The Outer Line

The former Danish law enforcement officer and top tennis player says cycling has come a long way from the dark days of the Festina Affair.

The Outer Line sits down with legendary American rider Davis Phinney to relive his career, the career of his son, Taylor, and to discuss the current state of the sport.

Doping rings often use legal pharmaceuticals that have been illegally diverted to the black market. The Outer Line examines how anti-diversion tactics used by the healthcare industry can be used to combat doping.

The Outer Line examines the role that rider agents play in pro cycling. These power brokers can influence which riders start in which races, who gets a contract and who is left out, and how much a rider will get paid.

Three years after the 2017 UCI Road World Championships in Bergen, Norway, the race's problematic financials shed light on how not to organize a major international sporting event.

The Outer Line interviews Polly Dawkins, executive director of The Davis Phinney Foundation to learn more about the non-profit.

The Outer Line examines the news that Bjarne Riis will take a director role with NTT Pro Cycling for 2020.

The Outer Line charts the victories and top-10 finishes of the UCI men's WorldTour squads, and draws some sharp conclusions about which teams are succeeding, and which teams are not.

Van der Poel's biggest enemy in coming years could be over-ambition as he continues to challenge across three disciplines.

Female cyclists are at a lower risk of suffering Sudden Cardiac Death than male athletes, but women should still learn about ways to screen for heart problems before engaging in endurance sports.

The time is right for pro women's cycling to see growth in audience and racing days, writes veteran Dutch journalist Raymond Kerckhoffs.

Alejandro Valverde's involvement with the Operacion Puerto doping ring makes him a controversial figure. On paper, Valverde is pro cycling's best male rider over the past decade.

Former Giro d'Italia boss Michele Acquarone pens a lengthy opinion column on how pro cycling should address its many problems.

The association of men's pro teams, AIGCP, is attempting to force a debate with the UCI about the fundamental problems of pro cycling.

The 2020 Tour de France route boasts nine mountain stages, and plenty of climbing. The Outer Line says the race will be won during the sole individual time trial on stage 20.

In part 2 of The Outer Line's interview with Mike Plant, Plant discusses his attempt to build a Triple Crown series around pro cycling's grand tours.

Take our quiz to see stories that may have flown below the radar during the 2019 season.

The Outer Line recently sat down with former USA Cycling Chief Mike Plant to discuss his career in cycling, including his work with the Tour du Pont, Tour of China, and the modernization of the sport's national governing body.

Check out Joe Harris and Steve Maxwell's author page.

Popular velodrome outside of Boulder, Colorado is set to close after going under contract with a new buyer who plans to demolish the building.

Mathieu van der Poel is the favorite amongst bettors to win Sunday's world championship road race. There are plenty of obstacles standing in his way.

The Outer Line was at the finish line of the Race Across America this year, and gained an inside look at the punishing 3,000-mile event.

Sponsorships and shifting team ownership could impact Mathieu van der Poel's immediate future in professional road cycling.

The Outer Line examines the murky world of pro rider transfers, and proposes a few solutions for how to improve the process.

Team Ineos again won the Tour de France. But, the British team showed rare signs of weaknesses in the Tour's high mountains. And, with the rise of Egan Bernal, who will lead the team at the 2020 Tour?

Today marks the 30th anniversary of one of pro cycling's most exciting and indelible moments.

Seven months after the tragic death of Paul Sherwen, NBC Sports will slot several announcers into its Tour de France broadcast

The UCI's new reforms to track racing leave no room for sponsor-backed trade teams

The women's-only Colorado Classic faces many of the same challenges that plagued previous editions of the men's race. Can it turn the corner?

A new study by the Cleveland Clinic Foundation suggests that there is no such thing as too much exercise. But recent stories about cardiovascular problems amongst cyclists suggests otherwise. We examine the competing facts in this medical debate.

The non-traditional racing calendars of WorldTour teams brings riders closer to fans, however they also create potential pitfalls on social media

ASO's decision not to broadcast marquee races opens the door for someone to create a broadcast platform for women's pro cycling

Cycling’s dependence upon financial sponsorship could leave it more susceptible to sports-washing

The final installment of the Rapha roadmap provides a conclusion to the 10-part series

In chapter 9 of the Rapha Roadmap, the authors explore ways to create an emotional connection between fans, participants, and pro racing

In this chapter of the Rapha Roadmap, we examine whether different structures could create new revenue models for pro cycling

Pro cycling needs to break free from its sponsorship-revenue model, and develop new ways to bring money into the sport

Pro cycling needs to do more than just develop and produce more compelling television broadcast coverage. It also needs to explore and embrace new approaches and technologies.

Cycling can build its fan base by telling compelling stories about the personalities in the races and by harnessing modern broadcast technology to enrich the viewer experience.

Reimagining cycling's points structure and the way that grand tour overall results are decided could encourage fans to follow cycling all season long.

With WorldTour teams dependent on short-term sponsorships, there's a lack of continuity. Regionally based teams or a franchise-based model could help fix that.

The current pro cycling calendar is a patchwork of events lacking a clear season-long narrative. A major shakeup could make it more accessible for fans.

There is one conclusion that echoes most loudly from our research, in interview after interview; professional cycling is broken.

Northwest Arkansas is vying to be considered alongside places like Boulder, Colorado and Austin, Texas as a hotbed for active people, namely cyclists.

Zwift's growing online racing scene has attracted millions of dollars of investment capital and legions of devoted indoor cyclists.

There are a few simple ways that cyclists can check their heart health before diving into a season of long rides and hard races.

Women's cycling has a deep history with champions that overcame unbelievable hardships, but those stories sometimes go untold.

The political climate in China is putting the brakes on ambitious plans to roll out new WorldTour team chasing goal of Tour de France victory.

Where should cycling and pro sports draw the line when it comes to companies and countries that are morally suspect?

Like fans of any other sport, cycling enthusiasts can't easily pin down the names of the five greatest cyclists of all time.

The UCI needs to hold riders and teams responsible for sexist behavior with real consequences and penalties.

Corporate acquisitions spell the end of Team Sky's salad days. The world's dominant cycling team may be forced to trim its budget in coming years.

The late Paul Sherwen's legacy extends well beyond the world of pro cycling. He devoted his life away from the races to helping the Ugandan people.

Cycling's tactical nuances lend themselves to confusion over what is corrupt and what is harmless sportsmanship.

McLaren's arrival in cycling might not be the surprise influx of new cash some are expecting.

What should you and your cardiologist watch for as you age to maintain your health and competitive edge?

WADA is at a turning point. The next few months will be both a challenging time and a time of opportunity for the anti-doping agency's leaders.

Rally Pro Cycling's team manager Jonas Carney reflects on the challenges his team faces and his years as a pro rider in the 1990s.

Behind the scenes, Carney has helped Rally Cycling grow into one of America's most successful and highly regarded teams.

Michael Aisner, the man behind the Coors Classic, details six ways that pro cycling can build mainstream fan interest.

Thirty years after the legendary Coors Classic ran its course, Michael Aisner's influence on American cycling is still prominent.

Recovering from a hip fracture, Steve Maxwell turns to a high-tech solution to get a bike fit to reduce the risk of further injury.

Check out Steve Brunner's author page.

The 1995 Tour of China took place at the tipping point in China’s political and economic evolution into a global superpower.

The 1995 Tour of China took place at the tipping point in China’s political and economic evolution into a global superpower.

Running a wildly successful bike shop is one thing — building a velodrome? That was a new challenge.

Speaking to the Play the Game conference, Jens Sejer Andersen explains why elite athletes need to stay vocal and involved.

The Belgian riders' union, Sporta, votes to withdraw from the CPA international union of pro cyclists.

By retaining close control of its pro racing teams, Trek has been able to cultivate a diverse stable of top athletes.

WADA’s very foundation is cracked and can no longer support its ivory tower of fairness, transparency, and moral justification.

The complicated situation revolving around Chris Froome and his Salbutamol case has highlighted major issues with the WADA code. Is it time for a change?

Erik Raschke examines the connection between Russia and the Tour de Trump.

Sports gambling is now legal across the United States, which opens many doors for sports like cycling on which to capitalize.

By settling the Federal lawsuit for a relative bargain, Pascal’s Wager was Armstrong’s safest bet.

The system of prize money is as old as the sport of cycling. Should it be reimagined to fund a sustainable pension for pro cyclists?

Researchers analyze power data to build a new weapon in the fight against cheating in pro cycling.

The British rider and 2015 road world champion talks about how her life is changing as she prepares to become a parent.

Armstrong talks about the current state of pro cycling and how he feels it can be improved going forward.

The decision to start the Giro in one of the most politically charged and divisive cities on the planet comes with controversy.