Podcasts about professional cycling

Today on the Spin Cycle podcast, Caley, Dane, and Jonny discuss quel le fuq is going on in French cycling at the minute, buttering you up before we descend into the topic of whether monsieur moins sept is trying to worm his way back into cycling.We then have some transfer rumours to update you on and a weird doping story to finish things off.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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! 

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).

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. 

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?

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? 

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.