Cycling has its fair share of hard bastards, which isn't too surprising when you think what the riders put themselves through to win the world's hardest races. But some riders take the term 'hard man' too far. Ed Hood takes his pick of the 13 top 'Bad Asses' of the peloton.

We recently interviewed GCN commentator, Dan Lloyd and that got us to thinking about another ex-rider who has swapped letting his legs do the talking for actual verbalising. We thought you might like to hear what Eurosport’s Brian Smith had to say to us some 16 years ago – time flies. . .

PEZ first spoke to Tony Cruz when he was still a rider, back in 2006, even one of his bikes has featured in Readers' Rigs. So, it's well past time Ed Hood caught up with the ex pro.

June 04, 2020 - We live in difficult times, the COVID-19 pandemic and now race riots. USA Cycling joins the debate on racism - Top Story. The Tour/Giro/Vuelta are still in the balance, as is the rest of the season. Lots of rider, race and team news. Stuybar races in Czech Republic, Germany has its first race and Deceuninck - Quick-Step have a training camp. 'New Normal' on the way? And Het Laatste Nieuws summarises the ESPN Lance Armstrong documentary.

01 June, 2020 - Now the Giro d'Italia is worried about no 'Tiffosi' on the route - Top Story. News from the other Grand Tours, plus Burgos and l’Avenir. Rider news from Cavendish, Roglič, Sagan, Quintana, Viviani, Froome, Bernal, López, Philipsen, Cavagna, De Marchi, García and Lampaert. French National champs, Education First, Bora training, Ridley, US Olympics, ToAD and Maryland postponed, Moncoutié talks doping and the passing of Decock and Steevens.

May 28, 2020 - Will we see fans road-side? - Top Story. Cycling news just keeps coming in: Colombians fly, Worlds in Switzerland, Bruyneel deal, Dumoulin MPCC, Viviani Tour/Giro, Pedersen to Poland, Groenewegen prefers Giro, Buchmann no fans, Démare operation, Backstëdt breaks shin, Higuita good as Urán, Cant and Naesen contract, Hageland go ahead, Ridley sponsorship, ISN season and Simeoni and Hamilton talk about the Lance film.

May 25, 2020 - Another week in and closer to seeing some racing. Olympics'21 or cancel? - Top Story. The Challenge of Stars. Other news from Démare, Roglic, Chaves, Evenepoel, CCC, Van Aert, Naesen, Zeeman, Pellizotti, Contador, Froome, Felline, Quintana, Lotto Soudal, Dauphiné, Bernal, Higuita, Deignan, Rebellin, Ventoso, Madiot, Euro Champs, PostNord Danmark Rundt, Woman's Vuelta, Pieters, Uneken, Landis and Armstrong.

After talking to Nathan Dahlberg, Ed Hood got to thinking of other top riders from New Zealand, and of course the name Stephen Swart immediately came to mind. Swart told the truth about Lance Armstrong when it wasn't fashionable, but he also had a successful career before the LA controversy.

Apr 16, 2020 - 2020 Tour de France in August - Top Story. We hear from the riders and teams about the return to racing. Froome 100%, Madiot and Lefevere talk corona, Van Avermaet more years, Pedersen's jersey, Catalunya, Giro/Bianchi, a year for Wellens, Bruyneel on Contador, Alé/Movistar jersey, ToAD20 update and Giro Legends ride virtual stage.