KIM LE COURT PIENAAR | Unplugged: Liège Glory, the Yellow Jersey, and the Road Back from Injury

We caught up with Paul Magnier at Soudal Quick-Step’s altitude camp in Tignes at the end of July to go behind the scenes of his sprinting, training and the technology helping him find another level.We talk aero testing and wind-tunnel development, the Castelli Sanremo 8S Veloce speed suit, lead-out trains, sprint positioning, gym work and explosive power, as well as the technology being developed to improve rider safety, including airbag systems.At just 22, Paul has already racked up 32 professional victories, including three Giro d’Italia stage wins, the Ciclamino jersey and a WorldTour one-day victory. But he’s not stopping there – his ambition is to reach 100 career wins and, one day, become world champion.We also look back at his breakthrough Giro experience, what it’s like going head-to-head with the fastest sprinters in the world, and how his confidence, instinct and understanding of the sprint have evolved.Because at this level, winning isn’t just about producing more watts. It’s about finding speed everywhere.You don’t want to miss this one. It’s a great conversation about speed, confidence, technology and the relentless pursuit of the perfect sprint.We hope you'll enjoy this one!TIMESTAMPS00:00 Intro05:21 Quick-fire: Paul Magnier on sprinting, instinct and speed08:36 Beating some of the world’s fastest sprinters10:00 Recon, Finding the fastest line, Race instinct vs. data11:26 The dream lead-out: Jasper, Dries & Fabio16:10 Building more explosive power for 202617:00 Box jumps, gym work and the sprint “kick”17:59 The Giro’s special 150-year Castelli jersey19:01 Developing Paul’s prototype sprint aero suit22:17 Why Tim Merlier raced in "Paul’s" suit23:14 Sprint position, handlebars and aerodynamics25:02 The surprising science of aero fabrics27:40 What could the future of cycling technology look like?28:16 Inside the new cycling airbag safety project31:15 WorldTour wins, the Classics and 100 career victories33:33 Pure sprinter or future Classics rider?34:57 Growing up in Grenoble, MTB38:24 Seven hours and 5,000m of climbing… tomorrow?!?40:00 The Sanremo 8S Veloce: built and made with pros!41:50 Post-recording update: Paul’s race program– LINKS –Other podcast episode with Paul Magnier:Sprint Power & Classic Dreams (2024)https://podcasts.apple.com/it/podcast/castelli-cycling-podcast/id1669906821?l=en-GB&i=1000699990338The Rise of the French Powerhouse (2025)https://podcasts.apple.com/it/podcast/castelli-cycling-podcast/id1669906821?l=en-GB&i=1000735689566Sprint Secrets (2025)https://podcasts.apple.com/it/podcast/castelli-cycling-podcast/id1669906821?l=en-GB&i=1000736461228CONNECT ⁠⁠Paul Magnier Instagram⁠– HOST –Søren Jensen, Global Marketing Manager at Castelli, has worked for this iconic brand since 2006. He usually rides backroads and dirt trails, testing new gear in the Italian Dolomites. If you can't find him there, check the Castelli Headquarters in Fonzaso. Connect: ⁠LinkedIn⁠SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONIf you want your questions to be answered on air, be sure to submit your questions by sending us a message on social media or by email to ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠Video and Photo credits:Ashley & Jered Gruber:https://www.instagram.com/jeredgruberhttps://www.instagram.com/ashleygruberSam Bauget:https://www.instagram.com/sam_has_a_cameraWout Beel:https://www.instagram.com/wout.beeld Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kim joins us to discuss the incredible highs and difficult setbacks that followed her breakthrough 2025 season.From winning Liège–Bastogne–Liège and becoming the first rider representing an African nation to wear the yellow jersey at the Tour de France Femmes, to recovering from a fractured wrist after a devastating spring of crashes, Kim opens up about pressure, self-doubt, resilience, and returning to the biggest race of the season with even bigger ambitions.Whether you're a cyclist, an athlete, or simply someone fascinated by resilience and high performance, this is an honest conversation about what happens after success, and what it takes to come back even stronger.– LINKS – Previous episode:Kim's Journey into Cycling – Chasing DreamsKim's InstagramCHAPTERS00:00 Intro03:25 Catching up in Tignes before the TdFF04:10 From promising talent to breakthrough season07:05 Winning Liège & becoming the first African rider in yellow10:35 Why winning is the only goal11:50 Living with pressure, expectations & self-doubt14:25 Representing Mauritius on the world stage16:35 The crashes that changed everything20:30 Recovering from injury & learning resilience21:50 Returning to racing at the Tour de Suisse23:50 TdFF ambitions: yellow, stages & GC25:55 Why teamwork matters more than results28:40 Looking beyond the Tour: World Championships & the future31:20 Final thoughts________After a breakthrough 2025 season that saw her win Liège–Bastogne–Liège and become the first rider representing an African nation to wear the yellow jersey at the Tour de France Femmes, Kim Le Court Pinaar returns to the Castelli Podcast for an honest conversation about what came next.Recorded during AG Insurance–Soudal's altitude camp in Tignes, just two weeks before the Tour de France Femmes, Kim reflects on the pressure that follows success, recovering from a fractured wrist after a difficult spring of crashes, and the resilience needed to return to the sport's biggest stage.We also discuss representing Mauritius, overcoming self-doubt, the importance of the team's "Wolfpack" mentality, and why true success is about far more than results. As Kim prepares to chase yellow once again, she shares the mindset that's driving her into the biggest race of the season. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kim joins us to discuss the incredible highs and difficult setbacks that followed her breakthrough 2025 season. From winning Liège–Bastogne–Liège and becoming the first rider representing an African nation to wear the yellow jersey at the Tour de France Femmes, to recovering from a fractured wrist after a devastating spring of crashes, Kim opens up about pressure, self-doubt, resilience, and returning to the biggest race of the season with even bigger ambitions. Whether you're a cyclist, an athlete, or simply someone fascinated by resilience and high performance, this is an honest conversation about what happens after success, and what it takes to come back even stronger. – LINKS – Previous episode: ⁠Kim's Journey into cycling, Chasing Dreams⁠⁠Kim's Instagram⁠ CHAPTERS00:00 Intro00:58 Catching up in Tignes before the TdFF02:03 From promising talent to breakthrough season04:48 Steep Learning curve, winning Liège & becoming the first African rider in yellow08:11 Hunger of winning, Living with pressure, expectations & self-doubt11:49 Representing Mauritius on the world stage14:10 The crashes that changed everything & Recovering from injury 21:44 TdFF ambitions: yellow, stages & GC23:50 Why teamwork matters more than results26:05 Looking beyond the Tour: World Championships & the future28:25 Final thoughts ________ After a breakthrough 2025 season that saw her win Liège–Bastogne–Liège and become the first rider representing an African nation to wear the yellow jersey at the Tour de France Femmes, Kim Le Court Pinaar returns to the Castelli Podcast for an honest conversation about what came next. Recorded during AG Insurance–Soudal's altitude camp in Tignes, just two weeks before the Tour de France Femmes, Kim reflects on the pressure that follows success, recovering from a fractured wrist after a difficult spring of crashes, and the resilience needed to return to the sport's biggest stage. We also discuss representing Mauritius, overcoming self-doubt, the importance of the team's "Wolfpack" mentality, and why true success is about far more than results. As Kim prepares to chase yellow once again, she shares the mindset that's driving her into the biggest race of the season. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it take to win the toughest ultra gravel race in the world?Rob Britton takes us inside his record-breaking victory at the 2025 Unbound XL, the brutal 350-mile self-supported gravel race across Kansas.Rob breaks down the key decisions that helped him average over 20 mph for nearly 18 hours and smash the previous course record by more than two hours. From aerodynamics and nutrition strategy to hydration systems, gravel race tactics, and bike setup optimization, this episode explores how small performance gains compound over ultra-distance racing.We also dive into the development of Castelli’s first Unlimited Gravel Suit, featuring integrated hydration storage, aerodynamic cargo pockets, and real-world testing at the highest level of gravel racing.Topics covered in this episode:•Winning the 2025 Unbound XL•Gravel racing aerodynamics explained•Ultra-endurance nutrition and hydration strategy•Integrated hydration systems in cycling apparel•Aero gains over 18 hours of racing•Gravel bike setup for ultra racing•Racing through the night against Lachlan Morton•Comfort vs speed in endurance cycling•The future of gravel race apparel and technologyIf you’re into gravel racing, bikepacking, endurance sports, cycling tech, or performance optimization, this episode is packed with insights from one of the fastest ultra-gravel performances ever recorded.🎧 Subscribe for more conversations on cycling performance, innovation, aerodynamics, and elite racing.– IMPORTANT LINKS –Rob BrittonCastelli SOGCHAPTERS00:00 Intro02:38 Quickfire Round04:05 Chasing Lachlan Morton Through the Night06:21 Racing History with Lachlan & The Final Catch07:05 Tactics, Fatigue & Managing the Lead07:50 Bike Setup, Aerobars & Carrying Nutrition10:38 Why the Speed Suit Could Have Decided the Race11:58 How Ultra Racing Has Changed in Recent Years13:32 First Ride in Castelli's Prototype Gravel Aero Suit15:25 Nutrition Storage, Hydration & Self-Supported Racing17:31 Why Ditching the Hydration Pack Was a Huge Advantage19:35 Aero Performance & Suit Design Details21:21 Castelli's Aero Heritage & Innovation Story23:12 Marginal Gains, Ryder Hesjedal & Performance History23:48 Winter Riding, Future Testing & What's Next24:18 “The Netflix of Cycling Clothing”24:28 Outro– HOST –Søren Jensen, Global Marketing Manager at Castelli, has worked for this iconic brand since 2006. He usually rides backroads and dirt trails, testing new gear in the Italian Dolomites. If you can't find him there, check the Castelli Headquarters in Fonzaso. Connect:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONIf you want your questions to be answered on air, be sure to submit your questions by sending us a message on social media or by email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To celebrate 150 years of innovation, Castelli unveils a special edition Giro d’Italia kit—blending heritage, performance, and cutting-edge design.In this episode, we sit down with Castelli Global Brand Manager Steve Smith to unpack the story behind the anniversary jersey worn by Soudal Quick-Step. From silk jerseys and the first-ever speed suit to aerodynamic breakthroughs and modern race-day technology, this conversation dives deep into the moments that reshaped cycling apparel.You’ll hear the untold stories behind iconic innovations, the thinking behind the 150th anniversary design, and what it takes to keep pushing the limits of speed—decade after decade.This isn’t just a look back. It’s a glimpse into the future of performance.LINKS⁠STRAVA Challenge ⁠⁠Social Ride, May 9⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Steve Smith, Castelli Brand Manager ⁠⁠⁠⁠Gabba R White Paper⁠⁠⁠⁠The Gabba Story ⁠⁠🎧⁠Gabba Wind Tunnel Testing⁠ 🎧CHAPTERS00:00 — 150 Years of Castelli00:57 — From Silk to Speed02:00 — Giro Anniversary Kit03:29 — Design & Scorpion Timeline05:50 — 1967: First Speed Suit07:20 — 1977: Lycra Shorts09:40 — Colored Shorts Break Rules11:45 — 1982: Sublimation12:50 — 2007: Aero Race16:20 — Aero Adoption17:05 — Gabba & Sanremo17:56 — Today’s Fastest Kit20:29 — Marginal Gains20:56 — Wind Tunnel Life21:23 — Peak Aero?23:39 — Innovation Pressure24:41 — Future Materials25:22 — Where to Buy26:09 — Closing Thoughts– HOST –Søren Jensen, Global Marketing Manager at Castelli, has worked for this iconic brand since 2006. He usually rides backroads and dirt trails, testing new gear in the Italian Dolomites. If you can't find him there, check the Castelli Headquarters in Fonzaso. Connect:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONIf you want your questions to be answered on air, be sure to submit your questions by sending us a message on social media