Watts Occurring

Can you imagine racing against each other as kids round a park in Manchester and just a few years later you find yourselves at the top of the sport, winning some of the biggest races around?That's G and Swifty.With G's career coming to an end we thought it was time to finally welcome 'Swifty' to the GTCC - and take a big old trip down memory lane. It didn't disappoint.From leading Swifty out to his first major win at the Tour Down Under many moons ago, to Swifty becoming domestique deluxe to help G to a multitude of big wins over the years, these two have been through a lot together since those early days racing as juniors.And to be honest, Tom could have let them chat away for hours. Maybe we will one day.In the land of ROUVY, we're tackling part of the IRONMAN 70.3 Staffordshire route for this week's GTCC social ride. Sign up to join us for the spin here: https://riders.rouvy.com/events/a6eb8b98-5774-4c81-bd6e-ae12111ecc57And don't forget to use our code GTCC1M for a free month on ROUVY when you sign up for the first time.We're also hosting a retirement party for G at the Millenium Centre in Cardiff on Sunday 16th November! Tickets are available here: https://www.livenation.co.uk/geraint-thomas-tickets-adp1206752Finally, don't forget you can pre-order G's new book, Geraint Thomas According to G, right here: https://geni.us/AccordingToG_SignedSee you next week.Music courtesy of BMG Music Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we're welcoming Luke back to the pod, for our very own GTCC Book Club. Yes, as you may have seen, both Luke and G have new books coming out in 2025!You can pre-order Luke's book, Road Captain, here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0857507826And you can pre-order G's new book, Geraint Thomas According to G, right here: https://geni.us/AccordingToG_SignedThe boys chatting through their respective books and also did a deep dive into a fascinating Strade Bianche that saw Pog win (of course) but Brits Tom Pidcock and Conor Swift put in memorable rides to challenge him. We also toasted Luke on his 35th birthday!In the land of ROUVY, we're heading to the iconic Horseshoe Pass for this week's GTCC social ride. Sign up to join us for the spin here: https://riders.rouvy.com/events/4b7378d1-1d0a-450a-b33a-82f34db4e3ccAnd don't forget to use our code GTCC1M for a free month on us when you sign up for the first time.We're also hosting a retirement party for G at the Millenium Centre in Cardiff on Sunday 16th November! Tickets are available here: https://www.livenation.co.uk/geraint-thomas-tickets-adp1206752See you next week.Music courtesy of BMG Music Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

TICKETS ON SALE NOW! As we told you on Tuesday, we're planning our next live show: G's retirement party! And tickets went on general sale this morning. Get yours here: https://www.livenation.co.uk/geraint-thomas-tickets-adp1206752At the Millenium Centre in Cardiff on Sunday 16th November, G and Tom will be looking back on his incredible career - and we'll have plenty of surprises up our sleeve on the night.Let us know if you're coming by emailing gtcc@crowdnetwork.co.uk and we'll shout you out on an upcoming pod.See you in November! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

LIVE SHOW ANNOUNCEMENT! Yes, we're planning another live show - and this one will be our biggest ever.We're hosting a retirement party for G at the Millenium Centre in Cardiff on Sunday 16th November. Pre-sale tickets are available at the link from 10am, Wednesday 5th March: https://www.wmc.org.uk/geraint-priorityBefore then though, G's got some big bike races to ride - and plenty of pods to record.Today, we're welcoming INEOS' new recruit Axel Laurance to the GTCC. When G first met Axel, he knew that he would be a brilliant pod guest - and he didn't disappoint.Just 23, and with the cycling world at his feet, we can see some big wins on the horizon for Axel in 2025. Enjoy getting to know him.In the land of ROUVY, we're heading to Wales for this week's GTCC social ride. Sign up for a spin along the Pembrokeshire coastline here: https://riders.rouvy.com/events/aeb15efd-5f82-4928-bd76-d24a3fc234abAnd don't forget to use our code GTCC1M for a free month on us when you sign up for the first time.See you next week.Music courtesy of BMG Music Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The cycling world wondered what would happen to Caleb Ewan this season. Seemingly on his way out of Jayco Alula, where was he going to end up?INEOS swooped in, midway through January, and now have themselves a top level sprinter. Exciting, right?G certainly thinks so, and is delighted the team have signed a close friend. He called him up and, following the move, we thought it was the right time to get Caleb back to talk about it.Why did he leave Jayco? Did he ever consider stopping? What can we expect in 2025? Will he be at the Tour? He answers all of those - and plenty more besides. Enjoy.In the land of ROUVY, a new update went live last week which allows full compatibility with Zwift hardware on the platform. Until now, the Ride plus Click and Cog were only compatible with Zwift software. However, with the introduction of ROUVY’s virtual shifting compatibility, riders using Zwift hardware can now access ROUVY software and ride any of the 1,500+ immersive routes on the app.Riders will have full use of all 24 virtual gears, which are displayed on-screen to indicate their current gear status, alongside the already existing on-screen data including power, heart rate and cadence. If you've been waiting for this tweak to give ROUVY a try then use our code GTCC1M for a free month on us when you sign up.See you next week.Music courtesy of BMG Music Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's been far too long. GTCC members the world over have been writing in to ask: when will he be back?Well, he's back. Yes, Ambassador De Pluski is back on the pod - and he's back in action with G. The Volta ao Algarve kicks off this week and the duo will be tackling the climbs of southern Portugal against the likes of Roglic, Vingegaard and Wout van Aert. It should be a cracker.With De Pluski back on the pod, we thought we'd take the opportunity to pick his brain and hold our first GTCC preview of the season. Can Pog win San Remo? Will he ride Roubaix? Can Vingegaard reclaim his Tour throne? Why is Roglic riding the Giro?There's lots to discuss and boy oh boy are we excited for the 2025 season.In the land of ROUVY, a new update went live this week which allows full compatibility with Zwift hardware on the platform. Until now, the Ride plus Click and Cog were only compatible with Zwift software. However, with the introduction of ROUVY’s virtual shifting compatibility, riders using Zwift hardware can now access ROUVY software and ride any of the 1,500+ immersive routes on the app.Riders will have full use of all 24 virtual gears, which are displayed on-screen to indicate their current gear status, alongside the already existing on-screen data including power, heart rate and cadence. If you've been waiting for this tweak to give ROUVY a try then use our code GTCC1M for a free month on us when you sign up.See you next week.Music courtesy of BMG Music Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Yes, that's right: G's got some big news for you all today.This year in the peloton will be his last.A pro career that started in 2007 will finish at the end of this season. It's been a pretty good run hasn't it?!He sat down to tell Tom all about his decision and his plans for the final year. It's gonna be a good'un.There'll be plenty of time to reflect come the end of the year but, for now, if you want to send in your favourite memories from G's career we'd love to hear them: gtcc@crowdnetwork.co.uk.The GTCC is sponsored by ROUVY. Get a free month on us using the code GTCC1M when you sign up - and join our weekly ROUVY rides every Wednesday at 18:30 UK time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Last week we brought you Stevie Williams and this week we're bringing you his teammate, and another man you've wanted to hear from for ages: Michael Woods.His story is a relatively well known one at this point: elite runner turned cyclist. But we got to dig a bit deeper with Woodsy, spending 40 minutes with the charismatic Canadian.Michael now has 16 wins to his name, having joined the WorldTour just nine years ago. His story is a remarkable one. He also happens to be Tom's favourite rider, so he really enjoyed today's chat.In other news, G's finally back from the land Down Under. He's got a Cadel Evans Road Race debrief for us, and the guys get stuck into the chaos that unfolded at Etoile de Besseges last week. We are also very excited to confirm that our ROUVY rides are back for 2025. Come and join the fun every Wednesday at 18:30 UK time. You can sign up for tomorrow's ride (12th February) by clicking here.And if you haven't signed up for ROUVY yet, use the code GTCC1M for a free month on us.See you next week.Music courtesy of BMG Music Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One man's name came up time and again when we asked you who you'd love to hear on the pod this season: Stevie Williams.G's compatriot Stevie had a stunning 2024 season and he joined the guys to tell them how he overcame a debilitating knee issue after he turned pro to realise his potential.This season? Just the small matter of repeating the feats of last season. It'll be fascinating to see how he copes with the challenge.Meanwhile, G's safely home from a great month in Australia. He gave Tom an in-depth rundown of the action.Who else would you like to hear from on the GTCC? Let us know by emailing gtcc@crowdnetwork.co.uk.We are also very excited to confirm that our ROUVY rides are back for 2025. Come and join the fun every Wednesday at 18:30 UK time. You can sign up for tomorrow's ride (5th February) by clicking here.And if you haven't signed up for ROUVY yet, use the code GTCC1M for a free month on us.See you next week.Music courtesy of BMG Music Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We've partnered with BrewDog for January to help bring some balance to our GTCC members. You can get 15% off BrewDog's alcohol free range by visiting: https://brewdog.com/collections/geraint-thomas-cycling-clubWe thought it was about time we welcomed another Tour de France winner to the GTCC...Come on in, Demi Vollering! The Dutch superstar came within an agonising four seconds of retaining her TDFF crown this summer, but she'll return to the race in 2025 as the hot favourite on her new team, FDJ-Suez. Demi joined us from training camp and was open and honest about her tumultuous 2024, the crash that defined last year's Tour, and her plans for the future.It's fair to say, G and Tom were big fans.Meanwhile G's been battling hard against a bout of illness in Australia, but remains in good spirits. To be fair, who wouldn't be spending January in Adelaide. It's the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race next up for him.Who else would you like to hear from on the GTCC? Let us know by emailing gtcc@crowdnetwork.co.uk.We are also very excited to confirm that our ROUVY rides are back for 2025. Come and join the fun every Wednesday at 18:30 UK time. You can sign up for tomorrow's ride (29th January) by clicking here.And if you haven't signed up for ROUVY yet, use the code GTCC1M for a free month on us.See you next week.Music courtesy of BMG Music Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices