The Cycling News Podcast

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Tales from the women’s Tour de France - Women’s Edition Podcast Jul 16, 2019

Show notes

Isabel Best highlights the forgotten stars of cycling

Welcome to the Cyclingnews Podcast Women’s Edition, brought to you by Sportful, Pinarello and Floyds of Leadville. In the latest episode we speak to Isabel Best, author of the Queens of Pain: Legends and Rebels of Cycling, a book which chronicles the story of some of the pioneers of women’s cycling.

With the one-day race La Course by Le Tour de France held on July 19 in Pau, the first part of this episode focuses on Lyli Herse, Millie Robinson and the original women’s Tour de France.

Herse and Robinson had two very different upbringings, but their worlds collided when they met on the start line of the first-ever women’s Tour de France in 1957.

This incarnation of the event was not run by the organisers of the men’s Tour de France and would last just a year. A new women’s Tour would be created in 1984, and this time it was run by the same organiser as the men, though it would come to an end in 1989.

There would be various versions of a women’s Tour de France over the years, but the last one that resembled a proper Tour happened in 2009.

As well as discussing the lives of Herse and Robinson, we talk about the merits of creating an equivalent women’s Tour de France today, while maintaining the historical races currently on the women’s calendar.

In the second part of this episode, we take a look at how Best came to write her book, Queens of Pain, and her thoughts on how things have changed in women’s cycling over the years.

We also talk about more of the riders that she wrote about; the indomitable Tillie Anderson, the irrepressible Marguerite Wilson, and the ambitious group of Australians that set about making and breaking distance records.

Our discussion brings us all over the world from the late 19th century to the 1970s.

Sit back and enjoy our walk through history.

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Born in the Italian Dolomites, Sportful has been making athletes faster, more efficient and better protected since 1972.

Sportful has a rich and successful racing history; optimising performance for athletes who have gone onto win Grand Tours, one-day classics, and the World Championships.

Sportful leads the market with innovative and technical apparel so you can experience those unforgettable moments, your very best days on a bike.

For more details visit Sportful.com and follow the ride on Instagram @sportful

Tour de France: Is Thomas the favourite and what next for Dumoulin’s future? Jul 12, 2019

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In the latest episode of the Cyclingnews podcast – brought to you by Sportful, Pinarello and Floyds of Leadville - we ask whether Geraint Thomas has established himself as the favourite after his impressive performance on stage 6 of the Tour de France. The defending champion came into the Tour with questions over his form but he was the best of the yellow jersey contenders – albeit by a few seconds – on the first summit finish of this year’s race.

We hear from the Welshman on that performance and his team boss Dave Brailsford.

With further revelations over Tom Dumoulin’s likely split with Team Sunweb we ask what next for the WorldTour team? We listen to Michael Matthews on his struggles with leadership, and debate if Dumoulin’s rumoured move to Jumbo Visma is the right decision.

There’s also time to hear from former yellow jersey Julian Alaphilippe as we summarize the action from stages 6 and 7.

Don’t forget you can win a signed EF-Education First jersey from this year’s Tour de France. To be in with a chance just subscribe to our podcast on Itunes or Podbean. We’ll pick a winner later in the race.

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Born in the Italian Dolomites, Sportful has been making athletes faster, more efficient and better protected since 1972. Official apparel supplier to Team Virtu Cycling, Bora-Hansgrohe and Bahrain Merida.

The same Pro Issue apparel, which includes our BodyFit Pro and Fiandre lines, worn by Marta Bastianelli, Peter Sagan and Vincenzo Nibali is available to purchase by all cyclists. BodyFit Pro; a form fitting design with a focus on enhanced aerodynamics was created specifically for the rigours of pro bike racing. Our versatile Fiandre line uses proprietary technology to keep you dry and comfortable in inclement, variable weather conditions. Sportful leads the market with innovative and technical apparel so you can experience those unforgettable moments, your very best days on a bike. For more details visit sportful.com. Follow the ride on instagram @sportful.

Tour de France podcast: Viviani victorious as Thomas eyes first mountain summit Jul 09, 2019

Show notes

After four days of racing at the 2019 Tour de France it’s two apiece for Jumbo Visma andDeceuninck-QuickStep after Elia Viviani won stage 4 into Nancy. It was the Italian’s first ever Tour de France victory and we debate what the win could do for both his race and his complex contract situation. We hear from Viviani on his win as well as his teammate and current race leader Julian Alaphillipe.

We also check in with green jersey holder Peter Sagan after he missed out in the sprint.

With the first summit finish coming up on stage 6 we also hear from Daniel Martin about his race so far, recon, and the mountains, before turning attention to Team Ineos and hearing from the defending champion Geraint Thomas and his directeur Nicolas Portal.

This podcast was brought to you in association with Sportful, Pinarello and Floyds of Leadville.

To subscribe to the Cyclingnews podcast click here http://apple.co/32jXDgY

Tour de France stage 1 preview: Bernal, Moscon, Viviani Jul 05, 2019

Show notes

In the latest Cyclingnews podcast brought to you in association with Sportful, Pinarello and Floyd’s of Leadville the CN team preview the first stage of this year’s Tour de France.

We talk to stage 1 favourite Elia Viviani, and Alex Kristoff, as well as yellow jersey favourite Egan Bernal and Gianni Moscon.

To subscribe to the Cyclingnews podcast, click here: http://cyclingnews.podbean.com/

Sponsor message

The same Pro Issue apparel, which includes our BodyFit Pro and Fiandre lines, worn by Marta Bastianelli, Peter Sagan and Vincenzo Nibali is available to purchase by all cyclists. BodyFit Pro; a form fitting design with a focus on enhanced aerodynamics was created specifically for the rigours of pro bike racing. Our versatile Fiandre line uses proprietary technology to keep you dry and comfortable in inclement, variable weather conditions. Sportful leads the market with innovative and technical apparel so you can experience those unforgettable moments, your very best days on a bike. For more details visit sportful.com. Follow the ride on instagram @sportful

Tour de France countdown podcast: Thomas, Porte, Cummings and Bennett Jul 05, 2019

Show notes

In the latest episode of the Cyclingnews podcast - brought to you in association with Sportful, Pinarello and Floyd's of Leadville –Stephen Farrand, Brecht Decaluwe and Daniel Benson cover another set of team press conferences, including FDJ, AG2R, Trek Segafredo and Deceuninck-QuickStep.

We debate the Tour de France chances of all of those teams before heading to the Belgian capital for the official teams’ presentation. There we talk to Geraint Thomas about the leadership duties at Team Ineos and how he will aim to defend his title with Egan Bernal in the same squad.

Steve Cummings - who always fronts up with genuine answers –gives his take on Mark Cavendish’s controversial non-selection. Even if the Dimension Data press officer tries to intervene.

A relaxed Richie Porte talks about his Tour France ambitions, Team Ineos, and whether this is his final attempt at cracking the biggest race in the world. And finally we talk candidly to George Bennett, who has put aside his ambitions at the race this year in order to work for Jumbo-Visma’s sprinting and GC hopes.

To subscribe to the Cyclingnews podcast, click here: http://cyclingnews.podbean.com/

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Tour de France podcast: Cavendish controversy, Pinot, Woods and Sunweb’s Dumoulin dilemma Jul 04, 2019

Show notes

The 2019 Tour de France is just a matter of days away but already the Cyclingnews team has arrived in Brussels for the Grand Depart. Wednesday saw the first set of team press conferences with EF Education First and FDJ Groupama holding court in front of the gathering media. After our exclusive behind-the-scenes podcast with EF last week we were back for more and we sat down with Michael Woods for a second time as he talks about his imminent Tour de France debut. We debate Thibaut Pinot’s chances of ending the French nation’s drought in their home race but also wind the clock back and discuss the controversial call from Dimension Data to leave Mark Cavendish out of their Tour de France squad. The Manxman has struggled for form and fitness for the last two seasons and despite a reputation as one of the fastest riders of the last ten years, team owner Doug Ryder saw no place for him in the squad’s starting eight. Team Sunweb held their pre-Tour press conference on Wednesday too, but it the Netherlands rather than Brussels. The event was dominated by news surrounding the squad’s team leaders, with Michael Matthews announcing that he had extended his contract for a further two years, while Tom Dumoulin – who of course isn’t racing the Tour – forced to deny speculation that he was on the cusp of breaking his contract and moving to Jumbo Visma. To subscribe to the Cyclingnews podcast, click here: http://cyclingnews.podbean.com/ Sponsor message

How EF Education First selected their Tour de France team Jul 03, 2019

Show notes

Exclusive and behind the scenes access with American WorldTour team In the latest episode of the Cyclingnews podcast - brought to you in association with Sportful, Pinarello and Floyds of Leadville - we go behind the scenes with EF-Education First Pro Cycling team at their training camp in Girona, Spain, as they finalise their Tour de France roster. With exclusive access to the riders, including Rigoberto Uran, Michael Woods and Tejay van Garderen, we follow the team as they're put through there paces during two flat-out team time trial efforts. The three-day camp took place last week and formed the backdrop for the team's final selection process for the Tour de France. Present at the camp were Woods, van Garderen, Uran, Tanel Kangert, Mitch Docker, Lawson Craddock, Tom Scully, Sebastian Langevald, and Simon Clarke. Alberto Bettiol who was in the mix for a Tour de France spot was racing the Italian nationals at the time. Team director Charly Wegelius takes Cyclingnews through the process of team selection on the final morning of the camp and explains his goals and what he's looking for from the riders as they set out on their final test. He must narrow down a list of 10 to eight by the end of the day and over a 13-minute long time trial test - which the team ride twice - he watches on from the team car. Cyclingnews had the chance to follow in the second team car with the opportunity to listen and observe as Wegelius offers instructions over the radio before the team then begin their internal de-brief that provided a fascinating insight into team tactics and the morale within the squad. Wegelius then brings everyone together. He praises Woods and Kangert on taking shorter pulls on the front in order to keep the pace high, and he tells Scully that his skill in moving off the front of the line is so smooth that it's like watching an experienced pursuit rider in action. Back at the team hotel, and under the baking sun, we sit down with Uran for a short interview. It's rare moment to talk to the 2017 Tour de France runner-up about the camp and his season to date. We then look for a place to interview van Garderen. There are a set of benches in the shade a few meters away from the team buses but they are currently occupied with Wegelius and another director Andreas Klier, who are both deep in conversation with road captain Simon Clarke. It's obvious that a decision on the team is about to be made. Van Garderen - no stranger to successful team time trial squads - takes us through how EF Education First communicates during TTT efforts. We also talk to the American about how much effort goes into the off-the-bike preparation at camps of this nature, and of course his aspirations at the Tour after his fine second place in June's Criterium du Dauphine. By the time van Garderen has left, Klier and Wegelius have done the same. They've retreated back inside the hotel for a final conference before going door-to-door at the hotel and breaking the news to the nine riders at the camp as to whether they have made the selection. For most, it's good news but for Craddock and Docker this is as far as it goes. Although Bettiol has missed the camp due to the Italian nationals he will make the Tour team. After spending time with the riders we sit down with Wegelius. We ask him about how the team has gelled as a unit over the last three days and also how important the team time trial is in the balance of selecting their entire Tour de France Tour team. Wegelius' task is unenviable but he's selected a squad for the Tour de France that can fight on a number of fronts and even the riders who have unfortunately missed out have played their part in spurring on the eight who have been selected. Uran will challenge for the podium, Mike Woods will support and target stage wins and Van Garderen appears revitalised since his move to the team. Bettiol will have chances, and there's experience and horsepower with Langeveld, Scully, Clarke and Kangert running the engine of the team. With the camp now over the team disperses. Some riders like van Garderen remain in Girona for extra training, while others like Uran head back to their European base in Monaco. Within a couple of hours everyone has checked out, the trucks are loaded up and the team has moved on. The next stop is Brussels and the Tour de France. However, there's one final chance to talk to Michael Woods. He's loaded up his car and is ready to head home but he agrees to sit down with us to talk about the camp and of course what will be his Tour de France debut. Overall, this was a successful camp for EF-Education First. There were some tough moments in terms of the selection process but the riders selected are of the highest caliber and they head to the Grand Depart with realistic goals. This podcast offers a rare glimpse into the minds of the riders and staff of a WorldTour squad on eve of a Grand Tour, and provides a more relaxed environment in which the athletes can talk about their training, the cohesion within the squad and their hopes for the Tour de France. With the team finally announced publicly on Tuesday, now all they have to do is deliver. To win an EF-Education First team kit, signed by their Tour de France squad simply subscribe to the Cyclingnews podcast on iTunes or on our Podbean platform. We'll select the lucky winner during the Tour de France.

To subscribe to the Cyclingnews podcast, click here. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-cycling-news-podcast/id1012929015 Below the podcast code in the story

Sponsor message

The same Pro Issue apparel, which includes our BodyFit Pro and Fiandre lines, worn by Marta Bastianelli, Peter Sagan and Vincenzo Nibali is available to purchase by all cyclists.

BodyFit Pro; a form fitting design with a focus on enhanced aerodynamics was created specifically for the rigours of pro bike racing. Our versatile Fiandre line uses proprietary technology to keep you dry and comfortable in inclement, variable weather conditions.

Sportful leads the market with innovative and technical apparel so you can experience those unforgettable moments, your very best days on a bike. For more details visit sportful.com. Follow the ride on instagram @sportful

Lizzie Deignan: Motherhood - Women's Edition Podcast Jun 25, 2019

Show notes

Trek-Segafredo rider discusses parenting, pro cycling and dreams of winning a second world title in Yorkshire

Welcome to the Cyclingnews Podcast Women's Edition, brought to you by Sportful, Pinarello and Floyds of Leadville.

In this episode Cyclingnews' women’s editor Kirsten Frattini sits down with former world champion and new mom Lizzie Deignan to discuss motherhood, her postpartum return to pro cycling, dreams of winning a second world title at Yorkshire World Championships, and her biggest hopes for the future of women's cycling.

Deignan took time away from the sport to give birth to her first child and only recently returned to the peloton with her new team Trek-Segafredo at the Ardennes Classics, Tour de Yorkshire, Tour of California and the OVO Energy Women's Tour, where she won the overall title.

At a time when major sport sponsors are pushing promotional content geared toward equality, female athletes such as American Olympians Kara Goucher, Allyson Felix and Alysia Montaño, have exposed American company Nike for its performance-based reductions clause in athlete contracts, and how that affects athletes who want to have a baby.

Montaño wrote a detailed opinion piece in The New York Times titled "Nike told me to dream crazy, until I wanted a baby", where she described the company's policy of reducing and cutting salaries after some of its female athletes decided to become pregnant.

Female cyclists can relate to this policy as contracts have been cancelled or considered nullified if an athlete becomes pregnant.

Hear from Deignan on her decision to start a family while at the peak of her cycling career and why she left long-time team Boels Dolmans. She also speaks about the importance of competing for a team and sponsors that support her cycling career while also being a mother.

Deignan also spoke about the UCI's decision to include a maternity clause and other insurances into its standard athlete-team contracts beginning in 2020. But she noted that a similar amendment, in the form of a paternity clause, would be welcomed among the men’s peloton as well.

We hope you enjoy our discussion with Lizzie Deignan.

If this is your first time listening to the Women’s edition podcast, make sure you go back and listen to our previous three episodes; The edge of popularity, Behind the scenes at Trek-Segafredo and What makes a woman?

Sponsor message

Born in the Italian Dolomites, Sportful has been making athletes faster, more efficient and better protected since 1972.

Sportful has a rich and successful racing history; optimising performance for athletes who have gone onto win Grand Tours, one-day classics, and the World Championships.

Sportful leads the market with innovative and technical apparel so you can experience those unforgettable moments, your very best days on a bike.

For more details visit Sportful.com and follow the ride on Instagram @sportful

Has Bernal done enough to lead at the Tour de France? Jun 21, 2019

Show notes

Dumoulin, Demol and Wegelius all feature this week

In the last episode of the Cyclingnews podcast – brought to you by Sportful, Pinarello and Floyd’s of Leadville – we look at latest action from the Tour de Suisse where Egan Bernal put in a dominant performance to win stage 7 and extend his overall lead. We debate the Tour de France leadership dilemma facing Team Ineos, and hear from Dirk Demol on Katusha’s rebuilding.

After Jumbo Visma confirmed that they were interested in bringing in Marcel Kittel we discuss the merits of the move, as well as the news that Tom Dumoulin will miss this year’s Tour de France due to injury.

Finally, we hear from Charly Wegelius on how he fell in love with cycling at a young age, and his first memories from the Tour de France.

The Cyclingnews podcast is brought to you in association with Sportful, Pinarello and Floyds of Leadville.

To subscribe to the Cyclingnews podcast, click here. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-cycling-news-podcast/id1012929015

Sponsor message

The same Pro Issue apparel, which includes our BodyFit Pro and Fiandre lines, worn by Marta Bastianelli, Peter Sagan and Vincenzo Nibali is available to purchase by all cyclists.

Alaphilippe assessment, Brailsford on Cobo case, and Porte previews the mountains – Dauphine Podcast Jun 14, 2019

Show notes

In the latest episode of the Cyclingnews podcast we look back at stage 6 of the Critérium du Dauphiné. Julian Alaphilippe came out on top after winning from the early break and Philippa York gives her expert analysis on the Frenchman and who he compares to from the last two decades.

We also hear from Dave Brailsford on the shock news that Juan Jose Cobo may be stripped of his 2011 Vuelta a España. Such a move would make Chris Froome the overall winner and as such the first British rider to win a Grand Tour.

With the Dauphiné about to reach the mountains and the first real test since the time trial we also hear from Richie Porte and Steven Kruijswijk.

The Cyclingnews podcast is brought to you in association with Sportful, Pinarello and Floyds of Leadville.

To subscribe to the Cyclingnews podcast, click here.

Sponsor message

The same Pro Issue apparel, which includes our BodyFit Pro and Fiandre lines, worn by Marta Bastianelli, Peter Sagan and Vincenzo Nibali is available to purchase by all cyclists.

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