Best road.cc Podcasts (2025)

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“Driving a car is just too easy”: Bikehangar inventor on theft, the need for safe cycle storage, and why “there are too many cars on our streets” 37:52

6d ago37:52

37:52

Send us a text To mark Security and Storage Week on road.cc, this week’s episode focuses on one of the most useful and controversial – if you’re a grumpy SUV driver, anyway – urban cycling innovations of the past 15 years: the cycle hangar. Invented by Cyclehoop founder Anthony Lau, and spawning a host of imitators, Bikehangars provide secure shelt…

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What do Donald Trump’s tariffs mean for cycling? We chat to an industry insider about price rises, staying positive, and why the tariffs present an opportunity for UK brands 43:09

13d ago43:09

43:09

Send us a text With the cycling industry gripped by yet another period of uncertainty, this week’s episode of the road.cc Podcast focuses on the story that’s dominated the front pages all month – Donald Trump’s chaos-creating global tariffs. And why, at least according to one industry insider, they aren’t going to, as feared by many, “sink the ship…

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Ep. 71: Zwift Games 25 Men’s Champion Neal Fryett—Under the Radar, First Over the Line 45:50

13d ago45:50

45:50

In this episode of The Virtual Velo Podcast, co-hosts Emma Martin and Chris Schwenker welcome Neal Fryett—one of the fastest finishers in elite cycling esports and a rider who’s quietly built one of the sport’s most impressive palmarès. A standout for Team USA, Neal has paired raw sprint power with sharp tactical instincts to claim the Sprint Stage…

1
“We’ve made huge strides, but there’s still a long way to go”: Double Olympic champ Kristen Faulkner on Paris, being an outsider, and the growth of women’s cycling + Rainbows, frites, and sunburn at the ... 55:21

27d ago55:21

55:21

Send us a text We’re deep into classics season, with Paris-Roubaix looming on the horizon, so this week’s episode of the road.cc Podcast pays homage to cycling’s biggest one-day events. In part two, double Olympic champion Kristen Faulkner joins us from her altitude training camp in Sierra Nevada, as she prepares for the upcoming Ardennes classics …

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Ep. 70: Conny Björnehall—Making Cycling Esports a Household Name 42:03

28d ago42:03

42:03

Sweden is setting the bar for national federations in cycling esports—and at the center of it all is Conny Björnehall, Chairman of Ecycling for the Swedish Cycling Federation. In this episode of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Conny shares how Sweden has quickly become a global force in the discipline, from sending eight riders to the 2024 UCI Cycling Es…

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“I’m impartial on everything – except my own safety”: Jeremy Vine on his cycling “radicalisation”, Twitter trolls, the “gaslighting of cyclists”, and why bad streets and bad drivers cause road danger 1:12:47

1M ago1:12:47

1:12:47

Send us a text It’s the road.cc Podcast’s 100th episode! And to celebrate our century, we’re joined this week by a staple of our news and live blog coverage: broadcaster, cyclist, road safety advocate, and self-confessed road.cc fanatic Jeremy Vine. During a brilliantly entertaining chat, Jeremy talks us through his conversion to cycling in his 40s…

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Ep. 69: Michael Vink—Full Circle From MyWhoosh to UAE Team Emirates and Back to Cycling Esports 53:31

1M ago53:31

53:31

In this episode of The Virtual Velo Podcast, co-hosts Emma Martin and Chris Schwenker welcome Michael Vink, a rider who’s made his mark on the WorldTour and the virtual world of cycling esports. After a successful stint with UAE Team Emirates, Michael’s journey to the pro ranks was anything but conventional—he broke into the pros racing on MyWhoosh…

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Is this the UK’s worst city for cycling? Riding around Belfast’s abysmal bike network (and why drivers should be cycling campaigners’ best friends) + Do cycling culture war stories harm the bike industry ... 1:02:15

2M ago1:02:15

1:02:15

Send us a text What is the worst, least hospitable city for cycling in the UK? While we’re sure you all have your own ‘favourite’ contenders for that particular accolade, in this week’s podcast episode – our 99th, if you haven’t noticed already – Ryan decides to settle the debate once and for all, by jumping on his bike (and pushing and walking it)…

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Ep. 68: Nutrition Coach and Influencer Kate MacLeod-Cycling Esports Performance Insights 51:13

2M ago51:13

51:13

In this episode of The Virtual Velo Podcast, co-hosts Emma Martin and Chris Schwenker welcome cyclist, nutrition coach, and influencer Kate MacLeod. With her diverse athletic background, spanning road cycling, gravel, and esports, Kate brings invaluable insights into the evolving world of cycling esports. Tune in as Kate shares her expertise on per…

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Ep. 67: Dean Cunningham-Championing Change in Cycling Esports 58:38

2M ago58:38

58:38

In this episode of The Virtual Velo Podcast, we sit down with Dean Cunningham, an elite cycling esports racer for Restart pb Alex Coh Coaching, event organizer, and outspoken leader in the community. Known for his no-nonsense approach and deep passion for the sport, Dean isn’t afraid to challenge the status quo. We dive into his cycling esports jou…

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“I was more stressed about Tom’s contract than my own!”: Tom Pidcock’s new teammate Rory Townsend on how “maverick” Olympic champ has lifted Q36.5 (and why you shouldn’t drink too much pickle juice) 1:02:37

3M ago1:02:37

1:02:37

Send us a text One of the cycling transfer stories of the winter – and possibly the decade – was Tom Pidcock’s decision to break his contract with the Ineos Grenadiers three years early to join Swiss second-tier ProTeam Q36.5 Pro Cycling. And, despite the messy, protracted saga that preceded the transfer, it’s fair to say the move has worked out pr…

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Ep. 66: Inside Cycling Canada’s Esports Strategy with Josh Peacock 37:17

3M ago37:17

37:17

Cycling esports is evolving fast, and national federations are working to define their role in the sport. In this episode of The Virtual Velo Podcast, we sit down with Josh Peacock, Cycling Canada’s Director of Marketing and Events, to explore how the federation navigates this dynamic space. We discuss Cycling Canada’s philosophy on virtual racing,…

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“A bike race is complete madness”: David Millar on why cycling is “inherently dangerous”, the demise of CHPT3, and his new Factor role + Is TNT set to destroy cycling in the UK? 54:09

3M ago54:09

54:09

Send us a text Since it was announced early last week, Warner Bros. Discovery’s controversial decision to ditch Eurosport in the UK and Ireland, after over three decades of quirky, wonderful broadcasting, and move all of its cycling coverage to the all-encompassing, £31-a-month TNT Sports (hiking the price up by 443 per cent in the process), has be…

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“Lance Armstrong didn’t invent doping. We all did the best we could”: Levi Leipheimer on coming to terms with cycling’s “grey” past, “making amends”, and why road racing in the US has to “adapt or die ... 1:03:38

3M ago1:03:38

1:03:38

Send us a text On this week’s episode we’re delving into the past, present, and future of American cycling, with none other than former Tour de France podium finisher and current gran fondo organiser, Levi Leipheimer. A former teammate of Lance Armstrong’s at US Postal, Astana, and RadioShack, Leipheimer was one of the leading American pros during …

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Ep. 65: The Team Behind the Success of Women’s Team—AEONIAN 41:09

3M ago41:09

41:09

How does a women’s cycling esports team grow from just five members to dominating at both the elite and community levels in a few short years while remaining true to the inclusive motto: We are stronger together? In episode 65 of The Virtual Velo Podcast, hosts Chris and Emma sit down with Karla Williams, co-founder of Aeonian Race Team, along with…

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Ep. 64: Bike Racer, Heart Surgery Survivor, and Advocate, Cody McKay 42:20

4M ago42:20

42:20

In Episode 64, a special episode of the Virtual Velo Podcast, we’re bringing you an inspiring conversation with Cody McKay, founder of Project Heart, and our very own Chris. Both are passionate cyclists with a unique perspective—overcoming life-altering cardiac challenges to return to and thrive in the endurance sport they love. Cody, a 33-year-old…

