Velo Podcast

Welcome to our special podcast mini-series from the Haute Route Pyrenees. Spencer Powlison is off in France doing this seven-day sportive with his friend Matt Mollo. Along the way, they'll discuss the history of these big climbs and the delicious wines of the region. Don't worry, as a wine importer, Matt's an expert on natural wines... Spencer will stick to cycling (and drinking the wine). The Haute Route Pyrenees mini-series is sponsored by Topical Edge lotion. Go to www.topicaledge.com/velonews for a free sample of a product that's clinically proven to reduce lactic acid. On day two, we ride the Marie-Blanque and the famous Aubisque. It wasn't quite as hard as yesterday, but it was a good one. Plus Matt explains what natural wine actually is, and Spencer tells the story of Miguel Indurain's downfall.

The difference between a fast tire and a slow tire can be ten or more watts. So how should you optimize your tire selection and tire pressure? The science behind fast tires has evolved rapidly in recent years, so Trevor Connor and Caley Fretz called in tech writer Kristen Legan to dig into the latest research.

Welcome to our special podcast mini-series from the Haute Route Pyrenees. Spencer Powlison is off in France doing this seven-day sportive with his friend Matt Mollo. Along the way, they'll discuss the history of these big climbs and the delicious wines of the region. Don't worry, as a wine importer, Matt's an expert on natural wines... Spencer will stick to cycling (and drinking the wine). The Haute Route Pyrenees mini-series is sponsored by Topical Edge lotion. Go to www.topicaledge.com/velonews for a free sample of a product that's clinically proven to reduce lactic acid. On stage 1, the guys wrap up their time in the Basque Country and take on the unpronounceable Col du Burdincurucheta, Bagargui, and Soudet. They also talk about Tyler Hamilton's crazy ride over Bagargui in 2003 and devise their own awards ceremony for the Haute Route.

Welcome to our special podcast mini-series from the Haute Route Pyrenees. Spencer Powlison is off in France doing this seven-day sportive with his friend Matt Mollo. Along the way, they'll discuss the history of these big climbs and the delicious wines of the region. Don't worry, as a wine importer, Matt's an expert on natural wines... Spencer will stick to cycling (and drinking the wine). The Haute Route Pyrenees mini-series is sponsored by Topical Edge lotion. Go to www.topicaledge.com/velonews for a free sample of a product that's clinically proven to reduce lactic acid. For our first episode, we're in Biarritz, France, which is part of the Basque Country, just up the road from San Sebastian. The guys check out the Pimento peppers of Espelette, drink a bit of wine from Côtes du Marmandaise, and ride the hilly countryside inland of the Atlantic coast.

This year at Tour of Utah, the domestic teams were picking on the one WorldTour team at the race, BMC Racing. Should we fault BMC for coming up short? Rally also proves its mettle with big overall win by Rob Britton. Plus, we call our man on the ground in Europe, senior editor Andrew Hood to talk about all of the hottest transfers this season. Oss leaves BMC. Kristoff goes to UAE. But what about Mikel Landa and Tejay van Garderen? All that and more on this week's podcast.

In the spirit of our recent "dirt" issue of VeloNews magazine, we've recorded two special interviews. First up, Spencer Powlison talks to mountain bike world champion and all-around legend Ned Overend. They discuss the state of mountain biking, old-school technology, how Ned stays fast into his 60s and more. Then, Chris Case and Kristen Legan talk to former cyclocross national champion Tim Johnson about his love of all things dirt. The world of participant-friendly cycling events seems to be centered on epic gravel routes. What's behind this trend? Will it last? We talk to Tim about this and much more.

Is it possible to stay fit and fast all year round? We talk to former pro and team director Mike Creed about the toll that cycling takes on a body. He also discusses the mentality required to endure bad days on a bike, which happen far more often than good days. Plus, we speak with Cannondale-Drapac pro Toms Skujins and Trek-Segafredo pro Kiel Reijnen about how they plan their seasons, schedule training and avoid the dreaded burn-out.

We were promised a race full of attacks and excitement — did the 2017 Tour de France route deliver? Spencer Powlison argues that it didn't. On the ground in France, Fred Dreier got really sweaty. He also got peeved that Chris Froome and Team Sky shut most journalists out of traditional rest day press conferences. Plus, we talk about the unconventional La Course women's race. First it went up the Izoard. Then, it raced around Marseille. Former world champion Lizzie Deignan liked part of it — but not all. Also we talk to Polish champion Kasia Niewiadoma.

The last week of the Tour delivered thrills and spills and plenty of drama and was capped off by Saturday's decisive time trial through the streets of Marseille. Fred Dreier and Caley Fretz have takes galore on the week's biggest stories and then take a walk through the TT paddock, catching up with Greg LeMond, mechanics, riders, and more. Then, the podcast heads into the Marseille Vélodrome for the final battle between Chris Froome, Romain Bardet, and Rigoberto Uran.

Six days to Paris. Two major mountain stages and a time trial. Four riders sit within 29 seconds of the lead. And the peloton is a herd of cats. Fred Dreier and Caley Fretz analyze the fight for the yellow jersey, discuss Sky's decision to bar a reporter from its press event, then sit down with Taylor Phinney and Nate Brown to talk about Tour rookiedom, pressure, stress, and yes, cats. Plus, a diary from top-10 hopeful George Bennett and insight into Dan Martin's quest for seconds.