CYCLIST SHOP

Switzerland is home to so many iconic climbs that other nations want to borrow them: the Tour de France has dipped into Swiss territory on plenty of occasions and this year the Giro d’Italia will do the same. The 2023 race will take in the stunning Croix de Coeur on stage 13, so we got in ahead of the pros to see what all the fuss is about ourselves. The 11km ascent reaches a height of 2,174m, but compared to this issue’s Classic Climb the Croix de Coeur is a mere appetiser. Over its 41km length, the mighty Pico de Veleta climbs to 3300m, and even in summer there’s no guarantee you’ll reach its peak. Did we make it? You’ll have to pick up an issue to find out.

Issue 139 was much more than just big hills though. We spoke to Orla Chennaoui about how she established herself as the face of pro cycling as lead presenter on Eurosport, got the inside scoop on what ultra-racing in Rwanda is like and definitely didn’t get tipsy on a whiskey-themed ride around Islay. Even our tech topics were top-drawer: we took a first look at the newest Cannondale Supersix Evo, went for a deep dive into the history of Scott’s iconic Addict and tested the rowdy YT Szepter, beautiful Basso Diamante and slippery Scott Foil. We may be biased, but we think issue 139 might just be our best issue yet.