Velo Podcast

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VN Podcast, ep. 274: Movistar vs. Miguel Ángel López; Lauren Stephens interview Sep 08, 2021

Show notes

The Vuelta a España concluded this week, and the race also delivered one of the biggest controversies of the 2021 WorldTour season.

Colombian star Miguel Ángel López quit the Vuelta on the penultimate stage after he was dropped from the front group, and afterwards reports circulated that López was unhappy with the tactics of his Movistar team.

The story has developed into a war of words between the Spanish team and López's camp, and now, the rider and the team may have an irrevocably damaged relationship. We discuss this latest polemica and add some context and opinion on what transpired.

Then, U.S. road champion Lauren Stephens joins the podcast to discuss her historic win, her decision to blend road and gravel cycling, and how she's handled disappointment throughout her career. Stephens is one of the best U.S. riders to never be named to an Olympic team, and her process for dealing with disappointment is something that we all can learn from.

VN Podcast, ep. 273: Gravel beef; the Vuelta a España's explosive final week Sep 01, 2021

Show notes

On this week's episode of The VeloNews Podcast we discuss the latest controversy in U.S. gravel racing. Earlier this month a storyline emerged from SBT GRVL about the CINCH cycling team using team tactics to help its star rider, Lauren De Crescenzo, win the race, The news caused a stir in the U.S. gravel scene, with multiple riders taking to social media to contemn the team tactics, as well as CINCH owner Tom Danielson.

The rules governing gravel races, however, do not forbid teammates from setting the pace for teammates, helping teammates fill water bottles, or other team tactics. Rather, it's the unwritten rules of etiquette of gravel racing that some riders say were violated.

We discuss the storyline and the response, and then have a spirited conversation about the growing tension created by the gap between the written and unwritten rules of gravel. As prize purses grow, and media outlets (VeloNews included) give more attention on gravel, will riders obey the spirit and etiquette rules, even if doing so hurts their chances at victory?

Then, Andrew Hood joins the podcast to break down the final week of the Vuelta a España, and why the big climbs on stages 17 and 18 may decide the overall. All that and more on this week's episode of The VeloNews Podcast.

VN Podcast, ep. 272: Primož Roglič's YOLO attack, Ineos explodes, Ian Boswell interview Aug 25, 2021

Show notes

On today's episode of The VeloNews Podcast we analyze Primož Roglič's zany attack on stage 10 of the Vuelta a España, and Ineos Grenadiers' continued setbacks at the Vuelta a España. Then, Andrew Hood explains how the winds, soaring temperatures, and surging pace is making this Vuelta the hardest grand tour of the year.

Then, we hear from Ian Boswell, who has reinvented himself as the top male gravel racer in the USA. Big wins at BWR and Unbound Gravel have opened doors for Boswell to step back into full-time bike racing. He doesn't know if he wants to pursue it.

VN Podcast, ep. 271: Are WorldTour riders vaccinated? Jennifer Valente interview Aug 19, 2021

Show notes

The Vuelta a España has kicked off, and on today's podcast we dive into the race's opening stages. The GC picture is already taking shape with the summit finish to Picón Blanco, and Ineos Grenadiers vs. Jumbo-Visma is again the battle of the race. Movistar has three riders in the top-10, and we cannot wait to see how the Spanish squad finds a way to grab defeat from the clutches of potential victory.

Then, how many riders are vaccinated for COVID-19? Andrew Hood discusses his reporting around this topic, and why teams cannot force their riders to get the vaccine. Many riders are already vaccinated, but others face hurdles around travel, training, and timing to get the shot.

Finally, Olympic champion Jennifer Valente joins the podcast to discuss her historic win in the Omnium.

VN Podcast, ep. 270: The Vuelta's new Angliru; Jennifer Valente's gold; Lauren De Crescenzo's comeback Aug 11, 2021

Show notes

The Vuelta a España kicks off this weekend, and on today's episode of The VeloNews Podcast, we preview the race, and discuss its hulking new climb, the Altu del Gamoniteiro. Organizers are comparing the new climb to the famed Alto de l'Angliru climb, which has become the most feared ascent in Spain.

What goes into discovering a new climb? We analyze the process that race organizers go through in identifying new climbs like the Gamoniteiro and then slotting them into the race.

Who are the favorites to win the Vuelta, and how will Spain's hot August impact the race? We analyze all elements of the race to help you prepare for the final grand tour of the season.

Before then, we discuss Jennifer Valente's history-making ride at the 2021 Olympics, where she became the first American woman to win a gold medal in track cycling. Valente's win was the product of savvy riding and strategic thinking, and we analyze the moves she made on the track to win gold.

Then, grave racer Lauren De Crescenzo joins the podcast. De Crescenzo is best known as the recent winner of Unbound Gravel, and perhaps the strongest U.S. gravel racer on the planet. She's also the survivor of a racing crash that nearly ended her life, and left her in a coma for two weeks. De Crescenzo takes us inside her crash and recovery, and explains her decision to join Tom Danielson's CINCH Cycling team for 2021 and beyond.

Today's podcast is brought to you by Travel Texas, which reminds you that Texas has a ride for every type of cyclist, whether it's the Austin Driveway racing series, or a wildflower loop in the Texas Hill Country.

VN Podcast, ep. 269: Olympians and pressure; Amber Neben and Haley Batten Aug 04, 2021

Show notes

The topic of athlete mental health has become the biggest talking point of these Olympics. How do top athletes manage the pressures on them to perform, and do fans and media put too much weight on wins and losses? On today's podcast we examine this conversation.

We also break down the U.S. women's Team Pursuit, which rode to the bronze medal this week. It's just the second medal for Team USA at these Olympics, and far fewer than the seven medals that USA Cycling said it was targeting this year. We examine this delta between Team USA's ambitions, and the reality of these games.

Then, Olympians Amber Neben and Haley Batten join the podcast to take us inside the women's individual time trial and cross-country mountain bike events. Neben was fifth place in the ITT, just barely missing out on a medal. She examines her ride and gives us some behind-the-scenes perspective on her experience in Tokyo.

Batten finished ninth in the XC race, and shares some perspective on how she managed the external and internal pressures to perform in the biggest race of her career.

This week's episode is brought to you by Travel Texas, which reminds you that Texas is home to some of the best bike racing and bike riding in the U.S.

VN Podcast, ep. 268: Inside the women's Olympic road race with Coryn Rivera; breaking down the Tokyo road and MTB races Jul 28, 2021

Show notes

The Olympics have started, and we've been glued to our televisions and computer screens following along with the action. On today's episode of The VeloNews Podcast we break down all of the action from the men's and women's road races, as well as the men's and women's cross-country MTB races.

We break down the biggest storylines from the events, including the thrilling and bizarre final of the women's road race, which saw Anna Kiesenhofer of Austria win, and Annemiek van Vleuten and the Dutch women suffer from a communications breakdown. We also discuss what Tom Pidcock's Olympic MTB win will mean for his spot in GB cycling, and his place as a British cycling celebrity. Also, we discuss the thrilling ride by Brandon McNulty in the men's road race.

Then, U.S. rider Coryn Rivera joins the podcast to take us inside the women's road race. Coryn finished 7th overall, and she was in the front group that charged toward the finish line after Kiesenhofer. Rivera explains just how confusing it was in the final push to the line, and helps us understand how Kiesenhofer won, and also why some women in the bunch didn't know she was up the road.

All that and more on today's podcast!

VN Podcast, ep. 267: Payson McElveen on the state of U.S. pro cycling Jul 21, 2021

Show notes

It's a joint episode between The VeloNews Podcast and The Adventure Stache podcast, with Fred Dreier of VeloNews and Payson McElveen co-hosing this conversation.

This week we discuss the state of U.S. professional cycling, and explore why an American professional cyclist in 2021 looks and acts very differently than an American pro cyclist from previous generations. Today, pro racers get to create media, race multiple disciplines, and act more like a marketing professional than just a pro athlete. Payson and Fred discuss this topic, and explore the ways in which U.S. pro racing has changed in the last few years.

Then, Payson and Fred discuss the state of U.S. cycling media. It's an in-depth conversation that you don't want to miss!

This week's episode is brought to you by InsideTracker.com, which can offer you science-backed recommendations for positive diet and lifestyle changes to improve your performance and help you pursue your favorite activities for life. Right now, get 25 percent off the entire InsideTracker store by going to InsideTracker.com/VeloNews.

VN Podcast, ep. 266: French police raid; Pogačar on Gianetti; Ineos in disarray; The U.S. pathway to the Tour de France Jul 16, 2021

Show notes

Our cup overflows with Tour de France stories to discuss today, and on this episode of The VeloNews Podcast we hit as many as we can.

First up is the French police raid on the Bahrain-Victorious team hotel, and why this raid in Pau has a special tie to cycling history. Then, we break down all the action from the summit finish on stage 18, which saw Tadej Pogačar bang the nail into the coffin of his rivals. Plus, Ineos Grenadiers appears to be in a free fall during this disastrous tour.

Finally, reporters asked Pogačar about his relationship with team manager Mauro Gianetti, who has previously worked with riders implicated in doping. What does Pogačar's statement tell us about the current generation's ties to cycling's past?

Then, coach Nate Wilson of EF Education-Nippo joins the podcast to discuss the ever changing pathway for U.S. riders to get to the Tour de France. Wilson has seen multiple riders reach the WorldTour ranks, and the path to the big leagues for U.S. riders is never straightforward.

All that and more on this episode of The VeloNews Podcast!

VN Podcast, ep. 265: The Tour de France's battle on the Col du Portet Jul 14, 2021

Show notes

The Tour de France just had its major Pyrenean battle on the Col du Portet, and on today's episode of The VeloNews Podcast we analyze the big fight between Tadej Pogačar, Jonas Vingegaard, and Richard Carapaz.

After several days of letting the Tour de France peloton attack freely, UAE-Team Emirates rode a controlling race on stage 17. Why did the squad decide to limit the attacks, and how did this tactic server Pogačar?

Plus, was there anything that Vingegaard or Carapaz could have done differently to beat the Slovenian superstar?

Finally, Jonas Vingegaard's accomplishment at this year's Tour de France is bordering on historic. We analyze the Dane's progress at the race.

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