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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.
This episode was originally released for Friends of the Podcast subscribers earlier this week. However, on Thursday the UCI confirmed the calendars for the men's and women's World Tours for the next three-year cycle and there was no place on it for the One Cycling project, effectively kicking it into the long grass if not killing it completely. Much of the second half of the episode was about where the sport goes from here, including Jonathan's hope that the One Cycling project might finally give some coherence to the professional sport's structure. Jonathan asked if we could make this conversation available more widely and so, for a limited time, it will be on our free feed, with our thanks to our Friends of the Podcast subscribers who help to fund our coverage. Jonathan Vaughters is the general manager of the EF Education-Easy Post team and in this conversation with Lionel Birnie, he begins by talking about the conclusion to the Giro d'Italia. Richard Carparaz finished third overall after that thrilling stage over the Colle delle Finestre but Jonathan explains the tactics were designed with only victory in mind. From there, it's a freewheeling discussion about the state of pro cycling in 2025. Is Tadej Pogačar's dominance good for the sport, the One Cycling project, the Netflix effect, even the possibility of AI's influence on racing.
Send us a textIn this five-part series, De Dataloog joins forces with the Wolfpack Howls, the official podcast of the AG Insurance Soudal and Soudal Quick-Step Pro Cycling Team to explore how data and technology are transforming the world of professional cycling. Together with data analyst Paul van Herpt (Transfer Solutions) and hosts Phil Lowe and Walter van der Scheer, you'll get a unique behind-the-scenes look at one of the most forward-thinking cycling teams in the world.Each episode, featuring a unique blend of insights from riders, coaches, experts, and team leadership, dives into a different aspect of elite sports and data. Learn everything about the use of data to optimize training and race results, nutrition, and scouting. Welcome to a world where numbers make the difference but human performance wins the race.In this episode, we sit down with Jurgen Foré, CEO - Team Manager Soudal Quick-Step I AG Insurance-Soudal Pro Cycling Teams. With a background in strategy, consulting, and analytics, but above all a lifelong passion for cycling, Jurgen shares how he brings business discipline and human empathy into the world of elite sports.We explore how the team balances instinct and data when scouting new talent, why character and culture matter just as much as power output, and how structured performance monitoring enables riders to grow from promising athletes into consistent winners. From weekly cross-functional reviews to long-term investments in development squads, Jurgen outlines a leadership approach that's data-informed but always people-first.Theme: leadership, performance culture & data-driven scouting in pro cyclingGuests: Jurgen Foré (CEO, Soudal Quick-Step & AG Insurance Soudal)Hosts: Walter van der Scheer & Phil LoweDe Dataloog is de onafhankelijke Nederlandstalige podcast over data & kunstmatige intelligentie. Hier hoor je alles wat je moet weten over de zin en onzin van data, de nieuwste ontwikkelingen en echte verhalen uit de praktijk. Onze hosts houden het altijd begrijpelijk, maar schuwen de diepgang niet. Vind je De Dataloog leuk? Abonneer je op de podcast en laat een review achter.
Jonny Long, Kit Nicholson, and Dane Cash debate the merits of sprint stages and ponder the media-friendliness of today's peloton.
Send us a textIn this five-part series, De Dataloog joins forces with the Wolfpack Howls, the official podcast of the AG Insurance Soudal and Soudal Quick-Step Pro Cycling Team to explore how data and technology are transforming the world of professional cycling. Together with data analyst Paul van Herpt (Transfer Solutions) and hosts Phil Lowe and Walter van der Scheer, you'll get a unique behind-the-scenes look at one of the most forward-thinking cycling teams in the world.Each episode, featuring a unique blend of insights from riders, coaches, experts, and team leadership, dives into a different aspect of elite sports and data. Learn everything about the use of data to optimize training and race results, nutrition, and scouting. Welcome to a world where numbers make the difference but human performance wins the race.In this episode, you'll hear the remarkable story of Justine Ghekiere, whose relentless determination and winning mindset propelled her from amateur to professional cyclist. What started as a way to kill time during the COVID lockdown, riding 13-hour sessions on indoor rollers, turned into performances so extreme they were initially dismissed. Only after submitting her raw data was it confirmed that this wasn't a mistake, but simply raw talent.That same data caught the attention of the Soudal team, who recognized her potential and offered the environment she needed to grow. Justine shares how she now works closely with coaches, nutritionists, and data analysts to optimize every aspect of her performance, from nutritional strategies to using past training data as benchmarks for peak condition.Theme: scouting, talent development & the power of data in pro cyclingGuests: Justine Ghekiere (rider, AG Insurance Soudal), Paul van Herpt (data analyst, Transfer Solutions)Hosts: Walter van der Scheer & Phil LoweDe Dataloog is de onafhankelijke Nederlandstalige podcast over data & kunstmatige intelligentie. Hier hoor je alles wat je moet weten over de zin en onzin van data, de nieuwste ontwikkelingen en echte verhalen uit de praktijk. Onze hosts houden het altijd begrijpelijk, maar schuwen de diepgang niet. Vind je De Dataloog leuk? Abonneer je op de podcast en laat een review achter.
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.
UNBOUND 2025 was one for the books — and Ian was in the thick of it. Fresh off a Top 10 finish, Boz takes us through the energy of this year's event — from the expo to the start line, to everything in between. Hear from Wahooligan athletes, ambassadors, racers, and fans with an on-the-ground look at what makes UNBOUND the pinnacle of what gravel racing has become.
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.
Dane Cash and Cosmo Catalano break down the final mountain stage of the Giro d'Italia, where Simon Yates turned the race on its head.
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.
Dane Cash and Cosmo Catalano break down the GC battle two weeks into the Giro d'Italia, after a stage 15 that saw some changes in the standings ... and the narrative, too.
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.
Dane Cash and Cosmo Catalano break down the dramatic ninth stage and the rest of the key points from the first "week" of the 2025 Giro d'Italia.
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.
Cannondale are changing the endurance game, Are Campagnolo relevant again and Chris rides Zwift for the first time
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.
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.
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.
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.
Dane Cash and Cosmo Catalano take a closer look at Liège-Bastogne-Liège, where there was more to break down than you might expect for a race won so convincingly.
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.
Dane Cash and Cosmo Catalano break down all the action from the men's Amstel Gold Race.
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.
In the first episode of an all-new three-part series, Dominique is joined by Rapha CEO Fran Millar for a deep dive into the vital role of sponsors in women's cycling — not just for supporting teams, but helping to propel the sport forward.
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.
Dane Cash and Cosmo Catalano break down all the action from the men's race at Paris-Roubaix.
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.
Dane Cash and Cosmo Catalano break down the action from the men's Tour of Flanders, where rivals threw everything at the pre-race favorite.
Pro cycling speeds have gotten faster and faster. But what role has tech played in that? One of the chief architects of that evolution has been the performance engineer Jean-Paul Ballard, and we sat down with him at the Immenstadt wind tunnel in Germany to discuss all the things that make riders faster and the things that don't. As well as the things that will make us faster in the future! He's a fascinating person to speak to, so we hope you enjoy our conversation!
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.
Dane Cash and Cosmo Catalano break down the men's Gent-Wevelgem and draw some conclusions from the other races after a very busy weekend.
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.
Patrick and Benji recap the past week of the world of cycling and preview the full upcoming week of racingExclusive deals from our trusted partners
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.
Johan Bruyneel and Spencer Martin break down the early-season stage racing over the past few days, including the implications of Tadej Pogačar's dominance at the UAE Tour while his teammates João Almedia and Jan Christen dropped Jonas Vingegaard and Primož Roglič at the Volta ao Algarve and the all-out racing at the Ruta del Sol, before getting into why we are seeing so many race incidents and dangerous courses and how it could give a Saudi Arabia-backed One Cycling an opening to take control of the sport. Become a WEDŪ Member today to unlock premium content, including select brand discounts (along with a free pass to Spencer's BTP Newsletter) and special Q&A access with THEMOVE hosts (link: https://access.wedu.team/). OneSkin: OneSkin is the world's first skin longevity company, keeping your skin looking and acting younger for longer. Get started today with 15% off using code THEMOVE at https://oneskin.co