It’s the best week of the year, Paris-Roubaix is here. Rejoice. Does anything else matter? Not really, but on we go.
Here’s what you’ll need to prepare yourself for Sunday by the TV/tablet/whatever device you watch your dodgy streams on:
To keep you ticking over until Sunday, because they annoyingly moved the women’s race from Saturday to join the men on the same day, here’s some cool new products.
Continental Grand Prix 5000 S TR 35mm
This first one is self-explanatory. Continental has added a 35mm width to its Grand Prix 5000 S TR performance range to account for the increased demand for wider road tyres that don’t sacrifice racing performance.
They’re certainly not the only brand heading in this direction, but given GP5000’s popularity it may move the needle on riders actually making the jump more than others.
Continental claims the 35mm tyres weigh 380g, and they’ve also been released alongside a new 30mm version of the GP5000 TT TR tyres, which we saw Tadej Pogačar using at the Tour of Flanders.
Favero Assioma Pro RL power meter pedals
Favero’s latest addition to its Assioma Pro power meter pedals range are the Look Keo-compatible RL pedals. They use the same technology as the other Assioma pedals, with all the tech and electronic housed in the spindle, which both helps with accuracy and interchangeability between pedal bodies and allows Favero to optimise the pedal body itself. The Italian company claims that results in a 130g total weight per pedals, which it says makes them the lightest available Look-compatible power pedals that have adjustable release tension.
Data-wise, the Assioma Pro RLs will give you stats on power, cadence, left/right balance (for the dual-sided ones), Platform Center Offset (which tells you how you’re distributing force across the pedals for technique and fit support), Power Phase (which shows where in the pedal stroke you’re producing positive torque), Rider Position, Pedal Smoothness and Torque Effectiveness, and Favero says the battery lasts up to 160 hours per charge.
Look Keo Grip cleats
We’re not done with Look yet. While those pedals do come with Favero’s own take on the genre, Look has also made new, grippy version of its cleats (which are compatible with the Favero pedals).
The Keo Grip cleats feature wider front and rear grips to make them easier to walk on and to improve overall durability. They also include a Silent Float insert at the back to make movement smoother and quieter, as well as to limit wear.
Aztec HexVent brake pads
Aztec’s new HexVent disc brake pads look like the perfect spot to find some honey, but they’re actually designed to reduced heat transfer and reduce brake fade.
They use a patented hollow backplate that reduces heat transfer between the brake pad and the piston and prevents brake fluid vaporisation. The improved heat dissipation from both the air-cooling channel and a greater surface area also helps to reduce brake fade.
What we’re into this week: Paris-Roubaix
Always has been, always will be cycling’s greatest product. This weekend’s winners will be Mathieu van der Poel and Marianne Vos. I’m expecting big things also from Per Strand Hagenes, Daan Hoole, my GOAT Iván García Cortina, Lieke Nooijen, Millie Couzens, Amber Kraak and Zoe Bäckstedt.
And here’s my ongoing playlist of music I like at the moment if you fancy it: