QueenStage Women's Cycling Podcast

Fierce Friendships: Sarah Sturm and Maude Farrell on Racing, Rapha, and the Durango Crew

What does it look like to be best friends with your competitor? In this episode of Queen Stage, we sit down with Sarah Sturm and Maude Farrell, two of American gravel racing's most compelling figures, who race hard against each other and show up for one another when it matters most. The conversation starts at cyclocross nationals in Tacoma (2019), where Maude crashed in front of Sarah, and winds through the Rapha Prestige in Aspen, navigating grief after losing Mo, a move to Durango, team camp in Girona, and a training ride where Maude found out Sarah was pregnant mid-interval. They discuss the Rapha privateer collective, feed zone logistics as a competitive differentiator, and the intersection of Instagram and relationships. This is Part Two of Queen Stage's four-episode series with Rapha and Zwift on fierce friendships and rivalries in women's cycling. Episode Link: Zwift Queen Stage Pod [https://www.zwift.com/events/tag/queenstagepod] IN THIS EPISODE * How They Met: Tacoma Nationals (2019) mud crash; connecting at Rapha Prestige Aspen; bonding after losing Moriah Wilson at Unbound. * The Unbound Plan: Maude's decision to work for Sarah at Unbound 2024; navigating Sarah’s concussion; adapting race tactics dynamically. * Durango & Rapha Collective: Maude's move to Durango; forming the Rapha collective with Sarah, Ellen, and Maude; defining the hybrid privateer space. * Feed Zones: Meticulous aid station support as a modern gravel advantage; Cam Zink’s parents helping at Unbound. * Women Don't Owe You a Smile: Performance vs. performative niceness; road peloton vs. gravel culture; navigating internet commentary. * The Media Athlete: Managing long-term sponsor relationships and the privateer-influencer overlap in a small industry. * Friendship & Girona: Off-bike bonding; Maude discovering Sarah’s pregnancy mid-interval in zip code 81301; riding together at team camp before Traka. SPONSORS AND PARTNERS * Rapha and Zwift: This episode is part of a four-episode Queen Stage series presented by Rapha and Zwift, built around the theme of fierce friendships and rivalries in women's cycling. The series builds toward the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, August 1–9, and the Rapha Women's 100, September 5–6. Tune in for the next episodes on June 24 and July 29, and join the Zwift community ride on June 24. * Ruckus Composites: [https://ruckuscomp.com/] The home of Queen Stage. Experts in carbon fiber repair, inspection, and engineering. SUPPORT THE SHOW Subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Email us at info@queenstage.cc [info@queenstage.cc] or find us on Instagram at @queenstage.cc [http://queenstage.cc].

Liège-Bastogne-Liège 2026 and Canyon//SRAM's Beth Duryea on Rivalry in Women's Cycling

In this episode: Demi Vollering goes solo on La Redoute and never looks back, and we start asking the bigger question: What does rivalry actually do for a sport? This is the first episode in our four-part series with Rapha and Zwift, and the theme couldn't be more fitting for the final spring classic. Rosael Torres-Davis, Betsy Welch, and Anne-Marije Rook break down the 10th edition of the Women's Liège-Bastogne-Liège, where Demi Vollering put in one of the performances of the spring season and left the chase group with no answer. The team goes deep on whether that group could have ridden differently, what Pauline Ferrand-Prévot's early exit says about the form picture heading into summer, and why Puck Pieterse is winning in ways that still don't get enough attention. Then we sit down with Beth Duryea, co-founder and marketing and communications manager of Canyon//SRAM Racing, for a wide-ranging conversation about what rivalry looks like inside one of women's cycling's most successful teams. From what really drives Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney in those final kilometers to the delicate team dynamics when twenty-six athletes share a roster and overlapping ambitions, to the best rivalry in the history of the women's peloton. This episode is also part of our first community ride on Zwift, kicking off a series of rides leading into the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift in August and the Rapha Women's 100 in September. More details below. Zwift + Rapha Series: Episode One This episode opens our four-part collaboration with Rapha and Zwift, exploring what rivalry means in women's cycling on the road, in the peloton, and in the lives of the people who build the sport. Each episode pairs a race or theme with a community Zwift ride; this month's ride is live now. https://www.zwift.com/events/tag/queenstagepod [https://www.zwift.com/events/tag/queenstagepod]  Next Dates: May 27, June 24, and July 29 Sponsors and Partners Rapha and Zwift This four-episode series is made possible by Rapha and Zwift, two brands that have invested in women's cycling when it mattered. Rapha is a longtime supporter of women's racing through events like the Rapha Women's 100, and Zwift has provided infrastructure and visibility for riders and fans across the world through the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. We're proud to be riding alongside both of them. Join the monthly community Zwift ride tied to this series and be part of what we're building. https://www.zwift.com/events/tag/queenstagepod [https://www.zwift.com/events/tag/queenstagepod]  Ruckus Composites The home of Queen Stage. Ruckus Composites specializes in carbon fiber repair, inspection, and engineering, keeping high-performance gear on the road and out of the landfill through science-backed carbon repair. Find them at http://ruckuscomposites.comRuckusComposites.com [http://RuckusComposites.com]. Support the Show The best way to support Queen Stage is to subscribe and leave a rating or review. Have a hot take on the race or a question for the team? Email us at info@queenstage.cc [info@queenstage.cc] or find us on Instagram and Threads @ [https://www.instagram.com/queenstage.cc/]queenstage.cc [http://queenstage.cc].

A Star is born in Spain

The conversation delves into the world of cycling technology, with a focus on wheel manufacturing and the impact of stage racing on women's cycling. Tess Denning, the Science Engineering Manager at ZIPP, provides insights into the science of wheel manufacturing, the role of resin in wheel technology, and the challenges and advancements in wheel design. The discussion also highlights the Vuelta Femenina race, the craftsmanship of wheel building, and the influence of race terrain on cycling dynamics. Additionally, the conversation explores consumer preferences in wheel design, the future of wheel technology, and the impact of race expectations on rider performance. The conversation delves into the influence of terrain on wheel selection, the impact of pro teams and riders on product development, the balance between aerodynamics, weight, and comfort in wheel selection, and the evolution of the cycling industry. It also explores the transition in the peloton and rumors of transfers, diversity and evolution in the cycling industry, and the challenges and confidence in career development. Takeaways * Insights into Wheel Manufacturing and Technology * Significance of Women's Cycling and Racing * Challenges and Advancements in Wheel Design Tire width and wheel selection are influenced by the type of terrain and riding conditions. * Pro teams and riders have a significant influence on the development of cycling products, including wheels and tires. * The balance between aerodynamics, weight, and comfort is crucial in wheel selection for different riding conditions. Chapters * 00:00 Introduction to ZIPP and Cycling Technology * 09:22 Innovation in Wheel Technology * 14:32 Consumer Preferences in Wheel Design * 21:09 Performance and Expectations in Cycling Races * 27:25 Pro Teams and Product Influence * 33:04 Aerodynamics and Weight Balance in Wheel Selection * 39:26 Diversity and Evolution in Cycling Industry

Live at Sea Otter: Life Time Grand Prix with Michelle Duffy + Marley Blonsky's Big Year

Recorded live at Laguna Seca, the Queen Stage Podcast sits down with Michelle Duffy (VP of Marketing for Life Time) and Marley Blonsky (All Bodies on Bikes co-founder) to discuss the evolution of women's gravel and the power of inclusive community. The Sea Otter Women’s Race: GP Year Five The Grand Prix season kicked off with Sofia Gomez Villafañe and Lauren Stephens breaking away on the final climb at Barloy Canyon. Sofia took the win in a sprint, with Karolina Mignon rounding out the podium.Michelle notes that the field's depth is shifting significantly, with stars like Kate Courtney, Jennifer Jackson, and Tiffany Cromwell entering the mix. Notably, three German riders cracked the top 18, including Rosa Klöser, who arrived fresh off a solo attack at Paris-Roubaix Femmes.Addressing the "Villain" Narrative The episode pushes back against the "villain" label recently attached to Sofia Gomez Villafañe. The hosts argue that Sofia is simply a professional performing at the highest level—a standard rarely criticized in male counterparts like Keegan Swenson. Her dominance creates a "benchmark" that makes the chase more meaningful for the rest of the field.Evolution of the Life Time Grand Prix Michelle breaks down structural changes aimed at professionalizing the series:Expanded Purses: Five-deep prize money at every individual event.Finisher Compensation: A new $2,500 payment for professional athletes who complete the season but finish outside the top ten.Community [http://ten.Community] Focus: Keeping events rooted in local culture (Emporia, Leadville, Monterey) to maintain a unique identity. Growth and Inclusion Women’s participation at Unbound has surged by 44%, largely driven by 25- and 50-mile distances. Michelle identifies two major needs for the sport's future: increased financial investment in the women’s side and a crackdown on toxic commentary in live broadcast chats. Marley Blonsky’s Big Spring Molly talks with Marley Blonsky about her new children’s book, Ragtag Best Friends Bicycle Club. The book tells a story—mirrored by Marley’s own life—of a rider told she is "too slow" who eventually finds her own crew and builds something better. All Bodies on Bikes & Industry Inclusion The All Bodies on Bikes nonprofit now supports 14 chapters and a new documentary, We Are Cyclists (available on YouTube). Marley doesn't pull punches regarding the industry’s lack of size inclusion, noting that many brands still cap at XL and blame supply chains—a claim she debunks via her partnership with Shredly, which offers a full range of technical apparel. Quick Hits E-bikes: A defense of e-bikes for accessibility, despite the separate debate regarding podiums.32-inch wheels: Marley (5'1") confirmed they are surprisingly accessible for shorter riders.Cyclocross: The joy of competing and "catting up" even when finishing at the back of the pack. Resources & Links:Advocacy: allbodiesonbikes.com [http://allbodiesonbikes.com] Documentary: We Are Cyclists on YouTubeBook: ragtagbestfriendsbicycleclub.com [http://ragtagbestfriendsbicycleclub.com] Apparel: shredly.com [http://shredly.com] Socials: @marleyblonsky | @queenstage.cc [http://queenstage.cc] Sponsor: Ruckus Composites (Carbon fiber repair)

Koch Shocks the Velodrome: Paris-Roubaix Femmes 2026 Recap + Tire Tech with Silca's Josh Poertner

Queen Stage Podcast | Paris-Roubaix Femmes 2026 Race Recap and Tech Deep Dive Franziska Koch wins Paris-Roubaix Femmes 2026 in a photo-finish sprint that nobody saw coming. We watched it live, stress-texted each other through the whole thing, and still weren't ready for that ending. Rosael, Molly, and Rook break down every kilometer of the Hell of the North, then sit down with Silca CEO Josh Poertner to talk tire pressure, flat tires, and what gravel tech is doing to the Spring Classics. What Happened at Paris-Roubaix Femmes 2026 Franziska Koch of FDJ United-SUEZ won in one of the most dramatic finishes the race has seen, edging out Marianne Vos and Pauline Ferrand-Prévot in a three-up sprint at the Roubaix velodrome. We've been calling Koch since last summer; she did an enormous amount of work, launched her sprint early, and held on for the win in her fourth career pro victory. Vos had every tactical advantage, including a leadout from defending champion Ferrand-Prévot, but couldn't close the gap. We discuss what went right for Koch, what went wrong for Visma-Lease a Bike, and how this result shifts the power balance in the peloton. We also touch on Marianne Vos racing weeks after losing her father—an emotional performance that had the whole sport rooting for her. Paris-Roubaix Femmes Broadcast Controversy Before the sprint, Rosa Klöser (Canyon-SRAM ZondaCrypto) went solo for over 100km—racing that essentially nobody got to watch. ASO broadcast only 90 minutes of the women's race, meaning fans missed nine entire cobbled sectors, while the junior men received full coverage. We break down who made that decision, why blaming Peacock or FloBikes misses the point, and the impact of Zwift's departure as title sponsor. Race Highlights and Key Moments * Lucinda Brand's crash caused by a fan raises ongoing safety questions regarding spectator access. * Lotte Kopecky and Megan Jastrab led a hard chase group that never quite made contact. * Arlenis Sierra (Movistar) finished ninth; Elisa Balsamo flatted early as Lidl-Trek faced another difficult day. Silca Tech Segment: Tire Pressure, Flat Tires, and the Classics Silca CEO Josh Poertner joins us to explain the high volume of flats in 2026. We talk about the balance between rim protection and casing cuts, what happens when inserts fail, and why teams are now gluing tubeless tires directly to their rims. We also explore how gravel tech is influencing the Spring Classics and why wider tires are the inevitable future of road racing. Also Discussed * Is FDJ United-SUEZ the new SD Worx-Protime? * What's going wrong for Lidl-Trek this spring? * Fan access: Beloved tradition or growing safety risk? * Queen Stage is heading to Sea Otter Classic next week! Keywords: Paris-Roubaix Femmes 2026, Franziska Koch, Marianne Vos, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, women's cycling, Paris-Roubaix results, FDJ United-SUEZ, Visma-Lease a Bike, Silca, Josh Poertner, tire pressure, Spring Classics 2026, Rosa Klöser, Canyon-SRAM, Lotte Kopecky, ASO broadcast controversy. Links and Resources * Silca [https://silca.cc/] * Questions & Hot Takes: info@queenstage.cc [info@queenstage.cc] * Instagram: @ [https://www.instagram.com/queenstage.cc/]queenstage.cc [http://queenstage.cc] This episode is sponsored by Silca, precision performance tools that serious riders trust.