The Rouleur Podcast

We all have our favourite Tour de France out of the 106 editions of this legendary race.For many, 1989’s stunning turnaround by Greg LeMond of Laurent Fignon in the final stage on the Champs-Élysées remains one of the greatest moments in sporting history, let alone cycling’s crowded canon. A mere eight seconds difference at the end of three weeks of racing – a truly epic battle.Others may cite Eddy Merckx’s imperious performance in the 1974 edition, giving the Cannibal his record-equalling fifth Tour victory, with eight stage wins along the way. Some prefer to look back even further, to the great years of Coppi, Bartali and Anquetil.Patriotism often plays a part in our collective memories too, with the previously fallow cycling minnows separated from the European racing heartland by the Channel mining a rich seam since Bradley Wiggins broke the British duck in 2012. For Americans, surely LeMond in 1986 is the standout moment that turned millions of US sport fans into bike racing supporters. And millions of proud Colombians will never forget a youthful Egan Bernal’s victory just last year.We asked the Rouleur writers for their personal highlights from La Grande Boucle. They range from 1948 right up to 2019 – races full of surprises, amazing feats and intriguing battles. The Rouleur Longreads Podcast brings you selected long form articles from the magazine, especially recorded for Rouleur. Don’t stop what you’re doing – do it while listening to the world’s best cycling writing.The latest in this series is ‘The Magnificent Seven’, from Rouleur's brand new Tour de France special. Download the Rouleur app and use the code LETOUR to read the whole issue free of charge.To listen to individual years skip to:3:15 - 1976 by Olivier Nilsson-Julien9:42 - 1995 by Olivia Kaferly14:00 - 2003 by Andy McGrath18:34 - 1948 by Isabel Best24:00 - 2007 by Richard Abraham29:15 - 1973 by Paul Maunder32:35 - 2019 by Ian Cleverly Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nearly time for Le Tour, but who will win? Without any racing to base our predictions on, it's something of a wildcard scenario this year. The Rouleur team gathers then socially distances in Ian Parkinson's garden to discuss the upcoming edition, our favourite Tours in history and the latest lovely cover by Sean Hardy.And writer Maria David joins us with the story of one of the great sporting rivalries – Jeannie Longo and Maria Canins – told in Issue 20.5. Subscribe by Tuesday 28th, July to receive this Tour de France special issue and help keep print magazines in business. Meanwhile, our man Stuart Clapp has gone riding and 'wild camping' with four former British champions: Sir Bradley Wiggins, Matt Stephens, Steve Cummings and Adam Blythe. But their plan to ride from Essex to Kent is scuppered by a ferry closure. What happens next? Sometimes having a famous face comes in handy – Brad, that is, not Stu. Listen in... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is the story of a big house in Belgium. Within its walls, along its corridors, through its communal kitchen and living space, some of the finest riders in the world have idled, prepared for races, slouched in front of the TV, boiled water for pasta and generally discovered whether or not they will make it. It is a remarkable institution, with no official accreditation. It is almost as if it doesn’t exist.“Nobody knows we really do this. They wouldn’t have the foggiest idea. It’s not a known thing.”Ned meets former British champion (and chair dealer) Tim Harris to uncover the story of the unofficial academy house that has hosted young hopefuls from around the globe determined to make the grade. Cavendish, Froome, Thomas, Armitstead, Yates, McLay and many more have stayed en route to stardom. And Fernando Gaviria mowed the lawn…The Rouleur Longreads Podcast brings you selected long form articles from the magazine, especially recorded for Rouleur. Don’t stop what you’re doing – do it while listening to the world’s best cycling writing.The latest in this series is ‘The Chairman’ by Ned Boulting, from Rouleur 17.2. Download the Rouleur app and use the code CHAIRMAN to read the whole issue free of charge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the overall scheme of things, one delayed bike race is no big deal - but it's surprising how much the Tour De France has become an integral part of so many people's July. Ned Boulting hasn't spent July at home since 2003 but he's hoping to be back on the road in a couple of weeks as racing restarts including, we hope, the Tour De France. He's also reflecting on cycling and transport post lockdown. Rouleur's Miles Baker-Clarke takes us through the latest gear and kit in the Emporium, while presenter Ian Parkinson eyes up Rapha's latest glasses. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“I was told by everyone that I was bad. Bjarne won but he is bad. He is a bad man. All the newspapers. People in cycling. Everyone. I’m a cheat. I lie. That name. For years and years this was my story. It was my life. You almost start to believe it. You have to understand that I stood alone when it all came down. A young man. I didn’t have that much life experience. And nothing about how to handle this! How are you supposed to react? The consequences are unimaginable to understand. Telekom left me. I had nobody around me that could help. Like with many other riders. It does something to a person. Being in that position.”Tour triumph, doping, depression, the end of managing his world-beating team: it’s not easy being Bjarne Riis. Our man Morten tracks him down for an interview after a three-year chase.The Rouleur Longreads Podcast brings you selected long form articles from the magazine, especially recorded for Rouleur. Don’t stop what you’re doing – do it while listening to the world’s best cycling writing.The latest in this series is ‘Being Bjarne’ by Morten Okbo, from Rouleur 19.8. Download the Rouleur app and use the code BJARNE to read the whole issue free of charge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Teniel Campbell has come a long way already, but her ambition is almost limitless. She wants Olympic and World medals, she wants to win Classics and set records on the track. She wants to outdo her idol Marianne Vos. And she wants to help more people like her into the sport. In this edition, Teniel tells Ian Parkinson how a young girl from Trinidad fought her way to the Women's World Tour. Meanwhile, Rouleur's Stuart Clapp has been fighting his way through the haunted woods with a collection of fancy gravel bikes and a giant bear's head. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“I did not cheat, I didn’t dope. I’m proud of that, and I think I beat two of the really great cyclists of my era, Hinault and Fignon.”Cycling was only half the battle for comeback king Greg LeMond. USA’s sole Tour de France champion on Lance, lawsuits, trauma, triumphs and his dream of a return to the sport at 58 years of age.The Rouleur Longreads Podcast brings you selected long form articles from the magazine, especially recorded for Rouleur. Don’t stop what you’re doing – do it while listening to the world’s best cycling writing.The latest in this series is ‘Greg LeMond’ by Andy McGrath, from Rouleur 19.7. Download the Rouleur app and use the code GREG to read the whole issue free of charge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sports commentator, journalist and Rouleur columnist Orla Chennaoui opens a big can of worms on the podcast this week – helmets. It was the subject of her issue 20.3 column and caused some – generally – good-natured debate. Riding round Amsterdam, Orla goes without a head covering, something she’d never have considered when living in London. What is the difference? And what can other less cycling-friendly cities learn from the Netherlands’ approach? She’s also presented us with a poem for the latest issue. Despite the editor’s trepidation, it’s a beauty on July without the Tour de France. Bravo! Phil White was one of the Cervélo founders and a fascinating podcast guest on his last visit to London. Now he has joined turbo trainer and power meter gurus 4iiii to add his expertise to the company. Integrated power is coming, he tells Ian Parkinson. And power meters are now de rigueur. Listen up, Phil knows his stuff. And what exactly has Desire editor Stuart Clapp been up to? Messing around in haunted woods and scaring himself silly, apparently. But he does have details of a Rouleur competition to win a spectacular 3T Exploro gravel bike. Very classy indeed, a bit like our Stu. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Teniel Campbell hails from Trinidad, not exactly a hotbed of world class cycling stars. But this determined talent is on the edge of breaking big and inspiring the next generation of Trinidadians to follow her path.“I’m gonna come back to Europe and whoop ass. Just stamp my name. I’m not here to try to survive in the peloton. I’m gonna be great.”This Soca Warrior knows where she's headed.The Rouleur Longreads Podcast brings you selected long form articles from the magazine, especially recorded for Rouleur. Don’t stop what you’re doing – do it while listening to the world’s best cycling writing.The latest in this series is ‘Teniel Campbell: Trailblazer’ by Andy McGrath, from Rouleur 20.4. Read by George Oliver. Subscribe to Rouleur before June 8th to ensure you receive it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Owain Doull had 2020 all planned out - Tour Down Under, the Classics, the Giro, then ease off towards the end of the year. That didn't work out, so he's now doing five hour training rides around his home and looking forward to a busy Autumn of racing. It gives him time to concentrate on his new project, though - a boutique coffee brand launched with fellow Olympians Philip Hindes and Callum Skinner. What is it with cyclists and coffee? Rouleur's Miles Baker-Clarke loves to sniff a freshly opened bag of beans, but don't judge him for that. He talks through the latest brands in the Desire section and on the Rouleur shop, and tries to convince presenter Ian Parkinson that he needs a set of £1400 jockey wheels. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.