Features

The start of the Critérium du Dauphiné in early June is a sure sign that the Tour de France is not far away, and as ever this year’s race features a number of riders with eyes on the maillot jaune, not least two men who performed well here last year.

To sunny Australia, where another assignment (your humble author also covers travel) auspiciously coincides with the chance to take part in a local sportive. Except it’s not called a sportive, and it’s not that sunny either. What should be a beautiful late summer morning on the surf-kissed beaches of Victoria is more like an autumn day somewhere near the North Sea.

This coming Sunday (April 8th) the pro peloton will be pounding its way across the infamous pavé in this year’s Paris-Roubaix road race. Last Sunday (April 1st) the amateurs had a chance to sample those same jagged cobblestones, thanks to the Paris-Roubaix Challenge sportive. Given the date, it might have seemed a foolish idea to ride 95 miles across northern France on a zig-zag route with 19 pavé sections, but it turned out to be a surprisingly enjoyable - though unsurprisingly tough - day out on the bike.

Paris-Nice, ‘The Race to the Sun,’ marks a change in gear as the cycling season heads into March. While there’s no shortage of season-opening stage races these days, the arrival of one with real heritage – this is the 70th edition – causes a ripple of excitement among fans and riders alike. Among those racing is Team Sky’s Geraint Thomas, switching back to the road from the track, who gives his thoughts on the race in general plus Fantasy Cycling tips on each stage below.