The Rouleur Podcast

Two Grand Tour legends - Alberto Contador and Ivan Basso - have launched their own bike brand, inspired they say by their decades of experience in the pro peloton. They join presenter Ian Parkinson, along with 19-year old Alpecin-Fenix rider Ben Tulett, fresh from a very creditable performance over the 260 punishing kilometres of Liège-Bastogne-Liège. The Giro'Italia is already proving as unpredictable as every other race this season, although the early stages were dominated by discussions about EF Pro Cycling's radical new kit, a collaboration with the skateboard brand Palace. Rouleur's head of Desire Stuart Clapp, himself recovering from an age-inappropriate skateboard accident, thinks it's a work of genius. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"I didn’t want a Stone Age ecosystem, a ready-meal career path. I wasn’t for UCAS statements, study placements, three-year degrees and guessing how to succeed.I needed anarchy. A world with a clear winner: always the strongest, the smartest, finishing first. Throw away the protocols, policies, processes… no thanks to 9am and waiting for the clock to strike five.I craved a wave of noise, colour and zeal. Klaxons, chaos and bup, bup, beeeep. Moments to unfurl on a team car bonnet, opportunities to be hurled like live grenades: forward and back until they explode.I wanted to be riding, or lying down,Lying down, or sitting up,Sitting up, or eating up,Anything elseWas wrong.This awe-inspiring, time-consuming wave is cycling. I wanted to ride that wave, to achieve perfection.I wanted to be a professional cyclist."Not just any cyclist either, but the second coming of Sean Kelly. It didn't go quite as Daniel Stewart had hoped. In our latest issue's longread, the Irishman reflects on his turbulent time in the ratrace.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 ‘Learning to Fly’ by Daniel Stewart, from Rouleur 20.6. Download the Rouleur app and use the code LEARNINGTOFLY to read the whole issue free of charge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Daniel Stewart grew up riding his bike on the streets of East Belfast, dreaming of being a pro racer. And his dream came true, even if it wasn't quite what he was expecting. He tells the story of his mad journey through the pro peloton in Rouleur 20.6 and on this edition of Rouleur Conversations. He joins presenter Ian Parkinson, Executive Editor Ian Cleverly and Paolo Martelli, official photographer of the world's most photogenic sportive - the Eroica series. Paolo's photo feature in Issue 12.6 inevitably includes shots of his friend the late Luciano Berruti - whose extravagant moustache and goggles made him the face of L'Eroica. They also find time to reflect on a mesmerising Tour De France and a new generation of race winners. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“You peer at this gleaming canvas of countries and you can see that the paint is still wet.” - Kwame Anthony Appiah, The Lies That BindWith Slovenian riders on the cusp of achieving an historic one-two at the Tour de France, we revisit our 2019 exploration into how a country less than thirty years old, the size of Wales and home to barely two million inhabitants, has risen to the status of cycling superpower. Seemingly overnight.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 ‘Slovenia’ by Nick Christian, from Rouleur 19.5. Download the Rouleur app and use the code SLOVENIA to read the whole issue free of charge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Rouleur crew have torn themselves away from the television briefly to discuss a fascinating opening week of the Tour.Can Primož Roglič go all the way to Paris, assuming the race does... Is Marc Hirschi's stupendous stage 9 descent into Laruns one of the best cycling moments we have ever witnessed? And is Sam Bennett a big crybaby or a lovely, lovely guy? (We know the answer, don't @ us)And Stu even manages to shoehorn Heinrich Haussler into the conversation, cycling's longest running bromance.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Some fine racing in the opening week of the Tour de France for our panel to mull over. Ineos Grenadiers looking less than convincing, Jumbo bossing it, Caleb Ewan on fire. Fingers crossed we will get to Paris for a grand finale. A Rouleur quartet of Andy McGrath, Ian Cleverly, Maria David and Stuart Clapp join Ian Parkinson for a Tour chinwag. Lizzy Banks was a revelation at the GP Plouay, finishing second to an imperious Lizzie Deignan. She’s been a guest on our podcast before, because she’s a great talker as well as a brilliant bike rider. The Équipe Paule Ka rider enjoyed La Course immensely, is improving her racecraft to go alongside the strong legs, and will be in action at the Giro Donne imminently.  Rouleur contributor Maria David has been following Donnons des Elles au Velo, a group of riders who ride the Tour de France route one day ahead of the men to campaign for a women’s race of equal standing to the men’s. Now in its sixth year, it seems ASO and Christian Prudhomme are finally listening to their fine efforts. Finally!    Desire Editor Stu has broken arms. Yes, that’s right. Both of them. A bike riding incident, you’d think? No, but there were wheels involved. Don’t do this at home, kids.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Rendell tracks Nairo Quintana’s rise from Alejandro Valverde’s understudy to leader in his own right.The 2013 Tour de France saw the Colombian challenge the old order at Movistar – and challenge Chris Froome for the top step of the podium.In this extract from his book Colombia es Pasion, Matt details the key moments from that year’s race as Quintana went on to take a stage victory in Semnoz, the Young Rider classification and finish runner-up in Paris.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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jacopo Guarnieri is a key component in Arnaud Démare’s sprint train at Groupama-FDJ – as well as being a rouleur.cc columnist.  Since racing's restart, he’s already guided his main man to a win at Milano-Torino, along with two stages and overall victory at the Tour de Wallonie. All being well, he’ll be leading out stage wins at the Giro d’Italia in October. There’s a new philosophy at the team, he tells us: “We want to win. And win a lot.” It seems to be working… Dr. Norman Lazarus came to cycling relatively late in life, yet is still putting in some serious mileage at the age of 84. His new book The Lazarus Strategy (published by Yellow Kite) details how to live a healthier life for longer, via exercise, diet and mental health. Ian Parkinson talks to the author to hear his theory behind living an active and medication-free lifestyle in our golden years. Here’s a man who practises what he preaches.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“I’ve seen everything. I’m tired. I am tired of these guys thinking she just needs to shut up because this is the way it is, because I’m a woman in our sport.” What began as isolated complaints against one man has escalated into numerous accounts of inappropriate behaviour at the least - and sexual assault at worst - in professional cycling teams. Women call for change. Now.Orla Chennaoui uncovers disturbing evidence of sexual abuse and harassment in the women’s peloton – this is pro cycling’s #MeToo moment.Content warning: This episode contains graphic descriptions of sexual abuse.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 ‘Cycling's #MeToo Moment’, from Rouleur 19.6, written and read by Orla Chennaoui.Download the Rouleur app and use the code METOO to read the whole issue free of charge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Photographer Chris Auld, who took one of the most iconic Tour de France photos in recent history, joins Ian Parkinson as he returns to work in Italy, capturing a hot and dusty Strade Bianche and the torrential downpours of Trittico Lombardo for starters. How is it being back at the races? Is it odd shooting with no crowds? And how did he get the ever-charismatic Julian Alaphilippe to give him a broad smile after a disastrous Strade Bianche? Stuart Clapp, our Desire editor, is still buzzing after a ‘mates ride’ with four former British champions, including one Tour de France winner. Turns out they are all still pretty handy on a bike, but not so hot at mending punctures. Funny that… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We all have our favourite Tour de France out of the 106 editions of this legendary race.For many, 1989’s stunning turnaround by Greg LeMond of Laurent Fignon in the final stage on the Champs-Élysées remains one of the greatest moments in sporting history, let alone cycling’s crowded canon. A mere eight seconds difference at the end of three weeks of racing – a truly epic battle.Others may cite Eddy Merckx’s imperious performance in the 1974 edition, giving the Cannibal his record-equalling fifth Tour victory, with eight stage wins along the way. Some prefer to look back even further, to the great years of Coppi, Bartali and Anquetil.Patriotism often plays a part in our collective memories too, with the previously fallow cycling minnows separated from the European racing heartland by the Channel mining a rich seam since Bradley Wiggins broke the British duck in 2012. For Americans, surely LeMond in 1986 is the standout moment that turned millions of US sport fans into bike racing supporters. And millions of proud Colombians will never forget a youthful Egan Bernal’s victory just last year.We asked the Rouleur writers for their personal highlights from La Grande Boucle. They range from 1948 right up to 2019 – races full of surprises, amazing feats and intriguing battles. 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 Magnificent Seven’, from Rouleur's brand new Tour de France special. Download the Rouleur app and use the code LETOUR to read the whole issue free of charge.To listen to individual years skip to:3:15 - 1976 by Olivier Nilsson-Julien9:42 - 1995 by Olivia Kaferly14:00 - 2003 by Andy McGrath18:34 - 1948 by Isabel Best24:00 - 2007 by Richard Abraham29:15 - 1973 by Paul Maunder32:35 - 2019 by Ian Cleverly Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nearly time for Le Tour, but who will win? Without any racing to base our predictions on, it's something of a wildcard scenario this year. The Rouleur team gathers then socially distances in Ian Parkinson's garden to discuss the upcoming edition, our favourite Tours in history and the latest lovely cover by Sean Hardy.And writer Maria David joins us with the story of one of the great sporting rivalries – Jeannie Longo and Maria Canins – told in Issue 20.5. Subscribe by Tuesday 28th, July to receive this Tour de France special issue and help keep print magazines in business. Meanwhile, our man Stuart Clapp has gone riding and 'wild camping' with four former British champions: Sir Bradley Wiggins, Matt Stephens, Steve Cummings and Adam Blythe. But their plan to ride from Essex to Kent is scuppered by a ferry closure. What happens next? Sometimes having a famous face comes in handy – Brad, that is, not Stu. Listen in... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is the story of a big house in Belgium. Within its walls, along its corridors, through its communal kitchen and living space, some of the finest riders in the world have idled, prepared for races, slouched in front of the TV, boiled water for pasta and generally discovered whether or not they will make it. It is a remarkable institution, with no official accreditation. It is almost as if it doesn’t exist.“Nobody knows we really do this. They wouldn’t have the foggiest idea. It’s not a known thing.”Ned meets former British champion (and chair dealer) Tim Harris to uncover the story of the unofficial academy house that has hosted young hopefuls from around the globe determined to make the grade. Cavendish, Froome, Thomas, Armitstead, Yates, McLay and many more have stayed en route to stardom. And Fernando Gaviria mowed the lawn…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 Chairman’ by Ned Boulting, from Rouleur 17.2. Download the Rouleur app and use the code CHAIRMAN to read the whole issue free of charge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the overall scheme of things, one delayed bike race is no big deal - but it's surprising how much the Tour De France has become an integral part of so many people's July. Ned Boulting hasn't spent July at home since 2003 but he's hoping to be back on the road in a couple of weeks as racing restarts including, we hope, the Tour De France. He's also reflecting on cycling and transport post lockdown. Rouleur's Miles Baker-Clarke takes us through the latest gear and kit in the Emporium, while presenter Ian Parkinson eyes up Rapha's latest glasses. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“I was told by everyone that I was bad. Bjarne won but he is bad. He is a bad man. All the newspapers. People in cycling. Everyone. I’m a cheat. I lie. That name. For years and years this was my story. It was my life. You almost start to believe it. You have to understand that I stood alone when it all came down. A young man. I didn’t have that much life experience. And nothing about how to handle this! How are you supposed to react? The consequences are unimaginable to understand. Telekom left me. I had nobody around me that could help. Like with many other riders. It does something to a person. Being in that position.”Tour triumph, doping, depression, the end of managing his world-beating team: it’s not easy being Bjarne Riis. Our man Morten tracks him down for an interview after a three-year chase.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 ‘Being Bjarne’ by Morten Okbo, from Rouleur 19.8. Download the Rouleur app and use the code BJARNE to read the whole issue free of charge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Teniel Campbell has come a long way already, but her ambition is almost limitless. She wants Olympic and World medals, she wants to win Classics and set records on the track. She wants to outdo her idol Marianne Vos. And she wants to help more people like her into the sport. In this edition, Teniel tells Ian Parkinson how a young girl from Trinidad fought her way to the Women's World Tour. Meanwhile, Rouleur's Stuart Clapp has been fighting his way through the haunted woods with a collection of fancy gravel bikes and a giant bear's head. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“I did not cheat, I didn’t dope. I’m proud of that, and I think I beat two of the really great cyclists of my era, Hinault and Fignon.”Cycling was only half the battle for comeback king Greg LeMond. USA’s sole Tour de France champion on Lance, lawsuits, trauma, triumphs and his dream of a return to the sport at 58 years of age.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 ‘Greg LeMond’ by Andy McGrath, from Rouleur 19.7. Download the Rouleur app and use the code GREG to read the whole issue free of charge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sports commentator, journalist and Rouleur columnist Orla Chennaoui opens a big can of worms on the podcast this week – helmets. It was the subject of her issue 20.3 column and caused some – generally – good-natured debate. Riding round Amsterdam, Orla goes without a head covering, something she’d never have considered when living in London. What is the difference? And what can other less cycling-friendly cities learn from the Netherlands’ approach? She’s also presented us with a poem for the latest issue. Despite the editor’s trepidation, it’s a beauty on July without the Tour de France. Bravo! Phil White was one of the Cervélo founders and a fascinating podcast guest on his last visit to London. Now he has joined turbo trainer and power meter gurus 4iiii to add his expertise to the company. Integrated power is coming, he tells Ian Parkinson. And power meters are now de rigueur. Listen up, Phil knows his stuff. And what exactly has Desire editor Stuart Clapp been up to? Messing around in haunted woods and scaring himself silly, apparently. But he does have details of a Rouleur competition to win a spectacular 3T Exploro gravel bike. Very classy indeed, a bit like our Stu. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Teniel Campbell hails from Trinidad, not exactly a hotbed of world class cycling stars. But this determined talent is on the edge of breaking big and inspiring the next generation of Trinidadians to follow her path.“I’m gonna come back to Europe and whoop ass. Just stamp my name. I’m not here to try to survive in the peloton. I’m gonna be great.”This Soca Warrior knows where she's headed.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 ‘Teniel Campbell: Trailblazer’ by Andy McGrath, from Rouleur 20.4. Read by George Oliver. Subscribe to Rouleur before June 8th to ensure you receive it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Owain Doull had 2020 all planned out - Tour Down Under, the Classics, the Giro, then ease off towards the end of the year. That didn't work out, so he's now doing five hour training rides around his home and looking forward to a busy Autumn of racing. It gives him time to concentrate on his new project, though - a boutique coffee brand launched with fellow Olympians Philip Hindes and Callum Skinner. What is it with cyclists and coffee? Rouleur's Miles Baker-Clarke loves to sniff a freshly opened bag of beans, but don't judge him for that. He talks through the latest brands in the Desire section and on the Rouleur shop, and tries to convince presenter Ian Parkinson that he needs a set of £1400 jockey wheels. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“We often refer to a bad or disastrous day as a dark one. The kind of dark that surrounded my family, team and friends that­­ day, all the while ignoring the fact that I was swimming in white. A dazzling, shiny and pure white, but at the same time cold and enigmatic. A sort of deaf white, if you like, that’s if a colour can have sound.”On May 16th 2009, during the 8th stage of the Giro d’Italia, Rabobank rider Pedro Horrillo slipped off the road on the descent of the Colle San Pietro. His career ended there. From memories of the morning before the stage, to the sensations experienced while in a coma, this is his story.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 Crash’ by Pedro Horrillo, from Rouleur 19.3. Translated into English by Rob Hatch; Read by George Oliver. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Giro would have been hitting the hills any time now but there's no need to let the lockdown stop you getting your fix of mountain views. Regular Rouleur photographer Michael Blann has updated and re-released his classic book Mountains: Epic Cycling Climbs and he talks about his love of mountain landscapes, with a couple of tips for the amateur snapper as well. Australian racer Jess Pratt won the Zwift Academy and this should have been her first year in the pro peloton. Back home in Brisbane, she's still dreaming of riding the newly announced women's Paris-Roubaix. MJ Cole was one of the pioneers of UK Garage and he's still a prolific music producer, including a new album of classical compositions. He tells presenter Ian Parkinson about his other great love - cycling. And on the subject of great love, Stuart Clapp's obsession with Heinrich Haussler reaches new - slightly worrying - heights. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Here I was, standing on a sand dune in Belgium, drinking a powerful Praline Chocolate Porter. Everything started to make perfect sense.”'Cross may not be coming - for a while yet, at least - but that doesn't mean we can't daydream about days spent mucking around in the mud. For our latest Longreads Podcast we've turned back the clock to November to tell the story of when, for the Belgian special of Rouleur magazine, we sent our hedonism correspondents, The Deserter, to Koksijde. There they were not only witness, for the first time in their lives, to the thrills and spills of cycling on sand, but were flung face-first into the full-on Flandrian fan experience.Fortunately for us - or perhaps thanks to chaperone Ian Cleverly - Dirty South and The Dulwich Raider lived to tell the tale.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 sixth in this series is ‘Deserter's Dirty Weekend’ by Andrew Grumbridge for Deserter, from Rouleur 20.2. Read by Andrew Grumbridge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Luke Rowe checks in from home in Cardiff, training away as usual and enjoying some unexpected extra time with the family while adjusting his sights for a hoped-for return to racing later in the year.  The Ineos rider’s been getting battered by team-mate Rohan Dennis on Zwift, misses racing the Spring Classics but is keeping a calm perspective on the current situation. The Bigla-Katusha team, meanwhile, were rocked by the news that their sponsors would be withdrawing funding for the remainder of the season – surely a situation that will be repeated in both men’s and women’s cycling as the crisis continues. Lizzy Banks joins us to explain what the riders are doing now, and what comes next.  World Bicycle Relief CEO Dave Neiswander and country director for Zambia, Brian Moonga, tell us how the Covid-19 pandemic is affecting the charity’s income and their campaign to supply 25,000 of their sturdy Buffalo bikes going to aid health care in Africa.  And our very own Miles Baker-Clarke is king of the Rouleur Emporium. Host Ian Parkinson asks him what’s hot and what’s not right now, while the Desirable Stuart Clapp chips in with his pick of the goodies. A turbo trainer? You’ve changed, Stu…  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“He walks along with a lurch, unbalanced and awkward. If you are not prepared for how utterly changed his posture is off the bike, it comes as a shock.When we are inside his suite, I tell him what I think. ‘Honestly? You walk like a drunk, Chris.’‘I do, he says, ‘yeah.'”Following his horrendous crash prior to last year’s Dauphiné, many doubted we’d see Froome back on a bike, let alone planning his eighth Grand Tour victory.Ned Boulting finds Froome in characteristic fighting form, training hard in Gran Canaria prior to lockdown, preparing for the Tour de France – if and when it happens.He’ll be ready, no doubt about it.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 fifth in this series is ‘Chris Froome and the Seventh Seal’ by Ned Boulting, from Rouleur 20.3. Subscribe today from just £7 to receive it.Read by George Oliver. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Geraint Thomas is used to spending hours in the saddle but even he admits his latest challenge is a tough one. He's riding the turbo in his garage for three 12-hour shifts to raise money for the NHS. No team cars, no domestiques and no post-ride massages - but plenty of supporters joining him on Zwift. Ian Parkinson asks how he's coping and whether he's up for a delayed Tour De France in late August. We also hear from Danish journalist Emil Foget - who wrote Rouleur 20.2's story on cardiac arrhythmia in cyclists; Managing Editor Ian Cleverly appeals for subscribers to help the magazine survive the coming months and Stuart Clapp takes his top off and shares his Heinrich Haussler obsession. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the world going into lockdown, indoor riding is, unsurprisingly, on the rise.Turbo trainers are selling out faster than toilet rolls and training app subscriber numbers have gone though the roof.We spend the day in a London studio with Mathieu van der Poel and the copious film crew to find out why Zwift is leading the way in the market.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 fourth in this series is ‘Watopian Ideals’ by Ian Cleverly, from Rouleur 20.2. Read by George Oliver. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Rouleur podcast special, brought to you by Cycling in Flanders and the Ronde van Vlaanderen.We're proud be to be able to support our friends at Cycling in Flanders by syndicating this podcast, which will transport cycling fans to an era of unwritten, thrilling cycling history - just as if you were listening to the commentary to a genuine, live cycling race.Get ready for a story with some incredible plot twists, featuring cameo appearances by heroes from one hundred years of cycling history. It is a race into which a full century of anecdotes having to do with the Tour of Flanders have been incorporated.Rob Hatch and Matt Stephens will take you along on this fantasy Tour of Flanders with exceptional live commentary. Ruben Van Gucht and Renaat Schotte will be your reporters in the Dutch version of this Unbelievable Tour.All the top favourites from 100 years of the Tour of Flanders have a role to play in this auditive story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cycling commentator and editor of the Road Book Ned Boulting is, like many of us, figuring out how to continue working in unprecedented times. How is he filling his time? Will the mighty Road Book be a narrow tome next year? And why has he deleted his Twitter account, just when everyone else is using it more than ever? Nathan Haas, meanwhile, is in lockdown in Girona. The Cofidis rider, who was caught up in the UAE Tour quarantine, is working out indoors despite not knowing when racing might resume. Keeping the drive alive is the big test for all professional cyclists right now, he tells Ian Parkinson. But thankfully, he’s making silly videos to keep us entertained in the meantime. Zumba on bikes, anyone? Leopard print bibshorts and rock’n’roll form the theme for the latest Desire shoot. Stuart Clapp explains why we set fire to a helmet. POC, if you’re listening, sorry. It won’t happen again. And Stu’s mate Dan does turbo training in his pants. Use your imagination. Actually, don’t.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“My world collapsed. I wasn’t a cyclist anymore. From one moment to another, I lost not only my job, but also what I like to do. They took away a part of my personality. There was a lot of crying in the time after.”A professional cyclist’s heart is trained to be as big and strong as possible, allowing it to pump massive amounts of blood and oxygen around the body. Most cyclists have a ticker 50 per cent bigger than that of a regular person. Miguel Indurain possessed a superhuman resting heart rate of around 30 beats per minute; a normal, well-trained adult heart has one of 72.But, in pushing themselves to the extreme, they are in danger of developing arrhythmia.Two months prior to the 2016 Tour of Oman, doctors had found a life-threatening arrhythmia in Johan Vansummeren’s heart. He had been through dozens of checks and was equipped with a heart monitor during the Middle Eastern race.Vansummeren’s legs felt worse than ever, and momentarily cramped while going up a steep climb.His cardiologists back in Belgium had seen the exact moment his legs cramped, and it correlated with a spike in his heartbeat. They called him.Aware of the initial tests, the AG2R doctors banned Vansummeren from finishing the race. Hours later, Vansummeren was on his way back to Lommel, where he was born and still lives, transformed from a healthy elite athlete to a man with a life-threatening heart arrhythmia. The Tour of Oman would be his last race as a professional cyclist.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 second in this series is ‘Heartbroken’ by Emil Helweg Foget and Ole Obitsø, from Rouleur 20.2. Read by George Oliver.More from the Rouleur Longreads Podcast:The Rise of Gravel by Hugo GladstoneNotes on Belgium by Morten OkboSPONSORED BY LAKAWe are delighted to have Laka as a brand partner of the Rouleur Podcast.Laka is an innovative bicycle insurance company powered by the community. Cyclists join Laka to protect their bikes and gear without paying upfront premiums.Instead, Laka settles claims in their community first and shares the cost fairly with everyone at the end of the month. No claims mean you don’t pay.If you are new to Laka, you can get a £10 credit by signing up today with the discount code rouleur Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Anything from crazy, weird videos which are not like cycling’s really had before, to an interesting way to launch a kit and buy some merch, listen to some music, and get all my favourite loves of music, cycling, cars, motorbikes and fashion, lumping it all in one night and going: ‘I hope you lot like it.’ And if you don’t, I’m screwed!”Tekkerz founder Alec Briggs joins Ian Parkinson at the Levi’s HQ in London before the team launch to discuss how he is making waves and bringing a fresh perspective to bike racing in these confusing times. Plus he beat Fabian Cancellara the other week. How many of us can say that?Desire editor Stuart Clapp, meanwhile, is considering how to stay reasonably fit whilst self-isolating. Turns out, his mate (who shall remain nameless) is eminently capable of breaking bones even on a turbo trainer. Let’s be careful out there, folks, even in our own sheds… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Belgium often gets a bad rap. Not without some justification. Geographically, its scenery isn't much to look at: mile upon mile of fields and farmland. Culturally, "name ten famous Belgians" used to be a popular parlour game (for those of us with parlours). Politically, Belgium is a basket case: it mostly doesn't have a government and one of its biggest parties has advocated for the abolition of the country itself.But Belgium also does chocolate and beer (see Rouleur 20.2), mussels and fries, and some of the most visually welcoming city centres in the world.More importantly than any of those pros and cons, however, is that Belgium is where the sport of cycling comes alive. Every spring, even as our attention is briefly stolen by exotic, southern locations, our affections are reserved for the racing that dominates March and April. The Monuments may provide the loudest fireworks but even the minor races go off with a bang. Morten Okbo waits by the side of the road. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Classics season got underway at the weekend with two opening races in Flanders - Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne Brussel Kuurne. Ian Parkinson was there to talk one-day tactics with first-year pro Fred Wright of Bahrain McLaren and EF Pro Cycling’s Jens Keukeleire. And the men behind The Deserter blog leave their natural home in the pubs of South London for the beer tent in the dunes of Koksjide.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It won’t surprise you that the man who coached Rohan Dennis to his stunning Worlds time trial win last year has some interesting things to say about training. Neal Henderson is ‘Head of Science’ at The Sufferfest app and he’s joined by ‘Chief Cycling Physiologist’ Mac Cassin. They explain which numbers really matter and why most of us are probably looking at the wrong ones. Desire Editor Stuart Clapp is surprisingly old-school in his training habits, but does like the latest technology in helmets. We talk to the team from POC about their self-charging helmets that not only protect your head - but record details of accidents to help with future research.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Looking for a more portable way to enjoy your favourite cycling magazine? You’re in luck, as this week sees the launch of the Rouleur Longreads Podcast: 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.We begin with ‘The Rise of Gravel’ by Hugo Gladstone, from Rouleur 20.1. Read by George Oliver.Once the scourge of cyclists, today we glorify in gravel sectors. Strade Bianche, one of the most looked-forward-to races of the spring, owes its success in no small part to the penchant of audiences for the untarmaced white roads and clouds of dust kicked up in the riders’ wake, all framed by “the lyrical Tuscan landscape.”Perhaps it speaks to a certain yearning for authenticity, and back-to-basics bike riding that the Tour de France cannot cater to. It can’t be a coincidence that bike-packing’s popularity has risen at the same time. Whether or not the road scene’s dominance is actually under threat remains to be seen, but we’ve already seen a few roadies abandon the WorldTour for the off-road circuit.How we learned to take the rough with the smooth.For more of the world's finest cycling writing, subscribe to the magazine or purchase individual issues, head over to Rouleur.cc Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

British Cycling has dominated the sport - especially on the track - for more than a decade - but at what cost? That’s the central question in a new book 'The Medal Factory', by one of the country’s most experienced cycling journalists - Kenny Pryde. On this podcast, Kenny talks through the extraordinary transformation of British Cycling from its underfunded, amateur past to its world beating, gold medal and Grand Tour winning present. The success has come with controversy - the Jiffy bag, allegations of bullying and the complex relationship between the lottery-funded national national squads and the commercial Team Sky. And how much longer can this golden streak last?Plus, Rouleur’s Desire Editor Stuart Clapp goes starry-eyed over Colnago’s new gravel bike and explains why Adam Blythe has been helping him recover from pneumonia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rouleur editor Andy McGrath’s in-depth interview with Marcel Kittel is our lead feature for issue 20.1, out soon. One of the most prolific sprinters of his generation stepped away from the sport last year at the age of 31, to the surprise of many. Why? Andy discusses Kittel’s decision with host Ian Parkinson. It’s not a cut and dry ‘mental health’ issue, he concludes, but more a matter of job satisfaction, as Marcel goes back to studying once more and leaves the pro peloton behind.  Author Matt Rendell is a renowned authority on South American cyclists and, in particular, the Colombians. His upcoming book Colombia Es Pasion! promises to be the definitive tome on the subject. Hear who Matt thinks will have a cracking season in 2020 – including a reinvigorated Nairo Quintana with Arkea Samsic.  Our new columnist Orla Chennaoui is a great signing for Rouleur. She tells Ian what she’ll be covering in the coming year, and updates us on her superb Cycling’s #MeToo investigation from issue 19.6. The Desirable Stuart Clapp, meanwhile, is on a photo shoot in glorious south London, near to his spiritual home of Millwall. Will he get the end of his match report on the Leeds game before we lose the signal? Need you ask? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam Blythe rode for some of the biggest teams in racing over his ten-year professional career – Tinkoff, BMC, Orica-Greenedge and Lotto Soudal – but it was his year with British squad NFTO that proved most fruitful and fun, including his win at RideLondon in 2014.Adam joins our own Stuart Clapp and host Ian Parkinson on the sofa at the Rouleur Classic to talk through past, present and future, the troubled state of domestic UK racing, being a TV pundit, and racing with a hangover. His advice? Don’t do it, kids.Desire editor Stu, meanwhile, has been razzing around the Peckham BMX track on his Brompton, has a new bike to wax lyrical about (it’s a gravel bike, don’t @ him), and does an impression of Mark Cavendish that is actually better than Mark Cavendish. Hearing is believing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The always-ebullient Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig joins Ian Parkinson to explain how she went from stacking supermarket shelves to being a major talent in the Women’s World Tour, with podium finishes at Trofeo Alfredo Binda, Tour of Flanders and La Course. The young Dane moves to a French team next season, and promises to keep her attacking style. “That’s how I love racing, the harder the better.”  The Dave Rayner Foundation recently acquired charitable status, a big advantage for the fund that aids young riders racing abroad. Former friend and team-mate Tim Harris and his partner Joscelin Ryan tell us about Dave and where the money raised goes, with a long list of household names who have benefitted from Rayner support, and we are joined by two young Rayner-funded riders.  Our Desire editor Stuart Clapp knows a fine looking bike when he sees one. Wandering the bling-filled aisles of the Rouleur Classic, his attention is drawn to a brand formerly known for being cheap and cheerful – Ribble. They have upped their game considerably of late, with some smashing machines coming out of the north of England, but still excellent value. Stu gets the lowdown on the e-bike used by Sean Yates and a stunning 24 carat goldleaf build making its debut at the show.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are going long distance for a change on the latest Rouleur podcast.  Lachlan Morton of EF Education First joins us to explain his thinking behind tackling some unusual and challenging events this season, a million miles away from the standard pro road racers’ fare.  From the GB Duro – Land’s End to John O’Groats mostly on bridleways and country lanes – which Morton won, through to the legendary Three Peaks cyclo-cross in Yorkshire, the Australian has been riding with a big grin on his face having previously considered packing in road racing for a career.  We also speak to another lover of ultra-distance racing, Emily Chappell, former bicycle courier and women’s winner of the Transcontinental Race in 2016. Emily has an excellent new book out, Where There’s a Will, detailing her trials and tribulations on the road and in life, which we highly recommend.  Also, Desire editor Stuart Clapp gets the backstory and hears about the latest tweaks to the famous Castelli Gabba, the poor weather jacket of choice for the pro peloton. Ian Parkinson even lets him finish his interview without fading out… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Jean de Gribaldy said no sex for two weeks before a one-day race, no sex four weeks before a big tour, so you never had sex! There was that fear that it would take energy away from the riders.” We were honoured and delighted to have Greg and Kathy LeMond as our special guests for the entirety of the Rouleur Classic. They were both on absolutely sparkling form throughout the three days of the show, and we are truly indebted. Hear from the LeMonds on coming to Europe as young Americans and shaking up the traditions of a staid sport, steeped in tradition and superstition. From eating pizza to playing golf to million-dollar contracts to what went on – or not – in the bedroom, Greg and Kathy questioned every silly rule in the book and won. Greg also tells us how he hid the severity of his near-death hunting accident in 1987 to protect his job and family – remarkably coming back to win two more Tours de France to add to his 1986 title. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tom Pidcock launched his new team Trinity Racing before launching into a full season of racing in the mud and dirt of top level cyclo-cross on the Continent. The reigning under-23 ‘cross world champion had a decent road season too – first at Paris-Roubaix espoirs, stage and overall at Tour Alsace, and a terrific performance with the entire GB team at Tour de l’Avenir before a horror crash on a stage 6 descent knocked him out. But there was no way he was going to miss the opportunity of a medal on his home roads of Yorkshire in the World Championships.  “I love being around bike riders. That’s the amazing thing.” Allan Peiper, one of Australia’s pioneers in the pro peloton, is a hugely respected directeur sportif in the sport whose prostate cancer has returned this year. In an emotional interview with Rouleur editor Andy McGrath, Peiper tells us how the cycling family has closed around him and how riders – some well-known to him, some not so much – have been in touch to offer support.  Ian Parkinson visits Santini in Italy to get up to speed with their latest developments. Hairy vests, anyone? Think punk-era mohair jumpers, but for cycling. Stuart Clapp tells us what he’ll be up to at the upcoming Rouleur Classic, plus Kenny van Vlaminck, another special guest at the Classic, has some mixed news, mostly involving peas. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Cavendish, Caleb Ewan and Owain Doull guide us through the upcoming Six Day London at the Lee Valley Velopark.How does Cav make sense of the Madison? Can Caleb find his track legs in his first ever Six? And can Owain and the vastly experienced Cavendish topple the talented Italian duo of Viviani and Consonni?Ian Parkinson visits Christian Dagnoni in Milan to marvel over his family’s stunning collection of pacing - or ‘stayer’ - motorbikes and Dernys, featured in issue 18.8. It’s an exhilarating discipline, with 78kph covered in one hour at the Vigorelli stadium back in the day…Plus, Stuart Clapp is back from the Worlds in Yorkshire with a dose of ‘Harrogate fever’ and is still marvelling over Annemiek van Vleuten’s stunning solo win. He has a survival guide for the upcoming Rouleur Classic and a fun anecdote featuring an autograph hunter. Wlll he get to the end? Probably not… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yorkshire is once again the centre of the cycling world and the podcast comes direct from Rouleur's temporary home - the Corner Haus Belgian bar in Harrogate. Ian Parkinson is joined by Ned Boulting and Rebecca Charlton, looking back at the championship so far and looking ahead to the star events - the men's and women's elite road races. Will Vos be unstoppable or will the home crowd cheer home Yorkshire's own Lizzie Deignan for the win. And can anyone stop Mathieu van der Poel from leading that last sprint past Betty's Tea Room. One thing is certain, both races are going to be long, brutal and probably wet. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Parkinson travels to Spain to meet Joseba Arizaga from Orbea and ride their brand spanking new Orca OMX. Proudly Basque, cooperatively owned and backers of Fundación Euskadi, they do things differently at Orbea.  Our man Stu Clapp is back from his travels and full of beans, just for a change. Apart from holidaying in Japan, he’s been getting up close and personal with some classic supercars for the next Desire shoot. Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Porsches abound, but the Fiat 500 and the Vespa are more Stu’s bag. And Cycling Mole, who you probably know from our daily Top Mañana punditry for La Vuelta, tells us how he analyses every stage in great detail before deciding who is the likely winner. Unsurprisingly, there’s far more to it than meets the eye. And the Vuelta is extremely hard to predict... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yanto Barker explains how 20,000 hours of riding as a pro inspired his quest to make better kit with his clothing brand Le Col. "I'm one of those rare people who will say the customer is wrong, which my team find really uncomfortable, but the fact is I am an expert." And we hear from the first non-European to wear the Maillot Jaune, the Australian great Phil Anderson. More than forty years since he took the Yellow Jersey after an epic day in the Pyrenees he can still remember every detail. What's more surprising is that it was his first Grand Tour, and his first ever taste of riding in the big mountains. "My teammate said, no don't look down the road, you've gotta look up there and I looked above the clouds at these misty peaks of the mountains, and I'd never seen anything like that before." Phil, one of the guests at this year's Rouleur Classic event, recalls that seminal day and other highlights from his career with host Ian Parkinson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Not many former pros can boast as varied a career as Rob Hayles. The former Cofidis rider and British national champion holds Commonweath and Olympic medals, and track World Championships golds in the team pursuit and Madison (with Mark Cavendish). On retiring in 2009, Hayles slipped seamlessly into a commentating role for television and radio, but also repairs carbon frames and, interestingly, now makes jewellery with cycling at its core - carbon and titanium loom large. Rob tells us what he’ll be bringing to the Rouleur Classic in London, and recalls what life on the GB squad was like in the cash-strapped pre-Lottery funding days. It’s not all glamour, as you might guess…Café du Cycliste make some of the loveliest garments in cycling. Morgane Bigault from the quality French kit makers discusses the brand’s inspirations - from Morocco to the avant-garde.Your host is Ian Parkinson, and Executive Editor Ian Cleverly chips in with news of the Rouleur Classic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A very special Desire edition of the podcast as we reach for the sky at Biggin Hill airport with Spitfires and Hurricanes as a backdrop. Talking over the mighty roar of Rolls Royce Merlin engines are Desire editor Stuart Clapp, Claire Beaumont from Condor Cycles, photographer Benedict Campbell and your host, Ian Parkinson. Claire explains how a medium-sized shop in London competes with the major manufacturers, tells us what's hot this summer, and why the JLT-Condor team, started in 2007, was disbanded after an amazing run in the UK racing scene. We have some beautiful bikes to shoot, which Benedict balances on extremely valuable historic aircraft. And Stu gets emotional over Steve McQueen's jeep. Chocks away. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An honest and revealing interview with Jonathan Vaughters of EF Education First."I realised what my performance could be with EPO and I realised what it could be without it. Once you realise that, any time you're racing without it....you kind of give up."Jonathan Vaughters has always been one of the most outspoken voices in pro-cycling and, in his new book One Way Ticket, he talks frankly about doping - past and present, depression and the "five percent of joy" that keeps him in love with the sport. He stopped off on his way to Brussels to talk about the book and his career with Ian Parkinson.Meanwhile, Rouleur Editor Andy McGrath reflects on one of the sport's greatest ever teams - the multi-coloured classic champions of Mapei. How did an Italian bathroom grout manufacturer end up creating a team that's still remembered with affection by fans and riders nearly two decades after their last race? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"To have that jersey hanging up in the wardrobe, in the context of who has won it subsequently and before – Simpson, Wiggins, Cavendish, Thomas – to be on the trophy and on that list of names that I admire is very special.”Matt Stephens recalls the feeling of being British national champion, a title he took in 1998. He was then promptly fined £500, and spilt tea down his gleaming white jersey, the stain stubbornly visible to this day. Ned Boulting and Ian Cleverly share the anecdotes and a few laughs along the way.Lisa Brambani knows all about national champion’s jerseys - she claimed a remarkable four in a row in the 1980s. Now with her daughter Abby-Mae Parkinson making a name for herself on the road racing scene, Lisa is now more likely to be referred to as “Abby’s mum”. But that’s how she likes it: “I’m not one for blowing my own trumpet.”And how do you top being national champion? The 20-year-old Mandy Jones from Rochdale caused a major upset winning the 1982 World Championships at Goodwood. How was that, asks Ian Parkinson? "Absolutely fantastic, euphoric, and the best moment of my life.”Plus Desire Editor Start Clapp is reading a fine book by Paul Fournel. Will he finish telling Ian about it before we lose the signal from deepest Essex? Probably not... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.