Tom Dumoulin was one of the world's very best road cyclists. A Giro d'Italia winner, Tour de France runner up (behind a certain Welshman...) and almost unrivalled on a time trial bike.
And yet, that success, and the lifestyle necessary to perform at that level, came at a cost for Tom. In 2021, he shocked the world by announcing a sabbatical from the sport. In 2022, aged just 31, he walked away from competing completely.
He's been on our list of dream GTCC guests for a long time, and it was incredible to get Tom's perspective on life in retirement, while he and G enjoyed reminiscing over some of their old battles.
Not bad for the first guest of season four, hey? We'll be back next Tuesday. See you then.
G, Tom and Producer George
Want to join our weekly GTCC Zwift rides? Jump on Zwift every Wednesday at 18:00 and come join the club. Here's the link for this week's ride: https://www.zwift.com/events/series/geraint-thomas-cycling-club/view/3825870
Music courtesy of BMG Music Production
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Tom Dumoulin on retirement, solo travelling and racing against G

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Geraint Thomas has started the world's biggest cycling club. And you’re all invited. Follow the Tour de France winner and amateur rider Tom Fordyce as they take you on a fascinating ride round some of the biggest stories and guests throughout the off-season.
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1 January, 2012. The day that Luke Rowe became a professional bike rider, pulling on the immortal colours of Team Sky for the first time.
13 years later, after a career that he dreamt of as a young Maindy Flyer, growing up in Cardiff and riding round the famous outdoor velodrome, Luke's decided to hang up his pro wheels at the end of this season.
What a journey it's been. He sat down with G this week to bring you, our Watts Occurring listeners, the news first.
It's not been an easy decision. Following his crash and concussion in E3 back in March, regular listeners will know that Luke's recovery hasn't been as speedy as expected. As he explains, following medical advice and long discussions with his young family, Luke has decided that this season will be his last.
He still hopes to race this season - did someone say Tour of Britain? - but will need to see how his recovery progresses.
For now, it's time to pay tribute to Luke, and start planning his retirement party.
It's been fun, eh?
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Luke's got some BIG news to share with you - Watts Occurring powered by Eurosport

The boys are back and yes, it's finally here - it's Giro week!
It barely seems like five minutes since G lost out on that epic final day to Primoz Roglic last year, yet here we go again. It's time for G to pack his bags and head off for a lap of Italy.
Tom joined the lads for this bumper preview - and he'll be back throughout the race for plenty of Giro pods - as they talked G's chances, made some big predictions, and made sure that Sa will be giving him a haircut before he boards the plane for Italy.
We'll be back later this week for a very special bonus show (more on that in due course), and then as always we'll be bringing you regular updates from the frontline of the first Grand Tour of the season.
Watts Occurring is powered by Eurosport
NOTE: We'll let him off as he's got a big month ahead, but G's microphone had a few issues during this record. Apologies if you pick up on that.
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The big Giro preview - Watts Occurring powered by Eurosport

G's prep for the Giro is very nearly complete. Tour of the Alps was his last racing hit out before he heads for Italy and he breaks it all down for Luke in this week's Watts.
Luke himself is finally on the mend, following his concussion back in mid-March. Fingers crossed he'll be back on the bike with a vengeance soon.
He's keeping himself busy though, with two commentary stints on Eurosport over the past week. First up he called compatriot Stevie Williams winning Fleche Wallonne, and then was on air as Pogi decimated the field in typically stunning fashion at Liege.
G reckons he's now on Merckx level. What do you think? Let us know on Twitter: @Watts_Occurring.
We'll be back in a week's time for a bumper Giro preview... and then Grand Tour number one of the season will begin. Bring it on!
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G's Tour of the Alps review and Pog's latest Merckx impression - Watts Occurring powered by Eurosport

Well, day one at the Tour of the Alps was a cracker wasn't it - and after a tasty, attacking finale, G came home sixth, three seconds back on teammate and stage winner Tobias Foss. He jumped straight on the massage table, called up Luke, and gave him the rundown.
Meanwhile the boys are fresh from their first alternative commentary with Eurosport - head to @eurosportcycling on Instagram to relive the boys' commentating efforts on the Amstel Gold Race! And after they came off air, INEOS Grenadiers put on a show, setting up Tom Pidcock for his first (well... maybe second) Amstel title.
Luke and G analyse that win and look ahead to Fleche and this Sunday's final spring Monument, Liege-Bastogne-Liege. Before that, G's got a few Alpine mountains to summit. Send him your best.
We'll be back next week - if not before...
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Lighting it up in the Alps and a big win at Amstel - Watts Occurring powered by Eurosport

The boys are back to discuss the fastest ever edition of Roubaix, won in serious style by world champ Mathieu van der Poel. Yes, that's the bloke who won Flanders too. He is untouchable right now - although, of course, if Luke wasn't suffering from concussion, he'd have taken it to the Dutchman...
Speaking of Luke's concussion, he's got a bit of bad news on that front. He's still suffering after his crash in E3 and is back off the bike. He's hoping to be back to normal soon, but there's no rushing an issue like this.
G is trucking along happily in Sierra and should be back in action at the Tour of the Alps this time next week. See you then for a racing update from our elder statesman, who is now less than a month out from the Giro.
Watts Occurring is powered by Eurosport.
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Tom Dumoulin on retirement, solo travelling and racing against G

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