Join PodCrash hosts Philip Hindes and Callum Skinner on the road, live from the Cycling World Championships in Harrogate. Set-up in their campervan-come-recording studio, the Olympic athletes talk all things cycling with this week’s guest; former professional cyclist Magnus Backstedt.

After discussing what they’ve been up to so far at the Worlds; giving away good coffee, talking lots of rubbish, Skinner and Hindes talk about Backstedt’s early career. Having switched from skiing to cycling, this Swedish-born road racing champ won his first national title age 12 and developed a passion for the classics and one day races.

We discuss his infamous win at the epic Paris-Roubaix in 2004 - a race he’d set his sights on years earlier. Hear Backstedt’s take on ‘marginal gains’, navigating challenging surfaces on the road  (like cobblestones) and why looking back at history is just as important as looking to the future.

“If I only won one bike race, that was the one I wanted to win” - Magnus Backstedt

While not riding professionally these days, Backstedt’s weekends are still spent at races. He’s handed down his passion for the sport to his two daughters, Elynore and Zoe, the latter of which is racing in the World Time Trials this week. Backstedt shares his thoughts on having his daughters in the cycling world and discusses the future of the British cycling scene - including the massive changes its undergoing. 

Stay tuned for more cycling podcasts straight from the World Championships!

Show us the love by subscribing, rating and reviewing PodCrash. You can also watch all of our cycling podcasts on our YouTube channel. We’re sponsored by Tempur Mattresses - listen to the show to receive a 10% off code. A special thank you also to La Marzocco for providing our coffee machine on the road and North Star Coffee for providing the beans!

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