João Almeida on Grand Tours, Team Dynamics & That Pidcock Moment

American cyclocross champion Andrew Strohmeyer joins Matt Stephens from his European base in the Netherlands to discuss racing World Cups, funding a full European season, and chasing a professional career. A multiple US national champion and Pan-American title holder, Andrew explains the “Mud Fund,” the impact of gravel’s boom in the US, and the technical skill gap between American and European racing. He breaks down his impressive 12th place at the Tábor World Cup, the demands of elite cyclocross training, and why the discipline keeps pushing him to improve - before contemplating the existence of exploding goats in the Mount Airy, Maryland hometown quiz. www.sigmasports.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Portugal’s finest export since the pastel de nata, João Almeida joins Matt Stephens for a brilliantly honest conversation that dives into the life and mindset of one of the most consistent GC riders in the modern peloton. Matt also digs into what it’s like sharing a team with superstars Tadej Pogačar, Juan Ayuso and rising talent Isaac del Toro. Does riding for UAE Team Emirates limit his personal ambitions, or unlock even more potential? What did he really say in that infamous Tom Pidcock moment? João answers all of this and more with refreshing honesty. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt Stephens chats to ultra-distance bike racer, content creator and charity fundraiser Chris Hall about his recent challenges for Movember. Despite atrocious weather conditions, Chris completed a lap of Britain unsupported during the summer of 2025, learning valuable lessons along the way. With a history of severe depression, Movember is a charity close to his heart and this monumental effort is documented superbly in Chris’ film “Bikepacking the Perimeter of Britain”. Cycling has played a huge part in Chris' recovery from depression and continues to help him maintain his mental health.   www.sigmasports.com Support Chris’ Movember fundraising at his  MoSpace: https://uk.movember.com/mospace/6408721  Chris Hall’s ‘Bikepacking The Perimeter of Britain’ on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLGuamHY2pc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt Stephens chats to Emma Pooley about her incredibly varied career, which spans from professional cycling through long distance running and triathlon, to a victory on University Challenge and some Geotech Engineering thrown in for good measure. The very definition of a multi-disciplinary champion, Emma talks candidly about her struggle to retire from pro sports and how her love for the mountains is undying. The former UCI Individual Time Trial world champion and Olympic Silver medalist shares the origin story of her competitive nature, which to Matt’s surprise, involves roast potatoes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt Stephens chats to Amy Hudson, known as amy.cycling.adventures on social media channels, about her struggles with mental health and the role cycling has had in her recovery. While working as a Mental Health Nurse for the NHS, Amy began suffering with anxiety and eating disorders, with thoughts of suicide. Her husband bought her a road bike, and it slowly changed her life. Now, with the goal of raising funds for mental health charities, she has completed the entire men’s Tour de France route as well as the transfers, and is setting her sights on a huge challenge in 2026. ⁠www.sigmasports.com⁠ Amy’s Fundraising page for Shout and The Mix Mental Health charities - https://www.justgiving.com/page/a-c-a Read more about this episode on the Sigma Sports Blog: https://www.sigmasports.com/hub/stories/world-mental-health-day-matt-stephens-in-conversation-with-amy-hudson EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/unplugged Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Filippo Conca races in the Maglia Tricolore with UCI WorldTeam Jayco–AlUla  - but just three months ago, that seemed like a distant dream. Out of contract at the end of 2024, he found salvation in SWATT club, an Italian amateur team known for offering cyclists a fresh start with a mix of road and gravel racing. In this podcast, Filippo explains how it feels to win an Italian national road race championship as what he calls ‘a normal rider’, how his engine was suited to gravel racing, what he has planned for the end of this season and his goals in 2026. His is a story of resilience, redemption, and victory - it’s a bit like a movie. www.sigmasports.com EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/unplugged Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With his unique mix of mayhem, tangents and honest analysis, Matt Stephens looks back on the final week of the 2025 Vuelta Ciclista a España drawing this season’s Rest Day Reflections mini series to a close. There was redemption for Egan Bernal, Pidcock on the Podium, a birthday Kuss, and of course the great Dane dominating the race with Vingegaard looking good in red on the top step. But this is a Matt Stephens podcast, so you can expect clips from inside a revolving door, an origin story about his fondness for waterfowl, and an honest admission from Adam Blythe on his struggles with resisting off-air Monster Munch. www.sigmasports.com EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/unplugged Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From Juan Ayuso’s contract to Mads Pedersen’s anatomy, Matt Stephens leaves no stone unturned in his analysis of stages 10 to 15 of the 2025 Vuelta Ciclista a España. With the race in the balance, this informal look back at the previous week of racing is the perfect rest day listening. Expect the usual from Matt however, as he gets distracted by Orla Chennaoui’s theme song, carp (again), and an eerily silent room! www.sigmasports.com EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/unplugged Make a donation & join Sir Chris Hoy’s Tour de Four movement here➼ www.tourde4.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fresh from the TV studio, Matt Stephens reflects on the first nine stages of the 2025 Vuelta Ciclista a España as they happened. Expect expert opinions on a jam-packed first week of racing that included everything from a mini Giro d’Italia to a sprint finish with a disqualification. And since this is Matt’s podcast, you can also expect him to provide updates on wooden foot bridges and for him to get distracted by carp.  www.sigmasports.com EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/unplugged Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Reporting from the mix zone, the motor bike, and a McDonald’s, Matt Stephens brings us a unique look at the Tour de France Femmes Avec Zwift 2025. After hot-footing it from stage 19 of the men’s race, Matt didn’t want to miss a beat of the women’s competition. And what a race it turned out to be. With so much French interest in their homegrown riders the fans at the roadside brought the atmosphere, and the peloton brought the theatre. With a final word from Pauline Ferrand-Prévot fresh from her victory this is a podcast not to be missed. www.sigmasports.com/podcast⁠ EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/unplugged Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices