Alex Ballinger
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
Latest articles by Alex Ballinger
-
My 60-year-old dad and I both added one 30-minute strength workout a week on top of our usual riding, here’s the difference it made
Few of us want to forgo bike time for picking up and putting down heavy objects. But what if it’s worth the sacrifice? Alex Ballinger tests the benefit of six weeks’ strength work - and ropes in his dad for good measure
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
'Think like a time triallist': How to increase your average speed on a road bike
Inspired by recent developments in road bike time trialling, we go in search of free speed for everyday riding
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
Riding with friends is a great way to enjoy long winter miles – here's the lowdown on cycling in a group
Speeding along in a group is efficient and enjoyable, but there are a few basics you need to know about before you get stuck in
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
Nine tips on how to get started with gravel riding
Riding on gravel may not be a new phenomenon, but it has certainly been growing in popularity in recent years.
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
Ribble Endurance SL R disc review
British bike brand Ribble continues to go from strength to strength, but how does its Endurance SL R model stack up against its competitors?
By Alex Ballinger Last updated
-
11 things you only know if you race on Zwift
From power-ups to pushing watts – a few lessons we learned the hard way
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
Drugs raid in Romania results in police discovering Filippo Ganna’s stolen track bike
Following the theft of €600,000 worth of bikes from the Italian national team, police have recovered almost all of the machines
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
Tweets of the Week: Geraint Thomas Photoshop, Chloe Hosking on rollerskates, and avoiding friendships with WorldTour riders
Here are our favourite tweets from the last seven days, in a farewell edition from our news editor
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
Olympic gold medal sprinter Phil Hindes announces retirement at 29
Hindes was an essential part of the GB team sprint squad, winning gold in London 2012 and Rio 2016
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
DSM rider takes legal action against team in hopes of ending contract
More upheaval at the German team, amidst rumours more riders could be leaving
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
London police recover huge £50,000 haul of stolen bikes
Officers have been contacting victims to reunite them with their machines
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
Mark Cavendish returns to Six Days of Ghent
Five years after his unforgettable victory with Sir Bradley Wiggins, and two years after his last appearance, Cavendish is back on the boards in Belgium
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
James Shaw’s WorldTour return confirmed as he signs with EF Education-Nippo
The 25-year-old Brit suffered the disappointment of being dropped from the WorldTour in 2018, but he’s back next year
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
Tom Pidcock returns to training after lingering knee injury and posts ride on Strava
Despite battling injury since February, Pidcock ha claimed Olympic gold, won his first pro road race, and completed his debut Grand Tour
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
UK will launch bid to host 2026 Tour de France Grand Départ, government announces
Britain last hosted the first stages of the Tour back in 2014, sparking a golden age of cycling in Yorkshire
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
Accidental figurehead: Clay Davies, the only openly gay male elite rider in the UK
Alex Ballinger talks to him about why he came out and how he’s finding life in the spotlight
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
‘We have 15 seconds to get into the shelter because of the rockets - we don’t want to live like this’ - Training for the WorldTour near the Gaza Strip
Military service, the threat of rockets, and climbing around Jerusalem - 21-year-old Omer Lahav is chasing his dream against the odds
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
Bahrain Victorious respond after researchers reveal riders at ‘three-week race in France’ had muscle relaxant in their systems
While the research paper doesn’t name the team, riders or race, Bahrain were raided by police at the Tour de France
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
British Paralympic hopeful cyclist banned for three years for doping offence
Erin McBride, who joined the British Cycling team after switching from athletics this year, tested positive for a banned substance
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
Three ‘international racing cyclists’ found with muscle relaxant in their system after police request samples, researchers reveal
The report says that health police requested tests after searching room during an ‘international three-week cyclist race in France’
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
This is your chance to ride the Giro d’Italia with Chris Froome on BKool training app
Test your legs against former Giro winner Chris Froome
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
These are all the teams applying for WorldTeam and Women’s WorldTeam status next year
Qhubeka-NextHash miss the first deadline, as five women’s teams apply to step up to the top level
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
Richmond Park bike robberies: 16-year-old arrested after string of brazen thefts in popular riding spot
The teen was arrested on suspicion of robbery and possession of a weapon after cyclists were targeted by thieves in west London
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
British Cycling staff carried out unauthorised doping tests in 2011, investigation confirms
The World Anti-Doping Agency has released its report into alleged wrongdoing at British Cycling and UK Anti-Doping
By Alex Ballinger Published