Escape Collective

In this episode of Spin Cycle, Caley Fretz, Jonny Long, and Dane Cash discuss the rising chaos at UAE, the UCI's new gear limits, and Pidcock going really fast.

Well, some of the knee-jerk predictions made last Friday didn't last very long, did they? Tadej Pogačar showed everyone who's boss at the Dauphine, and we wait with baited breath to see if he somehow messed something up going into the Tour de France. Caley's back from a successful foray into lobstering and is joined by Jonny and Kit to break down the weekend's racing. Then the three turn their attention to the other big story from the weekend, an incoming ban on a number of go-faster gear, including narrow handlebars. Has the UCI even lost Caley on this one, a man who thoroughly hates the narrow bar trend? Seems so. 

Jonny Long, Dane Cash, and Kit Nicholson offer some kneejerk reactions to a single time trial at the Critérium du Dauphiné and ponder sponsorship activation opportunities for cosmetics brands in the latest episode of the Spin Cycle podcast.

Jonny Long, Kit Nicholson, and Dane Cash debate the merits of sprint stages and ponder the media-friendliness of today's peloton.

Welcome back to Spin Cycle, everybody. This week, Caley, Dane, and Jonny bring you:Dave Brailsford is making a return to cycling after being shuffled from his day-to-day role at Man United, potentially focusing more on the cycling team. His return prompts discussion about Geraint Thomas's potential management role upon retirement, first reported by Escape Collective in March. The exact nature of Thomas's role is ill-defined, with speculation ranging from something like head sports director or director of racing, or perhaps stepping into a role providing human connection and emotional intelligence for the riders, given that he doesn't seem to relish internal politics.The Criterium du Dauphine is upon us, set to be a mano a mano a mano battle featuring Vingegaard, Pogacar, and Evenepoel in the same stage race for the first time this year. Jonas Vingegaard was spotted training with hairy legs and short socks.Netflix's "Unchained" series concludes, with the third and final season trailer released by Netflix France. The season is dropping really, really late on July 2nd, just before the Tour de France starts.Plus: A look at the Dauphine route, which is backloaded with difficult stages and has almost no flat days.

Welcome back to Spin Cycle. This week, the crew dissects a thrilling conclusion of the Giro d'Italia. Was it won by Simon Yates or lost by UAE Team Emirates? Perhaps somewhere in between? What is absolutely sure is the deployment of Wout van Aert via the Wout Signal was yet another example of why he's the rider you want on your Grand Tour team. Plus: meeting the pope, Mads Pedersen's new underwear, and what Tibaut Pinot got up to over the weekend. 

One weekend remains at a fantastic Giro d'Italia. We won't try to guess what happens, because that's impossible, and that's why the race is so good.Caley, Jonny, and Dane discuss the stories of the week, including Ayuso's bee sting, Carapaz's form, and Lance's toilet investment. Plus, we hear from Luis Lemus on the impact of Isaac del Toro on Mexican cycling. 

It's the last rest day of the Giro d'Italia, and two bits of GC news dominate conversation: Isaac Del Toro is officially UAE's leader now, and Primoz Roglič might pull out entirely. Caley, Jonny, and Kit are joined by Intern Nick to discuss Primoz Roglič's inevitable move to Israel-Premier Tech, Juan Ayuso's inevitable move to Movistar, and Del Toro's ability to put on a jacket. Plus much more besides, of course. 

Head to Escapecollective.com/member to sign up today.Welcome back to Spin Cycle, where no news is too big and no joke too small. We're about halfway through the Giro, and what a Giro it's been. Caley, Jonny, and Kit take a moment to appreciate a Grand Tour without Pogačar in it, and then look ahead to the next one he'll be in. The Tour de France finish in Paris has changed, and it's way harder. Can Pogi win it? Should the classics men get excited? Plus, a one-night stand could land you in doping jail. Beware! 

The Giro d'Italia's mini Strade Bianche had everything: A winner everybody can hear for, a precocious young talent, GC crashes, dust galore.In this episode of Spin Cycle, Caley, Jonny, and Kit break down a spectacular weekend of racing, look back at some of our favorite Grand Tours stages of the modern era, downsize Big Jim to Medium Sized Jim, and wonder how UAE will handle yet another leadership question. 

