Table of contents for July 2023 in Cycling Plus

Bike of the Year was born in 2009, back when disc brakes on road bikes were outlandish, the gravel genre wasn’t a thing and I Gotta Feeling became an ear worm. BOTY has since become the world’s biggest and most trusted bike showcase. Each year the winner sells out instantly and, for 2023, we have 25 bikes shortlisted vying to take home the BOTY trophy. 2023’s overall winner will be selected from our six categories – budget, endurance, women’s, aero, gravel and performance – with all being judged on spec, value, innovation and just how much darn fun they are to ride. Turn to p25 for 2023’s Bike of the Year jamboree. matthew.baird@ourmedia.co.uk Your experts Warren Rossiter Senior tech editor Once again, this year’s Bike of the Year is orchestrated…

● I gave birth to my daughter, Orla, in 2018. I was very open-minded about how long it would take me to return to racing. I thought it would be about nine months post-partum, but I ended up racing seven months later. My fitness came back a lot quicker than I expected, although my race fitness was definitely a bit rusty. In June 2019 I won the Women’s Tour. That was a big surprise! It was seven stages, and it was as though every race day I got closer to my old self. I suppose I always had that belief; I wanted to come back and win. I was breastfeeding Orla for six months so that had an impact in terms of how much I was physically able to be…

● Money. We are so obsessed with it, we manage to put a fiscal value on the most perverse things, from the cost of trips and falls, to the value of the monarchy. Areas of life, personal beliefs and health you’d think would surpass a simple balance sheet, in fact have a real cost. Cycling (and walking) are in a strange position. Like everything, they have an economic value – a massive one, as it happens: cost-benefit analyses tell us while roads investment yields returns of up to £5-ish for every £1 spent, cycle routes return a minimum of £5 – some as much as £32. These sums encompass the benefits to congestion and air pollution, health, and serious road collisions by helping people drive less. While on the face…

● SCULPTED HANDLEBARS, NEXT-gen Kammtail shapes, radical top-tube junctions… our annual Bike of the Year showcase once again displays everything that is innovative and inspiring about modern bike design. And yet it’s not all about designers pushing the accepted norms to their limits, with plenty of machines here going big on the comfort and compliance factors. And, whisper it, there are even bargains to be had in 2023’s finest crop. Here, from an exhaustive long list, we’ve selected the best 25 bikes of 2023 in the budget, endurance, women’s-specific, gravel, aero and performance genres. Historic brands, major sellers and newer kids on the block are all present and correct, but what six bikes will take the category honours? And who will come out on top as our overall Bike…

Weight 8.31kg (M) Frame Carbon Fork Carbon Gears Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8170 (50/34t, 11-30t) Brakes Shimano Ultegra R8170 disc Wheels Zipp 404 Firecrest Finishing kit Continental GP5000 S TR 700 x 28c tyres, Selle Italia SLR Boost saddle, all Ribble: Ultra bar, Ultra (integrated) stem, Ultra SL R seatpost ● THE RIBBLE ULTRA SL R IS ONE OF the most progressive aero road bikes from recent years, with its aggressively optimised frameset and innovative ‘wake-generating’ handlebar. Combined with deep, truncated aerofoil tube shapes throughout and a wide, bladed fork, it’s a pure race bike that makes no concessions to weight or all-round performance. However, made using Ribble’s premium carbon fibre blend, it compares well to other hyper-aero bikes, such as the Cannondale SystemSix Hi-Mod and Cévelo S5, both of which…

Weight 7.69kg (size 56cm) Frame Carbon Fork Carbon Gears Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8170 (52/56t, 11-30t) Brakes Shimano Ultegra disc Wheels Bontrager Aeolus Pro 51 Finishing kit Madone integrated bar/stem, Madone carbon seatmast, Bontrager Aeolus Elite saddle, Bontrager R3 Hard-Case Lite 25mm tyres ● NOW IN ITS SEVENTH ITERATION, the Madone SLR is claimed to be faster and lighter than ever. To help achieve this, Trek has replaced the comfort-enhancing IsoSpeed system with a kite-shaped ‘IsoFlow’ hole in the seat-tube. It’s also updated its signature Kammtail Virtual Foil tube shapes and overhauled the front end, adding a lighter, fully integrated aero cockpit with flared drops. The Madone SLR uses Trek’s H1.5 geometry (as seen on the latest Emonda SLR) – a halfway house between the aggressive H1 and more relaxed H2…

● If we could choose a European race weekend to visit, one where we could watch the best do battle on a legendary course and also ride it ourselves, then Belgium’s Tour of Flanders, or De Ronde van Vlaanderen to give its local name, would be right up there. On the Saturday (1 April), 16,000 amateurs descended on Oudenaarde – the epicentre of the pro race – to ride 75km, 144km and 177km routes along the pro route in the Tour of Flanders Cyclo (some rode the longest 242km course and started in Bruges). Unlike other amateur events attached to pro races, in particular Italian gran fondos, the Cyclo has a far more relaxed atmosphere, with all ages taking part, from young grandchildren to their older grandparents. The severest challenges,…

● As we’ve come to expect from top Swedes Thule (pronounced ‘too-lee’), the 27L Paramount commuter backpack is practical, durable and full of neat cycling-specific touches. These include the frontal opening for a bike lock and helmet, an enclosed hi-vis rain cover, stash areas for bottles and a covered eyewear/valuables compartment at the top. The laptop area is sizeable and reinforced, and the main compartment has room for my cycling kit and trove of snacks and sandwiches. At 52cm long, the 27L version is quite a lengthy backpack (it’s still aircraft hand-luggage friendly, though), and my mighty 168cm-high body wouldn’t want it any taller – there is a smaller 18L (£105) version, but this lacks the rain cover and one of the sizeable internal compartments. The comfortable straps and a…

● The mighty 32L capacity of the Race Lite is intended for exactly that: big event days where you’ll need to load it up with shoes, pedals, tools, a helmet, nutrition, clothing and that endless checklist of tech. There are five separate compartments, including a laptop stash, a well-organised frontal area for tools and tech, a bumper main compartment and a waterproof area for post-ride shoes. A helmet will fit in the main compartment, but there’s an outer clip too. There are also two removable waterproof bags for soiled clothes and toiletries, while the orange interior helps with organisation. Those waterproof compartments make it a brilliant bag for the triathletes and open-water swimmers out there, while the cabin bag-friendly size makes it an international travel contender. There are a…

● One of the smallest-volume bags on test is also one of the lightest and it’s a shrewd choice for the sprightly commuter. The padded and weatherproof laptop section has a wraparound closure for added protection, and there are also two zipped internal pockets (one is on the top, for storage of items you want fast access to). The bag’s ‘weather-resistant’ outer is full of practical technical detail: an attachment for your helmet, comfortable raised pads to keep your back from overheating, and three elasticated open pockets (two on the sides and a bigger one across the front) that can store items that you don’t mind getting wet. The most canny idea, however, is the Command Center Harness: two secure pockets on the bag’s arm straps that make your phone,…

01 HOW DO I STAY INJURY FREE? Vulnerable areas The parts of the body most at risk of injury, particularly for cyclists, are the back and knees. A bike fit with a reputable fitter is vital. The fitter should be looking at seat settings, cleat positioning, and reach and lever position – the three contact points between you and the bike that will each have a knock-on effect on the other. Avoid overload A very common contributing factor to overuse injuries is the rider’s training load. Big increases in volume or intensity (or both) can trigger injury if they’re not managed correctly, so an increase should be introduced very gradually. A good periodised training plan with a balanced load and rest periods will go a long way to preventing injury, as…

01 Apply cream Use a good quality chamois cream before you start riding in the morning. Once you’ve finished your riding for the day and have showered, then apply an 8hr cream to any sore areas. 02 Change gear Get out of your kit and shower as a priority when finished. Sitting in pads that are damp will give you a nasty and painful rash, which is difficult to heal when you’re cycling daily. 03 Carry cash Always carry cash and think about the next country you’ll be visiting. Often local currency exchanges will only change US dollars, GBP or Euros to the local currency.…

This six-week training plan progresses physical and technical sessions each week to improve key bike-handling skills for greater confidence and control on the road. Subtle positional changes on your bike at the right time will maximise speed, efficiency and power, while flexibility, balance and trunk strength will all play an important role in weight shift. This plan, combined with the Masterclass body-position advice on the previous pages, will bring your awareness to asymmetries and weaknesses to help address improvements. You’ll find a blend of cycling and off-bike sessions that follow a specific technical theme each week. Mid-week sessions can be completed indoors or outdoors depending on your lifestyle, while Fridays are an optional strength day. The training plan uses British Cycling’s Rate of Perceived Exertion Scale (RPE) scale on the…

● New gear Summer outfit buyer’s guide Sunglasses mini-test; best tyre levers ● Also inside… A head for heights Strategies to combat the post-race blues Have bike, will travel Unravelling the complexities of post-Brexit cycling holidays Gut instinct How to ‘train your gut’ and send your form flying Lap of luxury An action-packed loop of idyllic Guernsey On sale 9 June 2023…

● BUDGET Marin Gestalt…………………………………………….. £955 Lapierre Crosshill 2.0…………………………….£1,199 Cannondale CAAD Optimo 1……………. £1,300 ● ENDURANCE Merida Scultura Endurance Rival….. £3,400 Rondo RATT CF2…………………………………..£3,599 Vitus Venon 105 Di2……………………………..£4,699 Cervélo Caledonia Rival……………………. £4,800 Wilier Granturismo SLR UDi2…………….£8,680 ● AERO Giant Propel Advanced Pro 0……………£6,399 Ribble Ultra SLR……………………………………..£6,599 3T Strada ICR…………………………………………..£7,398 Trek Madone SLR 7…………………………… £10,200 ● WOMEN’S Scott Contessa Addict 25………………….£2,499 Liv Avail Advanced 1……………………………..£3,699 Ribble CGR Ti Enthusiast……………………£4,489 ● GRAVEL Ridley Kanzo Adventure……………………..£4,459 Giant Revolt X Advanced Pro 1…………£5,499 Pivot Vault Udi2……………………………………..£8,000 Factor Ostro Gravel…………………………….. £9,500 BMC Kaius 01 One……………………………….£11,350 ● PERFORMANCE Basso Diamante……………………………………..£7,199 Wilier 0 SL……………………………………………….. £7,250 Cannondale SuperSix Evo…………………£8,250 ENVEMelee………………………………………….£10,400 Colnago V4Rs………………………………………£12,495…

Weight 9.06kg (56cm) Frame SmartForm C2 Alloy Fork CAAD Optimo Full Carbon Gears Shimano 105 R7000 11-speed (50/34t, 11-30t) Wheels RS20 with Formula hubs Finishing kit Cannondale Three alloy bar, stem and seatpost, Cannondale Stage CX saddle, Vittoria Zaffiro Pro Slick 700 x 25 tyres ● OPTIMO IS CANNONDALE’S range of four entry-level road bikes, which all share the same frame and fork. The Optimo 4 is the most affordable, with the Optimo 1, tested here, offering the best specification. Taking its cues from the racy CAAD 13, the Optimo is designed for sharp handling and road-focused performance. It’s built with Shimano 105 R7000 11-speed shifters, derailleurs and cassette, and features an FSA Gossamer 50/34t compact crankset, and Tektro R471 dual-pivot brake callipers. The wheels have Formula hubs with RS…

Weight 9.76kg (XL) Frame Carbon Fork Carbon Gears Shimano GRX (46/30t, 11-32t) Brakes Shimano BR-RX410 Wheels Rondo Lit Finishing kit Rondo stem & seatpost, Easton EC70SL bar, Selle San Marco Shortfit saddle, Vittoria Terreno Zero 650b x 47mm tyres, ● RONDO IS KNOWN FOR DOING things differently. Its debut bike, the Ruut, was the first to feature its patented Twin Tip fork, where you flip an insert in the dropout to switch between high and low positions. It was used to brilliant effect on the aero-road-come-gravel-racer, 2019’s Bike of the Year-winning HVRT. With the Brutalist-looking Ratt, Rondo has again pushed the boundaries with 47mm-wide slick tyres and 650b wheels. The kinks at the fork, top-tube and skinny seatstays are to provide comfort-improving compliance. The fork also features the Twin Tip…

Lazer Flash Yellow Tonic helmet £44.99 A high-vis helmet to get you noticed at night, it features an adjustable dial for tuning the fit and a mount for a rear LED light. ProViz Reflect 360 Plus jacket £124.99 This stylish grey jacket features innovative material that uses millions of tiny reflective glass beads to light you up in the glare of car headlights. Le Col Pro long sleeve jersey £160 This orange jersey will keep you visible on spring and summer nights, without the need for high-vis yellow. It has a reflective trim and long sleeves to keep you warm. Light and Motion VIS 1000 Power Combo £169.99 With a 1,000 lumens head light and 180 lumens tail light, this USB light set will power you through any local night…

The Testers Ashley Quinlan Senior technical editor Ash is on a bike as often as he’s off it as part of his job to review products Emma Lewis Senior production ed Experienced product tester Emma is a long-term cycling commuter Matt Baird Editor Matt is CP’s editor and has been testing Lycra, helmets and shoes since 2008 John Whitney Deputy editor John’s been on the mag since issue 290, so it’s fair to say he knows his stuff about bikes……

● THE ICON3 REAR LIGHT IS THE MOST powerful rear light I’ve ever tested, with its super-bright maximum 350-lumen output via custom-made COB (chip-onboard) LEDs, plus two LEDs that flash in a different pattern to the main one to improve visibility (alongside its 270° arc so you can be more easily seen from the side). There are three modes (constant, flash and a flashing eco setting) that you operate via the central button or See.Sense’s app. If you solely use the light via the button, it automatically reacts to changes in your surroundings and riding style. If you use the app to control the light (via Bluetooth), you can choose from three more flash patterns, plus switch on features such as brake mode, crash and theft alerts and a ‘get…

● WE LIKE THE ETHOS OF THIS small, independent bike-clothing brand based in the north of England: they describe themselves as for “riders who value where they go more than how hard they go”, enjoying the sense of adventure and escapism cycling can bring to our hectic lives, encouraging us to ride “in the moment” rather than worrying about stats. They also try to tread lightly on the planet. All deliveries are carbon neutral, clothing packaging is plastic free and postal bags are 100% recycled plastic. There’s even a ‘crash replacement discount’ if your clothing gets damaged. The Disconnect Jersey is designed in the UK and made in Italy from recycled Italian fabrics (as are the bib shorts). It’s a good-looking top, with a close fit, full-length zip to help…

● The wallet-friendly dhb Slice has two long, vertical, perforated pads running the length of the back, proving comfortable and helping keep a sweaty back at bay. On-bike comfort is further aided with the chest and removable waist straps, while the padded shoulder straps are comfy enough but lack the plumpness of the Thule, for example. The Slice also lacks the rain-thwarting powers of many of the bags here, but there’s a bright yellow waterproof cover that also aids visibility. It’s a gem in terms of organisation. Internally, there’s a compartment for a laptop or bladder, but laptop protection is minimal, from underneath especially. The 30L capacity outguns many here (there’s a 15L version as well), with two external zipped pockets for valuables, a front pouch (which admittedly becomes a…

