Life in the Peloton, presented by MAAP

Episodes

• BONUS: Back on the Bike with Sveino! 29.05.2026 15m

  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
• The Giro So Far… | The Race Communiqué 27.05.2026 1h 16m

  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
• The Smartest Rider In The Pelo; Matteo Trentin | Life In The Peloton 20.05.2026 55m

  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
• Live At Tro-Bro Léon: Life In The Peloton’s Race Radio presented by SHOKZ 13.05.2026 58m

  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 raceradio@lifeinthepeloton.com 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
• BONUS: Surviving the Spring Classics 30.04.2026 17m

  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   The Spring Classics are done and dusted for another season. When I was a pro, I used to absolutely love these races. The grit they demanded of you as a rider, the passion of the fans in Belgium, the race craft you had to possess just to survive…man, I lived for it.   This month’s episode of The Life In The Peloton Chronicles is all about exactly that - surviving and thriving at the Spring Classics. Sveino may not have enjoyed the races quite as much as I did, but he gave them a bloody good go throughout his career, and shares that deep understanding of what’s required to even just get to the finish line of these races, let alone win them.   If I had to summarise the Spring Classics in a word, it would be ‘Passion’. You need to have passion for these races, for these roads. You have to be prepared to basically die for every single corner - that’s how intense the fight to be at the front at the key moments is. If you don’t have that passion, you’ll never win that fight, and you’ll be spat out the back quicker than you can say ‘Kwaremont’,   Svein and I are just a couple of old guys, really, so we spoke to some young talent to see if the demands of these races that left such a deep impression on us as riders are still there for the next generation.   Kell O’Brien has just wrapped up his fifth go around the Spring Classics circus as a pro. Hailing from Melbourne and riding for Jayco, I see a lot of myself in Kell. He came across as a young man, and did his time taking a real beating in these races - learning the hard way just like I did. Now he’s been around for a few years, he’s starting to carve out his spot in the bunch and get more and more out of these races. I loved chatting to Kell and hearing just how much it means to be a part of these prestigious, historic, crazy events and how much he’s grown as a person not just on the bike, but off it as well because of it.   Sveino caught up with the young American prodigy Riley Sheehan from team NSN. Riley tasted success at the classics before his pro career had even started, winning the late season classic style race Paris-Tour when he was just a stagiere! A trainee getting their hands in the air is rare enough as it is, but to do so at a race with gravel sectors and all the fighting and chaos as a Belgian classic shows just how much potential there is. Naturally, that kind of result puts a lot of pressure on a young rider, and repeating that kind of success in races that some riders take years to crack is no easy task. Fortunately for Riley, he absolutely loves the fight and the pure racing that plays out on the roads, cobbles, and bergs of Belgium and Northern France.   As always, I loved chatting to Svein and having a yarn like we do every month. Being able to relive these races and hear about the experience of a couple of talented young riders only makes me love them even more. Only 345 days until Roubaix 2027!   Guys, thanks for being part of the Pelo and getting behind everything we’re doing here at Life In The Peloton. You’ve done a great job keeping the echelon rolling throughout the crosswinds of the Spring, and now we’re only a few weeks away from chasing back on through the valleys of Italy together…after being dropped in the mountains.   Cheers, Mitch
• Cobbles Wrap Up & Liège Preview | The Race Communiqué 22.04.2026 1h 7m

  Life in the Peloton is proudly brought to you by MAAP   Guys, the cobbled classics are over for another year - and what a Spring we’ve had! Although the cobbles may be behind us, we still have the Ardennes to look forward to over the next week! Who better to wrap up the cobbles and preview the Ardennes with than my old mates Luke Durbridge and Tom Southam right here on this month’s Race Communiqué.   We kick this month’s episode off by rounding up the Spring so far; from Pogačar’s dominance at Flanders right through to Van Aert’s redemption at Paris Roubaix, there’s been heaps of racing to get stuck into. One race I didn’t manage to follow too closely was the Tour of the Basque Country, where young Paul Seixas absolutely dominated from start to finish. Fortunately, Southam was there on the ground in the EF team car, so he gives us the scoop from Spain, and just how good Seixas really is.    The Ardennes classics have already kicked off, with Remco Evenepoel dusting Skjelmose in the sprint to win the Amstel Gold Race. Southam was in the convoy dealing with a unique….pretty gross situation that he’s never come across in his career. Safe to say Remco’s shape is ominous ahead of Liège - the 4th monument of the year - which is only a few days away. With Pog, Remco, and Seixas all on the start list it looks like we’re in for an epic showdown. We go through the course and pick our favourites.   Durbo’s just got back after a few days off the bike following Paris Roubaix, and that’s what this month’s PeloChat is all about; keeping mentally fresh and taking time away from cycling. As you all know by now, Luke’s just announced that he’s hanging up the wheels after national champs in January 2027. He’s riding out a long, distinguished career of 15 years - so this advice is worth listening to.   Talking Tactics is all about that head to head to head we’re getting hyped about at Liège-Bastogne-Liège; how do Remco and Seixas overthrow Pogi who, on paper, is probably the favourite. Southam gives us his thoughts.    Finally - of course - it’s the Communiquiz; this month I’m quiz master and we’re talking monuments. Who’s DNF’d more monuments; me, Durbo, or Southam? You’ll have to listen to find out.    The cobbles may have finished but there’s still heaps of great racing to enjoy, so give this ep a listen and get hyped up for the Ardennes. Not long to go until we can talk Grand Tours, and the Giro - Mama Mia, that’s come around fast!    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
• Was That The Best Race Of All Time? The Race Communiqué EMERGENCY PODCAST Paris Roubaix Wrap Up 13.04.2026 20m

  Life in the Peloton is proudly brought to you by MAAP   PARIS ROUBAIX! What. A. Race. Holy hell, guys - what have we just witnessed.    That was the best Roubaix’s I’ve ever seen…that was the best race I’ve ever seen! I couldn’t wait till Wednesday to talk through this one, so I sat down with Durbo in person right here in Roubaix after the race to go through the dramatic, emotional, epic edition blow by blow.    I was sector hopping at Paris Roubaix today - from the first cobbled sector, to the Carrefour de l’Arbre, then on to the iconic Roubaix velodrome to watch the women’s sprint finish. Meanwhile, Durbo was out there on the stones getting stuck in. We’ve both had pretty epic days, although I think Luke’s earned a few more post race beers than me.    I had to take the opportunity whilst I’m here in Europe to sit down with Luke, recap the race, dive into the key moments that made this edition one for the history books, hear from inside the bunch direct from Durbs, and - of course - squeeze in a cheeky Roubaix Communiquiz.    Guys this is a special emergency podcast from someone who’s just raced - as I’m sure you’ll agree - what was one of the best races of all time. Enjoy.   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
• Tom Boonen – King of the Classics (Roubaix Week Revisit) 11.04.2026 1h 19m

  Life in the Peloton is proudly brought to you by MAAP   It’s Paris–Roubaix week, and it felt like the perfect time to bring back one of the interviews I’d wanted to do from the very start of Life in the Peloton. Sitting down with Tom Boonen at his place in Mol is still one of my favourite conversations we’ve had on the pod, so I thought this was the right moment to share it again.   When it comes to the Cobbled Classics, Tom’s palmarès are mind blowing. He’s the joint record holder for wins at both Flanders (3) and Roubaix (4), as well as the outright record holder for the most wins at E3 (5). Just one of those victories would define most careers, but Tom can also count three Gent–Wevelgems, a couple of Scheldeprijs titles and a world championship for good measure.   This was an extra special pod for me personally. Tom’s career wrapped up in 2017, which meant I spent a big part of my own racing career lining up against him at the Classics and getting my legs blown off by his attacks. He was the wheel everyone wanted to be on when the racing got serious. I managed it once… have a listen to hear how that went.   I was lucky enough to sit down with Tom at his home in Mol and really get stuck into chatting about the races that we both love so much. He’s a fantastic interviewee, and I got a real buzz from the excitement he still clearly feels when talking through the ups and downs of his biggest wins and defeats.   As well as revisiting some of the most legendary Classics moments of the last decade, I also got to ask a few questions I’d always wanted to know the answers to. What was it really like being a superstar in such a cycling-mad country? How did he handle the pressure of becoming world champion at just 24? And we also talked about a comeback story that often gets overlooked alongside Matt Hayman’s incredible ride at the 2016 Paris–Roubaix.   Honestly, I could have stayed chatting about the microscopic details of the Arenberg sector for hours if I could. There’s so much in this one, and with Roubaix coming up this weekend it felt like the right time to bring it back.   Cheers! Mitch   Check out our new Substack! It’s a new place for us to go a bit deeper — home to Tom Southam’s Director’s Cuts, my Pelo Journal, and stories from inside the peloton… and a bit beyond it too - https://lifeinthepeloton.substack.com/
• The Best Week In Belgium: LITP LIVE at the Spring Classics 08.04.2026 1h 27m

