# Global Cycling Network

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{{Short description|YouTube channel}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox social media personality
| name                 = Global Cycling Network
| image                = <!-- just the filename, without the File: or Image: prefix or enclosing [brackets](/source/brackets) -->
| logo                 = Global_Cycling_Network_logo.png
| website              = {{URL|http://www.globalcyclingnetwork.com}}
| youtube_handle        = gcn
| youtube_display_name  = 
| youtube_years_active  = 2013–present
| youtube_genre         = Cycling
| youtube_subscribers   = 3.52 million<!-- PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE WITHOUT UPDATING stats_update BELOW -->
| youtube_views         = 1.43 billion<!-- PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE WITHOUT UPDATING stats_update BELOW -->
| stats_update        = 06 February 2026
}}
'''Global Cycling Network (GCN)''' is a cycling-related [YouTube](/source/YouTube) channel which was launched in the [United Kingdom](/source/United_Kingdom) in 2013. The channel's parent company, Play Sports Network, became a subsidiary of [Warner Bros. Discovery](/source/Warner_Bros._Discovery) through its [TNT Sports](/source/TNT_Sports_(United_States)) unit in 2019 and returned to private ownership in 2024.<ref name="Cycling Industry News">{{cite news |last1=Sutton |first1=Mark |title=Discovery Inc takes full ownership of Play Sports Group |url=https://cyclingindustry.news/discovery-inc-takes-full-ownership-of-play-sports-group/ |access-date=15 September 2021 |publisher=Cycling Industry News |date=April 23, 2021 |archive-date=15 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915131655/https://cyclingindustry.news/discovery-inc-takes-full-ownership-of-play-sports-group/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Content on the channel is presented by former professional cyclists and cycling journalists including 2008 [Vuelta a Extremadura](/source/Vuelta_a_Extremadura) winner [Daniel Lloyd](/source/Daniel_Lloyd_(cyclist)),<ref name='CW-2008'>{{Cite web |date=2008-04-29 |title=LLOYD WINS SPANISH STAGE RACE |url=https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/latest-news/lloyd-wins-spanish-stage-race-96469 |access-date=2026-05-17 |website=cyclingweekly.com |language=en}}</ref> under-23 [British National Mountain Biking](/source/British_National_Mountain_Biking_Championships) champion [Simon Richardson](/source/Simon_Richardson_(English_cyclist))<ref name='CW2012'>{{cite magazine|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|title=Richardson retires on top after aggressive Tour of Britain|url=http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/richardson-retires-on-top-after-aggressive-tour-of-britain-38760|magazine=Cycling Weekly|location=London|publisher=Time Inc. UK|date=20 September 2012|access-date=27 September 2016|archive-date=6 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006052844/http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/richardson-retires-on-top-after-aggressive-tour-of-britain-38760|url-status=live}}</ref> and 2018 [Irish national road race](/source/Irish_National_Cycling_Championships) champion [Conor Dunne](/source/Conor_Dunne).<ref name="TYB-2020">{{cite web |url=https://youtube.com/8I7Hx2POBVw?list=PLUdAMlZtaV12TFgS4bekgoST_vuHGdQtx&t=675 |title=2020 Pro Cycling Kits - Hot Or Not? | The GCN Show Ep.365 - YouTube |authorlink=Global Cycling Network |work=Global Cycling Network |date=2020-01-07 |accessdate=2026-05-17 }}</ref>

== History ==
{{Update|date=June 2024|reason=Lack of updating articles}}
On 1 January 2013, Global Cycling Network was launched by SHIFT Active Media founder Simon Wear,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.duckingtiger.com/an-interview-with-global-cycling-network/ |title=An interview with Global Cycling Network! |last1=Koon |date=25 December 2013 |website=duckingtiger.com |access-date=27 September 2016 |archive-date=12 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012092631/http://www.duckingtiger.com/an-interview-with-global-cycling-network/ |url-status=live }}</ref> under [Google](/source/Google)'s now-defunct [YouTube Original Channel Initiative](/source/YouTube_Original_Channel_Initiative), as part of its [multi-channel network](/source/multi-channel_network) media strategy.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}} Wear's original objective was to create a "network of quality cycling video content creators and give cycling global promotion through an official channel".<ref name="Media Release">{{cite web|url=http://triathlete-europe.competitor.com/2012/12/13/shift-active-media-partner-with-google-to-create-global-cycling-network|title=Shift Active Media Partner With Google To Create Global Cycling Network|type=Media Release|date=13 December 2012|website=triathlete-europe.competitor.com|publisher=SHIFT Active Media|access-date=27 September 2016|archive-date=17 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170117020826/http://triathlete-europe.competitor.com/2012/12/13/shift-active-media-partner-with-google-to-create-global-cycling-network|url-status=dead}}</ref> The YouTube channel also provides a media channel for the promotion of the parent company's client brands.<ref name="Media Release" />

In 2015, the channel was awarded Best Vlogger/Best Use of Video during the Cycling Media Awards 2015 awards night, which aims to recognise the best of UK cycling media.<ref>{{Cite web |title=www.cyclingmediaawards.com |url=http://www.cyclingmediaawards.com/ |access-date=27 September 2016 |website=www.cyclingmediaawards.com |archive-date=4 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161204211435/http://www.cyclingmediaawards.com/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2016 the parent company's multi-channel network division was spun off as Play Sports Network, and management of the channel was transferred to the new company.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.playsportsnetwork.com/channels/|title=Channels – Play Sports Network|website=playsportsnetwork.com|access-date=27 September 2016|archive-date=10 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010165007/http://www.playsportsnetwork.com/channels/|url-status=live}}</ref> On 18 April 2017 the channel broke the 1 million subscriber mark.{{citation needed|date=August 2019}}

On 27 February 2017, [Discovery Communications](/source/Discovery_Communications), the owner of [Eurosport](/source/Eurosport), announced the acquisition of a 20% stake in Play Sports Group, the company that owns the GCN channel.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/discovery-buys-20-percent-stake-digital-cycling-video-firm-play-sports-group-980980|title=Discovery Buys 20 Percent Stake in Digital Cycling Video Firm Play Sports Group|date=27 February 2017|website=hollywoodreporter.com|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=6 November 2017|archive-date=7 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107082633/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/discovery-buys-20-percent-stake-digital-cycling-video-firm-play-sports-group-980980|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2019, Discovery Communications acquired a controlling interest in Play Sports Group and the GCN franchise, increasing holdings to 71%.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bicycleretailer.com/announcements/2019/01/08/play-sports-group-joins-discovery-form-unique-global-cycling-platform#.XDizllxKjb0 |title=Play Sports Group Joins Discovery to Form Unique Global Cycling Platform |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=8 January 2019 |website=bicycleretailer.com |access-date=11 January 2019 |archive-date=11 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111232546/https://www.bicycleretailer.com/announcements/2019/01/08/play-sports-group-joins-discovery-form-unique-global-cycling-platform#.XDizllxKjb0 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 13 June 2024, it was announced that Warner Bros. Discovery had sold the channel back to Simon Wear. This ended the co-production of broadcast content by Eurosport and GCN+.<ref>{{Cite web |author1=Adam Becket |date=2024-06-12 |title=Founder buys back GCN from Warner Bros |url=https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/founders-buys-back-gcn-from-warner-bros |access-date=2024-06-13 |website=cyclingweekly.com |language=en}}</ref>

== Content ==
Global Cycling Network's content tends to be predominantly [road cycling](/source/road_bicycle_racing)-related, with regular sections consisting of instructional videos, including videos on bicycle riding, maintenance and tech news, [how-to](/source/How_To_(disambiguation)) videos, and a weekly news bulletin, "The GCN Show". The channel also features interviews of professional cyclists and coverage of international professional cycling events, including the [Tour of Beijing](/source/Tour_of_Beijing), [Dubai Tour](/source/Dubai_Tour), and the three [Grand Tour](/source/Grand_Tour_(cycling)) races (the [Tour de France](/source/Tour_de_France), [Giro d'Italia](/source/Giro_d'Italia) and [Vuelta a España](/source/Vuelta_a_Espa%C3%B1a)). Occasionally, the channel also creates videos on [cyclo-cross](/source/cyclo-cross) and less frequently, [mountain biking](/source/mountain_biking) (mostly covered on Global Cycling Network's sister channel, [Global Mountain Bike Network](/source/Global_Mountain_Bike_Network)).

The channel also produced a "Road Bike Party" series of videos featuring former trials rider [Martyn Ashton](/source/Martyn_Ashton) performing stunts on road bikes. It was a continuation of Ashton's independently-created first video, Road Bike Party 1. As of January 2025, Road Bike Party 2 had received more than 20 million views.<ref>{{cite news|title=Paralysed stunt rider Martyn Ashton is back in the saddle|first=Wells|last=Jonathan|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/active/11710533/Paralysed-stunt-rider-Martyn-Ashton-is-back-in-the-saddle.html|newspaper=The Telegraph|publisher=Telegraph Media Group Limited|location=London|date=2 July 2015|accessdate=28 September 2016|archive-date=9 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009073646/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/active/11710533/Paralysed-stunt-rider-Martyn-Ashton-is-back-in-the-saddle.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bikeradar.com/blog/article/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-martyn-ashtons-road-bike-party-2-39884/|title=10 things you didn't know about Martyn Ashton's Road Bike Party 2|date=18 December 2013|website=bikeradar.com|publisher=Immediate Media Company Ltd|access-date=28 September 2016|archive-date=6 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006155542/http://www.bikeradar.com/blog/article/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-martyn-ashtons-road-bike-party-2-39884/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2014, [British Cycling](/source/British_Cycling) partnered with Global Cycling Network in the creation of its Racesmart campaign, which aimed to promote safe cycle racing in [Great Britain](/source/Great_Britain).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/article/roa20140609-Racesmart-campaign-launched-to-promote-responsible-racing-0|title=British Cycling has today launched a new awareness campaign to promote responsible racing on Britain's roads|type=Media Release|date=10 June 2014|website=britishcycling.org.uk|publisher=British Cycling|access-date=28 September 2016|archive-date=16 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116214321/https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/article/roa20140609-Racesmart-campaign-launched-to-promote-responsible-racing-0|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last=Brett|first=Mat|date=10 June 2014|title=British Cycling release new technique video series + videos|url=http://road.cc/content/news/120881-british-cycling-release-new-technique-video-series-videos|magazine=road.cc|location=London|publisher=Farrelly Atkinson (F-At) Limited|access-date=28 September 2016|archive-date=16 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116215931/http://road.cc/content/news/120881-british-cycling-release-new-technique-video-series-videos|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Presenters ==

=== Global Cycling Network ===
* [Simon Richardson](/source/Simon_Richardson_(English_cyclist)) (2013-present), former professional cyclist and under-23 [British National Mountain Biking](/source/British_National_Mountain_Biking_Championships) champion.<ref name='CW2012'></ref>
* [Dan Lloyd](/source/Daniel_Lloyd_(cyclist)) (2013-present), former professional cyclist and 2008 [Vuelta a Extremadura](/source/Vuelta_a_Extremadura) winner.<ref name='CW-2008'></ref>
* Oliver Bridgewood (2018-present), PhD graduate and previous writer and video producer at ''[Cycling Weekly](/source/Cycling_Weekly)''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKUsLIvHyKs&t=9m|title=Chris Froome & Sexual Health - The GCN Show Ep. 286|date=3 July 2018|website=www.youtube.com/|publisher=GCN|access-date=4 July 2018}}</ref>
* [Conor Dunne](/source/Conor_Dunne) (2020-present), former professional cyclist and 2018 [Irish national road race](/source/Irish_National_Cycling_Championships) champion.<ref name="TYB-2020"></ref>
* Alex Paton (2020-present) former professional cyclist, hired to work on the GCN Tech channel.<ref>{{Citation|title=We've Got A New GCN Tech Presenter! {{!}} GCN Tech Show Ep. 149| date=29 October 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSLbGB7ZiZo|language=en|access-date=4 January 2021|archive-date=2 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102022723/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSLbGB7ZiZo&feature=youtu.be|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== GCN en Español (Spanish-language, since 2018) ===
* [Lucas Sebastian Haedo](/source/Lucas_Sebastian_Haedo)
* Bernat Font

=== GCN en français (French-language) ===
* Maxime Prieur
* Séverine Jouan

=== GCN Italia (Italian-language, since 2019) ===
* [Alan Marangoni](/source/Alan_Marangoni)
* [Giorgio Brambilla](/source/Giorgio_Brambilla)

=== GCN Japan (Japanese-language, 2019-2023) ===
* [Yukihiro Doi](/source/Yukihiro_Doi)<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4QX7P78jPg |title=今までGCN JAPANをご視聴いただいていた皆さまへ |date=2023-12-02 |last=GCN Japan |access-date=2025-01-28 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

=== GCN auf Deutsch (German-language, since 2020) ===
*Patrick Haller
*Laurin Winter

=== Former presenters ===
* [Alexys Brunel](/source/Alexys_Brunel)
* Jon Cannings
* Florian Chabbal
* [Loic Chetout](/source/Loic_Chetout)
* Tom Last
* [Manon Lloyd](/source/Manon_Lloyd) (2018-2024), former Welsh track cyclist and [2016 UEC European Track Championships](/source/2016_UEC_European_Track_Championships) team pursuit bronze medallist.<ref>{{Citation|title=The Do's & Don'ts For Cyclists At Christmas {{!}} GCN Show Ep.363| date=24 December 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPxSg-Nw6oE|language=en|access-date=2019-12-24|archive-date=6 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200906085711/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPxSg-Nw6oE|url-status=live}}</ref>
* James "Hank" Lowsley-Williams (2018-2025), former professional cyclist.<ref name="YTB2018">{{cite web |url=https://youtube.com/AV8mAKZFA8E?list=PLUdAMlZtaV12TFgS4bekgoST_vuHGdQtx&t=181 |title=New GCN Presenters! | The GCN Show Ep. 283 - YouTube |authorlink=Global Cycling Network |work=Global Cycling Network |date=2018-06-12 |accessdate=2026-05-17 }}</ref>
* Katherine Moore
* [Mayalen Noriega](/source/Mayalen_Noriega)
* [Chris Opie](/source/Chris_Opie) (2018-2020), former professional cyclist.<ref name="YTB2018"></ref> Chris left GCN to focus on returning to professional racing.<ref name="YTBC-2020">{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gje4F8bVweY&ab_channel=ChrisOpie |title=Chris Opie, Cycling Questions Answered, Why I Left GCN |first=Chris|last=Opie |date=1 August 2020 |website= youtube.com |access-date= 6 October 2020}}</ref>
* [Louis Pijourlet](/source/Louis_Pijourlet)
* [Emma Pooley](/source/Emma_Pooley) (2018-2019), former [time trial](/source/2010_UCI_Road_World_Championships_%E2%80%93_Women's_time_trial) and [duathlon](/source/duathlon) world champion.<ref>{{cite news |last=Thompson |first=Anna |date=9 September 2014 |title=Emma Pooley wins the world duathlon title at first attempt |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/get-inspired/28800884 |access-date=11 January 2019 |archive-date=18 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718134958/https://www.bbc.com/sport/get-inspired/28800884 |url-status=live }}</ref>. In march 2019, Pooley announced she would be leaving the channel to concentrate on engineering.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pooley |first1=Emma |title=Pooleyemma| url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BvaG0I1gKno/  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/pooleyemma/2006946555126393320 |archive-date=25 December 2021 |url-access=registration|publisher=Instagram |accessdate=23 May 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
* [Jeremy Powers](/source/Jeremy_Powers) (2019-2021), former professional racing cyclist who won over 90 UCI victories, four [USA Cyclocross National Championships](/source/United_States_National_Cyclo-cross_Championships), and the [2015 Pan-American UCI cyclocross championships](/source/Pan_American_Cyclo-cross_Championships).<ref name="Powers2015">{{cite news |date=1 Nov 2015 |title=Jeremy Powers claims Pan Am Continental Cyclo-cross crown |url=https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/pan-am-continental-cyclocross-championships-2015/elite-men/results/ |work=cyclingnews.com |access-date=8 Jun 2020 |archive-date=8 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608163728/https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/pan-am-continental-cyclocross-championships-2015/elite-men/results/ |url-status=live }}</ref>. He left GCN in 2021 to join [WHOOP](/source/Whoop_(company)).<ref name="3z-UZl1KJ8o">{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3z-UZl1KJ8o&t=1103s |title=Is Cycling Faster Than Ever Before? / GCN Show Ep.424 - YouTube |authorlink=Global Cycling Network |work=Global Cycling Network |date=2021-02-23 |accessdate=2021-10-25 }}</ref>
* [Oscar Pujol](/source/Oscar_Pujol)<ref name="spanish">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=2 July 2018 |title=Global Cycling Network launches Spanish channel with host Óscar Pujol |url=https://www.bicycleretailer.com/international/2018/07/02/global-cycling-network-launches-spanish-channel-host-%C3%B3scar-pujol#.XDi9DVxKjb0 |access-date=11 January 2019 |archive-date=4 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404183544/https://www.bicycleretailer.com/international/2018/07/02/global-cycling-network-launches-spanish-channel-host-%C3%B3scar-pujol#.XDi9DVxKjb0 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [Matt Stephens](/source/Matthew_Stephens_(cyclist)) (2013-2018), one of the original GCN presenters, 1998 British National Road Race Champion and 1992 Olympian (Road Race). Stephens served as a GCN presenter for four and a half years before leaving the programme to focus on live race commentary for Eurosport.<ref>{{cite news |last=Broughton |first=Robbie |date=30 April 2018 |title=Matt Stephens Leaves GCN |url=http://www.ridevelo.cc/blog/2018/4/30/matt-stephens-leaves-gcn |work=ridevelo.cc |access-date=11 January 2019 |archive-date=12 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112044230/http://www.ridevelo.cc/blog/2018/4/30/matt-stephens-leaves-gcn |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [Björn Thurau](/source/Bj%C3%B6rn_Thurau)
*[Mario Vogt](/source/Mario_Vogt)

== See also ==
* [Cycling network](/source/Cycling_network)

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Official|http://www.globalcyclingnetwork.com/}}
* {{youTube|user=globalcyclingnetwork}}

{{Cycling on United States television}}

<!--- Categories --->
Category:YouTube channels launched in 2013
Category:Cycling websites

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Global Cycling Network](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Cycling_Network) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Cycling_Network?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.