You are listening to the cycling podcast.

Hello and joining you on November 6th International Stress Awareness Day, true story.

And if a lot of our listeners don't laugh, it's probably because they're already crying.

My name is Daniel Freeber and I'm the host of this, the first in a series of episodes taking us almost until Christmas in which I and a revolving cast of guests and regulars will review the men's pro cycling season that was in

2024 from a variety of different viewpoints and with observations that will be whimsical,

occasionally insightful and probably around 60% accurate.

The first episode takes its name from a Latin phrase that I've shamefully overused and abused in articles over the years, Anus Mirabulous.

It means good year, amazing year, and hence the next hourish will be dedicated to identifying

for whom and what?

2024 was a ripe and luscious vintage.

Then next week it'll be time for Anas Horribilis, in which

conversely, we declare who and what riders' teams' trends and concepts fairly withered on the vine

in the same period. All of these review of the year episodes will follow broadly the same format

in that I'll fill you in on any essential latest breaking news headlines and then we'll go swiftly to our guests.

Last week's episode dropped just a little late for me to inform you that Taddy Pogaccha has signed yet another contract extension with UAE.

The new deal will run until 2030 when Pogaccio will turn 32.

Could theoretically become a nine-time Tour de France winner.

Even more noteworthy number is the rumoured cost of the deal to UAE.

La Gazette de los sport reported earlier this week,

the Pog will be pocketing around 8 million euros a year, excluding bonuses.

For football fans, that's just a tad more than James Ward Proust.

Pog may also, though, not see out the deal.

...