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Cyclist Magazine Podcast

Latest episodes

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May 29, 2025 • 1h 15min

132. Luke Rowe and his Life of Sky

This episode is brought to you by the Insta360 GO 3S action cameraThis week, James and Will are joined by the superest of super domestiques, Welshman Luke Rowe. As road captain at Ineos Grenediers (nee Team Sky), Rowe helped win countless Grand Tours over more than a decade at the British team. However complications from a crash forced Rowe to retire last season, and here he talks about how that decision played out, and about reconstructing his life after pro-riding.In this episode, Luke also talks about the impact of team DS, Nico Portal's, untimely death at Sky; putting others' success ahead of his own; the dangers of cycling and crashing; getting stuck into his new role as directeur sportif at AG2R-La Mondiale; and writing his first book, Road Captain: My Life at the Heart of the Peloton, published by Penguin.Interview begins at 7.25------This episode is brought to you by Insta360, the 360-degree filming action camera specialists. Check out its latest the all-new, road-cycling-perfect Insta360 GO 3S here. And don't forget to use the code Cyclist at the checkout for a free Insta360 GO 3S carry case, plus for a limited time there's also 15% off. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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May 16, 2025 • 1h 10min

131. Bradley Wiggins and Ian Botham in conversation, plus Beefy's Charity Foundation

This episode is brought to you by the Insta360 X5 action cameraThis week, James is joined by none other than Bradley Wiggins and cricket legend Ian Botham, who on 15th and 16th September will be riding the Sir Bradley Wiggins Cycle Challenge for Beefy's Charity Foundation (sign up to ride here, more details below).In this episode, Ian and Brad compare notes on 1980s cricket versus 2010s cycling (spoiler: there was more beer and misbehaviour in cricket), their experiences in the limelight, their greatest achievements, and how to deal with pressure, from the legendary 1981 Ashes to the 2012 Tour de France and Olympics. Brad opens up about his time at Team Sky, tells us what he really thinks of the Dave Brailsford regime and the cycling media, and gives a candid account of his struggles on the bike and off it. Meanwhile, Ian recounts sharing changing room beers with the Aussies, why he was never into sledging, how to keep a cool head in the middle of a storm, and the long-term impact of his charity work.Interview begins at 7.00------This episode is brought to you by Insta360, the 360-degree filming action camera specialists. Check out its latest the all-new, road-cycling-perfect Insta360 X5 here. And don't forget to use the code Cyclist at the checkout for a free Insta360 X5 handlebar mount.Beefy's Charity Foundation was founded by Ian Botham, and traces it roots back to 1985 and Ian's incredible 900-mile walk from John O'Groats to Land's End, which raised over £1million for research into leukemia. This year marks 40 years and countless millions more raised since that walk, so to celebrate - and to raise more money - Wiggo and Beefy will be riding from Portsmouth to Lord's Cricket Ground on 15th and 16th September and they invite you to come along too (see the link above, or go to beefysfoundation.org). Prices start from £150 to ride, or sign up to the whole shebang including hotels, a Q+A with Wiggo and Beefy at the end of day one and a sit down dinner with the guys in the Long Room at Lord's Cricket Ground on day two. All money raised will go to Blood Cancer UK, Breakthrough Type 1 (diabetes), Yorkshires Brain Tumour Charity and the Batten Disease Family Association CIO.------------------ 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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May 1, 2025 • 60min

130. Emma Finucane: gold medals, world records and the importance of crying

This episode is brought to you by the Insta360 X5 action cameraThis week, Will and Robyn are joined by Welsh track cycling star, Emma Finucane. At just 21 years old, Emma was the first British woman to take three medals in a single Games - including team sprint gold - since track and field athlete Mary Rand in 1964.In winning that gold at Paris 2024, her and teammates Sophie Capewell and Katy Marchant broke the world record not once but an astonishing three times, cementing Emma as the fastest woman in the world.In this episode, Emma discusses feeling like an imposter despite being champion, body image in cycling, managing her emotions around winning and losing, and why crying before races has become one the secrets of her success. Plus Emma and Robyn get into a bit of Formula 1 chat, because why not - it's all going fast, isn't it.Interview begins at 7.40------This episode is brought to you by Insta360, the 360-degree filming action camera specialists. Check out its latest the all-new, road-cycling-perfect Insta360 X5 here. And don't forget to use the code Cyclist at the checkout for a free Insta360 X5 handlebar mount.------------------ 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Apr 17, 2025 • 1h 24min

129. Ineos implosion and TNT TV turmoil with Rapha CEO Fran Millar

Fran Millar, the CEO of Rapha and a key figure behind cycling legends like Geraint Thomas, shares her insights on the challenges within Rapha and the unexpected issues at Ineos Grenadiers. She discusses cultivating a winning mentality at Team Sky, her brother David Millar's influence, and the potential pitfalls of TNT's new cycling broadcast deal. Fran's candid reflections reveal the importance of team culture and accountability in navigating the cycling landscape.
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Apr 3, 2025 • 1h 20min

128. Legends of Flanders, Roubaix and Tom Simpson with Chris Sidwells

On this week's episode James and Will are joined by author and journalist Chris Sidwells to discuss the history of pro cycling's Holy Week, the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix.We talk about the origins of the races, the working class heroes that rode in the early editions, the legends of the 60s and 70s, and how today's riders compare.Chris is the nephew of British cycling legend Tom Simpson, who won the Tour of Flanders in 1961, so naturally we spoke about Simpson's career, life and tragic death on Mont Ventoux in 1967.You can buy Chris's new book, Cycling Legends 04: Flandriens (as well as the others in the series) now from cyclinglegends.co.ukInterview begins at 11:21.------------------ 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Mar 20, 2025 • 1h 23min

127. Risk, burnout and Olympic gold, with Connie Carpenter Phinney

In this week's episode, Robyn and James are joined by Connie Carpenter Phinney, who is 1984 became the first ever Olympic Women's Road Race gold medal winner.Connie charts her career from 14 year-old winter Olympic speed skater to champion road cyclist, a sporting career which saw her win multiple national titles and dominate races such as the Coors Classic.Married to fellow American cyclist Davis Phinney, mother to ex-pro Taylor Phinney and mother-in-law to reigning Tour de France Femmes champ, Kasia Niewiadoma (Taylor's wife), though Connie has long since retired she's still very close to cycling, and here contrasts her experiences competing in 1980s with life on two wheels now, from her near non-existent racing budget to building her own wheels, burning out after the Olympics and watching her son race, including witnessing the horror crash that nearly cost him his life.An irrepressible spirit, Connie has no sporting regrets, and today puts her energy into the charity she founded after husband Davis was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson's. The Davis Phinney Foundation aims to raise awareness, money, and crucially to provide support and resources to those living with, and caring for, people with Parkinson's. Read more about the Davis Phinney Foundation here.Interview begins at 11.46------------------ 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Mar 6, 2025 • 1h 16min

126. The doping olympics: president of the Enhanced Games, Dr Aron D'Souza

This week Will and James are joined by Dr Aron D'Souza, president of the Enhanced Games. Billed as 'the ultimate demonstration of what the human body can do', the Enhanced Games seeks in part to answer that age old pub question, 'What if athletes were allowed to dope, how much better would they be?' It's a divisive topic unlike any other in sport, but having secured funding - including from Donald Trump Jnr - D'Souza and his team are confident the first edition of the Enhanced Games will run within the next two years, and in so doing will change not just sport but humanity itself. Unlike the Olympics, athletes will be directly paid to participate and bonussed to break records, and thus the edges of human limits will be smashed through. There'll be input from pharmaceutical companies, profits will be recycled into the research of newer drugs to push boundaries ever further, and the trickle down effect will be that one day, that drug you saw on TV that helped that 69 year old woman run a sub-10 second 100m will be available to you.Is it madness or is this the future? Have a listen and make your own mind up.Interview begins at 10.45------------------ 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Feb 20, 2025 • 1h 15min

125. Phil Burt, the king of bike fit

Phil Burt, former head of physiotherapy at British Cycling and expert in bike fitting, dives into the fascinating world of cycling. He explores how riders' needs are evolving, the impact of indoor cycling on performance, and the science behind bike fit adjustments. Burt also discusses shorter crank lengths and reveals that Bradley Wiggins was using 165mm cranks during the Rio Olympics. Get insights on how personalized bike fitting is revolutionizing comfort and efficiency for cyclists at all levels.
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Feb 6, 2025 • 1h 15min

124. The ultra-cyclist missing half his organs, Juan Dual

In this week’s episode, James and Will are joined by Spanish ultra-cyclist and runner, Juan Dual. As a teenager, Juan was diagnosed with familial adenomatous polyposis, a rare form of cancer that attacks the digestive system, and in the decades since he’s had his stomach, colon, large intestine, rectum and gallbladder removed. And yet Juan continues to compete in some of the most gruelling ultra-events on the planet, including El Kilometro Cero, 920km from Madrid to Cape Finisterre in under 100 hours.In this candid chat, Juan explains how he rides such huge distances despite not being able to feel hunger, absorb calories efficiently or control how often he needs to go to the toilet. He explains how he’s cheated death, how friends and family have picked him, and how surviving cancer and taking on ultra-endurance events has given him a whole new perspective on life that he’d love to share. Interview starts at 8.56 Follow Juan on IG here, and check out his exploits with sponsor Vielo here ------------------ Thisepisode is brought to you by Trek's custom Project One programme, which offersfull custom paint, components and setup on every Trek bicycle. Check out Trek.com to start designing your dream bikenow. ------------------ Didyou know Cyclist isalso stunning monthly print magazine? Subscribe now at store.cyclist.co.uk/cycpodand get every issue for less than in the shops, delivered straight to yourdoor. And it's also a rather lovely website about everything road cycling andgravel. Check us out at cyclist.co.uk  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Jan 23, 2025 • 1h 15min

123. Lael Wilcox: The fastest woman around the world by bike

In this week's episode, Robyn and Will are joined by ultra-cyclist Lael Wilcox, who set the world record for the fastest circumnavigation of the globe by bicycle in September 2024, cycling over 29,100km in 108 days, 12 hours and 12 minutes. Here Lael explains how to plan such a feat, the highs and lows of solitude on a bike, their fear, resilience and growth, and the unexpected emotional responses after achieving such a goal.Interview starts at 13.36------------------This episode is brought to you by Trek's custom Project One programme, which offers full custom paint, components and setup on every Trek bicycle. Check out Trek.com to start designing your dream bike now.------------------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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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