Cover stories: issue 106 – Empower

Cover stories: issue 106 – Empower

Our issue 106 cover stars. Empower is the word

Photos: Sean Hardy Rouleur issue 106

We wanted somebody special for this very special edition of Rouleur. When we walked into our local velodrome for a Thundercrit meeting – brakeless fixed-wheel criteriums on tight, twisty circuits – we knew we’d found the right crowd.

Everywhere you looked, there were joyous, wonderful faces enjoying the vibes – whether racing or spectating with a drink in hand. And everybody was happy to have their portrait taken by Sean Hardy – well, who wouldn’t?

Subscribe now to receive issue 106

Ten of the best made it into the magazine feature too – not necessarily because they had the loveliest faces, but because they had interesting things to say regarding widening the demographic of cycling and improving its appeal across the board, which is the theme of this issue.

For the cover, it had to be Yewande – or Yewie to her friends. Everything about her is just right, even her nails.

Special mention to Tommy, below, who also merited serious consideration. Sean clocked him the second he appeared in the velodrome and whisked him aside for a photograph.

And he also provided one of the quotes of the issue, which we put with his portrait on page 3: “Anybody can come. Just bring yourself, bring your bike. It’s a fun thing.”

Thank you, Tommy. And thank you, Yewande. You made our day.

Subscribe now to receive issue 106

Photos: Sean Hardy Rouleur issue 106

READ MORE

Remco Evenepoel and Tadej Pogačar at the 2024 Tour de France

Amstel Gold Race Men’s 2025 contenders: Will a returning Evenepoel challenge Pogačar?

Rouleur takes a look at the favourites for the first of the Ardennes Classics this Sunday

Read more
Joe Pidcock's lonely solo ride at Paris-Roubaix: 'The cobbled sectors were full of people walking'

Joe Pidcock's lonely solo ride at Paris-Roubaix: 'The cobbled sectors were full of people walking'

The Yorkshireman was the last rider to cross the line at Paris-Roubaix, 53 minutes and 40 seconds after the winner

Read more
A Roubaix romance: Why this is sport's greatest stadium

A Roubaix romance: Why this is sport's greatest stadium

The finish of Paris-Roubaix is like no other and the velodrome will be home to legends for years to come, writes Rachel Jary

Read more
‘Van Aert said he would work for me’ - How Paris-Roubaix’s youngest rider became Visma-Lease a Bike’s unexpected co-leader

‘Van Aert said he would work for me’ - How Paris-Roubaix’s youngest rider became Visma-Lease a Bike’s unexpected co-leader

19-year-old Matthew Brennan impressed in his debut performance at the Hell of the North, at times appearing to be the strongest rider in his team’s...

Read more
‘He will be like Merckx’ - Paris-Roubaix is proof that Tadej Pogačar will win all five Monuments

‘He will be like Merckx’ - Paris-Roubaix is proof that Tadej Pogačar will win all five Monuments

The world champion narrowly missed out on a victory at his Hell of the North debut – his performance is a menacing sign for years...

Read more
'It's quite exceptional' – Is Mathieu van der Poel this century's greatest Classics rider?

'It's quite exceptional' – Is Mathieu van der Poel this century's greatest Classics rider?

The Alpecin-Deceuninck rider has now won eight Monuments, and next year will be looking to equal the record number of Paris-Roubaix victories.

Read more

READ RIDE REPEAT

JOIN ROULEUR TODAY

Get closer to the sport than ever before.

Enjoy a digital subscription to Rouleur for just £4 per month and get access to our award-winning magazines.

SUBSCRIBE