The Cycling Podcast

The first regular episode of the year is traditionally our excuse to indulge in some rare speculation ahead of the coming season – and Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie are back to uphold the time-honoured ritual here. In addition to our hosts’ often leftfield prognostications, we hear what our international carousel of regular contributors is expecting from the next few months. Which one of our regular guests, for example, reckons that Primož Roglič won’t win a single race in 2026? Who reckons that Jonas Vingegaard will complete the Grand Tour Grand Slam before Tadej Pogačar? And what on earth is a Noni fruit – and what ‘juice’, exactly, does Daniel have on their miraculous ability to boost performance? All of this and more will be revealed! EPISODE SPONSORSBabbelLearn a language the fun, easy way with intuitive 15-minute lessons you can do when you want. Choose from 14 languages including Spanish, French, Italian and German. Listeners can get up to 60% off for a limited time only at babbel.com/cycleBikmoThis episode of The Cycling Podcast is brought to you by Bikmo cycle insurance – because let's face it, things happen. Whether it's a crash landing, the heartbreak of a stolen bike, or the ultimate facepalm moment of reversing over your prized aero wheel, Bikmo has you covered. Flexible policies that you can cancel anytime, 50% off extra bikes in your household, protection for your kit, race entries, and even damage while travelling to your next epic ride – they've thought of it all. Protect your ride before it's too late – head to Bikmo.com to get covered.NordVPNGet NordVPN two-year plan + four months extra ➼ https://nordvpn.com/tcp It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee.Follow us on social media:Twitter @cycling_podcastInstagram @thecyclingpodcastFriends of the PodcastSign up as a Friend of the Podcast at thecyclingpodcast.com to listen to new special episodes every month plus a back catalogue of more than 300 exclusive episodes.The 11.01 CappuccinoOur regular email newsletter is now on Substack. Subscribe here for frothy, full-fat updates to enjoy any time (as long as it’s after 11am).The Cannibal & BadgerFriends of the Podcast can join the discussion at our new virtual pub, The Cannibal & Badger. A friendly forum to talk about cycling and the podcast. Log in to your Friends of the Podcast account to join in.The Cycling Podcast is on StravaThe Cycling Podcast was founded in 2013 by Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie.

This episode is KM0 is free for everyone to listen to thanks to the support and generosity of our Friends of the Podcast subscribers. You can get an annual subscription at thecyclingpodcast.com which will give you access to an archive of more than 330 special episodes released since 2015. The final stage of the 2025 Lloyds Tour of Britain marked the end of an era for British cycling. It was the final road race of Geraint Thomas's long career, taking the Welshman on roads he has ridden since he discovered cycling as a child. The stage began at the velodrome in Newport that has been named after him and finished in his home city of Cardiff. On the run-in to the line, the peloton passed the outdoor velodrome at Maindy where Geraint's journey began. From riding laps of the track as a youngster he went on to win world and Olympic titles and the 2018 Tour de France. At the start of the year, Lionel Birnie took a trip to Cardiff to meet the people who founded and built the Maindy Flyers, a club created specifically for children and teenagers to learn how to ride and race. When the club was founded, 30 years ago, there were very few clubs in the UK that truly welcomed children. In a way, the Maindy Flyers ruffled feathers and showed what was possible if young talent was encouraged and nurtured.

In this episode of The Cycling Podcast, we continue to round up the biggest stories from the ‘Costa crawl’ of pre-season training camps, with our spotlight this week falling on Lidl-Trek and their new star signing Juan Ayuso.  Before Dani Arribas reports back from Ayuso’s curious ‘welcome’ press conference in Spain, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie give their impressions on the newly unveiled 2026 Vuelta a España route. On paper it may be the hardest Grand Tour in recent memory. But will that make for exciting racing on the road?   The second and third parts of the episode feature exclusive interviews with Ayuso and also one of the men charged with coaxing the best out of him in his new team: Lidl-Trek’s Head of Performance, Josu Larrazabal.  Follow us on social media: Twitter @cycling_podcast Instagram @thecyclingpodcast Friends of the Podcast Sign up as a Friend of the Podcast at thecyclingpodcast.com to listen to new special episodes every month plus a back catalogue of more than 300 exclusive episodes. The 11.01 Cappuccino Our regular email newsletter is now on Substack. Subscribe here for frothy, full-fat updates to enjoy any time (as long as it’s after 11am). The Cannibal & Badger Friends of the Podcast can join the discussion at our new virtual pub, The Cannibal & Badger. A friendly forum to talk about cycling and the podcast. Log in to your Friends of the Podcast account to join in. The Cycling Podcast is on Strava The Cycling Podcast was founded in 2013 by Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie.

