112. Chris Lawless: Team Sky Pro turned Saint Piran DS

Pitchforks at the ready. On this week's episode Will is joined by Cyclist's own Ewan Wilson and writer Felix Lowe to review the 2024 pro cycling season and look forward to what may come next. Along the way we find out the lucky winners of some of Felix's annual alternative awards – which you can find in full in Cyclist magazine issue 159, out now – including 'The Manchester United Bin Fire Award'. No prizes for guessing the recipient of that one.They also discuss whether Tadej Pogačar can repeat his historic 2024 season, what's going on with Ineos Grenadiers, the exciting status quo in the women's peloton, the future of the Tour de France's final stage and how to improve safety in races.Discussion with Felix begins at 11:36.----Did you know Cyclist is also stunning monthly print magazine? Subscribe now at store.cyclist.co.uk/cycpod and get every issue for less than in the shops, delivered straight to your door. And it's also a rather lovely website about everything road cycling and gravel. Check us out at cyclist.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Will is joined by two-time Olympic gold medallist and World Champion in three different disciplines Tom Pidcock. After a turbulent season that included highs at Amstel Gold Race and Paris 2024 as well as very public lows after falling out with Ineos Grenadiers management in October.Will sat down with Pidcock in November to talk about his rapid rise to power and his rapid descending skills as well as what's on his agenda for 2025: full road focus or more mountain bike side quests? Pidcock also discusses how the media – and Netflix – portrays him, his 'down year' and how things could've gone differently, plus his self-imposed pressure at the Olympics.Finally he also speaks about Link My Ride, the business that he co-founded, which aims to help cyclists around the world organise group rides.Interview begins at 8:42.----Did you know Cyclist is also stunning monthly print magazine? Subscribe now at store.cyclist.co.uk/cycpod and get every issue for less than in the shops, delivered straight to your door. And it's also a rather lovely website about everything road cycling and gravel. Check us out at cyclist.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Robyn and Will are joined by track superstar Joanna Rowsell. Joanna was picked up in 2004 by British Cycling's Talent Team, which visited her school looking for new talent, and just four years later she won her first World Championships in the team pursuit. Three more team pursuit world titles followed plus a fifth in the individual pursuit, but it was the Olympics that made her a household name. Riding alongside Laura Trott (latterly Kenny) and Dani King (latterly Rowe), Joanna won two consecutive team pursuit golds, the first at London 2012 and the second at Rio 2016 Games. Retired from competition since 2017, Joanna is still firmly embedded in the sport as pundit and commentator, appearing across the BBC's Olympic coverage this summer.In this episode, Joanna discusses the Olympics and the impact it had on British cycling; coming back from successes and medals to face real life; the emotional connection she still feels with riders from the commentary box; Matthew Richardson's switching nationalities from Aussie to Brit to compete for Team GB; plus she looks back at a stellar career that helped change the face of the sport in Britain and the popularity of women's cycling worldwide.Interview begins at 18.06----Did you know Cyclist is also stunning monthly print magazine? Subscribe now at store.cyclist.co.uk/cycpod and get every issue for less than in the shops, delivered straight to your door. And it's also a rather lovely website about everything road cycling and gravel. Check us out at cyclist.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week James and Will are joined by Spartacus himself, Fabian Cancellara. Over a career spanning two decades, Cancellara established himself as arguably the greatest Classics rider and time-triallist of his generation, winning multiple Monuments, world, national and Olympic titles and Grand Tour stages. With a cool demeanour and effortless riding style, the Swiss cemented himself as the patron of the peloton, the guy everyone looked up to, listened to and wanted to impress. Today Cancellara owns ProTour team Tudor Pro Cycling, which this year raced its first Grand Tour as a wildcard at the Giro d'Italia, finishing a highly respectable tenth with Aussie rider Michael Storrer.Amongst a sprawling conversation, Cancellara discusses why he never talks tactics with his own team; the importance of rider safety, especially in light of the death of would-have-been Tudor Pro rider, Gino Mäder; his rivalry with Tom Boonen; if and when Tudor Pro Cycling will race the Tour; the importance of failure - and where he hurt most; and the effect of social media on young riders and cycling.Interview begins at 9.27----Did you know Cyclist is also stunning monthly print magazine? Subscribe now at store.cyclist.co.uk/cycpod and get every issue for less than in the shops, delivered straight to your door. And it's also a rather lovely website about everything road cycling and gravel. Check us out at cyclist.