Geraint Thomas Cycling Club

It's been the question on everyone's lips... (OK, not quite. But indulge us for a moment.)Where's G racing in 2024?!Well, we have the news from the man himself and without spoiling it, it's pretty bloody exciting. All being well, we're in for another cracking year watching G do his thing - and, of course, there'll be plenty of pods along the way.In the meantime, we'll be back Friday with part two of our chat with Matt Stephens.And don't forget, we've welcomed a new partner to the GTCC! Visit https://hvmn.com/GTCC for 30% off your first subscription order of Ketone-IQ (discount automatically applied at checkout).Music courtesy of BMG Music Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We've welcomed a new partner to the GTCC! Visit https://hvmn.com/GTCC for 30% off your first subscription order of Ketone-IQ (discount automatically applied at checkout).If you listen to the GTCC, then you'll know Matt Stephens. One of the most likeable men working in cycling, Matt needs no introduction.Yet his cycling journey started many moons ago, before the sport in the UK became the force it is today. He battled to make it pro in the 90s, eventually getting there with the infamous Linda McCartney Team. After one solid year, the team unexpectedly folded - leaving Matt with no job, and no way of paying the mortgage.His story is a fascinating one, and Tom and G were delighted to welcome him to the GTCC. Indeed, the chat was so interesting and went on far longer than usual - so we've cut it into two parts. Here's part one - and we will release part two on Friday!Enjoy.Music courtesy of BMG Music Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We've welcomed a new partner to the GTCC this week! Visit https://hvmn.com/GTCC for 30% off your first subscription order of Ketone-IQ (discount automatically applied at checkout).We always love welcoming the people who work away behind-the-scenes at INEOS with G to the GTCC, and this week's guest is one of our most interesting ever: it's team chef, James Forsyth!What's it like cooking on a Grand Tour? How demanding are the riders? How specific are their nutritional needs? G, Tom and James got stuck into all of those topics, loads of listener questions, and much more besides in this week's show.James started out working in Michelin-starred restaurants before taking on the challenge of cooking for Dave Brailsford's men back in 2016. God only knows how much rice he's cooked in that time.Elsewhere, you lot came through with some incredible suggestions for a cycling phonetic alphabet and G is enjoying life back on the training regime.We'll be back next week with a very fun guest. More on that one soon!Music courtesy of BMG Music Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome (back) to the GTCC... Laurens de Plus!Our much loved Watts Occurring Ambassador De Pluski has become a regular on the pods this year - so we thought it was time to sit him down and let our GTCC members get to know him a little better.Tipped for huge success as a young rider coming out of Belgium, Laurens enjoyed an incredible start to his career: racing for Quick-Step, Jumbo, and then INEOS. But a viral illness and burnout wiped out almost his entire 2020 and 2021. The road back was a long and uncertain one.But he made it. And he's become G's right-hand man (after Luke, of course) along the way. A starring ride in support of G at the Giro this year showed the cycling world that LDP is back to his best and he's revving up for a big 2024.Meanwhile, Tom and G think it's about time we had a GTCC phonetic alphabet. Can you help? Hit us up on social or email GTCC@crowdnetwork.co.uk with your suggestions! It's also time for G to finally climb right to the top of Mount Teide. Let's see if he's true to his word this time round.We'll be back next week.Music courtesy of BMG Music Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Happy new year to all of our GTCC members! We're back with a bang to kick-start 2024 - by welcoming Egan Bernal to the GTCC.Latin America's first Tour de France winner joined G and Tom to chat about his road to recovery after his life-changing accident.In January 2022, Egan was riding at 60km/h when he hit the back of a parked truck. He broke 20 bones including his spine, femur and kneecap, and his lung collapsed. He was lucky to be alive. Doctors initially warned there was a chance of paralysis.Remarkably, Egan returned to racing eight months later, at the Tour of Denmark. In 2023 he raced both the Tour de France and La Vuelta.And now, he's eyeing up an improved 2024 as he continues his journey back to the racer who changed the sport when he burst onto the scene in 2018.We'll be back next week.Music courtesy of BMG Music Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Merry Christmas GTCCers! G and Tom are back with a little festive bonus pod for you all to enjoy in the classic Christmas lull between the big day and New Year's Eve.Back at the start of December G spent some time with the charity Best Buddies and welcomed the founder of the charity, Anthony Kennedy Shriver, to the GTCC. Best Buddies is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and inclusive living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).Cam Wurf, Chris Froome, Magnus Sheffield and Tom Pidcock have all helped Best Buddies in the past and this year G was privileged to lend his own support to the charity. He spoke to Anthony about the charity's work and much more besides.We'll be back in early 2024 with some more brilliant guests on the GTCC. See you then.Music courtesy of BMG Music Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mathieu van der Poel, newly-crowned world champion, talks about his remarkable ride in Glasgow, winning two Monument races at Milan San Remo and Paris-Roubaix. The hosts discuss getting into the Christmas spirit, Quickstep's viral video, and introduce a special guest who is a prominent figure in the cycling world. They also reflect on the challenging World Road Race Championships in Glasgow and discuss Mathieu van der Poel's achievements and aspirations for future races.

It's time for our Annual Watts Occurring Awards Show which means that yes, Luke is back! The boys had a lot of fun at their Mallorca training camp reflecting on a pretty remarkable 2023.And in typical Watts fashion, it's not very polished - with Tom Pidcock making an impromptu appearance and Cam Wurf chipping in from a nearby massage table. Don't worry, we'll never change.The boys run through: Win of the Year, Race of the Year, Rider of the Year, the controversial Flop of the Year, Team of the Year, Grenadier of the Year and Breakthrough of the Year.Agree? Disagree? Let us know on Twitter @Watts_Occurring! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Professional cyclist and winner of the Vuelta a Espana, Sepp Kuss, joins the podcast to discuss his amazing 2023 season, his plans for 2024, and his thoughts on racing his teammates. They also talk about the challenges of winning a Grand Tour and the tactics and challenges of the Giro d'Italia. Sepp Kuss shares his changed ambitions and desire to participate in the Tour and return to the Vuelta as the defending champion.

Chris Froome, professional road cyclist, discusses his plans to continue racing in 2024 and his Chris Froome Academy in Africa. They also talk about INEOS' current position, lost luggage, training in smaller groups, the challenges of recovery, and a funny incident involving a jersey. Chris Froome's comeback and old-school approach to nutrition and training are also mentioned.