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Is the cycling industry storm finally over? Why there may be fewer “disaster stories” in 2025 + Where did Adrian Chiles’ e-bike doc go wrong? 1:10:11

4M ago1:10:11

1:10:11

Send us a text It’s time for the first road.cc Podcast episode of 2025, and we decided to kick off the new year by mixing things up and delving into unexplored territory for the podcast – by analysing the ongoing struggles facing the cycling industry and assessing where the BBC went wrong in their latest controversial active travel take. Oh wait… W…

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Ep. 63: CVR Cup and Smash Your Fitness Founder Frank Garcia 42:53

4M ago42:53

42:53

In Episode 63 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, a true pioneer in the cycling and tech worlds, Frank Garcia joins Emma and Chris. As the founder of Improvement Interactive, Frank has built custom business software for industry giants, but his influence extends far beyond that. In the world of virtual cycling, he’s a visionary—having competed in one of t…

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Ep. 62: Cycling Esports Superstar Gabi Guerra 1:05:19

4M ago1:05:19

1:05:19

In Episode 62 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Emma and Chris sit down with elite cycling esports superstar Gabi Guerra to uncover her journey from a humble upbringing in Brazil to competing on the global stage. Gabi shares how skateboarding first sparked her passion for elite sports and paved the way for her to champion women’s representation. We expl…

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“If you don’t want cycling on footpaths, support bike lanes and 20mph zones”: Town centre cycling bans and the fight against “cowboy” wardens + the year in cycling reviewed 1:20:46

5M ago1:20:46

1:20:46

Send us a text It’s the most wonderful time of the year… that’s right, it’s our annual podcast episode looking back over the biggest and most bizarre bike-related stories of 2024! Plus some less cheery but nonetheless important town centre cycling ban chat for good measure. In part one, Ryan, Jack, and Emily, paper party helmets firmly attached, di…

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Ep. 61: NeXT eSports pb Enshored Cycling Team President Greg Abbott 50:33

5M ago50:33

50:33

In Episode 61 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Emma and Chris welcome NeXT eSports pb Enshored cycling team president Greg Abbott. The results for Abbott and his team of elite global talent are undeniable—multiple Zwift elite team titles, several national esports champions, and numerous UCI Cycling Esports World Championship finalists with top-ten plac…

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“You need a billionaire to say ‘I’ll save the sport’. But that won’t happen”: Matt Holmes on why British cycling needs a reset and his journey from WorldTour pro to the “world’s most reluctant YouTuber ... 1:11:04

5M ago1:11:04

1:11:04

Send us a text With British cycling in turmoil this winter, following the closure of the country’s two remaining UCI Continental teams, this week’s episode of the road.cc Podcast features one rider who’s forging an alternative path through the struggling domestic scene – former Lotto-Soudal pro Matt Holmes. After hanging up his wheels at the end of…

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Ep. 60: Zwift Pauses Elite Racing—Community Weighs In On Smart Trainer Issues 1:03:05

5M ago1:03:05

1:03:05

In Episode 60 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Chris welcomes cycling journalist Aaron Borrill, an elite racer who has competed in multiple UCI Cycling Esports World Championships. Aaron discusses his role as Captain of the South African Esports National Team, the innovative ways Cycling South Africa supports cycling esports, and how their approach cou…

1
“A lot of it was caused by greed”: Factor’s CEO on navigating bike industry chaos, Chris Froome’s set-up complaints, trickle-down track tech, and why rim brakes are never coming back + Scott unveil new ... 1:07:17

5M ago1:07:17

1:07:17

Send us a text We’ve got a cycling industry and bike tech special for you this week on the podcast, as Factor CEO Rob Gitelis joins us to discuss the brand’s history and the latest cutting-edge tech, before we take a closer (audio) inspection of the brand-new Scott Addict RC. In part one, Rob joins us from sunny Girona to chat about his journey fro…

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“The idea is to create a positive out of a negative”: Cancer My Arse’s Kev Griffiths on living with stage four cancer, Sir Chris Hoy, and why he’s encouraging everyone to ride out of the saddle for charity ... 1:11:37

6M ago1:11:37

1:11:37

Send us a text Like Sir Chris Hoy, who last month revealed that he has terminal prostate cancer, Kevin Griffiths is determined to turn his own experience of living with stage four cancer into a positive. The Stoke-based cyclist, who hails from two of Britain’s most revered cycling families, launched the Cancer My Arse initiative this year after dis…

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Ep. 59: Eric Hill Announces 2024/25 Echelon Racing League & USA Cycling Esports Nationals 29:53

6M ago29:53

29:53

In Episode 59 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Chris and Emma welcome Eric Hill, founder of Project Echelon Racing and Echelon Racing Promotions. Eric has been a visionary in blending traditional cycling with virtual racing, supporting the sport and the veteran community through his groundbreaking initiatives. In this episode, we’ll dive into Project E…

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Ep. 58: Training Peaks’ Dirk Friel and indieVelo’s Dr. George Gilbert on Formation of Training Peaks Virtual 47:31

6M ago47:31

47:31

In Episode 58 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Chris and Emma welcome Dirk Friel, co-founder and Chief Evangelist of Training Peaks, and Dr. George Gilbert, the creator of indieVelo, to discuss their newly formed partnership and the launch of Training Peaks Virtual. The collaboration combines indieVelo’s innovative approach to virtual cycling and espor…

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Ep. 57: 2024 Women's UCI Cycling Esports World Champion, New Zealand's Kate McCarthy 44:18

6M ago44:18

44:18

In Episode 57 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Chris and Emma sit down with cycling esports’ new women’s World Champion, New Zealand's Kate McCarthy, for her first interview since her thrilling victory in the live finals in Abu Dhabi. McCarthy, the only community racer to conquer the elite esports stage, opens up about the emotional rollercoaster leadi…

1
“The Tour is the only race that matters. And that’s gone now”: Ned Boulting on the end of free-to-air Tour de France coverage in the UK and why his new show is a piece of theatre 46:14

6M ago46:14

46:14

Send us a text From 2026, the familiar sights of the Tour de France – the epic mountain ranges, fields of sunflowers, Tadej Pogačar riding off into the distance – will remain the same. But for many cycling fans in the UK, the sounds will be very different. Next year’s Tour, the 25th edition of the race to be shown live on ITV, will also be the fina…

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Ep. 56: On the Eve of the Cycling Esports World Championships with UCI’s Jacob Fraser and MyWhoosh’s Matt Smithson 43:10

7M ago43:10

43:10

In episode 56 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, host Chris catches up with Jacob Fraser from the UCI and Matt Smithson from MyWhoosh in Abu Dhabi as they gear up for the groundbreaking 2024 UCI Cycling Esports live event final. Set against the stunning backdrop of Abu Dhabi, this episode is essential listening for any cycling esports fan or enthusiast a…

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Are the cycling culture wars back? And did they ever go away? Plus: What’s next for Tom Pidcock after dramatic Ineos Grenadiers fallout? 1:02:51

7M ago1:02:51

1:02:51

Send us a text When it comes to culture war discourse around cycling, things had become a bit quiet lately. Too quiet. After a brief period of respite following a general election campaign which saw cycling and active travel largely sacrificed on the so-called ‘War on the Motorist’ altar, the political and ideological conflict surrounding riding a …

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Ep. 55: Cycling Esports’ First Men’s World Champion Jason Osborne 33:41

7M ago33:41

33:41

In Episode 55 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Chris and Emma have a candid conversation with Olympic medalist rower turned WorldTour Pro Jason Osborne. In a heartfelt conversation, Osborne reveals that he’s happier now that he stepped away from Alpecin Deceuninck, free of the burdens of being enslaved by a joyless sport that is no longer worth the ris…

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Ep. 54: UCI's Cycling Esports Coordinator Jacob Fraser 56:25

7M ago56:25

56:25

In Episode 54 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Chris and Emma sit down with Jacob Fraser, the UCI's Cycling Esports Coordinator. Fraser's journey from early involvement in cycling esports with platforms like Zwift and MyWhoosh to his current role with the UCI showcases his impact on the sport's rapid evolution. His insights shed light on the UCI's comm…

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Ep. 53: Danish Cycling Union’s Esports Director Martin Wang Hjørngaard 32:35

7M ago32:35

32:35

In Episode 53 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Chris and Emma welcome the Danish Cycling Union’s Esports Director Martin Wang Hjørngaard. Denmark is the home of the defending men’s cycling esports World Champion, Bjørn Andreassen, and the second most medals in Cycling Esports World Championship history. The nation’s perennial success is no coincidence.…

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Is Tadej Pogačar the greatest cyclist who’s ever lived? Plus we ask: What the hell’s going on with cycling media in 2024? 1:21:42

7M ago1:21:42

1:21:42

Send us a text Over the past five decades, countless promising young riders have been bestowed and burdened with the tag of being the ‘Next Eddy Merckx’. After an unbeatable 2024, Tadej Pogačar is the first to look even remotely close to matching, or even surpassing, Merckx’s until-now untouchable legacy. Which is why, since that 100km attack in Zu…

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Ep. 52: Cycling Esports Superstar Lou Bates 34:01

7M ago34:01

34:01

In Episode 52 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Chris and Emma welcome Great Britain’s cycling esports superstar, Lou Bates. From a bustling corner of her Zurich hotel lobby, Emma found a coveted Wi-Fi signal and a short window of time. She’s there putting words to the action, calling numerous 2024 Road and Para-Cycling World Champions for the BBC. [Ple…

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Ep. 51: Hayden "Farmwatts" Pucker is the New Breed of Cycling Esports 27:12

8M ago27:12

27:12

In Episode 51 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Chris and guest host, cycling broadcaster Matt Payne, welcome 2024 UCI Cycling Esports World Championship finalist, the USA's Hayden "Farmwatts" Pucker. He epitomizes the new breed of cycling esports racers making a mark on the sport through their youthful exuberance, competitive charisma, and drive to be …

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20 years of Rapha: Co-founder Simon Mottram on tiffs with Team Sky, MAMILs and cycling's skin-suited future 1:18:05

8M ago1:18:05

1:18:05

Send us a text We're coming at you with episode 87 of the road.cc Podcast in association with Hammerhead a whole week early, because... well, Rapha's 'Past Forward' 20-year anniversary bash at the Truman Brewery in London finishes on Sunday 22nd, and going live next week would mean numerous continuity errors in our interview! Anyway... as well as t…

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Ultimate Strava KOM hunting: The painstaking prep that went into bagging THAT Box Hill KOM (plus bonus climbing tips!) 1:15:00

8M ago1:15:00

1:15:00

Send us a text Like the British cycling world for a brief period earlier this month, episode 86 of the road.cc Podcast has gone Box Hill crazy. We sat down with Dom Jackson and Tobias Dahlhaus of the London-based team Foran Cycling – two of the figures behind arguably one of the most ambitious (and successful) Strava KOM/QOM attempts of all time – …

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Ep. 50: MyWhoosh's Matt Smithson, 2024 Cycling Esports World Championship Semi-Final Recap & Live Final Preview 52:01

8M ago52:01

52:01

In Episode 50 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Chris and Emma welcome Matt Smithson, MyWhoosh's Senior Director of Esports and Events. Before getting Matt's prediction for who will pull the rainbow-striped jersey over their heads, he shares MyWhoosh's unlikely journey to the 2024 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships Semi-Final, which took place on S…

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“I’ve rediscovered my love of cycling”: David Millar and James Carnes of CHPT3 on appealing to every cyclist and designing a commuter shoe you can wear with a suit… and down a Swiss mountain 1:01:05

8M ago1:01:05

1:01:05

Send us a text If you’re a fan of nerdy technical chat about shoe design and the joy of riding a bike through town in a suit with a multiple grand tour stage winner, then you’re in for a treat on this special bonus episode of the road.cc Podcast. Because, to mark the launch this week of the CHPT3’s Transit 2.0, we sat down with the brains behind th…

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Ep. 49: Mt. Washington Record Holder & Cycling Esports Star Kristen Kulchinsky w/Coach Josh Lipka 49:51

8M ago49:51

49:51

In Episode 49 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Chris and Emma welcome Virginia's Blue Ridge TWENTY24's Kristen Kulchinsky and Coach Josh Lipka. The reigning US National Cycling Esports Champion is on a barnstorming campaign in her first year as a real world cyclist, crushing the course record on every hill climb she entered, including an epic victory a…

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“The Tour de France needs to do a proper security review”: Academic behind Shimano electronic gears hacking study on why “it’s hard to tell” if wireless doping has taken place in pro cycling – and why ... 39:46

9M ago39:46

39:46

Send us a text For episode 84 of the road.cc Podcast, we took a deep dive into one of the more curious, and headline grabbing, cycling tech studies of recent years – which discovered that your bike’s electronic shifters may be susceptible to hackers, who could even be lurking at the Vuelta a España, waiting to sabotage Primož Roglič’s next move to …

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Ep. 48: AthleteAnalytiX Founder Bjoern Ossenbrink 36:40

9M ago36:40

36:40

In Episode 48 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Chris and Emma discuss the Zwift Community Elite 2024/25 season performance verification process changes with AthleteAnalytiX founder Bjoern Ossenbrink. Bjoern is a pioneer in the space. Beginning as a Zwift beta-tester, he progressed from community racer to leading ZADA, the Zwift Accuracy and Data Analys…

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Can 50% of Brits really not afford to buy a bike? Cycling and affordability discussed, plus how to make a new bike computer with Hammerhead 54:27

9M ago54:27

54:27

Send us a text For episode 83 of the road.cc Podcast, we decided to don our analytical hats and delve into a recent survey which claimed that 49 per cent of British people do not believe they can afford to buy a bike, and that around a quarter reckon it would take around six months to save up for one. Are bikes, and the accessories commonly associa…

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Ep. 47: Elyse Gallegos is 100% All In For Cycling Esports 38:49

9M ago38:49

38:49

In Episode 47 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Chris and Emma welcome elite esports cyclist Elyse Gallegos. The IRONMAN champion and mother to two young boys is proud to represent the USA in the semi-finals of the 2024 UCI Cycling Esports World Championship. Elyse shares her experience balancing family priorities while striving for personal athletic go…

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Was the 2024 Tour de France a bit rubbish? Pogačar’s ghostbusting climbs, podcast poltergeists, and Cav’s Vino problem 46:46

10M ago46:46

46:46

Send us a text It's episode 82 of the road.cc Podcast sponsored by Hammerhead, a certain big old race across France has ended for another year, and so it's only right that we do a full debrief of Tour de France 2024! What was good and what was not so good about this year's Tour, what have we learnt, and how would we make the 2025 edition even bette…

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Ep. 46: FRR’s Richard Vale on the Groundbreaking MYTIKAS Games & Cycling Esports News Update 47:37

10M ago47:37

47:37

In Episode 46 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Flamme Rouge Racing’s Richard Vale discusses the groundbreaking multi-platform MYTIKAS Games and, along with hosts Chris and Emma, explores the essential cycling esports news that all racers and fans need to know! The MYTIKAS games are the first cycling esports event to unfold across multiple platforms, fe…

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Mark Cavendish makes history, Dylan Groenewegen’s bizarre (and stage-winning) aero beak, and the weirdest things we’ve ever seen at the Tour de France 1:00:59

10M ago1:00:59

1:00:59

Send us a text We’re almost a week into the 2024 Tour de France, so to celebrate – and inspired by Dylan Groenewegen’s peculiar, Batman-inspired aero beak – in the latest episode of the road.cc Podcast, we decided to unbuckle the Grande Boucle and focus on the strangest, daftest, and most crazy things, both on and off the bike, that we’ve witnessed…

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Ep. 45: The Research Team Leading the UCI's Smart Trainer Standardization Program 48:57

10M ago48:57

48:57

In Episode 45 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, hosts Chris and Emma catch up with the Purdue University College of Engineering team of Prof. Jan-Anders Mansson and researchers Patrick Cavanaugh and Teal Dowd, who are leading the UCI's smart trainer homologation and data manipulation program. The group is currently in Lucerne, Switzerland, preparing to …

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