The Cycling Podcast

S14 Ep5: Green Card

With the racing hotting up all over the pro cycling world, we return with the same Friebe-Birnie-Hatch trio as last week to review the latest action and talking points.  The biggest news story of the week was ASO’s decision to hand Spanish outfit Caja Rural a Tour de France wild card at the expense of the Unibet Rose Rockets. We discuss to what extent Caja’s place on the startline in Barcelona is justified and the case for the opposition i.e. the Rockets. One man who’ll certainly be heading to the Tour, barring accident, is Remco Evenepoel. His three wins in his first three outings for Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe in Mallora augur well for the rest of season. Daniel’s question is: could Remco even be the man to ruin Tadej Pogačar’s Sanremo dream? Another candidate for that role, of course, is Mathieu van der Poel. He won his eighth world cyclocross title at the weekend, which has us wondering about the Winter Olympics extending his career in the discipline. EPISODE SPONSORS Indeed If you are looking to hire someone for your company, maybe the best way isn’t to search for a candidate but to match with Indeed. Go to indeed.com/cycle [http://indeed.com/cycle] now to get a £100 sponsored job credit and get matched with the perfect candidate fast. Bikmo This episode of The Cycling Podcast is brought to you by Bikmo cycle insurance – because let's face it, things happen. Whether it's a crash landing, the heartbreak of a stolen bike, or the ultimate facepalm moment of reversing over your prized aero wheel, Bikmo has you covered. Flexible policies that you can cancel anytime, 50% off extra bikes in your household, protection for your kit, race entries, and even damage while travelling to your next epic ride – they've thought of it all. Protect your ride before it's too late – head to Bikmo.com [http://bikmo.com] to get covered. Babbel Learn a language the fun, easy way with intuitive 15-minute lessons you can do when you want. Choose from 14 languages including Spanish, French, Italian and German. Listeners can get up to 60% off for a limited time only at babbel.com/cycle [http://babbel.com/cycle] Follow us on social media: Twitter @cycling_podcast [https://twitter.com/cycling_podcast] Instagram @thecyclingpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/thecyclingpodcast/] Friends of the Podcast Sign up as a Friend of the Podcast at thecyclingpodcast.com [http://thecyclingpodcast.com/] to listen to new special episodes every month plus a back catalogue of more than 300 exclusive episodes. The 11.01 Cappuccino Our regular email newsletter is now on Substack. Subscribe here [https://thecyclingpodcast.substack.com/] for frothy, full-fat updates to enjoy any time (as long as it’s after 11am). The Cannibal & Badger Friends of the Podcast can join the discussion at our new virtual pub, The Cannibal & Badger. A friendly forum to talk about cycling and the podcast. Log in [https://thecyclingpodcast.supportingcast.fm/] to your Friends of the Podcast account to join in. The Cycling Podcast is on Strava [https://www.strava.com/clubs/thecyclingpodcast] The Cycling Podcast was founded in 2013 by Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie.

S14 Ep4: Australia Days

With the first WorldTour race of the season, The Tour Down Under, already done and dusted, we review the action in Australia plus other early-season racing and talking points from the week in professional cycling.  Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie are joined by Rob Hatch, who was on the ground to see Jay Vine take his second TDU overall victory. After his masterclass with Vine on the Corkscrew climb early in the week, Jhonatan Narváez’s crash threatened to derail UAE’s race. Happily for them, Vine couldn’t be shaken – not even by bushfires or a kangaroo running amok in the peloton.  The other hot topic of the week was Jonas Vingegaard’s crash on a training ride near Málaga, amid suggestions that he was trying to shake off an amateur who wanted to tag along. We ask whether cycling fans have a “stalking” problem – or whether it’s the riders who need to change their attitude.  EPISODE SPONSORS Indeed If you are looking to hire someone for your company, maybe the best way isn’t to search for a candidate but to match with Indeed. Go to indeed.com/cycle [http://indeed.com/cycle] now to get a £100 sponsored job credit and get matched with the perfect candidate fast. Bikmo This episode of The Cycling Podcast is brought to you by Bikmo cycle insurance – because let's face it, things happen. Whether it's a crash landing, the heartbreak of a stolen bike, or the ultimate facepalm moment of reversing over your prized aero wheel, Bikmo has you covered. Flexible policies that you can cancel anytime, 50% off extra bikes in your household, protection for your kit, race entries, and even damage while travelling to your next epic ride – they've thought of it all. Protect your ride before it's too late – head to Bikmo.com [http://bikmo.com] to get covered. NordVPN Get NordVPN two-year plan + four months extra ➼ https://nordvpn.com/tcp [https://nordvpn.com/tcp] It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee. Follow us on social media: Twitter @cycling_podcast [https://twitter.com/cycling_podcast] Instagram @thecyclingpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/thecyclingpodcast/] Friends of the Podcast Sign up as a Friend of the Podcast at thecyclingpodcast.com [http://thecyclingpodcast.com/] to listen to new special episodes every month plus a back catalogue of more than 300 exclusive episodes. The 11.01 Cappuccino Our regular email newsletter is now on Substack. Subscribe here [https://thecyclingpodcast.substack.com/] for frothy, full-fat updates to enjoy any time (as long as it’s after 11am). The Cannibal & Badger Friends of the Podcast can join the discussion at our new virtual pub, The Cannibal & Badger. A friendly forum to talk about cycling and the podcast. Log in [https://thecyclingpodcast.supportingcast.fm/] to your Friends of the Podcast account to join in. The Cycling Podcast is on Strava [https://www.strava.com/clubs/thecyclingpodcast] The Cycling Podcast was founded in 2013 by Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie.

