

The Cycling Podcast
The Cycling Podcast
The Cycling Podcast takes listeners to the heart of professional cycling with weekly episodes and daily coverage of the Grand Tours.
Join journalists Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie – and a few special guests along the way – as they podcast about the latest cycling news and the world of professional cycling.
Founded by Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie in 2013, The Cycling Podcast is one of the longest-running independent sports podcasts.
To support The Cycling Podcast, subscribe as a Friend of the Podcast to join our community, listen to special episodes released throughout the year and access our archive stretching back to 2015. Subscribe at thecyclingpodcast.com
Join journalists Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie – and a few special guests along the way – as they podcast about the latest cycling news and the world of professional cycling.
Founded by Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie in 2013, The Cycling Podcast is one of the longest-running independent sports podcasts.
To support The Cycling Podcast, subscribe as a Friend of the Podcast to join our community, listen to special episodes released throughout the year and access our archive stretching back to 2015. Subscribe at thecyclingpodcast.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 22, 2023 • 1h 32min
S11 Ep143: For The Love Of Rod
In this week’s regular episode of The Cycling Podcast, Daniel Friebe is joined by Brian Nygaard and Ian Boswell - both of them formerly of Team Sky as a press chief and rider respectively - as we chew over the shock news that Deputy Team Principal Rod Ellingworth is to leave the British outfit.
We analyse Ellingworth’s legacy and ask where the team goes next, having lost one of their founding fathers. Are they on the brink of a bright new era or contemplating a crisis of identity?
There’s also discussion of the news last week that GCN+ and the GCN App are to close – in addition to the usual round-up of the latest headlines.
The Cycling Podcast is supported by Science in Sport.
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).
Babbel
This episode is supported by Babbel - language learning that works. Babbel is offering listeners six months free with the purchase of a six month subscription. Visit babbel.com/play and use the promo code CYCLING.
LinkedIn Jobs
This episode supported by LinkedIn Jobs. Post your job for free at linkedin.com/cycle. Terms and conditions apply.
Nord VPN
This episode is supported by Nord VPN who are offering listeners a bonus four months free with any plan. Visit nordvpn.com/tcp to get the extra four months.
Science in Sport
The Cycling Podcast has been supported since 2016 by Science In Sport. World leading experts in endurance nutrition. Go to scienceinsport.com to see the whole range.
MAAP
The Cycling Podcast x MAAP collection is available now. Go to maap.cc to see the full MAAP range.
D Vine Cellars
The 2023 Vuelta a España wine selection is available now at dvinecellars.com
Friends of the Podcast
Sign up as a Friend of the Podcast at thecyclingpodcast.com to listen to more than 60 exclusive episodes.
The Cycling Podcast is on Strava
The Cycling Podcast was founded in 2013 by Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie.

Nov 17, 2023 • 1h 8min
S11 Ep142: Rootin’ Tootin’ Van Vleuten!
It’s an Annemiek Van Vleuten special on The Cycling Podcast Feminin. Rose Manley and Denny Gray reflect back on the racing career of one of the most successful and influential riders in the sport following her retirement in September.
Rose sits down with Van Vleuten herself to talk about the things that shaped her as a rider and how she’s finding post-retirement life. And Van Vleuten reveals what’s next for her both personally and professionally.
We also look back at the ways in which Van Vleuten shaped the cycling world: from her winning-against-the-odds mentality to her extreme training regime. To help us decipher this part of her legacy, Denny speaks to her Movistar teammate Katrine Aalerud who continues to be directly inspired by Van Vleuten's approach to racing. Aalerud also offers up her insight on what it is like riding in service of one of the greatest cyclists of this generation and what Van Vleuten is like off-the-bike too.
Plus, we dig back into the archives to hear Richard Moore's interview with Van Vleuten's coach from May 2020. Richard talks to Louis Delahaije about how his unique approach to training unlocked Van Vleuten's continual success. The nature of her training now being one of the most important parts of her ongoing legacy.
The Cycling Podcast is supported by Science in Sport.
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).
NordVPN
This episode is supported by NordVPN. Ensure your security online with a subscription today. Listeners will get an exclusive NordVPN deal at nordvpn.com/tcp
Science in Sport
The Cycling Podcast has been supported since 2016 by Science In Sport. World leading experts in endurance nutrition. Go to scienceinsport.com to see the whole range.
MAAP
The Cycling Podcast x MAAP collection is available now. Go to maap.cc to see the full MAAP range.
D Vine Cellars
The 2023 Vuelta a España wine selection is available now at dvinecellars.com
Friends of the Podcast
Sign up as a Friend of the Podcast at thecyclingpodcast.com to listen to more than 60 exclusive episodes.
The Cycling Podcast is on Strava
The Cycling Podcast was founded in 2013 by Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie.

Nov 16, 2023 • 1h 16min
S11 Ep141: Wheels of (Mis)fortune
In this week’s episode of The Cycling Podcast, we take you inside one of the more dramatic and harrowing stories of the 2023 season - a crash that abruptly ended one rider’s realistic chance of winning the Giro d’Italia, his season and also his seven-year career with the team that, as a teenager, he had dreamed of one day joining.
That rider is Tao Geoghegan Hart - and he is also our guest and Daniel Friebe’s conversation partner this week. We hear about the initial trauma of the accident, the ordeal of the days that followed and the slow and sometimes tedious battle to regain fitness. In addition, Tao looks ahead to his new start with Lidl-Trek and nominates some of his heroes and heroines of 2023.
The Cycling Podcast is supported by Science in Sport.
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).
Hammerhead
This episode is supported by the Hammerhead Karoo 2, the most advanced GPS cycle computer with the exclusive Climber feature giving you more data at your fingertips. Listeners can get a free heart-rate monitor with the purchase of a Hammerhead Karoo 2 at hammerhead.io with the promo code CYCLE
Science in Sport
The Cycling Podcast has been supported since 2016 by Science In Sport. World leading experts in endurance nutrition. Go to scienceinsport.com to see the whole range.
MAAP
The Cycling Podcast x MAAP collection is available now. Go to maap.cc to see the full MAAP range.
D Vine Cellars
The 2023 Vuelta a España wine selection is available now at dvinecellars.com
Friends of the Podcast
Sign up as a Friend of the Podcast at thecyclingpodcast.com to listen to more than 60 exclusive episodes.
The Cycling Podcast is on Strava
The Cycling Podcast was founded in 2013 by Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie.

Nov 9, 2023 • 1h 9min
S11 Ep140: The Revolution Will Be Televised (But Probably Won’t Happen)
In this week’s episode of The Cycling Podcast, Daniel Friebe & Brian Nygaard delve deeper into one of the stories of a wild pro cycling autumn - the revelation that half a dozen World Tour teams want to launch their own league or series to help secure their (financial) future.
Brian was at the bleeding edge of two previous attempts to do precisely this - and he helps us understand why neither ultimately came to fruition.
There’s also the usual news round-up, including reports of a bleak outlook for the Tour of Britain.
The Cycling Podcast is supported by Science in Sport.
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).
Science in Sport
The Cycling Podcast has been supported since 2016 by Science In Sport. World leading experts in endurance nutrition. Go to scienceinsport.com to see the whole range.
MAAP
The Cycling Podcast x MAAP collection is available now. Go to maap.cc to see the full MAAP range.
D Vine Cellars
The 2023 Vuelta a España wine selection is available now at dvinecellars.com
Friends of the Podcast
Sign up as a Friend of the Podcast at thecyclingpodcast.com to listen to more than 60 exclusive episodes.
The Cycling Podcast is on Strava
The Cycling Podcast was founded in 2013 by Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie.

Nov 3, 2023 • 1h 10min
S11 Ep139: The Warbasse Report
In this episode of The Cycling Podcast, we are joined by an old friend and confidant - AG2r-Citroën’s Larry Warbasse - for a full debrief on the former US road racing champion’s 2023 season.
Daniel Friebe quizzes Larry about personal landmarks, successes and disappointments in what was a long, tiring campaign for the 33-year-old. There’s also an honest analysis of AG2r’s fortunes over the past few months - and where they can and need to improve next year.
In addition, we round up the week’s news, including the latest attempt to bolster pro cycling’s income streams and the remarkable homecoming of a Colombian idol.
The Cycling Podcast is supported by Science in Sport.
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).
NordVPN
This episode is supported by NordVPN. Ensure your security online with a subscription today. Listeners will get an exclusive NordVPN deal at nordvpn.com/tcp
Science in Sport
The Cycling Podcast has been supported since 2016 by Science In Sport. World leading experts in endurance nutrition. Go to scienceinsport.com to see the whole range.
MAAP
The Cycling Podcast x MAAP collection is available now. Go to maap.cc to see the full MAAP range.
D Vine Cellars
The 2023 Vuelta a España wine selection is available now at dvinecellars.com
Friends of the Podcast
Sign up as a Friend of the Podcast at thecyclingpodcast.com to listen to more than 60 exclusive episodes.
The Cycling Podcast is on Strava
The Cycling Podcast was founded in 2013 by Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie.

