James Witts
Freelance sports writer
Former 220 Triathlon magazine editor James is a cycling and sports writer and editor who’s been riding bikes impressively slowly since his first iridescent-blue Peugeot road bike back in the 80s. He’s a regular contributor to a number of cycling and endurance-sports publications plus he’s authored two books. The first, The Science of the Tour de France, was an Amazon bestseller. The second, Training Secrets of the World’s Greatest Footballers, wasn’t. Both involved embedding himself with the world’s finest athletes to uncover the training, fuelling and tactical strategies that have taken them to the top. He also updated Haynes’ latest Bike Book. His academic background is English Literature and Sport Science. He can often be seen trailing his teenage son around the bike parks of the UK.
Recent articles by James Witts
How Tadej Pogačar became an all-terrain winning machine – the inside view
In the past 18 months, Tadej Pogačar has elevated himself into the conversation for being the greatest cyclist of all time. We investigate how he did it
Losing belly fat through cycling | Myths debunked and top tips
Top tips for getting leaner, healthier and faster
The science-backed route to New Year weight loss: 3 key lessons
Three tips to achieve healthy, consistent weight loss
With Sir Chris Hoy's new memoir out today, here's what you need to know about prostate cancer – and how to get tested
The inspirational Sir Chris Hoy recently announced his prostate cancer was terminal. Here, BikeRadar examines the cancer that affects one in eight men in the UK
How to get more sleep. And why a good night's rest will make you a better athlete
Dr Sarah Gilchrist explains why sleep is so important for exercise and how to be sleep strategic
How accurate are smartwatches and should you use them for exercise?
Smartwatches provide convenient and portable heart-rate monitoring, but their readings can be misleading
The rise of testosterone doping: why amateur athletes are turning to the performance-enhancing hormone
Testosterone is becoming a common training tool, but where does it stray into performance enhancement?
What risks does controversial weight-loss drug Ozempic pose to cyclists?
Weight-loss drugs have been labelled a societal 'game changer', but will professional cyclists be tempted to use them?
Review | Wattbike Proton
Will the Proton widen Wattbike’s appeal to a general fitness audience?
How to win the Tour de France | 6 techniques the pros use to triumph in the world's biggest bike race
Investigating the physiology and skills required for success in Le Tour
The Tour de France is faster than ever – here's why
We investigate the ever-quicker times in the world's greatest cycling race
Stop fasting, plan around your cycle and work on strength – how women can boost their fitness
Training advice often focuses on the needs of male bodies. Dr Georgie Bruinvels and British Cycling explain how female athletes can tailor their workouts
7 aero trends that will define cycling tech in 2024 and beyond
Two aero experts weigh in on the latest wind-cheating improvements
Cycling with a cold: when to stop, when to keep going and how to avoid illness
How do you know if your illness is so bad you shouldn’t cycle? BikeRadar speaks to three cycling doctors to find out
What is testosterone and why does it matter to cyclists?
Testosterone can have a significant impact on cycling performance. Here's everything you need to know
How safe are electric bike batteries? We investigate the surge in battery fires
Ebike and escooter battery fires are the fastest-growing fire trend in the English capital, according to London Fire Brigade
9 of the best energy bars for keeping the bonk at bay
A jersey-pocketful of the finest fuel for on and off the bike
How the Raleigh Chopper became a 1970s icon
Raleigh’s resurrection aims to build on a colourful and mysterious past that has made the Chopper one of the most iconic bikes of all time
Review | Wahoo Kickr Bike V2
Can WiFi connectivity justify the hefty price tag of Wahoo’s second-generation smart bike?
The best energy gels for cycling in 2025
A selection of our favourite mid-ride fuels
How a Victorian train tunnel was transformed into a world-leading aerodynamic facility
Catesby Tunnel was once an integral section of train line, but now it's a state-of-the-art testing facility
Bike prices will fall in 2023 due to excess stock, but not across the board
Stock clearances will lead to some bike bargains in the near future, but it's still not looking rosy for the industry
Bike-supply issues: when will the industry return to normal?
Bike shortages continue to afflict the cycling industry, but when will things return to normal? And how can you overcome these issues?
5 frontiers of cycling science that could make you faster in 2022
We head to the Science & Cycling Conference in Leuven, Belgium, to discover the latest cutting-edge findings in performance cycling