S14 Ep3: Burn Baby Burn

WorldTour racing is back with the Tour Down Under underway in Australia. The Cycling Podcast returns to recap the action from the first three stages and the latest news from the pro peloton. Daniel Friebe, Lionel Birnie, and our very own in-house professional cyclist Larry Warbasse discuss UAE Team Emirates’ rip-roaring start to the year, as well as the predictions we didn't get from Larry last week. There is a detailed meditation on Larry’s 14-year search for the perfect training formula—and the peloton’s broader search for equilibrium in a sport that is increasingly data-obsessed, sometimes at the expense of mental and physical wellbeing. Derek Gee-West certainly experienced his share of emotional turmoil while attempting to change teams last autumn. We hear from Lidl-Trek’s newest recruit on that saga and how close he thinks he can get to the likes of Pogačar and Vingegaard. Artwork photograph: UAE Team Emirates XRG / ph. SPRINT EPISODE SPONSORS Indeed If you are looking to hire someone for your company, maybe the best way isn’t to search for a candidate but to match with Indeed. Go to indeed.com/cycle [http://indeed.com/cycle] now to get a £100 sponsored job credit and get matched with the perfect candidate fast. Bikmo This episode of The Cycling Podcast is brought to you by Bikmo cycle insurance – because let's face it, things happen. Whether it's a crash landing, the heartbreak of a stolen bike, or the ultimate facepalm moment of reversing over your prized aero wheel, Bikmo has you covered. Flexible policies that you can cancel anytime, 50% off extra bikes in your household, protection for your kit, race entries, and even damage while travelling to your next epic ride – they've thought of it all. Protect your ride before it's too late – head to Bikmo.com [http://bikmo.com/] to get covered. Saily If you are travelling abroad and want to reduce or even eliminate roaming charges you need an eSim from Saily, brought to you by the creators of NordVPN. Get an exclusive 15% discount on your first Saily data plans! Use code cycling at checkout. Download Saily app or go to to https://saily.com/cycling [https://saily.com/cycling] [https://saily.com/creator/?coupon=cycling&utm_source=6404&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=104&aff_transaction_id=102bb13d68fc72fa7487fa613da0c4&aff_offer_id=104&aff_id=6404] Follow us on social media: Twitter @cycling_podcast [https://twitter.com/cycling_podcast] Instagram @thecyclingpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/thecyclingpodcast/] Friends of the Podcast Sign up as a Friend of the Podcast at thecyclingpodcast.com [http://thecyclingpodcast.com/] to listen to new special episodes every month plus a back catalogue of more than 300 exclusive episodes. The 11.01 Cappuccino Our regular email newsletter is now on Substack. Subscribe here [https://thecyclingpodcast.substack.com/] for frothy, full-fat updates to enjoy any time (as long as it’s after 11am). The Cannibal & Badger Friends of the Podcast can join the discussion at our new virtual pub, The Cannibal & Badger. A friendly forum to talk about cycling and the podcast. Log in [https://thecyclingpodcast.supportingcast.fm/] to your Friends of the Podcast account to join in. The Cycling Podcast is on Strava [https://www.strava.com/clubs/thecyclingpodcast] The Cycling Podcast was founded in 2013 by Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie.

S14 Ep2: Crystal Balls Up

Gather around The Cycling Podcast Féminin crystal ball and try (and mostly likely fail) to take a look into the future of the 2026 road season. Yes it is that time of the year when we bring out our ‘bold’ predictions for the racing ahead. This time the team are taking safety in numbers as Rose Manley is joined by a bumper number of co-hosts in Denny Gray, Rebecca Charlton and Jo Rowsell. Who will be tipped for success in the Classics? Which rider might be headed for a Giro-Tour double? Who is looking likely for a big bounceback? Before the team inevitably squabble over what is to come, they’ll first be taking a look at how they fared with their predictions last year.  But enough conjecture, the team will also be taking a close look at the first Women’s World Tour race of the season, the Tour Down Under. There’s plenty to talk about after Team UAE-ADQ squandered a three-versus-one advantage over Noemi Ruegg to grant the Swiss rider her second consecutive title at the race. Plus we discuss the recently announced UK Grand Depart for the Tour de France Femmes in 2027. Also on the agenda: the correct pronunciation of ‘Leeds', giving birth before Gent-Wevelgem and a cheese knife that will turn your family against you. Follow us on social media: Twitter @cycling_podcast [https://twitter.com/cycling_podcast] Instagram @thecyclingpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/thecyclingpodcast/] Friends of the Podcast Sign up as a Friend of the Podcast at thecyclingpodcast.com [http://thecyclingpodcast.com/] to listen to new special episodes every month plus a back catalogue of more than 300 exclusive episodes. The 11.01 Cappuccino Our regular email newsletter is now on Substack. Subscribe here [https://thecyclingpodcast.substack.com/] for frothy, full-fat updates to enjoy any time (as long as it’s after 11am). The Cannibal & Badger Friends of the Podcast can join the discussion at our new virtual pub, The Cannibal & Badger. A friendly forum to talk about cycling and the podcast. Log in [https://thecyclingpodcast.supportingcast.fm/] to your Friends of the Podcast account to join in. The Cycling Podcast is on Strava [https://www.strava.com/clubs/thecyclingpodcast] The Cycling Podcast was founded in 2013 by Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie.

S14 Ep1: The Speculation Episode 2026

The first regular episode of the year is traditionally our excuse to indulge in some rare speculation ahead of the coming season – and Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie are back to uphold the time-honoured ritual here.  In addition to our hosts’ often leftfield prognostications, we hear what our international carousel of regular contributors is expecting from the next few months. Which one of our regular guests, for example, reckons that Primož Roglič won’t win a single race in 2026? Who reckons that Jonas Vingegaard will complete the Grand Tour Grand Slam before Tadej Pogačar? And what on earth is a Noni fruit – and what ‘juice’, exactly, does Daniel have on their miraculous ability to boost performance?  All of this and more will be revealed!  Episode art created with Nano Banana Pro.  EPISODE SPONSORS Babbel Learn a language the fun, easy way with intuitive 15-minute lessons you can do when you want. Choose from 14 languages including Spanish, French, Italian and German. Listeners can get up to 60% off for a limited time only at babbel.com/cycle [http://babbel.com/cycle] Bikmo This episode of The Cycling Podcast is brought to you by Bikmo cycle insurance – because let's face it, things happen. Whether it's a crash landing, the heartbreak of a stolen bike, or the ultimate facepalm moment of reversing over your prized aero wheel, Bikmo has you covered. Flexible policies that you can cancel anytime, 50% off extra bikes in your household, protection for your kit, race entries, and even damage while travelling to your next epic ride – they've thought of it all. Protect your ride before it's too late – head to Bikmo.com [http://bikmo.com/] to get covered. NordVPN Get NordVPN two-year plan + four months extra ➼ https://nordvpn.com/tcp [https://nordvpn.com/tcp] It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee. Follow us on social media: Twitter @cycling_podcast [https://twitter.com/cycling_podcast] Instagram @thecyclingpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/thecyclingpodcast/] Friends of the Podcast Sign up as a Friend of the Podcast at thecyclingpodcast.com [http://thecyclingpodcast.com/] to listen to new special episodes every month plus a back catalogue of more than 300 exclusive episodes. The 11.01 Cappuccino Our regular email newsletter is now on Substack. Subscribe here [https://thecyclingpodcast.substack.com/] for frothy, full-fat updates to enjoy any time (as long as it’s after 11am). The Cannibal & Badger Friends of the Podcast can join the discussion at our new virtual pub, The Cannibal & Badger. A friendly forum to talk about cycling and the podcast. Log in [https://thecyclingpodcast.supportingcast.fm/] to your Friends of the Podcast account to join in. The Cycling Podcast is on Strava [https://www.strava.com/clubs/thecyclingpodcast] The Cycling Podcast was founded in 2013 by Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie.