10 most popular photo galleries of 2015

Cyclingnews posted thousands of photos this season, and we've picked out the most popular galleries of the year for your viewing pleasure. From Chris Froome's romp in the Pyrenees on stage 10 of the Tour de France, Bradley Wiggins' Hour Record and Peter Sagan's World Championship victory, there were many memorable moments. We've narrowed it down to 10.

1. Tech gallery: Weird and wonderful gear at Paris-Roubaix

Our readers can't get enough of the glimpse inside the paddock where the mechanics keep all of the secrets to getting their riders through the 57km of pavé of Paris-Roubaix. Bar top braking levers, fat tyres, cantilever brakes and other special modifications - even a small piece of wood for knocking on for good luck - were all captured in our gallery.

2. Sagan storms to solo victory at the World Championships

Peter Sagan's victory in the UCI Road World Championships elite men's road race was our reader's number one moment of the year. Sagan also won road rider and overall rider of the year in addition to Twitter personality in our Reader Poll. But we are sure that it wasn't just the Slovakian champion that made our gallery so popular. The drama of Libby Hill and 23rd Street, attacks including Ben King, Tom Boonen and Taylor Phinney all helped amp up the excitement in this memorable race.

3. Tour de France bike tech the pros don’t want you to know about

When it comes to the Tour de France, riders want and demand the best equipment. The best, however, is not always the team's sponsor's gear. BikeRadar went behind the scenes to get the scoop on which rebadged, blacked-out or otherwise subtly concealed gear lurked in the peloton.

4. Gallery: Sagan steals the show at the inaugural UCI Cycling Gala

The UCI held its first Cycling Gala at the conclusion of the Abu Dhabi Tour in October. They were meant to honour the top three in the WorldTour overall - Alejandro Valverde, Joaquim Rodriguez and Nairo Quintana - and Grand Tour winners Alberto Contador, Chris Froome and Fabio Aru.

But it was World Champion Peter Sagan who stole the show, ignoring the rules to wear a suit and instead turning up in a leather jacket and red t-shirt to collect his rainbow jersey.

5. Bradley Wiggins sets new UCI Hour Record

When the UCI relaxed the rules for equipment for Hour Record attempts and riders began topping the new classification, all eyes looked to Sir Bradley Wiggins to set the mark that would finally stand. Despite adverse conditions in the London velodrome, Wiggins crushed the previous mark set by compatriot Alex Dowsett and set a record of 54.526km.

6. Sagan weds in Slovakia - gallery

Cyclingnews doesn't normally go for celebrity weddings, but Peter Sagan is no normal cycling celebrity. His panache and flash extends beyond the bike, and made his November 11 marriage ceremony a memorable moment in images for the year.

7. Extreme weather in 2015 - gallery

Bike racers are at the whim of mother nature more than any other professional athletes, and 2015 served up some pretty wicked challenges. From the extreme heat of the Tour of Oman that led to a rider protest and stage cancellation to the snow in Tirreno-Adriatico, they endured it all. The adverse conditions served as a dramatic backdrop for the photographers at the races, and the best images were compiled in this gallery.

8. Tour de France: Tony Martin wins cobbled stage 4 to Cambrai

Stage 4 of the 2015 Tour de France was a winning combination of the ASO's two biggest races. By pitting the Grand Tour contenders against the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix, the organisers raised the excitement exponentially. Although the shorter, drier pavé sectors didn't alter the overall standings as they did when Vincenzo Nibali left his competitors behind in 2014, the stage was made thrilling by Tony Martin's daring solo attack to win the stage.

9. SRAM wireless and other TT gear at USA Pro Challenge

Voted our tech innovation of the year, SRAM's wireless drivetrain was a major curiosity before it was made fully public. Kristin Armstrong rode to victory using the group at the USA Pro Challenge in Colorado. BikeRadar captured images of the gear, and much more in August.

10. Tour de France: Froome crushes competition in first major summit finish

Already in the lead of the Tour de France after a smart first week, Chris Froome drove a huge wedge into the gap to his competition on the first summit finish on stage 10. Before the stage, he had just 12 seconds over BMC's Tejay van Garderen. After the climb, it was out to 2:52, a margin which would prove unassailable. The images of the stage were a classic 'thrill of victory/agony of defeat' gallery.

Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*

Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets

After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59

Join now for unlimited access

Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1