● If visibility on the roads is your top priority, Proviz products are definitely worthy of consideration. This ‘grey’ Reflect360 bag glows like the moon when light is shined on it, thanks to millions of reflective beads. Should you still feel like you’re not being seen, there’s a strap on the front for an added light. Inside, the laptop sleeve doesn’t have a closure on it, so will only keep it semi-separate from the rest of the bag. There’s also a large mesh zipped pocket and a couple of smaller ones to keep your belongings separate, while the main compartment is generous in its proportions – one of the largest on test. Outside, there are mesh pockets on either side that are on the small side, certainly compared to the…

● With the proportion of wet commutes we’ve had recently, this sleek, lightweight, fully waterproof to IPX6 rolltop bag has been an easy grab-and-go option that has given me peace of mind that my laptop and change of clothes will stay dry (its polyester ripstop with TPU coating and welded seams are designed to withstand the heaviest downpours). In direct contrast to the Osprey, this bag’s not big on bells and whistles, with one large space containing a lightly padded laptop sleeve with a sprung base and just one medium-sized zipped pocket inside (with no key clip or any organisation subsections). A reflective print pattern covers the bottom half of the pack including the base, and there are three light-attachment loops: one near the bottom at the front and one…

Inside this special edition, you’ll find out how to: • Climb and descend like a pro • Set up gears • Build fitness in your lunchtime • Maintain brakes • Fix annoying noises • Ride in a group • Find the right size bike • Cheat the wind • Fuel up properly • Climb and descend like a pro • And much more! Expert technique and fitness advice Great-value bikes reviewed Easy repair and maintenance tips ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY www.buysubscriptions.com/getintoroad23 or call 03330 162 138 and quote ‘Get Into Road 2023’ Lines are open 8am-6pm weekdays and 9am-1pm Saturdays Overseas please call +44 (0) 1604 973 746 £10.99 with FREE UK delivery. EUR price £12.49, ROW price £13.49. All orders are subject to availability. Please allow up to 28…

● It was while we were exploring the meaning of trochaic tetrameter (I’d wager you didn’t think you’d ever hear that in Cycling Plus) in a school poetry lesson that I first came across Hiawatha (nor him), a precolonial Native American leader. He was quite a guy and united many Native American tribes into the Iroquois Confederacy of northeast North America. Later I learnt that when the Pilgrim Fathers arrived from England, there was a Native American there who could speak English, having spent time in England. Actually, it was through this man’s mediation that the pilgrims were able to survive the first winter. The seeds and crops that the pilgrims had brought with them were totally unsuited to the climate. I spent about 10 years in the USA earlier…

Caring is Charing A new musical, Glory Ride, celebrating the extraordinary life of pro rider Gino Bartali, who saved Jewish lives in fascist Italy during WW2 aboard his bicycle, is being performed at Charing Cross Theatre, London, until 29 July gloryridemusical.com End of the road The Tour of Cambridgeshire, which has been running since 2015 and is the sole British qualifier for the 2023 UCI Gran Fondo World Champs, is to end after the 2023 edition (2-4 June). tourofcambridgeshire.com Book smart Alex Dowsett, who retired from pro cycling in 2022, has announced the publication of his autobiography. Bloody Minded hits shelves on 13 September On hiatus The Women’s Tour, Britain’s biggest women’s bike race, is taking an enforced break in 2023 after the plugging of a funding hole failed to…

● So, while the Ribble is the bike here for getting away onto gravel trails (without being a slouch on tarmac) and the Liv offers both comfort and stability on the asphalt, it’s the Scott that takes the women’s Bike of the Year honours for 2023. While it lacks the high-performance finesse of Scott’s Contessa Addict RC 15, for example, it offers great value for money and provides a comfortable, reliable and lively ride. And all with a meticulously put-together build (available in sizes to fit smaller women from around 148cm or 4’9” tall, with a women-specific saddle as standard). The stylish good looks complete with attractive matte paint finish are the icing on the cake for this speedy endurance bike. “It offers great value for money and provides a…

Weight 6.3kg (56cm) Frame Carbon Fork: Carbon Gears: Shimano Ultegra Di2 (52/36t, 11-30t) Brakes Shimano Ultegra disc Wheels HollowGram R-SL 50 carbon Finishing kit Cannondale Conceal stem, Vision Trimax Carbon Aero bar, Cannondale C1 Aero 40 Carbon seatpost, Prologo Dimension TiRox NDR saddle, Continental GP5000 700 x 25c tyres ● NOW IN ITS FOURTH GENERATION, the Cannondale SuperSix EVO has been optimised, rather than reworked, so it rides much like its immediate predecessor and remains a brilliant-handling, enticingly quick race bike. The Hi-Mod carbon fibre lay-up is fundamentally unchanged, and the frame silhouette is familiar, but with some key tweaks to help it cut a more efficient line through the air without sacrificing stiffness or comfort. The head-tube now accepts the fork’s new ‘Delta’ triangular steerer, which slims down the…

Dunwich Dynamo This London to Suffolk nocturnal spin covers 185km and takes place on the Saturday closest to the July full moon. Southwark Cyclists arrange return transport. southwarkcyclists.org.uk Vätternrundan This 315km loop of Lake Vättern in southern Sweden attracts 20,000 riders each June. It’s also best ridden between sunset and sunrise. vatternrundan.se Exmouth Exodus This free to enter, Bath to Exmouth ride of around 100 miles runs each August and was inspired by the Dunwich Dynamo. facebook.com/groups/129593677114835…

Bike by Pink Floyd This is the last track of Pink Floyd’s debut album, ‘The Piper at the Gates of Dawn.’ In the song, Pink Floyd generously offers to give a girl their bike that has “a basket, a bell that rings and things to make it look good”. Unfortunately, their generosity’s somewhat misplaced because the bike is borrowed. Tour de France by Kraftwerk Kraftwerk’s dedication to the world’s biggest bike race epitomised their love of the sport. The German techno pioneers were known to have their tour bus drop them off outside of the city they were scheduled to play so that they could cycle before the show. The band teamed up with Canyon in 2017 to launch 21 Kraftwerk-themed bikes. Bicycle by St Vincent “You stole my bicycle.…

“The single best feature is the price: at £129.99, it’s half the price of most top-of-the-line helmets” ● WHENEVER NEW ROAD HELMETS are launched, we see claims around weight, aerodynamics and airflow. Bell’s new Falcon XR (which sits one level below the company’s flagship XR Spherical) is refreshingly free of any of these claims. Instead, Bell has concentrated on making the Falcon very user friendly, starting with the generous ‘Deep Road’ fit that offers more than 3cm of vertical adjustment to the high-quality, dial-equipped Float cradle. The MIPS Evolve liner is heavily cut away so as not to impede the vents and the antimicrobial Ionic+ padding is threaded through with odour-resisting silver yarn. It’s generous, soft and, importantly, very quick to dry. MIPS adds a low-friction layer to the inside…

● THIS BASE LAYER BLENDS SILKY soft Merino wool with recycled polyester and elastane. This gives a great combination of odour- and temperature control, wicking, durability and stretch. Despite its light weight, the Bandito holds warmth well, making it the perfect base layer for early spring and autumn rides. Flat seams and great seam placement avoid irritation points. This is a real luxury layer that I’ve used and abused for months and in all weathers. As good as it is, however, the price is rather high.…

● Can a single backpack come up with the goods when commuting, but also work as a day pack, gym bag or travelling companion? It’s a tough remit, but many of the bags here have risen to this multi-function challenge. We’ve brought together eight backpacks ranging in price from £45 quid to well over £100, ranging in size from a svelte 20L to a bumper 32, and including some of the most established European and North American bag brands. As with cycling clothing, we’d recommend trying before you buy, or checking out the supplier’s returns policy if you’re buying online, especially as many of these bags come in just one or two sizes. The shape, material and padding on the back and straps of each bag is different, and as…

● The Mission 22’s size of, yep, 22L isn’t huge, but the drawstring-closed single compartment makes its main area feel pretty cavernous. Having a sole main compartment does mean your dirty kit or lunchbox sits alongside nearly everything else in there, however, even if the moderately sized and padded laptop sleeve can also handle any documents. The zipped pocket at the front hosts a wealth of dividers, pen sleeves, a key carabiner and a mesh pocket for snacks. The 600g weight is lean, it looks stylish (five more colours are available), while the build feels durable and withstood mid-ride showers. So far, so good, but what of the bike-specific features? A bike bottle can be stashed in the side sleeve and the top compartment is ideal for sunglasses in a…

● They’ve thought of pretty much everything with this pack. The adjustable mesh back makes space between you and the back panel, helping you avoid the dreaded sweaty back. If it rains, whip out the hi-viz rain cover stowed in the base. Need to carry smart shoes? There’s a separate pocket on the opposite side of the main space to the well-cushioned laptop, and document sleeves. Should you need to carry extra kit, undo a zip to extend the 26L capacity to 34L. More pockets include: a valuables one on the top, small organiser pouches and a key clip inside, a stretchy pocket on the front and an easy-access one on each side (one zipped, the other elasticated), that are designed to be used without taking off the pack. Use…

Cycling is good for the soul. Even, it seems, the irredeemable ones. Happy Valley spoiler alert: at the start of this year, viewers of Sally Wainwright’s brilliant BBC police drama saw wrong’un-for-the-ages Tommy Lee Royce, played by James Norton, daringly escape a Leeds courtroom at the end of season three and make a discreet getaway into the Yorkshire countryside on a carbon racer. After years languishing in jail for a string of heinous crimes in the first series, Royce suddenly found himself under sunshine in the wide-open space of an unnamed moor in a sequence of sublime beauty, at odds with leaden skies and misery that the characters experience in much of the series. He reached the summit, gulped in the wholesome rural air and surveyed, close to tears, the…

01 Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, arms at your sides and back straight. You’ll need room to extend your body behind and above you. 02 Lower your body quickly into a squat and place your hands on the ground directly in front of your feet. 03 Transfer your weight to your hands, and jump your feet back to land in a high push-up position. 04 Lower your chest and thighs to the floor so that your chin and torso touch the mat. Push up and return to the elevated push-up position. 05 Immediately jump your feet in towards your hands and return to the squat position. 06 Explode upwards, arms raised, legs straight, jumping as high as possible. Return to standing. Keep going until you lose form due to…

ONLY £10.99 including FREE UK delivery Souvenir edition includes: 204-page programme including Tour de France Femmes, A2 double-sided race wallchart, Basque Legends magazine plus exclusive beer mats WWW.BUYSUBSCRIPTIONS.COM/TOUR23 or call 03330 162 138† and quote ‘Tour de France 2023’ Please note the Official UK 2023 Tour De France Race Guide is only available in the UK. †UK calls will cost the same as other standard fixed line numbers (starting 01 or 02) and are included as part of any inclusive or free minutes allowances (if offered by your phone tariff). Outside of free call packages call charges from mobile phones will cost between 3p and 55p per minute. Lines are open Mon to Fri 9am – 5pm. All orders are subject to availability. Please allow up to 21 days for delivery.…

● I have a friend whose older brother is a professor of astronomy; a really, really clever one, with long hair and horn-rimmed glasses like some Open University boffin from 1983. This friend once told me that he’d been to visit his brother in his offices. Sitting at his desk, it became apparent that the professor was not completely concentrating on the conversation they were having, that something else was occasionally distracting a small percentage of his attention away from the fraternal catch-up. From time to time, he’d glance at his computer. “What do you keep looking at?” asked my friend. “Oh, it’s just an experiment we’re running.” “Can I see?” he asked. “Sure,” said the boffin, and angled the screen so that he could see it from his side…