Primoz Roglič showed the Giro how to hang off a race director's car on Thursday and Mads Pedersen probably had to go on a boat even though he fell down. The Giro is going to Giro, always. Caley, Jonny, and Kit jump on to chat through the last few days of racing and concrete reporting that Total Energies and Ineos are about to become a new chemical romance. Plus, some kind words for the Giro TV crew and Mathias Vacek, who is so good it's actually quite scary. 

If there's one thing we've learned over the first three days of the Giro d'Italia, it's never make a bet with Mads Pedersen. The Lidl-Trek rider is on fire, trimmers in hand. In today's episode, Caley, Jonny, and Kit break down the Giro's opening weekend, question the morality of one of a big newspaper, learn the fate of the Tro-Bro Leon pig, and introduce the Farce-O-Meter. 

The Giro d'Italia is upon us! Chris Marshall Bell rings in from Albania with the answers to cycling's biggest questions - whose legs are good? Who will be taking it day by day? We've got everything you need to know about the year's first Grand Tour. Plus, there's been a massive shakeup at GreenEdge. Longtime director Matt White is out. What are we hearing? 

Welcome back to Spin Cycle. In this episode, Caley, Jonny, and Kit give Astana the props they've been yearning for (almost as valuable as UCI points). Then, a look at the youngsters of Romandie, a cluster of a TTT at the Vuelta, and a trip in the sad Visma Van. Plus, Joe Laverick joins to discuss the Traka and how gravel has become a meme. 

In the arc of a life – especially one as rich and eventful as Greg LeMond's - certain stories get lost to the grander narrative. But in 1987, the bigger story was still unwritten. That year – soon after he'd won his first Tour de France, in the prime of his career – Greg LeMond was shot, and almost died.A Grand Tour champion, violence, drugs, intrigue, rehabilitation, and redemption: this is that story.We're running this first episode across our network, but future episodes will only be found on the Rabbit Holes channel. Subscribe to Rabbit Holes on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Production and sound design by Will and Stuart at Redbricks Media. Music from EpidemicSound. Thanks to Chris Marshall-Bell.Escape Collective is an entirely independent and member-funded publication, and this content is only possible through the support of our members. To subscribe, go to www.escapecollective.com/join.

Marketing, activate! Red Bull's "groundbreaking" new feature is just a sprint point, but what does the company's increasing involvement in pro cycling mean going forward? That question is far more interesting. Caley, Dane, and Intern Nick are back to discuss Red Bull's latest, whether prologues are good, and we hear from Lachlan Morton on his decision to race Unbound XL.  

Who would you want on your Tour de France tandem? Would Pogi and Almeida beat Vingegaard and Jorgenson? These are other important questions answered on this episode of Spin Cycle. Caley, Kit, and Dane run through Liège, Remco Evenepoel's very bad day, Ben Healy's breath of fresh air, and Demi Vollering's disappointing spring. Plus, Chris Froome retirement news and an appreciation for good kit, from Kit of course. 

Head to Escapecollective.com/member to sign up today.The best indicator for Fleche Wallonne victory seems to be whether or not you drink a podium beer at Amstel. Caley, Dane, Ronan, and Intern Nick break down the mid-week Classic, look ahead to Liege, discuss Uno-X's excellent new 7-11 kits, and wonder aloud where all the olds have gone. 

Head to Escapecollective.com/member to sign up today.Is Tadej Pogačar tired? Amstel Gold sure seemed to suggest it. Caley, Dane, and Intern Nick break down the weekend's racing, a crazy story about Lucho Herrera, the One Day Oscars, and lots more. Then, Joe Laverick joins to discuss a new take on road racing that looks like a lot like an old take on road racing. 

Head to Escapecollective.com/member to sign up today.Time to pivot to the Ardennes! By the time you listen to this, Brabantse Pijl will be wrapped up, and with it the return of Remco Evenepoel to the pro peloton. Caley and Dane are joined by Iain Treloar to put a bow on the cobbled classics and look ahead to the hilly one-days coming up. Plus Iain brings news of a new scam on the Internet. 

Caley, Ronan and Jonny come to you live from the Roubaix velodrome to break down the action and discuss the long-term narrative implications for what was a day out on the cobbles of northern France that will live long in the memory.

The Spin Cycle crew talks Paris-Roubaix. Caley Fretz, Jonny Long, Dane Cash, Ronan Mc Laughlin, and Zac Williams discuss all the storylines and field a few member questions ahead of the big race in front of a live audience in Kortrijk, Belgium.

