Did Ciccone Get Robbed?

Spencer Martin, author of the Beyond the Peloton newsletter, and co-host Andrew Vontz discuss the recently released Giro d’Italia route, who they think will line up to contest the win, and whether the brutally mountainous parcours is enough to lure Jonas Vingegaard back. They also dive into the short-crank arm trend and debate the pros and cons of going short or staying long. Follow Andrew’s Post-Cancer Journey Here BTP Newsletter: Get In-Depth Off-Season Breakdowns⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Listen to Andrew’s Choose the Hard Way PodcastInterested in sponsoring the show? Send an inquiry to: [email protected] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beyondthepeloton.substack.com/subscribe

Spencer Martin, author of the Beyond the Peloton newsletter, and co-host Andrew Vontz discuss the latest transfer rumors, dig into the beef between rival Kansas City Chiefs superfans, and break down a recent New York Times profile of Tadej Pogačar’s recovery from his Vuelta a España crash, debating whether he can return to his pre-crash level.Follow Andrew’s path to beating cancer hereBTP Newsletter: Get In-Depth Off-Season Breakdowns⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Listen to Andrew’s Choose the Hard Way PodcastInterested in sponsoring the show? Send an inquiry to: [email protected] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beyondthepeloton.substack.com/subscribe

Spencer Martin, author of the Beyond the Peloton newsletter, and co-host Andrew Vontz review the 2027 Tour de France route, debate the merits of climbing bikes, and discuss their plans to take over the budding sprint gravel scene in 2027. Follow Andrew’s path to beating cancer hereBTP Newsletter: Get In-Depth Off-Season Breakdowns⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Listen to Andrew’s Choose the Hard Way PodcastInterested in sponsoring the show? Send an inquiry to: [email protected] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beyondthepeloton.substack.com/subscribe

Spencer Martin, author of the Beyond the Peloton newsletter, and co-host Andrew Vontz discuss allegations of a toxic workplace at the Picnic–PostNL team, Team USA’s flop at the track World Championships, and whether 2027 will be Paul Seixas's year. Follow Andrew’s path to beating cancer hereBTP Newsletter: Get In-Depth Off-Season Breakdowns⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Listen to Andrew’s Choose the Hard Way Podcast This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beyondthepeloton.substack.com/subscribe

Spencer Martin, author of the Beyond the Peloton newsletter, and co-host Andrew Vontz discuss the final major race of the 2026 season, Il Lombardia, the upcoming gravel calendar, whether Giulio Ciccone got robbed at European Champs, and, most importantly, how to dress when meeting a former president.Follow Andrew’s path to beating cancer hereBTP Newsletter: Get an In-Depth Post-Lombardia Breakdowns⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Listen to Andrew’s Choose the Hard Way Podcast This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beyondthepeloton.substack.com/subscribe

On this week’s BTP Podcast, co-host Andrew Vontz and I welcome Riding With’s Jonathan Kaplan on the show to go over a few lingering thoughts from the 2026 World Championships in Montreal and turn to a major question hanging over the industry right now: what exactly is going on at Rapha?The brand that defined fashion-forward cycling apparel for over two decades is in the middle of an executive reshuffle after years of heavy losses, so we dig into how Rapha got here, whether it can compete in the new era of ultra-premium cycling clothing, what the ideal path forward looks like for one of the sport’s most iconic names, and if there is actually a way out of its current decline, or whether the Rapha we knew is already gone. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beyondthepeloton.substack.com/subscribe

Spencer Martin, author of the Beyond the Peloton newsletter, and co-host Andrew Vontz break down Brandon McNulty’s incredible and unexpected win at the 2026 World Championships in Montreal, how the race was won by an underdog USA team, and what it means for McNulty’s place on his UAE team and US cycling going forward.Follow Andrew’s path to beating cancer hereBTP Newsletter: Get an In-Depth Post-Worlds Breakdowns⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Listen to Andrew’s Choose the Hard Way Podcast This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beyondthepeloton.substack.com/subscribe

Spencer Martin, author of the Beyond the Peloton newsletter, and co-host Andrew Vontz discuss the upcoming World Championships in Montreal, how the race will play out, and who will claim the undefended rainbow jersey with Tadej Pogačar sidelined by injuries from the Vuelta.Follow Andrew’s path to beating cancer hereBTP Newsletter: Get an In-Depth Post-Worlds Breakdowns⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Listen to Andrew’s Choose the Hard Way Podcast This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beyondthepeloton.substack.com/subscribe

Spencer Martin, author of the Beyond the Peloton newsletter, and co-host Andrew Vontz debate whether MTB & CX have a “problem,” Sepp Kuss’ impressive final weekend in the Vuelta, and the controversy around the USA Men’s team selections for the World Championships next weekend in Montreal. Follow Andrew’s path to beating cancer hereBTP Newsletter: Get Daily Vuelta Breakdowns⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Listen to Andrew’s Choose the Hard Way Podcast This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beyondthepeloton.substack.com/subscribe

Spencer Martin, author of the Beyond the Peloton newsletter, and co-host Andrew Vontz discuss Enric Mas’ chances of winning the ongoing Vuelta a España, what to make of Matthew Brennan’s breakout performance at this race, and Wout van Aert’s return to form.Follow Andrew’s path to beating cancer hereBTP Newsletter: Get Daily Vuelta Breakdowns⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Listen to Andrew’s Choose the Hard Way Podcast This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beyondthepeloton.substack.com/subscribe