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Spin Cycle

Spin Cycle

Escape Collective

Escape, Gravel Bikes, Bikes, Mountain Bikes, Cycling, Sports, Road Bikes, Bicycle Technology, News, Bike Tech, Sports News, Professional Cycling, Bicycles, Escape Collective, Equipment, Pro Cycling

4.9960 Ratings

Overview

All the cycling news, analysis, and banter you need. Become a member to get premium content, extra episodes, and ad-free listening at escapecollective.com. Check out our other podcasts on your preferred podcast platform: - Geek Warning - how bikes work and how to make them better - Wheel Talk - all things women's cycling - How the Race was Won - racing and tactical analysis - The Rest Day with Jack Haig - insights from within the pro peloton - Overnight Success - The founders and innovators in the cycling industry Escape Collective is entirely member-funded. If you like this podcast please consider supporting us by becoming a member: https://escapecollective.com/member/

379 Episodes

Dusty Wout just covered in dust

The Giro d'Italia's mini Strade Bianche had everything: A winner everybody can hear for, a precocious young talent, GC crashes, dust galore.In this episode of Spin Cycle, Caley, Jonny, and Kit break down a spectacular weekend of racing, look back at some of our favorite Grand Tours stages of the modern era, downsize Big Jim to Medium Sized Jim, and wonder how UAE will handle yet another leadership question. 

Transcribed - Published: 19 May 2025

Big Jim's chemical romance

Primoz Roglič showed the Giro how to hang off a race director's car on Thursday and Mads Pedersen probably had to go on a boat even though he fell down. The Giro is going to Giro, always. Caley, Jonny, and Kit jump on to chat through the last few days of racing and concrete reporting that Total Energies and Ineos are about to become a new chemical romance. Plus, some kind words for the Giro TV crew and Mathias Vacek, who is so good it's actually quite scary. 

Transcribed - Published: 16 May 2025

Don't make a bet with Mads

If there's one thing we've learned over the first three days of the Giro d'Italia, it's never make a bet with Mads Pedersen. The Lidl-Trek rider is on fire, trimmers in hand. In today's episode, Caley, Jonny, and Kit break down the Giro's opening weekend, question the morality of one of a big newspaper, learn the fate of the Tro-Bro Leon pig, and introduce the Farce-O-Meter. 

Transcribed - Published: 12 May 2025

The Giro d'Italia and a Matt White mystery

The Giro d'Italia is upon us! Chris Marshall Bell rings in from Albania with the answers to cycling's biggest questions - whose legs are good? Who will be taking it day by day? We've got everything you need to know about the year's first Grand Tour. Plus, there's been a massive shakeup at GreenEdge. Longtime director Matt White is out. What are we hearing? 

Transcribed - Published: 9 May 2025

Winning like Astana

Welcome back to Spin Cycle. In this episode, Caley, Jonny, and Kit give Astana the props they've been yearning for (almost as valuable as UCI points). Then, a look at the youngsters of Romandie, a cluster of a TTT at the Vuelta, and a trip in the sad Visma Van. Plus, Joe Laverick joins to discuss the Traka and how gravel has become a meme. 

Transcribed - Published: 5 May 2025

Rabbit Holes: Who shot Greg LeMond?

In the arc of a life – especially one as rich and eventful as Greg LeMond's - certain stories get lost to the grander narrative. But in 1987, the bigger story was still unwritten. That year – soon after he'd won his first Tour de France, in the prime of his career – Greg LeMond was shot, and almost died.A Grand Tour champion, violence, drugs, intrigue, rehabilitation, and redemption: this is that story.We're running this first episode across our network, but future episodes will only be found on the Rabbit Holes channel. Subscribe to Rabbit Holes on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Production and sound design by Will and Stuart at Redbricks Media. Music from EpidemicSound. Thanks to Chris Marshall-Bell.Escape Collective is an entirely independent and member-funded publication, and this content is only possible through the support of our members. To subscribe, go to www.escapecollective.com/join.

Transcribed - Published: 2 May 2025

Red Bull gives you intermediate sprints

Marketing, activate! Red Bull's "groundbreaking" new feature is just a sprint point, but what does the company's increasing involvement in pro cycling mean going forward? That question is far more interesting. Caley, Dane, and Intern Nick are back to discuss Red Bull's latest, whether prologues are good, and we hear from Lachlan Morton on his decision to race Unbound XL.  

Transcribed - Published: 2 May 2025

Tadej on my tandem

Who would you want on your Tour de France tandem? Would Pogi and Almeida beat Vingegaard and Jorgenson? These are other important questions answered on this episode of Spin Cycle. Caley, Kit, and Dane run through Liège, Remco Evenepoel's very bad day, Ben Healy's breath of fresh air, and Demi Vollering's disappointing spring. Plus, Chris Froome retirement news and an appreciation for good kit, from Kit of course. 

Transcribed - Published: 28 April 2025

Down a beer win a Fleche

Head to Escapecollective.com/member to sign up today. The best indicator for Fleche Wallonne victory seems to be whether or not you drink a podium beer at Amstel. Caley, Dane, Ronan, and Intern Nick break down the mid-week Classic, look ahead to Liege, discuss Uno-X's excellent new 7-11 kits, and wonder aloud where all the olds have gone. 

Transcribed - Published: 25 April 2025

A big swig of Amstel

Head to Escapecollective.com/member to sign up today. Is Tadej Pogačar tired? Amstel Gold sure seemed to suggest it. Caley, Dane, and Intern Nick break down the weekend's racing, a crazy story about Lucho Herrera, the One Day Oscars, and lots more. Then, Joe Laverick joins to discuss a new take on road racing that looks like a lot like an old take on road racing. 

Transcribed - Published: 21 April 2025

Remco's back in town

Head to Escapecollective.com/member to sign up today. Time to pivot to the Ardennes! By the time you listen to this, Brabantse Pijl will be wrapped up, and with it the return of Remco Evenepoel to the pro peloton. Caley and Dane are joined by Iain Treloar to put a bow on the cobbled classics and look ahead to the hilly one-days coming up. Plus Iain brings news of a new scam on the Internet. 

Transcribed - Published: 18 April 2025

A load of cobbles

Caley, Ronan and Jonny come to you live from the Roubaix velodrome to break down the action and discuss the long-term narrative implications for what was a day out on the cobbles of northern France that will live long in the memory.

Transcribed - Published: 14 April 2025

Roubaix, baby

The Spin Cycle crew talks Paris-Roubaix. Caley Fretz, Jonny Long, Dane Cash, Ronan Mc Laughlin, and Zac Williams discuss all the storylines and field a few member questions ahead of the big race in front of a live audience in Kortrijk, Belgium.

Transcribed - Published: 11 April 2025

Flanders unspun

Head to Escapecollective.com/member to sign up today. Flanders is the best of bike racing, and Sunday did not disappoint. Caley, Jonny, and Dane sit down in Oudenaarde's old square to discuss Pogačar's villain arc, Kopecky's biceps, and how there was very little anybody could do about today's outcomes. 

Transcribed - Published: 6 April 2025

Pick your Flanders fighter

Head to Escapecollective.com/member to sign up today. The crew is back in Belgium! Caley, Jonny, Dane, and special guest Nick are on the streets of Ghent and focused on De Ronde, the Tour of Flanders coming on Sunday. They break down the two key protagonists and who might upset the apple cart, plus bring a healthy dose of Belgian flavor throughout. Then, a look a the shrinking podiums in mountain bike racing and what the racers are doing about it and what Visma should have done about the strawberry in their Mustard. 

Transcribed - Published: 4 April 2025

The Classics pecking order

Head to Escapecollective.com/member to sign up today. This week on Spin Cycle: Mathieu van der Poel got spit on, a Belgian rider got stuck in his hotel room, and Kit thinks Mads Pedersen is going to win Flanders. Plus the crew discuss E3, Gent-Wevelgem, Fabio Jakobsen's surgery, and extra team in the Ground Tours, and look ahead to Holy Week. 