Head to Escapecollective.com/member to sign up today.Flanders is the best of bike racing, and Sunday did not disappoint. Caley, Jonny, and Dane sit down in Oudenaarde's old square to discuss Pogačar's villain arc, Kopecky's biceps, and how there was very little anybody could do about today's outcomes. 

Head to Escapecollective.com/member to sign up today.The crew is back in Belgium! Caley, Jonny, Dane, and special guest Nick are on the streets of Ghent and focused on De Ronde, the Tour of Flanders coming on Sunday. They break down the two key protagonists and who might upset the apple cart, plus bring a healthy dose of Belgian flavor throughout. Then, a look a the shrinking podiums in mountain bike racing and what the racers are doing about it and what Visma should have done about the strawberry in their Mustard. 

Head to Escapecollective.com/member to sign up today.This week on Spin Cycle: Mathieu van der Poel got spit on, a Belgian rider got stuck in his hotel room, and Kit thinks Mads Pedersen is going to win Flanders. Plus the crew discuss E3, Gent-Wevelgem, Fabio Jakobsen's surgery, and extra team in the Ground Tours, and look ahead to Holy Week. 

Head to Escapecollective.com/member to sign up today.Tadej Pogačar is officially heading to Paris-Roubaix. What do we think? Can he win? Is it all a secret ploy to get Nils Politt across the line first? Probably not. Caley, Jonny, and Dane discuss the biggest news of the week (anything Pogačar does, obviously) and then question WTF was happening with all the crashes at Brugge de Panne, look into the extra wildcard teams that might be racing Grand Tours this season, and salute Caleb Ewan getting an early win in Ineos colors. Plus much more, of course. 

He's Ganna Poel up the Pog-gio! And other Milan-San Remo puns. How good was that weekend of bike racing? This week's Spin Cycle kicks off looking at Pogačar's team tactics in light of a behind-the-scenes video that dropped after the race. Things seemed to go mostly to plan, but did they? Then, why can't cycling have more races like MSR? How do you build proper launchpads? We have some ideas. Plus, Mads Pedersen's gut is not a place you want to be,  the UCI Track Champions League bit the dust, Marc Madiot thinks France is best, and Vingegaard is back riding again. 

Head to Escapecollective.com/member to sign up today.Two Milan-San Remos for the price of one? Sign us up. This week's Spin Cycle previews the best 15 minutes in bike racing, the finale of Milan-San Remo, and makes some guesses about the return of the women's MSR for the first time in 20 years. But first, we dive headlong into the UCI's hatred of nipples, some strange man management at Cofidis, the Tours de France coming back to the UK, and the potential for a new stage race in Colorado. 

Head to Escapecollective.com/member to sign up today.This week on Spin Cycle: Caley, Jonny, and Kit dive into Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico, discussing Sunday's dominant American duo, big boys who are good at climbing, and Ineos' new lease on life. Plus a bit of transfer speculation (Ayuso to Movistar anyone?) and the things on Patrick Lefevere's banned list. 

Head to Escapecollective.com/member to sign up today.We're in the thick of it. Paris-Nice, Tirreno-Adriatico, rain, snow, riders warming hands on motorcycle exhaust manifolds, Jonas Vingegaard falling down. Caley, Jonny, and Dane break it all down on this week's Spin Cycle. Plus, is David Gaudu the baddie? 

Head to Escapecollective.com/member to sign up today.Ineos might get a co-sponsor? Yep. Reporter Chris Marshall Bell brings us an exclusive - TotalEnergies, which currently sponsors a French Pro Team, is in talks with the British squad to come on as a co-title sponsor. Negotiations have been ongoing for months, and while not confirmed, it could mean TotalEnergies invests 10 to 15 million euros into Ineos. Read about it here. Then, of course, we have to dive into Strade Bianche. How did Tadej Pogačar's expensive watch fare in his crash? Does Caley have some news about Pogi's Roubaix participation? (Yes). Finally, the crew discuss Bradley Wiggin's comments on Dave Brailsford, the Saudi PIF and its sponsorship of the Giro d'Italia, and the latest on how to watch pro cycling (or not, as it were) in the UK. 

Tadej Pogačar is going to Roubaix? Maybe for real this time? We can only dream. On this Strade Bianche Eve, the Spin Cycle crew cheers the news that the Tour de France Femmes may be headed to Yorkshire and discusses how Mathieu van der Poel toyed with the peloton before taking a moment to thoroughly enjoy Peter Sagan dancing on TV. Plus, everything you need to know ahead of Saturday's Strade Bianche and a look at the two stage races, Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico, kicking off this week. 

Welcome back to Spin Cycle! We kick things off by diving headfirst into the opening weekend of the classics: Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne.First up, Omloop. What a weird day of racing, especially from the women's peloton. How and why did FDJ and SD Worx let the break get 15 minutes? It was a game of chicken where everyone ended up as a chicken. In the men's race, the surprise came in the finale as small groups came back together, which they don't usually do, resulting in a bigger bunch sprint than we've seen in years. At least a lovely old lady got her Arnaud de Lie moment. At Kuurne, Kaden Groves got a yellow card and Jasper Philipsen was fastest. Is Caley's Jonathan Milan draft pick already looking foolish? At Tour du Rwanda, the final stage was cancelled due to bad conditions. Not a great sign ahead of the planned World Championships later this year.Finally, we like to end the show on a high note, so last up is the news that the 2027 Tour de France might start in the UK. Jonny is ecstatic. 

This week's Spin Cycle podcast opens with the news that Rabobank is returning as a sponsor for Visma-Lease a Bike, like a salmon returning a once-polluted river. Rabobank's history in the sport is long and somewhat sordid, and their departure due to doping scandals felt final. Well, now they're back. What does that mean? Then Caley, Jonny, and Dane preview the upcoming Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne races, analyzing route changes, potential contenders like Wout van Aert and Tom Pidcock, and the "Omloop curse." We touch on UAE's classics team and possible favorites for the races. Finally, we head into corrections corner. 

It's a massive Spin Cycle show this week because we have something special: our 2025 Men's Pro Cycling Draft! Your favorite Spin Cycle podders, plus one member standing in for all the rest of you, pick their teams for the coming season. The first part of the show is your standard fare - discussion of the two best GC riders in the world and how they fared at their respective early-season stage races, plus an unfortunate trip to Crash Courtyard, where Chris Froome is waiting. 

Head to Escapecollective.com/member to sign up today.Today on Spin Cycle: Caley, Jonny, and Dane dive into the Algarve Poop Show, alternative race endings, and the curious case of Mou. Then, we head back to Ratcliffe Row with the help of a very handy compass.

The Spanish Strade Bianche, Clásica Jaén, needs a premium Sunday time slot. The race has only been around since 2022 but is already one of our favourites, and a rider favourite too. This week on the show, Caley, Kit, and Jonny discuss how to create new races properly, how not to set up a sprint (maybe no speed bumps), and Geraint Thomas' unsurprising announcement that this will be his last season. Plus, Alejandro Valverde's refusal to stop racing. And lots more, of course. 

This week, Caley, Dane, and Jonny discuss Netflix Unchained's cancellation, the troubles of Jim Ratcliffe's INEOS sports empire, and sprinters going head-to-head in the Middle East. Did Unchained work? Is Jim Ratcliffe bad at sports? He is in legal disputes, has pulled sponsorships, and cut jobs. The INEOS group was downgraded due to high debt. Things are bad. What's up at the Tour of Oman, where jerseys are being zipped and others unzipped? Finally, we discuss the UAE Tour, which will feature top sprinters. Tadej Pogačar will be there too. Excitement brims. 

Ok, ok, Pogačar is probably not going to Paris-Roubaix. But what if he is? WHAT IF?! Wouldn't it be glorious? This week's Spin Cycle tackles this cobbled hypothetical, discusses the use of time trial helmets in road race, and has a look at how the sprinters are doing so far this season. Plus lots more, of course. 

In this week's episode of Spin Cycle, Jonny Long breaks down his plan for the future of pro road cycling. National teams, a Classics Cup, a draft, and more. It's big, it's bold, it's almost certainly impossible, but it's a lot of fun to talk about.Plus, Thibau Nys and Mathieu van der Poel are going skiing, teams have to go to more races, and Tom Pidcock is a bit cheap. 

Head to Escapecollective.com/member to sign up today.On this week's Spin Cycle: Carbon monoxide inhalation has been banned, a beef with another podcast (these two are related), cyclocross worlds happened, and Lenny Martinez may have made a mistake. Plus lots more besides. 

We just want to watch cycling on TV for a reasonable price. Is that too much to ask? Caley, Jonny, and Dane kick off the show with a discussion of the new unfortunate and expensive reality for anybody trying to watch bike racing in the UK. How exactly do these rights work and what do major players like ASO think about it all? Should we start doing VPN affiliate links? Then, back to Pidcock Paddock, which is already filling with new silverware. Plus, Ritchey lost its rainbows and Rigoberto Uran still can't play ball sports. 

Is the pro cycling calendar an all-you-can-eat buffet? Jonny Long thinks so. Caley Fretz just wants to go to a normal restaurant, and will certainly avoid the bucket of shrimps. This week's episode kicks off with an update on the various new and interesting ways Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos have managed to trip over themselves. Then, Kit Nicholson provides the penultimate sincere cyclocross update of the year. Plus, Caley and Jonny have apologies to issue and there's Tour Down Under to discuss. 

Sign up for Escape Collective today at escapecollective.comThis week's Spin Cycle podcast kicks off with Caleb Ewan's transfer to Ineos Grenadiers after mysteriously disappearing from Jayco's website weeks ago. Then we discuss Danny Van Poppel's yellow card for blocking at the Tour Down Under, and consider whether the yellow card system adequately penalizes dangerous riding. New feed zone rules are in effect, will we see more hunger knocks? In other news, Mark Cavendish has posted a very detailed photo of his lip, Rigoberto Uran is probably not going to be a pro soccer player, and Akrea-B&B might be in trouble. 

Ronan, Kit, and Abby join Jonny to discuss Jonas Vingegaard's recent, slightly explosive comments that other teams are using carbon monoxide for performance gains (if only someone else had reported that could be a possibility ey, Ronan) while Visma-Lease a Bike also officially decommission its Control Van.Elsewhere, Abby talks us through a surprising women's edition of the Tour Down Under, while Matt is on the ground for us in Adelaide at both TDUs to set the scene for us.Finally, we react to the news Ineos Grenadiers are looking for another sponsor in January, which doesn't seem to bode too well for the British team, and there's something funny going on with the Paris Olympics' medals.

Sign up for Escape Collective today at escapecollective.comWelcome back to Spin Cycle, your twice-weekly dose of the biggest stories in cycling. Now on Fridays too!In this episode, we dive into the swirling rumors around the Tour de France potentially incorporating the iconic Montmartre climb into the final stage. Could this shake up the iconic Champs-Élysées sprint finish? Or would it just be window dressing? Next, Richard Plugge has responded to criticism of his One Cycling project. We dissect his arguments, examine the potential impact on traditional races, and discuss whether this radical new format could truly revolutionize the sport.Also in the show: Rigoberto Uran's surprising foray into professional football, the bizarre Giro d'Italia route presentation, and RCS's demands for star riders in exchange for wildcard entries. Tune in for all the latest news, analysis, and, as always, our signature dose of Friday vibes.

Sign up for Escape Collective today at escapecollective.comSpin Cycle, now earlier in the week! This episode dives into the Australian Nationals, focusing on the win by Luke Durbridge and the strategic role of Luke Plapp. Caley, Jonny, and Kit examine the unusual situation surrounding Caleb Ewan's contract with Jayco Alula and what we hear is going on behind the scenes.Also on the docket: Upcoming races like the Tour Down Under, Jonas Vingegaard's potential participation in the World Championships in Rwanda, the retirement of some notable riders, and another trip to Pidcock Paddock. Finally, the episode touches upon Peter Sagan's foray into Slovakian reality television and Tom Dumoulin's impressive half-marathon times.

This episode of Spin Cycle kicks off with a discussion of One Cycling, a controversial proposal to restructure professional cycling with financial backing from Saudi Arabia. The hosts and guest reporter Chris Marshall Bell debate the project, considering the perspectives of teams, fans, and race organizers like ASO.Then, Kit and Jonny provide cyclocross updates of varying earnestness. And finally, Ronan bats back some of the recent proposals to make cycling safer. 

Tadej Pogačar wins Roubaix? Demi Vollering wins two Grand Tours? Aero bikes will come back with a Vengeance? (See what we did there?) The Spin Cycle crew sit down to make some bold predictions for 2025. Who will be most wrong? 

The final Spin Cycle episode of 2024 is a Christmas-themed quiz! Big thanks to Spooky from our member discord for creating about half of it, and thanks to every single one of you for joining us throughout the year.