Velo Podcast

We break down the key storylines behind Chris Froome's doping test from the Vuelta. He went over the limit for Salbutamol. Now, Froome and Sky have a chance to explain themselves, but a pall of doubt has been cast over his four Tour wins and that Vuelta victory. We speak with Andrew Hood who has insider knowledge from an anti-doping expert and a lawyer. This is cycling's biggest story in years — stay tuned as new developments come to light. Want to win a smart trainer? Enter Bkool's winter VeloNews giveaway. Everyone who signs up gets three free months of the Bkool online simulator! Go to: http://www.bkool.com/partners/velonews

How will the UCI crack down on motor cheating? Why did it settle the case with Sagan over his Tour de France disqualification? Our special guest Jeremy Whittle just got back from an interview with new UCI president David Lappartient. He'll help us understand a few of the hot-button issues facing cycling. Plus, Whittle gives us an insider's perspective on how the British cycling fans are reacting to UKAD's inconclusive ending to the Wiggins/Sky "jiffy bag" investigation. This episode is sponsored by Bkool. Enter to win a smart trainer and get three free months of riding on the Bkool simulator: http://www.bkool.com/partners/velonews

Recently, a big debate kicked up on the Internet. Some cycling experts were saying that Functional Threshold Power (FTP) was dead. Many of the big names in cycling got involved debating the value of FTP and what is and isn’t current when it comes to profiling riders and determining their training zones. We didn’t get involved because we consider everyone in the debate friends at Fast Talk, but we also couldn’t resist a good scientific question. So, we got a number of top coaches into a room together to hash it out this important question: What is the best way for cyclists to determine their individual training profiles?

We've been poring over stage profiles and maps to decipher the 2018 Giro d'Italia route. But we couldn't do it alone. So, we called Italian insider Gregor Brown to talk about the key stages, the overall route design, and why the race has shunned trendy short stages. Gregor waxes poetic about all things Italian, from the Mount Etna volcano to the spectacular Zoncolon. In addition to our in-depth look at the Giro route, we have our usual silly segments: #AskACat3 and the triumphant return of Off the Front/Off the Back.

The future of mountain bike racing is bright. High school kids throughout the U.S. are turning out in droves for the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA). In this interview from our trip to Interbike, we sit down with NICA executive director Austin McInerny and Cody Phillips, a NICA graduate. They explain why the programs are so successful, the organization's plans for growth, and are very apologetic for all of the super-fast youngsters who are now dropping us at group rides and races. Read our recent feature about NICA: http://www.velonews.com/2017/07/from-the-mag/u-s-mountain-biking-thrives-high-school-leagues_444843

Chris Froome is expected to race the Giro d'Italia. We talk to our man on the ground in Italy, Gregor Brown, to learn about this breaking news, how the fans will feel about Froomey, and whether he's a shoo-in to win the pink jersey. Also, we are deep into the winter 'cross season. That means wild, muddy races, and a few top Americans — Katie Compton and Ellen Noble — are thriving. As usual, we wrap the show with our segments, #askacat3 and the VN Podium!

Spencer Powlison sits down with Katie Compton in Louisville, Kentucky ahead of the Pan-American Cyclocross championships at the beginning of November, 2017. The 13-time national champion talks about her new approach to this cyclocross season, the new races she's been able to start, and up-and-coming American racers to watch. She also answers questions on gender equality in bike racing.

We cyclists can get a little lost in the weight room. That doesn't mean strength training doesn't have important benefits though. We are joined by Jess Elliott, who is the sports performance coach and biomechanist at the University of Colorado Sports Medicine and Performance Center. She helps us understand the fundamentals of strength workouts in the weight room: what to do, how to do it, and how many times to lift those big hunks of iron. Plus, we speak with pro rider Brent Bookwalter (BMC) about how he fits weight lifting into his busy travel schedule.

This week, the Fast Talk podcast went live! Hosts Trevor Connor and Chris Case fielded questions on Facebook from podcast listeners like you. Here are a few (of the many) topics they covered: How to fit in training around a busy work schedule. What to do in base training period How do deal with hot weather Training tips for older riders The effects of high altitude on training. All that and much more on this week's Fast Talk podcast.

In this week's episode, we have an impromptu book club after reading Phil Gaimon's new book, "Draft Animals." His controversial memoir calls out Fabian Cancellara, and now Gaimon is in the hot seat. The book provides a personal, in-depth — and sometimes depressing — look at what it's like to be a pro cyclist trying to make the WorldTour. We discuss this and other notable cycling autobiographies. Also, Andrew Hood talks about his interview with the legendary Svein Tuft and we critique Movistar boss Eusebio Unzue's wacky idea to introduce substitute riders in the Tour de France. And of course, the podcast wraps up with our usual segments: #AskACat3 and the VN Podium.