The Rouleur Podcast

Rouleur editor Andy McGrath and Ian Parkinson pore over the three Grand Tours of 2019 and consider the possibilities. Can Simon Yates return to the Giro d’Italia to correct unfinished business and take the maglia rosa all the way to the finish this time out? Will Team Sky go out with a bang at their final Tour de France before the sponsor leaves and its star riders are (potentially) scattered to the winds for 2020? And will the Vuelta prove, as so often, to be the least predictable and mountainous of the three-week races? Shorter stages and brutal climbs abound in September. No surprises there… Seb Piquet is the voice of Radio Tour – keeping teams, journalists and officials abreast of developments on the road during the Tour de France and other ASO races. It’s a gripping job and he’s a fascinating chap. Plus Rouleur’s Desire editor Stuart Clapp, another fascinating chap (well, he has his moments), visits the British national cyclo-cross championships and thoroughly enjoys the racing – and warm cider. And is the bucket hat, de rigueur for ‘90s ravers and Gallagher brothers alike, coming back courtesy of EF Education First and Rapha? Get one on, matey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this edition, Lizzie Deignan tells Rouleur's Hannah Troop about her new team, training, ambitions for next year - and motherhood. It won't surprise you that this Yorkshirewoman has the 2019 World Championships firmly in her sights. Ian Parkinson talks 'cross with Mike Kluge, founder of Focus Bikes, and Roger Hammond, who won his junior world 'cross title the same day Mike won the senior. Meanwhile, Stuart Clapp is in Mallorca with Team Sky, at a tricky time for the all-conquering British squad. He brings along his new friend - Sky DS Gabriel Rasch, the inspiration behind Castelli's game-changing Gabba rain jersey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Parkinson has some gift ideas for the cyclist in your life in this edition, ably assisted by our Desire editor Stuart Clapp and a host of special guests. Sir Bradley Wiggins tells us about his new book Icons and why, somewhat controversially, Lance Armstrong is included among his 21 cycling heroes in this handsome tome. Cillian Kelly, statistician extraordinaire, is the man behind The Road Book, a mighty 900-page record of the 2018 road season edited by Ned Boulting and including essays from Rouleur contributors Morten Okbo, Matt Rendell, Philippa York and many more. Ian spoke to Cillian at the Rouleur Classic to get the story behind “the Wisden of cycling”. The guys at Prendas Ciclismo have a fine range of jerseys titled Forgotten Races, made in conjunction with Santini. Andy Storey and designer Fergus Niland take us through the tales behind the collection. Plus photographer Laura Fletcher has an exhibition at Look Mum No Hands on the wonderful world of Japanese keirin racing, shot in Kyoto. And Stu gets misty eyed and a bit tearful recalling the bike his parents sold from beneath him when he was just a boy. Kleenex at the ready… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A slightly different Rouleur Podcast, an audio version of Rouleur's new video series Chat Stephens. Hosted by Matt Stephens and featuring David Millar, Pippa York and Stuart Clapp. For the full video, search for Rouleur's YouTube or Facebook page. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Quick Step Floors tally of 73 wins for the 2018 season was a remarkable total and testament to the work of Patrick Lefevere and the entire team. Rouleur podcast regular Brian Holm tells us what makes the team tick from top to bottom, while photographer Sigfrid Eggers spent the whole year embedded with the Quick Step squad to produce his new book, The Wolfpack: 365 days on the Road. Plus Olympic and double world champion Paolo Bettini, Denise Burton-Cole on her mother – inaugural Rouleur Classic Hall of Fame inductee Beryl Burton – and our own Stuart Clapp gets up close and personal with the stars at our three-day show in London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Whittingham from Sigma Sport joins Ian Parkinson to discuss the latest trends in bikes and kit that you can expect to see at the upcoming Rouleur Classic.As the backer of a former British pro road team, Whittingham also explains the difficulties facing the domestic racing scene currently as teams fold during what seems a boom time for British cycling. Architect and designer Max Broby teamed up with collector and occasional Rouleur contributor Kadir Guirey to produce their Explorateur bikes - beautiful machines that will pack into a suitcase for those who travel the world and want to ride the world too. Plus Desire editor Stuart Clapp looks forward to the Rouleur Classic, and Top Bonk boss Kenny van Vlaminck has a solution to his team's long-running bicycle problems: folding is the way forward... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Planning to watch the World Championships in Innsbruck? Of course you are, they're shaping up to be some of the most hard fought and unpredictable races in years. But don't watch until you've heard this special preview podcast from Rouleur's team on the spot - Executive Editor Ian Cleverly and Desire Editor Stuart Clapp are joined by Matt Stephens, fresh back from riding the challenging course. Where will the crucial moves be made, what are the winning tactics and who are the men and women who'll be standing on the Innsbruck podium? And there's a surprise visitor at the end, Belgian legend Kenny VanVlaminck puts us right on the proper nutritionals. Could marrowfat peas be the key to an Alaphilippe victory? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eddy Merckx and Beryl Burton will be the first inductees to the Rouleur Hall of Fame at the Rouleur Classic in November. Authors William Fotheringham and Isabel Best join Ian Parkinson to discuss why these two greats are worthy recipients for the new award. Fotheringham, author of Half Man, Half Bike: The Life of Eddy Merckx, tells us about the Cannibal and how he amassed hundreds of victories during an unparalleled career on the road. But would Coppi or Hinault be worthy of consideration? Isabel Best’s soon to be released book Queens of Pain, published by Rapha Editions, celebrates a century of women’s great achievements on bikes – none more so than Beryl Burton, possibly the greatest cyclist Britain has ever produced. She regales us with tales of Beryl’s remarkable achievements. Also, our Desire editor Stuart Clapp runs his discerning eye over the greatest jersey designs in history, and some modern instant classics. Hot or not? Stu knows… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Larry Warbasse and Conor Dunne were all set to ride the 2018 Ovo Tour of Britain until their team, Aqua Blue Sport, folded around them. Undeterred, the pair have set off on their own NoGo Tour, a freewheeling bikepacking trip around the cols and climbs of France and Italy. Larry talks through the trip with presenter Ian Parkinson, and sheds light on the precarious career prospects of a pro cyclist. Mark McNally of Wanty- Groupe Gobert reflects on his ten Tours of Britain and Pippa York looks back nearly 30 years to her victory in the Kellogg's Tour. Flemish legend Kenny Van Vlaminck is back with new sponsors, new nutrition suggestions and a new line in poetry. If you're looking for more sensible thoughts on cycling diets, Brian Holm has them, and Stu Clapp talks cyclo-cross and the shortness of Assos shorts. If you're a fan of Kenny, and someone must be, make sure you stay listening right until the end. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ITV's "Voice of the Tour" Ned Boulting joins Ian Parkinson to reflect on events in July, and look forward to his one-man cycling stand-up show this Autumn. From Arbroath to Cleckheaton - although not, perhaps shortsightedly, anywhere in Wales - the "Tour De Ned" will include behind the scenes stories, stage insights and a musical finale. Also on this edition, Stuart Clapp tries to argue the benefits of wearing camouflage on the bike and Brian Holm looks back to the days when tattoos and coloured socks would have you thrown off a race. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.