In part two with Ashley and Jered Gruber we unpack how their journey into cycling photography truly began.

From a chance meeting sparked by a flat tire in Athens, Georgia, to moving to Europe with no real plan, a €1,500 car, and a pocket-sized camera, this episode traces the early years that shaped their visual language.

Jered and Ashley share how racing dreams shifted into storytelling, why landscapes and atmosphere mattered more than finish-line shots, and how shooting differently helped them find space in a crowded world of race photography.

The conversation dives into their first Castelli shoots, the Koppenberg with Andreas Klier, the iconic Passo Giau image with Peter Stetina, and the unexpected chain of events that led them to shoot the Giro d’Italia. Along the way, they reflect on learning by doing, working without moto access, and building trust as a creative duo within the chaos of professional cycling.

This episode explores cycling photography from the inside out — not just how images are made, but why they’re made that way.

________

🇮🇹 Nel secondo episodio con Jered e Ashley Gruber torniamo all’inizio di tutto: un incontro casuale, una foratura e una decisione che ha cambiato il loro percorso. Dalle prime foto scattate quasi per necessità ai grandi giri, raccontiamo come hanno costruito una carriera nella fotografia ciclistica seguendo istinto, curiosità e uno sguardo diverso sul ciclismo.

🇩🇪 In der zweiten Episode mit Jered und Ashley Gruber blicken wir zurück auf die Anfänge ihrer Reise. Von einer zufälligen Begegnung und den ersten Fotos bis hin zu den großen Rundfahrten sprechen wir darüber, wie sie sich ihren Platz in der Radsportfotografie erarbeitet haben – mit Geduld, Neugier und einer ganz eigenen Perspektive.

________

CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro

03:07 How Ashley and Jered First Met

05:22 From Racing to Photography

08:33 Moving to Europe

09:34 Discovering the Camera

11:23 First Breaks

12:24 Life on the Road

14:01 Meeting Castelli & First Commercial Shoot

16:17 Koppenberg & Giau

20:25 Becoming Photographers

23:46 Creative Duo

27:52 Finding Their Style

31:32 The Photo That Changed Everything

33:13 Giro Opportunity

36:27 First Grand Tour

41:24 Evolving the Vision

45:46 Milano-Sanremo

49:40 Race Day Workflow

52:14 Creative Pressure

55:00 Ending

CONNECT ⁠

Ashley Norris Gruber

https://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: ⁠LinkedIn⁠

Check out our new collection: Castelli-cycling.com

SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION

If 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.

Many of you have watched their work evolve over the years, shaping how modern cycling is seen and remembered. I’ve been lucky enough to have a front-row seat to that journey.

Today, I’m joined by Ashley and Jered Gruber — a husband-and-wife photography duo and two of the most influential visual storytellers in the world of cycling. From their early years to the biggest races on the calendar, I’ve watched them quietly shape how the sport looks, feels, and is remembered.

This conversation is an honest look into life inside the peloton. We talk about instinct versus technique, creative doubt, missed shots, and the pressure of making split-second decisions when there are no second chances.

Jered and Ashley open up about working together under extreme stress, following the Tour de France for weeks on end, navigating chaos at Flanders and Roubaix, and why even after all these years, they still feel the urge to try something different.

This isn’t just a conversation about photography. It’s about trust, partnership, curiosity, and earning your place — not by being loud, but by consistently doing the work at the highest level.

This is Part 1 of a three-part series. In the episodes to come, we’ll go deeper into how they met, their early years in cycling, full race-day workflows, and what still inspires them today.

Hope you enjoy this one.

________________

🇮🇹 Breve introduzione

Due dei più importanti narratori visivi del ciclismo moderno si raccontano in una conversazione intima e senza filtri. Ashley e Jered Gruber parlano di istinto, pressione, fiducia e di cosa significa lavorare insieme dentro il caos del gruppo, dalle Classiche al Tour de France.

________________

🇩🇪 Kurze Zusammenfassung

Ashley und Jered Gruber gehören zu den einflussreichsten visuellen Geschichtenerzählern im Radsport. In dieser Episode sprechen sie über Intuition versus Technik, kreative Zweifel, Entscheidungsdruck im Rennen und darüber, wie es ist, Woche für Woche im Peloton zu arbeiten.

________________

CHAPTERS

00:00 – Intro

05:34 – First Dolomites memories & meeting Igor Tavella  

08:45 – Most crazy expensive place they’ve slept in the Tour

10:36 – Their favorite photo  

11:37 – The shot they still regret missing  

15:27 – Cycling’s most underrated roads  

18:06 – Post-Tour exhaustion & recovery  

20:25 – Favorite races to shoot

23:09 – Technique vs instinct  

27:46 – Koppenberg vs Paterberg vs Kwaremont  

32:24 – Gear, lenses & race-day survival  

37:38 – Planning locations with moto pilots  

40:44 – Graham Watson & early inspiration  

44:32 – Explaining their job outside cycling  

46:05 – Why documentary photography still matters  

47:07 – Ending

CONNECT ⁠

Ashley Norris Gruber

https://www.instagram.com/ashleygruber/

Jered Gruber

https://www.instagram.com/jeredgruber/

Igor Tavella

https://www.instagram.com/igortavella/

Ustaria Posta Hotel

https://www.instagram.com/ustariaposta/

https://www.ustariaposta.it/

– 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

Check out our new collection: Castelli-cycling.com

SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION

If 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.

Joe Laverick was one of the standout British talents through his junior years and earned a place on one of the top development teams in cycling: Hagens Berman Axeon. He spent two seasons there under the guidance of the world-renowned Axel Merckx.

Joe had hoped to make the jump to the WorldTour, but things didn’t fall into place, and he found himself without a contract at the end of 2022 — facing an uncertain future.

Instead of walking away, Joe built something completely different: a one-man privateer project that blends road racing, time trialling and gravel, fuelled by spreadsheets, sponsors, side clients and a serious obsession with marginal gains.

Joe lifts the curtain on:

• What it actually costs to race as a privateer (race budget, travel, equipment)
• Why you need to be more than “just a bike racer” in 2025
• Balancing being a rider, writer, team owner, sponsor-hunter, soigneur and logistics manager
• How he uses products like the Castelli Gabba R and new gravel kit – and why honest feedback matters
• The learning curve of gravel: tyre pressure, technical skills and why it’s an “untapped jigsaw of performance”
• 200+ days on the road in the US gravel scene, host housing, burnout, and finding balance
• Why enjoyment is the ultimate performance metric, and his advice for young riders choosing between the pro pathway and privateer life
• We wrap up with Joe’s dream Girona loop over Sant Hilari and Montseny – a 6.5-hour, 180–200 km that he still calls one of the best rides in the world.

– LINKS –

Joe Laverick

https://www.instagram.com/joe.laverick/

https://www.strava.com/athletes/7026027

Sant Hilari Ride

https://www.strava.com/activities/10469253051

Castelli SOG

https://www.castelli-cycling.com/spirit-of-gravel

Men’s Unlimited Gravel Collection:

⁠https://www.castelli-cycling.com/IT/en/Men/Collection/Unlimited/c/Man-Col-Unl⁠

Women’s Unlimited Gravel Collection:

⁠https://www.castelli-cycling.com/IT/en/Woman/Collection/Unlimited/c/Wom-Col-Unl⁠

Castelli's Xmas Ride, Nov 29:

Overview | ⁠https://www.strava.com/clubs/66959⁠

Italy | Signup form: https://www.castelli-cycling.com/castelli-unlimited-christmas-ride-2025

CHAPTERS

00:00 – Intro, Castelli Christmas Gravel Ride & Spirit of Gravel Cabal

02:00 – Who is Joe Laverick? Beating Remco & Girona life

04:00 – Quickfire round: fashion crimes, coldest rides & junior chaos in Belgium

09:10 – Contracts dry up: Tour of Alsace, injuries & the decision to go privateer

14:30 – Building “Joe Laverick the brand”: writing, sponsors, and race budget reality

18:30 – Gear geek: equipment choices, spreadsheets, and why the Gabba R blew his mind

22:00 – Influencer vs athlete: social media, honesty and choosing the right partners

27:20 – 200 days on the road: US gravel, burnout and learning to say “no”

32:30 – Gravel as an “untapped jigsaw”: tyre pressure, skills and doing more with less budget

44:40 – Joe’s favourite Girona mega-loop & how not to bonk

47:00 – Advice to young riders: pro vs privateer, happiness and why fun has to come first

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In part two of our conversation with French powerhouse Paul Magnier of Soudal–Quick-Step — one of the brightest young stars in professional cycling — we dive deep into the art of sprinting.

Paul pulls back the curtain on the final 1,000 meters: how to read chaos, trust the lead-out, and time the winning move.

We dig into aero gains — from wind-tunnel insights and bar-width experiments to 56×11 gearing and 105–110 rpm cadence — and why he practices seated accelerations at 800–1,000 watts. He also unpacks the Wolfpack mentality that trades pressure for confidence.

Paul shares how he mentally reset after a heavy crash, what separates good from great sprinters, and his race-day routine. Plus: his go-to Castelli kit — the Sanremo S8 speed suit, Perfetto, Gabba, and Gavia jackets for rough weather — and why Castelli’s no-logo Pro Shop pieces have become a peloton secret.

If you’re chasing faster finishes in crits or road races, you’ll love Paul’s practical sprint training cues and energy-saving tactics.

🎧 Listen now to get smarter — and faster!

– LINKS –

Podcast episode with Paul ahead of the 2025 season:

https://youtu.be/ClivP8jdPlE

CONNECT ⁠

⁠Paul Magnier: https://www.instagram.com/paul_magnier_/

CHAPTERS

0:00 — Intro

2:21 — Big goals: Monuments, Worlds & green jersey

3:30 — Finding rider type with the coach

4:19 — Handling pressure when the team backs you

5:20 — Wolfpack culture: confidence over pressure

7:18 — Resetting after crash & Omloop near-miss

13:12 — Inside a sprint: feel vs pain; favorite race kit

14:31 — Aero gains: position, wind tunnel & bar width tests

16:20 — Full aero system & no-logo Pro Shop gear

19:06 — Recon & visualizing the last 3 km

22:16 — Race-day routine & playlist

23:16 — Training to sprint: torque, short efforts, seated kicks

25:26 — Five-minute power & saving energy to the line

28:24 — Stage-race survival: fueling, grupetto, recovery

29:28 — Gearing & cadence: 56×11 today, 58T tomorrow?

30:12 — Marginal gains vs mental load; knowing your body

34:09 — Cold-weather kit essentials & layering

38:18 — Cooking, bus food & home life

41:05 — Paddle board, jet-ski dreams & Grenoble roots

44:00 — Outro

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Strap in — because today’s episode is an absolute sprint-finish thriller!

We’re joined by one of the most exciting young riders in world cycling: Paul Magnier of Soudal–Quick-Step — a 21-year-old French powerhouse already rewriting what’s possible in the pro peloton.

In just two seasons, Magnier has exploded to the top tier of world cycling with 24 victories, making him statistically the most successful rider of his generation, ahead of Evenepoel, Pogačar, van der Poel, and Sagan at the same age.

Fresh off five straight wins at the Tour of Guangxi and a breakout year featuring 19 victories, a podium at Omloop, and his first Giro d’Italia, Paul sits down with us to reveal:

- How he stays calm in the chaos of 70km/h bunch sprints

- The mental toughness needed to perform under WorldTour pressure

- Lead-out strategy secrets and Wolfpack sprint dynamics

- Life as cycling’s next superstar — and staying humble along the way

- Off-season life in Grenoble, MTB roots & why the Gabba is a winter essential

Whether you're a sprinter chasing speed, a cycling fan hungry for behind-the-scenes insight, or just fascinated by the next generation shaking up the sport—this episode is packed with firepower.

If you’re obsessed with sprint finishes, race psychology, or want actionable tips to get faster, this episode is packed with firepower for you.

🎧 Plus: this is Part 1 of a two-episode deep-dive—next week we go all-in on sprint technique, training, gym work, and how YOU can become faster!

Hit follow, leave a rating, and join the Castelli community!

– LINKS –

Podcast episode with Paul ahead of the 2025 season:

https://youtu.be/ClivP8jdPlE

CONNECT ⁠

⁠Paul Magnier: https://www.instagram.com/paul_magnier_/

CHAPTERS

00:00 – Intro

04:33 – 2025 wrap: 19 wins & GT debut

05:42 – China recap: team bonding

06:23 – Race load: 90 days, 11,685 km

07:06 – 24 wins by 21; Wolfpack support

08:15 – From WC XC bronze medal to Soudal Quick-Step

12:58 – Quick-fire 10 questions

15:11 – Sprint mindset: instinct vs plan

17:18 – Lead-out roles

19:08 – Sprint power & Merlier comparison

20:05 – Fighting for the wheel & positioning

21:03 – Building the perfect lead-out; inside the Flamme Rouge

25:01 – Training lead-outs: races vs camps; staying calm

29:07 – Reading rival trains

30:44 – Final 200 m: speed, aero, seated sprint

34:47 – Strength work: in-season gym & velocity focus

38:20 – Life off the bike: friends, balance, humility

40:48 – The French wave: peers & momentum

42:15 – Role-model mindset & clean racing

43:46 – Home life: Grenoble → Nice; travel perks & weather

48:38 – Big goals: Monuments, Worlds, Tour green

50:13 – Outro

Credits: Play Sports Network / Eurosport, GettyImages

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Strap in — because today’s episode is an absolute sprint-finish thriller!

We’re joined by one of the most exciting young riders in world cycling: Paul Magnier of Soudal–Quick-Step — a 21-year-old French powerhouse already rewriting what’s possible in the pro peloton.

In just two seasons, Magnier has exploded to the top tier of world cycling with 24 victories, making him statistically the most successful rider of his generation, ahead of Evenepoel, Pogačar, van der Poel, and Sagan at the same age.

Fresh off five straight wins at the Tour of Guangxi and a breakout year featuring 19 victories, a podium at Omloop, and his first Giro d’Italia, Paul sits down with us to reveal:

- How he stays calm in the chaos of 70km/h bunch sprints

- The mental toughness needed to perform under WorldTour pressure

- Lead-out strategy secrets and Wolfpack sprint dynamics

- Life as cycling’s next superstar — and staying humble along the way

- Off-season life in Grenoble, MTB roots & why the Gabba is a winter essential

Whether you're a sprinter chasing speed, a cycling fan hungry for behind-the-scenes insight, or just fascinated by the next generation shaking up the sport—this episode is packed with firepower.

If you’re obsessed with sprint finishes, race psychology, or want actionable tips to get faster, this episode is packed with firepower for you.

🎧 Plus: this is Part 1 of a two-episode deep-dive—next week we go all-in on sprint technique, training, gym work, and how YOU can become faster!

Hit follow, leave a rating, and join the Castelli community!

CHAPTERS

00:00 – Intro

01:45 – 2025 snapshot

04:51 – Guangxi, High-Five, and season wrap

06:26 – Race load and rise, 24 wins in only two seasons

08:27 – From MTB to WorldTour; Wolfpack confidence

10:32 – Off-season reset and home base

13:02 – Quick-fire: 1700W, favorite kit, dream wins

15:25 – Sprint craft: instinct, lead-outs, launch at 200 m

24:45 – Race reps, staying calm, reading rival trains

31:21 – Aero at 70+ km/h; Merlier mentorship; strength work

38:30 – Staying grounded, French wave, goals and Part 2

50:25 – Outro

– LINKS –

Podcast episode with Paul ahead of the 2025 season:

⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠

⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠

CONNECT

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 ⁠

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjensen77/

Credits: Play Sports Network / Eurosport, GettyImages

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever wondered what life is really like for a directeur sportif?

Here’s your chance. Davide “Brama” Bramati—ex-pro and longtime Quick-Step DS—is one of the WorldTour’s most passionate and entertaining voices.

From his racing days in the ‘90s and 2000s to becoming one of Quick-Step’s longest-serving directeurs sportifs, Brama opens the doors to life inside the race car and the team bus.

We dive into his transition from rider to DS, how race strategy has evolved with modern tech, the triumphs and heartbreaks of Classics and Grand Tours, and the passion that still fuels him after decades in the sport.

You’ll also hear what makes the Wolfpack’s family culture so unique, how Brama handles the toughest post-race moments, and which races he’s still hungry to win.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro

01:27 Brama’s career highlights

05:02 Quick-fire questions: style, kit, radios & tech

10:12 From rider to directeur sportif

17:27 Life in the team car: pressure, emotions & family

22:12 Race preparation & technology in modern cycling

27:53 Tactics, breakaways & the Wolfpack mentality

30:04 Dream races: Flanders, Roubaix, Liège

34:51 Young riders, careers & today’s superstars

42:12 Best career moments

43:22 Advice for new sports directors

45:26 Contest: win 2026 Flanders tickets

46:34 Outro

CONTEST RULES

We’ll randomly draw two winners on December 7, 2025 — each gets two (2) hospitality tickets to the 2026 Tour of Flanders Hotond Festival, including all food & drinks. Travel and accommodation are not included. Open to participants 18+. One entry per person.

📅 Contest Ends: Dec 7, 2025 – 23:59 CET

Questions: [email protected]

Good luck! 

LINKS

Brama: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidebramati/

SQS

https://www.instagram.com/soudalquickstepteam/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Discover Polartec® AirCore™ — the revolutionary fabric that’s lightweight, breathable, PFAS-free, and made from recycled materials, designed to keep you dry from the inside out.

Watch interview on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/-EFOAr534V4

As the industry’s first advanced air-permeable laminate, AirCore™ combines stretch, windproofing, and water repellency with nanofiber technology that actively vents sweat without sacrificing protection from the elements.

In this episode, Ramesh Kesh, Senior Vice President at Milliken & Company and Business Manager at Polartec, joins Steve Smith, Castelli Brand Manager, to share how this breakthrough came to life, and why it could redefine winter cycling gear for years to come.

Together, they unpack the science, the challenges, and why Castelli’s new winter collection — launching September 9, 2025 — marks a turning point in performance cycling apparel. From lab testing to real-world rides, discover why AirCore™ is set to become the new benchmark in cycling performance.

– LINKS –

Castelli

www.castelli-cycling.com/polartec-aircore

https://www.castelli-cycling.com/II/en/custom/full

Polartec®:

www.polartec.com/fabrics/weather-protection/aircore

– GUESTS –

Ramesh Kesh

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rameshkesh

Steve Smith

⁠www.instagram.com/smittystuff/⁠

CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro

03:56 Quick-Fire Round

07:16 Why New Fabric Was Needed

13:26 Engineering Breathability

19:41 Inside the AirCore™ Fabric

25:20 How Movement Activates Performance

28:03 Removing PFAS chemicals, 

30:33 Real-World Performance

33:26 Breathability & Numbers

37:50 Waterproofness & Water Column Explained

40:04 Soudal Quick-Step

41:27 Product Collection

45:52 Sustainability & The Future

49:03 AirCore Setting a New Standard

52:11 Looking Ahead

52:54 Sum up AirCore

53:36 Outro

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Riding in the summer heat can turn a dream ride into a survival mission if you don’t fuel and hydrate correctly. In this episode, we're joined by returning guest and sports performance nutritionist, Dani Hofstetter, to break down how to fuel and hydrate smarter for hot weather training and racing.

From carb absorption to sodium losses, cramping, gut tolerance, sweat testing, and post-ride recovery, Dani shares practical strategies to keep you fast, fueled, and functional when temperatures soar past 30°C.

You’ll also hear listener questions answered on topics like whether to switch to plain water mid-ride, how to balance solids and liquids, and how to adapt fueling for long, unsupported gravel rides. Packed with pro tips and real-world examples from long distance races like an Ironman, Badlands, Ötztaler, to the Cape Epic, this is your ultimate hot-weather fueling guide.

CHAPTERS

00:00 – Intro

04:21 – Quickfire round

08:32 – Listener Q: Should you switch to water in the heat?

10:38 – Carb concentration adjustments based on temperature

11:10 – How under-hydrating backfires: gut distress & thicker blood

12:46 – Subtle signs of dehydration

14:29 – Listener Q: Does craving water mean you've overdone the mix?

15:54 – How to calculate your sweat rate

17:35 – Setting up hydration for long unsupported ultras

18:53 – Balancing carbs, fluid, and electrolytes

19:16 – Listener Q: How many carbs/hour for amateurs vs pros?

20:28 – Adjusting fueling plan in the heat

21:15 – Listener Q: Nutrition for cramp-prone riders

22:14 – Why dehydration is a bigger cause of cramps than magnesium

23:46 – Listener Q: Solids vs liquids in hot weather

24:44 – Is gel + water better than drink mix?

25:33 – What to pick at a hot feed zone: Coke, fruit or salt?

27:21 – Palate fatigue and why taste matters

29:33 – Listener Q: Are sweat/sodium tests really helpful?

32:13 – Sodium vs salt: key numbers explained

34:06 – Replacing sodium: what really matters

35:14 – Should you add salt to your bottles?

36:51 – Two key hydration rules every rider should know

37:22 – Listener Q: Post-ride recovery nutrition in the heat

38:24 – What to drink and eat after hot rides

39:35 – Why recovery is the "work after the work"

41:06 – Listener Q: Caffeine and spicy foods in hot weather

42:15 – Listener Q: Carrying extra hydration for long gravel rides

43:22 – Preloading sodium: how and when

44:56 – Listener Q: Training differently in a heat wave

45:56 – Final take: consistency, fatigue, and training timing

LINKS

Dani Hofstetter

⁠Website⁠

⁠Instagram⁠

Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Soren Jensen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Castelli

⁠Castelli's Hot Weather Collection ⁠

SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS

If 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 this episode, we sit down with one of the brightest young talents in professional cycling — Valentin Paret-Peintre. At just 24, he’s already claimed stage victories at the Giro d’Italia, the Tour of Oman, and made history as the fifth Frenchman ever to win atop Mont Ventoux during his maiden Tour de France.

Join us for a relaxed and insightful conversation recorded during pre-season camp, as Valentin opens up about life with Soudal Quick-Step, his favorite alpine climbs, his power-to-weight secrets, and how growing up in a cycling-obsessed family shaped his journey.

If you're a fan of the high mountains, French alpine gems, and the inner mindset of a pure climber – this one's for you!

The interview was recorded as a friendly chat at the beginning of the season, following a product feedback session. 

– LINKS –

Valentin Paret-Peintre

Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Soren Jensen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Climbs:

Col de l'Arpettaz (Ugine)

Col de la Colombiere (Cluses)

Col des Aravis (Flumet)

Mont-Salève

– CHAPTERS –

00:00 – Quickfire intro

00:39 – Welcome & Valentin’s rise: Giro stage win to Ventoux glory

01:45 – Riding with the Wolfpack: New chapter with Soudal Quick-Step

03:13 – Settling in with the team & first impressions from training camp

04:35 – Why the Giro d’Italia is his favorite Grand Tour

05:39 – Growing up in Haute-Savoie & descending skills

06:49 – Favorite local climb: Col de la Colombière

08:08 – Riding for joy, peace & scenery — not always for coffee

09:40 – Reflections on mountain solitude & wild landscapes

10:51 – Hidden gem climbs: Col de l’Arpettaz and others

11:49 – What makes a world-class climber: More than just numbers

13:27 – Beating personal records at the Giro & Tour de Suisse

15:21 – In-the-saddle vs out-of-saddle: His climbing technique

16:09 – Bodyweight, gym work & nutrition

18:06 – Training efforts: Torque work, over/unders, and VO2 sets

20:32 – Training solo vs in groups & life in Chambéry

22:11 – Annual New Year's ride around Lac Léman tradition

22:58 – Aero obsession: Race suits vs jersey/shorts

24:23 – Castelli product insights & racing with innovation

25:21 – First impressions of the Sanremo S8 race suit

26:16 – Why he joined Soudal Quick-Step & learning from Remco & Landa

29:51 – Not ready to lead just yet — embracing a support role

31:51 – Eyeing the Tour de France debut in 2025

33:02 – On racing the Tour as a French rider: Personal dream

34:06 – Favorite Tour climb: Col du Galibier and its magic

36:08 – Favorite off-season meal? Spaghetti alla bolognese 🍝

36:41 – Outro & thanks

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.