CASTELLI Cycling Podcast

Stick around for the final moments of the interview. You won’t regret it. A must-listen for photographers, creatives, cyclists, and anyone curious about what happens beyond the barriers. In this final chapter with Ashley and Jered Gruber, we go fully inside the work. What does it really take to create meaningful images in professional cycling — when conditions aren’t perfect, expectations are sky-high, and every decision happens at race speed?From recalibrating a “five-out-of-ten day” into something publishable, to the unique pressure of iconic climbs like Mont Ventoux and Alpe d’Huez, Ashley and Jered break down the invisible labor behind race photography; stage research kilometre by kilometre, fighting logistics, editing in the car, uploading from hotel rooms late at night, and still finding the energy to tell the story on social media.We talk about roadside encounters with fans, unexpected human moments, and the strange contrast between riders fighting for their careers and crowds treating race day like a party. The conversation also turns deeply personal — covering burnout, injury, recovery, insecurity, creativity, and the long-term sustainability of a freelance career in modern cycling media.From shooting the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes, to rebuilding after a devastating crash at the Tour of Flanders, to finding grounding at home after months on the road — this episode is about process, endurance, passion, and finding beauty where no one else is looking.A must-listen for photographers, creatives, cyclists, and anyone curious about what happens beyond the barriers.________🇮🇹 Uno sguardo autentico dietro le quinte della fotografia nel ciclismo professionistico. Ashley e Jered Gruber raccontano pressione, processo creativo, infortuni, burnout e perché, nonostante tutto, continuano a tornare sulle corse.🇩🇪 Ein ehrlicher Blick hinter die Kulissen der Profi-Radsportfotografie.Ashley & Jered Gruber über Entscheidungsdruck, kreative Prozesse, Verletzungen, Erschöpfung und warum sie trotz allem immer wieder zurückkommen.________CHAPTERS00:00 Intro03:07 The Five Out of Ten Day Mindset06:30 Mont Ventoux09:06 Alpe d Huez and Race Day Chaos11:05 Roadside Fans and Human Moments16:27 Familiar Places and Returning Each Year20:03 Planning a Grand Tour Stage27:26 Editing Uploading and Long Nights34:01 Giro vs Tour vs Vuelta36:20 Mens and Womens Racing39:48 Tour of Flanders Crash 202446:29 Shooting the Giro from the TV52:46 Riding Bikes and Staying Human58:37 Freelance Insecurity and the Future1:03:24 Advice for Aspiring Photographers1:08:27 Legacy and Closing Thoughts1:13:04 OutroCONNECT ⁠Ashley Norris Gruberhttps://www.instagram.com/ashleygruber/Jered Gruber https://www.instagram.com/jeredgruber/– HOST –Søren Jensen, Global Marketing Manager at Castelli, has worked for this iconic brand since 2006. He usually rides backroads and dirt trails, testing new gear in the Italian Dolomites. If you can't find him there, check the Castelli Headquarters in Fonzaso. Connect: ⁠LinkedIn⁠Check out our new collection: Castelli-cycling.comSUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONIf 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

In part two with Ashley and Jered Gruber we unpack how their journey into cycling photography truly began.From a chance meeting sparked by a flat tire in Athens, Georgia, to moving to Europe with no real plan, a €1,500 car, and a pocket-sized camera, this episode traces the early years that shaped their visual language.Jered and Ashley share how racing dreams shifted into storytelling, why landscapes and atmosphere mattered more than finish-line shots, and how shooting differently helped them find space in a crowded world of race photography.The conversation dives into their first Castelli shoots, the Koppenberg with Andreas Klier, the iconic Passo Giau image with Peter Stetina, and the unexpected chain of events that led them to shoot the Giro d’Italia. Along the way, they reflect on learning by doing, working without moto access, and building trust as a creative duo within the chaos of professional cycling.This episode explores cycling photography from the inside out — not just how images are made, but why they’re made that way.________🇮🇹 Nel secondo episodio con Jered e Ashley Gruber torniamo all’inizio di tutto: un incontro casuale, una foratura e una decisione che ha cambiato il loro percorso. Dalle prime foto scattate quasi per necessità ai grandi giri, raccontiamo come hanno costruito una carriera nella fotografia ciclistica seguendo istinto, curiosità e uno sguardo diverso sul ciclismo.🇩🇪 In der zweiten Episode mit Jered und Ashley Gruber blicken wir zurück auf die Anfänge ihrer Reise. Von einer zufälligen Begegnung und den ersten Fotos bis hin zu den großen Rundfahrten sprechen wir darüber, wie sie sich ihren Platz in der Radsportfotografie erarbeitet haben – mit Geduld, Neugier und einer ganz eigenen Perspektive.________CHAPTERS00:00 Intro03:07 How Ashley and Jered First Met05:22 From Racing to Photography08:33 Moving to Europe09:34 Discovering the Camera11:23 First Breaks12:24 Life on the Road14:01 Meeting Castelli & First Commercial Shoot16:17 Koppenberg & Giau20:25 Becoming Photographers23:46 Creative Duo27:52 Finding Their Style31:32 The Photo That Changed Everything33:13 Giro Opportunity36:27 First Grand Tour41:24 Evolving the Vision45:46 Milano-Sanremo49:40 Race Day Workflow52:14 Creative Pressure55:00 EndingCONNECT ⁠Ashley Norris Gruberhttps://www.instagram.com/ashleygruber/Jered Gruber https://www.instagram.com/jeredgruber/– HOST –Søren Jensen, Global Marketing Manager at Castelli, has worked for this iconic brand since 2006. He usually rides backroads and dirt trails, testing new gear in the Italian Dolomites. If you can't find him there, check the Castelli Headquarters in Fonzaso. Connect: ⁠LinkedIn⁠Check out our new collection: Castelli-cycling.comSUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONIf 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

Many of you have watched their work evolve over the years, shaping how modern cycling is seen and remembered. I’ve been lucky enough to have a front-row seat to that journey.Today, I’m joined by Ashley and Jered Gruber — a husband-and-wife photography duo and two of the most influential visual storytellers in the world of cycling. From their early years to the biggest races on the calendar, I’ve watched them quietly shape how the sport looks, feels, and is remembered.This conversation is an honest look into life inside the peloton. We talk about instinct versus technique, creative doubt, missed shots, and the pressure of making split-second decisions when there are no second chances.Jered and Ashley open up about working together under extreme stress, following the Tour de France for weeks on end, navigating chaos at Flanders and Roubaix, and why even after all these years, they still feel the urge to try something different.This isn’t just a conversation about photography. It’s about trust, partnership, curiosity, and earning your place — not by being loud, but by consistently doing the work at the highest level.This is Part 1 of a three-part series. In the episodes to come, we’ll go deeper into how they met, their early years in cycling, full race-day workflows, and what still inspires them today.Hope you enjoy this one.________________🇮🇹 Breve introduzioneDue dei più importanti narratori visivi del ciclismo moderno si raccontano in una conversazione intima e senza filtri. Ashley e Jered Gruber parlano di istinto, pressione, fiducia e di cosa significa lavorare insieme dentro il caos del gruppo, dalle Classiche al Tour de France.________________🇩🇪 Kurze ZusammenfassungAshley und Jered Gruber gehören zu den einflussreichsten visuellen Geschichtenerzählern im Radsport. In dieser Episode sprechen sie über Intuition versus Technik, kreative Zweifel, Entscheidungsdruck im Rennen und darüber, wie es ist, Woche für Woche im Peloton zu arbeiten.________________CHAPTERS00:00 – Intro05:34 – First Dolomites memories & meeting Igor Tavella  08:45 – Most crazy expensive place they’ve slept in the Tour10:36 – Their favorite photo  11:37 – The shot they still regret missing  15:27 – Cycling’s most underrated roads  18:06 – Post-Tour exhaustion & recovery  20:25 – Favorite races to shoot23:09 – Technique vs instinct  27:46 – Koppenberg vs Paterberg vs Kwaremont  32:24 – Gear, lenses & race-day survival  37:38 – Planning locations with moto pilots  40:44 – Graham Watson & early inspiration  44:32 – Explaining their job outside cycling  46:05 – Why documentary photography still matters  47:07 – EndingCONNECT ⁠Ashley Norris Gruberhttps://www.instagram.com/ashleygruber/Jered Gruber https://www.instagram.com/jeredgruber/Igor Tavellahttps://www.instagram.com/igortavella/Ustaria Posta Hotelhttps://www.instagram.com/ustariaposta/https://www.ustariaposta.it/– HOST –Søren Jensen, Global Marketing Manager at Castelli, has worked for this iconic brand since 2006. He usually rides backroads and dirt trails, testing new gear in the Italian Dolomites. If you can't find him there, check the Castelli Headquarters in Fonzaso. Connect: ⁠LinkedIn⁠Check out our new collection: Castelli-cycling.comSUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONIf 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

Joe Laverick was one of the standout British talents through his junior years and earned a place on one of the top development teams in cycling: Hagens Berman Axeon. He spent two seasons there under the guidance of the world-renowned Axel Merckx.Joe had hoped to make the jump to the WorldTour, but things didn’t fall into place, and he found himself without a contract at the end of 2022 — facing an uncertain future.Instead of walking away, Joe built something completely different: a one-man privateer project that blends road racing, time trialling and gravel, fuelled by spreadsheets, sponsors, side clients and a serious obsession with marginal gains.Joe lifts the curtain on:What it actually costs to race as a privateer (race budget, travel, equipment)Why you need to be more than “just a bike racer” in 2025Balancing being a rider, writer, team owner, sponsor-hunter, soigneur and logistics managerHow he uses products like the Castelli Gabba R and new gravel kit – and why honest feedback mattersThe learning curve of gravel: tyre pressure, technical skills and why it’s an “untapped jigsaw of performance”200+ days on the road in the US gravel scene, host housing, burnout, and finding balanceWhy enjoyment is the ultimate performance metric, and his advice for young riders choosing between the pro pathway and privateer lifeWe wrap up with Joe’s dream Girona loop over Sant Hilari and Montseny – a 6.5-hour, 180–200 km that he still calls one of the best rides in the world.– LINKS –Joe Laverickhttps://www.instagram.com/joe.laverick/https://www.strava.com/athletes/7026027Sant Hilari Ridehttps://www.strava.com/activities/10469253051Castelli SOGhttps://www.castelli-cycling.com/spirit-of-gravelMen’s Unlimited Gravel Collection:⁠https://www.castelli-cycling.com/IT/en/Men/Collection/Unlimited/c/Man-Col-Unl⁠Women’s Unlimited Gravel Collection:⁠https://www.castelli-cycling.com/IT/en/Woman/Collection/Unlimited/c/Wom-Col-Unl⁠Castelli's Xmas Ride, Nov 29:Overview | ⁠https://www.strava.com/clubs/66959⁠Italy | Signup form: https://www.castelli-cycling.com/castelli-unlimited-christmas-ride-2025CHAPTERS00:00 – Intro, Castelli Christmas Gravel Ride & Spirit of Gravel Cabal02:00 – Who is Joe Laverick? Beating Remco & Girona life04:00 – Quickfire round: fashion crimes, coldest rides & junior chaos in Belgium09:10 – Contracts dry up: Tour of Alsace, injuries & the decision to go privateer14:30 – Building “Joe Laverick the brand”: writing, sponsors, and race budget reality18:30 – Gear geek: equipment choices, spreadsheets, and why the Gabba R blew his mind22:00 – Influencer vs athlete: social media, honesty and choosing the right partners27:20 – 200 days on the road: US gravel, burnout and learning to say “no”32:30 – Gravel as an “untapped jigsaw”: tyre pressure, skills and doing more with less budget44:40 – Joe’s favourite Girona mega-loop & how not to bonk47:00 – Advice to young riders: pro vs privateer, happiness and why fun has to come first

In part two of our conversation with French powerhouse Paul Magnier of Soudal–Quick-Step — one of the brightest young stars in professional cycling — we dive deep into the art of sprinting.Paul pulls back the curtain on the final 1,000 meters: how to read chaos, trust the lead-out, and time the winning move.We dig into aero gains — from wind-tunnel insights and bar-width experiments to 56×11 gearing and 105–110 rpm cadence — and why he practices seated accelerations at 800–1,000 watts. He also unpacks the Wolfpack mentality that trades pressure for confidence.Paul shares how he mentally reset after a heavy crash, what separates good from great sprinters, and his race-day routine. Plus: his go-to Castelli kit — the Sanremo S8 speed suit, Perfetto, Gabba, and Gavia jackets for rough weather — and why Castelli’s no-logo Pro Shop pieces have become a peloton secret.If you’re chasing faster finishes in crits or road races, you’ll love Paul’s practical sprint training cues and energy-saving tactics.🎧 Listen now to get smarter — and faster!– LINKS –Podcast episode with Paul ahead of the 2025 season:https://youtu.be/ClivP8jdPlECONNECT ⁠⁠Paul Magnier: https://www.instagram.com/paul_magnier_/CHAPTERS0:00 — Intro2:21 — Big goals: Monuments, Worlds & green jersey3:30 — Finding rider type with the coach4:19 — Handling pressure when the team backs you5:20 — Wolfpack culture: confidence over pressure7:18 — Resetting after crash & Omloop near-miss13:12 — Inside a sprint: feel vs pain; favorite race kit14:31 — Aero gains: position, wind tunnel & bar width tests16:20 — Full aero system & no-logo Pro Shop gear19:06 — Recon & visualizing the last 3 km22:16 — Race-day routine & playlist23:16 — Training to sprint: torque, short efforts, seated kicks25:26 — Five-minute power & saving energy to the line28:24 — Stage-race survival: fueling, grupetto, recovery29:28 — Gearing & cadence: 56×11 today, 58T tomorrow?30:12 — Marginal gains vs mental load; knowing your body34:09 — Cold-weather kit essentials & layering38:18 — Cooking, bus food & home life41:05 — Paddle board, jet-ski dreams & Grenoble roots44:00 — Outro

Strap in — because today’s episode is an absolute sprint-finish thriller!We’re joined by one of the most exciting young riders in world cycling: Paul Magnier of Soudal–Quick-Step — a 21-year-old French powerhouse already rewriting what’s possible in the pro peloton.In just two seasons, Magnier has exploded to the top tier of world cycling with 24 victories, making him statistically the most successful rider of his generation, ahead of Evenepoel, Pogačar, van der Poel, and Sagan at the same age.Fresh off five straight wins at the Tour of Guangxi and a breakout year featuring 19 victories, a podium at Omloop, and his first Giro d’Italia, Paul sits down with us to reveal:- How he stays calm in the chaos of 70km/h bunch sprints- The mental toughness needed to perform under WorldTour pressure- Lead-out strategy secrets and Wolfpack sprint dynamics- Life as cycling’s next superstar — and staying humble along the way- Off-season life in Grenoble, MTB roots & why the Gabba is a winter essentialWhether you're a sprinter chasing speed, a cycling fan hungry for behind-the-scenes insight, or just fascinated by the next generation shaking up the sport—this episode is packed with firepower.If you’re obsessed with sprint finishes, race psychology, or want actionable tips to get faster, this episode is packed with firepower for you.🎧 Plus: this is Part 1 of a two-episode deep-dive—next week we go all-in on sprint technique, training, gym work, and how YOU can become faster!Hit follow, leave a rating, and join the Castelli community!– LINKS –Podcast episode with Paul ahead of the 2025 season:https://youtu.be/ClivP8jdPlECONNECT ⁠⁠Paul Magnier: https://www.instagram.com/paul_magnier_/CHAPTERS00:00 – Intro04:33 – 2025 wrap: 19 wins & GT debut05:42 – China recap: team bonding06:23 – Race load: 90 days, 11,685 km07:06 – 24 wins by 21; Wolfpack support08:15 – From WC XC bronze medal to Soudal Quick-Step12:58 – Quick-fire 10 questions15:11 – Sprint mindset: instinct vs plan17:18 – Lead-out roles19:08 – Sprint power & Merlier comparison20:05 – Fighting for the wheel & positioning21:03 – Building the perfect lead-out; inside the Flamme Rouge25:01 – Training lead-outs: races vs camps; staying calm29:07 – Reading rival trains30:44 – Final 200 m: speed, aero, seated sprint34:47 – Strength work: in-season gym & velocity focus38:20 – Life off the bike: friends, balance, humility40:48 – The French wave: peers & momentum42:15 – Role-model mindset & clean racing43:46 – Home life: Grenoble → Nice; travel perks & weather48:38 – Big goals: Monuments, Worlds, Tour green50:13 – OutroCredits: Play Sports Network / Eurosport, GettyImages

Have you ever wondered what life is really like for a directeur sportif?Here’s your chance. Davide “Brama” Bramati—ex-pro and longtime Quick-Step DS—is one of the WorldTour’s most passionate and entertaining voices.From his racing days in the ‘90s and 2000s to becoming one of Quick-Step’s longest-serving directeurs sportifs, Brama opens the doors to life inside the race car and the team bus.We dive into his transition from rider to DS, how race strategy has evolved with modern tech, the triumphs and heartbreaks of Classics and Grand Tours, and the passion that still fuels him after decades in the sport.You’ll also hear what makes the Wolfpack’s family culture so unique, how Brama handles the toughest post-race moments, and which races he’s still hungry to win.CHAPTERS00:00 Intro01:27 Brama’s career highlights05:02 Quick-fire questions: style, kit, radios & tech10:12 From rider to directeur sportif17:27 Life in the team car: pressure, emotions & family22:12 Race preparation & technology in modern cycling27:53 Tactics, breakaways & the Wolfpack mentality30:04 Dream races: Flanders, Roubaix, Liège34:51 Young riders, careers & today’s superstars42:12 Best career moments43:22 Advice for new sports directors45:26 Contest: win 2026 Flanders tickets46:34 OutroCONTEST RULESWe’ll randomly draw two winners on December 7, 2025 — each gets two (2) hospitality tickets to the 2026 Tour of Flanders Hotond Festival, including all food & drinks. Travel and accommodation are not included. Open to participants 18+. One entry per person.📅 Contest Ends: Dec 7, 2025 – 23:59 CETQuestions: podcast@castelli-cycling.comGood luck! LINKSBrama: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidebramati/SQShttps://www.instagram.com/soudalquickstepteam/

Discover Polartec® AirCore™ — the revolutionary fabric that’s lightweight, breathable, PFAS-free, and made from recycled materials, designed to keep you dry from the inside out.Watch interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-EFOAr534V4As the industry’s first advanced air-permeable laminate, AirCore™ combines stretch, windproofing, and water repellency with nanofiber technology that actively vents sweat without sacrificing protection from the elements.In this episode, Ramesh Kesh, Senior Vice President at Milliken & Company and Business Manager at Polartec, joins Steve Smith, Castelli Brand Manager, to share how this breakthrough came to life, and why it could redefine winter cycling gear for years to come.Together, they unpack the science, the challenges, and why Castelli’s new winter collection — launching September 9, 2025 — marks a turning point in performance cycling apparel. From lab testing to real-world rides, discover why AirCore™ is set to become the new benchmark in cycling performance.– LINKS –Castelliwww.castelli-cycling.com/polartec-aircorehttps://www.castelli-cycling.com/II/en/custom/full Polartec®:www.polartec.com/fabrics/weather-protection/aircore– GUESTS –Ramesh Keshhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/rameshkeshSteve Smith⁠www.instagram.com/smittystuff/⁠CHAPTERS00:00 Intro03:56 Quick-Fire Round07:16 Why New Fabric Was Needed13:26 Engineering Breathability19:41 Inside the AirCore™ Fabric25:20 How Movement Activates Performance28:03 Removing PFAS chemicals, 30:33 Real-World Performance33:26 Breathability & Numbers37:50 Waterproofness & Water Column Explained40:04 Soudal Quick-Step41:27 Product Collection45:52 Sustainability & The Future49:03 AirCore Setting a New Standard52:11 Looking Ahead52:54 Sum up AirCore53:36 Outro

Riding in the summer heat can turn a dream ride into a survival mission if you don’t fuel and hydrate correctly. In this episode, we're joined by returning guest and sports performance nutritionist, Dani Hofstetter, to break down how to fuel and hydrate smarter for hot weather training and racing.From carb absorption to sodium losses, cramping, gut tolerance, sweat testing, and post-ride recovery, Dani shares practical strategies to keep you fast, fueled, and functional when temperatures soar past 30°C. You’ll also hear listener questions answered on topics like whether to switch to plain water mid-ride, how to balance solids and liquids, and how to adapt fueling for long, unsupported gravel rides. Packed with pro tips and real-world examples from long distance races like an Ironman, Badlands, Ötztaler, to the Cape Epic, this is your ultimate hot-weather fueling guide.CHAPTERS00:00 – Intro04:21 – Quickfire round08:32 – Listener Q: Should you switch to water in the heat?10:38 – Carb concentration adjustments based on temperature11:10 – How under-hydrating backfires: gut distress & thicker blood12:46 – Subtle signs of dehydration14:29 – Listener Q: Does craving water mean you've overdone the mix?15:54 – How to calculate your sweat rate17:35 – Setting up hydration for long unsupported ultras18:53 – Balancing carbs, fluid, and electrolytes19:16 – Listener Q: How many carbs/hour for amateurs vs pros?20:28 – Adjusting fueling plan in the heat21:15 – Listener Q: Nutrition for cramp-prone riders22:14 – Why dehydration is a bigger cause of cramps than magnesium23:46 – Listener Q: Solids vs liquids in hot weather24:44 – Is gel + water better than drink mix?25:33 – What to pick at a hot feed zone: Coke, fruit or salt?27:21 – Palate fatigue and why taste matters29:33 – Listener Q: Are sweat/sodium tests really helpful?32:13 – Sodium vs salt: key numbers explained34:06 – Replacing sodium: what really matters35:14 – Should you add salt to your bottles?36:51 – Two key hydration rules every rider should know37:22 – Listener Q: Post-ride recovery nutrition in the heat38:24 – What to drink and eat after hot rides39:35 – Why recovery is the "work after the work"41:06 – Listener Q: Caffeine and spicy foods in hot weather42:15 – Listener Q: Carrying extra hydration for long gravel rides43:22 – Preloading sodium: how and when44:56 – Listener Q: Training differently in a heat wave45:56 – Final take: consistency, fatigue, and training timingLINKSDani Hofstetter⁠Website⁠⁠Instagram⁠Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Soren Jensen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Castelli⁠Castelli's Hot Weather Collection ⁠SEND 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