Cyclist Magazine Podcast

This week, James and Will are joined by Nico Roche. Nico was a pro-rider from 2004-2021 during which time he won numerous races including two Vuelta a España stages. His long career saw spells at Team Sky, Saxobank and BMC, though as we learn, it was with French teams AG2R, Crédit Agricole and Cofidis that Nico felt most at home. The Vuelta was Nico's favourite race, so we kick off by asking what makes that race so special, and does it get the respect it deserves?Today, Nico is still very much involved in the sport as gravel racing privateer and top cycling pundit. As such, our chat really goes around the houses in expert fashion, from assessments of Pogačar at this year’s Tour, to team dynamics, to the evolution of training, to what it was like being a young pro with Stephen Roche as your father. We thoroughly enjoyed this one; Nico was a wonderful guy to talk to and very generous with his time, so thanks Nico! And to you, dear listener, we hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did.Interview begins at 6.52----Did you know Cyclist is also stunning monthly print magazine? Subscribe now at store.cyclist.co.uk/cycpod and get every issue for less than in the shops, delivered straight to your door. And it's also a rather lovely website about everything road cycling and gravel. Check us out at cyclist.co.uk

This week Will and James are joined by ex-pro turned DS, Chris Lawless. At just 28 years old, Chris is the youngest directeur sportif in pro-cycling, but he's got a whole lot of experience. Cutting his teeth at Team Wiggins and JLT Condor, Chris went on to ride for Team Sky/Ineos, during which time he won the Tour de Yorkshire. As a no-nonsense rider with a stoic mentality, a move into team management naturally followed post-retirement, with Chris taking us a DS position at British Pro-Conti team, Saint Piran.In this episode, Chris tells us about the highs and lows of his career on the road, the role of mental toughness and race craft, the problems in the British racing scene and how to nurture Saint Piran young talent to prepare it for the big time.Interview begins at 12.50Follow Saint Piran on Instagram @saintpiran-----Did you know Cyclist is also stunning monthly print magazine? Subscribe now at store.cyclist.co.uk/cycpod and get every issue for less than in the shops, delivered straight to your door.

This week Will and James are joined by bike design visionary Dimitris Katsanis. Dimitris worked alongside Chris Boardman in the Secret Squirrel Club, creating the pioneering bikes and kit that helped Team GB dominate the 2012 London Games. Ever wondered where the term 'marginal gains' came from? Yep, Dimitris and his colleagues, whose work at the time was so secret not even his boss, one Dave Brailsford, was allowed to know.Across a career spanning three decades and counting, Dimitris has had a hand in winning over 100 gold Olympic and World cycling medals, and right now his components and creations can be seen on four national teams' Olympic bikes (though he won't say which ones). Today he runs his own company, Metron A.E, which 3D-prints cutting edge parts for sport, aerospace and the medical industry. He also 3D-printed Fillipo Ganna's Hour record Pinarello Bolide F. The entire bike. This is a man who has a story about everyone from Wiggins to Ganna, and who can explain aerodynamic drag with just his hands. So pop the kettle on or jump on the turbo, and prepare to be enlightened. -----Cyclist is also a stunning monthly print magazine. Subscribe now at store.cyclist.co.uk/cycpod and get every issue for less than in the shops, delivered straight to your door.

This week, Robyn and Will are joined by Mikkel Honoré, Danish pro at WorldTour team EF Education-Easypost. Mikkel talks us through the differences between a team like EF and one like his previous team, Quick-Step; how a small (and decidedly flat) nation like Denmark has produced so many great cyclists; and his thoughts on Pogacar, the Tour, the importance of the World Championships and his love of NBA basketball.Interview begins at 4.38------------------Did you know Cyclist is also stunning monthly print magazine? Subscribe now at store.cyclist.co.uk/cycpod and get every issue for less than in the shops, delivered straight to your door.

This week James and Will are joined by Carlton Kirby, Eurosport's voice of the Tour de France. In this episode, Carlton looks ahead to the Tour de France 2024, and talks us through the course, all the crucial stages, the likely turning points and the surprise heroes. We discuss the inside track on Cavendish's chances of beating the Merckx record; who will triumph between Pogačar and Vingegaard (but listen out for a surprise contender); if could it come down to the wire on the last day's time-trial; how to make a few quid with some outside bets; and why Bernard Hinault has beef with Eddy Merckx.This one's a long one, but so's three weeks in France. So take your helmet off, put the kettle on and get ready... the Tour is coming! And Carlton's here to explain it all.Interview begins at 6.25--------Did you know Cyclist is also stunning monthly print magazine? Subscribe now at store.cyclist.co.uk/cycpod and get every issue for less than in the shops, delivered straight to your door.

This week Will and James are joined by the founder and owner of Factor Bikes, Rob Gitelis. Rob is originally from Miami but moved to Taiwan more than twenty years ago to start building bikes. Originally he ran a factory which built bikes for brands such as Cervélo, Scott and Canyon, but in 2015 he decided to go it alone with the purchase of Factor Bikes. In this episode, Rob discusses how the bike industry really works, why things are so expensive, what progress lies in store, and what he believes is one of the fastest bikes ever made - and it came out several decades ago.Interview begins at 10.42---Did you know Cyclist is also stunning monthly print magazine? Subscribe now at store.cyclist.co.uk/cycpod and get every issue for less than in the shops, delivered straight to your door.

This week James and Will are joined by gravel pro, Danni Shrosbree. Danni became British gravel national champ in 2022, then in 2023 raced to a storming fourth place on her debut at Unbound Gravel, arguably the world’s hardest gravel race - 200 unsupported miles (320km) across the Kansas prairies. Danni tells us why this was one of the most chaotic races of her life, from shacking up with strangers (the hotels were full) to having her race all but ended by freak storms. And she didn’t even pack a paint stick (what and why’s that? stay tuned). This weekend, June 1st, Danni will race Unbound Gravel 2024, and here she gives us a behind the scenes look at just how it all works.Interview begins at 9.08Follow Danni @Danni_Shrosbree (insta) @DannyShrosbree (X) and Danni’s YouTube channelUnbound Gravel takes place on the weekend of 1st June at 10.50am GMT. For live coverage of the women’s Unbound Gravel 2024 follow @UnboundGravel; for live coverage of the men’s follow @LifeTimeGrandPrix---Did you know Cyclist is also stunning monthly print magazine? Subscribe now at store.cyclist.co.uk/cycpod and get every issue for less than in the shops, delivered straight to your door.

Will and James are joined by Ford RideLondon-Essex race director Kevin Nash ahead of this year's event, which takes place on May 26th 2024. Kevin discusses the challenges designing the route, from circumventing weddings to dealing with litter; explains how to deal with peloton physics and the human racing psyche; and divests the secrets of managing thousands of riders and staff, all from a secret control room in London.Interview begins at 7.50Ford RideLondon-Essex takes place on 26th May, with the Ford RideLondon Classique Women's Tour stage race taking place 24th-26th May. See RideLondon.co.uk---Did you know Cyclist is also stunning monthly print magazine? Subscribe now at store.cyclist.co.uk/cycpod and get every issue for less than in the shops, delivered straight to your door.