the race, but surely such a lead was enough for a local victory. Fignon certainly thought so. In second place was Greg Lemond from the USA.Fignon decided to ride this final time-trial stage on the racing bike he had used throughout the Tour, hunching down

but moved on to bikes and now races on the XTERRA off-road triathlon circuit in Europe. In 2008 he qualified for the XTERRA World Championships. He did his first triathlon in 1996. His motto is 'Train smarter, not harder.'

Q. Should I change my bike tyres before a race? And how do I strike a balance between durability and ride quality? A. I advise never changing anything before a race. Anything new presents an opportunity for something unexpected to go wrong. The best

Sooner or later, all triathletes hit the deck, and the result, more often than not, is road rash. Thankfully, such abrasions usually require only basic care, but it must be the right care. Dr Helen Iams has worked as Medical Director for races

session, so you should sandwich this ride with easy runs.To boost recovery after a hard session or race……Pick a low gear and spin After a race, or tough hill session, hop on your bike - either on an indoor trainer, or a flat route - and choose a low gear

that focusing on cycling can provide the biggest improvement in your race times.Although a triathlon involves three sports, the greatest proportion of time during a race is spent on the bike section. During a sprint- or Olympic-distance race you may spend around

the wind will sap from you, which is why bike-specific clothing - or a tri suit if you're racing - makes more sense than general sporty gear. To prevent your jersey or jacket filling up with air, pull the zips up to your chin. Draft pickThe stronger

There's no need to suffer from adrenaline withdrawal when the  triathlon season draws to a close. There are loads of cycle sportives around at this time of year to tempt you to go long and stay strong on the bike. Sportives are the cycling version

The peloton of the Tour de France might be unfamiliar territory to most triathletes, but sooner or later you're likely to find yourself training or racing in a bunch. Group rides are a great way to put in some miles, learn new skills and meet other

for your next training session.✘    Spin bikes have fixed-wheel-style flywheels that build up momentum and can mask any deficiencies in your pedal stroke.Try this:Look for instructors who are cyclists. If none fit the bill, ask your gym to put on triathlon