How a Canadian snagged North America’s first Tour de France yellow jersey 40 years ago

Since 2010, a small company based in Granby, Que., has worked with more than 150 brands in the bike industry, largely in secret. Faction Bike Studio is part bike-development laboratory, part industry think-tank. Until recently, it’s been happy to provide its services to brands big and small in the background. But for the past two years, it’s been coming out of the shadows, giving glimpses of just what it does and its significant influence.In this episode, Faction Bike Studio product and marketing manager Adam Robbins reveals a bit more about what goes on at the company. Is it hard keeping secrets? And why is Faction now discussing the things that it does more openly? Robbins also talks about how Faction works with select partners, including Asa Vermette and Neko Mulally of Frameworks Racing, Andrew L’Esperance and Dangerholm (Gustav Gullholm) on projects that push the bike technology forward, but not always in obvious ways. Find out more about where cycling technology is at and where it might be going from an inside perspective.This episode is supported by Altitude Sports. [This collaboration is part of an advertising campaign managed by the agency Podpass for Altitude Sports.]Save up to 20 per cent off on your first order with code CYCLINGMAGAZINE2026Shop at Altitude Sports: https://bit.ly/altitude-cyclingmagazine2026Valid on regular-priced items only. Limited-time offer. One use per customer. Cannot be combined with other promotions or membership discounts.CHAPTERS08:38 What is Faction Bike Studio?16:11 Is it hard to keep secrets?24:14 Faction’s role in Asa Vermette’s World Cup winning bike29:54 Inside the rise of the 32-inch wheel36:18 Is it fun working at Faction?42:25 A glimpse at the big developments in the bike industry46:03 Why Faction is becoming more open about what it does

On Aug. 22, Eve Buczkowski, a 17-year-old rider from Talbotville, Ont., won the points race in Heusden-Zolder at the junior track cycling world championships. At first, she couldn’t believe it. She didn’t trust the leaderboard. After all, she was sure she was racing for second place. But the cheering by the Canadians in the stands was so strong. Buczkowski figured there must be an elaborate joke because she just didn’t expect to get a world championship title.In this episode of the Canadian Cycling Magazine Podcast, the up-and-coming track cycling talent discusses how that victory came about, as well as some of the challenges of mixing track and road cycling (hint: it has to do with the rear hub) and the role her local cycling scene—one with deep roots in the sport—played in her burgeoning cycling career.This episode is supported by Altitude Sports. [This collaboration is part of an advertising campaign managed by the agency Podpass for Altitude Sports.]Save up to 20 per cent off on your first order with code CYCLINGMAGAZINE2026Shop at Altitude Sports: https://bit.ly/altitude-cyclingmagazine2026Valid on regular-priced items only. Limited-time offer. One use per customer. Cannot be combined with other promotions or membership discounts.CHAPTERS8:27 Introducing Eve Buczkowski, world champion11:24 Could the big win just be some kind of prank?16:59 The region, rich in cycling history, that built a champion23:45 On mixing track and road cycling disciplines29:31 Eve Buczkowski’s pre-race superstition32:21 Eve Buczkowski looking to the future

This is the information you need, from Canadian riders, before the world championships.Just ahead of the road cycling world championships in Montreal, four elite Canadian riders on the men’s squad spoke about what they’d face. All of them discussed what home-road advantage could mean.Derek Gee-West says he had images of the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal shaping his perception of the world championships, but as the days draw nearer to worlds, Gee-West is appreciating just how big the weeklong event is going to be.Pier-André Côté is looking to balance the focus required for racing against the best in the world and enjoying a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with worlds in his home province.Nickolas Zukowsky thinks it’s a different style of rider who can win the world championship road race compared with the type who wins the Montreal GP.Michael Leonard knows the style of racing will be different from WorldTour events as second-tier riders step into leadership positions for their national teams.Rider videos by Nick Iwanyshyn. https://nickiwanyshyn.format.com/This episode is supported by Altitude Sports. [This collaboration is part of an advertising campaign managed by the agency Podpass for Altitude Sports.]Save up to 20 per cent off on your first order with code CYCLINGMAGAZINE2026Shop at Altitude Sports: https://bit.ly/altitude-cyclingmagazine2026Valid on regular-priced items only. Limited-time offer. One use per customer. Cannot be combined with other promotions or membership discounts.CHAPTERS7:47 Derek Gee-West: Team Canada leadership and the scope of the world championships12:36: Pier-André Côté: Balancing the business of racing with a special opportunity 16:47 Nickolas Zukowsky: Hard to say who can win the worlds, which makes the racing exciting21:59 Michael Leonard: ‘The best riders don’t necessarily have the best teams’ 

In this episode, world champion Magdeleine Vallières Mill looks back at her year in the rainbow jersey and ahead to defending it in Montreal. Her win in Kigali at the 2025 road world championships meant she was no longer an “incognito” rider, as she describes herself prior to that achievement. She went from playing the role of a key domestique to a leader, a position that doesn’t come naturally to her, but one she’s continuing to hone. She gives a glimpse as to how things might play out on the roads of Montérégie and Montreal this September.Also, she talks about corn, her favourite, and is presented with a dad joke to go with her new helmet.This episode is supported by Altitude Sports. [This collaboration is part of an advertising campaign managed by the agency Podpass for Altitude Sports.]Save up to 20 per cent off on your first order with code CYCLINGMAGAZINE2026Shop at Altitude Sports: https://bit.ly/altitude-cyclingmagazine2026Valid on regular-priced items only. Limited-time offer. One use per customer. Cannot be combined with other promotions or membership discounts.CHAPTERS13:21 A custom helmet leads to a fantastic, or terrible, dad joke20:26 Surprising aspects of being a world champion24:29 A look at Canada’s elite women’s team for worlds in Montreal26:34 The style of race that could benefit the Canadians29:36 The part of the world championship route that Magdeleine Vallières Mill is looking forward to

In this episode, an expert aerodynamicist looks at the major improvements you can make using the latest in aero advancements to go faster on your bike. Ingmar Jungnickel was once on-staff at Specialized and is now the founder of AiRO, an app that a bike fitter can use to improve your on-bike aerodynamics. His approach to making gains is simple: go for the big improvements. That philosophy runs counter to the oft-cited “marginal gains” theory of going faster. Find out Jungnickel’s thinking behind those big gains.  He also discusses the topic of chest fairings and/or bra doping that came to the fore at this year's Tour de France Femmes. He’s run the numbers, which take some of the stuffing out of the theory. For all riders looking to improve their speed, Jungnickel has recommendations and approaches you can all explore.  This episode is supported by Altitude Sports. [This collaboration is part of an advertising campaign managed by the agency Podpass for Altitude Sports.] Save up to 20 per cent off on your first order with code CYCLINGMAGAZINE2026 Shop at Altitude Sports: https://bit.ly/altitude-cyclingmagazine2026 Valid on regular-priced items only. Limited-time offer. One use per customer. Cannot be combined with other promotions or membership discounts. CHAPTERS 13:30 Bra doping and effectiveness of chest fairings 26:37 How trustworthy are bike manufacturers’ aero claims 33:53 Why it’s more effective to go after big gains instead of marginal gains 37:24 How the AiRO app works 42:07 Work on your form, not just your fitness 54:03 What equipment gives you the more significant aero gains 57:39 How to improve your aerodynamic form on-bike

In this episode, Canadian cycling legend Svein Tuft shares insights on staying fast and healthy approaching 50, his views on longevity and AI, and his latest adventures in FKTs and remote rides. He draws on his extensive experience in bikepacking and ultra-distance riding, offering insights into route planning and personal resilience. He also delves into his evolving relationship with technology and gear. Plus, updates from the cycling world including concerns about bra doping at the Tour de France Femmes, highlights from Crankworx Whistler and a notable performance at the Commonwealth Games. This episode is supported by Altitude Sports. [This collaboration is part of an advertising campaign managed by the agency Podpass for Altitude Sports.] Save up to 20 per cent off on your first order with code CYCLINGMAGAZINE2026 Shop at Altitude Sports: https://bit.ly/altitude-cyclingmagazine2026 Valid on regular-priced items only. Limited-time offer. One use per customer. Cannot be combined with other promotions or membership discounts. CHAPTERS 10:21 Svein Tuft Introduction and his Jumbo Wild 600 Route 16:55 Tips for Planning Big Bikepacking Routes 23:55 Honing the Critical Skill of Responding to Life-Threatening Situations on the Trail 29:00 Staying Fast and Healthy as 50 Approaches 36:33 True Longevity vs. Longevity Bro Bio-hacks 44:33 Svein Tuft’s Relationship with Gear: Past and Present 52:31 Getting Started in Bikepacking: Equipment Tips

Meaghan Hackinen has a habit of breaking ultra-distance cycling records. Recently, the Kelowna, B.C., rider set the women’s fastest known time for the iconic Tour Divide route. On this episode of the Canadian Cycling Magazine Podcast, Hackinen shares her journey to setting new records in ultra-cycling, training strategies, gear choices and the importance of sleep and sobriety in performance. Check out her insights into managing long-distance rides and preparing for unpredictable conditions. Also, editors Matthew Pioro and Matt Hansen discuss cross country nationals and the Tour de l’Abitibi. There’s up-and-coming talent to look out for. This episode is supported by Altitude Sports. [This collaboration is part of an advertising campaign managed by the agency Podpass for Altitude Sports.] Save up to 20 per cent off on your first order with code CYCLINGMAGAZINE2026 Shop at Altitude Sports: https://bit.ly/altitude-cyclingmagazine2026 Valid on regular-priced items only. Limited-time offer. One use per customer. Cannot be combined with other promotions or membership discounts. Chapters 13:39 Meaghan Hackinen: Training for an ultra-distance ride like the Tour Divide 16:56 Getting started in ultra cycling: Tips for beginners 21:37 The importance of sleep in ultra-racing 31:11 What happens when you give your bike a name 37:07 Where a beginner should start with ultra-cycling gear 39:26 The impact of sobriety on performance 44:20 Safety tips for solo female travellers

The big 32-inch wheels are coming. They’ve already rolled through multi-stage mountain bike races, XC World Cups, gravel competitions and DH runs. For some, they provoke eye-rolls as the bike industry pursues yet another standard whether you want it or not. But you'll see more of them soon. Geoff Kabush, mountain bike legend, underbiking advocate and long-time gear-head, has seen all this before. He started mountain biking on 26-inch wheels and experienced the rise (and growing pains) of 29ers. With 32s, he’s already been experimenting. In May 2025, he rode a custom-built hardtail with 32”-wheels near Fox’s office in North Carolina to explore bike geometry on the big hoops. He’s also worked with Sam Whittingham of Naked Bicycles based on B.C.’s Quadra Island, where Whittingham made a 32-inch-wheel gravel bike that Kabush is riding. This episode of the Canadian Cycling Magazine Podcast features a look at the nuances of the new wheel size. Kabush talks about how geometry is evolving. “Butt clearance,” the room a rider’s rear end needs when their weight is back over the rear wheel, comes up. He also reveals how he can feel a bit of guilt when pushing test equipment to failure, especially with an emerging technology in which spares are in short supply. And Kabush has practical tire tips, too. Have a listen.

July 5, 2026 is a special date. It will mark 40 years since a Canadian, Coquitlam, B.C.’s Alex Stieda, went on an audacious breakaway and secured the yellow jersey. For a brief moment, Stieda led the Tour de France. He was the first Canadian as well as the first male North American to do so. This episode of the Canadian Cycling Magazine Podcast features a close look at Stieda’s historic ride. The discussion starts with his early years in cycling. (“What? Were you bad at hockey?”) In 1980, he won the Tour de l’Abitibi. He took the bronze medal in individual pursuit at the 1982 Commonwealth Games in Australia. Then it was on to the 1984 L.A. Olympics for track cycling. By 1986, he had turned pro. That year, his team, the groundbreaking U.S. outfit 7-Eleven, got an invitation to the Tour de France. For the first official stage of the event, Stieda cooked up a plan that he kept mostly to himself. Find out, from the Canadian Cycling Hall of Famer himself, how it all went down.

Sometimes, a gravel champion of multiple nations simply finds himself without a floor pump. A few weeks ago, Benjamin Perry was in need of such a tool at Unbound Gravel, the premier gravel race on the calendar. Perry, who’s based in Gerona, wasn’t able to pack a pump for his North American trip. “Then, I was going around the hotel waiting for somebody to come out of a room who looked like a cyclist,” he said. “In Emporia around Unbound week, it's pretty easy to find somebody who has a floor pump, so it's not the end of the world.” Still, having to search for a pump to set his tires for a big event is quite the contrast to his days as a professional road racer, when his teams would take care of all the logistics and maintenance. Elite gravel—it requires a lot of hustle. For the past three seasons, Perry has been making his way as a privateer racing on mixed surfaces. He’s had successes, including his 2025 Canadian gravel championship title. (He’s set to defend in a few days. He faces serious competition.) This year, he competed in the Catalan championships, and won, putting him in the strange situation of being a non-Catalan with that community’s champion’s jersey. He’s also had multiple top-10 finishes at major races this season. Yet sometimes, Perry has to scramble for parts. This episode of the Canadian Cycling Magazine Podcast features a deep dive into the world of elite gravel racing with Benjamin Perry. It's a lively chat as Perry brings his trademark humour to the topics of racing, equipment and fuelling. The pro also has top tips for anyone interested in racing the world’s toughest gravel events.