It’s been another frantic week in the world of pro cycling, with early season races in several parts of southern Europe and the Middle East. Tudor Pro Cycling’s Larry Warbasse, who began his season at the Tour of Oman, is back in the co-host’s seat with Daniel Friebe to review some of the key action and talking points.

The most prestigious of the races starting this week, at least according to the UCI’s ranking system, is the UAE Tour. Many expected a revealing first head-to-head battle between Remco Evenepoel and Isaac Del Toro, and indeed they emerged from the first three stages with a win apiece. Only one of the pair, though, will have been satisfied with his GC position with the final showdown at Jebel Hafeet to come – and that was Del Toro.

Larry and Daniel discuss Evenepoel’s struggles at the other Jebel, Mobrah, and ponder what they say about the rest of his season. We also talk about some other prodigious talents that have been in spotlight early this year, wayward leadouts and Pinarello Q36.5’s recent trip to Chile, as described to us by Fred Wright.

EPISODE SPONSORS

Bikmo
This 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.

Saily
If you are travelling abroad and want to reduce or even eliminate roaming charges you need an eSim from Saily, brought to you by the creators of NordVPN.
⛵Download the SAILY app and use our code cycling at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase. Or go to saily.com/cycling 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 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.

The Cycling Podcast returns with another debrief from the latest round of early-season racing, this week focusing on the Volta Comunitat Valenciana and the Tour of Oman.

Daniel Friebe, Lionel Birnie and Rob Hatch discuss Remco Evenepoel’s most recent tour de force in Spain and Astana’s similarly fast start to the season, with Christian Scaroni winning in the Middle East. Scaroni also lays claim to one of the best nicknames in the pro peloton (clue in the episode title), but we learn that a new contender for that title may have emerged in Oman.

It was a busy week on other fronts, with Jonas Vingegaard’s coach leaving Visma-Lease a Bike, Marc Soler dragged into a minor family drama in Spain, and news of a new Lance Armstrong biopic. All that and more in another feisty episode!

EPISODE SPONSORS

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.

Bikmo
This 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.

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 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.

...SURPRISE! Gotcha. Yes the mini feature in this month's episode of The Cycling Podcast Féminin is all about two surprising wins from last season. We'll be hearing from reigning world champion Magdaleine Vallieres about her huge shock win last September and from podcast favourite Lotte Claes about the Omloop Het Niewsblad victory which upset all the big hitters last February.

Rose Manley, Denny Gray and Rebecca Charlton will also be covering the less surprising UAE Tour where Elisa Longo Borghini took the overall title for the third time and Lorena Wiebes claimed all three sprint stages. The less than thrilling racing does however give the team the chance to look more closely at superstar Wiebes. An athlete who makes a credible bid for the title of best sprinter that has ever been but is still so often overlooked by both media and fans.

You can hear more from world champion Magdaleine Vallieres in our forthcoming Friends Special, an exclusive for Friends of The Podcast subscribers. Hear about the 1,000km bikepacking trip that sparked her imagination as a nine-year-old in Quebec, her difficult transition into the elite ranks and her rise to claim the rainbow stripes.

Also on the agenda: nominative determinism jumpers, the mystery of the fan club president's notebook and the briefest of peeks at Denny's crystal balls.

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.