or by email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Full-time school teacher by day, ultra gravel powerhouse by night — Svenja Betz is redefining what’s possible in endurance sport.She didn’t just take on the biggest races in ultra gravel — she won them all. First Unbound XL, then The Traka Adventure, and Badlands.Her rise has been anything but conventional. She doesn’t train full-time. She doesn’t follow the typical pro playbook. And she doesn’t sleep during races.Instead, she relies on instinct, resilience, and a deep love for the process.In this conversation, we dive into what really matters when the distances get serious: how to fuel properly without falling into energy deficits, how to pace when sleep isn’t an option, and how to stay mentally strong when everything starts to fall apart.Svenja also opens up about balancing elite performance with a demanding career, navigating the pressure of social media, and why being “skinny” isn’t the key to going faster.If you’re curious about ultra cycling or wondering how far you could really go, this episode might just challenge your assumptions and inspire you to push your own limits.– IMPORTANT LINKS –Follow Svenja Betz: https://www.instagram.com/svenja__betz/Castelli SOG: https://www.instagram.com/castelli_sog/– CHAPTERS –00:00 – Intro02:18 – Balancing teaching + ultra racing05:25 – Training with limited time09:41 – 52 hours, zero sleep13:45 – Intervals vs endurance18:36 – Nutrition, RED-S & weight myths22:51 – Fueling strategy in ultras25:31 – Heat, hydration & survival32:12 – Are you ready for 500km+?40:14 – Mental toughness & self-talk43:05 – Winning move at Badlands47:34 – Social media vs reality54:47 – Castelli kit, mindset & identity59:33 – What’s next: new goals– HOST –Søren Jensen, Global Marketing Manager at Castelli, has worked for this iconic brand since 2006. He usually rides backroads and dirt trails, testing new gear in the Italian Dolomites. If you can't find him there, check the Castelli Headquarters in Fonzaso. Connect:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONIf you want your questions to be answered on air, be sure to submit your questions by sending us a message on social media or by email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In part two of our conversation with sports performance nutritionist Dani Hofstetter, we go beyond theory and into the real-world habits that actually improve endurance performance.From properly fueling long and double training days to understanding why most athletes underestimate their glycogen needs, this episode breaks down what really matters when it comes to carbohydrate intake, recovery, and metabolic efficiency.We dive into:Why you can’t fix bad fueling during the rideThe critical first hour post-training (and why most athletes waste it)Simple, repeatable habits that outperform complex strategiesThe risks of underfueling, RED-S, and chasing weight loss too aggressivelyHow to stay consistent when juggling training, work, and lifeFresh off his new book Train, Eat, Repeat, Dani shares a clear, no-nonsense approach to nutrition—cutting through trends, supplements, and overcomplication to focus on what actually works.Whether you’re chasing performance gains or just want to feel better on the bike, this episode is packed with practical takeaways you can apply immediately.👉 If you haven’t listened to part one, start there first:https://podcasts.apple.com/it/podcast/castelli-cycling-podcast/id1669906821?l=en-GB&i=1000758776017CHAPTERS0:00 Intro3:05 Why you can’t fuel hard training during the ride4:03 The missing habit: building consistent fueling routines5:25 Why post-ride nutrition gets neglected7:53 The ideal recovery shake formula8:59 Hydration: how much you actually need to replace9:24 Planning vs reality: why logistics kill recovery10:48 Train less, recover better? The real performance gain11:00 Weight loss & performance: a risky trade-off13:09 RED-S explained: warning signs athletes ignore18:37 Nutrition mistakes when traveling24:03 Probiotics, supplements & gut health25:49 3 race nutrition rules for hotel stays28:27 Why there are no shortcuts in nutrition29:44 Biohacking, social media & performance myths31:32 Study: social media can reduce performance by 9%37:18 A perfect fueling day for a long ride41:11 Protein, carbs & fiber: simple daily guidelines44:11 The idea behind Train, Eat, Repeat51:25 Favorite Castelli winter kit54:27 Outro– LINKS –TRAIN EAT REPEAT - The Endurance Cookbookhttps://www.dorlingkindersley.de/buch/marlene-low-feride-dogum-dani-hofstetter-fabian-haefeli-train-eat-repeat-9783831050734PREVIOUS EPISODESSmart Nutrition for Hot Weather Ridinghttps://podcasts.apple.com/it/podcast/castelli-cycling-podcast/id1669906821?l=en-GB&i=1000722138953RED-S Ep. 1https://podcasts.apple.com/it/podcast/castelli-cycling-podcast/id1669906821?l=en-GB&i=1000671492861RED-S Ep. 2https://podcasts.apple.com/it/podcast/castelli-cycling-podcast/id1669906821?l=en-GB&i=1000672166132Sports Nutrition: Winter Training, Indoor Ridinghttps://podcasts.apple.com/it/podcast/castelli-cycling-podcast/id1669906821?l=en-GB&i=1000639782748Sports Nutrition: Race Day Fueling, Hydration Strategyhttps://podcasts.apple.com/it/podcast/castelli-cycling-podcast/id1669906821?l=en-GB&i=1000638271631Sports Nutrition: What is the Optimal Diet for Cycling Performancehttps://podcasts.apple.com/it/podcast/castelli-cycling-podcast/id1669906821?l=en-GB&i=1000636862451Sports Nutrition: Carbs, Fruits, Veggies for Everyday Performancehttps://podcasts.apple.com/it/podcast/castelli-cycling-podcast/id1669906821?l=en-GB&i=1000635636881– CONNECT –Dani Hofstetter⁠Website⁠: ⁠https://danihofstetter.ch⁠Instagram⁠https://www.instagram.com/dh_performance_nutrition/Host: Soren Jensen⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjensen77 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Carbs, fueling, and metabolic efficiency – few topics create more confusion in endurance sports. Sports performance nutritionist Dani Hofstetter joins us to clear it up.Fresh off the release of his new book Train, Eat, Repeat, Dani shares a practical, no-BS approach to nutrition – cutting through the noise of extreme diets, high-carb trends, and supplement hype.You’ll learn why most amateur athletes don’t need 120g of carbs per hour, how pros actually fuel differently, and why training intensity, not just nutrition, determines your metabolism.This conversation goes beyond gels and grams per hour. It’s about building a sustainable system that supports performance, recovery, and long-term health – without obsession or perfectionism.Whether you’re an elite cyclist, racing ultras or Gran Fondos, or simply want to feel better on the bike, this episode will change how you think about fueling.What You’ll LearnWhy most cyclists are undereating—not overeatingThe real difference between pro and amateur fueling needsHow training too hard kills fat metabolismWhy carbs are still misunderstood in endurance sportsThe truth about 90g vs 120g carbs per hourHow to structure nutrition for training days vs rest daysWhy perfectionism in nutrition can backfireThe biggest fueling mistakes causing GI issues and poor performanceCHAPTERS00:00 – Intro03:30 – Rapid fire: myths, carbs, and recovery05:30 – Hydration mistakes and GI issues06:20 – Why high performers often eat too little10:00 – Use it or lose it metabolism explained12:00 – Low-carb training and why it can backfire13:30 – Perfectionism in endurance athletes16:00 – Emotional + social role of food in performance18:30 – Why carbs are still misunderstood21:30 – Pro vs amateur fueling23:30 – Why amateurs shouldn’t copy pro carb intake25:00 – The engine analogy: amateur vs pro physiology27:30 – How many carbs you actually need28:30 – Gut training and fueling strategy29:30 – Fat vs carbs: what really fuels performance31:00 – The athlete who tolerates more fuel wins33:00 – Why everyday nutrition matters more than supplements34:30 – Why low-carb training is outdated36:00 – Training zones mistakes (most athletes train too hard)37:30 – Why fat burning depends on intensity39:00 – Fasting: helpful or harmful for athletes?42:30 – Structuring nutrition: rest days vs hard days44:30 – Glycogen depletion and why recovery takes longer than you think47:00 – Why most athletes underfuel their week48:30 – The importance of planning nutrition49:00 – Post-ride mistakes50:00 – The real recovery window explained51:10 – Outro– LINKS –TRAIN EAT REPEAT - The Endurance Cookbookhttps://www.dorlingkindersley.de/buch/marlene-low-feride-dogum-dani-hofstetter-fabian-haefeli-train-eat-repeat-9783831050734PREVIOUS EPISODESSmart Nutrition for Hot Weather Ridinghttps://podcasts.apple.com/it/podcast/castelli-cycling-podcast/id1669906821?l=en-GB&i=1000722138953RED-S Ep. 1https://podcasts.apple.com/it/podcast/castelli-cycling-podcast/id1669906821?l=en-GB&i=1000671492861RED-S Ep. 2https://podcasts.apple.com/it/podcast/castelli-cycling-podcast/id1669906821?l=en-GB&i=1000672166132Sports Nutrition: Winter Training, Indoor Ridinghttps://podcasts.apple.com/it/podcast/castelli-cycling-podcast/id1669906821?l=en-GB&i=1000639782748Sports Nutrition: Race Day Fueling, Hydration Strategyhttps://podcasts.apple.com/it/podcast/castelli-cycling-podcast/id1669906821?l=en-GB&i=1000638271631Sports Nutrition: What is the Optimal Diet for Cycling Performancehttps://podcasts.apple.com/it/podcast/castelli-cycling-podcast/id1669906821?l=en-GB&i=1000636862451Sports Nutrition: Carbs, Fruits, Veggies for Everyday Performancehttps://podcasts.apple.com/it/podcast/castelli-cycling-podcast/id1669906821?l=en-GB&i=1000635636881– CONNECT –Dani Hofstetter⁠Website⁠: ⁠https://danihofstetter.ch⁠Instagram⁠https://www.instagram.com/dh_performance_nutrition/Host: Soren Jensen⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjensen77 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we sit down with Merida Miller – founder of Project Fearless, community builder with No Ordinary Women, TEDx speaker, gravel athlete, and self-described professional hype girl.Mérida has made it her life’s work to empower young girls and gender-fluid youth to try new things, fall, and get back up again. From skateparks and classrooms, she has spent the past seven years helping girls and athletes build confidence through action – not by waiting to feel ready.In this deeply honest conversation, Mérida opens up about training courage one brave step at a time, redefining confidence, and leaning on community and hype-crew through panic attacks, long gravel race battles, and life’s in-between chapters.In this episode:​Why being an amateur is something to be proud of​Racing for joy instead of podiums​Anxiety, ADHD, and “mental mechanicals”​The power of gratitude mid-race​Redefining leadership as listening​Designing a cycling jersey that sees you​And why finding your hype crew might be the most important training of allThis episode isn’t about being fearless. It’s about showing up anyway — and cheering others while you do.🎧 Whether you race gravel, ride for fun, or are navigating your own next chapter, this one will stay with you.– IMPORTANT LINKS –Follow Merida Miller → https://www.instagram.com/mercatmiller/Project Fearless → https://www.instagram.com/project.fearless/No Ordinary Women → https://www.instagram.com/noordinarywomen.cc/Cycling Culture Club - https://www.cyclingcultureclub.cc/Cycling Culture Club IG – https://www.instagram.com/cyclingcultureclub/?hl=enCastelli SOG → https://www.instagram.com/castelli_sog/TEDx → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOYlSI99Xog– CHAPTERS – 00:00 – You don’t have to race for the podium to be brave02:37 – Meet Merida Miller: courage over confidence05:03 – Quickfire round: fear, confidence & gravel reality checks07:21 – Mental breakdowns, panic attacks & coaching yourself mid-race09:07 – Turning the page: a new chapter as an athlete & leader10:55 – From fashion design to founding Project Fearless13:19 – Creating space for all girls — not just “sporty” ones15:06 – Cheering as fuel: why hype culture matters16:17 – What confidence really looks like at 12 years old18:58 – Kids, social media & why offline time is essential21:17 – Leadership lessons from team sports (even if you hate sports)25:36 – “Confidence has a branding problem” explained29:16 – Comfort zone vs growth zone vs panic zone33:39 – Find your hype crew (and why it changes everything)35:36 – Gratitude as an endurance superpower37:29 – Comparison, confidence & mental mechanicals38:43 – How Merida found gravel (and why road racing terrifies her)40:30 – Feeling welcomed — and when cycling spaces fail45:09 – Is gravel really inclusive?46:57 – Anxiety, ADHD & endurance sport51:47 – Redefining success: finishing happy53:11 – Cycling Culture