CASTELLI Cycling Podcast

🏆 We have TWO signed Soudal Quick-Step jerseys of for grabs. To participate, simply comment on your favorite moment or quote from this podcast episode on YouTube or in our pinned Instagram post.______Born just 31 days apart in the autumn of 1992, Soudal Quick-Step's Tim Merlier and Bert Van Lerberghe are a duo whose fates have long been connected.In the first bunch sprint of the 2024 Giro d'Italia, Tim Merlier made history by becoming the first Belgian in 46 years to win three stages in a single edition of the Giro d’Italia. With help from his childhood friend Bert Van Lerberghe, who ramped up the speed under the flamme rouge to guide Tim to the final meters. Less than a week after their unforgettable Giro d’Italia, the Belgian duo triumphed again at the Danish Gravel Challenge Blaavandshuk. They stayed in the lead group all day, with Bert closing down attacks in the final kilometers before Tim broke away near the finish to win and Van Lerberghe finished third, making it another perfect day for Soudal Quick-Step.In this interview, we’ll go behind the scenes to get to know Tim and Bert better, from their first pedal stroke to succeeding in the pro ranks of the WorldTour. We’ll also gain deeper insight into their personal lives, passion for cyclocross and gravel racing, favorite Castelli products, and more.So, sit back and enjoy my conversation with Tim and Bert. I promise you, it's packed with insights and excitementCHAPTERS00:00 Welcome 03:10 Tim’s Journey into Pro Cycling 11:04 Bert’s Journey into Pro Cycling 18:50 Gravel Racing 24:07 Bert’s Strengths and Weakness26:55 Tim’s Strengths and Weakness28:29 First Castelli Memory 29:41 Favorite Castelli Products 31:30 Favorite Race to Win one Day Tim32:42 Winning Gesture when Crossing the Line Tim33:32 Favorite Race to Win one Day Bert34:52 Favorite Paris-Roubaix sectore?!?35:25 Quick Fire Round of Questions37:40 Perfetto or Gabba?43:44 Should Cobble and Gravel Stages be Part of a Grand Tour 45:35 Ending45:50 Giveaway(Recorded on December 13, 2023) – LINKS –Tim MerlierBert Van LerbergheHost: ⁠⁠Soren Jensen⁠⁠SEND US YOUR QUESTIONSIf you want your questions to be answered on air, be sure to submit your questions by sending us a message on social media or by email to⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@castelli-cycling.com⁠⁠Follow Castelli on social:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram Triathlon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠We're also on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠STRAVA⁠⁠⁠

The 107th Giro d’Italia kicks off on Saturday, promising three weeks of breathtaking climbs, scenic views, and, above all, great racing. In this episode, we'll delve into some iconic moments in Giro history; the first Maglia Rosa, Marco Pantani's legendary attack to Oropa in 1999, Andy Hampsten's epic day on Passo Gavia in 1988, and Castelli's innovations and marketing stunts during the Giro, such as introducing turquoise Lycra shorts and the evolution of cycling jerseys.CHAPTERS00:00 Welcome 01:22 Castelli STRAVA Challenge02:34 Marco Pantani's Legendary Attack To Oropa 199905:57 Passo Gavia 1988, Andy Hampsten's Epic Day08:49 Castelli innovations, First Colored Lycra Shorts 09:42 Castelli innovations, Evolution of Cycling Jersey14:09 Ending – LINKS –Castelli STRAVA ChallengeCastelli Giro d’Italia CollectionHost: ⁠Soren Jensen⁠SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS If you want your questions to be answered on air, be sure to submit your questions by sending us a message on social media or by email to⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@castelli-cycling.com⁠________Follow Castelli on social:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram Triathlon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠We're also on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠STRAVA⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, I caught up with multiple South African champion Ashleigh Moolman Pasio. We talked about how she ended up in Banyoles near Girona, the Rocacorba Cycling business, her QOM Strava record on the famous Rocacorba climb near Girona, and the challenge she set herself to get the best women's time below 30 minutes.Ashleigh will share her advice on how to pace yourself when aiming for your PR because pushing just a little over your limit for half of the climb will ultimately cost you later. The Rocacorba will never attain the status of an Alpe d'Huez, Stelvio, or Tre Cime di Lavaredo, but thanks to a lucky combination of geography, local patronage, and technology, It has already become much more than a footnote in cycling folklore.We hope you’ll enjoy this fully packed and insightful episode with Ashleigh Moolman Pascio of AG Insurance - Soudal cycling team CHAPTERS00:00 Welcome 05:20 Live From Columbia 09:31 Rocacorba Cycling, How It All Started20:23 Rocacorba21:45 A Bucket List Climb, the Pros Test Climb29:29 Strava Segment, Mastering the Pacing Strategy36:20 When Getting to the Top 38:49 Tips for Descending Rocacorba Safely41:16 Training Intervals and Efforts 48:41 The Benefits of Riding with Local Guides in Girona52:08 Rocacorba Strava QOM56:25 Ending – LINKS –⁠Rocacorba Cycling⁠⁠Rocacorba Strava Segment⁠⁠Ashleigh Moolman Pascio⁠Host:⁠ ⁠Soren Jensen⁠⁠SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS If you want your questions to be answered on air, be sure to submit your questions by sending us a message on social media or by email to⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@castelli-cycling.com⁠

There’s a great deal of excitement surrounding the young US talent Luke Lamperti, but no one – not even himself – knows quite what sort of rider he is or will become as he embarks on his first World Tour season with Soudal Quick-Step.Originally from California, Lamperti began riding dirt bikes at the age of three. Over the recent seasons, he has emerged as one of the most sought-after young riders, showcasing his prowess with numerous victories and promising potential in sprints and one-day races.Packing an impressive speed, the 21-year-old is keen to show what he is capable of, not just in bunch sprints but also in the Classics, which he is very fond of.In this podcast episode, Luke Lamperti shares his experiences and insights on crit and kermesse racing and his career. He discusses his training, favorite race courses, and the importance of comfort and trust in the pack. Luke also talks about his transition from US racing to European racing and his goals for the future.From his affinity for Castelli gear to his race-day nutrition strategies, Lamperti provides a comprehensive glimpse into the life of a professional cyclist, offering invaluable insights for both amateur enthusiasts and seasoned professionals keen on crit racing.We hope you’ll enjoy this fully packed and insightful episode with Luke Lamperti of @soudalquickstep TOPICS DISCUSSED00:00 Introduction03:06 Luke's Background and Journey into Cycling4:51 Return to Castelli7:56 Transition from US Racing to European Racing9:21 Move to Girona and Signing with Soudal Quickstep21:17 Crit and Kermesse Racing27:18 Training for Crit Racing31:36 Tire Size, Pressure, and Nutrition for Crit Racing34:00 Ending– LINKS –Luke LampertiHost: ⁠Soren Jensen⁠SEND US YOUR QUESTIONSIf you want your questions to be answered on air, be sure to submit your questions by sending us a message on social media or by email to⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@castelli-cycling.com⁠________Follow Castelli on social:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram Triathlon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠We're also on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠STRAVA⁠⁠⁠

Join us for a gripping journey into the heart of professional cycling as we delve into the last three decades of pro racing and the world of sports directing.From Tom’s excitement of joining the number one Classics team when racing pro to later becoming DS for the same team, discover the evolution of cycling, the challenges young athletes face, and the importance of mental toughness in this captivating conversation.From the chaos of the Tour of Flanders to the relentless battlefields of Roubaix, we uncover the strategies, challenges, and split-second decisions that shape the outcome of these monumental races, the intense pressure, camaraderie, and occasional controversies that unfold behind the scenes.Discover the untold stories of mechanics scrambling to find the riders' foul-weather clothing in the rain bag, spare wheels, the strategic game of supplying riders during crucial moments, and the delicate balance between following the rules and prioritizing rider safety and performance.Gain insight into the human side of professional cycling as Tom reflects on the joys of victory, the frustrations of defeat, and the unwavering dedication to supporting riders through triumph and adversity.Get ready to experience the thrill, tension, and exhilaration of cycling races like never before.Take a seat inside the Soudal Quick-Step team car as we explore the dynamics during some of the most iconic races in cycling history.Welcome inside the team car and the unseen drama of cycling races.TOPICS DISCUSSED00:00 Introduction04:43 The Early Years, Tom’s Journey Into Cycling13:59 Transforming Young Talented Riders into Champions18:04 The Transition to DS21:50 Studying the Race Course24:59 Race Radio vs Moving on Instinct26:11 Racing, Communication, Post-Race Briefing39:02 Race Rain Bag Logistics48:43 UCI Rules and Fines59:29 Eddy Merckx01:10:15 EndingIt's a fully packed and insightful episode with Tom Steels of Soudal Quick-Step. – LINKS –Tom SteelsHost: ⁠Soren Jensen⁠SEND US YOUR QUESTIONSIf you want your questions to be answered on air, be sure to submit your questions by sending us a message on social media or by email to⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@castelli-cycling.com⁠________Follow Castelli on social:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram Triathlon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠We're also on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠STRAVA⁠⁠⁠

In the world of professional cycling, where the spotlight often shines on the riders conquering the grueling races, there exists a group of individuals working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure every pedal stroke is supported by a perfectly tuned machine. These unsung heroes are the mechanics, the wizards of the workshop who transform bikes into race-ready steeds capable of enduring the harshest conditions and most demanding terrains.We chatted with Nicolas Coosemans, technical and development manager of Soudal Quick-Step to find out more about the life of a World Tour mechanic, his wildest fixes of all time, the evolution of bike equipment over the last decade, which riders are interested in bike maintenance, how quickly their mechanics can set up a bike, and more. (Recorded in Calpe, Spain, December 14, 2023)TOPICS DISCUSSED00:00 Introduction01:50 Nico’s Journey07:19 What makes a good mechanic? 10:01 A Day In The Life Of A Pro-Mechanic20:02 Tubes, Tubular or Tubeless? 21:16 Tire inserts and Extra Sealant for RBX24:55 Grand Tour Custom Paint Job and Bar Wrap26:48 Transition To Disc Brakes28:58 Maintenance and Evolution of Bike Tech 38:32 Crashes, Broken Parts39:48 UCI Safety Rules43:18 Ending– LINKS –⁠Nicolas Coosemans⁠Host: ⁠Soren Jensen⁠SEND US YOUR QUESTIONSIf you want your questions to be answered on air, be sure to submit your questions by sending us a message on social media or by email to⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@castelli-cycling.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠________Follow Castelli on social:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram Triathlon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠We're also on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠STRAVA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, we are delighted to introduce Ilse Pluimers, a young and exceptionally talented athlete from the Castelli-equipped AG Insurance Soudal team, excelling in both cyclocross and road cycling.It's a lively conversation about Ilse's passion for cyclocross and one-day racing. We explore how she balances her road career with cyclocross in winter, and she shares insider tips and know-how about this amazing sport, covering technical aspects and how to get started. Towards the end of the episode, we delve into Ilse’s passion and love for the cobbled classics, particularly the iconic Paris-Roubaix. We hope you enjoy this episode, gaining a deeper understanding of the world of cyclocross and Ilse's impressive journey in the sport.Enjoy! TOPICS DISCUSSED00:00 Introduction 05:02 The Cyclocross Athlete 8:34 The Course, Recon, Race Prep. 20:56 Race Time 25:27 Cyclocross idols 26:25 How to Get Started, Technical Skills 35:41 Paris-Roubaix, How To Ride Cobbles 41:37 European Road Championship U23 45:16 Cycling Journey47:40 Ending– LINKS –Guest: ⁠⁠Ilse Pluimers⁠⁠Host: ⁠⁠Soren Jensen⁠⁠GCN: ⁠Why Should You Watch CX?⁠SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS If you want your questions to be answered on air, be sure to submit your questions by sending us a message on social media or by email to⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@castelli-cycling.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠________Follow Castelli on social:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram Triathlon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠We're also on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠STRAVA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join the Belgian cycling superstar as he shares insights from his off-season trip to California, discussing his training regimen, strategic race selections leading up to the Tour de France and the Olympics, as well as his aspirations to secure gold medals in both Paris and the road Worlds in Zürich.We delve into specific Tour stages, particularly the critical mountain and gravel stages, analyzing their potential impact on the overall race dynamics.The discussion also touches on the differing training approaches for targeting a Monument compared to preparing for a grand tour. Additionally, Remco discusses his R.EV Brussels Cycling Academy project aimed at empowering young talents and unveil future topics for his YouTube channel. He shares insights into the WolfPack camaraderie within the team and much more. It's a fully packed and insightful episode with Remco Evenepoel of Soudal Quick-Step.TOPICS DISCUSSED00:00 Introduction02:16 Off-Season, USA06:59 Favorite Off-Season Ride09:38 Recap of 2023 Season12:40 Early Season Races17:25 Mikel Landa19:52 2024 Olympics21:36 Tour de France26:19 Cobbles and Gravel in Grand Tours29:07 Road World Championships30:52 YouTube Channel34:45 Training and Recovery42:32 Giro d'Italia44:51 R.EV Brussels Cycling Academy45:50 WolfPack51:07 Giveaway!51:38 Ending – LINKS –⁠Remco Evenepoel⁠⁠R.EV1703⁠⁠R.EV Brussels Cycling Academy⁠⁠Remco Evenepoel Merchandise⁠SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS If you want your questions to be answered on air, be sure to submit your questions by sending us a message on social media or by email to⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@castelli-cycling.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠________Follow Castelli on social:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram Triathlon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠We're also on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠STRAVA⁠⁠⁠⁠