Velo Podcast

The Tour de France headed back to Mont Ventoux on Wednesday, and today our podcast comes to you from the base of the famed mountain. What storylines emerged from the stage, and what do we make of Tadej Pogačar's first sign of weakness near the summit of the mountain? We get into the action. Then, retired great Bernhard Eisel joins the podcast to discuss the career of Mark Cavendish. Eisel was formerly a leadout rider for Cavendish, and he believes the British rider has a chance to make history at this year's Tour de France.

Mark Cavendish's chase of Eddy Merckx's all-time stage win record at the Tour de France has breathed new life and energy into the race.On today's podcast we analyze Cavendish's victories, and assess his place in British cycling. Cavendish's career trajectory has happened in the shadow cast by Team Sky, Bradley Wiggins, and Chris Froome, and we assess what impact that's had on his overall status in global cycling.Then, we hear from American rider Neilson Powless, as well as longtime DS Rolf Aldag.This week's episode is brought to you by InsideTracker.com, which can offer you science-backed recommendations for positive diet and lifestyle changes to improve your performance and help you pursue your favorite activities for life. Right now, get 25 percent off the entire InsideTracker store by going to InsideTracker.com/VeloNews.

Tadej Pogačar continues his dominance of the 2021 Tour de France. After Pogačar's latest show of force in the Alps, some fans are wondering whether his performances are believable. On today's episode we examine Pogačar's results and his trajectory in the sport to form an opinion on the topic.Plus, Andrew Hood and James Startt chime in from France to give us an insider's view of the rules governing media at the Tour de France. How are those stories you read getting reported? How are those photos getting snapped? They shed light on how new rules for COVID-19 are impacting the way we consume the race.Then, we hear from American Sepp Kuss, who sheds light on the setbacks facing Jumbo-Visma, and how the team is rolling with the punches at the race.Finally, American rider Lawson Craddock is not racing the Tour, but he is watching every stage. Craddock gives us his perspective on the racing dynamics he's see on television, and why the open race is unlike anything he's seen in years. Plus, Craddock takes us inside his preparation for the upcoming 2021 Olympics in Tokyo, where he will race the time trial and road race.This week's episode is brought to you by InsideTracker.com, which can offer you science-backed recommendations for positive diet and lifestyle changes to improve your performance and help you pursue your favorite activities for life. Right now, get 25 percent off the entire InsideTracker store by going to InsideTracker.com/VeloNews.

On today's episode of The VeloNews Podcast we examine Tour de France tech, and the biggest stories involving bikes, components, tires, and other gear.Mark Cavendish is running a unique sprint shifter setup on his Specialized Tarmac, and Ben Delaney discusses the innovative setup, and how it helps Cavendish shift in sprints. Then, Ben discusses the challenge that some bike sponsors face in getting Tour de France riders to use the newest and most high-tech gear.Then, Andrew Hood and James Startt discuss Tadej Pogačar's place in Tour de France history, and what the 2022 Tour could mean for Ineos Grenadiers, Primož Roglič, and other stars of the sport.Think you know who is going to win tomorrow's Tour de France stage? Pick the winner at www.velonews.com/pick to play our Stage Winner challenge, and you could win an Outside+ membership or a 2021 Specialized Tarmac.

Tadej Pogačar stormed to his first Tour de France stage win of 2021 on Wednesday, and on today's episode of The VeloNews Podcast we examine how Pogačar's wild ride reshaped the races' GC picture. Which GC teams are already out of contention, and what must Ineos Grenadiers and Jumbo-Visma do to get back into the picture? We explore the race's big GC shakeup.Then, how long will Mathieu van der Poel stay in yellow, and is he pushing himself too hard with the Olympics around the corner?Finally, we hear from Michael Woods about the safety issues at the Tour de France, and Jonas Vingegaard about his unlikely run in the top-10.Today's episode is brought to you by MANSCAPED. Get 20% OFF @manscaped + Free Shipping with promo code VELONEWS at MANSCAPED.com!.

The Tour de France continues, and on Tuesday the peloton saw a joyous moment as Mark Cavendish took his first stage victory since 2016. Cavendish wasn't even supposed to attend the 2021 Tour de France, and he repaid his Deceuninck-Quick-Step management by winning his 31st career Tour stage. On today's podcast James Startt and Andrew Hood discuss Cavendish's big win, and shed light on how the victory impacted people on the ground at the Tour de France. Then, this year marks the 10-year anniversary of Cadel Evans' Tour de France victory. American Brent Bookwalter was one of Evans' key teammates on the 2011 BMC Racing team. Bookwalter takes us inside the 2011 Tour and sheds light on the racing dynamics and leadership style that helped BMC and Evans grab the historic winToday's episode is brought to you by MANSCAPED. Get 20% OFF @manscaped + Free Shipping with promo code VELONEWS at MANSCAPED.com!.

The Tour de France has started, and this year the race has opened with a bang — literally. After just three stages the peloton is licking its wounds after multiple costly crashes that have sent more than a few pre-race favorites to the tarmac.On this first of 12 Tour de Franc podcast episodes, we examine the impact of those crashes on every element of the race, from the GC battle, to the stage winners. Why are riders crashing this year? What impact did the major pileup on stage 1 have on the race's global reputation? We get into it.Then, we hear from former world champion Michal Kwiatkowski, who is one of the stars of the Tour de France for Team Ineos Grenadiers. Kwiatkowski discusses the crashes and carnage, and offers his opinions on how the race could alleviate the early tensions.Today's episode is brought to you by MANSCAPED. Get 20% OFF @manscaped + Free Shipping with promo code VELONEWS at MANSCAPED.com!

Our annual pre-Tour de France podcast is back, and rejoining the show is Jason Gay of The Wall Street Journal to help discuss some of the biggest storylines in the cycling world. Jason offers his insight into Mark Cavendish's comeback, the Tour de France's smaller stories, and Chris Froome's comeback.Then, Jason takes us inside his recent profile of Justin Williams and the L39ion of Los Angeles team, and discusses why Williams and L39ion are executing such a daring and impressive feat in 2021 by launching a new team and dominating criteriums. All that and more on this week's episode of The VeloNews Podcast.The Tour de France is back, and fans can check out tons of analysis and on-the-ground reporting from the race at Flobikes.com. Also, Canadian fans can stream all 21 stages live and on-demand on Flobikes.com. To sign up go to www.flobikes.com/velonews.

VeloNews Senior Editor Betsy Welch joins the podcast this week to discuss the U.S. Olympic team selection, and whether the USA Cycling selection committee made any snubs or flubs in its choices. Then, Betsy discusses the upcoming Migration Gravel Race in Kenya, which she is attending to both ride and cover for VeloNews. This week's episode is brought to you by FloBikes, which is your home for the live Tour de France broadcast in Canada, and daily Tour de France updates and content in the United States. To sign up, go to Flobikes.com/VeloNews.

Gravel cycling's biggest day occurred this past weekend, and we were on the ground in Emporia to document the race. On today's podcast we take a deep dive into Unbound Gravel, with analysis of the men's and women's race; thoughts on the race's decision to include both genders into one race; and how the wind and heat shaped the day.Then, Ben Delaney takes us inside his effort at the race, and what he saw from inside the group.Finally, we hear from multiple riders at the finish line of Unbound Gravel, with interviews from Ian Boswell, Jess Cerra, Shayna Powless, Travis McCabe, and many others.All that and more on this week's episode of The VeloNews Podcast.