The weather may not have been kind to the new year, but rain or shine, the tide of news, reviews, buyer’s guides, how tos and blogs continues to flood from RCUK Towers.

With preparations for the new cycling year in full flow, and there is plenty to look forward to – including three monumental events on these shores – we have been putting plenty of gear through its paces.

From jackets to gloves, with the wind and rain battering the country, if you want to head out on two wheels, make sure you are fully equipped – check out our buyer’s guides for more advice.

Though the ‘cross season is still in full flow, with the National Championships this weekend, and Britain’s track stars are continuing to sweep all before them on the track – with Ed Clancy in record-breaking form at Revolution round three– the new UCI WorldTour season is just around the corner.

These six teams will all be hoping to make an impact at the top level of professional cycling, although with president Brian Cookson continuing to pursue his manifesto promises – the formation of an independent commission to examine the UCI’s past is the latest – the shape of the WorldTour could change forever come next year.

For now though, we can all look forward to the Tour Down Under and Tour de San Luis on the not-too distant horizon, and if you need something to keep you occupied in the meantime, make sure you stay tuned to RCUK.

Have you missed anything this week? Catch-up on the best of the last seven days over the following pages.