Moreau, Francisco Mancebo Selected Team Palmares: Alpe d'Huez Stage, 2013 Tour de France, stage, 2010 Tour de France (Christophe...

2014 Team Previews: Garmin Sharp

Who are the sponsor? Garmin make GPS navigation equipment, Sharp make electrical items such as televisions. Nationality: American 2013 Ranking: 8th Past Stars: Bradley Wiggins, Heinrich Haussler, Thor Hushovd, Sep Vanmarkce, Fredrik Kessiakoff, Svein Tuft, Magnus Backstedt. Selected Team Palmares: 1st, 2012 Giro d’Italia (Ryder Hesjedal) Stages, Tour de France (2011×2, Tyler Farrar and TTT, 2012, David...

2014 Team Previews: Europcar

Who are the sponsor? Europcar are a hire care company working across Europe. Nationality: French 2013 Ranking: Were not in WorldTour 2013. Past Stars: Pierik Fedrigo, Sylvain Chavanel, Sebastian Turgot, Anthoney Chartaeu Selected Team Palmares:  2012 Tour de France King of the Mountains (Thomas Voeckler), Stages, Tour de France, (Thomas Voeckler x 4, 2009, 2010, 2012×2,...