The Rouleur Podcast

The peloton are on their second rest day, in Morzine, on a Tour de France already packed with incident, controversy and excitement. Rouleur's James Startt is in Morzine, editor Ed Pickering is close by - they join Ian Parkinson to pick apart the stages and characters so far. Questions on the agenda: is there anything that Wout Van Aert can't do, can anyone stop Tadej Pogačar and was Fred Wright robbed of his rightful combativity prize? More worryingly, could Covid in the peloton upset all our expectations? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the teams gathered in Copenhagen for the start of the Tour De France 2022, Rouleur's Dan Cavallari caught up with Ineos Grenadiers' Jeff Crombie to check the reality of life as a World tour mechanic working with Shimano and other partners to give the team's riders the best equipment possible. Have wireless gears, tubeless tyres, through-axles and other innovations made his job easier or more complex? And which job does he dread? The answer may surprise you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After three days in Denmark, the Tour de France 2022 heads to its heartland. Travel day for the riders and teams and a chance for us to reflect on the opening stages - Rouleur Editor Ed Pickering joins presenter Ian Parkinson and Rouleur's photojournalist on the Tour James Startt. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's nearly July and for cycling fans that means only one thing - days glued to screens, or standing at the roadside, as the greatest sporting show on earth rolls through the French countryside. And, this year, Denmark. Rouleur editor Ed Pickering and veteran Tour photojournalist James Startt look ahead to the Copenhagen Grand Depart. Team DSM's technical wizard Piet Rooijakkers tells us how he manages the technology and tactics for 500 races each year, working alongside partners like Shimano and Scott. And Australian journalist Sophie Smith, author of new book 'Pain and Privilege', talks about her 'addiction' to the Tour, and 'fat shaming' in the pro peloton.Can anyone beat Pogačar and Roglič? It's the Tour - anything can happen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How green are the chemicals we put on our bikes to clean, lubricate and repair them? And how much faith should we put in claims of biodegradability and green credentials? Dan Cavallari talks the issues through with Alberto de Gioannini, founder of the Effetto Mariposa brand. His company makes high-quality tools and accessories, and eco-friendly cleaners, sealants and lubricants. Dan looks at the innovative tech behind the products, including the tyre sealant Vegetalex, made from olive waste and described by Alberto as 'like a very bad pesto'. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rouleur editor Ed Pickering talks through the biggest edition of the year - The Tour Issue. This year, it's two separate magazines in one - with equal space given to the men's Tour De France and the Tour De France Femmes. There are features on race favourites Primož Roglič and Annemiek van Vleuten, Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig's guide to the Grand Depart host city Copenhagen, and the story of the first women's Tour De France in 1984. And in the second half of the podcast, Ed talks to a cycling geologist with a particular fascination for the mountains and plains which make up the Tour route. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bike buyers have never had it so good, says Dan Cavallari - we live in an age of unprecedented options. But how do you choose between the brands? What makes them unique or special? And how do you establish a bike brand in such a crowded marketplace? On this episode, he talks to some of the team at Vitus, one of the smaller brands on the scene, but one with a long and intriguing history. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this edition, host Ian Parkinson joins the Shimano Neutral Service squad on the first stage of this year's Itzulia Basque Country. He learns about the work of these unsung heroes of the pro peloton and gets a high-speed ride around the Basque hills in the passenger seat of one of the famous blue Skodas. And Phil Wright reads Passion Project from Rouleur 109, the story of how two Italian entrepreneurs started the international bike clothing brand La Passione from their kitchen table. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dan Cavallari dives deep into the technology behind the Hammerhead Karoo, the latest and, according to its makers, most advanced cycling GPS unit. He's in Austin, Texas talking with Hammerhead's Vice President of Product, Jess Braun. According to her, it's all about developing technology that doesn't get in the way of your ride. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pro-cyclists are getting younger. Really, it's not you getting older. In the men's and women's pelotons, Grand Tours and World Championships are being won by riders in their early twenties, or even younger. Good timing for Rouleur 111 - the Youth Issue. On this podcast, Rouleur's Rachel Jary talks about her article on the lack of racing for Under-23 women, and the problems that's causing for the sport as a whole. And Rouleur editor Ed Pickering chats with Joe Laverick about the roller-coaster challenge of racing in Belgium. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.