The peloton is awaking from its winter slumber, and right on cue, we’ve got our 2016 Season Preview in the March issue of Velo magazine. So what does the new year hold for pro cycling?
One of the biggest developments for 2016 is the addition of a Women’s WorldTour. Christina Bonnington writes about how the women’s peloton is deeper than ever — what does that mean for Marianne Vos? The Dutch Olympic gold medalist was once nearly untouchable in any race she started, but she suffered a disappointing 2015 due to injury.
On the men’s side of things, the question is flipped as Chris Froome looks to win his second consecutive Tour de France. Sure, Alberto Contador and Nairo Quintana will be on top form to challenge the Brit, but they have yet to find a chink in his armor.
Andrew Hood also interviews Tom Boonen in the March issue of Velo. This could be the final season for the Belgian classics star, and he’s hoping to go out in a blaze of glory, aiming for a record fifth Paris-Roubaix title and perhaps even a run at world championships — after all, the flat, technical course in windy Qatar could favor his skills, which have been honed over thousands of racing kilometers in northern Europe.
But Boonen isn’t the only rider with rainbow dreams; 2016 may afford a sprinters’ renaissance — we assess five of the peloton’s fastest men and their odds for a big season, one which may be punctuated by a world championship title.
Pro racing aside, when this time of year rolls around, most of us are dreaming of ways to upgrade our rides. You’ve probably heard this before, but that’s because it’s true: Wheels are one of the best upgrades for your bike. So, our tech team took four carbon fiber clinchers to the Velolab to find out which is fastest.
Read the full article at Velo magazine — March 2016 on VeloNews.com.