With Pace

Simon Pellaud, a professional cyclist known for his versatility across road, gravel, and mountain-bike events, shares his insights after winning Stage 3 of Gravel Burn. He recounts the emotional impact of witnessing a crash during the race and how it affected his focus. Simon discusses his reasons for racing in multiple disciplines this year and reflects on the tactical moves that secured his stage win. He humorously addresses his consistent second-place finishes and reveals his exciting plans for the next season.

Haley Smith, a professional off-road cyclist and stage racing expert, joins to recap her thrilling experience at Gravel Burn stage 2. She shares her excitement about racing alongside WorldTour pros and reflects on a challenging year as she rebuilt her fitness after long COVID. Haley details the dramatic final sprint for third and the rugged terrain of the Karoo. They discuss the tight competition in the women's field, stage racing tactics, and the growing prize money in off-road events, highlighting the evolution of the sport.

Axelle Dubau-Prévot, the recent French gravel national champion, and Hugo Drechou, an experienced French cyclist, dive into their experiences at Stage 1 of Gravel Burn. Axelle shares her stunning tactics and mindset, which led her to victory despite treating the race as a holiday. Hugo details a thrilling podium finish with a sprint strategy and the challenge of racing against mountain biking legends. They also discuss the importance of staying calm during competitions and their upcoming strategies for the longer stage ahead.

Get ready for an intense seven-day journey through South Africa's Gravel Burn! Discover the challenging routes, including steep climbs and rough terrains, with highlights like the brutal opener and potential breakaway stages. Key riders like Tom Pidcock and Alison Jackson make appearances, promising fierce competition. Payson shares health updates as he navigates his own race journey while enjoying the event’s professional organization and unique media experiences. Weather conditions add an unpredictable twist, setting the stage for an unforgettable adventure!

Paige Onweller, a gravel racer and commentator from Northwest Arkansas, shares her deep insights into the dramatic conclusion of the 2025 Life Time Grand Prix. She discusses last-minute course changes and their impact on race strategy, highlighting how tactical decisions shaped both the men's and women's fields. Paige also opens up about her recovery journey after being hit by a car, and her new mission advocating for cyclist safety. From thrilling race dynamics to personal resilience, this conversation is full of inspiration and adrenaline.

Andrew L’Esperance, a professional off-road cyclist with a rich background in mountain biking and marathon racing, offers insights on his impressive third-place finish at Little Sugar. He shares the tactical dynamics of the race, revealing pivotal moments that shaped his performance. Andrew also discusses his unique tire choices and the impact of feed zones on the chase. He highlights his season's journey from Cape Epic to the Grand Prix, emphasizing training adjustments and nutrition strategies that contributed to his consistency. Tune in for his thoughts on the upcoming Big Sugar!

Over the past handful of years, Dylan Johnson has emerged as one of the key voices in gravel through his YouTube channel, where he does deep dives on everything from drivetrain efficiency and crank length to tire size and science-backed training tips. At the same time, he’s been rising through the ranks of gravel racing, competing in the Grand Prix every year and taking a top 10 at Unbound in 2025. This year, however, he was sidelined with a broken tibia after being hit by a truck just before the second round of the Grand Prix. Payson sat down with Dylan in Bentonville shortly before Little Sugar to talk about how his YouTube channel developed, how it fits in with his coaching business and training, and how much he’s improved as a cyclist since his early days in collegiate racing. They also talk about his ongoing road to recovery after his injury and how the mental toll might be the toughest part of all. Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveen Email: howdy@withpace.cc

What do Sepp Kuss, Christopher Blevins, Howard Grotts, and Asa Vermette have in common? They all grew up in the small town of Durango, Colorado. The list of cycling pros that now live there is formidable, and includes our guest, 3x Olympian and 15x XC and CX National Champion Todd Wells. Last week, it was announced that Durango would host the 2030 mountain bike World Championships, 40 years after hosting the very first edition in 1990.Todd sat down with Payson to talk about how he and a group of others helped win Durango the coveted event, the logistics that went into their bid, and what he hopes it will bring to the town. He also talks about the impact that the first World Champs had on Durango, and all the hats he now wears in his post-professional cycling career. Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveen Email: howdy@withpace.cc

In this bonus episode, we’re bringing you Payson’s ride-along chat with Ellen Campbell the day before Chequamegon. They talk about how her Grand Prix season is going so far, what it’s like to be sitting just outside the top 10 going into the final two rounds of the series, and her gear choices for the race. They also talk about her Ride Dirt program, a series of workshops in which she teaches women bike maintenance and handling skills.Keep up with Ellen at @ellen.m.campbellUse code PAYSON15 for 15% off Maurten products. Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveen Email: howdy@withpace.cc

Just a few hours after winning Gravel Nationals, Bradyn Lange sat down with Payson at the house they were sharing in the lead-up to the race for a wide-ranging conversation about the event and all the things that had to fall into place to get him there. Bradyn has always identified more as a mountain biker than a gravel racer, but after struggling to find sponsors and snagging a rogue 4th place at Big Sugar in 2021, he managed to secure a sponsorship from Pinarello and a place in the 2022 Grand Prix. That season, he lived out of his van and worked multiple part-time jobs, and still managed to rack up some stand-out results, including the win at Chequamegon. In this conversation, Bradyn tells Payson about this phase of his life, as well as his unlikely win at Nationals, in which he crashed, got blocked by junior riders, broke his cleat, and missed the breakaway, all before launching to the front and winning solo. He also talks about his pivotal training camp with Orange Seal Academy last month, the financial gambles he took this season in the hopes of getting better results, and his lucky Blarney Stone.Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveen Email: howdy@withpace.cc