The Wheel Talk Podcast

Abby and Loren are joined again by Esra Tromp to talk about the Queen stage of the Giro d'Italia, and what a stage it was! Heroic tactics, incredible teamwork, and new woman in pink. With audio diaries from Sarah Gigante (AG Insurance-Soudal), Brodie Chapman (UAE Team ADQ), Josie Talbot (Liv AlUla Jayco), and Becky Storrie (PicNic PostNL).

Abby and Loren are joined by EF Education-Oatly Team Manager Esra Tromp to talk about a wild sixth day at the Giro d'Italia Women. With audio diaries from Mirre Knaven (EF Education-Oatly), Lea Curinier (FDJ-Suez), Rebecca Koerner (Uno-X Mobility), and Liv-AlUla-Jayco DS Shawn Clarke.

Abby is joined by Cosmo Catalano of the How The Race Was Won podcast and Loren to talk about the fifth stage of the Giro d'Italia Women. What was slated to be a sprint stage was upended by one sector of crosswinds where some of the GC favourites got to jump on some of the climbers and the favourite from the stage still managed to take it. With audio diaries from Lieke Nooijen (Visma-Lease a Bike), Becky Storrie (PicNic PostNL), Mirre Knaven (EF Edcuation-Oatly), Alice Towers (Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto) and Josie Talbot (Liv AlUla Jayco).

What. A. Stage! Abby and Georgie chat that climb that finished off the fourth stage of the Giro d'Italia. The pink jersey is on the back of a GC favourite but the race is far from won. With audio diaries from Sarah Gigante (AG Insurance-Soudal), Lea Curinier (FDJ-Suez), Amanda Spratt (Lidl-Trek), and Brodie Chapman (UAE Team ADQ).

In today's episode, Cosmo Catalano of the How The Race Was Won podcast joins Abby to talk about stage 3. A late-stage crash drastically impacted the outcome of the race ... but did it really? With audio diaries from Mirre Knaven (EF Education-Oatly), Alice Towers (Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto), Becky Storrie (PicNic PostNL), Josie Talbot (Liv AlUla Jayco), and Lieke Nooijen (Visma-Lease a Bike).

After the second stage of the Giro d'Italia Women, Loren and Abby talk through the surprising win, the changes in the GC, and what the heck happened to a few GC contenders who lost time. With audio diaries from Brodie Chapman (UAE Team ADQ), Sarah Gigante (AG Insurance-Soudal), Rebecca Koerner (Uno-X Mobility), Lea Curinier (FDJ-Suez), and a special contribution from Liv AlUla Jayco DS Shawn Clarke.

Abby and Georgie talk about the opening time trial at the Giro d'Italia Women, where the top four riders are exactly who you'd expect and the GC battle might already be wrapped, much to the surprise of the winner. The good news is the Giro is only getting started. With audio diaries from Brodie Chapman (UAE Team ADQ), Amanda Spratty (Lidl-Trek), Rebecca Koerner (Uno-X Mobility), Lieke Nooijn (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Ana Vitória Magalhães (Movistar).

Today on the podcast, Abby and Georgie talk you through each of the stages in the upcoming Giro d'Italia Women, plus the biggest names to watch and more. Stay tuned for daily episodes with audio diaries from some of our favourite riders and find a full written preview on EscapeCollective.com.

With no WorldTour racing this past weekend and a Giro preview podcast coming later this week, I wanted to use this as an opportunity to highlight a fantastic story by Matt de Neef about a topic that has been on the rise in recent years: iliac artery endofibrosis. The written piece can be found here, but for those who prefer to read with their ears, you'll be able to listen to Matt narrating his story on the pod this week.

After the Great Handlebar Fiasco last week, riders (and the hosts of this podcast, Abby, Georgie, Loren, and Gracie) were not pleased about the lack of safety at the new Copenhagen Sprint WWT event.

It's a full house this week as Abby, Loren, Georgie and Gracie discuss everything that went down at Tour de Suisse: Marlen Reusser's meteoric rise, Demi Vollering's biggest weakness, the second-best climbing team in the peloton, and what it all means for the coming weeks. They also talk about the new handlebar rule, with some input from FDJ-Suez's Director of Performance, Lieselot Decroix, as well as the Giro d'Italia Women's new slot on the 2026 calendar.

Forget the battle of Winterfell, the Tour of Britain was the true battle for the North.This week, the team dive into what was an EPIC edition of the Tour of Britain. The roads were punishing, and the weather was unforgiving. Two forces eventually fought it out for victory on the streets of Glasgow. Gracie, Matt, and Georgie also look to Spain as FDJ-Suez continue to prove their dominance, plus HoweGood roasts the UCI in a minute of madness, and Gracie describes how she gave Georgie a baptism of fire on the MTB.

With a lull in WWT racing last weekend, Georgie, Abby, and Gracie try to answer a few listener questions, including one about fueling in the women's peloton. We also break down the new Tour of Norway and chat Unbound, featuring audio diaries from Cassondra Spring of Liv and Melisa Rollins.

This week, Anna Shackley, former professional for SD Worx-Protime and current director for Cynisca, joined Loren and Abby to break down the final Spanish stage race - Vuelta a Burgos. The three discuss what they learned from the Spanish block of racing, who came out on top and who will be looking for more in the coming months. 

Abby, Gracie and Georgie chatted this week about Matt White's dismissal from the GreenEdge team, Ceratizit ending their sponsorship of a WorldTour team, Itzulia Women and Vuelta a Burgos (aka the first WWT ITT of the year).

It's time for the Grand Tours and the team kicks off its analysis with the Vuelta Feminina and special guest Julie Leth. What used to be a lovely, sunny race in Spain was anything but with the women showcasing some enthralling racing.Who impressed? Were there any controversial tactics? What riders have the most work before the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift?

Gracie, Loren and Abby discuss all things La Vuelta Femenina on this week's Wheel Talk podcast. They also reflect on Lotte Kopecky's comments regarding her winter training and the media's role in critiquing athletic performances.

It's all hands on deck this week to discuss La Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Gracie, Loren, Georgie, and Abby gather to break down the final two races of the Spring, who came out on top and who has some catching up to do before the upcoming stage races.

This week on the Wheel Talk Podcast, Abby, Gracie, and Georgie break down the Brabantse Pijl and the Amstel Gold Race (including that podium ceremony) and look ahead to the final two one-day events of the spring: La Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège.

Wowza, what a race! The greatest comeback in women's road cycling continues to give while top favourites miss the top step and lack of a definitive plan keeps the best team from taking home another Paris Roubaix Femmes avec Zwift cobblestone.

It cycling's Holy Week and Abby, Gracie, and Georgie have a lot to say about concussions, Lotte Kopecky, Lidl-Trek, and more. They also look ahead to Paris Roubaix Femmes where the world champion is yet again the top favorite to claim the crown.

This week's podcast features the full team of Abby, Loren, Gracie, and Georgie, who discuss Gent Wevelgem and Classic Brugge-De Panne and preview Dwars door Vlaanderen and the Tour of Flanders.The "world championships of sprinting" was windless this year, but that didn't stop one youngster from forging ahead alone (for a long time) before the sprinter's teams eventually brought her back. Meanwhile, one rider attempted to prove she was unbeatable, but perhaps there is a way around her. And the biggest race of the spring is coming on the weekend, but can anyone dethrone SD Worx-Protime?

Abby, Gracie and Loren have a lot to say this week about Sanremo Women. They dive into the tactics, how the race could have been won, and if it really needs to be longer. After, they look ahead to the two races on tap this week; Classic Brugge-De Panne and Gent Wevelgem. A full preview for those can be found in this week's Wheel Talk Newsletter.For more on Sanremo Women check out Matt's piece on EscapeCollective.com

This week the team gets together to discuss Trofeo Alfredo Binda. Almost all the best riders in the sport showed up to race in Cittiglio, but a flurry of attacks couldn't stop a top quick woman from taking the day. The race hinted at what's to come next weekend at Sanremo Women, the first for the women's peloton in 20 years.

This week Abby, Gracie, Loren and Georgie break down Strade Bianche. From FDJ-Suez's dream day to the conditions that took most of the peloton out of contention to the battle we've all been waiting for continues to heat up, there's a lot to say as the WorldTour season continues. Coming up next: Trofeo Alfredo Binda.Bonus! Gretchen Powers checks in from the Cross Country skiing World Championships in Trondheim, Norway.

