The Rouleur Podcast

Slovenia is a cycling superpower - with two out of the three Grand Tour winners this year and an Olympic time trial gold for Primož Roglič. A new book by Roglič's partner Lora Klinc was designed to explain the mysteries of the international peloton to Slovenia's legion of new cycling followers, and the English-language version is surprisingly informative for even the most knowledgeable fan. Also on this episode, Daniel Stewart's examination of xenophobia in bike racing from Rouleur Issue 106. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Supersapiens hit the headlines recently when the UCI banned use of the glucose monitoring system in races. Company founder and CEO Phil Southerland, who also founded Team Novo Nordisk with a roster comprised entirely of type 1 diabetics, declared it a backward step from the governing body, citing improved rider health and welfare possibilities with the new technology.Supersapiens co-founder and CTO Gagan Chaudhari joins us to explain how the system works, what the benefits are, how to monitor fuel intake and what the future holds. It’s food for thought, literally. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do we make cycling - as a sport and a way of life - as diverse as possible? That’s the central question in Rouleur edition 106 - The Empowerment Issue. And it’s the theme of this podcast. We hear from cycling coach Thea Smith on how her club is trying to attract more women, non-binary and trans people through the gates of the venerable velodrome in London’s Herne Hill. And from Will Butler-Adams of Brompton on how the bike industry has a vital role to play in rebuilding society after the pandemic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Swiss brand BMC are leaders in technological developments in the bike world. From their base in Grenchen, BMC’s team of engineers at the Impec lab develop new ideas and push the boundaries of what can be achieved in bicycle design for any terrain. Stefan Christ, head of R&D at BMC, joins host Dan Cavallari to explain what they get up to in their mysterious lab, and what we can expect to see coming out of the brain factory in the future. Both Dan and Rouleur’s digital editor Peter Stuart have visited the BMC HQ on several occasions, and a whole lot more besides. Peter chips in with his take on who is really putting in the hard yards on R&D. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emma Pooley is more likely to be found running up hills these days than cycling up them, but the competitive spirit that led her to Olympic medals, world championships and multiple stage and race wins is still strong.  She joins presenter Ian Parkinson from her home near Zurich to talk about retirement, the current state of the women’s pro scene and why she’s about to run 100km through the mountains. She also delivers a personal warning about the dangers of too much sun and not enough sunscreen. Tan-line cultivators listen closely.And what can cyclists learn from the great philosophers? Author James Hibbard argues that - from Plato’s search for the ideal to Nietzsche’s struggles in the Alps - there are lessons there for anyone who rides. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ultra-Endurance rider Lael Wilcox was the fastest woman at Unbound 2021. She sits down with host Dan Cavallari to discuss going fast over 350 miles of gravel. While it's all about the legs and the heart, bike tech plays a vital role in multi-day races in the wilderness. From making the right choice of aero bar or flat bar, choosing the best power banks and bringing a reliable head-torch for those nighttime mechanicals, Lael doesn't leave a single element of her gear to chance. Evidently as averse to an idle mind as an idle body, Lael also explains how she rode across Alaska while listening to East of Eden on audiobook, and in one race stayed awake by scaring herself stiff listening to Stephen King's It.We promise this podcast will be a little less jarring. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This edition is dedicated to La Vuelta, too often the poor relation of its French and Italian equivalents. Olga Ábalos, editor of Rouleur's Spanish sister magazine Volata, admits the race has an identity crisis but praises the organisers' willingness to experiment and try new things. Like the Gamoniteiro, this year's novelty climb, which will subject the world's best riders to a series of near vertical cattle grids.  Tim Moore, who chronicled his attempts at riding the Tour and the Giro in his books French Revolutions and Gironimo, has finally tackled La Vuelta. Never one for the easy option, he retraced the route of the 1941 edition, 4500 kilometres in the middle of a heatwave and a pandemic. He joins presenter Ian Parkinson to share the story of Spanish cycling's forgotten anti-hero Julián Berrendero. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Graeme Raeburn, lead designer at UK-based Albion clothing, joins host Dan Cavallari to discuss current trends, future technologies and the hot potato subject of hi-vis fabrics and their effectiveness. Graeme was with Rapha from its early days, playing a major part in the aesthetic revolution we have witnessed since the company’s formation in 2004. What next in the design world, plus the crucial areas of environmental impact, recycling and packaging?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Author, broadcaster and Rouleur contributor Matt Rendell joins us during his tour promoting Colombia es Pasion!: The Generation of Racing Cyclists Who Changed Their Nation and the Tour de France.His feature in our latest issue profiles Sergio Higuita at home in Colombia and his rise from the streets of Medellín to the WorldTour with EF Education-Nippo. It’s quite a story. And another of Matt’s excellent interviewees for Rouleur, Richard Carapaz, is now an Olympic gold medallist. What would the reaction be back home in Ecuador? It’s a complex answer from a fascinating nation.And Phil Wright reads an extract on Higuita from Straight Outta Medellín, from issue 105, out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With all men’s WorldTour teams bar Ineos Grenadiers now on disc brake-equipped bikes, can we finally cease arguing about stopping and which is better?Yes, and no. Samuel Johnson, US Market Manager at Hunt, wheel suppliers to Qhubeka-Assos, joins host Dan Cavallari to explain the advantages behind discs and the ability to design using wider rims, wider tyres – it’s all good. But are they heavier? And are they faster? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“We knew he was on the right track, but the next thing was getting him to the Tour de France. There was no doubt in Cav’s head he would win at the Tour.” Few in the world of cycling know Mark Cavendish better than Brian Holm, who first worked with the precocious teenager back in their T-Mobile days in 2006. He was also best man at the Manxman’s wedding. The Deceuninck – Quick Step sport director tells us how he talked Patrick Lefevere into signing the sprinter when most had written him off, how Cav quickly refound his form and the dream return to the Tour de France. Photographer Michael Blann’s beautiful book Mountains: Epic Cycling Climbs is a firm favourite in the Rouleur store. Now you can see his stupendous large format images in the flesh at a new exhibition in Walton-on-Thames, accompanied by a series of live events featuring the likes of author Matt Rendell, Philippa York and Matt Stephens. Michael tells us all about it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Know your lubes? If the notion that a dry lube is for dry conditions and wet is for soggy rides is your default position, then think again.It’s a complicated and fascinating (honest!) subject, so we brought in lubrication expert Jason Smith of Friction Facts, the bicycle component test lab and part of the Ceramic Speed family, specialists in drivetrain efficiency.Host Dan Cavallari deconstructs the jargon and ensures we can all understand the science behind the theory. Essentially, cleanliness is next to fastliness – that may not be an actual word, but you get our drift. And never race on a brand new chain. Listen to Jason. He knows his friction from his fiction. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Some questioned Lachlan Morton’s sanity when he announced he’d be riding the entire Tour de France route ahead of the race, including transfers, making some 5,500km in all, but witnessing the chaos of the opening stages in Brittany, his ambitious plan appears the less stressful option.The relaxed Australian mile-muncher is riding totally unsupported, raising funds for World Bicycle Relief, and you can follow his progress at Rapha.cc ‘The Alt Tour’ – and even join him for a few happy kilometres around France. Is he confident of making it to Paris before the peloton? "When I agreed to do it, I didn't realise how much longer it was, to be honest!” There’s only one Lachy...As host Ian Parkinson says in this edition, we talk about food on the podcast almost as much as cycling. It’s a subject close to our hearts. And our stomachs. Eat, Bike, Cook, a new book by Kitty Pemberton-Platt and Fi Buchanan, mixes tasty nutritious recipes with personal food stories from top women racers, such as Tiffany Cromwell, Hannah Barnes and Lizzy Banks, but it’s a book for everyone, Kitty stresses – not just the elite athlete.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yes, the Tour de France is upon us and with it, inevitably, a whole slew of new tech that will be unveiled during the great race.Our resident experts on all things gear-related, Dan Cavallari and Peter Stuart, go in deep on a new Dura Ace groupset that is much talked about but yet to be seen in the wild, apart from a few spy shots in Belgium recently. Is it a wired / wireless combo? Can the battery really last the entire length of a three-week Grand Tour? Will there be mix and match capability between a variety of Shimano groupsets? And is the angular-looking chainset really ugly, or just the shock of the new?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Cyclists' Alliance, the organisation formed to aid female racers both during and after their careers, recently announced a mentor programme with backing from major players in the industry, including Specialized, Cannondale and Trek. Gracie Elvin from TCA joins us to outline what help will be available to riders under the new initiative. Rouleur’s very own Rachel Jary, a recently retired racer turned journalist herself, shares her own experience of making the change and adjusting to life using a keyboard instead of a bicycle to make a living.The fascinating and gruelling world of Japanese keirin is the subject of a new book by Justin McCurry. War on Wheels takes a deep dive into the unique cultural and sporting significance, deeply intertwined with the gambling industry, of keirin racing and its place in modern Japan. Derny driver Ian Parkinson tries to get his head round the convoluted rules of the non-Olympic version of the sport that does not even use a derny. Oh, and it’s pronounced ‘care-rin’, by the way.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In what host Dan Cavallari dubs 'Tech tricks with Tetrick' – see what he did there? – former Unbound winner Alison Tetrick takes us through her set up for the 200-mile gravel race in Kansas.Tetrick starts with a special Specialized Diverge with Future Shock suspension running at all times and Pathfinder tyres with the pressure set just so – whatever that is. Comfort is key, including an anatomically correct saddle, Camelbak vest and snack bags. And Dan chips in with some bourbon suggestions for Alison's emergency hip flask.But at the end of the day, her advice is: "Get to the frickin' start line and go. It's just bikes. Have fun." We like Alison's style very much. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A hatful of victories in recent weeks for Team Ineos’ Ethan Hayter in Italy, Spain and Portugal, with jerseys to go alongside his four stage wins. Our very own south London legend, Ian Parkinson, talks to his fellow Herne Hill velodrome habitue and level-headed young man on early riding, avoiding crashes, making the grade, and aiming for Tokyo. Will he share the team pursuit squad's latest practice time? Maybe…A van load of men armed with brushes and pots of paint hit the Tour de France climbs hours ahead of the peloton. Their mission: disguising and covering offensive graffiti on the tarmac before the cameras broadcast it to the watching millions. Political slogans, syringes and – most of all – penises of every size and colour are adapted or obliterated. An hilarious backstory from Le Tour from our new issue 104, out now.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tubeless tyres for road bikes – do we need them? Are they really better, or is it just an industry-led marketing push? A messy fiddle and faff to mount, or a fit-and-forget cyclist’s friend?Samuele Bressan, global marketing at Pirelli tyres, joins Dan Cavallari to persuade us to ditch inner tubes and embrace the rapidly-improving tubeless technology. Our own Peter Stuart piles in too. Is he under pressure to conform, or hooked by the hookless rim argument? Listen up. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Giro d’Italia is the most beautiful race in the world. But don’t take our word for it. Rouleur Italia editor Emilio Previtali joins us to describe what his home race means to the Italian nation. “Cycling in Italy is a kind of glue, bringing the people together.” Hard to argue with that. And as for the scenery… Bellissimo!Dan Bigham and his KGF team gatecrashed the team pursuit World Cup so successfully the UCI changed the rules to outlaw club teams. Now working with the Danish federation to bring his scientific and engineering knowledge to their talented squad, Bigham’s new book Start at the End applies the principles of reverse engineering to all aspects of life, not just sporting performance. It’s a fascinating read from a talented racer and intelligent innovator. He’s a fine talker too, unsurprisingly. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All the gears and some ideas. Why have two chainrings and a front changer when the 1x drivetrain revolution has all bases covered? Or does it? Dan Cavallari makes the case for retaining maximum gearing options, on his road bike at least, while dedicated singleton Peter Stuart goes all in with the modern technology. Sprocket wars and chainring conundrums debated by our resident tech experts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For our special issue 103 on the theme of speed, we gathered four of the fastest people in the world in their respective sports.Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes F1), Jamie Chadwick (W Series and Williams development driver), Cal Crutchlow (2009 Supersport world champion) and Mark Cavendish (a very good cyclist) to discuss what makes them tick. What is this need for speed? Do they get a buzz out of the danger? What is the fastest they have ever travelled? Orla Chennaoui hosts the conversation and hangs on for dear life.On the flip side, Fredrika Ek upped sticks from her native Sweden and decided to cycle round the world - 51,000km and 45 countries. The resulting book Around the World in 1,000 Days is a beautifully-presented travelogue of her amazing journey. The friendliest country she visited? Iran. Bet you weren't expecting that.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wireless or old school cable? In the blue corner, all the way from Colorado, Dan Cavallari makes the case for “if it ain’t broke, why fix it?” when it comes to gear shifting. And in the red corner, early adopter and Rouleur digital editor Peter Stuart grabs the latest technology with both hands. Who will win the no-holds barred battle of the tech-heads? A couple of bruisers go the distance. Ding-ding. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is this endless fascination with going fast? The Slow Cycling Movement from Rouleur Issue 103 is read by Phil Wright. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hailing from Alaska, holding Harvard rowing records and with an on-hold career in investment banking, Kristen Faulkner can now add top-notch cyclist to her glittering CV. The Team Tibco-SVP racer took to the Spring Classics like a Belgian to cobbles, with 7th at Gent-Wevelgem and 10th in the Tour of Flanders. We catch up with the new American on the block.Ever considered building your own bike, rather than buying off the peg? Podcast host Ian Parkinson does it all the time, Rouleur Digital Editor Peter Stuart needs a bit of persuading, while Alan Anderson has just released a book on the subject. How to Build a Bike - In a Weekend makes the case for choosing wisely and saving money, plus the satisfying feeling of making and maintaining a unique and personal machine. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From a series published in Rouleur magazine and in his excellent book Vélo, Paul Fournel’s definitions: Baroudeur, sprinter, climber and, of course, Rouleur. Read by Ben Cutler, illustration by Jo Burt. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Top mountain-biker Isla Short takes a break from training and racing to lead Rouleur on the trail of legendary Scottish outlaw Rob Roy. And author Paul Jones tells the stories of the extraordinary men and women who chase the End to End record. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Worst Retirement Ever. Svein Tuft takes on the 2000 kilometre GBDuro ultra race. From Rouleur issue 102. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Its sponsor was a potato snack maker and it was run by a former Special Forces soldier who knew little about cycling. How the 17-day Ore Ida race in the USA became a beacon of hope during a downturn for women’s cycling in the 1990s. Author Isabel Best joins us to discuss her feature in issue 102, out now. Michelin-starred chef and Canyon-SRAM dietician Alan Murchison has a new book out, The Cycling Chef: Recipes for Getting Lean and Fuelling the Machine. Much like riding a bike, it’s all a question of balance, says Alan. Input equals output; look after yourself, but treat yourself too. The man talks a lot of sense, so listen up. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you sitting uncomfortably? The hidden condition of labial issues affecting many top women racers. From Rouleur issue 101, by Orla Chennaoui. Read by Emma Wright. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Spring Classics are here, and not a moment too soon, to lift away the winter gloom and welcome in some unusually mild weather for February in Belgium. Our editor Andy McGrath spent the weekend glued to the TV for Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, as did host Ian Parkinson. Excellent racing all round, Tom Pidcock and Jake Stewart on the podium and Anna van der Breggen winning as per usual were the highlights. What else caught Andy’s beady eye? There’s a fair few famous 1980s musicians partial to a pedal – see Lloyd Cole on Zwift for example. Echo and the Bunnymen guitarist Will Sergeant rode a cool old 531 steel framed machine round Paris between recordings back in the day. What’s he up to now though? Massive fan and gawpy groupie, executive editor Ian Cleverly, tries not act starstruck while talking six strings and six gears. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Yes, I still get the odd looks if I cycle in shorts, or if I'm red faced and sweating, but instead of lowering my eyes, I smile. I've reached my own version of happiness." Being a plus-sized woman should be no barrier to enjoying the ride. Emmie Harrison-West gets back in the saddle to discover big is beautiful on a bike too.Read by Emma Wright. From issue 101 of Rouleur. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our issue 101 cover star Shanaze Reade looks back on her rise to the top of the BMX world and her battle with the bottle following retirement. As Shanaze tells us in her frank interview in the magazine: "I was a binge drinker, so I’d go for three days on, then take a couple of days off, and think I was all right. But inside I was dying, peeing blood, in a bad way... I was screaming for help." Also joining host Ian Parkinson is former Team Sky chef Henrik Orre, author of three fine cycling and cooking books, and host at the soon to be opened Velochef Clubhouse in Oslo. He tells us what is good to eat on your rides, in the house, and in the wild. Henrik will be hosting a cook-along with Rouleur on Friday, 26th February on Instagram Live, so do join us. It's a simple dish for starters, with Rouleur executive editor Ian Cleverly posing your questions and playing sommelier for the evening. It's a tough job, but someone's got to do it... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Four doyennes of the cycling world share their experiences. Orla Chennaoui, Lizzie Deignan, Fran Millar and Monica Santini on what it's like to be a woman in the sport, changing traditional attitudes and ideas for a brighter future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With issue 101, our special entirely female content edition, about to leave the printers to subscribers, guest editor Orla Chennaoui joins us to chat through the revolutionary cover and content. Very proud she is too, and rightly so. Also joining Ian Parkinson in the virtual studio is Rebecca Charlton, a lockdown Zwift convert making her Rouleur debut with a feature on eRacing. As inaugural world champion Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio found, it's racing with sexual equality in its DNA – and that includes handsome prize money. Does it have a future post-pandemic? A brutally honest and open interview with Shanaze Reade, the sublime photo essay of a year in the racing life of Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig, and the first mention of the word 'vagina' on the Rouleur podcast. All are up for discussion this week. Are you sitting comfortably? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Florence to Rome on the Via Francigena - an ancient pilgrimage route which begins in Canterbury. From Rouleur Issue 100. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Staying in Europe this winter means Amanda Spratt will be unable to defend her green and gold Australian national champion's stripes, but she's got plenty of other targets in her sights. As former world champion Annemiek van Vleuten moves on to pastures new at Movistar, Spratt steps up to more of a leader's role at the newly-named Team Bike Exchange. What next for the born winner? And will it include a karaoke version of Girls Just Wanna Have Fun?And talking of Bike Exchange, our very own tech-head Peter Stuart keeps tabs on the merry-go-round of manufacturers swapping teams during transfer season, with the Aussie's now switching to Bianchi. It's a veritable minefield. Pay attention. Pete talks like he rides – fast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Riding in the rain is grim. Racing in the rain is treacherous. Matt Seaton’s essay on pedalling through precipitation from issue 6 of Rouleur magazine.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With two new foreign language editions added to the Rouleur stable, meet our Spanish and Italian editors, Olga and Emilio. Olga Àbalos is our Barcelona-based colleague with six years’ experience as co-founder of Volata magazine in Spain. A former racer herself, she tells us why she started the magazine and what the future holds with our multi-language collaborations.  Emilio Previtali, our Rouleur Italia editor, went from climbing up and skiing down mountains to training on the bike, then to racing, then to journalism. He doesn’t sit still for long, but Ian Parkinson asks Emilio how life is shaping up in these lockdown times in his hard-hit region of northern Italy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1973, Zoltan Elekes arrived in Plymouth from Romania to ride the Milk Race. It would be 22 years before he saw home again. Emma Wright reads No Direction Home by Steven Green from Rouleur 18.6. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Daredevil speed merchant, track racer and German superstar from the early 20th century, Thaddeus Robl met a predictably tragic end, but not on a bicycle. The story of Germany’s first sporting hero. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rouleur editor Andy McGrath joins Ian Parkinson as issue 100 starts landing with subscribers this week. It features a major re-design, new matt paper stock and the usual mix of fascinating features and top-notch photography, including a unique, truly 'inside the peloton' take on the 2020 Tour de France by the riders and staff of four WorldTour teams. Controversial young American star Chloé Dygert also makes an appearance in this issue. Andy explains the process behind profiling this complex individual with some unpopular world views and a bagful of talent.Plus news of the groundbreaking issue 101 we have in the pipeline, a year in planning and months in the making. Regular columnist Orla Chennaoui has taken over the editorial reins for this all-female take on the wonderful world of cycling. What can we expect to read in the New Year? Orla gives us the lowdown on her fine content and guests. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 2020 Road Book, edited by Ned Boulting, is now in stock at the Rouleur store. Ned joins us to run through this most peculiar season of Covid-19 affected bike racing, starting with the UAE Tour back in February, all the way through to the Vuelta in November. This mighty tome reflects on what Ned describes as a “scintillating season, from start to finish, providing us with a fabulous diversion from the pandemic for just a few months.” Hear hear. Did you know Rouleur was backed and owned by Rapha back in 2006? Simon Mottram, Rapha’s founder, tells us how frequent meetings and copious cups of coffee with Guy Andrews resulted in a wafer-thin issue 1, costing £9, and how Rouleur spread its wings and grew from there. It’s quite a story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Concussion protocol has improved within pro bike racing in recent years, but is still not mandatory. The debilitating and potentially lifetime consequences of head injuries are still not widely understood within the sport.With testimony from three racers with very different experiences: Toms Skujins (Trek-Segafredo), Brent Bookwalter (Mitchelton-Scott) and Matt Brammeier (now a British Cycling coach).The Rouleur Longreads Podcast brings you selected long form articles from the magazine, especially recorded for Rouleur. Don’t stop what you’re doing – do it while listening to the world’s best cycling writing.The latest in this series is Concussion Repercussion, by Ian Cleverly, read by Emma Wright, from issue 18.3 of Rouleur magazine.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The future of NTT, formerly MTN-Qhubeka, looked to be in doubt until team principal Doug Ryder announced Assos have stepped up their involvement to keep the team at the races in 2021. Ryder tells Ian Parkinson how Africa’s Team will keep working on getting homegrown riders from the continent into the top tier of the sport, and the big change in personnel for next season. Qhubeka means “move forward” – an apt slogan in these challenging times. Derek Bouchard-Hall, CEO of Assos, joins us to explain the renowned Swiss clothing company’s decision to stick with Ryder and the team and put the Qhubeka name front and centre of the project. Our big birthday issue 100 has just gone to the printers and it’s fair to say we are overjoyed with the result. Miles Baker-Clarke takes you through what’s hot in the Rouleur shop in the run up to Christmas, while Ian Cleverly points out a few highlights from this special issue. Plus news of upcoming competition prizes related to our 100 Memorable Moments feature. Get involved with the hashtag #rouleur100 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tucked away in a warren of testing cub­icles and curious contraptions, we find Franco Rigolon hard at work. His job involves making just one thing, and it’s not something he can make very quickly. Franco is a wheel-builder, the sole person in charge — the only one with the know-how — of one of the company’s most enduring products: the Ghibli wheel.After Valentino Campagnolo took over following the death of his father in 1983, the Ghibli was one of his first great successes. In a time where almost every wheel was made the same way it had been since before the company’s beginning, Campagnolo put a team of engineers to work on coming up with some new ideas.From there came the concept of using fibres rather than spokes to create the tension and maintain structure. This was lighter, stronger, resistant to temperature changes and allowed more aerodynamic shapes.It was, to use an old cliché, a game changer.From Miguel Indurain’s hour record to Alex Zanardi’s Paralympic gold, the Campagnolo Ghibli has been a winning set of wheels. Meet the man who makes these labour intensive works of art.The Rouleur Longreads Podcast brings you selected long form articles from the magazine, especially recorded for Rouleur. Don’t stop what you’re doing – do it while listening to the world’s best cycling writing.The latest in this series is ‘Mister Ghibli’ by Colin O'Brien, from Rouleur 50, read by George Oliver. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Racing drivers are partial to a bit of bike riding to keep them fit, but 2009 Formula One world champion Jenson Button has taken it a step further following years of high speed success behind the wheel, launching his own clothing range, Léger. Jenson talks to Ian Parkinson from his home in LA on being fit at 40 and designing kit that won't make Mrs B laugh... Rheumatoid arthritis has put a premature end to the fine career of Ian Stannard. The former British champion has been a highly respected and fondly regarded Classics mainstay of Team Sky since its inception. A Paris-Roubaix podium finish in 2016 and consecutive victories at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad are amongst Stannard's highlights - the second an unforgettable moment in hardman finishing after seeing off the combined efforts of three of the best Quick Steps, including Tom Boonen. Peter Stuart talks to the retiring Mr Stannard at home in Cheshire.And hill climber Becky Hair tells Ian Parkinson about her campaign for equal treatment of women from the bottom to the top of the sport. The hashtag #climbinghighertogether is going places. Hup, hup, listen up. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It is late summer 2015 and nobody knows that Tom Dumoulin is on the verge of a breakthrough. Not the 24 year-old Dutchman himself, nor his team-mates at Giant-Alpecin. It doesn’t figure in his employers’ plans. The top tens of Grand Tour contenders put out by magazines and websites ahead of such races do not feature him. The best three-week riders in the world might know his name but have no idea he is set to join their ranks. Dumoulin has shown promise in week-long races, winning stages at the Tour de Suisse and the Eneco Tour, placing twice overall in successive years at both. He finished second to Tony Martin in the penultimate stage TT at last year’s Tour de France. By more than a minute but still, Tony Martin. A podium at Paris-Nice, maybe Romandie, should be next, though Dumoulin has already said his target for 2016 is an Olympic medal. A gold one. He is thought of by his team as an exciting prospect for the future but they see him, for now at least, as “a world class time trialist who’s very good on the hills”. He can make it over the high mountains (more or less) but he is not expected to challenge in them. That is about to change.He’s one of the best Grand Tour men of a generation now; in 2015, Tom Dumoulin was a 1,000-1 outsider before the Vuelta a España that kickstarted his career. The “Butterfly of Maastricht” and his team-mates reflect on how they nearly pulled off the greatest shock in modern Grand Tour racing.The Rouleur Longreads Podcast brings you selected long form articles from the magazine, especially recorded for Rouleur. Don’t stop what you’re doing – do it while listening to the world’s best cycling writing.The latest in this series is ‘The Butterfly Effect’ by Nick Christian, from Rouleur 18.6, read by George Oliver. Download the Rouleur app and use the code BUTTERFLY to read the whole issue free of charge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We have three fascinating, erudite guests on the latest podcast, and Desire editor Stuart Clapp too. Only joshing, Stu…Olympic team pursuiters Elinor Barker and Katie Archibald were interviewed by Hannah Dines for the latest Rouleur issue, and an excellent feature it is too. Waiting for a postponed Olympics, getting back to racing, mental health and explaining the Madison via the works of Shakespeare - Katie and Elinor cover it all in typically engaging style. Baltimore cyclist Chris Jones’s superb essay in issue 20.7 is another highlight. He tells Ian Parkinson about the experience of riding the city streets as a black man in America, racial divides, very gradual improvement and freeing the mind via the bike. Essential listening.Our Stu was understandably emotional at the weekend, as a young man from Hackney most of us here at Rouleur Towers have known since he was a skinny little kid working in a bike shop, won the Giro d’Italia. Stuart has a nice little anecdote about Tao Geoghegan Hart and what a decent chap he is - of course he does. Brings a tear to the eye.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“The ’cross background puts riders like Wout and Mathieu in an ideal position to fight for the win in the final of a Classic. They’re used to pushing top end power for an hour in a way most riders can’t,” says Merijn. “Explosive power is harder to develop than endurance. It’s also a mental thing: if you’ve learned to push yourself at a young age, it’s something that sticks with you. It’s very hard to pick up later if you haven’t got it.” Some say cyclo-cross riders also have a better feel for the race. “You learn that riding ’cross – bike handling, positioning, timing,” says Wout. And with the constant micro-adjustments and anticipation, riders get better at gauging their effort, sensing when to push or hold back. “The racing is more instinctive, not just relying on power readings,” he says.One of the added challenges in the winter discipline has been the increasingly technical courses. “It’s great for the spectators, but shifts the racing more towards interval efforts, less steady state,” says Wout. “I’m more of a power rider and this recent development tends to favour lighter, more technical riders like Mathieu.” Of course, Wout has amazing skills, but Mathieu is nimbler. “It means usually having to chase him coming out of the bends.”Having Van der Poel as a rival meant there was never any room for complacency. In interviews, Wout’s trainer Marc Lamberts has said that it led to him forcing Wout’s development harder and earlier than he would if the Dutchman hadn’t been around. Wout would have had more time to grow into the under-23s. They pushed each other and now everyone else is suffering.Fully recovered from his horrific 2019 Tour crash, Wout van Aert is the most exciting bike racer in the world. Domestique, sprinter, climber, time trials, cyclo-cross and Tour de France stage wins - he can do it allThe Rouleur Longreads Podcast brings you selected long form articles from the magazine, especially recorded for Rouleur. Don’t stop what you’re doing – do it while listening to the world’s best cycling writing.The latest in this series is ‘The Wout Factor’ by Olivier Nilsson-Julien, from Rouleur 20.7. Download the Rouleur app and use the code WOUTFACTOR to read the whole issue free of charge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Doping has sadly become a perennial issue in cycling. Every year there’s a new drug, a new disgrace and a series of articles on websites where we all persuade ourselves that this will be the last time this happens. Let’s be clear. Cycling is far cleaner than it once was. Despite the non-endemic media’s perception of bike racing as a kind of endurance version of WWE wrestling, the vast majority of riders and racers wouldn’t know where to begin doping. But that doesn’t mean they don’t wonder how it feels. Everybody who has found themselves in the gruppetto all week, only to see the same guys ride away from them three weeks later, has marvelled at how form can change that fast. We’ve all asked ourselves what it is like to not get tired, to always be the hammer and never the nail. Does it feel like every day on the bike is your best day? Or a little bit superhuman? Or like you’ve had too much coffee? What does doping feel like? After decades of racing in the bunch, a top amateur racer satisfies his curiosity in a clinical trial and discovered that it’s not what you put into your body, but what you get out, that matters.The latest in this series is ‘New Blood’ by James Stout, from Rouleur 20.4. Download the Rouleur app and use the code NEWBLOOD to read the whole issue free of charge.SPONSORED BY LAKAWe are delighted to have Laka as a brand partner of the Rouleur Podcast.Laka is a team that looks out of each other. Laka’s collective cover is made for cyclists, for life on and off your bike. Laka has flipped outdated traditional insurance on its head.No more fixed upfront premiums. Instead, your monthly contributions are based on the collectives’ claims that month. Your max monthly price is capped, but the savings are all yours. Plus, 80% of your money goes straight back into the collective: fixing, replacing, helping, whatever. And the other 20% keeps their wheels spinning. It’s as simple as that.And when s*** does hit the fan, Laka’s got your back. Claims are handled by experts and usually agreed within a day. With no depreciation or excess. Laka are so over annual contracts locking you in…with Laka – if you want to leave, you can. Anytime.If you are new to Laka, you can get a £10 credit by signing up today. Just use the discount code: rouleur Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.