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
5 discoveries set to make bike racing faster, from bicarb supplements to extreme cranks
The annual Science & Cycling conference reveals the pioneering innovations coming to the pro peloton
The simple training tool every cyclist forgets that will make you faster for free
Studies show that forging lasting sleep habits optimises adaptations from your training rides
This proven way to lose belly fat requires you to do absolutely nothing but get a good night's sleep
Research shows that lack of sleep can lead to significant weight gain. Thankfully, you can remedy both by harnessing the power of your hormones – no pills or injections required
The internet is awash with health misinformation. Here's how to guard against it in your pursuit of more speed
Following respected leaders in the field will always be one of our vital defences
Vitamins are a $146 billion industry, but here's what the science says you should be taking
A targeted approach, such as vitamin D on its own, may work better according to scientists
Weight loss is rarely a straight line – these proven methods will help you hit your goals
Unleashing dopamine, early-morning training and segmented goals can see you beat the plateau
Human growth hormone promotes huge performance benefits – and boosting your levels start with a good night's sleep
This vital hormone promotes fat-burning during exercise and strengthens ligaments and tendons
How Formula One tech is helping Tour de France racers ride faster than ever (without breaking the rules)
An in-depth look at the rise of big data and the brightest minds, often inspired by the world of racing cars…
Fat-burning heart rate explained – and why it’s not as intense as you think
How best to shed body fat – and keep it off in the long-term
12 years after Lance Armstrong, how clean is cycling really?
It’s been years since the last big doping scandal, so is the sport still riddled with drugs? We go in search of the truth
'If Pogačar has a life-changing injury, we will have blood on our hands' – Dan Bigham says the UCI’s gearing restrictions won’t make a difference to rider safety
Red Bull – Bora – Hansgrohe’s Dan Bigham presents research that suggests the UCI are looking in the wrong place when it comes to preventing dangerous crashes
"The capabilities of AI are crazy": 7 cutting-edge reasons why Tadej Pogačar and the Tour peloton are faster than ever
The 2025 Tour de France is predicted to be the fastest Tour ever thanks to a technological revolution that shows no signs of slowing down…
Review | Coros Dura has astonishing battery life, but there's one area that needs improvement
Debut bike computer from Chinese manufacturer
"It's why racing is so fast now" | Forget aerodynamics and new tech, rising carb limits are behind the lightning-fast speeds of WorldTour racing
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