Podcasts about professional cycling

Today on the show: Vuelta drama fizzles before it starts and there's been another bike theft.

It's mailbag week! With limited racing to discuss this week, Abby, Gracie, Georgie, and Loren answer some of your burning questions. From what we want to see in women's cycling going forward to that Serena Williams ad. Plus: who was our messiest teammate? It's a fun one this week.

Today on the show: The Vuelta is underway, Vingegaard is back, and Danny van Poppel can't stop collecting yellow cards.

Today on the show: Mads' middle finger, Pogačar doesn't want you to take his picture, and the Secret Pro is back. And no, we will not be answering the question in the episode title. But you're welcome to guess! 

This week on the Wheel Talk Podcast, Abby, Loren, Gracie, and Georgie dive into the Tour de Romandie Féminin and the UCI's decision to disqualify five teams before the start of the first stage. They also talk about Charlotte Kool's move to Fenix-Decuninck and what that means for the sprinter and the Dutch team.

Today on the show: A Vuelta preview from Dane, disqualifications at Romandie with Abby, and Mike Woods is retiring, which makes us sad. Plus, the big green egg Pogačar bought his teammates. 

And cycling isn't even the most interesting bit. John is a professional skier with aspirations to make his debut in the Olympics the same time as his sport makes its debut. That's right, skimo is on the verge of becoming an Olympic sport in 2026 and John is one of America's very best. But he didn't grow up on skis, nor on bike (at least on bicycles). Nor was it in his plans to start and run an outdoor apparel company. Nor was it his plan to be a perennial presence on the Leadville podium. And yet, there John is! Keep Bicycle Accident Law in your rolodex just in case you need it! Try out the newest flavors of AG1 and get a $76 free welcome pack by visiting drinkAG1.com/tedking    

Head to Escapecollective.com/member to sign up today.Today on the show: Arkea and maybe Jayco are in a little bit of trouble? Tom Pidcock is going for GC again, and Patrick Levefere is angrily posting photos of his sandwiches.

This week on the podcast, Matt de Neef, Georgie Howe, and Iris Slappendel join Abby Mickey to talk about some of the biggest stories from the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. From the massive increase in viewership to where the top riders of this year's Tour go from here. There is far too much to talk about from this year's edition.

Today on the show: Pogacar is tired, a punch up in Portugal, and Kit went to a show. Let's get to it.

Is Remco's move to Red Bull good? Is Michael Storer an egg thief? Caley, Jonny, and Iain have the answers. 

Multiple African Champion, Commonwealth Games medallist, Olympian, multiple Giro Rosa podium finisher and one of the most experienced riders in the women's World Tour, Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio has seen it all. In a pro career that has spanned over 15 years, Moolman Pasio has been a force in virtually every format, from Grand Tours to one-day classics and in e-sports racing, where she was world champion in 2020. In the aftermath of the 2025 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, Moolman-Pasio weighs in on the current status of women's cycling, explains how so much has changed in her time on the tour, how Zwift competition is regulated to ensure fairness, why the UCI's rules around bike weights doesnt work for women, how having an holistic approach to rider welfare at pro level will ensure better results and why the Covid pandemic proved to be a blessing for the women's sport.Discourse is our VIP community, where listeners gather around to chat more about the topics we cover on the show, the sports news, and anything else that has grabbed their sports science attention. If you want to be part of that community, and get way more value from The Real Science of Sport, you join by becoming a Patron on the show for a small monthly donation! We hope you'll support the show, and join the Sports science conversation! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Orogenesis” is the geologic process of mountain building — a gradual evolution powered by unfathomable forces that expand across and transform broad swaths of the landscape.Orogenesis is also set to be the longest mountain biking trail in the United Sates. At 3,500 miles, this new route stretches through Washington, Oregon, California, and then it connects to the existing Baja Divide bikepacking route to add another 1,600 miles to San Jose del Cabo at the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula. The creation of such a trail is an absolutely monumental vision, and endurance cyclist Kurt Refsnider will be guinea pigging his way down the full length of it for the remainder of this year as the first person to attempt the ride in its entirety.In this episode, we talk to Kurt Refsnider about the history of the trail, what drew him to it, and what to expect along the way. We'll then be checking in with him over the next few months as he makes his way from the US/Canadian border to Mexico.

Today, Georgie sits down with Dr Stacy Sims to discuss how women – from the professional to amateur ranks – should optimize their hormones for performance. This was a recording before the TDFF, but we thought it was an apt time to publish given the conversations sparked. It is all in an endeavor to answer the question: how sustainable is the current state of professional women's cycling?

Pauline Ferrand Prevot won the Tour de France Femmes in style, there's big drama in Guadeloupe, Roglic dropped his latest quote, and Remco hasn't moved yet. So much to talk about, and to keep us out of our post-Tour doldrums. Caley, Jonny, and Iain bring you the latest. 

The fourth edition of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift is now complete and today's final stage delivered plenty of entertaining storylines. Join Georgie Howe and Matt de Neef as they break down another action-packed day of racing at the biggest event on the women's calendar. This final episode features audio diaries from Niamh Fisher-Black (Lidl-Trek), Mags Vallieres (EF Education-Oatly), and Ally Wollaston (FDJ-Suez).

For the last time this Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift Shawn Clarke calls in from the Liv AlUla Jayco team car. Shawn comments on stages 7 and 8, two of the most exciting days of the race, including the decisive Queen stage.

The queen stage of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift proved every bit as decisive as we'd expected. Join Georgie Howe and Matt de Neef on the Col de la Madeleine as stage 8 unfolds before your ears. This episode features audio diaries from Sarah Gigante (AG Insurance-Soudal), Ally Wollaston (FDJ-Suez), Jelena Erić (Movistar), and Magdeleine Vallieres (EF Education-Oatly).

It's fun when directors fight. Lucky for us, we've got a true mano a mano bout in the team cars of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. This week, Caley, Jonny, and Dane chat through Visma vs FDJ, Visma vs UAE, and congratulate Ben Healy on winning a fake bike race twice in one go. 

The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift has been entertaining from the very start and today's stage into Chambéry was no exception. Join Georgie Howe and Matt de Neef as they break down the big storylines from another great day of racing as the queen stage beckons. This episode features audio diaries from Sarah Gigante (AG Insurance-Soudal), Emma Norsgaard (Lidl-Trek), and Brodie Chapman (UAE Team ADQ).

Shawn Clarke is back, reporting from the Liv AlUla Jayco team car. Clarke talks through his observations from car 2 - more crashes, full gas racing, and more riders struggling with positioning.

The proper climbs have begun at the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift and it's been non-stop action as a result. Join Georgie Howe and Matt de Neef as they break down an entertaining and satisfying stage 6. Today's episode features audio diaries from Imogen Wolff (Visma-Lease a Bike), Ally Wollaston (FDJ-Suez), and Sarah Gigante (AG Insurance-Soudal).

We aren't even into the proper climbs yet and already the GC contenders are coming out to play. Join Georgie Howe and Matt de Neef as they break down all the action from stage 5 of the 2025 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. Today's episode features audio diaries from Ella Wyllie (Liv AlUla Jayco), Brodie Chapman (UAE Team ADQ), and Niamh Fisher-Black (Lidl-Trek).

In some ways it was a regulation sprint stage at the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, but there was still plenty to talk about. Georgie Howe and Matt de Neef are joined by the wonderful Iris Slappendel to break down all of the action from a fast and fascinating day of racing. This episode features audio diaries from Franzi Koch (Picnic-PostNL), Ella Wyllie (Liv AlUla Jayco), Sarah Van Dam (Ceratizit), and Imogen Wolff (Visma-Lease a Bike).

Caley, Jonny, and Kit are back in the Spin Cycle studio for the final (men's) Tour episode. Is Pogačar burned out? Was it a good Tour? We have thoughts. 

It was a day that looked to be heading towards a rather routine sprint finish. And then things took a turn for the worse. Loren Rowney, Georgie Howe, and Matt de Neef bring you all the headlines and more from a dramatic third stage of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. This episode features audio diaries from Franzi Koch (Picnic-PostNL), Niamh Fisher-Black (Lidl-Trek), Jelena Erić (Movistar), and Susanne Andersen (Uno-X Mobility).

Abby here, momentarily infiltrating the Wheel Talk podcast for this mini-episode with Shawn Clarke, Director for Liv AlUla Jayco. After a fantastic start to the race for the team, Shawn checks in with some insights from inside the caravan at the biggest race in women's cycling.

A breakaway winner was expected for stage 20 of the Tour de France, but did anyone expect it to be Kaden Groves?Iain Treloar is joined by Joshua Robinson of the Wall Street Journal, Patrick Redford of Defector, and Jacob Whitehead from The Athletic to discuss the penultimate stage of this year's race.

From the rain-drenched cobbles of the Champs Élysées, Iain Treloar is joined by Joshua Robinson of the Wall Street Journal and Patrick Redford of Defector to discuss Montmartre, an epic stage win, and the whiplash of arriving in Paris. Also: the famous Escape Collective Tour Award Show.

Two days of the 2025 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, two wonderfully entertaining stages. Loren Rowney, Georgie Howe, and Matt de Neef break down all the action from a day where the oldest rider in the race took stage honours and Kim Le Court made history. Today's episode features audio diaries from Sarah Van Dam (Ceratizit), Ella Wyllie (Liv AlUla Jayco), Imogen Wolff (Visma-Lease a Bike), and Susanne Andersen (Uno-X Mobility).

