Adam Becket

2 weeks ago | cyclingweekly.com | Adam Becket

It has been a beautiful week in northwest Europe, with barely a cloud in the sky in Belgium for the Tour of Flanders last weekend, and temperatures well over 20 degrees the norm. It has felt almost not real, with people - including myself - becoming a little pink in the sun. The pros will be hoping that this good weather continues into Paris-Roubaix weekend, with the pavé of northern France much more enjoyable in the dry, despite the dust. However, the clement weather might not last.

2 weeks ago | cyclingweekly.com | Adam Becket

The Koppenberg looms large, both metaphorically and physically. It’s only 600 metres long, and 63 metres high, but you see it rising up - seemingly from nowhere - out of the Flemish plains. I rode it on Saturday, from a standing start, as part of the ‘We Ride Flanders’ sportive. The climb itself doesn’t sound horrible on paper, or even on television: 11.1% average over 600 metres. The cobbles are some of the worst of the Tour of Flanders, but it should be doable.

2 weeks ago | cyclingweekly.com | Adam Becket

A cyclist died after an accident at a London circuit race last month. The rider, named by British Cycling as Paul Atkinson, was 55 years old. The incident occurred during a Full Gas event on 22 March at the Lee Valley VeloPark. It is believed to have taken place during a Category 3/4 race as part of the Spring Rumble 2, the second event in the series. It is understood that there was a crash during the race. The rider passed away following transfer to hospital.

2 weeks ago | cyclingweekly.com | Adam Becket

It was hard to escape Lotte Kopecky in Belgium on Sunday. The world champion was followed everywhere by one chant - “ohhhh Lotte Kopecky” - there were hats handed out with her name on them, she was tracked by adoring fans. She was on national news, still in her kit, two hours on from her victory. "It was enormous,” she said post-race on Sporza. “Sometimes I think the other riders can't hear my name anymore.

2 weeks ago | cyclingweekly.com | Adam Becket

It wasn't if Tadej Pogačar would attack on his own at the Tour of Flanders, but when. The world champion has a habit of going solo to famous wins, and so it proved on Sunday at the Tour of Flanders, his second, but it was not simple. Just as in 2023, it was the third and final time at the Oude Kwaremont with 17km to go that proved decisive, the UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider escaping to victory after a brutal attack, and he ended up winning by a minute.