Author Paul Norman
Paul Norman

Paul Norman

Paul has been writing about bike tech and reviewing all things cycling for almost a decade. He had a five-year stint at Cycling Weekly and has also written for titles including CyclingNews, Cyclist and BikePerfect, as well as being a regular contributor to BikeRadar. Tech-wise, he’s covered everything from rim width to the latest cycling computers. He reviewed some of the first electric bikes for Cycling Weekly and has covered their development into the sophisticated machines they are today, on the way becoming an expert on all things electric. Paul was into gravel before it was even invented, riding a cyclocross bike across the South Downs and along muddy paths through the Chilterns. He dabbled in cross-country mountain biking too. He’s most proud of having covered the length of the South Downs Way on a crosser and fulfilling his long-time ambition to climb Monte Grappa on a road bike

Recent articles by Paul Norman
Milan Fretin Look 795 Blade RS at the 2026 Tour de France.

Milan Fretin‘s Look 795 Blade RS 3 for the Tour de France is stunning – but does the paint really weigh 200g?

Nice paintjob but does it add too much extra weight?
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“Focused on the raw, emotional reality of cycling”: Lapierre launches limited-edition Xelius DRS frameset to celebrate its 80th year

Unique colourway for its flagship road bike launched by the French brand on Bastille Day
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Tadej Pogačar's Colnago Y1Rs at the 2025 Tour de France

The most influential Tour de France tech, ranked

We rate the innovations that have made it from the pro peloton to everyday riders
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08/07/2026 - Tour de France 2026 - Étape 5 - Lannemezan / Pau (158,3 km) - Tobias JOHANNESSEN (UNO-X MOBILITY)

"It’s becoming hotter and hotter every year": how the Tour de France is battling extreme heat

With temperatures across Spain and southern France nudging 40ºC, the Tour and riders are taking exceptional measures
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Belgian rider Wout Van Aert crashes in the Col de Neronne ascent during the 11th stage of the 111th edition of the Tour de France on July 10 2024

How dangerous is the Tour de France? 

Roughly a fifth of pro riders experience a bone fracture as a result of a crash, and cycling's governing body wants to make racing safer
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10.06.26. Cycling Plus. PIC © Andy Lloyd www.andylloyd.photography @andylloyder

Sportful's Supergiara 2 cargo bib shorts are tuned for off-road use, but pricey

Sportful’s gravel cargo bib shorts are compressive with a good seat pad and abrasion resistant outer legs
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PAU, FRANCE - JULY 08: Silvan Dillier of Switzerland and Team Alpecin-Premier Tech leads the peloton during the 113th Tour de France 2026, Stage 5 a 158.3km stage from Lannemezan to Pau / #UCIWT / on July 08, 2026 in Pau, France.

Why do Tour de France cyclists ride together in a group? The peloton explained

The peloton provides easier riding for Tour de France contenders than going it alone
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Shimano neutral service pushing rider.

Why don't Tour de France riders fix their own punctures? Team cars, bike swaps and neutral service explained

Tour de France cyclists used to carry inner tubes and the tools to fix their own flats, but the modern racers have mechanics on hand to help
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Luke Plapp Giant Propel Advanced SL at the 2026 Tour de France

5 new bikes at the 2026 Tour de France weighed and measured

Weights, dimensions and spec details for five pro bikes at the Tour
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Tour-De-France-99 - Lance Armstrong

What does Lance Armstrong really think of Tadej Pogačar?

Armstrong has spoken about the Slovenian several times, and holds him in high regard
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Why are Pogačar and Del Toro riding different bikes?

Too many aces up their sleeves for UAE Team Emirates-XRG?
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BARCELONA, SPAIN - JULY 05: (L-R) Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia - Polka dot Mountain Jersey and stage winner Isaac Del Toro of Mexico and UAE Team Emirates - XRG celebrate at finish line during the 113th Tour de France 2026, Stage 2 a 168.5km stage from Tarragona to Barcelona 109m / #UCIWT / on July 05, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)

Isaac del Toro's stage-winning Colnago V5Rs may sit exactly on the UCI weight limit

UAE heir apparent’s V5Rs is less aero but lighter than Pogačar‘s second-place Y1Rs
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A Tour de France breakaway only has a 2% chance of winning, so why join one?

Breakaways animate the Tour de France, but they rarely lead to victory. We explain why the pros make these foolhardy moves
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Ned Boulting and Matt Stephens cycling commentators

Why is the Tour de France not on ITV?

The Tour de France was a fixture on ITV, providing free-to-air viewing of the world's biggest bike race. But that's all changed with coverage moving to TNT Sports
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Tadej Pogačar's Colnago TT2 at the Tour de France 2026

Tadej Pogačar's time trial bike: a weight-saving Colnago frame, 64-tooth chainring, 160mm cranks, 28mm tyres and new ENVE wheels

All the details on Pogačar‘s Colnago TT2 for the Tour de France stage 1 team time trial
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PERREUX, FRANCE - JUNE 09: A general view of Juan Ayuso of Spain, Julien Bernard of France, Lennard Kamna of Germany, Quinn Simmons of United States, Mattias Skjelmose of Denmark, Toms Skujins of Latvia, Carlos Verona of Spain and Team Lidl - Trek compete during the 78th Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes 2026, Stage 3 a 28.4km team time trial stage from Perreux to Perreux / #UCIWT / on June 09, 2026 in Perreux, France. (Photo by Dario Belingheri/Getty Images)

How does the Tour de France team time trial work, why have the rules changed and will that influence today's tactics?

The Tour de France will start with a team trial today for the first time since 1971, but the race has a new formula that could impact tactics
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Ben O'Connor Giant Trinity Tour de France time trial bike.

Ben O’Connor's unpainted Giant Trinity Advanced SL TT bike also has titanium bolts and a 130g saddle to save weight

The Jayco AlUla team leader's bike has been stripped back to the max
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Tour de France peloton.

The Tour de France used to be almost twice as long – and riders tackled 400km stages. How does the 2026 race compare?

At just over 2,000 miles, the 2026 Tour de France is fairly typical of recent editions, but pales in comparison to the 1926 race
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10.06.26. Cycling Plus. PIC © Andy Lloyd www.andylloyd.photography @andylloyder

Rapha's Brevet Element cargo bib shorts pare back the features but offer plenty of long-distance comfort

Rapha's more affordable cargo bibs are built for distance
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New Orbea Orca Aero is 21 watts faster and has the widest tyre clearance in the pro peloton 

Updated Orca Aero has a lower ride position to improve rider stability and reduce frontal profile
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Shimano brings Clean Cockpit tech to more bikes – it could be a boon for bike designers 

Updated lever architecture is designed for a tidier look on lower-priced CUES bikes
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