The Cycling Podcast

In this week’s episode of The Cycling Podcast, Daniel Friebe is joined by fellow journalist Dani Arribas for a special bulletin from UAE Team Emirates’ December training camp.Before hearing Tadej Pogačar reveal his 2026 race programme in Benidorm, we find out more about a revamped and renamed team born in Barcelona, NSN Cycling Team. Their manager, Kjell Callström answers Daniel’s questions about their controversial old owner, Sylvan Adams, and his successors. Pogačar’s great unveiling told us that he will target Paris-Roubaix first and the Tour de France second, in that order of chronology and importance. We hear from the SlovAlien himself, his coaches and one team-mate, Florian Vermeersch, who opens up about the famous leader who fascinates him maybe as much as his superstar team-mate. Artwork photo: ©️ Fizza/UAE Team Emirates-XRG Follow us on social media:Twitter @cycling_podcastInstagram @thecyclingpodcastFriends of the PodcastSign up as a Friend of the Podcast at thecyclingpodcast.com to listen to new special episodes every month plus a back catalogue of more than 300 exclusive episodes.The 11.01 CappuccinoOur regular email newsletter is now on Substack. Subscribe here for frothy, full-fat updates to enjoy any time (as long as it’s after 11am).The Cannibal & BadgerFriends of the Podcast can join the discussion at our new virtual pub, The Cannibal & Badger. A friendly forum to talk about cycling and the podcast. Log in to your Friends of the Podcast account to join in.The Cycling Podcast is on StravaThe Cycling Podcast was founded in 2013 by Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie.

Daniel Benson, a cycling journalist and transfer specialist, shares insights from Spanish training camps. He discusses the major shift at Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe with Remco Evenepoel's arrival, and the team's ambition to evolve into one of cycling's 'superteams.' Benson also delves into the latest transfer buzz surrounding Oscar Onley and Ineos, speculating on contract buyouts and team dynamics. With a focus on how teams are adapting their strategies, he highlights the impact of transitional periods within cycling's competitive landscape.

In this week’s episode of The Cycling Podcast, Daniel Friebe is joined by Brian Nygaard and Michele Pelacci as we run the rule over the men's 2026 Giro d’Italia just presented in Rome. The ‘Corsa Rosa’ will start from Eastern Europe for the second year in a row. After Albania this year, next May it’ll be Bulgaria’s turn to host Italy’s national tour - at a hefty price. In part three of the episode, we hear from Eurosport’s Bulgarian reporter Simeon Kichukov about what the Giro should expect from Bulgaria and his homeland from the race. We then ‘revisit’ Albania - checking in with their national coach, Mejdin Malhani - to find out what legacy, if any, the Giro has left there.  There’s also discussion about which GC contenders might actually be tempted to throw their hat into the ring. Should Jonas Vingegaard seize this chance to complete a Grand Slam of Grand Tours? One of our hosts this week certainly believes so…EPISODE SPONSORSNordVPNGet NordVPN two-year plan + four months extra ➼ https://nordvpn.com/tcp It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee.IndeedIf you are looking to hire someone for your company, maybe the best way isn’t to search for a candidate but to match with Indeed. Go to indeed.com/cycle now to get a £100 sponsored job credit and get matched with the perfect candidate fast.Follow us on social media:Twitter @cycling_podcastInstagram @thecyclingpodcastFriends of the PodcastSign up as a Friend of the Podcast at thecyclingpodcast.com to listen to new special episodes every month plus a back catalogue of more than 300 exclusive episodes.The 11.01 CappuccinoOur regular email newsletter is now on Substack. Subscribe here for frothy, full-fat updates to enjoy any time (as long as it’s after 11am).The Cannibal & BadgerFriends of the Podcast can join the discussion at our new virtual pub, The Cannibal & Badger. A friendly forum to talk about cycling and the podcast. Log in to your Friends of the Podcast account to join in.The Cycling Podcast is on StravaThe Cycling Podcast was founded in 2013 by Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie.

Larry Warbasse, a professional road cyclist with Tudor Pro Cycling, dives into the intriguing landscape of competitive cycling. He discusses the uncertainty surrounding the Lotto-Intermarché merger and its implications for the WorldTour. Race dynamics are evolving, with promotion pressures influencing tactics and survival strategies. Warbasse also examines Marcel Kittel's controversial comments on doping and the staggering increase in peloton speeds since COVID, attributing it to advances in equipment and nutrition.

Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio, a professional cyclist and mentor for Team Amani, discusses the exciting rise of African cycling. She shares her personal experiences as a rider and highlights the cultural barriers females face in the sport. Mentorship plans for Team Amani, aimed at empowering African female cyclists, take center stage. The team aspires to compete in the Tour de France Femmes by 2028, showcasing their vision for a fully African roster and development efforts to grow grassroots cycling across the continent.

Vasilis Anastopoulos, Head of Performance at Astana, shares how data-driven strategies helped the cycling team avoid WorldTour relegation. He discusses the innovative recruitment of a data engineer and the introduction of targeted race planning. Joe Dombrowski reflects on the team's challenging morale and identity issues before the turnaround. Together, they reveal insights on their rigorous training schedule, nutrition, and the impact of new equipment, showcasing a remarkable transformation in just a year.

Matt White, a seasoned cycling directeur sportif now with Movistar after a long stint at Jayco–AlUla, dives into the challenges faced by mid-tier teams in a Pogačar-dominated era. He discusses rising costs, sponsorship pressures, and the importance of youth development. White also shares insights on team culture at Movistar, the significance of strategic race tactics, and the role of AI in coaching. With a clear vision for the upcoming season, he aims to boost victories and nurture young talent while balancing family commitments.

This episode dives into the fragile state of World Tour teams, spotlighting Jayco-Alula's near collapse and the uncertainty around the Lotto-Intermarché merger. Speculation surrounds Tadej Pogačar's 2026 season as race organizers scramble to entice him. The rising costs of cycling create tension among mid-tier teams, while contract market dynamics leave some riders in limbo. Plus, discussions on the Giro's rumored routes and the fallout from recent scandals add a riveting edge to the conversation. The hosts mix in light-hearted banter and personal updates, making it a lively wrap-up.

Larry Wabasse, a pro rider for Tudor Pro Cycling and once dubbed 'The Ghost', shares insights on his upcoming season and training. He reveals why he earned that nickname and provides travel tips for Madeira. The discussion dives into the complexities of the Athlete Biological Passport, with Larry explaining the testing process and implications of flagged results. He also highlights training trends, names underappreciated performances from the past season, and predicts rising stars for next year’s challenges!

The hosts react to the exciting unveiling of the 2026 Tour de France route, analyzing its suspenseful structure designed to challenge even the strongest racers. They debate the implications of internet leaks and how these might influence the competition. Key stage highlights include a team time trial in Barcelona and the grueling Plateau de Solaison ascent. They also discuss the adjustments to the green jersey scoring system and tackle logistical challenges of crowd control on iconic climbs like Alpe d'Huez. Expect thrilling racing strategies ahead!