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Off The Back - A Cycling Weekly Podcast
Episode 2: Track records broken, Tadej’s Slim Shady hairdo & Politics in sports
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In this episode, we dive into the European track championships and the ideal conditions that have led to so many new world records. We also discuss Tadej Pogacar’s new hairdo, Phil Gaimon’s Mauna Kea KOM, Salsa’s wild new full-suspension gravel e-bike and sports neutrality amid global unrest.
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Giro’s 20g bike weight debate & an epic Unbound year
48:12|In this episode of "Off the Back," a Cycling Weekly podcast, Simon, Rook, and Andy dive into an exciting week in the cycling world. Jonas Vingegaard quite handily won the Giro d'Italia, earning a rare place in cycling history as one of just 8 male cyclists to have won all three Grand Tours while teammate Sepp KussEarned this trifecta by winning a stage in all three tours, and delivered a very touching post-race interview. We also cover the epically muddy Unbound edition, which certainly delivered a spectacle and lots of tech to talk about. We spoke at length about the emergence of a Gravel Super Team and Keegan Swenson's selfless act to help his teammate, Mads Wurtz Schmidt, to take the win. And, of course, we also delve into the controversial disqualification of Lorena Wiebes at the Giro, sparking debates on UCI regulations.#cyclingpodcast #unboundgravel Find us here:Web: www.cyclingweekly.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/cyclingweeklymagazineTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cyclingweekly1891X: https://x.com/cyclingweekly
18. Rain means mud, mud means disaster - Unbound Week is here
46:21||Season 1, Ep. 18nowhere, USA, for Unbound Gravel, the world’s premier gravel race. In this episode, Rook, Andy and Meg explore the course challenges, tech breakthroughs, and inspiring stories behind this event. Take, for example, 93-year-old Fred Schmid, who’s taking on Unbound yet again. Or an ultra-endurance athlete Heather Jackson who’s aiming to defend her XL title just weeks after completing the 250-mile Cocodona trail running race. We also talk about Cam Jones’ prototype Scott bike with 32” wheels, when to replace your cycling helmet and why tensions between cars and bikes are running high in the UK.#GravelRacing #Unbound #cyclingpodcast Subscribe to stay up to date: www.youtube.com/@UCaUesKYl8-eST16j5VU5XJw Find us Here:Web: www.cyclingweekly.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/cyclingweeklymagazineTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cyclingweekly1891X: https://x.com/cyclingweekly
17. Giro Carnage, Bike Leaks & LEGO Nerddom
53:37||Season 1, Ep. 17In this week’s episode of Off the Back, Rook, Adam and Pat unpack the chaos unfolding at the Giro d’Italia — brutal weather, huge crashes and controversial fan behaviour. They also dive into Specialized’s leaked bikes, Lynskey filing for bankruptcy, why free cycling coverage matters more than ever, the top speed of e-bikes, and the surprising reader debate around handlebar mirrors, Varia lights and dropper posts.
16. 32" Wheels & X-Lab Are Taking Over
47:00||Season 1, Ep. 16This week’s episode is all about the latest tech news from the cycling world. 🚴♂️The industry gathered in California this April, and two topics dominated the conversation: 32” wheels and X-Lab. Why are all the tyre brands offering a wheel size for which there are so few bikes? Chinese manufacturer X-Labs is shaking up the market with top-spec products at a fraction of the price compared to brands like Specialized, Giant Manufacturing and Trek. How are they able to do it? Is this the start of a major shift in the cycling industry? And should the “big three” be worried?Tune in as we break down the latest trends, tech, and industry intel.#CyclingTech #BikeTech #xlabSubscribe to stay up to date: www.youtube.com/@UCaUesKYl8-eST16j5VU5XJw Find us Here:Web: www.cyclingweekly.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/cyclingweeklymagazineTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cyclingweekly1891X: https://x.com/cyclingweekly
15. A bumper Giro d’Italia preview
51:53||Season 1, Ep. 15This week’s episode is all about the Giro d’Italia, which starts on Friday in Bulgaria. We discuss the route, the contenders, and give our predictions for the first Grand Tour of the year. Listen, and you’ll discover why it’s not all just about Jonas Vingegaard, the stages that you have to watch, and just how many corners there are in the time trial. Follow this link to take our reader survey and tell us about your riding, how you consume cycling content, and what you do and don’t like about Cycling Weekly online, in print, and on social media. Complete the survey and you’ll be in with a chance of winning some great rprizes.#giroditalia #giro #cyclingSubscribe to stay up to date: www.youtube.com/@UCaUesKYl8-eST16j5VU5XJw Find us Here:Web: www.cyclingweekly.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/cyclingweeklymagazineTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cyclingweekly1891X: https://x.com/cyclingweekly
14. A new look Ineos, gravel tyres get even bigger, and Tom Pidcock at the Tour of the Alps
51:56||Season 1, Ep. 14In this week’s episode we kick off by talking about getting a bit of UK sunshine and the the former pro riders who ran the marathon. For the main part of the show we talked about Ineos's new sponsors, including Netcompany, then the Open WI.DE bike with clearance for 66mm tyres and standards a bit more generally, before chatting about the Tour of the Alps and Liege Bastogne Liege.Our Reader Debate section focused on whether Paul Seixas should ride the Tour de France; then it was heroes and villains#cyclingSubscribe to stay up to date: www.youtube.com/@UCaUesKYl8-eST16j5VU5XJw Find us Here:Web: www.cyclingweekly.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/cyclingweeklymagazineTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cyclingweekly1891X: https://x.com/cyclingweekly
13. A banned track bicycle, the case of the runaway bike thief and how old is too old to race?
44:14||Season 1, Ep. 13In this week’s episode we talk about the Tour de France Femmes Grand Départ news for next year, and Tom Pidcock being back racing already. Then we chat about our biggest stories of the week, which included a banned track cycling bike, the story of Frankie Hall, and then the tale of the Polish bike thief who ended up in a race. We finish, as ever, with our heroes and villains.#cyclingSubscribe to stay up to date: www.youtube.com/@UCaUesKYl8-eST16j5VU5XJw Find us Here:Web: www.cyclingweekly.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/cyclingweeklymagazineTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cyclingweekly1891X: https://x.com/cyclingweekly
12. Roubaix reaction: wonderful Wout and TV coverage controversy
01:15:13||Season 1, Ep. 12In this week’s episode we head straight into a Paris-Roubaix debrief, talking through the epic races and wins for Franziska Koch and Wout van Aert, as well as what makes it such a brilliant race. We talk about all the exciting tech from the ground, and also the big controversy over TV coverage of the women’s race
11. Tour of Flanders debrief, cycling’s brain benefits, and Tadej Pogačar’s quest for everything
48:26||Season 1, Ep. 11In this week’s episode we head straight into a Tour of Flanders debrief, talking through the epic races and wins for Demi Vollering and Tadej Pogačar, as well as what makes it such a great race. Meg talks us through why cycling is good for brain as well as physical health, and we have a brief chat about the bombshell that was Remco Evenepoel riding Flanders.