Team Sky’s goals were always huge, but over the seven years fizik supported them, our riders went deeper than deep to transcend every expectation. They rode, raced and lived cycling in ways only the absolute best of the best can.

Created from a desire to snatch Tour de France victory for Britain within five years, Team Sky truly gave it everything – a flood of sweat, no small amount of blood and yes, tears of both joy and pain – for their passion. The result? A massive six Tour de France wins, victory in the Giro d’Italia and victory in the Vuelta de España. Alongside came a slew of hard-fought, beautifully-won road and track dominations around the world.

Amazingly, that first Tour victory came not with five years but just three, in 2012, and was in fact a British one-two for Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome. The team then only had to wait twelve months for a second success, as Froome scooped the historic 100th Tour de France in sensational style.

In Team Sky’s final seasons it dominated the Grand Tours, starting with Froome’s 2017 Tour and Vuelta wins, and continuing into 2018 with his gutwrenching fightback for Giro d’Italia laurels. Welsh legend Geraint Thomas then made it four in a row at that year’s Tour de France. There’s nothing quite like bowing out at the top of your game…

While success made household names of the squad’s highest-profile riders – and a ’Sir’ of Bradley Wiggins, knighted at Buckingham Palace in 2013 – it’s impossible to overlook the achievements, drive and spirit of everyone involved. With its 2019 roster of 29 riders spanning 14 nationalities, Team Sky emphasises team work above all else.

So it’s been an emotional ride, and while the Team Sky story concludes on May 1, 2019, for fizik – as for riders and staff – it’s a new beginning. This summer, London-based multinational Ineos step in as title sponsor, with Team Ineos’ official debut coming at the Tour de Romandie in Switzerland.

Fizik’s partnership continues as strong as ever, and we take this opportunity both to thank Sky for seven fantastic years and welcome Ineos. Here’s to another magnificent seven!

Clear your diary for Sunday 14^th April, sit back and enjoy the 117^th edition of Paris-Roubaix, comprising 257km and 29 sections of pave covering 54.5km. The ‘Queen of the Classics’ is arguably the most prestigious one-day race in cycling and begins in Compiegne, situated to the east of the French capital, before finishing in the iconic open-air velodrome at Roubaix.

In between the riders face debilitating cobbles with the Troueé d’Arenberg (164.5km), Mons-en-Pévèle (212km) and Carrefour de l’Arbre (242.5km) given five-star status as the hardest and longest of the race. There’s a degree of respite before then with the 29 sectors of pave not beginning until the 97km mark. The biggest crowds of the day are often reserved for sector 5 (Camphin-en-Pévèle, 239.5km) and sector 4 (Carrefour de l’Arbre) where the final attacks are typically made.

Will the biggest cheers be reserved for Philippe Gilbert (Infinito R1 shoes)? The 36-year-old legend made his Paris-Roubaix debut in 2018 and looked strong in the lead group before suffering from hydration issues. Has he learnt his fuelling lesson second time around?

After a strong ride for World Champion Alejandro Valverde at Sunday’s Tour of Flanders, Movistar Team’s hopes now rest on Belgian Jurgen Roelandts’ shoulders. The 33-year-old has been putting in some fine rides in the early part of the 2019 campaign – his first season with the Spanish team – and will relish the lead role, with support from a squad including the experience of Daniele Bennati, 38, and the youth of Jamie Castrillo who has just turned 23.

Team Sky’s attacking intent could come from any number of riders. Dylan van Baarle lit up last Sunday’s Tour of Flanders, forging a four-man breakaway for 20km of the 266km test. Van Baarle was reeled in but dug deep – again – in the final kilometer but lost out in a group sprint. Gianni Moscon and Luke Rowe both have Paris-Roubaix top-10s on their palmares.

Wout van Aert leads Team Jumbo-Visma off the back of an assured Milan-Sanremo, third at Strade Bianche and second at the E3 BinckBank Classic. In his second Roubaix appearance, he’ll look for protection from the experienced Amund Grondahl Jansen and Maarten Wynants.

AG2R La Mondiale has real strength in depth at Paris-Roubaix, specifically with Silvan Dillier and Oliver Naesen. Dillier was the only rider capable of staying with Peter Sagan at the 2018 edition, the two leaders entering the velodrome together before the Slovak pipped the Swiss at the line. Naesen has enjoyed spring, finishing second at Milan-Sanremo and third at Gent-Wevelgem… can the 28-year-old turn them into victory come Sunday 14^th?

The 103^rd edition of de Ronde van Vlaanderen – the Tour of Flanders – takes place on Sunday 7^th April, 270.1km of parcours featuring a staggering 17 hills and five stretches of pave. It’s the second monument of the season after March’s Milan-Sanremo where AGR2 La Mondiale’s Oliver Naesen and Team Sky’s Michal Kwiatkowski finished second and third, respectively.

The riders ‘enjoy’ their first taste of the cobbles after 80km on the Lippenhovenstraat and Paddestraat. The cobbled climb up Oude Kwaremont makes its first appearance after 120km and then, with around 170km on the clock, the riders hit the Wall of Geraardsbergen. The legendary 1km ascent maxes out at 20% before cresting beside the iconic chapel. The closing Paterberg is only 360m long but averages 12.9%, peaks at 20.3% and could decide the race. But which of cycling’s hardmen will win?

You can’t ignore 2017 winner Philippe Gilbert (he was wearing R1B shoes then and rides Infinito R1 now) who would love to improve on his third place last year, albeit abandoning through sickness in Wednesday’s Dwars doors Vlaanderen casts doubts. As for other leading contenders…

Movistar Team’s World Champion Alejandro Valverde is making his Flanders debut. The 38-year-old suggests his inexperience on the pave might prevent victory but cycling is nothing if not unpredictable. And, of course, El Bala will have experienced Belgian teammate Jurgen Roelandts alongside him. Nelson Oliveira also showed good form attacking at Dwars doors Vlaanderen.

Luke Rowe heads into Flanders for Team Sky, looking strong at Dwars doors Vlaanderen. The longer distance – 270.1km versus 182km – could play into the Welshman’s hands. He’ll be supported by the likes of Gianni Moscon and Christian Knees.

Wout van Aert only joined the Dutch Team Jumbo-Visma on 1^st March but has already finished sixth at Milan-San Remo, third at Strade Bianche and second at the E3 BinckBank Classic. It’s why many have the three-time Cyclocross World Champion as their favorite. It’d be one of the most remarkable stories in the history of cycling if the 24-year-old can claim the Flanders crown.

AG2R La Mondiale’s Oliver Naesen’s third at Gent-Wevelgem is proof of the Belgian’s form. Aligned with the fact 69 of the previous editions of Tour of Flanders have been won by a Belgian, it’s clear to see why many are tipping the 28-year-old as the man to beat. His powerful team includes the experienced Tony Gallopin and Silvan Dillier.

The 74^th edition of Dwars door Vlaanderen, to be raced on Wednesday 3^rd April, serves up a familiar mix of cobbles and Flemish hills. The Belgian race starts in Roeselare and finishes 182.8km later in Waregem. In- between, the rides tackle 11 climbs and three stretches of pavé. Notable climbs include the Nieuwe Kwaremont after 80km; the Knokteberg, covered twice; and the 500m (5.7%) Nokereberg, which is the last ascent and is crested 9km before the finish line. On paper, it could play into the hands of Philippe Gilbert (Infinito R1 shoes) or these world-class riders…

Movistar Team’s World Champion Alejandro Valverde (Infinito R1 Iride shoes and 00 Iride saddle) was building form at the recent Volta Ciclista a Catalunya, and lines up for the second successive year targeting Dwars door Vlaanderen in his build-up to the Tour of Flanders on Sunday 7^th April.

Team Sky’s Luke Rowe saw a strong performance at Sunday’s Gent-Wevelgem, making the elite 18-man breakaway along with a massive solo effort in the final 50km to bridge back to the leading four. Look out for the Welshman threatening the lead at Dwars door Vlaanderen.

Danny van Poppel leads the Dutch Team Jumbo-Visma off the back of a fine ride at Gent-Wevelgem. The 25-year-old will look forward to an even stronger showing at Dwars door Vlaanderen, ably supported by the likes of Timo Roosen and Amund Grondahl Jansen.

Oliver Naesen (Antares R1 saddle and Infinito R1 shoes) continued his impressive spring with second at Sunday’s Gent-Wevelgem to add to his podium at Milan-Sanremo. AG2R La Mondiale’s 28-year-old Belgian will be a strong contender to mount the top step of the podium on Wednesday.

The renamed E3 BinckBank Classic, formerly E3 Harelbeke, takes place on Friday 29^th March and begins 10 days of glorious racing in Flanders. The parcours features 15 punchy climbs – ‘helligen’ – which are mainly concentrated into the second part of the 203.9km route. A number of cobbled section also appear in the latter stages, with increasing frequency in the final 50km, providing opportunities and danger in equal measure. The last 19km are flat, offering other opportunities, as last year’s second-placed Philippe Gilbert (Infinito R1 shoes) discovered – can he go one better this year? An impressive peloton of WorldTour riders line up including…

MOVISTAR TEAM 

Belgium’s Jürgen Roeland’s leads the Spanish team and is assisted by a mainly Spanish cast including José Joaquin Rojas, Carlos Barbero and Jorge Arcas. The 33-year-old has enjoyed a relatively modest start to 2019 but has a style proven to suit this terrain and may go under the radar in his new blue Movistar jersey.

TEAM SKY

Sky has several chances of victory in the form of Luke Rowe, Gianni Moscon, Ian Stannard and Owain Doull. Rowe already has 26 days of racing in his legs so will be physically and tactically primed to challenge. Moscon has far fewer race miles in his legs but will look to improve upon his eighth in 2018. And don’t rule out Doull and Stannard. Doull recorded the best result of his career to date with second at the recent Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, while at 31, Stannard’s strength is suited to the cobbles and climbs of E3.

TEAM JUMBO-VISMA

Three-time Cyclocross World Champion Wout van Aert leads the Dutch team, less than a month after joining. The 24-year-old Belgian’s certainly made an impressive impression, finishing third and sixth at Strade Bianche and Milan-Sanremo, respectively. Also look out for Danny van Poppel if E3 comes down to an albeit unlikely sprint finish.

AG2R LA MONDIALE

Oliver Naesen is one of the race favorites and with good reason. The 28-year-old Belgian finished second at last Saturday’s Milan-Sanremo and third and fourth at E3 in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Naesen (Antares R1 saddle and Infinito R1 shoes) is supported by a strong sextet including 2018 Paris-Roubaix runner-up Silvan Dillier.

COFIDIS

The French ProContinental team will look to the likes of experienced Belgian rider Dimitri Claeys to keep in contention of what’s sure to be a challenging opening to the main cobbles season.

A hugely entertaining 110th edition of Milan-Sanremo – the first Monument of the season – resulted in a thrilling sprint finish, with AG2R La Mondiale’s Oliver Naesen taking second place, fractionally ahead of Team Sky’s Michal Kwiatkowski, who was in search of a second win to match his 2017 victory.

“La Primavera”, the longest race on the WorldTour calendar, saw breakaways and attacks as each team pitted their wits and watts against each other, and against the classic Italian course. Its climbs, culminating in the Poggio just 5k before the finish split the field, but left a tight group of world-class riders – including World Champion Alejandro Valverde of Movistar Team – to battle for the podium places.

A late sprint to the line on the Via Roma saw the 28-year-old former Belgian national champion Naesen, and the former World Champion and current Polish champion Kwiatkowski take second and third, having covered the 291km in 6h40’14”, at an average speed of 43.625kph.

“It’s something unbelievable for me. It’s my first podium at a Monument so it’s something that I will cherish. I was hoping for a podium, but I didn’t expect it. This is not a race that suits me well, but now I’m ready for the cobbled Classics in my home country of Belgium,” said Naesen.

“Of course it’s a good result to be on the podium but when you’re so close to the victory of course you’re thinking if you could have done anything better to win it. It would have been a dream to win today… I’m very happy that Team Sky gave me the opportunity to go for another one,” said Kwiatkowski.

Congratulations to both riders for a superb result after an exciting – and very long – day in the saddle.

The 110th edition of La Primavera – “the spring” – is almost upon us. On Saturday 23 March, Milan-Sanremo, the first Monument of the year, will be contested by some of the world’s best riders from all of the world’s best teams. It’s a unique event that holds a special status for riders and fans alike.

At 291km it’s the longest one-day race on the calendar, and after the classic sequence of the “Capi” – Capo Mele, Capo Cervo and Capo Berta – the last of its hill is the Poggio, at just 5km to go. The final 2km are on flat, smooth tarmac, allowing the ‘fast wheels’ opportunities ahead of the finish line on the Via Rome in San Remo. With or without help from the weather it tests all types of riders – and presents chances for all kinds of specialists.

The last three editions have seen the winner decided by a solo breakaway, a group breakaway and a bunch sprint. So it’s understandable that the teams all take a different strategy, and a squad to reflect that. It’s often also a hugely interesting tactical battle, and a race where teamwork can pay off… Michal Kwiatkowski, for example, always considers his 2017 triumph to be a victory for Team Sky.

Kwiatkowski won Strade-Bianche that year on the way to Milan-Sanremo and this year his preparation was being part of the successful Paris-Nice campaign that saw a podium 1-2-3 for Team Sky’s Egan Bernal, Movistar Team’s Nairo Quintana and Kwiatkowski. Elsewhere, the other ‘warm-up’ races saw Team Jumbo-Visma’s Wout van Aert claim a ‘White Roads’ podium spot and his teammate Primoz Roglic storm to his second stage race GC win of the year at Tirreno-Adriatico.

Here’s who to look out for in the squads:

Movistar Team lead with World Champion Alejandro Valverde and feature the experienced Classics specialist Jurgen Roelandts. Team Jumbo-Visma have drafted in sprinter Dylan Groenewegen (winner of the first two stages at Paris-Nice) in place of the injured Timo Roosen, alongside Belgain Wout van Aert. For Team Sky, look out for Kwiatkowski. And many people are excited to see what Romain Bardet can do at Milan-Sanremo after his steady GC 5th position at Paris-Nice for AG2R La Mondiale.

The seven-day “Race of the Two Seas” is a hugely popular event, with the WorldTour’s best riders competing in the beautiful yet challenging race from Italy’s west coast to its east coast. This year’s edition – the 54th, running from 13 to 19 March – boasts a start list that’s a who’s who of current cycling greats set to fight for the Neptune’s Trident trophy. And this year’s race just got even harder with route modifications that include a series of tough climbs – “muri” (walls) – through central Italy.

The traditional Tirreno-Adriatico time trials are retained – starting with a TTT and ending with an ITT – along with sprinter stages, but the new punchy climbs add another dimension to the stage hunters and the overall General Classification competition.

Some of the riders will have competed Strade Bianche and many combine it with the long one-day Milano-Sanremo race the following weekend. Many use it as a springboard for the Giro d’Italia…

Watch out for these riders

Some commentators are so impressed with Primoz Roglic’s form – particularly at the UAE Tour right across TT, sprint, climbing and of course his convincing GC crown – that they have him as favorite for Tirreno-Adriatico. Of course it might not be that simple, but with a super Team Jumbo-Visma squad including the big Dutch engines Robert Gesink, Jos van Emden, German TT master Tony Martin and exciting young Belgian Laurens De Plus, the Dutch outfit could conceivably win on all fronts.

Team Sky’s Tour de France champion Geraint Thomas will be looking for another podium, but won’t be looking up to Michal Kwiatkowski – the pole does not return to defend the title he won last year. Instead, look for stage wins and domestique support duties from Gianni Moscon and Wout Poels.

Even without double Tirreno-Adriatico winner Nairo Quintana, who heads to Paris-Nice, the Movistar Team list includes Spaniard José Rojas, Ecuadorian climbing machine Richard Carapaz and Portuguese powerhouse Nelson Oliviera.

AG2R La Mondiale’s seven-man squad includes the young German Nico Denz and the combative Swiss Silvan Dillier alongside Frenchmen Alexis Vuillermoz and Clement Venturini.

Leading the line for Cofidis is French sprinter Nacer Bouhanni, with support from his compatriot Julien Simon amongst others including the Eritraen all-rounder Natnael Berhane and the Belgian Kenneth Van.

The first Italian WorldTour race on the calendar, to truly open the 2019 campaign, Tuscany’s ‘emerging classic’, Strade Bianche has quickly become a fixture on the early season calendar that riders target and fans eagerly anticipate. This year’s edition is on Saturday 9 March.

Amongst the Spring Classics that test riders and machines with their cobbles, Strade Bianche throws the curveball challenge of multiple gravel and sand sectors, along with climbs. These non-asphalt sectors are the “white roads” that give the race its name – and unmistakable appearance, as the harshness of the race is juxtaposed with the beauty of the Tuscan landscape.

Along with the gravel, grit and sand under the riders’ tires the early March weather often plays a part in the story. Wind, rain, hail and even snow has helped Strade Bianche create not just a tough race, but the opportunity for images that last long on the retina and the camera lens… there’s simply nothing quite like it.

Another image that the racers and fans alike all value is in the race’s host city, the unique charm of Siena. It’s not just the dusty, roads that make Strade Bianche iconic – it’s the close association with this very special start and finish location. After the riders climb the Via Santa Caterina, the finish at the world famous mediaeval square – the Piazza del Campo – is a selfie waiting to happen.

First staged in 2007, Strade Bianche achieved UCI WorldTour status in 2017. The 2019 men’s route is 184km long with 11 gravel sectors, totalling around 63km. It’s hard race, so the teams pack talent into their squads:

Who to watch

Movistar Team blend experience with pace and power in their seven-rider men’s line-up, with explosive Ecuadorian Richard Carapaz and Colombian Classics danger-man Carlos Betancur flanked by Portuguese Nelson Oliviera and Spaniards José Rojas and Eduard Prades. In the 136km Women’s WorldTour race, featuring 31.4km of gravel, Movistar Women Team’s six riders are led by the experienced French road champion Aude Biannic and Spanish former cyclocross champ Alicia Gonzalez.

Although Michal Kwiatkowski isn’t going for a record-equalling third Strade Bianche win this year, the Team Sky pack is filled with aces, with 2018 Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas looking to embellish his strong Classics record in his Strade Bianche debut, and in-form Gianni Moscon ready to impress on home soil.

Team Jumbo-Visma have sent their new Belgian cyclocross ace Wout van Aert to Tuscany, where he was part of the exciting 2018 podium breakaway. The former CX World Champion feels at home on any surface, and expects robust support from Danny van Poppel amongst others.

While there’s no Bardet this year for AG2R La Mondiale, their lead Frenchman is the hugely talented Tour de France White Jersey Pierre Latour. The squad includes Silvan Dillier – a real Swiss Army knife of a rider – who has what it takes to make an impact on the Classics.

At the top level of 2018 road racing we saw strength, skill, bravery and risk from fizik riders… we witnessed teamwork and togetherness but also spirited individual brilliance. There were decisions made on pre-determined calculations, and others that can only be the sheer gut instinct of a racer who knows when to go – it’s the raw passion for winning that lights the flame within all racing fans. We all share that passion, but only the very best can translate it into performances that put all the others in the shade… performances like these:

Thomas wins the Tour on the Alpe d’Huez

The loyal lieutenant, the super-domestique, and one of the most popular riders in today’s peloton, few foresaw Team Sky’s Geraint Thomas as the 2018 Tour de France winner – but that’s exactly what he became.

The Welshman started in Noirmoutier-en-l’Île as the number one support act to four-time TdF winner Froome, but soon found himself with the strongest position of the GC contenders, triggering a series of question…

Could Thomas step out of the shadows and hang on to the lead? Will the other contenders overhaul him Would team orders dictate Thomas handing the win to Froome?

The Welshman did most to answer the questions with a sublime attack over the Alpe d’Huez – the first British rider to do so – which made hairs stand up on necks.

Backed up with another mountain-top stage win in San Bernando, Thomas enjoyed 11 days in in the maillot jaune on his way to Paris.

Valverde wins the Worlds on Höttinger Höll

Perhaps we left the most emotionally charged win til last, with the smiles of El Bala in Innsbruck, Austria.

Six times previously on the World Champs podium, but never before on the top step, the 38-year-old Spaniard pulled off one of the finest performances of his career to tame the ‘Hell’ hill no fewer than seven times, and see off a final selection of three other top class riders to sprint it home in Innsbruck.