Club & building global communities58:22 – Fail early, fail often: starting something from scratch1:02:44 – Designing the ultimate SOG race jersey1:08:19 – Racing with your heart on your sleeve1:12:08 – Why visibility and joy matter in racing1:14:00 – What success looks like in 20 years1:15:37 – Final thoughts: courage, kindness & showing up– HOST –Søren Jensen, Global Marketing Manager at Castelli, has worked for this iconic brand since 2006. He usually rides backroads and dirt trails, testing new gear in the Italian Dolomites. If you can't find him there, check the Castelli Headquarters in Fonzaso. Connect:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjensen77/SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONIf you want your questions to be answered on air, be sure to submit your questions by sending us a message on social media or by email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stick around for the final moments of the interview. You won’t regret it. A must-listen for photographers, creatives, cyclists, and anyone curious about what happens beyond the barriers. In this final chapter with Ashley and Jered Gruber, we go fully inside the work. What does it really take to create meaningful images in professional cycling — when conditions aren’t perfect, expectations are sky-high, and every decision happens at race speed?From recalibrating a “five-out-of-ten day” into something publishable, to the unique pressure of iconic climbs like Mont Ventoux and Alpe d’Huez, Ashley and Jered break down the invisible labor behind race photography; stage research kilometre by kilometre, fighting logistics, editing in the car, uploading from hotel rooms late at night, and still finding the energy to tell the story on social media.We talk about roadside encounters with fans, unexpected human moments, and the strange contrast between riders fighting for their careers and crowds treating race day like a party. The conversation also turns deeply personal — covering burnout, injury, recovery, insecurity, creativity, and the long-term sustainability of a freelance career in modern cycling media.From shooting the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes, to rebuilding after a devastating crash at the Tour of Flanders, to finding grounding at home after months on the road — this episode is about process, endurance, passion, and finding beauty where no one else is looking.A must-listen for photographers, creatives, cyclists, and anyone curious about what happens beyond the barriers.________🇮🇹 Uno sguardo autentico dietro le quinte della fotografia nel ciclismo professionistico. Ashley e Jered Gruber raccontano pressione, processo creativo, infortuni, burnout e perché, nonostante tutto, continuano a tornare sulle corse.🇩🇪 Ein ehrlicher Blick hinter die Kulissen der Profi-Radsportfotografie.Ashley & Jered Gruber über Entscheidungsdruck, kreative Prozesse, Verletzungen, Erschöpfung und warum sie trotz allem immer wieder zurückkommen.________CHAPTERS00:00 Intro03:07 The Five Out of Ten Day Mindset06:30 Mont Ventoux09:06 Alpe d Huez and Race Day Chaos11:05 Roadside Fans and Human Moments16:27 Familiar Places and Returning Each Year20:03 Planning a Grand Tour Stage27:26 Editing Uploading and Long Nights34:01 Giro vs Tour vs Vuelta36:20 Mens and Womens Racing39:48 Tour of Flanders Crash 202446:29 Shooting the Giro from the TV52:46 Riding Bikes and Staying Human58:37 Freelance Insecurity and the Future1:03:24 Advice for Aspiring Photographers1:08:27 Legacy and Closing Thoughts1:13:04 OutroCONNECT ⁠Ashley Norris Gruberhttps://www.instagram.com/ashleygruber/Jered Gruber https://www.instagram.com/jeredgruber/– HOST –Søren Jensen, Global Marketing Manager at Castelli, has worked for this iconic brand since 2006. He usually rides backroads and dirt trails, testing new gear in the Italian Dolomites. If you can't find him there, check the Castelli Headquarters in Fonzaso. Connect: ⁠LinkedIn⁠Check out our new collection: Castelli-cycling.comSUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONIf you want your questions to be answered on air, be sure to submit your questions by sending us a message on social media or by email to ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.