Life in the Peloton, presented by MAAP

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  Del Toro, Seixas, Van Aert, & More! Who Will Win the 2026 World Championships? | The Race Communiqué 16.09.2026 1ч 14мин

  Life in the Peloton is proudly brought to you by MAAP I can’t believe the 2026 UCI World Championships kick off in just a few days! With Pogačar sidelined, the elite men’s race is set to be an epic showdown, and one of the most open worlds we’ve seen in years! Of course, that means it’s time for me, Tom Southam, and Luke Durbridge to catch up, preview the race, and have a good old yarn on this month’s Race Communiqué.  Over the weekend we had the GP Quebec and Montreal, which gave us a great look at who’s in shape ahead of Worlds and how the circuit in Montreal is going to be raced. Durbo was on the ground racing, getting chopped left, right, and centre and gives us some amazing insight into the chaos and tension in the bunch.  We’ve shuffled the order around this month, so Durbo jumps straight into PeloChat! Durbs goes through the nuance of how to ride on the front of the bunch and protect your leaders, how to know when to get off the front and let someone else pull, and how a team can dictate a hard race by just riding smart. This is the kind of insight that 15 years in the peloton gets you - Luke really showing us why he’s had such a long and successful career as one of the most trusted teammates in the bunch.  Southam’s Talking Tactics is all about the fantastic Vuelta we’ve just seen. Movistar turning their race around after a difficult first week to capitalise on Pogačar’s misfortune and roll out some real old-school Grand Tour tactics to take the red jersey all the way to the finish in Grenada was an epic spectacle, and Southam gives us all the inside gossip from the road.  Before we get into the World Champs preview, I wanted to give the Vuelta a proper send-off and discuss the five most interesting points of the race. When will Pogi go back and try to win? Where will Roglič go from here? What does such a strong grandy mean for Wout van Aert’s world champs chances?  The 2026 elite men’s world championships road race is just less than two weeks away. The Montreal circuit we saw raced on the weekend will be tackled 12 times, but who’s going to come away with the rainbow jersey? Evenepoel, Del Toro, Seixas, Pidcock, Van Der Poel, Van Aert, and more - with Pogačar sidelined, this is going to be one of the most open worlds we’ve seen in years. I can’t wait.  Guys, if you know me, you know I love a cold one. I also love pro cycling, so I thought I’d combine my two passions for a bit of a laugh with the boys this month - the ‘Beer Bus’; combining our favourite beverages and pro cyclists. Fabian Cans-Of-Larger, anyone? Durbo brings us home with a CommuniQuiz he’s cooked up all about win records in the races we’ve discussed in this episode! It’s a banger with some crazy surprising statistics, so play along at home and see how you do. Guys, that’s all for this month’s Communiqué! I can’t believe the season’s coming to its conclusion! It feels like only yesterday the peloton was defrosting after their winter hibernation at Omloop, yet here we are barreling towards the end of another amazing season of bike racing. Cheers, Mitch The Race Communiqué is brought to you by TrainingPeaks! Track, plan, and train smarter - just like the pros. Get 20% off TrainingPeaks Premium now at trainingpeaks.com/litp Listen to the Life In The Peloton Podcast 🔈 lifeinthepeloton.com/listen Join Mitch's Mailing List ✉️ lifeinthepeloton.com/subscribe Send Mitch a message 🗣️ lifeinthepeloton.com/contact  
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  Taco Van Der Hoorn's Life In The Peloton 09.09.2026 1ч 14мин

  Life in the Peloton is proudly brought to you by MAAP Every few years, a special rider comes along who does things a little bit differently. My guest on this month’s episode of Life In The Peloton is one of those riders: Dutch legend Taco Van Der Hoorn.  Taco’s been a pro for almost a decade, and in that time he’s had some massive wins and more than his fair share of bad luck. From getting his hands in the air with a stage win at the Giro in 2021 to spending over 500 days out of racing with a nasty concussion, Taco’s lived through the beauty and brutality of the sport. Earlier this year, I got to sit down with Taco and discuss not only racing, but what it means to be a pro cyclist, how he got to where he is today, and how his slightly different approach has given him such a long and fruitful career when, on paper at least, he doesn’t think he’d have a chance in the World Tour if he started riding today.  From training in Colombia with his neighbour Annemiek van Vleuten to studying for a degree in human movement before he even became a professional, Taco’s career has seen him ride for some of the biggest teams in the peloton and carve out a niche as a guy who can punch well above his weight.  Inspired by other free thinkers like Graham Obree and Jan Willem Van Schip, he recognised early on that there’s more to racing than just power numbers, and he’s used equipment, tactical nous, and determination to win some bloody big bike races and have a good time while he’s doing it. As he puts it, it’s about speed, not power. Guys, get this episode on, make yourself comfortable, and listen to Taco’s tales from the Pelo. I loved chatting to him, and actually saw a lot of similarities in my own career and his, so this is well worth a listen. Cheers, Mitch   This episode is sponsored by SHOKZ. If you’re after the best sports headphones - be it for cycling, running, or even swimming - get across to SHOKZ’s website, and use the code LITP enjoy a cheeky discount for being a LITP listener -https://bit.ly/4skq7lK 
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  LIVE from Lincoln at the Tour of Britain: Life In The Peloton’s Race Radio presented by SHOKZ 03.09.2026 52мин

  Life in the Peloton is proudly brought to you by MAAP When you think of steep, cobbled bergs you probably think of Belgium - so when Harry and Stu told me the UK had its own Flandrien berg, I knew I had to find out more. As luck would have it, this iconic Michaelgate climb played host to the first stage of this year’s Tour of Britain, so I dispatched my men-on-the-ground - better known as Life In The Peloton’s Race Radio presented by SHOKZ - to Lincoln to check it out. Here’s what the best bald boy in the bike business Harry, had to say: Harry: It only felt right that with stage one of this year’s Tour of Britain finishing up Lincoln’s iconic Michaelgate climb, Stu and I should head there to record our next episode of LITPRR. Camped out on the 16% cobbles, we were right at the heart of the UK domestic racing scene, and day one delivered a full-blown GC battle. What a place to watch a bike race! Cathedrals. Castles. A British winner. Quintessential stuff. I only raced in the UK a few times in my career. I did the Tour of Britain and Tour de Yorkshire once each, the RideLondon classic four times, and that miserably wet World Champs in Harrogate in 2019. If there’s one thing I remember about racing in Britain - it is grippy as it gets. Hard roads, plenty of narrow lanes twisting and turning through the countryside, and downright shit weather most of the time. There are no easy Ks in the UK. Hearing the boys soaking in the atmosphere in Lincoln really does take me back to proper Belgian racing; the cheering, the cowbells, and the faint sound of riders wincing as the cobbles and gradient start to bite. Oh man, I wish I was there with a cold one taking it all in.  Guys, this is a real racing fan’s episode. Harry & Stu have netted some amazing interviews with some proper legends, and really captured what this race is all about. Of course, none of this would be possible without support from our presenting partner SHOKZ. If you’re after the best sports headphones - be it for cycling, running, or even swimming - get across to SHOKZ’s website, and enjoy a cheeky discount for being a LITP listener.  The Race Radio boys have just one race trip left on their 2026 calendar; the Italian one day races that form the build up Lombardia in October and bring the curtain down on plenty of rider’s seasons. I can’t wait to hear what they cook up.  Cheers, Mitch Get an exclusive 15% discount on Saily data plans! Use code PELOSURF at checkout.  Download the Saily app or go to https://saily.com/pelosurf
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  Pogačar out…what happens now? Vuelta a España Rest Day Wrap Up 01.09.2026 42мин

  Life in the Peloton is proudly brought to you by MAAP Well, I don’t think anybody expected that to happen… Guys, welcome along to this rest day special episode of the Race Communiqué. I’m joined by Luke Durbridge - getting his last few days of relaxation in before heading across to Canada - to wrap up everything we’ve seen in an absolutely crazy first week at La Vuelta.  Of course, how could we not discuss the biggest news of the race…and maybe even the season: Tadej Pogačar has crashed out of La Vuelta! After absolutely dominating the first week of the race, the Slovenian superstar hit the deck at high speed on stage eight and suffered a concussion, a fractured collarbone, and a fractured vertebrae.  That is a pretty serious list of injuries for Pogi, and casts a lot of doubt over the rest of his 2026 season. Here’s hoping that he can get fit and healthy again and get back to racing when he’s ready.  With Pog out, the race really has been turned on its head. Mas has moved into the race lead, and all of a sudden there are opportunities for all sorts of riders to potentially win a grand tour.  Once Durbo and I recap the race so far, we get a special voice note from the big man - Tom Southam - on his way back from driving the EF Team car for the first part of La Vuelta. He gives us his take on Pog’s crash and what that means for the race.  As sad as Pog’s departure is, the race continues without him. It’s a cruel sport, hey? How is the rest of this year’s Vuelta going to play out? Will we see any more big surprises? Who’s going to win? We discuss all this and more on this special rest day Race Communiqué. Cheers, Mitch The Race Communiqué is brought to you by TrainingPeaks! Track, plan, and train smarter - just like the pros. Get 20% off TrainingPeaks Premium now at trainingpeaks.com/litp Join the next TrainingPeaks virtual ride with Durbo and me on 7th September - sign up here! A local loop around Girona, just like the good old days
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  Can ANYONE beat Pogačar? 2026 Vuelta a España Preview | The Race Communiqué 19.08.2026 1ч 13мин

  Life in the Peloton is proudly brought to you by MAAP La Vuelta a España is almost upon us! That’s right, it’s almost time for the last Grandy of the season - and my favourite! In this month’s Race Communiqué Luke Durbridge, Tom Southam, and I are picking apart the route, looking down the startlist, and previewing what promises to be an absolute scorcher of a race.  Of course, the headlines around this year’s edition of La Vuelta are dominated by the presence of some Slovenian kid called Terry Pogačar…or something, and it’s fair to say he’s going to be the out-and-out favourite. But that doesn’t mean we’re in for a three-week snooze fest, oh no. Guys like Richard Carapaz, Felix Gall, Mads Pedersen, Wout van Aert, Matt Brennan, and heaps more absolute hitters are showing up to make this a Grand Tour that you do NOT want to miss. Kicking off in Monaco, the 2026 Vuelta Route takes the pelo down through Andorra and into Spain, with a huge emphasis on the southern part of the country. That means two things: ripping hot temperatures and disgustingly tough climbs. In fact, this year’s route has almost 59,000 meters elevation total - almost 10,000 more than the Giro!  We go through the course stage by stage and pick out some of our favourites that you’re gonna want to sit down and watch. As you know, I have a real soft spot for the Vuelta, and I think the organisers must have been listening to us yarn away on the pod about what stages we want to see in the grand tours, because there’s some absolute bangers in there.  After the Vuelta preview, we turn to Luke for this month’s PeloChat. Durbs has done some serious digging for this ep, and is looking into what it takes to scout out new and upcoming talent. With a bit of an explainer from our old mate Michael ‘Heppy’ Hepburn, now working for Red Bull - BORA - Hansgrohe, this is a really great insight into how the biggest teams are finding the superstars of tomorrow.  Southam’s talking tactics takes a look at La Vuelta and asks: does it really need to be three weeks long, or could it be shorter? What would a two week grandy look like? Would it be better racing? It’s something that comes up for discussion every time the Vuelta rolls around, and Southam’s got one hell of a take on it.  You know the drill by now; as always, we wrap things up with a Vuelta-themed CommuniQuiz. Southam’s on the mic as Quiz Master this month, trying to catch me and Durbo out with some pretty sneaky Spanish stats. Guys, crack open a crisp Cerveza, order some tapas, wake up from your siesta, and get ready for this year’s Vuelta! I can’t wait, and I hope this episode gets you fired up and ready for a real fiesta of a race.  Cheers, Mitch The Race Communiqué is brought to you by TrainingPeaks! Track, plan, and train smarter - just like the pros. Get 20% off TrainingPeaks Premium now at trainingpeaks.com/litp
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  A Feet First Dive Into Marginal Gains with Mik.Fit & Jay Vine 12.08.2026 1ч 5мин

  Life in the Peloton is proudly brought to you by MAAP Aero socks, waxed chains, ceramic bearings, and more are all classic marginal gains that cyclists love to froth over. But they might just be overlooking one of the most important pieces of the puzzle: feet.  I know, footbeds aren’t exactly the sexiest upgrade to make to your set-up, but getting them right could actually unlock even more power, reduce injury, and just boost your overall enjoyment on the bike. That’s where this week’s guest comes in.  Mick Habgood, perhaps better known as Mik.Fit, has been producing cycling orthotics and shoes for pro cyclists since 2013, working closely with EF Pro Cycling, British Cycling, and heaps more. In fact, he reckons close to 150 pros are using his insoles - from Olympic gold medalists to grand tour stage winners.  Chatting to Mick and hearing just how important your feet are in the quest for comfort and power was fascinating, and I even got to have a go myself. I got on a video consultation with Mick so he could analyse my feet and sort out some insoles for me to see if he could find my old, retired body a few watts. I tested them and, well, you’ll have to listen to hear just how much power I gained.  After chatting to Mick, I wanted to speak to a rider who is one of the most meticulous guys in the bunch when it comes to marginal gains: Jay Vine. Jay truly leaves no stone unturned - and it all starts with his feet. It was great hearing directly from inside the pelo how important the small details are at the top level, how team sponsors deal with athletes looking for gains elsewhere, and how the feet really are the foundation of a pro rider’s performance.  Guys, I won’t lie, this is one for the tech nerds out there. If you care about saving watts, there’s some amazing insight in this episode from some of the best in the business. If you want to check out the new Varus insoles I tested, you can find more information here: vip.mik.fit Stretch out your arches, limber up your metatarsals, and jump feet first into this marginal gains special episode.  Cheers, Mitch   This episode is brought to you by Saily.  Get an exclusive 15% discount on Saily data plans! Use code PELOSURF at checkout. Download the Saily app or go to https://saily.com/pelosurf  
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  BONUS: The Jumbo Wild 600: Sveino Goes Ultra 31.07.2026 23мин

  This is a cheeky special extended excerpt from this month’s full Chronicles episode. To hear the whole thing, and get access to future Chronicles with Svein, become a PODIUM Member via our Substack. 👉 https://lifeinthepeloton.substack.com/about   The biggest bike race of the year has just wrapped up; the Jumbo Wild 600…   What did you think I was talking about?   If you haven’t heard of it, the Jumbo Wild 600 is an Ultra Cycling race in the wild heart of British Columbia’s Kootenays. The race was created by none other than my old mate - and the co-host of the Life In The Peloton Chronicles - Svein Tuft.   Sveino has just finished racing the inaugural edition, and I do mean just…literally 12 hours before we sat down to record! I had to hear how it went, and open up a conversation about the mythical world of ultra distance cycling. That’s what this month’s episode of The Life in The Peloton Chronicles is all about.   Ultra cycling as a discipline has actually been around since the very first days of people deciding to race their bikes. What was the inaugural edition of the Tour de France way back in 1903 - with riders racing pretty much completely self-sufficiently over 2,500kms split into just six stages - if not an ultra race? Original races like Paris-Brest-Paris and Bordeaux-Paris kept that ultra cycling movement alive among the pros, who used them as warm up races for the longest monuments like Paris-Roubaix or Liege-Bastogne-Liege back in the day.   Since things like GPS computers and lightweight bikepacking bags came about, Ultra cycling has become more accessible and more and more people are giving it a go.   The world of ultra distance is one that Sveino’s become very experienced in since retiring from the pro pelo, and I’ve even had a little dabble myself. It’s a totally different type of bike racing that demands a very specific set of skills. Hearing how Sveino’s 730km epic went whilst it’s still so fresh in his mind was super cool, and you can really get a good idea of how much these races can take out of even the strongest riders.   Of course, he didn’t just race it, he organised it as well. You might think that organising an ultra race is pretty straightforward; just set out a GPX file, set a date, and send a bunch of riders off into the wilderness with a “see you in a few days!”. Well, I can tell you there is heaps more that goes into it. With a route alternation because of some pretty scary forest fires in the run up to the event, it sounds like Svein had a harder time organising this one than riding it!   Guys it was so great to chat to a (pretty tired) Sveino and hear how his race went, as well as dive into this world of Ultra cycling and the things that make it so special, so I hope you enjoy listening to us spin a yarn.   Get yourself in the ultra racing spirit; crack open a red bull and your favourite processed servo snack, deprive yourself of a good nights sleep, and have a listen to this month’s Life In The Peloton Chronicles.   Cheers, Mitch
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  Pogačar’s dominance, Safety on Alpe d’Huez, and that epic finish in Paris - Tour de France 2026 Wrapped Up | The Race Communiqué 30.07.2026 1ч 11мин

  Life in the Peloton is proudly brought to you by MAAP The men’s Tour de France is over for another year, and what an epic week of racing we’ve just seen. Pogačar might have wrapped up the overall victory early on, but some amazing battles for the green, white, and polka dot jerseys, some big shifts in the rest of the top 10 in the final week, and an unbelievable finish in Paris made this a truly memorable edition of the race.  Guys, Durbo’s just finished his final Tour de France and is dialling in from a well-earned holiday to join me and Southam for this month’s episode of The Race Communiqué where we’re wrapping up the 2026 Tour de France.  Of course, we’ve been dropping weekly wrap-up podcasts on the rest days, so we start this episode by spinning through the last week of racing. Having Southam on board to give us some insight into Richard Carapaz’s audacious moves on those brutal final three stages to take two stages and the polka dot jersey is another reminder of how lucky we are to have Tom and Luke take us inside the pelo each month.  A big topic of discussion over the last week of racing was the fans on Alpe d’Huez. Record-breaking numbers of spectators made the pilgrimage to the mountain, and it might have been a step too far. A brutal exit for Einer Rubio after a team car had to brake for a stumbling spectator really highlighted just how sketchy it can be up there, and hearing some of Durbo’s war stories from the other end of the bunch is really eye-opening.  Of course, Durbs wrapped up his 12th and final lap of France, and he takes us through the emotions of reaching Paris for the final time.  Durbo’s PeloChat takes us inside the seldom-discussed world of the grupetto. We spend a lot of the time focusing on the riders winning the bike races, but the guys at the back are probably suffering even more just to get to the finish within the time cut! Southam’s call before the Tour de France about the Mega-Break was spot on, and we saw a few stages defined by absolutely massive moves with tens of riders in. In this month’s Talking Tactics, Southam shares the secrets to getting into a breakaway, and just how bloody hard it can be!  Guys, there is a lot to go through in this episode. As is often the case with the Tour, there are so many different stories to follow. Get yourself comfortable Cheers, Mitch The Race Communiqué is brought to you by TrainingPeaks! Track, plan, and train smarter - just like the pros. Get 20% off TrainingPeaks Premium now at trainingpeaks.com/litp
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  “Nothing’s finished until it’s finished” Tour de France Rest Day Wrap Up | The Race Communiqué 20.07.2026 37мин

  Life in the Peloton is proudly brought to you by MAAP What a week of racing at the Tour de France! It’s safe to say that with Jonas Vingegaard’s unfortunate abandonment, the race for the podium has been blown wide open! I gave EF Education EasyPost DS, Tom Southam, a call to go over everything we’ve seen in the second week of the Tour and preview what’s coming up.  Kicking off with a recap of everything that’s gone down both in and around the race last week, and it started with a dominant victory from Pogačar in Le Lioran. Some amazing instincts from Søren Wærenskjold saw him win the bunch sprint on stage 11 to continue Uno-X Mobility’s success, before Tim Merlier reminded everyone that he’s the fastest sprinter in the race with his third stage win of the Tour the next day.  Stage 13 saw Mauro Schmid power his way into the mega break and grab a stage win for Jayco, so who better to chat to than his team mate, and regular “guest” on the Pod, Durbo. It was great to hear from Luke as he enjoys a well-earned rest day, and he gave us a great scoop on the team’s tactics and how their game plan played out pretty much perfectly.  The two mountain stages on the weekend weren’t the only drama - a 2 am dope test for Jonas and Pogi had the media buzzing, so I had to ask Southam what he knows and what he’s heard from the ground. Is it a bit of a flex from WADA, or is there something going on?!  With Jonas’ abandonment, and a mountain TT coming up, can Remco Evenepoel bag another stage win and close the gap to Pogi? Will Del Toro finish on the final podium? What about the green jersey battle between Pedersen and Philipsen? There’s still so much to come, and I can’t bloody wait to see how it plays out. Guys, it’s a rest day, so pull another shot of espresso, sit back, and join me and Southam - dialling in live from EF’s rest day Chateau - for some Tour de France chat.  Cheers, Mitch The Race Communiqué is brought to you by TrainingPeaks! Track, plan, and train smarter - just like the pros. Get 20% off TrainingPeaks Premium now at trainingpeaks.com/litp
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  Tour de France Rest Day Wrap Up | The Race Communiqué 14.07.2026 43мин

  Life in the Peloton is proudly brought to you by MAAP The first nine stages of the Tour de France have been absolutely brutal! As Southam predicted, it has just been non-stop racing every day. In fact, it’s been so hard that Durbo’s decided to bank some extra hours in bed rather than join Tom and me for this special episode of The Race Communiqué! That’s right, it's the first rest day of the Tour, and I wanted to take advantage of our man on the ground - EF Education EasyPost DS Tom Southam - to discuss what we’ve seen out in France so far.  There have been some epic days of racing! The TTT kicking things off in Barcelona was just as exciting and dramatic as we’d have hoped, the following stages through the Pyrenees into France in the sweltering heat, the first mountain stages and the expected Pogi domination, right through to yesterday’s epic classics style stage - it’s been a full-on start…and there’s still nearly two weeks of racing to go! Watching from home, seeing the boys suffering in the heat, it definitely makes me glad I retired when I did. Of course, Southam - as tired as he is - hasn’t actually been riding the race, so we did manage to get a quick voice note from Greenedge’s own Luke Durbridge to hear straight from the horse's mouth how it’s been in the Pelo. As Durbo puts it, it’s been hell.  Only nine stages in, but still so much to talk about. Tom and I go through our top five moments of the race so far, as well as predictions for what’s to come. Guys, this is a rest day special to keep your Tour de France fix coming even when the race is having a day off. I can’t wait to see how the next phase of the race unfolds. Cheers, Mitch The Race Communiqué is brought to you by TrainingPeaks! Track, plan, and train smarter - just like the pros. Get 20% off TrainingPeaks Premium now at trainingpeaks.com/litp
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  The Master Of The Mic: Phil Liggett 08.07.2026 1ч 18мин

  Life in the Peloton is proudly brought to you by MAAP   I don’t know about you, but when I think about the Tour de France I hear one man’s voice. A legend of commentary who’s currently covering the Grande Boucle for the 53rd time, I am absolutely gee’d up to bring you my interview with the one and only Phil Liggett.   Phil really has seen it all from his early days as a wannabe racer through to finding the microphone, and a lifetime of calling the Tour de France and some of the biggest cycling moments in the last half century. He has spanned the careers of so many riders from Hinault and Lemond through the Armstrong years up to Pogačar and Vingegaard, and has got endless stories to tell.   This episode, which I recorded with Phil in person back at the Tour Down Under in January, was a real privilege. I’ve tried my hand and commentary, and it was amazing to hear Phil explain the art of calling a bike race. I learnt so much from him - it’s like asking Picasso how to paint, Shane Warne how to spin bowl, or Pogi how to win a bike race; he is the absolute master of the craft. We even had a go at re-voicing the iconic finish to the 2016 Paris-Roubaix - you have GOT to hear that. An absolute once in a lifetime moment for me!   Guys, this episode is a really special one. We speak about so much - from Phil’s perfect partnership with the late great Paul Sherwen, how commentary has changed throughout his career, and how his job is to - as he puts it - “stop the old lady from going to make a cup of tea”.   What better man to have on the pod during the Tour de France than this absolute icon. Get yourself comfortable and enjoy this chat with the master of the mic - Mr Phil Liggett.   Cheers, Mitch     This episode is bought to you by Saily and SHOKZ Get an exclusive 15% discount on Saily data plans! Use code PELOSURF at checkout. Download the Saily app or go to https://saily.com/pelosurf If you’re after the best sports headphones - be it for cycling, running, or even swimming - get across to SHOKZ’s website, and use the code LITP enjoy a cheeky discount for being a LITP listener - https://bit.ly/4skq7lK  
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  Tour de France 2026 PREVIEW | The Race Communiqué EMERGENCY PODCAST 01.07.2026 40мин

  Life in the Peloton is proudly brought to you by MAAP   Here we go, guys: It’s Tour de France time. The big one starts on Saturday, so I sat down with Durbo and Southam for a special EMERGENCY PODCAST to preview the 2026 edition of the race. Who better to preview the biggest race of the season with than two guys who are going to be there; Southam in the team car as a sports director for EF Education Easypost, and Durbo riding his 12th and final Tour de France for Greenedge.    Kicking off this weekend with a team time trial in Barcelona, the race then heads up through the Catalan roads that Luke and I trained on together when I was across in Europe. This may be the Tour de France, but this is basically a home stage for Girona resident Durbs. From there, the Tour crosses the Pyrenees into France and - although there are a few big mountains in the first two weeks of the race - the route this year is very back heavy, climaxing with not just one, but TWO ascents of the infamous Alpe d’Huez. After 20 brutal days of racing, the pelo jet across to Paris for the awesome new final stage with the cobbled climb of Montmarte to draw the curtain down on another Tour de France.    Of course, as well as the big preview we have our regular segments. In PeloChat Durbo’s asking the question; is it worth going to the traditional Tour de France warm up races any more? More and more riders are favouring training camps over racing to get a better quality build without the risk of crashing, picking up an injury, or just totally rooting yourself before the big show in July, but what’s the best way to prepare for the Tour?   Over in Talking Tactics, Southam’s diving into where that tipping point in GC is for riders just underneath the top tier favourites. Where do they have to be sitting in the top 10 or 20 before they decide to sit up, let the overall go, and head up the road in breakaways in search of a stage win. The likes of Pidcock, Ayuso, Lipowitz, and more who could stretch for a podium if everything goes there way, but could really turn the race on it’s head if they decide to go for stages.   The Communiquiz is a super simple quickfire from quizmaster Durbo; which teams ride which bikes. I won’t spoil the results for you on this one, but let’s just say Southam spends a lot of his time in amongst the bunch looking at their bikes, and I…don’t.   Who’s riding? Who are the favourites? What are the stages like? How will the race unfold? What are our predictions? Tom, Luke and I discuss all of these questions, and more in this special emergency ep.    Listen to this episode and get yourself ready for three weeks of baguettes, berets, wine, beautiful countryside, sunshine…oh, and a bloody big bike race too!   Cheers, Mitch   The Race Communiqué is brought to you by TrainingPeaks! Track, plan, and train smarter - just like the pros. Get 20% off TrainingPeaks Premium now at trainingpeaks.com/litp
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  BONUS: Make or Break: How Do Riders Get Selected For The Tour de France? 30.06.2026 53мин

  This is a cheeky special extended excerpt from this month’s full Chronicles episode. To hear the whole thing, and get access to future Chronicles with Svein, become a PODIUM Member via our Substack. 👉 https://lifeinthepeloton.substack.com/about   July is almost here and, in the world of cycling, that can mean only one thing; it’s time for the Tour de France to begin.  Le Tour, the big show, the Grande Boucle - whatever you call it, the Tour de France is the biggest cycling event in the world.    If you’re a pro cyclist, you’re going to spend your whole career being asked the same question: “Have you raced the Tour de France?”. Me? I never quite got there. I made it on to a few long lists, but I never managed to make the final selection. My old mate Svein Tuft, however, raced the Tour three times between 2013 and 2015, and so can proudly answer that question - have you done the Tour? - with a big fat “yes!”    One thing we both have in common is the knowledge and understanding of what it takes to get in the condition to make the cut. The psychological torture and mind games some team managers put you through whilst they keep you waiting to find out whether or not you’re getting on the plane. Last minute changes of plans that leave you scrambling around packing your suitcase at the eleventh hour…or unpacking it and telling your parents to cancel their flights to Paris when the team decides to take the squad in a different direction.    The point is, it’s a wild ride that kicks off months before the race even begins, and that’s what Svein and I are chatting all about in this month’s Life In The Peloton: Chronicles. Whilst Svein’s been off coming face to face with grizzly bears in the Canadian wilderness (seriously…that is a crazy story) and I’ve been dashing about Australia screening our new film ‘Holy Week’ (available to watch now on YouTube, we’ve both been thinking through our experiences in making…or in my case missing out on…the Tour de France startlist.   As you’ll know by now, Sveino is a real smart guy. He has a really pragmatic, grounded approach to anything that comes his way, and the Tour de France is no different. Yes it might be the biggest bike race in the world that makes or breaks riders careers, but Sveino has the wherewithal to look at his three participations and wish he’d only done the race once.   This month, though, it’s not just Svein and me. We’ve spoken to heaps of riders - past and present - to hear their stories about Le Tour selection and what it means to them. Matt ‘Whitey’ White, now a sports director at Movistar team, is right in the middle of being that guy on the other end of the phone telling the riders whether or not they’re lining up for a month long all-expenses-paid trip around France. He raced the tour just once as a pro in 2005 for team Cofidis, so has seen the good, the bad, and the ugly of Tour selection from both sides.   Christian Meier, a former teammate of both Sveino and me on Greenedge in the glory years, has got a wild story about his one and only Tour call up. Of all the places to be when you get the call telling you you’re in, holidaying in Vegas having not touched your bike in a week or so has to be one of the worst!    After Christian, we hear from another Canadian; Alex Stieda - the first ever North American rider to pull on the yellow jersey riding for team 7-Eleven in 1986. His story is a crazy one; almost no notice, a backdrop of political unrest leading to the team abandoning the Vuelta in the months before, prior to it even starting, and only finding out there’s a TT in the race when they opened the road book at the team sign-on! Absolutely crazy.    Finally, of course, we hear from the legend himself Durbo. The last man standing from that original Greenedge line up and a veteran of the Tour de France, getting ready to start his 12th and final lap of France in his final year as a pro cyclist. Luke’s had to earn his spot on the squad each and every time he’s do
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  Something’s Cooking In France: Life In The Peloton’s Race Radio presented by SHOKZ 24.06.2026 1ч 4мин

  The Tour de France may be the biggest bike race in the world, but there’s a little-known race in the heart of the Pyrenees you might not have heard of that, in my opinion, might just be better.    That’s right, La Route d’Occitanie, formerly known as La Route du Sud, is a third-tier stage race that sees up-and-comers and the occasional legend rip around the wild, rustic mountain towns of the Pyrenees a few weeks before the big show in July. No, it’s not the biggest race in the world, but it’s one of the most honest. Nowhere to hide, no massive plaudits: just heat, suffering, and craft. A real racer’s race. Just take stage four of the 2010 edition, for example: one of the toughest days in history won by a real racer…   With this in mind, I thought it would be the perfect place to send Life In The Peloton’s Race Radio p/b SHOKZ for stage three of their year of chasing the lesser-known but deeply loved races that the most passionate of fans get behind each year.    With the mercury tipping over 40 degrees Celsius, Harry & Stu were in for a scorcher as they made their way from Saint-Paul-Cap-de-Joux to Loudenvielle. Here’s what Harry had to say about their long weekend on the Euro barbecue:   Three races into our ‘b-calendar’ for LITPRR this season, and after spending an amazing weekend at La Route d’Occitanie, I’m now totally convinced that smaller races are the best way to get out and watch bike racing live.    You get the same thrill of a hundred pros whooshing past, but none of the endless road closures and angry policemen blocking the road, none of the jostling for position with other fans to get a glimpse of a flash of a bike or fleeting set of calves. Big races make everything much harder.   At smaller races, you get the best view in the house with no effort. You’ve got a better chance of chatting to the riders before or after the race, and everyone is much less stressed. The racing is still exciting, and the roads are still just as beautiful.    I loved listening to this ep and hearing some familiar voices – my old team mate and DS on EF Pro Cycling, Matti Breschel, and Robert ‘Wagi’ Wagner, another former team mate and one of my oldest friends from my racing days.    Now, I don’t like to pump my own tyres up, but I did actually somehow manage to win a stage of this race back in 2010, the final day from Lauvar to Castres. It was great to see the old Skil Shimano kit from that year dusted off and worn by Harry himself at the roadside – it even managed to get some TV time as Davide Piganzoli ripped past to take the overall win.    Guys, enjoy this ep. The sounds, the vibes, and the atmosphere over in France at this time of year are the perfect combination to get you geed up ready for the big one in July, but don’t discount a trip across yourself next year for the Route d’Occitanie; one of the toughest races on the calendar. Only real champions win here…and me.   Cheers, Mitch   This Episode is sponsored by SHOKZ and Saily!    Get an exclusive 15% discount on Saily data plans! Use code PELOSURF at checkout.    Download the Saily app or go to https://saily.com/pelosurf   If you’re after the best sports headphones - be it for cycling, running, or even swimming - get across to SHOKZ’s website, and use the code LITP enjoy a cheeky discount for being a LITP listener. https://bit.ly/4skq7lK or use the code LITP at checkout.
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  The Dauphin… I mean the ‘Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes’ is over. The Tour de France is coming! | The Race Communqiué 17.06.2026 1ч 20мин

  Life in the Peloton is proudly brought to you by MAAP   Guys, the Dauphi…I mean the ‘Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes’ has just finished, which can mean only one thing; Le Tour is just around the corner! This month’s edition of the Race Communiqué with me, EF Education Easypost DS Tom Southam, and Jayco AlUla pro rider Luke Durbridge is the perfect pod to wrap up the racing we’ve just witnessed and get you in the mood for the big one!    We kick off this month’s ep with our first listener question! That’s right, we’ve been doing this for three years and we’ve finally got our first question! Remember, drop us an email at [email protected] with your questions and we might just feature them on the pod! The Dauphine Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes is the ultimate warm up race for the Tour de France, and it always provides a great insight into how the favourites are going, as well as giving us a bit of a sneak preview of some of the stages. With the big three - Pogi, Jonas, and Remco - all favouring altitude camps, the Dauph…..race was set to be a showdown between the young French hope Paul Seixas, UAE Emirates defector to Lidl Trek Juan Ayuso, and Pogi’s Mexican prodigy Isaac Del Toro.    Things started with a bang for Tom’s EF team with French superstar Alex Baudin taking the first stage and with it the yellow jersey, which they valiantly defended up until the final weekend. Young Aussie Luke Tuckwell put himself in the 60 rider breakaway on stage 6 and took over the lead of the race and, with Paul Seixas crashing hard on stage 7 and eventually abandoning at the start of the last day of racing, it was Tuckwell’s to lose. In the end Isaac Del Toro was just too strong and took the overall victory by just under a minute on young Luke.    At just 21 years old, this is an absolutely massive breakthrough ride for Luke. He’s out there swimming with the Dolphins in his first year pro! I was stoked to have a quick catch up with him and hear his thoughts on the race, and what this means for the rest of his summer.   Durbo’s PeloChat is one for you data nerds out there. Last year, he said Tour de Suisse was the toughest stage race he’s ever done, but this year’s Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes might just take the crown. He’s going through the TrainingPeaks data to compare the races and categorically decide which was the bigger challenge. This isn’t just about the training load, though; these races can be a real hot bed for sickness and - being so close to the Tour - if you get sick you could wreck your chances of a 3 week all expenses paid trip around France in July.   Talking Tactics time next, and Southam’s going all in for the mega break. We’ve seen it a few times already this year; first at Liege and then again at the Dauphine, and it’s starting to become a tactic that teams like EF and Uno X are banking on to bring home some big results. Full teamwork, everyone committed, reap the rewards.   Guys, this pod is an absolute banger. I absolutely love chatting to Southam and Durbo when the race season really kicks off because they’re both still out there amongst it, and their insight is just amazing. This is the kind of perspective I feel really privileged to be able to share with you all.    Roll on July!   Cheers, Mitch   The Race Communiqué is brought to you by TrainingPeaks! Track, plan, and train smarter - just like the pros. Get 20% off TrainingPeaks Premium now at trainingpeaks.com/litp
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  Dr. David Castol: Performance, Perspective, & the Modern Peloton 10.06.2026 59мин

  Life in the Peloton is proudly brought to you by MAAP   Being a Doctor on a professional cycling team means something very different now to what it meant just a few decades ago. Nowadays, a cycling doctor is all about balancing performance with a rider’s long term health, keeping these high functioning athletic specimens fighting fit and ready for the physical and mental load of bike racing. But, it wasn’t that long ago that being a Doctor in professional cycling meant one thing; performance enhancement.   Guys, this month’s episode of Life In The Peloton is one of the most thought provoking conversations we’ve had in a while. I sat down with my old team doctor from my days on EF; Dr David Castol.   Dr. Castol has spent years working at the heart of pro cycling, helping riders navigate the demands of one of the toughest sports on the planet. But, in 2018, everything changed when David found himself on the other side of the medical system after a testicular cancer diagnosis that transformed his outlook on life and the way he practices medicine.   David and I talk about what it takes to have a long, healthy career as a sportsperson, and how to find the balance between being a high performance athlete and focusing on your long term health. Efficiency, recovery, and managing your body’s resources better to improve your performance economy are all at the centre of Dr. Castol’s philosophy, and there’s a lot to take away for pro athletes and amateurs alike.   Of course, we also dive into the real gritty questions that come with the territory of being a doctor in cycling. Is doping still present in the pro pelo? What does he think about these extraordinary performances we’re seeing more and more often in races these days? Where does the grey area of performance enhancement begin and end?   It goes without saying that your mind and your body have to work in harmony to get the most out of your athletic potential, and hearing Dr. Castol’s take on just how important mental health is for riders was really eye opening and reassuring to know that mainstream medicine is starting to focus on psychology as well as physiology.   Since I stopped racing at the end of 2021, the pro peloton is almost unrecognisable. Riders are going faster, breaking through younger, and retiring earlier; and it doesn’t look like it’s going to slow down any time soon.   I actually learnt a hell of a lot from our chat. Despite not being a professional athlete any more, there’s so many broader points about your general health that are as relevant to day-to-day life as they are to bike riding. I hope you guys enjoy this chat and learn a thing or two about your physical and mental health as a cyclist, whether you’re a pro racer or a weekend warrior.   Cheers, Mitch     This episode is sponsored by JOIN Cycling. Train smarter with adaptive plans and efficient workouts. Maximise progress, avoid overtraining, and seamlessly connect with favourite apps and devices. Perfect for cyclists of all levels.   For 30 Days JOIN Cycling FREE, head across to https://join.cc/litp    
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  BONUS: Back on the Bike with Sveino! 29.05.2026 15мин

  This is a cheeky bonus excerpt from the full episode. To listen to the whole thing — and get access to future Chronicles — become a PODIUM Member (our foundling tier) via our Substack. 👉 https://lifeinthepeloton.substack.com/about   Although we live on opposite sides of the world to one another, Sveino and I share a really deep connection. We spent years together racing, going through those gritty, hard experiences that forge the strongest friendships its possible to have; through suffering. We catch up once a month for an hour or so, and it’s something I really look forward to - even if it is just a video call.   So, when Sveino decided to make the trip Down Under, I was absolutely stoked.   That’s right, guys, this month’s episode of The Life In The Peloton Chronicles is a special one; Sveino and I are back riding bikes together for the first time in years, taking on a bit of a mini adventure over a few days. Heading out from LanVegas, we initially planned to pick up the Great Victorian Divide trail and smash out a bit of an epic…but things didn’t quite work out that way.   The thing with these epic multi-day challenges is that you have to roll out with that mindset; “I’m on a bloody mission here”...and after reuniting with Svein, all we wanted to do was enjoy the short time we had together, so we pivoted the goal and decided to pull the chord on the full Divide, and just cruise for a few days so we could actually enjoy ourselves. I’ll tell you now - bloody great call.   I packed the mics, and we decided to record our yarns on the bike and put out this mini travelogue of an episode. Heading East out of Lanny over Mount Disappointment, we made tracks for Jamieson, before heading up to Mansfield - Gerro’s hometown - and cutting back West towards home. Still a good few hundred tough ks over three days on what Sveino would call “bomber” gravel, and more than enough riding to really rinse ourselves.   Sveino’s full of amazing, philosophical thoughts. He’s in tune with himself, and I find his energy really calming when I’m around him. “Adapt until we die” was his saying of the trip, and let me tell you we had a few mishaps that meant we had to adapt along the way.   Guys, I hope you enjoy listening to Sveino and I rambling around the Victorian countryside for a few days. I love recording pods in person whenever I can, and even more so when it’s with one of my best mates who I haven’t seen face-to-face in years.   As always, thanks so much for being part of the Pelo. Your support makes these special episodes possible. You guys are pulling some epic turns, and let me tell you, there were a few points out on this trip where I could have done with a few extra wheels to sit on…   Until next month!   Cheers, Mitch
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  The Giro So Far… | The Race Communiqué 27.05.2026 1ч 16мин

  Life in the Peloton is proudly brought to you by MAAP   We’re nearing the end of the Giro d’Italia, and it’s been a crazy race so far. Jonas Vingegaard’s dominating the GC, the sprint stages have been hotly contested by Magnier, Groenewegen, and Milan, and UAE are mopping up stage wins left, right, and centre. With just a few days left of the first Grandy of 2026, it’s time for this month’s Race Communiqué!    That’s right, guys, Tom Southam, Luke Durbridge, and I are sitting down for a good old yarn about what’s been happening over in Italy for the last few weeks before it all reaches a crescendo this weekend.    Whilst it’s pretty nailed on that Vingegaard will take home the pink jersey and, with it, a place in the Grand Tour triple crown hall of fame, there’s still a hotly contested fight for the podium spots and - more importantly - the best placed Western Australian, with Hindley, O’Connor, and Storer all sitting pretty in the top 10!    I raced the Giro twice in my career, and I have some fond memories from the land of espresso, prosciutto, and pretty chaotic racing. This grand tour is always a fan favourite; less mainstream than the Tour, but not as low-key as the Vuelta. But, as always, Southam disagrees; is the Giro actually boring?! He makes his case, but also takes a look at the Unibet Rose Rocket’s strategy in this month’s talking tactics. They’re all in on winning a sprint stage because, as our old DS Klier says; “You can’t dance at two weddings at the same time.”   In this month’s PeloChat, Durbo takes a look at the concussion protocol, and what needs to be changed to better serve riders. This is a real hot debate in the sport at the moment and - after seeing Adam Yates covered in blood and mud battling back into the bunch before a DNS the following stage with concussion - it’s clear that it’s coming to a head (...if you’ll excuse the pun). We discuss the current protocol, and what could be done better to give riders the support they need.   As always, we finish up with a CommuniQuiz, and Southam’s up to bat as quiz master with a real tricky Giro special edition. I reckon even Coppi, Pantani, and Nibali would have been caught out with some of these questions, so play along at home and see how you get on! Guys, it’s smoking hot over in Europe right now whilst I’m cosying up by the fire at the end of Autumn back home in Melbourne. Seeing the riders sweating away in the mountains is making me feel pretty smug - I don’t miss that one bit…but then again, a good excuse to knock the top off a few cold ones.   Cheers, Mitch   Thanks heaps for listening to this month’s Communiqué, brought to you exclusively by TrainingPeaks. Make sure you hop on TrainingPeaks virtual next Tuesday June 2nd at 8pm AEST / 11am GMT+ 1 (BST) / 6am EDT to join Southam and I for a virtual ride. Southam’s going pretty well at the moment from what I hear, so I’ll have to dive deep into the hurt box to try to get one over on him - why not jump on and give me a virtual draft? Sign up here: https://tpvirtualhub.com/77873/signup   Track, plan, and train smarter - just like the pros.   Get 20% off TrainingPeaks Premium now at trainingpeaks.com/litp
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  The Smartest Rider In The Pelo; Matteo Trentin | Life In The Peloton 20.05.2026 55мин

  Life in the Peloton is proudly brought to you by MAAP   You don’t have a career in pro cycling as long as Matteo Trentin’s without being strong, smart, and totally dedicated to the sport. I was so excited to sit down with Matteo when I was across in Europe during the Spring Classics and find out more about the life and career of one of the wiliest riders in the peloton.   That’s right, guys, this month’s ep sees me spinning a yarn with Matteo Trentin over a crisp acqua frizzante - it was in between Wevelgem and Flanders, after all - and hearing the story of his career on the bike.    Since turning professional with Quickstep at the end of 2011, Matteo’s bounced between some of the biggest teams in the sport; from Greenedge to CCC, through to UAE Emirates and now riding for Tudor Pro Cycling. Along the way he’s bagged himself three stage wins at the Tour de France, four stages at the Vuelta, a stage at the Giro, AND, as if that wasn’t enough, a European Championships title ahead of none other than Wout van Aert and Mathieu Van Der Poel.    But he’s not just good on paper. Watch any classic bike race, and more often than not you’ll see Matteo right there in the thick of the action during the decisive moment. He never misses. Over a decade and a half in the sport, he’s built up a reputation as being one of the most intelligent racers in the whole bunch, and I loved hearing about his mentality in the races, his ability to surf the bunch, and how he always looks out for ‘the watch dog’.    At just 17 years old, Matteo served a short ban for a salbutamol positive. I wanted to find out how this shaped the rest of his career, and Matteo’s open and candid answer speaks volumes about his professionalism and his mindset as a rider.    This is a real racer’s episode. We talk about the grit and grime of the sharp end of the Spring Classics, the harsh reality of coming back from injury and disappointment, and what it takes to have a long and successful career like Matteo’s.    I absolutely loved my chat with Matteo, and I hope you do too. If you followed this year’s classics then you’ll know, sadly, a few days after recording this ep Matteo hit the deck at the Tour of Flanders and broke his collarbone…for the first time in his career - which, if you ask me, is a pretty good ratio in 16 years pro. He’s on the comeback trail now and is getting ready to return to the pelo again and show those young guns how the vintage riders do it; with race craft, dedication, and a touch of Italian flair.   Crack open a bottle of vino, plate up the antipasto, and get your ears around this awesome chat with Matteo Trentin.    Cheers Mitch   This episode is sponsored by JOIN Cycling. Train smarter with adaptive plans and efficient workouts. Maximize progress, avoid overtraining, and seamlessly connect with favorite apps and devices. Perfect for cyclists of all levels. For 30 Days JOIN Cycling FREE, head across to https://join.cc/litp
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  Live At Tro-Bro Léon: Life In The Peloton’s Race Radio presented by SHOKZ 13.05.2026 58мин

  Tro-Bro Léon. The mini Paris-Roubaix. 200km of rolling Breton hills, aggressive racing, and the iconic farm track - or Ribinoù - the race is known for. This race is iconic, but niche. It’s a real racers race; if you know, you know. That’s why it’s the perfect setting for the second episode of Life In The Peloton’s Race Radio presented by SHOKZ.   That’s right, Harry & Stu are back at the races to bring you all the sounds, sights, and smells from the roadside to take you on the journey with them. Here’s what the boys had to say about their adventure:   Harry: Tro-Bro Léon – what a delight. Stu and I had a blast in Brittany, shucking oysters, shopping in Decathlon and cheering on Lewis Askey and Fred Wright. My personal highlight? Meeting 'Mr Pig' himself Laurent Pichon, legendary rider from the area and all-round nice guy. Bring on the Route d'Occitanie!   Stu: Ribin-who? I only heard about this race a couple of years ago, and I’ve wanted to go ever since. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint... If only all races were this wild! This is France like I’ve never seen it before. Pure Breton passion, hard racing, great crowds. Mitch knows how to pick em! See you there next year?   I only did this race once in my career, and for some reason EF gave me the green light to be the team’s leader and go for a result. How did it go? Well, let’s just say I’ve never won Tro-Bro…not even close.    This is a real bastard of a race, but that’s why it’s loved so deeply by the fans. The iconic piglet prize presented to the best placed Breton rider is just one of the weird and wonderful things about Tro-Bro Léon, but after you listen to Harry & Stu’s latest adventure it’ll all make sense.   Of course, none of this would be possible without support from our presenting partner SHOKZ. If you’re after the best sports headphones - be it for cycling, running, or even swimming - get across to SHOKZ’s website, and enjoy a cheeky discount for being a LITP listener.    Guys, you don’t need me to tell you…but I’m going to anyway; this is a banger of an ep. Harry and Stu are just like you and me - real bike racing fans. Their passion is infectious, and after hearing this episode, I’m so pumped to get back roadside watching some live racing. If you enjoyed this one, drop the boys a line at [email protected] and let them know!   You’ll next hear from Life In The Peloton’s Race Radio presented by SHOKZ at La Route d'Occitanie in June - another niche race, but one that - in 2010 - saw one f the greatest stage victories of all time. Stay tuned.   Cheers, Mitch