Claim OwnershipBeyond the Peloton Podcast
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© Spencer Martin
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Cycling writer Spencer Martin breaks down the why and how of the professional cycling race. Subscribe to learn what happened, how it happened, and why it happened in an attempt to glean a deeper understanding of the sport.
beyondthepeloton.substack.com
beyondthepeloton.substack.com
93 Episodes
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Spencer Martin and co-host Andrew Vontz are joined by Riding With’s Jonathan Kaplan to break down their annual end-of-year challenge, the Abandon Your Family 500, where they ride 500 kilometers before Christmas Day. BTP Newsletter: UAE’s Performance Duo Jeroen Swart & Javier Sola on the Training Philosophy Behind Their Team’s SuccessAndrew’s Choose the Hard Way NewsletterFollow Spencer & Andrew on Strava (and comment on a recent ride) to join the challenge This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beyondthepeloton.substack.com/subscribe
In this bonus minisode, Tadej Pogačar speaks in front of the gathered press at UAE Team Emirates' media day in Benidorm, Spain, during his UAE team’s training camp. The featured audio includes Pogačar’s press conference, where he outlines his early-season plans and reveals key details of his upcoming schedule, his priorities for the year ahead, what’s motivating him right now, and how he’s approaching the next phase of his career.*This audio was captured in live press conference, so please excuse the lower quality relative to other episodes This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beyondthepeloton.substack.com/subscribe
Spencer Martin and co-host Andrew Vontz check in from the epicenter of pre-season training camps, Spain’s Costa Blanca, where the stars are preparing for their 2026 campaigns, releasing their race schedules, and the transfer rumors are flying. They discuss Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe’s decision to have Remco Evenepoel target the GC at the 2026 Tour de France, Lidl-Trek leaving Jonathan Milan off their Tour roster, and where in the world Oscar Onley will race next season.This episode is brought to you by Join Cycling. Get your first month free through this linkSeason in Review Part 5: Just How Far is Tadej Pogačar From Matching Eddy Merckx?Andrew’s Choose the Hard Way NewsletterFollow Spencer & Andrew on Strava to join the challengeImportant note: To access all posts, including the members-only off-season chat rooms, you must be a paying BTP subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beyondthepeloton.substack.com/subscribe
After announcing and outlining their Abandon Your Family 500 challenge, Spencer Martin and co-host Andrew Vontz discuss how the recently revealed Giro d’Italia route could lure top stars to the race, debate who will win in a potential matchup between Isaac del Toro, Remco Evenepoel, and Jonas Vingegaard, and go through the recently-released 2026 Lifetime Grand Prix schedule. This episode is brought to you by Join Cycling. Get your first month free through this linkSeason in Review Part 5: Just How Far is Tadej Pogačar From Matching Eddy Merckx?Andrew’s Choose the Hard Way NewsletterFollow Spencer & Andrew on Strava to join the challengeImportant note: To access all posts, including the members-only off-season chat rooms, you must be a paying BTP subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beyondthepeloton.substack.com/subscribe
Spencer Martin and co-host Andrew Vontz sat down with Tucson local/American GC star Matthew Riccitello live at the El Tour de Tucson to discuss his breakout ride at the Vuelta a España, his development from aspiring NBA star, to novice cyclist, to finishing 5th place overall at the Vuelta in just a few years, his decision to leave Israel Premier-Tech for the French superteam Decathlon-CMA CGM for 2026, and how he sees his career developing in the near future.This episode is brought to you by Join Cycling. Get your first month free through this linkBeyond the Peloton Newsletter: Season in Review #4: Most Improved & Regressed Stars of 2025Andrew’s Choose the Hard Way NewsletterImportant note: To access all posts, including the members-only off-season chat rooms, you must be a paying BTP subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beyondthepeloton.substack.com/subscribe
Spencer Martin and co-host Andrew Vontz report back on their experience racing at the El Tour de Tucson, which saw them race 102 miles at a scorching pace alongside George Hincapie, Sir Bradley Wiggins, Quinn Simmons, and 11,000 of their closest friends. Before they wrap, they have Steve Morganstern, board chairman for Perimeter Bicycling of America, including El Tour de Tucson, on to discuss the event and its charitable goals.This episode is brought to you by Join Cycling. Get your first month free through this linkBeyond the Peloton Newsletter: Season in Review Part 3: Who Were 2025’s Top Riders?Andrew’s Choose the Hard Way NewsletterImportant note: To access all posts, including the members-only off-season chat rooms, you must be a paying BTP subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beyondthepeloton.substack.com/subscribe
In the latest episode of the Beyond the Peloton podcast, BTP newsletter author Spencer Martin and co-host Andrew Vontz check in from London’s Rouleur Live event, discuss their recent travel drama and the unfolding drama around the IPT team, and the rumor that their former sponsor, Premier Tech, is looking to partner with Mathieu van der Poel and his Alpecin team in 2026. This episode is brought to you by Join Cycling. Get your first month free through this linkBeyond the Peloton Newsletter: Season in Review Part 3: Who Were 2025’s Top Riders?Andrew’s Choose the Hard Way NewsletterImportant note: To access all posts, including the members-only off-season chat rooms, you must be a paying BTP subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beyondthepeloton.substack.com/subscribe
In the latest episode of the Beyond the Peloton podcast, BTP newsletter author Spencer Martin and co-host Andrew Vontz discuss Los Angeles’ rise as a global hub for off-season pro-cycling training, why Premier Tech’s sudden and shocking departure from the IPT team is happening, and what it signals about the future of the sport. They also break down what top gravel stars might be earning, why that makes it difficult for them to attempt a jump to high-level road racing, Visma’s commitment to quality coffee while on the road, and how private jet travel could be a simple solution to the travel headaches caused by the government shutdown.This episode is brought to you by Join Cycling. Get your first month free through this linkBeyond the Peloton Newsletter: Season in Review Part 2: Four Key Team Metrics From 2025Andrew’s Choose the Hard Way NewsletterImportant note: To access all posts, including the members-only off-season chat rooms, you must be a paying BTP subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beyondthepeloton.substack.com/subscribe
In the latest episode of the Beyond the Peloton podcast, BTP newsletter author Spencer Martin and Andrew Vontz are joined by Benji Naesen of the Lanterne Rouge Cycling Podcast to dive deep into his favorite and least favorite things about the 2025 season, as well as how Benji would devise a strategy to compete against dominant riders like Tadej Pogacar, reflections on the greatest eras in cycling, and why Milan-Sanremo is now the sport's best race.This episode is brought to you by Join Cycling. Get your first month free through this linkBeyond the Peloton Newsletter: 2025 Season in Review Part 1: Deciphering the UCI Promotion/Relegation RankingsAndrew’s Choose the Hard Way Newsletter This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beyondthepeloton.substack.com/subscribe
In the latest episode of the Beyond the Peloton podcast, BTP newsletter author Spencer Martin and Andrew Vontz break down the LTGP’s season finale at the weather-shortened Big Sugar event, including what the future holds for Cinderella series winner Cam Jones and the evolving landscape of gravel racing. They also dive into a few key details of the 2026 Tour de France route, how the NBA’s recent mafia-driven gambling scandal could affect cycling, the thinking behind the new extremely short cycling off-seasons, and much, much more.This episode is brought to you by Join Cycling. Get your first month free through this linkBeyond the Peloton Newsletter: 2026 Tour de France Route BreakdownAndrew’s Choose the Hard Way Newsletter This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beyondthepeloton.substack.com/subscribe
In the latest episode of the Beyond the Peloton podcast, BTP newsletter author Spencer Martin and Andrew Vontz dive into the wild mix of late-season gravel and road racing—from the Scratch Labs Café bike rack scene in North Boulder to Cam Jones shaking up Little Sugar, to how Isaac del Toro is reshaping UAE’s hierarchy alongside Tadej Pogačar. They debate whether teams are truly getting value after paying massive sums for top stars, unpack Mattias Skjelmose’s frustrations with Juan Ayuso’s arrival at Lidl-Trek, and consider whether pro cycling’s calendar needs a complete reset. Along the way, they share their vision for what the sport could look like, rather than the current disorganized mess.This episode is brought to you by Join Cycling. Get your first month free through this linkBeyond the Peloton Newsletter: In-Depth Il Lombardia BreakdownAndrew’s Choose the Hard Way Newsletter This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beyondthepeloton.substack.com/subscribe
In the latest episode of the Beyond the Peloton podcast, Andrew Vontz and BTP newsletter author Spencer Martin break down what Tadej Pogačar’s presumed dominance in the season finale means, explore what other riders could do to stop him, and marvel at Tom Pidcock’s private jet dash from the finish line of Lombardia on Saturday to the start of Gravel Worlds on Sunday. They also dive into the unfolding legal drama between Derek Gee and his IPT team, and Andrew unpacks the brewing dispute between Garmin and Strava.Beyond the Peloton Newsletter: In-Depth European Championships BreakdownAndrew’s Choose the Hard Way Newsletter This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beyondthepeloton.substack.com/subscribe
In our latest episode of the Beyond the Peloton podcast, Andrew Vontz and I discuss a few major takeaways from Tadej Pogačar’s dominant World Championship win in Kigali, Rwanda, including the staggering watt numbers behind his solo attack, and the cracks apparent in Remco Evenepoel’s armor after his costly mid-race bike swaps. We discuss whether rising stars like 21-year-old Isaac Del Toro and 18-year-old Paul Seixas are already knocking on Pogačar’s door, preview this weekend’s European Championships showdown between Pogačar, Evenepoel, and Jonas Vingegaard, dig into transfer news with Uijtdebroeks and Carapaz, as well as Mathieu Van der Poel’s interesting appearance on an LA group ride.Beyond the Peloton Newsletter: In-Depth World Championships BreakdownAndrew’s Choose the Hard Way Newsletter This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beyondthepeloton.substack.com/subscribe
Spencer Martin and Andrew Vontz preview this weekend’s World Championship road race in Kigali, Rwanda, going through the expected duel between Tadej Pogačar and Remco Evenepoel, and wondering if any darkhorses could upset the favorites at the high-altitude clash of the titans. They also discuss where Evenepoel’s dominant time trial championship puts him amongst the all-time greats against the clock, and debate if it affects his future viability as a GC contender. Beyond the Peloton Newsletter: In-Depth Vuelta DebriefAndrew’s Choose the Hard Way Newsletter This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beyondthepeloton.substack.com/subscribe
Spencer Martin and Andrew Vontz get through a quiet week in bike racing by catching up, and revealing that the long-awaited BTP luxury experience camp may be coming to existence, before wondering if the grass-based LTGP Chequamegon MTB race will ring in an era of grass-only racing, how Remco Evenepoel will fare on the difficult Rwandan time trial course against Tadej Pogačar, and much, much more.Beyond the Peloton Newsletter: In-Depth Vuelta DebriefAndrew’s Choose the Hard Way Newsletter This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beyondthepeloton.substack.com/subscribe
Spencer Martin and Andrew Vontz break down the final week of the 2025 Vuelta a España, going through the extremely tight GC battle between UAE’s João Almeida and Visma-Lease a Bike’s Jonas Vingegaard, discussing why UAE seems to struggle with matching Visma’s level of professionalism and coordination, Tom Pidcock’s impressive and unexpected ride, and what Giulio Pellizzari’s rise and Jai Hindley’s resurgence mean for Remco Evenepoel’s status at Red Bull-bora-Hansgrohe.Beyond the Peloton Newsletter: Daily Vuelta Stage BreakdownsAndrew’s Choose the Hard Way Newsletter This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beyondthepeloton.substack.com/subscribe
Spencer Martin and Andrew Vontz break down the second week of the 2025 Vuelta a España, mainly the GC battle that played out between UAE’s João Almeida and Visma-Lease a Bike’s Jonas Vingegaard on the hardest climb in pro cycling, Alto de l'Angliru, and if Almeida can realistically challenge Vingegaard for the overall win. They also discuss the continuing chaos at the UAE and how Juan Ayuso would fit in at his likely new destination of Lidl-Trek.Beyond the Peloton Newsletter: Daily Vuelta Stage BreakdownsAndrew’s Choose the Hard Way Newsletter This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beyondthepeloton.substack.com/subscribe
Spencer Martin and Andrew Vontz break down the opening week of the 2025 Vuelta a España, highlighting a few standout moments from the race so far before discussing how the GC battle between UAE’s João Almeida and Visma-Lease a Bike’s Jonas Vingegaard is, or isn’t, shaping up as they expected. They also debate the reasons for Juan Ayuso's up-and-down performances and whether there is any truth to the rumors of his imminent departure from the crowded GC leadership lineup at UAE. Beyond the Peloton Newsletter: Daily Vuelta Stage BreakdownsAndrew’s Choose the Hard Way Newsletter This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beyondthepeloton.substack.com/subscribe
Spencer Martin and Andrew Vontz invite Riding With’s Jonathan Kaplan to preview the 2025 Vuelta a España, including whether the race is a must-win endeavor for Visma and Jonas Vingegaard after a disappointing Tour de France, if UAE’s wave of young prospects can finally emerge as Grand Tour winners, and how the stage win battles between Mads Pedersen and Jasper Philipsen could play out.Beyond the Peloton Newsletter: Tour de France 2025 Final BreakdownAndrew’s Choose the Hard Way NewsletterJonathan’s Riding With Newsletter This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beyondthepeloton.substack.com/subscribe
Spencer Martin and Andrew Vontz give their final thoughts on the 2025 Tour de France, including whether the race marked the rise of the aero bike and the death of the lightweight climbing bike, before diving into Remco Evenepoel’s blockbuster transfer to RedBull-Bora-hansgrohe and what it means for the team’s chemistry in the upcoming season.Beyond the Peloton Newsletter: Tour de France 2025 Final BreakdownAndrew’s Choose the Hard Way Newsletter This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beyondthepeloton.substack.com/subscribe
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