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Will and James are joined by Peter Sagan. When Sagan burst onto the scene in the early 2010s he was heralded as the greatest talent of his generation, and so he proved to be. 121 professional victories later he'd notched up three World Championships, seven Tour de France green jerseys, multiple Grand Tour stages and national titles plus a Tour of Flanders and a Paris-Roubaix cobble.Famed for his dry wit, flamboyant riding style and antics on and off the bike - from wheelies to running man celebrations - Sagan became cycling's poster boy for the better part of his 15 year career. Now retired, Sagan reflects on a life at the top, from the heady highs to the soul-searching lows; explains the importance of team dynamics; gives us his thoughts on today's riders; and opens up about a recently discovered heart condition that could have ended his life and has ended up costing him any further professional racing career.Will and James also discuss the UCI Cycling eSports World Championships, ridden on the MyWhoosh virtual racing platform, for whom Sagan is ambassador. The live UCI Cycling eSports final will take place on 26th October in Abu Dhabi and will see 20 competitors in both men's and women's events going head to head over three stages for a €60,000 prize purse. The event will be streamed live on YouTube here.Interview begins at 16.36----Did you know Cyclist is also stunning monthly print magazine? Subscribe now at store.cyclist.co.uk/cycpod and get every issue for less than in the shops, delivered straight to your door. And it's also a rather lovely website about everything road cycling and gravel. Check us out at cyclist.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week James and Will are joined by Ned Boulting: commentator, pundit, author, stage performer, part-time comic and all-round superb raconteur. Ned talks about the 2011 season (the star of his new The Road Book 2011 almanac), from a knife-edge Tour de France with Cadel Evans snatching a last gasp victory, to a Vuelta a España that announced a rising star in the shape of Chris Froome. Conversation then turns to this year's Tour, from Cav's history-making win no.35 to the imperial form of Tadej Pogačar. All that plus Primož Roglič the unsung hero; Alberto Contador, the man who flew too close to the clenbuterol; Dave Brailsford, Ineos and United; and Ned's new touring one-man stage show, Ned's Marginal Mystery Tour – all about his love affair with an unearthed newsreel from the 1923 Tour de France.Chat with Ned begins at 8.34----The Road Book 2011 is out now, with essays from Chris Froome, Emma Pooley, Cadel Evans, Ned Boulting and many more. Edited by Andy McGrath. Order your copy here.Ned's Marginal Mystery Tour is touring nationwide from 22nd October to 20th November. Get tickets here.----Did you know Cyclist is also stunning monthly print magazine? Subscribe now at store.cyclist.co.uk/cycpod and get every issue for less than in the shops, delivered straight to your door. And it's also a rather lovely website about everything road cycling and gravel. Check us out at cyclist.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week James and Will are joined by none other than Tadej Pogačar, currently the greatest rider on the planet having this year triumphed - and decimated all-comers - at both the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France, a feat last achieved by Marco Pantani in 1998. Next up the World Championships and a potential Triple Crown - can Pogačar join that elite club of Eddy Merckx and Stephen Roche?We sat down with Pogačar as he recce'd the World's course in Zurich and took on a charity bike ride for PlumeStrong, for whom he is ambassador. We discuss his rivalry with Jonas Vingegaard; why he secretly hates wearing the yellow jersey; what he makes of Remco Evenepoel; the pivotal moments at this year's Tour; whether his performances make him the GOAT (or if not, what more he needs to do); how he manages to stay so relaxed; and, most importantly, what he eats for breakfast.This episode also has a bonus interview with tech billionaire and cycling fanatic, Fahri Diner. Fahri co-founded and runs Plume, the tech company behind the PlumeStrong foundation and the PlumeStrong Cycling Challenge. We talk to Fahri about staying focussed, why cycling is necessary for the soul, and how to run a tech company, a charitable enterprise and keep up with Tadej Pogačar, all the at the same time.Interview begins at----This episode is brought to you by Tredz, the online and bricks and mortar bike shop run by real riders, for real riders. Head over to Tredz.co.uk to see the newest kit and latest deals.Thanks to PlumStrong for helping make this interview possible. For more information about the PlumeStrong Cycling Challenge and how you can take part next year or donate, search #PSCC24 on Instagram or head over to PlumeStrong.----Did you know Cyclist is also stunning monthly print magazine? Subscribe now at store.cyclist.co.uk/cycpod and get every issue for less than in the shops, delivered straight to your door. And it's also a rather lovely website about everything road cycling and gravel. Check us out at cyclist.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, James and Will are joined by Nico Roche. Nico was a pro-rider from 2004-2021 during which time he won numerous races including two Vuelta a España stages. His long career saw spells at Team Sky, Saxobank and BMC, though as we learn, it was with French teams AG2R, Crédit Agricole and Cofidis that Nico felt most at home. The Vuelta was Nico's favourite race, so we kick off by asking what makes that race so special, and does it get the respect it deserves?Today, Nico is still very much involved in the sport as gravel racing privateer and top cycling pundit. As such, our chat really goes around the houses in expert fashion, from assessments of Pogačar at this year’s Tour, to team dynamics, to the evolution of training, to what it was like being a young pro with Stephen Roche as your father. We thoroughly enjoyed this one; Nico was a wonderful guy to talk to and very generous with his time, so thanks Nico! And to you, dear listener, we hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did.Interview begins at 6.52----Did you know Cyclist is also stunning monthly print magazine? Subscribe now at store.cyclist.co.uk/cycpod and get every issue for less than in the shops, delivered straight to your door. And it's also a rather lovely website about everything road cycling and gravel. Check us out at cyclist.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Will and James are joined by ex-pro turned DS, Chris Lawless. At just 28 years old, Chris is the youngest directeur sportif in pro-cycling, but he's got a whole lot of experience. Cutting his teeth at Team Wiggins and JLT Condor, Chris went on to ride for Team Sky/Ineos, during which time he won the Tour de Yorkshire. As a no-nonsense rider with a stoic mentality, a move into team management naturally followed post-retirement, with Chris taking us a DS position at British Pro-Conti team, Saint Piran.In this episode, Chris tells us about the highs and lows of his career on the road, the role of mental toughness and race craft, the problems in the British racing scene and how to nurture Saint Piran young talent to prepare it for the big time.Interview begins at 12.50Follow Saint Piran on Instagram @saintpiran-----Did you know Cyclist is also stunning monthly print magazine? Subscribe now at store.cyclist.co.uk/cycpod and get every issue for less than in the shops, delivered straight to your door. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Will and James are joined by bike design visionary Dimitris Katsanis. Dimitris worked alongside Chris Boardman in the Secret Squirrel Club, creating the pioneering bikes and kit that helped Team GB dominate the 2012 London Games. Ever wondered where the term 'marginal gains' came from? Yep, Dimitris and his colleagues, whose work at the time was so secret not even his boss, one Dave Brailsford, was allowed to know.Across a career spanning three decades and counting, Dimitris has had a hand in winning over 100 gold Olympic and World cycling medals, and right now his components and creations can be seen on four national teams' Olympic bikes (though he won't say which ones). Today he runs his own company, Metron A.E, which 3D-prints cutting edge parts for sport, aerospace and the medical industry. He also 3D-printed Fillipo Ganna's Hour record Pinarello Bolide F. The entire bike. This is a man who has a story about everyone from Wiggins to Ganna, and who can explain aerodynamic drag with just his hands. So pop the kettle on or jump on the turbo, and prepare to be enlightened. -----Cyclist is also a stunning monthly print magazine. Subscribe now at store.cyclist.co.uk/cycpod and get every issue for less than in the shops, delivered straight to your door. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.