S14 Ep1: The Speculation Episode 2026

12 snips

Jan 15, 2026

As the cycling season heats up, speculation runs wild! Will Jonas Vingegaard tackle the Giro and potentially the Tour? Predictions fly about Primož Roglič's surprising winless year, while ambitious insights on Demi Vollering's Giro-Tour double emerge. Guests weigh in on standout talent Matthew Brennan and the shifting dynamics in team recruitment. Plus, intriguing nutrition trends like noni fruit could shake things up! Join the lively debate on who will rise and who might flop in the 2026 racing year.

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ANECDOTE

Yates Rumour Started In A Pub During The Tour

Daniel recalls rumours in the peloton that Simon Yates wanted to quit after the Giro.
The hosts describe how Yates felt obliged to continue due to team responsibilities toward Vingegaard.

INSIGHT

Yates' Exit Reflects Longstanding Intention

Simon Yates' retirement felt plausible to insiders who remembered his past plans to stop at 32–33.
Lionel and Daniel note tension between personal aims and contractual/team obligations.

ANECDOTE

Prediction: Roglič Might See A Winless Year

Danny Arribas predicts Primož Roglič will not win any races in 2026.
The suggestion frames expectations for a veteran facing decline and a tough season ahead.

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The first regular episode of the year is traditionally our excuse to indulge in some rare speculation ahead of the coming season – and Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie are back to uphold the time-honoured ritual here.

In addition to our hosts’ often leftfield prognostications, we hear what our international carousel of regular contributors is expecting from the next few months. Which one of our regular guests, for example, reckons that Primož Roglič won’t win a single race in 2026? Who reckons that Jonas Vingegaard will complete the Grand Tour Grand Slam before Tadej Pogačar? And what on earth is a Noni fruit – and what ‘juice’, exactly, does Daniel have on their miraculous ability to boost performance?

All of this and more will be revealed!

Episode art created with Nano Banana Pro.

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The Cycling Podcast was founded in 2013 by Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie.