Wheel Talk

Abby, Gracie and Loren have a lot to say this week about Sanremo Women. They dive into the tactics, how the race could have been won, and if it really needs to be longer. After, they look ahead to the two races on tap this week; Classic Brugge-De Panne and Gent Wevelgem. A full preview for those can be found in this week's Wheel Talk Newsletter.For more on Sanremo Women check out Matt's piece on EscapeCollective.com

03-25

01:05:02

This week the team gets together to discuss Trofeo Alfredo Binda. Almost all the best riders in the sport showed up to race in Cittiglio, but a flurry of attacks couldn't stop a top quick woman from taking the day. The race hinted at what's to come next weekend at Sanremo Women, the first for the women's peloton in 20 years.

03-18

01:11:05

This week Abby, Gracie, Loren and Georgie break down Strade Bianche. From FDJ-Suez's dream day to the conditions that took most of the peloton out of contention to the battle we've all been waiting for continues to heat up, there's a lot to say as the WorldTour season continues. Coming up next: Trofeo Alfredo Binda.Bonus! Gretchen Powers checks in from the Cross Country skiing World Championships in Trondheim, Norway.

03-11

01:08:24

The peloton opened up Classics season with Omloop Het Nieuwsblad on Saturday and Omloop van het Hageland on Sunday, but the opening race left many pondering the new dynamics of the peloton, and how much impact offseason transfers (both in the peloton and in the cars) had on the race tactics.Then, on Sunday, Anna van der Breggen had us feeling like we'd hopped in a time machine. With Strade Bianche up next, the question is how much impact will Omloop Het Nieuwsblad have on the season, and can teams get their **** together before the next WorldTour one day?

03-04

54:34

This week on the Wheel Talk Podcast, we assemble an A+ list of personalities to partake in the second edition of the Wheel Talk Draft. Prepare to yell into the sky when your favourite riders get picked, or don't, and let ten months of smack talk begin.

02-25

48:25

This week the team looks to Valenciana. A small race in Spain? No chance. Anna van der Breggen is back, and with a vengeance. Could Demi Vollering’s top step be in danger this season? The crew discuss what Van der Breggen's form shows, how a happy head leads to a fast Marlen Reusser, and how Trek finally opened their account with Elisa Balsamo taking two stages. With the best time of the year (the Classics) just a few weeks away, we also breakdown the start list for the Omloop Het Niewsblad and tag our riders to watch for the cobbled block of racing.

02-18

01:07:51

This week, the team takes you through the four stages at the Women’s UAE Tour. We discuss a world class sprinter continuing her streak, unmatched race craft from a legend of the peloton, and underwhelming performances from those we’d expect to finish higher on the results sheet. What does this race signify for the season? Join the Wheel Talk crew as we break it all down.Obsessions: Loren - Super Bowl ads, Gracie - We Are the Stars by Gina Chick, Georgie - the Imperfects and the Minefield podcasts.

02-11

01:08:08

For the week between Tour Down Under and Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, we return to our "conversation series." Loren sat down with old friend Molly Weaver, former rider for Team Sunweb (now Picnic PostNL) turned Ultra racer. They two discuss the issue of power to weight, how the demand to lose weight ended Molly's career, and Molly's plans for 2025: On the Edge, Molly's British Coastline World Record Attempt.Molly's written work from her time as a professional road cyclist can be found here.

01-28

47:15

This week's episode is a special one. Matt de Neef takes control of the mic, along with Gracie Elvin and Georgie Howe, for an on-the-ground breakdown of Tour Down Under. The three talk about everything from the stage 1 non-chase to double Willunga Hill chaos to what Chloe Dygert can accomplish in 2025.

01-21

01:05:55

Georgie Howe joined Gracie and Abby to break down all the action from Aussie Road Nats and preview the upcoming Tour Down Under. For a full written preview ahead of TDU check out the Wheel Talk Newsletter at Escape Collective.Obsessions: Georgie – being home in Melbourne with friends and family, and Zero 7, Gracie – swimming!, Abby – The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon.

01-14

59:28

For our first episode of the new year, and with Australian National Championships in mind, Gracie Elvin sat down with Lidl-Trek super-domestique Lauretta Hanson to talk about her experience as a domestique in the WorldTour, her journey to the Paris Olympics and being a hometown hero.Aussie Nats kicks off with U23 and Junior time trials on January 8th, elite time trials the following day and road races over the weekend with the women racing on Sunday the 12th.

01-08

55:44

Loren, Gracie, and Abby are back this week for the last episode of the year. We chat about Demi Vollering joining FDJ-Suez, what that means for the French team and how they might divide leadership between the Dutchwoman, Evita Muzic, and Juliette Labous. We also reflect on our favorite moments of the season including Grace Brown’s Olympic and World Championship success, the Olympics in general, and of course Kasia Niewiadoma’s Tour victory.Thanks so much for listening! This year has been insane, and we’re so happy to have helped guide you through it. We will be back on January 7th with another Conversation episode (with Lauretta Hanson and Gracie) before we dive into the Aussie Summer of Racing with the National Championships and Tour Down Under. There is a lot to look forward to in 2025!

12-18

01:07:12

This week Loren Rowney caught up with Shimano's Road Marketing Manager Alexa Cunningham to chat about sponsorship on the women's side of the sport, from grassroots to WorldTour, and how Alexa found herself in Valkenburg working for one of the biggest brands in cycling.Alexa's obsessions: The Resident on Netflix and Liv's short film about Bonnie.

12-10

01:02:15

This week Loren and Abby sat down with Georgie Howe, former rower turned professional cyclist for Liv-AlUla-Jayco. Howe found cycling during the pandemic and her rise in the sport was rapid. That rise came with its pluses and minuses, and after a few wonderful years, Howe is leaving the professional peloton behind in 2025 ... for now. But she's not keen to hang up the bike just yet!More information about the study Georgie mentioned from the 2023 Tour de France Femmes can be found here.Matt de Neef also wrote a story about Georgie's rapid rise in cycling here.