You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout… would all be worthy advice for our co-hosts on this episode of The Cycling Podcast Féminin. Yes, quizmaster Rose Manley, defending champion Rebecca Charlton and perennial quiz loser Denny Gray are back for another humdinger of a quiz. Join in as they take on such rounds as Blankety Bonk, the Sound Round and the now infamous Cryptic Criterium. No genuine cycling knowledge required but an enjoyment of puns is advisable. Before all the ugly competitiveness sets in, the team look back at some of their top racing moments of 2025. Tantalising rivalries, career-changing breakthroughs and some French flair all make the list. And we hear from a few familiar friends to find out their top picks from the season too. And of course no Christmas is complete without a little homespun festive music and some Cycling Podcast themed gifting. Keep listening right to the end for a very special exclusive treat from Paul Carella, the musician extraordinaire who also happens to be Rebecca Charlton’s partner. Also on the agenda, Greek rising star Flyinthesoupis, more allegations of quiz fixing and could that be the sound of Rebecca really enjoying Nienke Vinke’s white jersey win? Follow us on social media: Twitter @cycling_podcast Instagram @thecyclingpodcast Friends of the Podcast Sign up as a Friend of the Podcast at thecyclingpodcast.com to listen to new special episodes every month plus a back catalogue of more than 300 exclusive episodes. The 11.01 Cappuccino Our regular email newsletter is now on Substack. Subscribe here for frothy, full-fat updates to enjoy any time (as long as it’s after 11am). The Cannibal & Badger Friends of the Podcast can join the discussion at our new virtual pub, The Cannibal & Badger. A friendly forum to talk about cycling and the podcast. Log in to your Friends of the Podcast account to join in. The Cycling Podcast is on Strava The Cycling Podcast was founded in 2013 by Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie.

In this week’s episode of The Cycling Podcast, Daniel Friebe is joined by fellow journalist Dani Arribas for a special bulletin from UAE Team Emirates’ December training camp. Before hearing Tadej Pogačar reveal his 2026 race programme in Benidorm, we find out more about a revamped and renamed team born in Barcelona, NSN Cycling Team. Their manager, Kjell Callström answers Daniel’s questions about their controversial old owner, Sylvan Adams, and his successors.  Pogačar’s great unveiling told us that he will target Paris-Roubaix first and the Tour de France second, in that order of chronology and importance. We hear from the SlovAlien himself, his coaches and one team-mate, Florian Vermeersch, who opens up about the famous leader who fascinates him maybe as much as his superstar team-mate.  Artwork photo: ©️ Fizza/UAE Team Emirates-XRG  Follow us on social media: Twitter @cycling_podcast Instagram @thecyclingpodcast Friends of the Podcast Sign up as a Friend of the Podcast at thecyclingpodcast.com to listen to new special episodes every month plus a back catalogue of more than 300 exclusive episodes. The 11.01 Cappuccino Our regular email newsletter is now on Substack. Subscribe here for frothy, full-fat updates to enjoy any time (as long as it’s after 11am). The Cannibal & Badger Friends of the Podcast can join the discussion at our new virtual pub, The Cannibal & Badger. A friendly forum to talk about cycling and the podcast. Log in to your Friends of the Podcast account to join in. The Cycling Podcast is on Strava The Cycling Podcast was founded in 2013 by Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie.