Sidi Kaos

I wanted to test these shoes in the Monza F1 circuit but, unfortunately, it was closed.
Nevertheless, I tested them quite well because I battled with a friend in a strong series of sprints.
The shoe perfectly fits the foot, the ratchet fastens the shoe and the rotor allows a super precise regulation.
Adjusting the rotor, you can make the shoe and your foot a single whole, obtaining a perfect sensitivity on the pedal.
During the traction, the shoe remains hard and block your foot, providing the best power on the pedals.
The pushing phase is good as well, due to the stiffness of the sole.
In conclusion, I can say that Sidi Kaos is a good shoe, suggested for people who want to have quite good performances without sacrificing their feet.
They are not the best Sidi shoes on the market but they are still a very good choice for an amateur.

Cycling Impressions Interviews: Paola Panzeri

We had the pleasure to interview Paola Panzeri.
She is not just a rider, she mixes fashion and cycling with her unique style.
This makes her one of the most important cycling influencers on Instagram.

Hi Paola and thank you for your time! Where does your love for cycling come from?
Hi! My passion for cycling started watching my brother training every afternoon.
When I was 6 years old I asked to try and I've never stopped.

When did you jump on a bike for the first time and who put you on it?
The first were my parents, in particular my mom, when I was 4 years old.
One year later I started riding near the track where my brother used to train and when I was 6 years old I started racing.

Unbelievable, you didn't waste time! With which discipline did you start?
I started with road cycling but 4 years ago I discovered the Fixed world and I love it! I like the type of races and the atmosphere.

It is a nice world. You all look like a sort of big family. Which is your favorite race?
I did so many races that it is hard to choose a particular one. I can name New York for the location and the "8 Bar" of Berlin where the circuit is in an airport.

Who is your sport hero?
I was born as a sprinter so I can say that I like sprinters.
There are so many grate riders that personify the idea of the cycling champion that is hard to name someone in particular. Nevertheless, I don't want to forget all the riders that sacrifice themselves for the captain of the team.

Partially changing topic, I see that you are very active also in the area of fashion and art, is it hard to divide yourself between cycling and fashion? Can cycling inspire fashion or vice versa?
I chose to start the fashion and design academy because cycling couldn't be my entire life.
Even attending the academy I can still ride.
The lecturers are very cooperative and while travelling for my bike races I have the occasion to meet people of the fashion world. They are not areas strictly separated.
Every year I work with Giordana and my sponsors in order to create new fantastic kits, check them out!

Of course we will! What do you want to say to boys and girls that want to be pro riders?
I started my career with a specific goal so it is hard for me to give some advice.
I can say that you have just to pursue what you really want without listening to what they tell you.
I know it is commonplace, but you have to fight for your dream.

Thanks for your advice! Last question: do you have any hobby?
I could have so many hobbies but the problem is that I don't have time!! I spend most of my time between cycling and fashion.
Nevertheless, when I've a little time I generally see my friends or I go shopping.

Thank you very much Paola and good luck! Cycling Impressions will always be a fan of you!!
Thank you!

Cycling Songs: Motherfucking Bike - Sons of Science

Here we go, new cycling song. Let's dance!

Start of the Season

The new season just started and nothing seems to be changed.
Sagan is bossing in and out the competitions, his meeting with the Pope has been fantastic and showed us a grown Champion.
Greipel said again he is still in the game and in pure sprints he is the one to beat.
Degenkolb after a troubled season has already won a race, but will he return to be the champion he was before the horrible accident? I really hope so.
Porte seems to have done this, he won again on Willunga Hill, 6 months after his dramatic crash at le Tour de France.
In conclusion, what can we say about Quick-Step Floors?  They have started the season reaffirming their enormous superiority in the UCI World Tour, they have already won 3 races with 3 different riders.
Do we have to prepare ourselves for another spring of Sagan vs. Quick-Step Floors?
This are the first few 2018 impressions because I don't want to say a word about so many teams that, at first sight, appear significantly below expectations.

Aventon Cordoba 2018

This is my first fixed-gear bicycle and I've to admit that I've discovered a new form of meditation.
On Saturday I tried the new Aventon Cordoba. Cycling in the velodrome, helped by the fixed-gear that gave me also a sort of continuity and regularity in my training, made me feel like I had found my own Nirvana.
Talking about the technical aspects, the frame is really nice and the carbon fork assure more stiffness and lightness.
The bike is not too nervous but it still allows the rider to make rapid direction changes, which is a crucial aspect in a velodrome or on the winding streets of a Criterium.
The riding position, compared to a common track bike, is more comfortable. This feature allows the rider to enjoy a more comfortable ride without any loss in terms of performance.
I would definitely suggest this bike to start a fixed-gear adventure.

Specifications:

• Frame: Aventon Cordoba Double-Butted 6061 Aluminum Alloy
• Fork: Aventon Carbon Fork w/alloy steerer
• Headset: 28.6*41.8*30mm Sealed Bearing
• Stem: Aventon Push 3D Forged Alloy, 4-bolt, +/- 7º
• Handlebar: Aventon Push Drop Bars 31.8mm*40cm 
• Tape: Velo Microfiber Leather Tape
• Bottom Bracket: VP Sealed Bearing 68*103mm
• Crankset: Aventon Push Forged Alloy 48T*165mm PCD 144mm
• Hubs: Flip-Flop Sealed Bearing w/16T Freewheel
• 30mm Deep V High Polished Anodized Rims
• Tyres: Kenda Kriterium 25C
• Aventon Push Aero Race Saddle
• Seatpost: Aventon Push 27.2mm*300mm 3D Forged Alloy
• Gear ratio: 48/15T Fixed, 48/16T Free Wheel
• Weight: 18.5 lbs - 8.4 Kg (55cm)

Bergen 2017, History Has Been Made

Love him or hate him, Peter Sagan is in the history of cycling.
For the first time a rider has been able to win 3 world championships in a row.
The third victory has been the hardest of the three for Sagan's admission too.
The circuit was really difficult to interpret and you could play your cards just one time.
Sagan is also doing something incredible, that never happened before in the history of cycling, he is identifying himself with the rainbow jersey.
You don't even know which is the team jersey of Sagan, when you see a rainbow jersey you just think is Sagan's jersey.
What will happen next year when the rainbow jersey will change owner? Will we get used to the new rainbow jersey?
We have time to think about this, but let's enjoy another year of Sagan in his most suitable jersey before.

The Year of Sagan

Sagan is a champion, this is a fact.
This is the best podium you can dream of if you are the winner of the World Championships. You won the gold medal and you have beaten two legends of the 21st century cycling era.
The question is: how long Sagan supremacy will last?
I've never seen a rider like him so far, I love Tom Boonen, I've loved Cipollini (Pantani is something different, he was not a rider he was a mythological hero) but Sagan is incredible.
In theory he can win on any terrain, he can win in a peloton sprint, he can win with a solo attack, he is unpredictable and unbeatable,
I've waited 3 yeras but I've to say that Sagan could become the best rider of all times and a true immortal icon of this sport.
2017 will be a crucial year for Sagan's saga but so far I can just say: Thank you Peter!

Le Grand Départ

Finally the Tour de France Grand Départ has been truly grand.
Cavendish's first stage win has been fantastic. He used all his track skills and his experience and was able to set himself back on the throne of the sprinters.
For most of the people he was presented as an ex sprinter, overcome by the new generation of sprinters,  young and powerful.
During the last two years he kept on working without saying a single word of envy or hate and came back today with this incredible result!
The rest of the Tour will be a nice trip around France for Cav, now he has re-gained the respect of the cycling world (never lost at my eyes) and he can just concentrate on enjoying his yellow jersey with the licence to win some more stages.
Congratulations Mark, enjoy your yellow jersey! That was a proper Grand Depart!