Beyond the Peloton Podcast

On this week’s BTP Podcast, co-host Andrew Vontz and I welcome Riding With’s Jonathan Kaplan on the show to go over a few lingering thoughts from the 2026 World Championships in Montreal and turn to a major question hanging over the industry right now: what exactly is going on at Rapha?

The brand that defined fashion-forward cycling apparel for over two decades is in the middle of an executive reshuffle after years of heavy losses, so we dig into how Rapha got here, whether it can compete in the new era of ultra-premium cycling clothing, what the ideal path forward looks like for one of the sport’s most iconic names, and if there is actually a way out of its current decline, or whether the Rapha we knew is already gone.

Spencer Martin, author of the Beyond the Peloton newsletter, and co-host Andrew Vontz break down Brandon McNulty’s incredible and unexpected win at the 2026 World Championships in Montreal, how the race was won by an underdog USA team, and what it means for McNulty’s place on his UAE team and US cycling going forward.

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BTP Newsletter: Get an In-Depth Post-Worlds Breakdowns

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Listen to Andrew’s Choose the Hard Way Podcast

Spencer Martin, author of the Beyond the Peloton newsletter, and co-host Andrew Vontz discuss the upcoming World Championships in Montreal, how the race will play out, and who will claim the undefended rainbow jersey with Tadej Pogačar sidelined by injuries from the Vuelta.

Follow Andrew’s path to beating cancer here

BTP Newsletter: Get an In-Depth Post-Worlds Breakdowns

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Listen to Andrew’s Choose the Hard Way Podcast

Spencer Martin, author of the Beyond the Peloton newsletter, and co-host Andrew Vontz debate whether MTB & CX have a “problem,” Sepp Kuss’ impressive final weekend in the Vuelta, and the controversy around the USA Men’s team selections for the World Championships next weekend in Montreal.

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BTP Newsletter: Get Daily Vuelta Breakdowns

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Listen to Andrew’s Choose the Hard Way Podcast

Spencer Martin, author of the Beyond the Peloton newsletter, and co-host Andrew Vontz discuss Enric Mas’ chances of winning the ongoing Vuelta a España, what to make of Matthew Brennan’s breakout performance at this race, and Wout van Aert’s return to form.

Follow Andrew’s path to beating cancer here

BTP Newsletter: Get Daily Vuelta Breakdowns

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Listen to Andrew’s Choose the Hard Way Podcast

Spencer Martin, author of the Beyond the Peloton newsletter, and co-host Andrew Vontz discuss the action at the ongoing Vuelta a España, including Enric Mas’ incredible ride to chase down Tadej Pogačar, and Uno-X’s incredible hit rate with stage wins at Grand Tours.

Follow Andrew’s path to beating cancer here

BTP Newsletter: Get Daily Vuelta Breakdowns

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Listen to Andrew’s Choose the Hard Way Podcast

Spencer Martin, author of the Beyond the Peloton newsletter, and co-host Andrew Vontz give their thoughts on Quinn Simmons’ performance at the 2026 Leadville 100 MTB race and discuss the upcoming Vuelta a España, which sees Tadej Pogačar return to the scene of his first career Grand Tour in an attempt to collect every three-week title in the sport.

Follow Andrew’s path to beating cancer here

BTP Newsletter: Get Daily Vuelta Breakdowns

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Listen to Andrew’s Choose the Hard Way Podcast

Spencer Martin, author of the Beyond the Peloton newsletter, and co-host Andrew Vontz give their belated final thoughts on the 2026 Tour de France, including Tadej Pogačar’s record ascent of Alpe d’Huez, what the sport needs to change about the iconic climb, their personal highlights from the race, and where Jonas Vingegaard and Visma go from here.

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BTP Newsletter: Get Daily Tour de France Breakdowns

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Listen to Andrew’s Choose the Hard Way Podcast

Spencer Martin, author of the Beyond the Peloton newsletter, and co-host Andrew Vontz discuss the final week of the Tour de France, including Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard’s midnight anti-doping tests, Vingegaard crashing out of the race, and if Remco Evenepoel can hold on to second place overall.

Follow Andrew’s path to beating cancer here

BTP Newsletter: Get Daily Tour de France Breakdowns

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Listen to Andrew’s Choose the Hard Way Podcast

Spencer Martin, author of the Beyond the Peloton newsletter, and co-host Andrew Vontz discuss the second week of the Tour de France, including what to make of Tadej Pogačar and UAE’s decision to pace hard on non-GC days, and how to interpret the GC picture behind them.

Follow Andrew’s path to beating cancer here

BTP Newsletter: Get Daily Tour de France Breakdowns

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Listen to Andrew’s Choose the Hard Way Podcast