The Cycling Podcast

In this final Arrivée episode from the Ardennes Classics, Rose Manley and Rebecca Charlton take a close look at this year’s Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes which was full of twists and turns both literally and figuratively. The scene was set for something of a final grudge match between some of the biggest winners and unexpected losers of the Ardennes week. Team SD-Worx came in hoping to rebuild something of their ‘invincible’ status having not taken a win in the Ardennes. But with Elisa Longo-Borghini in flying form and Kasia Niewiadoma on a high after her Flèche Wallonne victory, last year’s triple crown winners could expect challenges from all sides. And after a week full of surprises, Liège-Bastogne-Liège promised more of the same. buycycle Arrivée is brought to you by buycycle – the online marketplace for used bikes, where cyclists buy and sell pre-loved bikes with complete confidence. For a limited time, listeners can sell their bikes without incurring a sellers’ fee with the code TCP24 Follow us on soci

In this episode of Arrivée, Daniel Friebe and RIchard Abraham reflect on a 2024 edition of Liège-Bastogne-Liège that had been billed as a clash of the Titans between the two outstanding riders of the season so far, world champion Mathieu van der Poel and 2021 Liège winner Tadej Pogačar.  With the Amstel Gold and Flèche Wallonne winners, Tom Pidcock and Stephen Williams, also on the starting grid, Pogačar and Van der Poel perhaps weren’t going to have it all their own way. Find out who ultimately prevailed and how they did it in this final Arrivée episode of the men’s Classics season.  buycycle Arrivée is brought to you by buycycle – the online marketplace for used bikes, where cyclists buy and sell pre-loved bikes with complete confidence. For a limited time, listeners can sell their bikes without incurring a sellers’ fee with the code TCP24 Follow us on social media: Twitter @cycling_podcast Instagram @thecyclingpodcast The 11.01 Cappuccino Our regular email newsletter is now on Substack. Subscribe here

Rose Manley and Denny Gray of The British Continental offer up their ‘hot-takes’ on an ever explosive edition of Flèche Wallonne Feminine. With SD Worx still smarting from a mis-step from Lorena Wiebes at the Amstel Gold Race, the team was looking for revenge at the second Ardennes race of the week, particularly with defending champion Demi Vollering in their ranks. But they’ll face a huge challenge from Lidl-Trek, buoyed by Elisa Longo Borghini’s win at Brabantse Pijl. And time is running out for Orla Chennaoui’s predicted Kasia Niewiadoma win in the Ardennes, so might it come true this time? buycycle Arrivée is brought to you by buycycle – the online marketplace for used bikes, where cyclists buy and sell pre-loved bikes with complete confidence. For a limited time, listeners can sell their bikes without incurring a sellers’ fee with the code TCP24 Follow us on social media: Twitter @cycling_podcast Instagram @thecyclingpodcast The 11.01 Cappuccino Our regular email newsletter is now on Substack. Subsc

In this episode of Arrivée, Daniel Friebe and Richard Abraham review a brutal edition of Flèche Wallonne, ridden in the rain and plummeting temperatures. After his victory in Amstel Gold at the weekend, could the pre-race favourite Tom Pidcock live up to that billing and complete an historic double? Or would someone else - perhaps one of the many previous winners in the field, like Dylan Teuns or Marc Hirschi - conquer the Mur de Huy?   buycycle Arrivée is brought to you by buycycle – the online marketplace for used bikes, where cyclists buy and sell pre-loved bikes with complete confidence. For a limited time, listeners can sell their bikes without incurring a sellers’ fee with the code TCP24 Follow us on social media: Twitter @cycling_podcast Instagram @thecyclingpodcast The 11.01 Cappuccino Our regular email newsletter is now on Substack. Subscribe here for frothy, full-fat updates to enjoy any time (as long as it’s after 11am). MAAP The Cycling Podcast x MAAP collection is available now. Go to maap.c

In this week’s regular episode of the The Cycling Podcast, Richard Abraham and Rob Hatch join Daniel Friebe to look back on Sunday’s Amstel Gold Race - before Décathlon-AG2R Mondiale stalwart Larry Warbasse reports from his pre-Giro d’Italia altitude camp on Mount Etna. After a challenging start to the season for INEOS Grenadiers, Tom Pidcock’s victory in Amstel on Sunday was balm for the British team’s morale and confidence. We ask whether it could also be a watershed moment in the Yorkshireman’s career - particularly with this year’s Tour de France in mind.  Larry’s eyes and focus are set firmly on the Giro - and, in the last part of the podcast, the “Motown Maestro” reveals how he and team leader Ben O’ Connor have built towards ‘La Corsa Rosa’.  Follow us on social media: Twitter @cycling_podcast Instagram @thecyclingpodcast The 11.01 Cappuccino Our regular email newsletter is now on Substack. Subscribe here for frothy, full-fat updates to enjoy any time (as long as it’s after 11am). MAAP The Cyclin

The Cycling Podcast Féminin team are looking back over a thrilling cobbled Classics season. Rose Manley, Denny Gray and Orla Chennaoui pick out their favourite moments, hero riders and big surprises from the cobbled races this year.  Catching the team’s attention are emotional moments for Pfeiffer Georgi and Kasia Niewiadoma, breakthrough moments for Puck Pieterse and Letizia Paternoster and heroic antics from Shirin van Anrooij and Lotte Kopecky. With so many exhilarating moments to choose from, will Rose, Denny and Orla agree on anything? Our mini feature this month is on the women’s Ronde Van Vlaanderen which celebrated its 20th anniversary this year. With the help of journalists and riders who were there, we explore some of the stories and moments that came out of the early editions of the race. Oenone Wood, Loes Gunnewijk, Giorgia Bronzini and Marion Clignet all share their recollections of races that have been overlooked in recent history. Follow us on social media: Twitter @cycling_podcast Instagram

 In this week’s regular episode of The Cycling Podcast, Daniel Friebe visits top Eurosport commentator Rob Hatch at home - or is it vice versa - and they’re joined by the now-retired cobbles maestro Mitch Docker for a considered look back at the events of the last week.  After the usual round-up of the big stories, it’s back to last weekend and Paris-Roubaix. After the unique insight into British national champion Fred Wright’s preparation for the “Hell of the North” featured in our Arrivée episode on Sunday, there’s more of the same today. We also hear from two riders who made memories while missing the time-cut, before reflecting on Mathieu van der Poel’s latest masterclass.  The headlines away from Roubaix were dominated, regrettably, by a horrendous crash at the Tour of the Basque Country. We wade into the safety debate while pondering what last week could mean for the Tour de France.  Follow us on social media: Twitter @cycling_podcast Instagram @thecyclingpodcast NordVPN This episode is supported

In our latest Arrivée episode of the Classics season, Daniel Friebe & Richard Abraham give their verdict on the 121st edition of Paris-Roubaix or the “Hell of the North”. Fresh off his third victory in the Tour of Flanders last week, Mathieu van der Poel was the hot favourite to also land his second Roubaix title. Richard Abraham was in France to see whether MvdP could add a sixth Monument to his palmarès - or whether a cast of challengers headed by Mads Pedersen was able to thwart him.  The episode also features a unique insight into Bahrain Victorious leader Fred Wright’s recon of the Roubaix cobbles last week. buycycle Arrivée is supported by buycycle. Visit buycycle.com to buy and sell used bikes safely and securely. Follow us on social media: Twitter @cycling_podcast Instagram @thecyclingpodcast The 11.01 Cappuccino Our regular email newsletter is now on Substack. Subscribe here for frothy, full-fat updates to enjoy any time (as long as it’s after 11am). MAAP The Cycling Podcast x MAAP collect

In this latest Arrivée episode from The Cycling Podcast Féminin, Rose Manley and Rebecca Charlton take a closer look at one of the most anticipated races on the calendar, Paris-Roubaix Femmes. After three explosive editions since the inaugural women’s race in 2021, expectations were high for the 2024 race. The odds were in Lidl-Trek’s favour having taken the win twice before. However, Team SD Worx were looking for revenge after being kept off the podium at last week’s Tour of Flanders with World Champion Lotte Kopecky hoping to continue her string of impressive results. Paris-Roubaix is Paris-Roubaix though and anything can happen on those unforgiving 148.5 kilometres and 17 cobbled sectors. Will a new Queen of the Cobbles be crowned? buycycle Arrivée is supported by buycycle. Visit buycycle.com to buy and sell used bikes safely and securely. Follow us on social media: Twitter @cycling_podcast Instagram @thecyclingpodcast The 11.01 Cappuccino Our regular email newsletter is now on Substack. Subscribe here

In this week’s regular episode of The Cycling Podcast, Daniel Friebe is again joined by journalist Richard Abraham and former Classics maestro Mitch Docker, as we revisit the men’s Tour of Flanders on Sunday and review some of the more salient and controversial talking points from ‘Vlaanderens Mooiste’. Mathieu van der Poel’s third Flanders victory was his most emphatic to date, but his triumphant solo move on the Koppenberg - while others floundered in his wake - also raised questions about whether that iconic climb should be removed from the Ronde course. We discuss this, Michael Matthews’ relegation in the sprint for the minor places, plus the accomplished performances of Movistar and runner-up Luca Mozzato. In the last part of the episode, thoughts then turn to Paris-Roubaix next weekend and the Tour of the Basque Country - where the ‘home team’ is lining up with a surprising import. Follow us on social media: Twitter @cycling_podcast Instagram @thecyclingpodcast The 11.01 Cappuccino Our regular email