Oct 30, 2023 • 58min
S11 Ep138: Explore | The heat is on
Explore returns with Adam Bowie, one of The Cycling Podcast's producers, taking over the mic to document his ride at the 2023 Étape du Tour.
Each July, the Étape gives thousands of riders a chance to experience the thrill of riding the route of a Tour de France stage on closed roads. This time it was the course of stage 14 from Annemasse to Morzine in the Alps, taking in the Col de Cou, Col du Feu, Col de la Ramaz and Col de Joux Plane.
The Étape was celebrating its 30th anniversary – the first edition was held in 1993 and was 'won' by Christophe Rinero, who five years later won the king of the mountains. More recently, the fastest finisher in the 2018 Étape, Victor Lafay, won a stage of the 2023 Tour de France in San Sebastian.
But for the other 16,000 participants the challenge is completing the stage. Regular listeners will remember Adam's episode of Explore from 2021, in which he tackled the 350-kilometre King Alfred's Way route in south-west England.
This time, we join Adam in the Alps, as he takes on a reconnaissance ride a few days before the Étape...
The Cycling Podcast is supported by Science in Sport.
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).
Science in Sport
The Cycling Podcast has been supported since 2016 by Science In Sport. World leading experts in endurance nutrition. Go to scienceinsport.com to see the whole range.
MAAP
The Cycling Podcast x MAAP collection is available now. Go to maap.cc to see the full MAAP range.
D Vine Cellars
The 2023 Vuelta a España wine selection is available now at dvinecellars.com
Friends of the Podcast
Sign up as a Friend of the Podcast at thecyclingpodcast.com to listen to more than 60 exclusive episodes.
The Cycling Podcast is on Strava
The Cycling Podcast was founded in 2013 by Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie.

Oct 26, 2023 • 1h 24min
S11 Ep137: Gen TikTok Tour
In this episode of The Cycling Podcast, we review two big gala events that took place in Paris this week - the Vélo d’Or awards ceremony and the presentation of the 2024 Tour de France routes.
Daniel Friebe is joined by veteran reporter and resident francophile François Thomazeau plus top commentator Rob Hatch to give our verdict on the Vélo d’Or voting panel’s decisions - and on two Tour de France routes, men’s and women’s, that pack an awful lot of ingredients into what look like a pair of exceedingly rich cakes.
Finally, we resume last week’s conversation about seasoned pros who find themselves jobless at the end of the 2023 campaign. After Tsgabu Grmay last week, it’s Joe Dombrowski’s turn to tell us about his fight to stay alive in the WorldTour.
The Cycling Podcast is supported by Science in Sport.
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).
Bravur Watches
This episode is supported by Swedish watchmakers Bravur Watches. Bravur was founded ten years ago by passionate cyclists who have been riding and watching the sport. Listeners can get a discount off the Grand Tour range. Use CYCLE to get $250 discount when ordering a Grand Tour chronograph at bravurwatches.com
Science in Sport
The Cycling Podcast has been supported since 2016 by Science In Sport. World leading experts in endurance nutrition. Go to scienceinsport.com to see the whole range.
MAAP
The Cycling Podcast x MAAP collection is available now. Go to maap.cc to see the full MAAP range.
D Vine Cellars
The 2023 Vuelta a España wine selection is available now at dvinecellars.com
Friends of the Podcast
Sign up as a Friend of the Podcast at thecyclingpodcast.com to listen to more than 60 exclusive episodes.
The Cycling Podcast is on Strava
The Cycling Podcast was founded in 2013 by Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie.

