The Rouleur Podcast

Matt Rendell tracks Nairo Quintana’s rise from Alejandro Valverde’s understudy to leader in his own right.The 2013 Tour de France saw the Colombian challenge the old order at Movistar – and challenge Chris Froome for the top step of the podium.In this extract from his book Colombia es Pasion, Matt details the key moments from that year’s race as Quintana went on to take a stage victory in Semnoz, the Young Rider classification and finish runner-up in Paris.The Rouleur Longreads Podcast brings you selected long form articles from the magazine, especially recorded for Rouleur. Don’t stop what you’re doing – do it while listening to the world’s best cycling writing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jacopo Guarnieri is a key component in Arnaud Démare’s sprint train at Groupama-FDJ – as well as being a rouleur.cc columnist.  Since racing's restart, he’s already guided his main man to a win at Milano-Torino, along with two stages and overall victory at the Tour de Wallonie. All being well, he’ll be leading out stage wins at the Giro d’Italia in October. There’s a new philosophy at the team, he tells us: “We want to win. And win a lot.” It seems to be working… Dr. Norman Lazarus came to cycling relatively late in life, yet is still putting in some serious mileage at the age of 84. His new book The Lazarus Strategy (published by Yellow Kite) details how to live a healthier life for longer, via exercise, diet and mental health. Ian Parkinson talks to the author to hear his theory behind living an active and medication-free lifestyle in our golden years. Here’s a man who practises what he preaches.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“I’ve seen everything. I’m tired. I am tired of these guys thinking she just needs to shut up because this is the way it is, because I’m a woman in our sport.” What began as isolated complaints against one man has escalated into numerous accounts of inappropriate behaviour at the least - and sexual assault at worst - in professional cycling teams. Women call for change. Now.Orla Chennaoui uncovers disturbing evidence of sexual abuse and harassment in the women’s peloton – this is pro cycling’s #MeToo moment.Content warning: This episode contains graphic descriptions of sexual abuse.The Rouleur Longreads Podcast brings you selected long form articles from the magazine, especially recorded for Rouleur. Don’t stop what you’re doing – do it while listening to the world’s best cycling writing.The latest in this series is ‘Cycling's #MeToo Moment’, from Rouleur 19.6, written and read by Orla Chennaoui.Download the Rouleur app and use the code METOO to read the whole issue free of charge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Photographer Chris Auld, who took one of the most iconic Tour de France photos in recent history, joins Ian Parkinson as he returns to work in Italy, capturing a hot and dusty Strade Bianche and the torrential downpours of Trittico Lombardo for starters. How is it being back at the races? Is it odd shooting with no crowds? And how did he get the ever-charismatic Julian Alaphilippe to give him a broad smile after a disastrous Strade Bianche? Stuart Clapp, our Desire editor, is still buzzing after a ‘mates ride’ with four former British champions, including one Tour de France winner. Turns out they are all still pretty handy on a bike, but not so hot at mending punctures. Funny that… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We all have our favourite Tour de France out of the 106 editions of this legendary race.For many, 1989’s stunning turnaround by Greg LeMond of Laurent Fignon in the final stage on the Champs-Élysées remains one of the greatest moments in sporting history, let alone cycling’s crowded canon. A mere eight seconds difference at the end of three weeks of racing – a truly epic battle.Others may cite Eddy Merckx’s imperious performance in the 1974 edition, giving the Cannibal his record-equalling fifth Tour victory, with eight stage wins along the way. Some prefer to look back even further, to the great years of Coppi, Bartali and Anquetil.Patriotism often plays a part in our collective memories too, with the previously fallow cycling minnows separated from the European racing heartland by the Channel mining a rich seam since Bradley Wiggins broke the British duck in 2012. For Americans, surely LeMond in 1986 is the standout moment that turned millions of US sport fans into bike racing supporters. And millions of proud Colombians will never forget a youthful Egan Bernal’s victory just last year.We asked the Rouleur writers for their personal highlights from La Grande Boucle. They range from 1948 right up to 2019 – races full of surprises, amazing feats and intriguing battles. The Rouleur Longreads Podcast brings you selected long form articles from the magazine, especially recorded for Rouleur. Don’t stop what you’re doing – do it while listening to the world’s best cycling writing.The latest in this series is ‘The Magnificent Seven’, from Rouleur's brand new Tour de France special. Download the Rouleur app and use the code LETOUR to read the whole issue free of charge.To listen to individual years skip to:3:15 - 1976 by Olivier Nilsson-Julien9:42 - 1995 by Olivia Kaferly14:00 - 2003 by Andy McGrath18:34 - 1948 by Isabel Best24:00 - 2007 by Richard Abraham29:15 - 1973 by Paul Maunder32:35 - 2019 by Ian Cleverly Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nearly time for Le Tour, but who will win? Without any racing to base our predictions on, it's something of a wildcard scenario this year. The Rouleur team gathers then socially distances in Ian Parkinson's garden to discuss the upcoming edition, our favourite Tours in history and the latest lovely cover by Sean Hardy.And writer Maria David joins us with the story of one of the great sporting rivalries – Jeannie Longo and Maria Canins – told in Issue 20.5. Subscribe by Tuesday 28th, July to receive this Tour de France special issue and help keep print magazines in business. Meanwhile, our man Stuart Clapp has gone riding and 'wild camping' with four former British champions: Sir Bradley Wiggins, Matt Stephens, Steve Cummings and Adam Blythe. But their plan to ride from Essex to Kent is scuppered by a ferry closure. What happens next? Sometimes having a famous face comes in handy – Brad, that is, not Stu. Listen in... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is the story of a big house in Belgium. Within its walls, along its corridors, through its communal kitchen and living space, some of the finest riders in the world have idled, prepared for races, slouched in front of the TV, boiled water for pasta and generally discovered whether or not they will make it. It is a remarkable institution, with no official accreditation. It is almost as if it doesn’t exist.“Nobody knows we really do this. They wouldn’t have the foggiest idea. It’s not a known thing.”Ned meets former British champion (and chair dealer) Tim Harris to uncover the story of the unofficial academy house that has hosted young hopefuls from around the globe determined to make the grade. Cavendish, Froome, Thomas, Armitstead, Yates, McLay and many more have stayed en route to stardom. And Fernando Gaviria mowed the lawn…The Rouleur Longreads Podcast brings you selected long form articles from the magazine, especially recorded for Rouleur. Don’t stop what you’re doing – do it while listening to the world’s best cycling writing.The latest in this series is ‘The Chairman’ by Ned Boulting, from Rouleur 17.2. Download the Rouleur app and use the code CHAIRMAN to read the whole issue free of charge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the overall scheme of things, one delayed bike race is no big deal - but it's surprising how much the Tour De France has become an integral part of so many people's July. Ned Boulting hasn't spent July at home since 2003 but he's hoping to be back on the road in a couple of weeks as racing restarts including, we hope, the Tour De France. He's also reflecting on cycling and transport post lockdown. Rouleur's Miles Baker-Clarke takes us through the latest gear and kit in the Emporium, while presenter Ian Parkinson eyes up Rapha's latest glasses. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“I was told by everyone that I was bad. Bjarne won but he is bad. He is a bad man. All the newspapers. People in cycling. Everyone. I’m a cheat. I lie. That name. For years and years this was my story. It was my life. You almost start to believe it. You have to understand that I stood alone when it all came down. A young man. I didn’t have that much life experience. And nothing about how to handle this! How are you supposed to react? The consequences are unimaginable to understand. Telekom left me. I had nobody around me that could help. Like with many other riders. It does something to a person. Being in that position.”Tour triumph, doping, depression, the end of managing his world-beating team: it’s not easy being Bjarne Riis. Our man Morten tracks him down for an interview after a three-year chase.The Rouleur Longreads Podcast brings you selected long form articles from the magazine, especially recorded for Rouleur. Don’t stop what you’re doing – do it while listening to the world’s best cycling writing.The latest in this series is ‘Being Bjarne’ by Morten Okbo, from Rouleur 19.8. Download the Rouleur app and use the code BJARNE to read the whole issue free of charge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Teniel Campbell has come a long way already, but her ambition is almost limitless. She wants Olympic and World medals, she wants to win Classics and set records on the track. She wants to outdo her idol Marianne Vos. And she wants to help more people like her into the sport. In this edition, Teniel tells Ian Parkinson how a young girl from Trinidad fought her way to the Women's World Tour. Meanwhile, Rouleur's Stuart Clapp has been fighting his way through the haunted woods with a collection of fancy gravel bikes and a giant bear's head. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.