Wheel Talk

Maternity leave and ice socks 06.07.2026 1t 7min

This week, Abby, Loren, and Gracie talk about the recent news that Elise Chabbey and Emma Norsgaard are pregnant, Kate Courtney, ice socks and the future of the sport amid the recent heat waves, and BTS.

How Rebecca Charlton relied on cycling through cancer diagnosis 29.06.2026 52min

This week, Abby sat down with Rebecca Charlton, commentator for TNT and Wheel Talk regular, to talk about her mid-Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift cancer diagnosis in 2025 and the year that followed. Rebecca talks about how cycling helped her through the hardest year of her life, how everything impacted her as a mother, and more.

Building confidence at the Tour de Suisse 22.06.2026 1t 3min

We are back to our regularly scheduled podcast this week as Abby, Gracie, and Georgie talk all things Tour de Suisse. From Zoe Backstedt to Marlen Reusser, from horrendous heat to that time trial on stage 4, there's a lot to say about the final WorldTour race before the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift in over a month.

Amanda "Spratty" Spratt's last hurrah 15.06.2026 54min

This week, we go back in time to just before the Spring Classics, when Abby sat down with Amanda "Spratty" Spratt to talk about her final season racing bikes. Normal episodes of the podcast will resume after the Tour de Suisse, which kicks off on Wednesday, June 17th. The five-stage race will feature a few potential Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift contenders, so we will have plenty to discuss next week. Check out the Wheel Talk Newsletter on EscapeCollective.com for a full breakdown of the stages and contenders.

Giro d'Italia stage 9: When dreams become reality 07.06.2026 1t 9min

The final stage of the Giro d'Italia absolutely delivered. What a day of bike racing! Heartbreak for some meant healing for others. A stage that wasn't originally billed as a race-changing day turned into the biggest fight of the week. Abby and Loren called up a team fitting of such a stage: Anna Shackley and Alice Barnes. Plus audio diaries from Eva van Agt (FDJ United-Suez), Amanda "Spratty" Spratt (Lidl-Trek), and an EF Education-Oatly double with Alexis Magner and Magdeleine Vallieres.

Giro d'Italia stage 8: What could have been... 06.06.2026 44min

The eighth stage of the Giro d'Italia was supposed to be the big one. The stage that would all but determine the general classification, even with one final stage remaining. Instead, the stage was cut short by about 27 km and one iconic climb. The battle that was foretold came to nothing, which means the final stage is going to be...well. It's going to be something to watch. For the eighth episode of our Giro Daily podcasts, Loren and Abby are joined by Julie Leth to talk about the stage and what could have been, plus what they think will happen on Sunday. With audio diaries from Antonia Niedermaier (Canyon-SRAM), Lauren Dickson (FDJ United-Suez), and Amanda "Spratty" Spratt (Lidl-Trek).

Giro d'Italia stage 7: Expect the unexpected, or better yet, expect Alison Jackson to attack 05.06.2026 54min

The seventh stage was unpredictable, with a category 3 climb that topped out with 27 km to go. Other than the one climb, it was a flatter stage, so would Elisa Balsamo harness her Lidl-Trek teammates to control the race? Could a breakaway finally sneak in for a victory? Or would some of the GC riders who have already lost time go for it on the descent? Or...all of the above? Loren and Abby are joined by Sarah Roy to talk about the seventh stage and what's to come on Saturday. Audio diaries today include Alison Jackson (St Michel-Preference Home-Auber93), Femke de Vries (Visma-Lease a Bike), and Alexis Magner (EF Education-Oatly).

Giro d'Italia stage 6: Embrace the YOLO mentality 04.06.2026 38min

The Giro d'Italia is officially "almost over". Stage 6 is done and dusted, and even though Uno-X Mobility tried to make the race chaotic, it ended up coming down to the fastest rider(s) once again. Today, Anna Shackley is back with Abby and Loren to talk about stage 6 and look ahead to stage 7. Will the breakaway finally get its chance? Our audio diarists today include Nienke Veehoven of Visma-Lease a Bike, Caroline Andersson of Liv AlUla Jayco, and Maggie Coles-Lyster of Human Powered Health.

Giro d'Italia stage 5: Under pressure 03.06.2026 53min

The fifth stage of the Giro d'Italia was a brutal day, with over 3,000 metres of elevation gain in 146 km. The racing started when the flag dropped, with every team trying to send riders up the road. The stage ended up going to the favorites, as some minor movements were made in the general classification. Aidan Burgess (@burgess_and_his_bike) and Georgie are back to talk about the stage and what it means for the race, with Abby. Audio diaries today come from Alison Jackson (St Michel-Preference Home-Auber93) and Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (Canyon-SRAM).

Giro d'Italia stage 4: GC riders take center stage in uphill time trial 02.06.2026 44min

The fourth stage of the Giro d'Italia was a 12.7 km, majority uphill, time trial, which meant it was finally time for the general classification hopefuls to dust off their watts and fight for the jersey. The results were something to write home about, and with five stages remaining, we've got a real battle on our hands. Hannah Barnes, Giro stage winner, and Anna Shackley, former teammate of the entire podium, join Abby to discuss stage 4 and what's to come in stage 5 on Wednesday. With audio diaries from Vittoria Guazzini (FDJ United-Suez), Alexis Magner (EF Education-Oatly), and Amanda "Spratty" Spratt (Lidl-Trek).

Giro d'Italia stage 3: Who said a 2.5 km climb isn't for the GC contenders? 01.06.2026 40min

The third stage of the Giro d'Italia, with a category 3 climb of 2.5 km with 22 km to go, looked like one for a reduced bunch, but the general classification contenders had other ideas. The finish was still far from a surprise...depending on who you ask. Today, Gracie and Abby are joined by Anna Shackley, former rider for SD Worx-Protime, to talk about all the action. With audio diaries from breakaway legend Alison Jackson (St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93), Matilde Vitillo (Liv AlUla Jayco), and Maggie Coles-Lyster (Human Powered Health).

Giro d'Italia Women stage 2: 20 grams and a fast finish 31.05.2026 45min

Stage 2 of the Giro d'Italia continued the drama that wrapped the first stage. The situation with Lorena Wiebes hung over the peloton, but didn't stop the rest of the sprinters from doing their thing. In this second Giro Daily podcast, Abby is joined by Georgie and Aidan Burgess (@burgess_and_his_bike) to break down stage 2 and the disqualification of Wiebes. With audio diaries from Nienke Veenhoven of Visma-Lease a Bike, Alexis Magner of EF Education-Oatly, Caroline Andersson of Liv AlUla Jayco, and Soraya Paladin of Canyon-SRAM.

It wouldn't be the Giro d'Italia without some drama 30.05.2026 22min

Abby, Loren, and Gracie tune in for the first stage of the Giro d'Italia, a sprint stage from Cesenatico to Ravenna. Lorena Wiebes won the stage, but it wasn't the end of the race for the Dutch champion. Drama would follow the SD Worx-Protime rider hours after she pulled on the pink jersey. A few riders commented on the technicality of the final circuit, and Gracie has some thoughts. With audio diaries from Maggie Coles-Lyster of Human Powered Health and Amanda Spratt of Lidl-Trek.

Elisa Longo Borghini's perfectly imperfect 2025 Giro d'Italia 29.05.2026 1t 1min

In this special episode of the Wheel Talk podcast, Abby sat down with 2024 and 2025 Giro d'Italia winner Elisa Longo Borghini to talk about how she won the Giro with UAE Team ADQ. Elisa dives deep into her move from Lidl-Trek to UAE Team ADQ, how she prepared for the 2025 Giro, and how she won the race. The 2026 Giro d'Italia starts on Saturday, and Wheel Talk will be bringing you daily podcasts all race long. Tune in for rider diaries and analysis from all your favorite voices. For the written story about Elisa's Giro victory, check out EscapeCollective.com. And here's a stage-by-stage breakdown of the race. Thanks for listening!

Vuelta a Burgos wraps the Spanish block 25.05.2026 1t 15min

Abby, Georgie, Gracie, and Loren break down all four stages of the Vuelta a Burgos. From the first two days for the sprinter(s), the second explosive stage that continued a fantastic run of form for a podcast favourite, and the final GC stage that allowed a new GC contender to emerge. Next, Abby spoke with Elisa Balsamo about sprinting against Lorena Wiebes, Lidl-Trek, and her wedding dress (written story coming to Escape Collective later this week). And finally, the team looks ahead to the Giro d'Italia, set to start Saturday, May 30th. Read Matt's story about Yara Kastelijn's victory here. Stay tuned for a special podcast on Friday, where Elisa Longo Borghini details her Giro d'Italia victory with Abby. Love what we do? Sign up for Escape Collective at escapecollective.com/wheeltalk

Two riders, three stages - an Itzulia Women rerun 18.05.2026 1t 33min

This week, Abby, Georgie, and Loren are joined by special guest Matt de Neef of Escape Collective to talk about Itzulia Women - the latest WorldTour stage race in Spain, and Abby spoke with Lauren Dickson of FDJ United-Suez about the breakthrough results that landed her on the top team in women's cycling. The three stages and overall were swept by two riders, but neither was a member of the strongest team in the race. Mischa Bredewold was back for the third year, with a vengeance, while Dominika Włodarczyk surprised with a standout performance. Meanwhile, FDJ United-Suez was doing...something else. Earlier this year, Abby spoke with Lauren Dickson, who had a standout ride at Itzulia, about her rapid rise through the ranks and riding with some of the top women in the sport. You can read Matt's written story based on the interview here. Love women's cycling? Sign up for Escape Collective at escapecollective.com/wheeltalk to support this podcast, and thank you for listening!

La Vuelta break down with Brodie Chapman 11.05.2026 1t 36min

This week, Abby, Gracie, and Georgie are joined by a very special guest to analyze La Vuelta Femenina: UAE Team ADQ's Brodie Chapman. They discussed the "comeback" of SD Worx-Protime and especially Lotte Kopecky and Anna van der Breggen, the famous L'Angliru, and the young riders who animated this year's Vuelta. With "before the coverage" audio diaries from Alexis Magner and Babette van der Wolf of EF Education-Oatly and Riejanne Markus of Lidl-Trek. Love women's cycling? Become a member of Escape Collective by signing up at EscapeCollective.com/wheeltalk

Kasia's fantastic Spring and the Vuelta 04.05.2026 1t 23min

This week, Abby talked to Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney about her Spring campaign, how she really feels about coming second, what was different coming into the season, and La Vuelta Femenina. Gracie, Georgie, and Loren joined Abby to talk about the Vuelta stages, what to look out for, and who they're watching for the GC in the final two stages. The written piece on Kasia can be found here. Abby also referenced Matt's story about the Vuelta, which can be found here. For more on the Vuelta this week, read Abby's stage-by-stage breakdown of the route and overview of the possible contenders. Love what we do? Sign up for Escape Collective by using this link: escapecollective.com/wheeltalk

Comfort or confidence? The transformation of Demi Vollering 27.04.2026 1t 15min

Loren, Gracie, and Georgie joined Abby this week to wrap up the Classics with a discussion of La Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. They talked about FDJ United-Suez's continued dominance and how Demi Vollering has transformed while with the team. They also discussed the live coverage situation and the upcoming Vuelta España.

What a podium presentation says about someone's personality 21.04.2026 1t 17min

Georgie and Gracie joined Abby this week to talk about De Brabantse Pijl and the Amstel Gold Race. They discussed the continued power of FDJ United-Suez with Célia Gery, another top rider to add to their list of wins this year, how SD Worx-Protime is still struggling to execute, and what to expect from the final two races of the spring. Abby also sat down with Femke de Vries to talk about her time at Visma-Lease a Bike and the interesting way she found herself on one of the best teams in the world. You can find the written story here.