Oct 20, 2023 • 59min
S11 Ep136: Speculate to Accumulate
This October episode of The Cycling Podcast Feminin is full of our podcast’s most dreaded thing “speculation”. Rose Manley and Denny Gray look over some of the rumours around next year’s Tour de France Femmes route which will apparently include a showstopping final day on the Alpe d’Huez.
They also look ahead to some of how next season’s teams are shaping up, with Lidl-Trek and EF Education-Cannondale taking almost opposite approaches to their rosters.
We hear from young Brit Abi Smith about her first years in the pro cycling world as she prepares to take a step up to join Team DSM next season. She speaks about how she has used painting this year as a mental escape from life on (or perhaps more accurately, off) the bike.
And we cover the final races of the 2023 Women’s World Tour and hear from Tour of Guangxi winner Daria Pikulik. Plus, we stray ever so briefly on to the gravel to congratulate Kasia Niewiadoma on her World Championships win. We can hear Orla weeping happy tears all the way from Amsterdam!
The Cycling Podcast is supported by Science in Sport.
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).
Science in Sport
The Cycling Podcast has been supported since 2016 by Science In Sport. World leading experts in endurance nutrition. Go to scienceinsport.com to see the whole range.
MAAP
The Cycling Podcast x MAAP collection is available now. Go to maap.cc to see the full MAAP range.
NordVPN
This episode is supported by NordVPN. Ensure your security online with a subscription today. Listeners will get an exclusive NordVPN deal at nordvpn.com/tcp
LinkedIn Jobs
It's never been easier to find the right person to recruit for your organisation. Go to linkedin.com/cycle
Friends of the Podcast
Sign up as a Friend of the Podcast at thecyclingpodcast.com to listen to more than 60 exclusive episodes.
The Cycling Podcast is on Strava
The Cycling Podcast was founded in 2013 by Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie.

Oct 18, 2023 • 1h 37min
S11 Ep135: Route & Branch Changes
In this week’s episode of The Cycling Podcast, Daniel Friebe, Lionel Birnie and ace commentator Rob Hatch examine one venerable Italian cycling institution’s latest iteration - the newly revealed 2024 Giro d’Italia route - and look at the brightest, most ambitious upstart on the same nation’s racing calendar: Filippo Pozzato and his races in the Veneto.
We deliver our own assessment of a noticeably less lofty-than-usual ‘Corsa Rosa’ route before hearing Jayco-AlUla head DS Matt White’s verdict. We, or rather Daniel, then literally travels to Italy to find out how Pozzato is trying to shake up an ageing, ailing Italian scene - and why he may need a bit more help from the Giro itself.
In the final part of the podcast, we reflect on the predicament of the many riders who find themselves jobless at the end of the 2023 season - and one in particular, the Ethiopian Tsgabu Grmay. He tells Daniel that, while his present plight looks bleak, his dreams and inner fire are very much still alive. The episode we mention featuring Mitch Docker speaking to Tsgabu Grmay on Life in the Peloton is here https://audioboom.com/posts/7878541-life-in-the-peloton-tsgabu-grmay
The Cycling Podcast is supported by Science in Sport.
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).
Bravur Watches
This episode is supported by Swedish watchmakers Bravur Watches. Bravur was founded ten years ago by passionate cyclists who have been riding and watching the sport. Listeners can get a discount off the Grand Tour range. Use CYCLE to get $250 discount when ordering a Grand Tour chronograph at bravurwatches.com
Science in Sport
The Cycling Podcast has been supported since 2016 by Science In Sport. World leading experts in endurance nutrition. Go to scienceinsport.com to see the whole range.
MAAP
The Cycling Podcast x MAAP collection is available now. Go to maap.cc to see the full MAAP range.
D Vine Cellars
The 2023 Vuelta a España wine selection is available now at dvinecellars.com
Friends of the Podcast
Sign up as a Friend of the Podcast at thecyclingpodcast.com to listen to more than 60 exclusive episodes.
The Cycling Podcast is on Strava
The Cycling Podcast was founded in 2013 by Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie.

Oct 9, 2023 • 1h 12min
S11 Ep134: Pog-Eat-Rog World
This week’s episode features a comprehensive look back at the last monument of the season, Il Lombardia, and the latest example of Tadej Pogačar in just his latest annus mirabilis.
Daniel Friebe, Lionel Birnie and Rob Hatch also reflect on Thibaut Pinot’s very noisy and memorable farewell, plus the full-stop on a few other notable careers last weekend. There’s also the latest on the merger that apparently will now never be, between Jumbo-Visma and Soudal-Quickstep. The former’s most decorated alumnus, Primož Roglič, is of course on his way to Bora-Hansgrohe, and their team boss, Ralph Denk tells us how he got his man.
The Cycling Podcast is supported by Science in Sport.
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).
NordVPN
This episode is supported by NordVPN. Ensure your security online with a subscription today. Listeners will get an exclusive NordVPN deal at nordvpn.com/tcp
Science in Sport
The Cycling Podcast has been supported since 2016 by Science In Sport. World leading experts in endurance nutrition. Go to scienceinsport.com to see the whole range.
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 60 exclusive episodes.
The Cycling Podcast is on Strava
The Cycling Podcast was founded in 2013 by Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie.