This week James and Will are joined by Ned Boulting: commentator, pundit, author, stage performer, part-time comic and all-round superb raconteur. Ned talks about the 2011 season (the star of his new The Road Book 2011 almanac), from a knife-edge Tour de France with Cadel Evans snatching a last gasp victory, to a Vuelta a España that announced a rising star in the shape of Chris Froome. Conversation then turns to this year's Tour, from Cav's history-making win no.35 to the imperial form of Tadej Pogačar. All that plus Primož Roglič the unsung hero; Alberto Contador, the man who flew too close ..read more

This week, James and Will are joined by Nico Roche. Nico was a pro-rider from 2004-2021 and is a two-time Vuelta a Espana stage winner, His long and successful career saw spells at Sky, AG2R and Saxobank, among others. The Vuelta was Nico's favourite race - he thrived in the heat - so we kick off by asking what makes that race so special, and does it get the respect it deserves? Today, Nico a top cycling pundit and gravel racer, so the conversation really gets around the houses in expert fashion, from his assessment of Pogacar to team dynamics to the evolution of training. Then things get pers ..read more

This week Will and James are joined by ex-pro turned DS, Chris Lawless. At just 28 years old, Chris is the youngest directeur sportif in pro-cycling, but he's got a whole lot of experience. Cutting his teeth at Team Wiggins and JLT Condor, Chris went on to ride for Team Sky/Ineos, during which time he won the Tour de Yorkshire. As a no-nonsense rider with a stoic mentality, a move into team management naturally followed post-retirement, with Chris taking us a DS position at British Pro-Conti team, Saint Piran. In this episode, Chris tells us about the highs and lows of his career on the road ..read more

This week Will and James are joined by bike design visionary Dimitris Katsanis. Dimitris worked alongside Chris Boardman in the Secret Squirrel Club, creating the pioneering bikes and kit that helped Team GB dominate the 2012 London Games. Ever wondered where the term 'marginal gains' came from? Yep, Dimitris and his colleagues, whose work at the time was so secret not even his boss, one Dave Brailsford, was allowed to know. Across a career spanning three decades and counting, Dimitris has had a hand in winning over 100 gold Olympic and World cycling medals, and right now his components and c ..read more

This week Will and James are joined by Ribble Rebellion crit rider, Matt Bostock. Matt cut his teeth racing track and road, but now pedals his trade in the crit racing scene. A twice national crit champ and multiple Tour series winner, Matt now races all over the globe. In this episode Matt discusses growing up on the Isle of Man with Mark Cavendish's old mentor for help, throwing elbows in the States against crit superstars Legion (and winning), and why he'll never turn to gravel. Ever. Maybe. Later, Will and James also get into a very lengthy chat about the Tour de France, because hey, it's ..read more

This week, Robyn and Will are joined by Mikkel Honoré, Danish pro at WorldTour team EF Education-Easypost. Mikkel talks us through the differences between a team like EF and one like his previous team, Quick-Step; how a small (and decidedly flat) nation like Denmark has produced so many great cyclists; and his thoughts on Pogacar, the Tour, the importance of the World Championships and his love of NBA basketball. Interview begins at 4.38 ------------------ Did you know Cyclist is also stunning monthly print magazine? Subscribe now at store.cyclist.co.uk/cycpod and get every i ..read more

This week James and Will are joined by Carlton Kirby, Eurosport's voice of the Tour de France. In this episode, Carlton looks ahead to the Tour de France 2024, and talks us through the course, all the crucial stages, the likely turning points and the surprise heroes. We discuss the inside track on Cavendish's chances of beating the Merckx record; who will triumph between Pogačar and Vingegaard (but listen out for a surprise contender); if could it come down to the wire on the last day's time-trial; how to make a few quid with some outside bets; and why Bernard Hinault has beef with Eddy Merckx ..read more

This week Will and James are joined by the founder and owner of Factor Bikes, Rob Gitelis. Rob is originally from Miami but moved to Taiwan more than twenty years ago to start building bikes. Originally he ran a factory which built bikes for brands such as Cervélo, Scott and Canyon, but in 2015 he decided to go it alone with the purchase of Factor Bikes. In this episode, Rob discusses how the bike industry really works, why things are so expensive, what progress lies in store, and what he believes is one of the fastest bikes ever made - and it came out several decades ago. Interview begins at ..read more

This week James and Will are joined by gravel pro, Danni Shrosbree. Danni became British gravel national champ in 2022, then in 2023 raced to a storming fourth place on her debut at Unbound Gravel, arguably the world’s hardest gravel race - 200 unsupported miles (320km) across the Kansas prairies. Danni tells us why this was one of the most chaotic races of her life, from shacking up with strangers (the hotels were full) to having her race all but ended by freak storms. And she didn’t even pack a paint stick (what and why’s that? stay tuned). This weekend, June 1st, Danni will race Unbound Gra ..read more

Will and James are joined by Ford RideLondon-Essex race director Kevin Nash ahead of this year's event, which takes place on May 26th 2024. Kevin discusses the challenges designing the route, from circumventing weddings to dealing with litter; explains how to deal with peloton physics and the human racing psyche; and divests the secrets of managing thousands of riders and staff, all from a secret control room in London. Interview begins at 7.50 Ford RideLondon-Essex takes place on 26th May, with the Ford RideLondon Classique Women's Tour stage race taking place 24th-26th May. See RideLondon ..read more