{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/f3fb5c75-b943-4f5d-bd87-27c91611dd24/6abcc17406846f55a3109328?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Assefa's Achilles \"Rupture\" and a Near-Miss Marathon World Record / Vollering and McNulty Win the Road Worlds / UCI Crash Data on Road Cycling","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/6100856531fd81f125b34dac/1790754180383-00f42ca4-9a8a-4327-b6f3-a8b09e7db20d.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p><strong><a href=\"https://www.patreon.com/c/thescienceofsport/membership\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Become a Supporter</a></strong> and you&#39;ll get Friday&#39;s VIP member exclusive half of our Sean Ingle interview on the training and philosophy of Jakob Ingebrigtsen. Plus you&#39;ll get ad-free shows and access to our world-class Discourse community.</p><p><br></p><p>This week, Tigst Assefa&#39;s Achilles injury and a near-miss marathon world record in Berlin, Demi Vollering and Brandon McNulty&#39;s world titles in Montreal, and the UCI&#39;s long-overdue crash and injury data:</p><p><br></p><ul><li>(00:00:31) <a href=\"https://athleticsweekly.com/news/heartbreak-for-assefa-as-world-record-slips-away-in-berlin-1040013334/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Assefa was on world record pace through 40km of the Berlin Marathon</a> before her Achilles tendon gave way. Ross doubts anyone could run the last 2.2km on a complete rupture, and we discuss whether her super shoes helped, and whether pushing on was brave or foolish</li><li>(00:17:43) <a href=\"https://marathonhandbook.com/berlin-marathon-podium-adidas-adios-pro-evo-3/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Adidas sweeps both Berlin podiums</a>, and we look ahead to Chicago and Valencia, where Ruth Chepngetich&#39;s tainted world record may not last long, and Sawe&#39;s 2026 record is also under threat</li><li>(00:20:04) Vollering adds the world title to her Giro and Tour triumphs, beating Kasia Niewiadoma and Elisa Longo Borghini in a fantastic women&#39;s race</li><li>(00:23:49) <a href=\"https://www.tntsports.co.uk/cycling/uci-road-world-championships/2026/paul-seixas-brandon-mcnulty-montreal_sto23340906/story.shtml\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">McNulty wins a chaotically competitive men&#39;s race with help from Quinn Simmons and Matteo Jorgenson</a>, as the chase sits up within ten seconds of him. Is &quot;<a href=\"https://cyclinguptodate.com/cycling/van-der-poel-mads-pedersen-and-quinn-simmons-giulio-ciccone-takes-aim-at-rivals-who-let-world-championship-title-go\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">second group syndrome&quot; ever rational</a>? Plus Paul Seixas&#39;s cramps, and a junior double not seen since Remco Evenepoel</li><li>(00:36:41) New <a href=\"https://www.cyclingnews.com/pro-cycling/safety/uci-study-on-pro-cycling-crashes-finds-disproportionate-injury-risk-for-womens-worldtour-riders/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">UCI data shows women suffer 4.3 times more head injuries and 2.5 times more fractures in crashes than men</a>. We explore bone health, low energy availability, skill gaps in the peloton, and how this research may open up evidence-led opportunities for rider safety</li><li>(00:47:35) Does looking fabulous make elite athletes faster? A debate about Keely Hodgkinson&#39;s skinsuit (and beige) gets out of hand on Instagram</li><li>(00:53:52) And finally, <a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/sep/26/dream-come-true-six-year-old-rubiks-cube-world-record?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">a six-year-old Rubik&#39;s Cube world record holder,</a> a <a href=\"https://japantoday.com/category/sports/how-young-is-too-young-as-child-prodigies-win-big-at-asian-games\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">15-year-old skateboarder given anaesthetic injections at the Asian Games</a>, and what to do with prodigious talent</li></ul>","author_name":"Professor Ross Tucker and Mike Finch"}