Cyclist
Cyclist magazine issue 163: on sale now
Cyclist magazine Issue 163, June 2025, is on sale now. Subscribe to Cyclist here or buy issue 163 at the Cyclist Shop
What is the greatest climb in all of cycling? Given that there’s no defined metrics by which to measure such a thing, the answer will always be subjective. For you, the best climb in the world might be the testing little leg-stretcher half a mile from your front door, and more power to you if that’s the case.
But canvas enough opinions and the same names will start to repeat themselves: the Galibier, Tourmalet and Mont Ventoux, Sa Calobra… and the Passo dello Stelvio.
The Stelvio is in many ways the ultimate climb. It has the altitude and the difficulty, the hairpins and the grand vistas, but it also has the heritage – both in cycling terms and as a focal point in local history.
Not for nothing did it take top spot in our guide to the 100 best climbs in the world. And if that isn’t enough justification for the Stelvio being the star attraction of the June 2025 issue of Cyclist magazine’s Big Ride (and not for the first time), it even ticks the box of being the favoured local climb for our ride companion, the aptly named Stelvio Man.
The Stelvio owes much of its fame to regular appearances in the Giro d’Italia, and while it doesn’t feature in the 2025 Giro, the pro peloton is nonetheless preparing for the rigours of the Italian Grand Tour, which starts in the second week of May.
With the focus having now switched from one-day to stage racing, the latest issue of Cyclist takes a look back at the 2025 Classics season in photographic form, with pro photographer Harry Talbot picking out his best shots from across the spring campaign and expanding on the stories behind them.
One man who would likely have featured in many such photo essays in years past is former pro Fabian Cancellara. The Swiss time-trial and Classics specialist racked up plenty of race wins across his impressive career, and bowed out from the sport in 2016 while still very much at the peak of his powers. Nearly a decade removed from his retirement, Cancellara chats candidly about the challenges he faced when hanging up his wheels, both in embracing life as a family man and finding a new role within cycling as a team owner.
And stepping well away from the sharp end of pro cycling, our June issue switches gear as we step into the world of The Bright Midnight Norway, an 1,100km race through the Norwegian wilderness that takes place in mid-summer, when the sun barely sets. We meet five of the participants for a first-hand taste of the highs and lows that come from taking on such a unique challenge.
Also in our June issue, we get a good look at the new Van Rysel RCR-F aero bike, check out framebuilder Ricky Feather’s latest creation, the WKNDR, test out new bikes from 3T, Trek and BMC and showcase the latest summer kit offerings from some of the industry’s leading brands.
There’s plenty more to enjoy in the latest issue too, so pick up your copy on newsstands or at the Cyclist Shop or get a Cyclist magazine subscription to have every issue delivered free, straight to your door.
There are three levels of Cyclist subscriptions available. For access to the Cyclist Rides online archive, prices start at £19.95 for six-months. For the Cyclist digital package, which includes the digital version of Cyclist magazine plus Cyclist Rides, prices start at £21.95 for six-months. For the full Cyclist membership, which includes Cyclist print magazine, the digital version of Cyclist, and Cyclist Rides, with prices starting at £37.95 for six-months.
A one-year Cyclist membership comes with a free gift and costs £75.95 if you choose the direct debit option, which will automatically renew, or £87.95 without direct debit.
A Cyclist membership or digital subscription also currently come with 60 days of free Laka bike insurance, plus discounted tickets to Cyclist Track Days and complementary tickets to Cycling Electric Demo Days.
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