What a stage to kickstart the fourth edition of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift! Loren Rowney, Georgie Howe, and Matt de Neef break down all the action from a day in which the stage-hunters and GC favourites (and the GOAT herself) duked it out for the first yellow jersey of this year's Tour. Today's episode features audio diaries from Brodie Chapman (UAE Team ADQ), Jelena Erić (Movistar), Ally Wollaston (FDJ-Suez), and Mags Vallieres (EF Education-Oatly).

Dane Cash and Cosmo Catalano break down the last mountain stage of the 2025 Tour de France and take a broader view of the GC battle in the final week.

The final mountain stage of the Tour de France – shortened though it was for cattle-related reasons – went to Thymen Arensman as Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogačar mostly watched each other on the final summit finish of the race.Iain is joined by Patrick Redford of Defector and Joshua Robinson of the Wall Street Journal to talk about the racing but also the broader strokes.

Matt de Neef, Loren Rowney, and Georgie Howe are on the ground at the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. On the eve of the race, they discuss all the top contenders for the general classification and stages, plus chat with Iris Slappendel, Kim Le Court (AG Insurance-Soudal) and Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto) ahead of the fourth edition of The Femmes.

The Queen stage of the Tour de France is now behind us. One mountain stage remains. Ben O'Connor played perfect legs with perfect tactics and took home a huge win for Jayco, while behind the battle for yellow wimpered and the battle for third, the white jersey, and the crucial Red Bull classification were absolutely firing. 

Fresh off an impressive performance at the Giro d'Italia Women and days before the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, Abby sat down with Sarah Van Dam, Ceratizit's breakout star of 2024. In her first season in the WorldTour Van Dam has already finished on the podium of a WWT stage race – the Itzulia Women – but she doesn't want to be considered just a climber just yet.You can also read more about her over at Escape Collective.

A straightforward sprint stage turned out to be anything but. A storm rolled into Valence just before the peloton did and led to a huge pileup in the finale. The good news? The fight for the green jersey is on. And tomorrow? The Alps. 

A beautiful day on Mont Ventoux capped by Johan Bruyneel calling UCI President David Lappartient the "Selfie King." Does it get any better? 

Today on the Wheel Talk podcast we briefly look back at a wicked fast Giro d'Italia Women and look ahead to the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift with a full route breakdown featuring the one and only Sarah Gigante.

Ever have a question about the Tour de France? We've got you covered. 

Out of the Pyrenees and into the breakaway. The last stage before the final rest day of this Tour de France brought plenty of action, most of it off the front. Plus Pogačar admitted he's been a bit sick and Visma was attacking itself. 

Dane Cash and Cosmo Catalano break down the second week of the 2025 Tour de France, where three back-to-back days in the Pyrenees cooked everyone.

One of the hardest stages of this Tour de France is now behind us. What did we learn? Vingegaard attacked but didn't get anywhere, Pogačar looks comfortable, and the race for 4th-6th is on. Plus, we found some juice on a gondola and there's a new maillot sable in town. 

If a time trial happens at the Tour de France and Ronan isn't there to see it, does it make a sound? Caley, Jonny, and Iain are joined by Defector's Patrick Redford to talk through a TT that ended up tighter (in some ways) than we expected. Plus, more on the 2012 Sky/Brailsford saga and the photographers are in trouble. 

Alternate headline: Jesus Christ PogačarWelcome to a podcast in three parts. Caley, Jonny, and Iain first join from the Tourmalet, then a traffic jam, and then a fascinating restaurant in Lourdes. Tadej Pogačar is the story of the day but there are plenty of other bits to dig into. 

What a stage. The stage of the Tour so far? We think so. It had everything, from breakaway wins to big GC crashes to finish line protesters. Caley, Jonny, and Iain are joined by Joshua Robinson of the Wall Street Journal and (briefly) Defector's Patrick Redford to talk through the day. Today's podcast title brought to you by Jason Gay of the Wall Street Journal. 

We did it. We made it to the first rest day of the Tour de France. It took ten days but we got there. Caley, Jonny, and Iain sit down in Toulouse to answer your rest day questions. 

What a day in the mountains. Two races in one, a fantastic yellow jersey, and the first hints of a coming GC battle. Caley, Jonny, and Iain are joined by Chris Marshall Bell to talk through the day's stories. Alternate episode titles today (feel free to suggest your own):Massif Bental St Martins CollegePhilippe Philippe Simon is Massif France's Bastille Day Bungle is Massif

Jonas Rickaert had a dream.A fast, chaotic sprint made even more interesting thanks to some heroics (or insanity? Fine line) from Mathieu van der Poel on the road to Chateauroux. Caley, Jonny, and Iain break down the stage.

Sprint day! It was a hot one in central France and Jonathan Milan won the drag race up a slight rise to take his first Tour de France stage. Did Alpecin-Decueuninck back the wrong man? And is Pogačar a threat for the green jersey? Caley, Jonny, and Iain break it all down and then extol the virtues of a Bergadou breakaway and discuss Feed Zone Gate.