The peloton opened up Classics season with Omloop Het Nieuwsblad on Saturday and Omloop van het Hageland on Sunday, but the opening race left many pondering the new dynamics of the peloton, and how much impact offseason transfers (both in the peloton and in the cars) had on the race tactics.Then, on Sunday, Anna van der Breggen had us feeling like we'd hopped in a time machine. With Strade Bianche up next, the question is how much impact will Omloop Het Nieuwsblad have on the season, and can teams get their **** together before the next WorldTour one day?

This week on the Wheel Talk Podcast, we assemble an A+ list of personalities to partake in the second edition of the Wheel Talk Draft. Prepare to yell into the sky when your favourite riders get picked, or don't, and let ten months of smack talk begin.

This week the team looks to Valenciana. A small race in Spain? No chance. Anna van der Breggen is back, and with a vengeance. Could Demi Vollering's top step be in danger this season? The crew discuss what Van der Breggen's form shows, how a happy head leads to a fast Marlen Reusser, and how Trek finally opened their account with Elisa Balsamo taking two stages. With the best time of the year (the Classics) just a few weeks away, we also breakdown the start list for the Omloop Het Niewsblad and tag our riders to watch for the cobbled block of racing.

This week, the team takes you through the four stages at the Women's UAE Tour. We discuss a world class sprinter continuing her streak, unmatched race craft from a legend of the peloton, and underwhelming performances from those we'd expect to finish higher on the results sheet. What does this race signify for the season? Join the Wheel Talk crew as we break it all down.Obsessions: Loren - Super Bowl ads, Gracie - We Are the Stars by Gina Chick, Georgie - the Imperfects and the Minefield podcasts.

For the week between Tour Down Under and Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, we return to our "conversation series." Loren sat down with old friend Molly Weaver, former rider for Team Sunweb (now Picnic PostNL) turned Ultra racer. They two discuss the issue of power to weight, how the demand to lose weight ended Molly's career, and Molly's plans for 2025: On the Edge, Molly's British Coastline World Record Attempt.Molly's written work from her time as a professional road cyclist can be found here.

This week's episode is a special one. Matt de Neef takes control of the mic, along with Gracie Elvin and Georgie Howe, for an on-the-ground breakdown of Tour Down Under. The three talk about everything from the stage 1 non-chase to double Willunga Hill chaos to what Chloe Dygert can accomplish in 2025.

Georgie Howe joined Gracie and Abby to break down all the action from Aussie Road Nats and preview the upcoming Tour Down Under. For a full written preview ahead of TDU check out the Wheel Talk Newsletter at Escape Collective.Obsessions: Georgie – being home in Melbourne with friends and family, and Zero 7, Gracie – swimming!, Abby – The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon.

For our first episode of the new year, and with Australian National Championships in mind, Gracie Elvin sat down with Lidl-Trek super-domestique Lauretta Hanson to talk about her experience as a domestique in the WorldTour, her journey to the Paris Olympics and being a hometown hero.Aussie Nats kicks off with U23 and Junior time trials on January 8th, elite time trials the following day and road races over the weekend with the women racing on Sunday the 12th.

Loren, Gracie, and Abby are back this week for the last episode of the year. We chat about Demi Vollering joining FDJ-Suez, what that means for the French team and how they might divide leadership between the Dutchwoman, Evita Muzic, and Juliette Labous. We also reflect on our favorite moments of the season including Grace Brown's Olympic and World Championship success, the Olympics in general, and of course Kasia Niewiadoma's Tour victory.Thanks so much for listening! This year has been insane, and we're so happy to have helped guide you through it. We will be back on January 7th with another Conversation episode (with Lauretta Hanson and Gracie) before we dive into the Aussie Summer of Racing with the National Championships and Tour Down Under. There is a lot to look forward to in 2025!

This week Loren Rowney caught up with Shimano's Road Marketing Manager Alexa Cunningham to chat about sponsorship on the women's side of the sport, from grassroots to WorldTour, and how Alexa found herself in Valkenburg working for one of the biggest brands in cycling.Alexa's obsessions: The Resident on Netflix and Liv's short film about Bonnie.

This week Loren and Abby sat down with Georgie Howe, former rower turned professional cyclist for Liv-AlUla-Jayco. Howe found cycling during the pandemic and her rise in the sport was rapid. That rise came with its pluses and minuses, and after a few wonderful years, Howe is leaving the professional peloton behind in 2025 ... for now. But she's not keen to hang up the bike just yet!More information about the study Georgie mentioned from the 2023 Tour de France Femmes can be found here.Matt de Neef also wrote a story about Georgie's rapid rise in cycling here.

This week on Wheel Talk, Abby chatted with Anna Henderson about her silver medal in the Time Trial at the Paris Olympics, the emotional come-down after she overachieved her goal, her switch to Lidl-Trek, and more.

This week Matt de Neef called up Grace Brown to chat about her career up to this year, her dream 2024 season that included Olympic Gold and a World title, and what she has planned for the future. Matt's written piece on the conversation can be found on Escape Collective here.

This week Abby called up Geerike Schreurs (aka Gee) to chat about her move from racer to soigneur to gravel pro to a WorldTour contract with SD Worx-Protime in 2025.

This week Abby chatted with Elise Chabbey before the end of her up-and-down season about her transition from kayaking to road cycling, her time with Canyon-SRAM and her move to FDJ-Suez in 2025.

This week we kick off our off-season interview series with none other than football/soccer legend Tobin Heath. Tobin is a new convert to cycling but it didn't take long for her to get hooked. We talk all things women's cycling and sport, about her time at the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift and more.

Abby, Gracie and Loren get together for a final group podcast for a while to wrap up the final races of the season and chat the latest transfers. They also talk about the placement of Tour of Chongming Island and Tour of Guangxi in the calendar and if an earlier slot in the year would impact public interest in the races.Next week Abby and Matilda Price chat with Tobin Heath about women's sports and her discovery of cycling. You won't want to miss it!Obsessions: Abby - Fall, Loren - Harry has his final treatment this week!, Gracie - Agatha All Along

This week on the podcast, Loren, Gracie, and Abby talked about the Simac Ladies Tour, Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig's move to Canyon-SRAM, and the lack of announcement around Demi Vollering's 2025 team.Obsessions: Abby - Abbott Elementary, Gracie - Shōgun, Loren - Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

This week on the podcast Gracie, Abby and Loren chat about the latest in transfer news, the Gravel World Championships, the 2025 calendar, and the future of bike racing in Australia.Obsessions: Abby - Nobody Wants This, Gracie - Chappell Roan's The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, Loren - A Touch More with Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe

Abby, Matt de Neef and Matilda Raynolds break down the women's Elite World Championship road race. The course was harder than expected, combined with horrendous weather, Saturday gave us quite the race. Very few riders could walk away claiming they had a good day, one of them was the winner, and a whole team proved that strength means nothing if you can't work together.

This week on the podcast Abby, Loren and Gracie talked about the World Championships time trial on Sunday, some amazing performances there (and one in particular). They also preview the road race, with a little input from none other than Elise Chabbey who just announced she will be moving teams for next season.

This week Abby, Loren and Gracie chat about the European championships with some impressive wins in both the time trial and road races. They also dive a bit into some more transfers and extensions announced last week and look ahead to the World Championship time trial.Obsessions: Abby - Gilmore Girls, Loren - Her bike trailer, Gracie - Truth Be Told.

Despite having no new signings (yet) SD Worx-Protime doesn't look like they will be any less dominant next season, thanks to their world champion.Abby, Tilda and Gracie break down Tour de Romandie plus touch on how teams are shaping up for 2025.Obsessions: Abby - The Woodhalls, Tilda - Maggie Rogers, Gracie - Zwift training plans (specifically the beginner build up).

This week we chatted a bit about our days in the peloton and answered some listener questions, plus touched on the Paralympics (Meg Fisher's guide has more info on the classifications).

Gracie Elvin and Matt de Neef are back this week with Abby and Loren to talk Classic Lorient Agglomération. Plus, final takes on the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift! We're still not over it.Next week we will try to tackle some listener questions. Submit yours to the Escape Collective Discord (Wheel Talk channel) or send in your own audio diary here!Obsessions: Loren - her kids, Gracie - her postpartum body, Abby - cooking, specifically cheesy creamed corn, Matt - Ted Lasso