The Radavist

Like its predecessor, Drive to Survive, the new Netflix Unchained series seeks to humanize the World Tour’s automaton-seeming athletes that make up professional road cycling’s peloton. But as the exploding gravel scene in the U.S. faces “growing pains,” Nic Morales wonders if the effects of Unchained’s inevitable popularity will remain culturally abstract, or if they will serve to usher in an era of Road 2.0 on America’s gravel roads. Read on for Nic’s reaction to the series in this latest installment of The Dust-Up, our ongoing opinion column.

Today, Brian ‘Safa’ Wagner, cyclist and filmmaker, announced in a video on his YouTube channel that he and two of his talented friends—Alex Colorito (videographer) and Taylor Dawson (cyclist)—are departing on Saturday (July 2, 2023) for a European bike adventure. Over ten days, the crew will enjoy a route that crosses the Pyrenees and includes a total distance of 1,000 kilometers and 22,000 meters of climbing. They will depart from San Sebastian, Spain—one day after the Tour de France Grand Départ—pedal over iconic cols and mountain passes in France, through Andorra, and then descend into Barcelona to complete their route.

Photo (cropped) by S J Hockett

Yesterday during the Giro d’Italia team presentation, EF Pro Cyling unveiled their collaboration with London-based skate brand Palace skateboards. Yes, this collab is insane. Yes, that’s a duck. Yes, there’s more information to come, so sit tight, but for now, check out some high res shots of the Cannondale Super Six EVO and System Six bikes below…

In a surprise turn of events, today Floyd Landis – ex-pro pedaller turned CBD supplement pedler – announced he is going to start a new professional cycling team, Floyd’s Of Leadville (FOLPCT). This is big news and while the official roster for the team has yet to be finalized, FOLPCT is predicted to have a number of athletes available in the aftermath of longtime US pro teams like Jelly Belly-Maxxis and UnitedHealthcare losing their primary sponsorships for 2019.

From the official press-release:

“Landis’ company Floyd’s of Leadville will serve as title sponsor for the new team, which will be based out of Canada. Landis launched Floyd’s Of Leadville in 2016 to sell hemp and CBD products designed to alleviate soreness in athletes, inspired by the former racer’s own long journey competing and living with chronic pain.

Creating this new pro team is an act of good faith on his part, and an effort to regain trust after the scandals of the Lance Armstrong years. “I understand I hurt the cycling community,” Landis said. “Now I’d like to take all proceeds I made from the settlement and put it back where it belongs, on the development of aspiring pro cyclists.”

The Floyd’s of Leadville team roster is expected to be announced in the coming months.”

… with Tony Martin. Here’s the latest from Milliman for SRAM.