Transcribed - Published: 31 March 2025

The rise of Roubaix Pog

Head to Escapecollective.com/member to sign up today. Tadej Pogačar is officially heading to Paris-Roubaix. What do we think? Can he win? Is it all a secret ploy to get Nils Politt across the line first? Probably not. Caley, Jonny, and Dane discuss the biggest news of the week (anything Pogačar does, obviously) and then question WTF was happening with all the crashes at Brugge de Panne, look into the extra wildcard teams that might be racing Grand Tours this season, and salute Caleb Ewan getting an early win in Ineos colors. Plus much more, of course. 

Transcribed - Published: 28 March 2025

Actually, the best 45 minutes of bike racing

He's Ganna Poel up the Pog-gio! And other Milan-San Remo puns. How good was that weekend of bike racing? This week's Spin Cycle kicks off looking at Pogačar's team tactics in light of a behind-the-scenes video that dropped after the race. Things seemed to go mostly to plan, but did they? Then, why can't cycling have more races like MSR? How do you build proper launchpads? We have some ideas. Plus, Mads Pedersen's gut is not a place you want to be,  the UCI Track Champions League bit the dust, Marc Madiot thinks France is best, and Vingegaard is back riding again. 

Transcribed - Published: 24 March 2025

The best 15 minutes in bike racing

Head to Escapecollective.com/member to sign up today. Two Milan-San Remos for the price of one? Sign us up. This week's Spin Cycle previews the best 15 minutes in bike racing, the finale of Milan-San Remo, and makes some guesses about the return of the women's MSR for the first time in 20 years. But first, we dive headlong into the UCI's hatred of nipples, some strange man management at Cofidis, the Tours de France coming back to the UK, and the potential for a new stage race in Colorado. 

Transcribed - Published: 21 March 2025

Welcome to the Ineos Fun Zone

Head to Escapecollective.com/member to sign up today. This week on Spin Cycle: Caley, Jonny, and Kit dive into Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico, discussing Sunday's dominant American duo, big boys who are good at climbing, and Ineos' new lease on life. Plus a bit of transfer speculation (Ayuso to Movistar anyone?) and the things on Patrick Lefevere's banned list. 

Transcribed - Published: 17 March 2025

Cycling is not for soft people

Head to Escapecollective.com/member to sign up today. We're in the thick of it. Paris-Nice, Tirreno-Adriatico, rain, snow, riders warming hands on motorcycle exhaust manifolds, Jonas Vingegaard falling down. Caley, Jonny, and Dane break it all down on this week's Spin Cycle. Plus, is David Gaudu the baddie? 

Transcribed - Published: 14 March 2025

Ineos needs money, TotalEnergies might have it

Head to Escapecollective.com/member to sign up today. Ineos might get a co-sponsor? Yep. Reporter Chris Marshall Bell brings us an exclusive - TotalEnergies, which currently sponsors a French Pro Team, is in talks with the British squad to come on as a co-title sponsor. Negotiations have been ongoing for months, and while not confirmed, it could mean TotalEnergies invests 10 to 15 million euros into Ineos. Read about it here. Then, of course, we have to dive into Strade Bianche. How did Tadej Pogačar's expensive watch fare in his crash? Does Caley have some news about Pogi's Roubaix participation? (Yes). Finally, the crew discuss Bradley Wiggin's comments on Dave Brailsford, the Saudi PIF and its sponsorship of the Giro d'Italia, and the latest on how to watch pro cycling (or not, as it were) in the UK. 

Transcribed - Published: 10 March 2025

Pogi's white roads to Roubaix

Tadej Pogačar is going to Roubaix? Maybe for real this time? We can only dream. On this Strade Bianche Eve, the Spin Cycle crew cheers the news that the Tour de France Femmes may be headed to Yorkshire and discusses how Mathieu van der Poel toyed with the peloton before taking a moment to thoroughly enjoy Peter Sagan dancing on TV. Plus, everything you need to know ahead of Saturday's Strade Bianche and a look at the two stage races, Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico, kicking off this week. 

Transcribed - Published: 7 March 2025

Spring has sprung and it has sprung strange

Welcome back to Spin Cycle! We kick things off by diving headfirst into the opening weekend of the classics: Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne.First up, Omloop. What a weird day of racing, especially from the women's peloton. How and why did FDJ and SD Worx let the break get 15 minutes? It was a game of chicken where everyone ended up as a chicken. In the men's race, the surprise came in the finale as small groups came back together, which they don't usually do, resulting in a bigger bunch sprint than we've seen in years. At least a lovely old lady got her Arnaud de Lie moment. At Kuurne, Kaden Groves got a yellow card and Jasper Philipsen was fastest. Is Caley's Jonathan Milan draft pick already looking foolish? At Tour du Rwanda, the final stage was cancelled due to bad conditions. Not a great sign ahead of the planned World Championships later this year.Finally, we like to end the show on a high note, so last up is the news that the 2027 Tour de France might start in the UK. Jonny is ecstatic. 

Transcribed - Published: 3 March 2025

Rabo's return and the cobbles are here!

This week's Spin Cycle podcast opens with the news that Rabobank is returning as a sponsor for Visma-Lease a Bike, like a salmon returning a once-polluted river. Rabobank's history in the sport is long and somewhat sordid, and their departure due to doping scandals felt final. Well, now they're back. What does that mean? Then Caley, Jonny, and Dane preview the upcoming Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne races, analyzing route changes, potential contenders like Wout van Aert and Tom Pidcock, and the "Omloop curse." We touch on UAE's classics team and possible favorites for the races. Finally, we head into corrections corner. 

Transcribed - Published: 28 February 2025

If pro cycling had a draft

It's a massive Spin Cycle show this week because we have something special: our 2025 Men's Pro Cycling Draft! Your favorite Spin Cycle podders, plus one member standing in for all the rest of you, pick their teams for the coming season. The first part of the show is your standard fare - discussion of the two best GC riders in the world and how they fared at their respective early-season stage races, plus an unfortunate trip to Crash Courtyard, where Chris Froome is waiting. 

Transcribed - Published: 24 February 2025

Two finish lines, better than one

Head to Escapecollective.com/member to sign up today. Today on Spin Cycle: Caley, Jonny, and Dane dive into the Algarve Poop Show, alternative race endings, and the curious case of Mou. Then, we head back to Ratcliffe Row with the help of a very handy compass.

Transcribed - Published: 21 February 2025

How to make a good bike race

The Spanish Strade Bianche, Clásica Jaén, needs a premium Sunday time slot. The race has only been around since 2022 but is already one of our favourites, and a rider favourite too. This week on the show, Caley, Kit, and Jonny discuss how to create new races properly, how not to set up a sprint (maybe no speed bumps), and Geraint Thomas' unsurprising announcement that this will be his last season. Plus, Alejandro Valverde's refusal to stop racing. And lots more, of course. 

Transcribed - Published: 17 February 2025

Netflix cuts the cord on the Tour

This week, Caley, Dane, and Jonny discuss Netflix Unchained's cancellation, the troubles of Jim Ratcliffe's INEOS sports empire, and sprinters going head-to-head in the Middle East. Did Unchained work? Is Jim Ratcliffe bad at sports? He is in legal disputes, has pulled sponsorships, and cut jobs. The INEOS group was downgraded due to high debt. Things are bad. What's up at the Tour of Oman, where jerseys are being zipped and others unzipped? Finally, we discuss the UAE Tour, which will feature top sprinters. Tadej Pogačar will be there too. Excitement brims. 

Transcribed - Published: 14 February 2025

Roubaix Pogacar and other fever dreams

Ok, ok, Pogačar is probably not going to Paris-Roubaix. But what if he is? WHAT IF?! Wouldn't it be glorious? This week's Spin Cycle tackles this cobbled hypothetical, discusses the use of time trial helmets in road race, and has a look at how the sprinters are doing so far this season. Plus lots more, of course. 

Transcribed - Published: 10 February 2025

The Two Cycling revolution cometh

In this week's episode of Spin Cycle, Jonny Long breaks down his plan for the future of pro road cycling. National teams, a Classics Cup, a draft, and more. It's big, it's bold, it's almost certainly impossible, but it's a lot of fun to talk about.Plus, Thibau Nys and Mathieu van der Poel are going skiing, teams have to go to more races, and Tom Pidcock is a bit cheap. 

Transcribed - Published: 7 February 2025

Capital-J Journalism

Head to Escapecollective.com/member to sign up today. On this week's Spin Cycle: Carbon monoxide inhalation has been banned, a beef with another podcast (these two are related), cyclocross worlds happened, and Lenny Martinez may have made a mistake. Plus lots more besides. 

Transcribed - Published: 3 February 2025

Peak cycling broadcast is behind us

We just want to watch cycling on TV for a reasonable price. Is that too much to ask? Caley, Jonny, and Dane kick off the show with a discussion of the new unfortunate and expensive reality for anybody trying to watch bike racing in the UK. How exactly do these rights work and what do major players like ASO think about it all? Should we start doing VPN affiliate links? Then, back to Pidcock Paddock, which is already filling with new silverware. Plus, Ritchey lost its rainbows and Rigoberto Uran still can't play ball sports. 

Transcribed - Published: 31 January 2025

Spin Cycle: Avoid the shrimps at the cycling buffet

Is the pro cycling calendar an all-you-can-eat buffet? Jonny Long thinks so. Caley Fretz just wants to go to a normal restaurant, and will certainly avoid the bucket of shrimps. This week's episode kicks off with an update on the various new and interesting ways Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos have managed to trip over themselves. Then, Kit Nicholson provides the penultimate sincere cyclocross update of the year. Plus, Caley and Jonny have apologies to issue and there's Tour Down Under to discuss. 

Transcribed - Published: 27 January 2025

Avoid the shrimps at the cycling buffet

Is the pro cycling calendar an all-you-can-eat buffet? Jonny Long thinks so. Caley Fretz just wants to go to a normal restaurant, and will certainly avoid the bucket of shrimps. This week's episode kicks off with an update on the various new and interesting ways Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos have managed to trip over themselves. Then, Kit Nicholson provides the penultimate sincere cyclocross update of the year. Plus, Caley and Jonny have apologies to issue and there's Tour Down Under to discuss. 

Transcribed - Published: 27 January 2025

Hungry dogs run faster

Sign up for Escape Collective today at escapecollective.com This week's Spin Cycle podcast kicks off with Caleb Ewan's transfer to Ineos Grenadiers after mysteriously disappearing from Jayco's website weeks ago. Then we discuss Danny Van Poppel's yellow card for blocking at the Tour Down Under, and consider whether the yellow card system adequately penalizes dangerous riding. New feed zone rules are in effect, will we see more hunger knocks? In other news, Mark Cavendish has posted a very detailed photo of his lip, Rigoberto Uran is probably not going to be a pro soccer player, and Akrea-B&B might be in trouble. 

Transcribed - Published: 24 January 2025

Jonas comes out swinging

Ronan, Kit, and Abby join Jonny to discuss Jonas Vingegaard's recent, slightly explosive comments that other teams are using carbon monoxide for performance gains (if only someone else had reported that could be a possibility ey, Ronan) while Visma-Lease a Bike also officially decommission its Control Van.Elsewhere, Abby talks us through a surprising women's edition of the Tour Down Under, while Matt is on the ground for us in Adelaide at both TDUs to set the scene for us.Finally, we react to the news Ineos Grenadiers are looking for another sponsor in January, which doesn't seem to bode too well for the British team, and there's something funny going on with the Paris Olympics' medals.

Transcribed - Published: 20 January 2025

Bring Milan-San Remo to Paris

Sign up for Escape Collective today at escapecollective.com Welcome back to Spin Cycle, your twice-weekly dose of the biggest stories in cycling. Now on Fridays too!In this episode, we dive into the swirling rumors around the Tour de France potentially incorporating the iconic Montmartre climb into the final stage. Could this shake up the iconic Champs-Élysées sprint finish? Or would it just be window dressing? Next, Richard Plugge has responded to criticism of his One Cycling project. We dissect his arguments, examine the potential impact on traditional races, and discuss whether this radical new format could truly revolutionize the sport.Also in the show: Rigoberto Uran's surprising foray into professional football, the bizarre Giro d'Italia route presentation, and RCS's demands for star riders in exchange for wildcard entries. Tune in for all the latest news, analysis, and, as always, our signature dose of Friday vibes.

Transcribed - Published: 17 January 2025

Turbo Durbo and wins you love to see

Sign up for Escape Collective today at escapecollective.com Spin Cycle, now earlier in the week! This episode dives into the Australian Nationals, focusing on the win by Luke Durbridge and the strategic role of Luke Plapp. Caley, Jonny, and Kit examine the unusual situation surrounding Caleb Ewan's contract with Jayco Alula and what we hear is going on behind the scenes.Also on the docket: Upcoming races like the Tour Down Under, Jonas Vingegaard's potential participation in the World Championships in Rwanda, the retirement of some notable riders, and another trip to Pidcock Paddock. Finally, the episode touches upon Peter Sagan's foray into Slovakian reality television and Tom Dumoulin's impressive half-marathon times.

Transcribed - Published: 13 January 2025

One Cycling is coming for us all

This episode of Spin Cycle kicks off with a discussion of One Cycling, a controversial proposal to restructure professional cycling with financial backing from Saudi Arabia. The hosts and guest reporter Chris Marshall Bell debate the project, considering the perspectives of teams, fans, and race organizers like ASO.Then, Kit and Jonny provide cyclocross updates of varying earnestness. And finally, Ronan bats back some of the recent proposals to make cycling safer. 

Transcribed - Published: 8 January 2025

Big, bold, definitely right predictions for 2025

Tadej Pogačar wins Roubaix? Demi Vollering wins two Grand Tours? Aero bikes will come back with a Vengeance? (See what we did there?) The Spin Cycle crew sit down to make some bold predictions for 2025. Who will be most wrong? 

Transcribed - Published: 1 January 2025

A Christmas Quiz Special

The final Spin Cycle episode of 2024 is a Christmas-themed quiz! Big thanks to Spooky from our member discord for creating about half of it, and thanks to every single one of you for joining us throughout the year. 

Transcribed - Published: 25 December 2024

Vice champion of the milk wars

On this week's episode of Spin Cycle, Caley Fretz, Jonny Long, and Kit Nicholson discuss Eddy Merckx, cyclocross, the Giro start list, and the return of the milk wars.

Transcribed - Published: 18 December 2024

Big Dairy's power and a Pidcock taper

On this week's Spin Cycle, we dive into the biggest milk-related controversy to hit cycling since Eddy Merckx hung up his wheels, plus:Tom Pidcock's unique sponsorship arrangement with Scott and Pinarello, and the implications for Ineos and Q36.5.David Gaudu's new look and philosophical approach to racing.Tadej Pogačar's 2025 race schedule, which includes a return to the Tour of Flanders and a possible Giro d'Italia appearance.Maxim Van Gils's transfer to Red Bull Bora-Hansgrohe and the team's strengthened Classics squad.Remco Evenepoel's new safety campaign and the Dutch reach technique.And lots, lots more.Join Escape Collective for more of the cycling content you love.

Transcribed - Published: 11 December 2024

Tom Pidcock is out at Ineos

Tom Pidcock is leaving INEOS Grenadiers at the end of the year, likely to join Q36.5. What does it mean for Pidcock, and what does it mean for his (potential) new team? Remco Evenepoel was injured in a crash with a mail truck and Jonny has invented a new quiz. Plus, Steve Cummings, a former INEOS rider and sports director, is joining Team Jayco AlUla. Cummings’ press release throws some fantastic shade, while his tactical acumen will be a valuable asset to Jayco AlUla and its leader, Ben O'Connor. To get the members-only version of this podcast, click here.

Transcribed - Published: 4 December 2024

Giving thanks for a mailbag

Jonny Long, Kit Nicholson, and Dane Cash break down all the news from the world of cycling, and then Dane, Caley Fretz, and Ronan Mc Laughlin tackle listener questions in a Thanksgiving-week mailbag.

Transcribed - Published: 27 November 2024

The WorldTour's backroom superstars

This week on Spin Cycle: Caley, Jonny, and Ronan revisit the story of carbon monoxide use in the pro peloton, discussing Romain Bardet's ridiculously eloquent statements against its use for performance enhancement. The conversation then shifts to Red Bull's sponsorship of the Bora-Hansgrohe team and whether the team is poised to "level up" in the 2025 season after limited financial support from Red Bull in 2024. The hosts highlight the team’s recent hires, Dan Bigham and Johnny Wale, as potential "backroom superstars" who could make a significant impact on the team's performance through marginal gains.The episode concludes with the news that Trinity Racing, a British Continental team, has shut down. Why didn't INEOS, a team in need of a development squad, partner with them? 

Transcribed - Published: 20 November 2024

Skyfall: The story behind the story

This is a members-only episode and will cut off about halfway on this free feed. To access members-only episodes, become a member today. If you're already a member, head over here to get the feed. In this special episode, Caley and Jonny are joined by reporter Chris Marshall Bell to take you behind the curtain and onto the cutting room floor of our recent Skyfall feature. We discuss the origins of the story, how it was reported, and dive further into some of its major topics, particularly the relationship between the team and its star rider, Tom Pidcock. We explore the many factors we believe contributed to the team's decline from their dominant era as Team Sky, investigating how their initial success was built on more than just talented riders but also a pioneering approach to marginal gains that the rest of the peloton eventually caught up with. We also examine the impact of Dave Brailsford's shift in focus away from cycling, the subsequent power vacuum, and the team's struggle to adapt to the new landscape of professional cycling. The team has failed to develop a pipeline of talent, and it's now paying for it. 

Transcribed - Published: 18 November 2024

Skyfall: The inside story of Ineos Grenadiers' decline

From its incarnation as Team Sky in 2010, the team swiftly rose in the sport's ranks, winning seven Tours de France in eight years. But after billionaire Jim Ratcliffe purchased the team and rebranded it as the Ineos Grenadiers, its position atop the sport has eroded – slowly at first but with increasing speed. In just a few years, cycling's once-dominant stage racing team has transformed from an innovative powerhouse into a rudderless corporation, haemorrhaging talent and results despite its massive budget.To dissect this empire’s collapse, Escape Collective spoke with more than a dozen sources in and around Ineos – former riders and staff, agents, and other well-connected people in pro cycling – to learn what took the team from winning seven Tours de France in eight years to struggling to hold onto talent both on and off the bike.This is an audio version of the written story on Escapecollective.com now. Because this story is behind our paywall, you will only hear about half of it on this podcast. To listen to the whole thing (or read it), plus get access to everything else Escape makes, sign up here.  If you are already a member and want access to the members-only podcasts, click here (you'll need to be signed into the website to access this page). 

Transcribed - Published: 13 November 2024

Cav's Kayfabe

In this week's episode, Caley, Jonny, Kit, and Dane dissect Mark Cavendish's recent "retirement" from professional cycling and the unbroken kayfabe (the practice of pretending staged events are real) of his final "race." Then the crew explore the uncertain future of Astana, which faces potential relegation. The hosts discuss Astana's recent hiring of Alex Dowsett as their aero expert, noting a growing British influence within the team. This leads to speculation about whether Cavendish might join Astana in a non-riding role, further fueling the team's "British invasion."Plus! The ongoing controversy surrounding a spectator who threw beer on Eli Iserbyt during the Koppenbergcross race. Iserbyt is pursuing legal action against the individual, sparking a debate about appropriate fan behavior and the boundaries of sportsmanship. And the crew discuss the challenges teams face in nurturing young riders while also maximizing their competitive potential and preventing burnout.

Transcribed - Published: 13 November 2024

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