For our first Féminin Arrivée of the season, Rose Manley and Denny Gray pore over an explosive edition of the Tour of Flanders. Team SD Worx start the race with World Champion and home favourite Lotte Kopecky looking to make it a hat-trick of Ronde Van Vlaanderen victories.  But can Lidl-Trek, a team growing in confidence and tactical nous, finally reap their rewards? And what of the GOAT Marianne Vos, can she add a title here to her wins from Dwars door Vlaanderen and Omloop Het Nieuwsblad already this season? buycycle Arrivée is supported by buycycle. Visit buycycle.com to buy and sell used bikes safely and securely. Follow us on social media: Twitter @cycling_podcast Instagram @thecyclingpodcast The 11.01 Cappuccino Our regular email newsletter is now on Substack. Subscribe here for frothy, full-fat updates to enjoy any time (as long as it’s after 11am). MAAP The Cycling Podcast x MAAP collection is available now. Go to maap.cc to see the full MAAP range. Friends of the Podcast Sign up as a Friend o

In our second Arrivée episode of the Classics season, Daniel Friebe & Richard Abraham deliver their verdict on the 108th edition of the Tour of Flanders or Ronde van Vlaanderen. With Wout van Aert’s spring campaign ruined by a crash in Dwars door Vlaanderen on Wednesday, the Belgian’s long-time bête noire, Mathieu van der Poel, started the race as the hot favourite. Find out whether MvdP could become the first reigning world champion since Peter Sagan in 2016 to ride to Flanders glory in the rainbow jersey - or who among the cast of challengers, led by Mads Pedersen & Matteo Jorgenson, managed to thwart him. buycycle Arrivée is supported by buycycle. Visit buycycle.com to buy and sell used bikes safely and securely. Follow us on social media: Twitter @cycling_podcast Instagram @thecyclingpodcast The 11.01 Cappuccino Our regular email newsletter is now on Substack. Subscribe here for frothy, full-fat updates to enjoy any time (as long as it’s after 11am). MAAP The Cycling Podcast x MAAP collecti

In this week’s episode of The Cycling Podcast, Daniel Friebe is joined by former Classics stalwart Mitch Docker and the journalist Richard Abraham, as we look back at last weekend’s pre-Ronde van Vlaanderen appetisers, the E3 Saxo Classic and Gent-Wevelgem. Friday saw the latest masterclass from Mathieu van der Poel in E3, which  underlined his status as the outstanding favourite for De Ronde. Forty-eight hours later, though, Mads Pedersen’s victory over Van der Poel in Gent-Wevelgem led some to wonder whether Lidl-Trek had happened upon the perfect blueprint for defeating the Dutchman - not that the strategy will be easy to implement on Sunday.  In the final part of the podcast, we hear from a rider for whom just being on the startline on Sunday will represent a personal triumph - the Dane Michael Valgren, whose career was almost ended by a horror crash in the 2022 Route Occitanie.  Babbel Learn a language the fun, easy way with intuitive 15-minute lessons you can do when you want. Choose from 14 language

Our mini-feature this month focuses on the final riders to complete Paris-Roubaix. Riders who have had to overcome difficult circumstances to reach the end of one of the most formidable races in cycling, even when they finished way outside of the time limit. We speak to Ilaria Sanguineti, Eluned King and Senne Knaven about what motivated them to push past crashes, injuries and calamitous conditions to reach the famed velodrome and what it is like to ride the famous cobbles once the race is already long gone. We also have plenty of race analysis from the first few Classics of the season. Rose Manley is joined by Denny Gray and Rebecca Charlton to pick apart what could be a changing of the guard at the top of the women’s peloton. Elisa Balsamo outsprinted rider-of-the-moment Lotte Kopecky to take the spoils at Trofeo Binda after a huge effort from her team. With Lidl-Trek finally taking the top spot after improving results and rising confidence, we ask: what gave Lidl-Trek the winning edge and could it final

This week’s episode of The Cycling Podcast comes from the latest stop on Daniel Friebe’s springtime Mediterranean tour, Mallorca, and precisely the home of Eurosport commentator Rob Hatch. That pair are joined by journalist Richard Abraham, as we revisit some of the most compelling storylines from Milan-Sanremo at the weekend.  Jasper Philipsen’s victory on Via Roma meant heartache for Tadej Pogačar and his UAE Team Emirates team - and prompted questions about their strategy. Will Pog now have to rethink his not-yet-winning formula in La Classicissima, particularly in light of his newly declared ambition to become the greatest rider in history? Speaking of history, in a special investigation, Daniel sets off in search of a piece of Sanremo’s. And, speaking of the future, Mathieu van der Poel has just committed the next decade to one company, as Rob reports.  NordVPN This episode is supported by NordVPN. Ensure your security online with a subscription today. Listeners will get an exclusive NordVPN deal at

We’re on the Ligurian Riviera for the first Monument of the season - almost live from the finish-line on Via Roma. Join Daniel Friebe & Brian Nygaard to hear how the race was won & what some of the key protagonists said. There’s also a cameo from perhaps our most cherished friend - Ciro Scogamiglio of La Gazzetta dello Sport. buycycle Arrivée is brought to you by buycycle – the online marketplace for used bikes, where cyclists buy and sell pre-loved bikes with complete confidence. Follow us on social media: Twitter @cycling_podcast Instagram @thecyclingpodcast The 11.01 Cappuccino Our regular email newsletter is now on Substack. Subscribe here for frothy, full-fat updates to enjoy any time (as long as it’s after 11am). MAAP The Cycling Podcast x MAAP collection is available now. Go to maap.cc to see the full MAAP range. Friends of the Podcast Sign up as a Friend of the Podcast at thecyclingpodcast.com to listen to more than 100 exclusive episodes. Our latest, four-part KM0 special, ‘Classicissi

This week’s episode of The Cycling Podcast is a special dispatch from the Côte d’Azur, partly recorded at the home of our own Captain America - better known to us as Décathlton-AG2r La Mondiale’s ‘Motown Maestro’ Larry Warbasse - and featuring an exclusive interview with Visma-Lease a Bike’s newly crowned Paris-Nice champion, Matteo Jorgenson, on the morning after his triumph on the Promenade des Anglais.  Larry and Daniel Friebe kick off with a recap of some of the week’s big stories, including Paris-Nice. Jorgenson’s victory was the most important in his flourishing career to date - and, over coffee in Nice’s Vieux Port, the Californian by birth, Idahoer by upbringing and Niçois by adoption tells Daniel how he overcame pre-race favourite Remco Evenepoel and childhood friend Brandon McNulty. After that, also in Nice, we hear journalist François Thomazeau’s reflections on what was due to be his final Race to the Sun.   In the last part, it’s back to Larry’s secluded hideaway in Èze to hear about his week in

In this week's episode of The Cycling Podcast, Daniel Friebe and journalist Richard Abraham are back in the bike race bubble at Paris-Nice, where two of the Big Four contenders for this year's Tour de France start to piece together their preparations for July.  Remco Evenepoel comes fresh from victory at the Volta ao Algarve but is taking on a stage race on French soil for the first time in his career. Meanwhile Primož Roglič looks to open his account for his new team, BORA-hansgrohe, at a race he won in 2022. We discuss the expectations of both riders and hear from experienced Australian Jack Haig on what makes Paris-Nice a race of singular difficulty.  Of course we also tackle the weekend's big talking point, namely the exploits of another one of the Big Four, or should that be the Super Six: Tadej Pogačar at Strade Bianche. Daniel and Richard hear from Pog's former teammate Matteo Trentin and digest an 81km solo victory that will undoubtedly go down as one of one of his greatest hits.  Follow us on soci

We’re looking at motherhood in our February episode of The Cycling Podcast Féminin. With Ellen Van Dijk’s much-anticipated return from maternity leave on the horizon, we explore the growing trend of racers returning to the peloton post-baby. Rose Manley speaks to Lizzie Deignan, one of the first women to be supported by her team to a return to racing and her agent Emma Wade, as well as new mum and Uno-X rider Joss Lowden, former Trek-Segafredo rider Abi Van Twisk and former British champion Meg Backstedt (née Hughes). Rose is also joined by Orla Chennaoui and Denny Gray to look at the recent racing, most notably a rare debut win for the GOAT Marianne Vos at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. Discussion descends into bickering as the team try to decide how well Lidl-Trek played their tactics at the race after finishing third and fourth. We also ponder Lotte Kopecky’s recent transformation after showing off her climbing legs on the UAE Tour’s Jebel Hafeet and wonder how that might affect a seemingly tense relationship wi

In this week’s episode of The Cycling Podcast, Daniel Friebe is joined by the veteran French journalist François Thomazeau and the Aussie former Classics maestro Mitch Docker to recap Opening Weekend - the Belgian double-header dominated, as per the predictions, by the Visma-Lease a Bike team.  Wout Van Aert was the favourite for Saturday’s Omloop het Nieuwsblad and indeed looked to be zeroing in on victory until the peloton him down in the closing kilometres. It was left to Jan Tratnik to ‘save’ Visma-Lease a Bike and take the win…with Van Aert having to wait until the following day’s Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne to open his Classics account for 2024. We discuss these and other notable performances from the two races, and also hear from Bahrain Victorious’s Fred Wright about what went…wrong for him at Omloop. Julian Alaphilippe, too, has had better weekends, and would have been hoping for a better response to his boss, Patrick Lefevere’s, recent criticism in the Belgian media. Nevertheless, we ask: what exactly