It's the equivalent of Christmas Eve in Flanders, the night before Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, the opening cobbled classic of the spring season.

Join Lionel Birnie and Rob Hatch as they preview the race and wonder who can stop Visma-Lease A Bike winning four in a row.

There's a wistful meander down memory lane recalling past editions, an attempt to capture the elements that make Omloop such an eagerly-anticipated race, and a bit of light speculation ahead of Saturday's race.

Sponsored by Sports Tours International
The Cycling Podcast is proudly sponsored by Sports Tours International. Whether you want to ride, or watch the best in the world in action, Sports Tours International can take you to the heart of some of the world’s biggest cycling events. Choose from a VIP experience at the Tour de France or one of the major classics, or riding events such as the Etape du Tour or Marmotte, you can travel in style with Sports Tours International. Go to the Tour de France Grand Départ in Lille, or see the race in the Alps, Pyrenees or on Mont Ventoux with one of Sports Tours International’s package trips. Alternatively, enjoy a VIP experience in Paris, or even a once-in-a-lifetime journey in an official Tour de France vehicle, getting you as close to the action as possible. Let Sports Tours International take charge of all the planning and logistics so all you have to do is enjoy the ride.
Go to sportstoursinternational.co.uk for full details.

SEE AMARATERRA LIVE IN LONDON
Cozze, by Amaraterra, has been the theme tune for our Giro d’Italia coverage since we began daily coverage in 2016. They are playing live at Brixton Jamm on Saturday, March 15 and would like as many podcast listeners to join them. You can buy tickets here.

TRIBUTE TO RICHARD MOORE AT GENT-WEVELGEM
Friend of the Podcast Charlotte Elton is raising money to pay tribute to our friend and co-founder Richard Moore at Gent-Wevelgem by painting his name on the road. She’s crowdfunding to pay for the paint and any additional funds will be donated to Sir Chris Hoy’s Tour de 4 charity. You can donate to the cause here.

Follow us on social media:
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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 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 Cycling Podcast is on Strava

The Cycling Podcast was founded in 2013 by Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie.

Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie are back to review the latest news and racing in the world of procycling, assisted this week by Tudor Pro Cycling stalwart Larry Warbasse aka ‘The Motown Maestro’.

Tour de France rivals Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard both began their seasons last week - both with instant success. Pogačar’s GC win in the UAE Tour came thanks to stage victories in the two mountain stages to Jebel Jais and Jebel Hafeet, while Vingegaard left it late with his final-day TT triumph in Portugal.

In part three of the episode, Larry updates us on an encouraging start to his season. We then premiere a new feature for the Classics season – Coorevits Corner – starring veteran Belgian reporter Hugo Coorevits.

Sponsored by Sports Tours International
The Cycling Podcast is proudly sponsored by Sports Tours International. Whether you want to ride, or watch the best in the world in action, Sports Tours International can take you to the heart of some of the world’s biggest cycling events. Choose from a VIP experience at the Tour de France or one of the major classics, or riding events such as the Etape du Tour or Marmotte, you can travel in style with Sports Tours International.
Go to the Tour de France Grand Départ in Lille, or see the race in the Alps, Pyrenees or on Mont Ventoux with one of Sports Tours International’s package trips. Alternatively, enjoy a VIP experience in Paris, or even a once-in-a-lifetime journey in an official Tour de France vehicle, getting you as close to the action as possible.

Let Sports Tours International take charge of all the planning and logistics so all you have to do is enjoy the ride.

Go to sportstoursinternational.co.uk for full details.

EPISODE SPONSORS

NordVPN
Get NordVPN two-year plan + four months extra ➼ https://nordvpn.com/tcp It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee.

SEE AMARATERRA LIVE IN LONDON
Cozze, by Amaraterra, has been the theme tune for our Giro d’Italia coverage since we began daily coverage in 2016. They are playing live at Brixton Jamm on Saturday, March 15 and would like as many podcast listeners to join them. You can buy tickets here.

TRIBUTE TO RICHARD MOORE AT GENT-WEVELGEM
Friend of the Podcast Charlotte Elton is raising money to pay tribute to our friend and co-founder Richard Moore at Gent-Wevelgem by painting his name on the road. She’s crowdfunding to pay for the paint and any additional funds will be donated to Sir Chris Hoy’s Tour de 4 charity. You can donate to the cause here.

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 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 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 Cycling Podcast is on Strava

The Cycling Podcast was founded in 2013 by Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie.

 Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie welcome Brian Nygaard for his first podcast appearance of 2025, as we look ahead to another prominent Dane’s return to action this week. 

Jonas Vingegaard starts his bid to topple Tadej Pogačar at the Volta ao Algarve in Portugal, after a year and particularly a Tour de France that left them wondering what, if anything, they could do to dethrone the Slovenian. We ponder the question while also discussing what other impediments, besides his rivals, that Pog could encounter on his path to a fourth Tour win. 

We also hear from one of Vingegaard’s key lieutenants, Matteo Jorgenson, and reflect on the weekend’s races in Portugal, Spain and France. 

Sponsored by Sports Tours International
The Cycling Podcast is proudly sponsored by Sports Tours International. Whether you want to ride, or watch the best in the world in action, Sports Tours International can take you to the heart of some of the world’s biggest cycling events. Choose from a VIP experience at the Tour de France or one of the major classics, or riding events such as the Etape du Tour or Marmotte, you can travel in style with Sports Tours International.
One of the most prestigious sportive events in the world is the Mallorca 312 in late April. You can experience the beauty of the island on closed roads, tackling either the full 312km, or the short 225km or 167km events. 
Let Sports Tours International take charge of all the planning and logistics so all you have to do is enjoy the ride.
Go to sportstoursinternational.co.uk for full details.

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 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 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 Cycling Podcast is on Strava

The Cycling Podcast was founded in 2013 by Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie.

In the February episode of The Cycling Podcast Féminin, Rose Manley, Orla Chennaoui and Jo Rowsell pick over the UAE Tour, a race which often offers up some key insight for the season ahead. Plus we look at some of the junior world champions of the past in our mini feature.

There’s plenty to discuss from the UAE Tour, as Elisa Longo Borghini took a commanding overall victory while Lorena Wiebes went almost unchallenged as she swept up all three sprint stages. Some other big favourites didn’t fare so well though. Pauline Ferrand Prévot has made no secret of her Tour de France Femmes ambitions since her comeback but was noticeably absent among the first finishers on the top of Jebel Hafeet. While the new line-up at FDJ-Suez failed to take home a top ten on any stage.

In our mini feature we speak to former and present junior world champions and see how they’ve fared since hitting the elite ranks. We hear from Lucy Van der Haar nee Garner who retired five years ago, Canyon-SRAM rider Zoe Backstedt, current junior champion Cat Ferguson and Laura Stigger who was scouted by Anna van der Breggen to join SD Worx this year.

Also on the agenda… more baby news, some deserved gloating by Jo and reminiscing over Orla’s car sickness.

Sponsored by Sports Tours International
The Cycling Podcast is proudly sponsored by Sports Tours International. Whether you want to ride, or watch the best in the world in action, Sports Tours International can take you to the heart of some of the world’s biggest cycling events. Choose from a VIP experience at the Tour de France or one of the major classics, or riding events such as the Étape du Tour or Marmotte, you can travel in style with Sports Tours International.

This year, the inaugural Étape du Tour de France Femmes will take place and Sports Tours International can get you on the start line for the ride of your life.

Let Sports Tours International take charge of all the planning and logistics so all you have to do is enjoy the ride.

Go to sportstoursinternational.co.uk for full details.

EPISODE SPONSORS
Babbel
Learn 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/tcp

Follow us on social media:
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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 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 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 Cycling Podcast is on Strava

The Cycling Podcast was founded in 2013 by Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie.

Daniel Friebe, Lionel Birnie and Rob Hatch return to recap all the latest stories and racing as the stars of the international peloton commence their 2025 campaigns. In Oman, there’s a battle royale between two Frenchmen and an Englishman – and, ultimately, the same final result as in another recent sporting contest. We also discuss an excellent week for Colombian riders, with Egan Bernal and Santiago Buitrago both flying high. Finally, in the last part of the episode, we sink our teeth into the most controversial issue of the week – the exodus of top teams from the Étoile des Bessèges amid fears for riders’ safety but also for the future of small races in the sport’s heartlands. To bring a little perspective on that issue, we hear from Lidl-Trek’s directeur sportif in Bessèges, Steven de Jongh.

Sponsored by Sports Tours International
The Cycling Podcast is proudly sponsored by Sports Tours International. Whether you want to ride, or watch the best in the world in action, Sports Tours International can take you to the heart of some of the world’s biggest cycling events. Choose from a VIP experience at the Tour de France or one of the major classics, or riding events such as the Etape du Tour or Marmotte, you can travel in style with Sports Tours International.

One of the most prestigious sportive events in the world is the Mallorca 312 in late April. You can experience the beauty of the island on closed roads, tackling either the full 312km, or the short 225km or 167km events.

Let Sports Tours International take charge of all the planning and logistics so all you have to do is enjoy the ride.

Go to sportstoursinternational.co.uk for full details.

EPISODE SPONSORS

NordVPN
Get 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_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 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 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 Cycling Podcast is on Strava

The Cycling Podcast was founded in 2013 by Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie.

Daniel Friebe, Lionel Birnie and Rob Hatch are back to recap all the latest stories and racing as the season swings into action in Europe. A little further afield, in the Middle East, Tom Pidcock was enjoying a rip-roaring start to life with his new team, Q36.5 – and we assess to what extent the Briton's victory there could set the tone for his season. We also look at the main takeaways from the GP Marseillaise, where teenage sensation Paul Seixas enjoyed a stunning debut for Décathlon-AG2R La Mondiale. And finally, at the other end of France, the world cyclo-cross championships took place in Liévin – and we hail a historic seventh rainbow jersey for Mathieu van der Poel. 

Sponsored by Sports Tours International
The Cycling Podcast is proudly sponsored by Sports Tours International. Whether you want to ride, or watch the best in the world in action, Sports Tours International can take you to the heart of some of the world’s biggest cycling events. Choose from a VIP experience at the Tour de France or one of the major classics, or riding events such as the Etape du Tour or Marmotte, you can travel in style with Sports Tours International.

One of the most prestigious sportive events in the world is the Mallorca 312 in late April. You can experience the beauty of the island on closed roads, tackling either the full 312km, or the short 225km or 167km events.

Let Sports Tours International take charge of all the planning and logistics so all you have to do is enjoy the ride.

Go to sportstoursinternational.co.uk for full details.

EPISODE SPONSOR
Indeed
If you are looking to hire someone for your company, maybe the best way isn’t to search for a candidate but to match with Indeed. Go to indeed.com/cycle now to get a £100 sponsored job credit and get matched with the perfect candidate fast.

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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 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 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 Cycling Podcast is on Strava

The Cycling Podcast was founded in 2013 by Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie.

That's a wrap for the Challenge Mallorca. Lionel Birnie heads to Palma for the final race in the series hoping for dry weather and an incident-free race. Then he reconvenes with Rob Hatch in a soggy, Sunday evening Sóller to recap the day.

We hear from Michael Valgren of EF Education-Easy Post and Lotto sports director Dirk De Mol about the cancellation of Saturday's race.

And Lionel and Rob take a detour to Palma's two famous velodromes – one old, one new.

We play out with The Cycling Podcast's original punk, François Thomazeau. He was once a member of a punk band called Special Service and we hear their track Marseille ou Kingston.

Thanks for listening, the regular episodes will return this week to review the week's other racing.

Sponsored by Sports Tours International
The Cycling Podcast is proudly sponsored by Sports Tours International. Whether you want to ride, or watch the best in the world in action, Sports Tours International can take you to the heart of some of the world’s biggest cycling events. Choose from a VIP experience at the Tour de France or one of the major classics, or riding events such as the Etape du Tour or Marmotte, you can travel in style with Sports Tours International.

One of the most prestigious sportive events in the world is the Mallorca 312 in late April. You can experience the beauty of the island on closed roads, tackling either the full 312km, or the short 225km or 167km events.

Let Sports Tours International take charge of all the planning and logistics so all you have to do is enjoy the ride.

Go to sportstoursinternational.co.uk for full details.

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 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 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 Cycling Podcast is on Strava

The Cycling Podcast was founded in 2013 by Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie.

The fourth race in the Challenge Mallorca series was cancelled because of crashes on the opening circuit.

But that doesn't stop Lionel Birnie and Rob Hatch talking Balearics for twenty five minutes or so.

We discuss the safety issues and the impact of the cancellation on the race. Then we ask whether the Vuelta a España could return to the island of Mallorca for the first time since 1991*, and ponder whether innovative, alternative race formats might be the answer to the safety issues.

*Corrections Corner – the Vuelta also visited Mallorca in 1998 when Fabrizio Guidi won in Palma and Abraham Olano won a time trial in Alcúdia.

Sponsored by Sports Tours International
The Cycling Podcast is proudly sponsored by Sports Tours International. Whether you want to ride, or watch the best in the world in action, Sports Tours International can take you to the heart of some of the world’s biggest cycling events. Choose from a VIP experience at the Tour de France or one of the major classics, or riding events such as the Etape du Tour or Marmotte, you can travel in style with Sports Tours International.

One of the most prestigious sportive events in the world is the Mallorca 312 in late April. You can experience the beauty of the island on closed roads, tackling either the full 312km, or the short 225km or 167km events.

Let Sports Tours International take charge of all the planning and logistics so all you have to do is enjoy the ride.

Go to sportstoursinternational.co.uk for full details.

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 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 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 Cycling Podcast is on Strava

The Cycling Podcast was founded in 2013 by Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie.

In this third part of our series from the Challenge Mallorca, Lionel Birnie heads to the Col de Sóller to watch the race, then returns to catch up with Rob Hatch. They discuss the greatest grand tour rider Mallorca has produced and look ahead to the final two events in the series.

Sponsored by Sports Tours International
The Cycling Podcast is proudly sponsored by Sports Tours International. Whether you want to ride, or watch the best in the world in action, Sports Tours International can take you to the heart of some of the world’s biggest cycling events. Choose from a VIP experience at the Tour de France or one of the major classics, or riding events such as the Etape du Tour or Marmotte, you can travel in style with Sports Tours International.

One of the most prestigious sportive events in the world is the Mallorca 312 in late April. You can experience the beauty of the island on closed roads, tackling either the full 312km, or the short 225km or 167km events.

Let Sports Tours International take charge of all the planning and logistics so all you have to do is enjoy the ride.

Go to sportstoursinternational.co.uk for full details.

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 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 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 Cycling Podcast is on Strava

The Cycling Podcast was founded in 2013 by Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie.

The second race in the Challenge Mallorca series takes Lionel Birnie to the south east of the island and a glorious beach. But what is Ciro Scognamiglio's verdict?

We hear from man of the match George Radcliffe, Lionel predicts the winner (because of course he does) and we discuss the impact of tourism on the island.

Sponsored by Sports Tours International
The Cycling Podcast is proudly sponsored by Sports Tours International. Whether you want to ride, or watch the best in the world in action, Sports Tours International can take you to the heart of some of the world’s biggest cycling events. Choose from a VIP experience at the Tour de France or one of the major classics, or riding events such as the Etape du Tour or Marmotte, you can travel in style with Sports Tours International.

One of the most prestigious sportive events in the world is the Mallorca 312 in late April. You can experience the beauty of the island on closed roads, tackling either the full 312km, or the short 225km or 167km events.

Let Sports Tours International take charge of all the planning and logistics so all you have to do is enjoy the ride.

Go to sportstoursinternational.co.uk for full details.

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 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 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 Cycling Podcast is on Strava

The Cycling Podcast was founded in 2013 by Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie.

Lionel Birnie is in Mallorca for the five-day Challenge Mallorca, a stage race that's not a stage race. In this opening episode of KM0, recorded at the Trofeo Calvià, Lionel and Rob Hatch discuss the history of the race and Lionel sees two very different sides to the island. 

The series title – Never Mind The Balearics, This Is The Cycling Podcast – is inspired by the classic 1977 Sex Pistols punk album of a similar name.

Now it's over to Lionel and Rob for the Hipster's Tour Down Under...

Sponsored by Sports Tours International
The Cycling Podcast is proudly sponsored by Sports Tours International. Whether you want to ride, or watch the best in the world in action, Sports Tours International can take you to the heart of some of the world’s biggest cycling events. Choose from a VIP experience at the Tour de France or one of the major classics, or riding events such as the Etape du Tour or Marmotte, you can travel in style with Sports Tours International.

One of the most prestigious sportive events in the world is the Mallorca 312 in late April. You can experience the beauty of the island on closed roads, tackling either the full 312km, or the short 225km or 167km events. 

Let Sports Tours International take charge of all the planning and logistics so all you have to do is enjoy the ride.

Go to sportstoursinternational.co.uk for full details.

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 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 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 Cycling Podcast is on Strava

The Cycling Podcast was founded in 2013 by Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie.