Long Reads

New cyclists maybe don’t know Les West, a top British rider in the 1960s and ‘70s who raced mostly in the UK. Only two GB riders have ever finished higher in the men’s elite road race championships. This is his story.

King of six-day racing when six-day racing really mattered, Patrick Sercu talks about his team mate, rival and great friend, Eddy Merckx. 

The De Vlaemincks are Flemish cycling icons, cyclo-cross world champions, Roger once and Eric seven times. Roger won Paris-Roubaix four times, as well as every other monument.

Jacques Anquetil could turn a hopeless situation into a miraculous win. His unprecedented runs of victories in big races was proof of that. None of his exploits, however, compared to what he achieved in 1965.

Ercole Baldini was the brightest star of his generation you probably never heard of. He was brilliant at his peak 60 years ago this year, but he shone all too briefly. 

Briek Schotte was a granite link in the DNA running through Flemish cycling, a big winner with a very long career, both as a rider and as a team manager.