The Weekly Spin: Pogačar’s Record, Montmartre Chaos & The Great Tire Debate

Whether your legs are currently feeling the aftermath of a brisk weekend club run or you are simply nursing a double espresso while staring at your pride and joy in the hallway, welcome to The Weekly Spin. 

It has been a cracking week in the world of cycling. From historic feats in the Alps to debates over bike setup, here are the top five stories every roadie needs to know about.

1. Pogačar Rewrites the History Books

Tadej Pogačar has officially wrapped up his fifth Tour de France title, cementing his status among the sport's absolute legends. But the real jaw-dropper came on Alpe d’Huez, where he obliterated Marco Pantani’s 31-year-old climbing record by over a minute. Naturally, Sunday morning café stops across the country were locked in fierce debate: how much of this mind-boggling speed comes down to pure athletic genius, and how much is down to modern 35mm tubeless tyres, massive 1x chainrings, and shovelling 120 grams of carbs down your throat every hour?

2. Montmartre Mayhem in Paris

Who said the final stage into Paris has to be a leisurely parade? Abandoning the traditional

champagne-sipping script, Pogačar and Mathieu van der Poel launched an explosive attack over the cobbled Côte de la Butte Montmartre. MvDP held off a charging peloton to take a thrilling victory on the Champs-Élysées. It was proper old-school Monument racing brought to the final day of a Grand Tour, an absolute treat to watch.

3. The Alpe d’Huez Crowd Dilemma

More than 600,000 spectators packed the 21 iconic hairpin bends over the weekend, creating a wall of sound that felt more like a European football stadium than a mountain pass. While the atmosphere remains a bucket-list spectacle for any amateur cyclist, close calls between encroaching fans and riders flying uphill at nearly 24 km/h have reignited debates about rider safety and crowd management on iconic climbs.

4. Tech Pit Spotting: What’s Coming to Your Local Group Ride?

Post-Tour bike breakdowns revealed the subtle marginal gains powering the pro peloton this year. The biggest takeaways? Custom 3D-printed saddles, clean 1x aero drivetrains, and wider-than-ever tubeless setups designed around 32mm–35mm rims. If you have been looking for an excuse to upgrade your cockpit or drop your tyre pressure for a smoother ride over rough tarmac, the pros have just handed you your justification.

5. Summer Commuter Tension Peaks

Back on local roads, the mid-summer spike in traffic has seen driver-cyclist relations dominate headlines once again. Reports of close passes and road rage incidents have sparked fresh calls for better road positioning, clear communication, and protected infrastructure. It is a timely reminder for all of us: stay visible, hold your primary position when necessary, and stay safe out there.

Over to You

Did Pogačar’s Alpe d’Huez time settle the GOAT debate for you, or are you too busy eyeing up a wider set of tubeless tyres for your bike? 

Drop a comment below or share your weekend ride stats!