  Life in the Peloton is proudly brought to you by MAAP   Guys, as if you need me to tell you, we are deep in the heart of the Spring Classics. My favourite races…hell, EVERYONE’S favourite races. I’ve got myself across to the motherland, in amongst it in Belgium, to soak it all in.   I want to take you with me on the road and show you why these races are so special. This week is bigger than any one race - it’s a part of the culture here in Belgium, and it’s woven into their very DNA. Even people who don’t ride get out there at the roadside and watch the classics race by. I want to peel back the layers and bring you along for the ride in a way that makes you think “Holy shit I have to get out there next year”.   I’ve been putting this episode together since I arrived last weekend, just in time for Gent Wevelgem or, as it’s now called, In Flanders Fields - From Middlekerke to Wevelgem, and hitting record to capture all sorts of rider interviews, roadside atmosphere, across the whole week through Waregem until the big one; De Ronde Van Vlaanderen.   I spoke to some really important characters in the Spring Classic story -both old and new - across my week at the races. Young, up and coming talent like Laurence Pithie and Bob Donaldson, Belgian hero Dries de Bondt, and legends from generations gone by like Sep Vanmarcke and Luke Rowe. Not just the riders, there’s an amazing cross section of fans from Belgian and beyond who have travelled out to the hallowed ground of Flanders to embrace it all.   From Wevelgem to Waregem, the Kemmelberg to the Kwaremont; this episode covers a lot of ground. Just like the Tour of Flanders itself, we twist and turn all over Belgium - covering bergs shoulder to shoulder with the classics riders who make these races so special.   Make no mistake, these races are hard. They’re aggressive, chaotic, fast - they chew you up and spit you out. But, as a professional rider, I loved being a part of it. The noise of the crowd, the smell of the beer, and the passion of the Belgian fans right there on the roadside are something I’ll never forget. I had to get in amongst it and see if it lived up to the hype. I’ll tell you right now, it far exceeded it.   Crack yourself a Belgian beer - be it a light pilsner, a sturdy blonde, a dark dubbel, or the full tripel - make sure you pour it into the correct glass, and enjoy this Classics episode.     This episode is sponsored by JOIN Cycling and SHOKZ.   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   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
• BONUS: From Gels & Guesswork to 120g an Hour | LITP: Chronicles 27.03.2026 15m

  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   Sitting down and having a yarn with my mate Sveino is one of my favourite marts of the month. Sharing a huge chunk of my pro career with Svein and travelling the world racing our bikes together feels like a lifetime ago now, and sometimes we land on a topic that really brings home just how far the sport has come in the time since we both hung up our racing wheels.   This month is no different. Guys, welcome back to the Life In The Peloton Chronicles, exclusively for you Pelo members.   After knocking out an epic 240km ride as part of MAAP’s Equinox Experience and Curve’s Border Run on the weekend that saw me absolutely creeping up to the Victorian border with New South Wales, I wanted to talk about nutrition in bike racing.   Fuelling in cycling - more specifically, how much carbohydrate riders can consume every hour - has transformed in the last few years. Back in my day, we’d have a gel here, a bar there, and sip on a couple of bottles throughout a stage - don’t want to eat too much, right? Might get fat…   Nowadays, pro cyclists are getting through 120g of carbohydrates an hour - or even more. It’s totally changed the game. Riders have more energy, so they can push harder day after day after day. Who would have thought having more energy would make you go better on the bike?   I caught up with an old mate of mine - Kevin Poulton. Kevin is my old coach, and now plies his trade at UAE Emirates XRG with some of the best riders in the world. Kev’s been in the sport for over a decade, and has a really good head on how fuelling has evolved at the top level, and some of the misunderstandings about the golden 120g/h number that we hear so much about these days.   At the end of the day, it’s all about training. Just like how you train your legs, you need to train your gut as well. There’s some gems in this ep, and hopefully you learn a thing or two - as well as enjoy hearing Sveino and I spin a yarn and swap stories from our time in the bunch.   Guys, as you know, these episodes are exclusive to you Pelo members. As always, I want to give you all a massive ‘Chapeau’ for pulling this bunch along and supporting me and the Life In The Peloton team. If you like what we do tell your mates and get them across to join this paceline.   Until next month!   Cheers Mitch
• Analysing a CRAZY Milan San Remo! | The Race Commiuniqué 25.03.2026 1h 27m

  Life in the Peloton is proudly brought to you by MAAP   This year’s Milan San Remo might be the craziest race I’ve ever seen. All the tension and build-up, the favourites crashing with just 30km to go, the epic chase back from Pogi, and the fantastic duel for the win on the Via Roma. What. A. Race. Where do we even start to unpack all that?!   Fortunately, as always, I’m joined by World Tour Pro, Luke Durbridge, and EF Education EasyPost Sports Director, Tom Southam, to dig into what we’ve just seen at San Remo, look ahead to the rest of the Spring races, and, of course, share a few good laughs along the way.    Obviously, this episode kicks off with Southam, Durbo, and me digesting the men’s Milan San Remo that saw a battle-scarred Tadej Pogačar clinch victory in the sprint against Tom Pidcock, with a resurgent Wout Van Aert hanging on for 3rd behind, ahead of a raging Mads Pedersen leading home the bunch. There were so many absolutely crazy moments and amazing rides from heaps of different guys in the bunch - I can’t even begin to wrap it up here; you’ll just have to hear us yarn all about it.   This month’s PeloChat is all about bunch positioning. Durbo gives us his insight into how important a rider’s positioning in the peloton is, and the best ways to avoid the chaos and carnage. It was surprising to hear him say that the back of the bunch isn’t actually as bad as we all thought…   Southam’s Talking Tactics focus this month is…well…talking tactics! How do sports directors and team leaders communicate their plans amongst the riders, and how do they ensure other teams don’t find out before crunch time? Southam tells all.   Our new segment returns: “Yeah…nah…”. This month is all about Cafe culture. Pre-ride coffee stop? Helmet on at the cafe? Lunch in your knicks? Yeah….nah.   Finally, of course, it’s the CommuniQuiz. This month it’s Durbo’s turn to be quiz master, and it’s a full-on ‘Ashes’ edition; Australia VS The UK. I take on the role of Shane Warne, and Southam has a go at being…I don’t know, some Pommy.    Guys, monument season is well and truly here, and what a way to start it on the weekend with a truly historic Milan San Remo. Not long to wait until Holy Week and everyone’s favourite races; Flanders & Roubaix. I. Cannot. Wait.   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 Check out our new Substack! It’s a new place for us to go a bit deeper - home to Tom Southam’s Director’s Cuts, my Pelo Journal, and stories from inside the peloton… and a bit beyond it too!
• The Key To Milan Sanremo 18.03.2026 1h 35m

  Life in the Peloton is proudly brought to you by MAAP   Oh boy, we are just days away from Milan Sanremo. La Primavera, the first monument of the season, La Classicissima - whatever you want to call it - this race is guaranteed action every single year.    This month’s episode of Life In The Peloton is an absolute bumper sized deep dive into this perfect bike race from the people who know it better than anyone. We’ve got previous winners, podium finishers, and passionate riders that dedicate their season to this race - plus experts who know the history of this monumental affair better than anyone.   We kick off with some context from master stat man - Dr Cillian Kelly. He teaches me a thing or two about the history of this race, where it sits compared to the other monuments, and why it is - statistically - the perfect bike race.    Next, a guy who is possibly the most passionate person on earth about Sanremo; Max Sciandri. Max raced MSR 13 times as a professional, and has driven the race as a sports director at least the same number of times. His best finish as a rider was an agonising 4th place behind Colombo in 1996, but he dedicated his career to trying to win this beautiful race. Is there anyone who knows the 300 odd kilometers between Milan and Sanremo better than Max? I don’t think so.   OK That’s the cruisy first 150km of the ep - now we’re over the Turchino and onto the coast for the build up to the finale; it’s time to hear from some riders. John Degenkolb, Matt Goss, Heinrich Haussler, and Michael Matthews. If you know Sanremo, you know that these guys are total legends of the race. Between the 4 of them they’ve got 2 wins, 4 podiums, and 5 other top 10 placings. What’s the key to getting up there on the Via Roma? These guys will tell you.   Guys, this is an episode I’m so excited about because it really feels like it takes you inside the Peloton. I only raced San Remo 2 times in my pro career, so talking to these guys who are so experienced in and passionate about this beautiful, iconic race was really eye opening.    This ep will take you from your first espresso of the day right through to your evening aperitivo and tell  you everything you need to know about the first monument of the season to get you hyped up for the weekend. I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed putting it together.    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 join.cc/litp   A reminder too that we’ve started a new chapter for Life in the Peloton on Substack.   It’s a home for deeper stories, longer thoughts, and conversations that don’t have to fit into an hour-long pod — from Tom Southam’s Director’s Cuts to my own Pelo Journal. Some of it’s always free, and if you want a bit more, the paid membership is really just like shouting Tom or me a pint once a month to help keep Life in the Peloton rolling: https://lifeinthepeloton.substack.com/
• BONUS: Ego, Stubbornness and the Competitive Mindset | LITP: Chronicles 06.03.2026 14m

  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   Guys welcome back to the Life In The Peloton Chronicles - exclusively for you Pelo members who go that extra mile supporting me.   I love getting the chance to sit down and have a yarn with old Sveino, and this month’s episode is a real banger. It’s a long one, but well worth it.   Svein and I were both professional athletes for a bloody long time - about 30 combined years experience between us. One thing you really need to be in control of when you’re an athlete is your ego, and when you retire, it’s something you need to learn all over again; keeping the old ego in check and not getting too big for your boots.   Ego is one thing, stubbornness is another - and the two are different sides of the same coin. If you’ve read Sveino’s book ‘We Will Never Be Here Again’, you’ll know about his absolutely epic, totally crazy trips up into the Alaskan wilderness when he was a younger man before his career as a bike rider. Living in cabins, having run ins with grizzly bears, really pushing his limits because it was what he wanted to do. That’s stubbornness in a nutshell.   Take that mentality on to racing, combine it with natural talent - which Sveino had in bucket loads - and you’ve got a dangerous combo; the stubborn headed work ethic applied to training and mixed with physical ability is a recipe for success.   We’ve got some great guests on this ep. High level sportsmen from different sports to get their take on what’s required to be an athlete at the highest level, and how you can learn from that in your everyday life. Chris Collins - a local AFL legend - Alec Janssens, former elite speed skater.   But before we get to them, Sveino and I kick things off with a good old catch up. As always when we sit down together, it quickly turns into a pretty wide ranging yarn. From skunks causing chaos at Sveino’s place over in Canada, to both of us realising that even though the racing days are behind us, that competitive instinct never really disappears.   We start digging into that mindset and where it actually comes from. Is it something you’re born with? Is it something that gets built into you over years of sport? Or is it just stubbornness that gets reinforced over time?   Even now we both catch ourselves slipping straight back into that mentality. Whether it’s a ride with mates, a parkrun on a Saturday morning, or a climb that suddenly turns into a bit of a test. You tell yourself you’re just going to roll around and take it easy, but the moment someone pushes the pace that little switch flicks and you’re racing again before you even realise it.   That’s really what this episode is all about. Trying to understand that competitive mindset a bit better, and hearing how athletes from other sports have experienced it as well. What drives people to keep pushing themselves, where that stubborn edge comes from, and how that mentality carries through long after the professional career is finished.   Like always with these Chronicles episodes it’s just a relaxed yarn between mates, digging a little deeper into the mindset behind sport and the experiences that shaped our time in the peloton.   Thanks heaps for supporting the Pelo and getting behind me and the team here at Life In The Peloton. You guys are the real super domestiques, putting Nils Politt, Victor Campanaerts, and Carlos Verona to shame. The real MVPs.   Cheers,   Mitch
• Cobbles, Beer & Opening Weekend | Race Radio 04.03.2026 57m

  Here we go then, guys, this is Life In The Peloton’s Race Radio presented by SHOKZ.   Opening Weekend was a total monster start to the Spring Classics! It had everything: dramatic moments, dominant performances, and a healthy dose of that beautiful Belgian charm we’ve all missed over the winter. Man, it’s good to be back…on my sofa watching.   Whilst I was at home catching the replay on the TV with a coffee (I’m looking forward to a cleansing Jupiler when I’m there in person for De Ronde), my old mates Harry Dowdney and Stuart Downie were right there on the ground getting in amongst the action for Race Radio. They crossed the English Channel, braved the Flemish weather, and got stuck in across the weekend at Omloop Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne to bring you this amazing first episode of this new and exciting series, and I’m pumped to share it with you.    Here’s what you can look forward to in this episode, from the men behind it themselves:   Harry: I love the smell of cobbles in the morning! Especially after a wakeup call from our old friend Juan Antonio Flecha, surely the best Spanish classics rider of all time, and an absolute gentleman to boot. But there’s more – we met a couple more legends of the sport on our now-customary pitwalk, but I won’t spoil that just yet. We also had a bit of fun putting together a dramatic re-enactment of an edition of Kuurne that you’ll probably never see the likes of again.   Stu: What a way to start the year. I purposefully avoided watching anything live, knowing that my first fix was going to be live and direct into my eyeballs at Opening weekend, and it did not disappoint. I know some folks think MVDP turning up at the last minute is dull, but I totally disagree – there’s nothing like seeing a living legend surf a wall, against one of the sport’s most iconic backdrops. Unbelievable scenes. It also helps to have a boss who can point you in the direction of a really good beer, so this was truly a great start to a year of racing. We hope you love it as much as we did.   Life In The Peloton’s Race Radio presented by SHOKZ is taking it up a level this year; the boys are going to be right there at the roadside throughout the year, soaking it all in and sharing it with you guys. The coolest races, for the real bike racing fans. I loved listening to this episode; it really did take me back to the Motherland. I could almost smell the frites and taste the grit in between my teeth.   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.    Also, if you want to be in with a chance to WIN a pair of SHOKZ headphones, fill in the survey below and you could bag yourself one of three pairs up for grabs: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeQjNx-Xyc1jjj8cqVrWLrORQq-VDa6WZIniD_x4R__BYx3tg/viewform    Guys, I know I always say this, but I really hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as I do. If you live and breathe all things Flandrien and loved hearing about it from Harry & Stu, drop the boys a line at raceradio@lifeinthepeloton.com and let them know! Harry & Stu’s next outing will be in May to one of my favourite races – the hipster’s Paris-Roubaix, Tro-Bro Léon. I can’t wait.   Cheers, Mitch
• Opening Weekend Is Upon Us + What Happened To Remco?! | The Race Communiqué 25.02.2026 1h 10m

  Life in the Peloton is proudly brought to you by MAAP   Here we go, guys, we’re just a few sleeps away from Opening Weekend! Just thinking about these races gets me absolutely pumped. I can smell the Belgian chaos already; the embrocation, the frites, the beers! What better way to prepare for the return of proper bike racing than sitting down with my old mates Tom Southam and Luke Durbridge for this month’s episode of The Race Communiqué.   Before we jump into a quick preview of Omloop and Kuurne, we look back on the early season races that give us a good insight into who’s going well, and who’s got work to do. Of course Remco Evenepoel won’t be racing this weekend, but we discussed what on earth happened to him in the UAE! He had such a strong start to the season, to see him burst like that on the steep desert climbs was pretty surprising!   Omloop kicks off the classics season this Saturday, and it is set to be an absolute pearler. The start list is absolutely stacked with talent, but there are two big names still waiting to start their road season; Pogi and Van Der Poel. Without these big five star favourites, the race is actually pretty open. I go through my picks in the preview, so have a listen and send me some praise when one of the twelve or so riders I mentioned probably does OK.    My favourite thing about Omloop is the finish; the Muur - Bosberg double that used to be the finale of the Tour of Flanders, but was dropped years ago in favour of the Kwaremont - Paterberg combo we see today. These climbs have everything; double digit gradients, brutal Belgian cobbles, and - most importantly - atmosphere. I can’t wait to see throngs of Belgies at the roadside soaking it all in (along with Life In The Peloton’s Race Radio p/b SHOKZ’s own Harry & Stu recording their first episode of the season!)   In this month’s Talking Tactics, Southam gives us the lowdown on his opening weekend; Faun-Ardèche Classic and Faun Drome Classic. These are new-school French one day races that are a notch below Omloop, but still absolutely stacked with big name riders looking to start their seasons; Jorgenson, Simmons, Skjelmose, Morgado, Bernal, Healy, and - the best rider in the world - Scaroni.   Durbo’s Pelochat has some great insight this month. He’s been keeping a close eye on some of the new tech nuggets from inside the Pelo, as well as how the new UCI rules on things like aero helmets are going down.    Guys, this month I wanted to introduce a fun new segment I’ve called “Yeah…Nah.”. You know when you hear something, and you think it sounds like a good idea at first…then you give it a bit of thought and - actually - na.  “Hey Mitch, you gonna go to Durbo’s party on Saturday?”  “Yeah…….nah”   You get the idea. I give the boys a few ideas to get their take. Breakfast beers? Working the gate in the echelon? Sitting on in the Grupetto?    Of course, we wrap things up with the CommuniQuiz. It’s Southam’s turn to be quiz master this time, and he’s written his quiz on his absolute favourite topic - something he’s totally, unequivocally obsessed with; UAE Team Emirates. It’s a great one and I actually learnt a thing or two about the history of the best team in the bunch right now.    Guys get yourself a few Trappist beers out the fridge to come up to temp, make sure you’ve got plenty of mayo ready for your frites, and get ready for the classics to begin; I know I’ll be watching.    Until next month,   Cheers! Mitch P.S.  Don't forget you can also watch The Race Communiqué over on our Life In The Peloton YouTube channel. You won't want to miss the reactions to Luke's Pelo Lingo in this one!   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   Check out our new Substack! It’s a new place for us to go a bit deeper — home to Tom Southam’s Director’s Cuts, my Pelo Journal, and stories from inside the peloton… and
• Harry Sweeny: From Domestique to World Tour Podium 11.02.2026 1h 4m

  Life in the Peloton is proudly brought to you by MAAP   Guys, get yourselves ready, this is a banger of an ep. I got to sit down with the man himself, the Sweendog. The 16 Wheeler. Sweet 16. Harry Sweeny He’s one of the strongest riders in the pelo right now. They don’t call him ‘The Truck’ for nothing.   I spoke to Harry in person over in Adelaide at this year’s Tour Down Under and picked his brains about everything from his journey into the sport, his transition from Lotto to EF Education Easypost, how his neurodiversity makes him a better bike racer, and heaps more.    Harry’s a super interesting guy. He’s a consummate professional and leaves no stone unturned in his hunt for being the best athlete he can be. Hearing Sweendog talk through how he prepares for every single race, and the level of detail with which he plans every gel, every corner, every meter of road covered really opened my eyes as to how hard he works.   Up until this point, Harry’s cut his teeth in the bunch riding as a domestique; turning himself inside out for team mates to great success - pulling guys like Ben Healy to monument podiums and the Yellow Jersey at the Tour de France. But, after a conversation with his team boss Jonathan Vaughters, Harry’s finding the confidence to ride for himself and show how strong he can be. As JV put it, ‘being 10% more of an arsehole’.   Not long after we recorded, Harry’s efforts were rewarded with an absolutely stellar podium finish at the Tour Down Under - his first World Tour GC Podium. It’s a fantastic result, and - I think - marks a real shift in focus; he knows he’s got the engine to go toe-to-toe with the big guys, and now he’s proved it out there on the road.    I loved chatting to Harry, and I hope you guys enjoy listening to one of the most hard working, enthusiastic pros out there.    Prefer to watch along? This episode’s up on our YouTube channel too.📺 https://www.youtube.com/@lifeinthepeloton   Cheers!   Mitch   ----more---- This Episode is sponsored by Saily and JOIN Cycling.    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   For 30 Days JOIN Cycling FREE, head across to join.cc/litp   Check out our new Substack! It’s a new place for us to go a bit deeper — home to Tom Southam’s Director’s Cuts, my Pelo Journal, and stories from inside the peloton… and a bit beyond it too - https://lifeinthepeloton.substack.com/
• One Night Only: The Digger & The Doughboy Live at TDU 04.02.2026 57m

  Life in the Peloton is proudly brought to you by MAAP The Digger and The Doughboy are back, live from the Tour Down Under. We’re back. Ian Boswell (The Doughboy) and I (The Digger) got back together for a one-night-only live show at the Tour Down Under, sitting down with some big names from the peloton for an open, no-filter chat about all things cycling. From the cobbled Classics to the Grand Tours and of course the Tour Down Under, we wanted to make sure we covered it all. We kicked things off with Laurence Pithie and Luke Lamperti, diving deep into their experiences in the brutal but beautiful world of the cobbled Classics. Laurence reflected on his breakout years with Groupama-FDJ and how things have evolved since moving to Red Bull Bora hansgrohe, while Luke shared his take after racing with Classics royalty at Soudal Quick-Step. We also put them on the spot with some big Grand Tour predictions. While we had the boys up, we went full tech nerd mode with the tool-wrenching oracle himself, Dave Rome. Fresh from wandering the team zones, Dave unpacked the latest tech trends and gave us a sneak peek at what teams are rolling out, including early looks at bikes heading toward 2026. To wrap it all up, we brought on veteran Michal Kwiatkowski from INEOS, Aussie superstar Luke Plapp from Jayco AlUla, and Picnic PostNL Director Sportif Matt Winston. Together, we broke down the Tour Down Under stages and dug into how Jayco were planning to bounce back and move forward after a tough Nationals campaign. This was a live recording, one of those nights you really had to be there for. But if you couldn’t make it, this episode is the next best thing. Jump in and soak up the vibes. Cheers! Mitch ----more----   Check out our new Substack! It’s a new place for us to go a bit deeper — home to Tom Southam’s Director’s Cuts, my Pelo Journal, and stories from inside the peloton… and a bit beyond it too - https://lifeinthepeloton.substack.com/
• BONUS: Meditation, Goal Setting & Finding Calm with Svein Tuft & Taylor Phinney | LITP: Chronicles 31.01.2026 16m

  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 Guys, welcome back to another year of The Life In The Peloton Chronicles. It’s been a hectic start to 2026; I hit the podcasting ground running over in Adelaide at the Tour Down Under to start the year with a bang, so it was great to get back to Melbourne, slow down, and recharge with a catch up with my old mate Sveino.   I wanted to chat to Sveino about a topic that always comes up at this time of year; goal setting. Whether or not you write it down, we all come into a new year with goals we want to achieve throughout the season - we did it when we were racing, and we still do it now.   One thing I want to get back into the habit of this year is meditation, and that’s something Svein and I have a bit of a yarn about in this episode.   If you know anything about Svein, you know that he is one cool cat - super mellow, always chilled out. It really surprised me that actually he doesn’t meditate! He’s a big believer in channeling his negative energy and stress out through movement and activity, rather than dedicating time to sitting down with his thoughts.   Meditation isn’t something that came naturally to me. In my early days as a pro, I used to laugh at the idea of sitting there with my eyes shut just…thinking. That was until I was roommates with a guy called Taylor Phinney.    The Phin Dog is probably the only guy I know who’s more chilled out than Sveino. From the mountains of the hippie haven of Colorado, Taylor grew up surrounded by spirituality and, after a life changing crash at the US national championships in 2014, he found meditation through his recovery. Years later, when we became team mates, he showed me the way when we were in a Belgian hotel room racing the spring classics. I tried to be open minded and, with Taylor guiding me, I started to get it - finding the calm in the chaos.   I gave Taylor a call to catch up and chat to him about meditation and how he practices it now he’s retired from a life as a pro rider - which is pretty stressful at times.    Guys, this is a chilled one, but it was super interesting chatting to Svein and Taylor about tuning out the noise and finding peace through meditation, setting goals for the new year, and heaps of other pieces to kick off this season of Chronicles.    Sit back, shut your eyes, take a deep breath, relax, and get your ears around this enlightening episode of Life In The Peloton: Chronicles.   Cheers, Mitch!
• Roadside Reporting At The Tour Down Under with Ian Boswell 28.01.2026 1h 36m

  Life in the Peloton is proudly brought to you by MAAP The Tour Down Under is done and dusted for another year, and it was an absolute banger. I was lucky enough to get in amongst it right there at the roadside all week and, to make it better, I was joined by my old mate - the Doughboy himself - Ian Boswell.  For this episode, I wanted to take you guys inside the Tour Down Under; not just the racing, but the atmosphere around the race and the vibe that gets cooked up in Adelaide every year. The racers lining up for the first time, getting use to their new teams and equipment, the fans at the side of the road, and all the sweet little events that go off each morning out of Adelaide.  Ian and I kicked off our week with a big bang, getting stuck into the cut and thrust of the short, sharp prologue from inside the team car! I hopped in the NSN passenger seat to follow Ethan Vernon - who actually went and finished 2nd on the stage, missing the win by less than a second…maybe his DS was a bit distracted? In the paddocks, we got a chance to catch up with some of the riders who’ve come Down Under to start their 2026 racing season. Guys like the new Natty champ Pat Eddy, British up and comer Matty Brennan, the 16 wheeler himself Harry Sweeny, and heaps more. We spoke about the race, as well as some general questions about their seasons and - of course - a cheeky little mini CommuniQuiz to keep them on their toes! Of course, this race is defined by the fans. People have travelled from far and wide to be here - one girl I spoke to even made the journey all the way from Texas in the USA! It was great chatting with people up and down the roadside about their TDU experience - and meet loads of LITP listeners in person.  This is a chokka block episode with loads of great little soundbites you only get from being right there at the races live and in person. I hope Boz and I managed to capture the vibe so you can sit back, crack a frothy, and pretend you’re right there under the baking Adelaide sun with us. Cheers! Mitch----more---- This Episode is sponsored 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/pelosurfCheck out our new Substack! It’s a new place for us to go a bit deeper — home to Tom Southam’s Director’s Cuts, my Pelo Journal, and stories from inside the peloton… and a bit beyond it too - https://lifeinthepeloton.substack.com/
• The Tour Down Under & Aussie Nationals - the 2026 Racing Season is HERE! | The Race Communique 21.01.2026 1h 10m

  It’s been a long winter, but here we are, guys, the first podcast from Life In The Peloton of the season and oh man, is it a good one. I got in the booth LIVE with Tom Southam and Luke Durbridge at the Tour Down Under to unpack the Aussie national champs, talk a little bit about the TDU, and have a look ahead to what we can expect this racing season.  We kick off with the man himself, Turbo Durbo, giving us the inside line on the Aussie National Champs. If you watched the race, then you’ll know Luke came pretty close to bagging himself the top step, but it didn’t quite work out that way. He gives us a bit of insight into how the race unfolded and how Jayco AlUla reacted to the final result.  In this month’s PeloChat, Luke goes through every single Aussie in the men’s World Tour bunch. From neo pros to old hands, Luke shares a bit of info and his thoughts on all the riders to see who’s representing the land Down Under overseas in 2026.  Southam’s Talking Tactics takes a deep dive into the rest of UAE. Away from Pogačar and his Tour de France A-Team, what are the rest of the team going to do? That squad is stacked with absolute hitters, so how are they going to manage themselves and make sure everyone’s happy? Tom gives us his thoughts.  You know what’s coming next, we round it out with a classic CommuniQuiz. We’re honouring the soon-to-retire Aussie legend, Simon Clarke, with a quiz all about his awesome 17-year career. How many Grandys did he race? Which monument did he only do once? What teams has he ridden for in his pro career? You’ll have to listen to find out!  Guys, I’m so excited to kick off the 2026 season. I’m on the ground at the TDU picking up heads of eps with some really special riders so keep your eyes peeled for those dropping soon.  Cheers, Mitch P.s. If you want to see our ugly mugs in the studio, head over to Life In The Peloton’s YouTube channel to watch! 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