Procycling

Procycling is the monthly magazine that takes readers inside the world’s toughest sport – professional road racing. From the mud and rain of the spring Classics through to annual summer spectacular of the Tour de France, the magazine combines thoughtful, probing sports journalism and insightful interviews with incredible sports photography. The rich, often scandalous history of cycle sport and its high tech future also feature in a magazine that’s a must for every follower of the grand tours and the peloton.

PREFACE • ISSUE 283 / JULY 2021

GALLERY • THE WORLD’S BEST CYCLING PHOTOGRAPHY

When bicycle races change lives

WEATHERING THE STORMS

COMMUNIQUÉ • NEWS • GOSSIP • CHATTER

ANNA CHRISTIAN • The Drops-Le Col s/b Tempur rider on life on the Isle of Man and celeb-spotting Zac Efron

GEORGE BAZLEY • The British rider at a French club who picked strawberries last year

OBJECTS OF DESIRE • THIS MONTH’S ESSENTIAL GEAR

LEAH THOMAS • The Californian former gymnast on perseverance, teaching and learning

WHAT’S IN A NAME? • ROSE MANLEY OF THE BUNNYHOP CC ON CREATING THE IDENTITY FOR A BRAND NEW SHOW

DAN MARTIN • ISRAEL START-UP NATION

BRODIE CHAPMAN • FDJ NOUVELLE - AQUITAINE

CHARLIE QUARTERMAN • TREK - SEGAFREDO

KÉVIN RÉZA • B&B HOTELS P/B KTM

A HISTORIC TOUR DE FRANCE • The 2021 Tour de France looks like a return to its roots, with a grand départ in Brittany and a parcours which is light on innovation. Procycling looks ahead to a traditional Tour, but one which may be raced in an untraditional manner

EDWARD PICKERING • Procycling editor

SOPHIE HURCOM • Procycling deputy editor

ADAM BECKET • Procycling staff writer

DESTINY’S CHILD • After the strongest spring of any defending Tour de France champion in four decades, Tadej Pogačar has every right to feel confident for July. He will start the 2021 race as the favourite, and he has looked imperious in most of his races. But what makes the young Slovenian tick?

TADEJ Pogačar’S • TOP 10 PRO WINS

SURFACE TENSION • Fate dictated that two Slovenian champions would emerge at once. Procycling examines the relationship between Tadej Pogačar and Primož Roglič, first and second in the 2020 Tour. Can they be friends? It’s complicated…

WATTS THE DIFFERENCE SPRINTING BY NUMBERS • WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO WIN A TOUR DE FRANCE SPRINT? A STUDY INTO THE PHYSIOLOGICAL NUMBERS OF RECENTLY RETIRED MARCEL KITTEL, WHO DOMINATED THE TOUR’S BUNCH FINISHES BETWEEN 2013 AND 2017, TELLS US WHAT MARKS OUT A CHAMPION

2021 TOUR DE FRANCE SPRINT CONTENDERS

FALL AND DECLINE • Four-time Tour champion Chris Froome has been a shadow of his former self since his terrible crash in June 2019. Can he realistically hope to add a fifth title to his palmarès?

TAKE BACK THE TITLE • Having failed to win the yellow jersey in 2020, Ineos Grenadiers return to the Tour keen to reassert themselves as the number one grand tour team. The question is, against equally if not stronger opposition, can they do it?

MADE IN BRITTANY • Groupama-FDJ riders David Gaudu and Valentin Madouas are both from Brittany, where the 2021 Tour’s grand départ will take place. They tell Procycling why the region is such a hotbed of cycling

GAUDU‘S BEST RESULTS

MADOUAS'S BEST RESULTS

Dangerous liaison • What is it about Mont Ventoux, the Giant of Provence, to be climbed twice in stage 11 of this year’s Tour de France, that fuels drama and inspires obsessive behaviour, asks Jeremy Whittle

GRAVITY DEFYING • This year’s Tour features six mountain stages, meaning the foundations of victory will be laid in the Pyrenees and the Alps. And also by how well a...