On sale nationally (in Australia) as of 07 December 2012. Also available as a digital version on Zinio.

Published by RIDE Media P/L.

Editorial

It would be foolish to ignore the sins of the past and you’ll notice that the opening feature in this issue relates to noise and silence.The release of the USADA’s ‘Reasoned Decision’ was like a bomb going off in cycling but one man has since said very little. The UCI has accepted the judgement handed down in a 200-page document that outlines the cheating, lying and bullying that happened at a time when cycling was supposed to be cleaning up its act. And we all look at Lance Armstrong differently now. He’s the star culprit but there are many others who have been implicated in a great deceit. To finally have a formal ruling on something that has lingered on for years offers enormous relief but, at the same time, great sadness.

We explore the ramifications of the ruling against the deeds of the teams Armstrong and his ilk were involved with but also highlight the performances that have taken place over the past three months. Cycling is different now. There is overwhelming evidence to remind us that what appeared to be too good to be true was indeed just that. It’s taken a long time to come up with a verdict against a generation of cheats and it’ll be a while yet before all the necessary confessions are made.

Doping has brought cycling to its knees, made it look stupid and people now justifiably question what they’ve been cheering for years. An asterisk now sits in the space where a name was once placed. There will be many other necessary denotations to explain the two speeds of racing that have existed in recent times: honest versus dishonest – cheats versus the clean.

Doubt now surrounds some performances but in this issue we also explore the beauty of cycling. We profile riders from a range of disciplines – road, track, cyclocross, mountain bike and even triathlon. There are still plenty of things to celebrate. And it’s with great pleasure that we present a cover shot with a genuine star of the season. The marvelous Ms Marianne Vos crosses the line as the winner of the world championships near her home and in front of her adoring fans.

There are many other stories in this issue that comes at a time when cycling is in desperate need of redemption (again). We have come through a rough patch and suffered short term humiliation and significant losses, but the sport will be better off because of decisions that have been made for a reason. Let’s continue to cherish what we’ve got and enjoy every ride.  Rob

Purchase RIDE #58

RIDE #58– Contents

 • Galleries: Worlds Vuelta, Lombardia and the London Paralympcis. Pictures capturing moments of triumph… by Mark Gunter, Graham Watson, Yuzuru Sunada and Brian Hodes

 

• Why Ride: Note from the publisher. Rob Arnold has had some doubts about cycling but that doesn’t mean he’ll ever stop riding…

 

• Armstrong The reasoned decision. It has been called the biggest doping program in the history of sport – what influence will the reasoned decision have on the sport of cycling.

– Greg, Lance, George and Me: – by Eric Raschke

– A history of doping affairs

– The end of managers careers

 

• Racing: UCI Road World Championships. When the local favourites succeeded

– Marianne Vos: a golden season of victories

– Philipe Gilbert: waiting to win

– 2012 Worlds: the complete results

 

• Racing: Giro di Lombardia  A Spaniard wins the final Monument of the season.

 

• Experience: L’Eroica. For one day each year riders go back in time in Chianti. Andy White took the pilgrimage

 

• Flashback: 50 Years Ago 

 

• Gallery: London Paralympics An inspiring selection of memorable moments from the road and track in London.

 

Race, aero, comfort. Carbon-fibre, steel and titanium. We sample the latest designs and a new twist on a classic. 

• Build Report. Function, workmanship and quality. This is what the mechanic is looking for when pulling each bike apart. The entire experience is detailed.

•  Bianchi Oltre XR Italian racing pedigree, history and technology together in one bike. Shane Lovejoy samples a joy in celeste.

•  Cervélo S5 VWD Rob Arnold rides this lightweight aero ‘dream’ bike, that promises to take your cycling to the next level.

•  Fuji Gran Fondo 1.0 Nick Squillari looks at a bike that will appeal to those looking for more than just a frame for all-day riding fun.

•  Merida Scultura SL Toby Shingleton samples the Taiwanese brand’s opening salvo in the war to win a bigger share of road market.

•  Roberts Racing Compact Classic materials with a modern aesthetic and components – a British legend that should get noticed locally

• Van Nicholas Astraeus Dutch titanium made in Asia. Greg Chalberg tests a blend that impresses with its ride quality and fine detailing.

• Bike Test Specs. Frame sizes, prices, colours, componentry and applicable sizes and ratios. This is where each part of the bike is detailed with additional footnotes of interest.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                             

RIDE Media publishes RIDE Cycling Review, a quarterly magazine all about cycling.
RIDE Cycling Review is now available in a digital format via Zinio.