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.

🎁 Ever dreamed of watching the Tour of Flanders up close?

Here’s your chance! Simply comment on this episode (on Spotify or YouTube) with your favorite team Quick-Step rider or race moment from the past 23 years (2003–2025). See details below.

EPISODE DETAILS

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.

They were just two kids from Wortegem, riding bikes after school, never dreaming they’d one day end up in the pro peloton together.

In this episode of the Castelli Podcast, we sit down with Belgian sprint sensation Tim Merlier and his lifelong friend and trusted lead-out man Bert Van Lerberghe, a duo bonded by years of shared rides, muddy cyclocross circuits, and quiet ambition.

From their humble beginnings to the world’s biggest races, Tim and Bert take us inside their journey—through the chaos of sprint stages, the grit of gravel racing, and the deep trust that powers their performance in the pro peloton. They open up about what it means to represent Belgium, the Castelli gear that gets them through the toughest days, and the unspoken connection that only two decades of friendship can build.

This is more than a story about speed. It’s a story about growing up together, daring to dream late, and discovering that the best victories are the ones you chase side by side.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

02:38 Tim Merlier’s Journey

06:26 Bert Van Lerberghe’s Journey

09:02 Amateur Belgian Cycling

13:20 Gravel Racing

16:40 Bert’s Strengths and Weaknesses

19:22 Tim’s Strengths and Weaknesses

20:37 Rapid Fire Round of Questions

20:45 First Castelli Memory

21:49 Favorite Castelli Winter Product

23:39 Dream Races to Win One Day

27:32 Rapid Fire

36:10 The Wolfpack Team Dynamics

36:43 Ending

– LINKS –

⁠⁠Tim Merlier⁠⁠

⁠⁠Bert Van Lerberghe⁠⁠

Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Soren Jensen⁠⁠⁠⁠

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 special Tour de France episode, we're joined by two of the sharpest minds in performance cycling: Koen Pelgrim, Head of Performance at Soudal Quick-Step, and Steve Smith, Castelli Brand Manager and driving force behind the Scorpion’s aero innovation.

Recorded just ahead of the Tour’s Grand Départ, the episode dives deep into the world of wind tunnel testing and the relentless pursuit of marginal gains.

From Tim Merlier’s Tour stage-winning Sanremo S Speed Suit to Remco Evenepoel’s time trial suits—including the one he wore while storming to victory in stage five’s Tour de France time trial.

Koen and Steve pull back the curtain on testing protocols, fabric breakthroughs, rider-specific positions, and the surprising results that prove: what looks fast isn’t always fastest.

Whether you're a marginal gainer, tech nerd, or just obsessed with the Tour like we are—this one’s for you.

Enjoy!

CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro

03:18 Behind the Scenes of Wind Tunnel Testing

03:55 Tim Merlier's Sprint Suit

11:27 Fast Feet Aero Socks

12:09 Refining Remco's Time Trial Suit

14:50 Remco's New Time Trial Position

17:03 Aero Suit Testing with Soudal Quick-Step

18:08 Adapting Suits for Different Cyclists

20:17 Different TT Suits for the Uphill Time Trial

20:48 Ending

LINKS

Castelli Speed Shop

https://www.castelli-cycling.com/Speed-Shop/c/Speed-Shop

Castelli Pro Shop

https://www.castelli-cycling.com/PRO-SHOP/c/Pro-Shop

GUESTS

⁠Koen Pelgrim, Head of Performance at Soudal Quick-Step⁠

⁠Steve Smith, Castelli Brand Manager ⁠

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

Join us as we dive into the cutting-edge world of aerodynamic cycling apparel with Steve Smith, Castelli Brand Manager, Lifelong Marginal Gainer. From the evolution of the iconic maglia rosa for the Giro d’Italia to the latest innovative firsts, Steve shares how rider feedback, wind tunnel testing, and meticulous design come together to create high-performance gear.

We explore the behind-the-scenes logistics of outfitting pro teams, the development process inside Castelli’s Speed Shop and Pro Shop, and how amateur cyclists can benefit from the same technology. Tune in for a look at where aero clothing is headed—and Castelli’s role in shaping its future.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro

04:40 Amount of Clothing Supplied to Giro Race Leaders

12:24 Sanremo 8S Speed Suit

14:03 Tailoring Suits for Performance and Fit

16:25 Optimized Gear for Specific Rider Positioning

19:53 Low-Hanging Fruit for Maximum Performance

23:30 Free Aero S Bibshorts

28:08 Free Aero Prototype Testing

31:54 PoliMI Wind Tunnel – Politecnico di Milano

33:55 Custom Program, Speed Shop, and Pro Shop

36:42 Aero Race 8S Jersey: Design and Functionality

41:42 Aero Gains: Performance Comparisons

47:08 Future Frontiers in Aero Clothing

53:13 Giro d'Italia, Stage 15, Passing by Castelli HQ

55:09 WIN a Singed Maglia Rosa!

55:41 Ending

LINKS

Castelli Speed Shop

https://www.castelli-cycling.com/Speed-Shop/c/Speed-Shop

Castelli Pro Shop

https://www.castelli-cycling.com/PRO-SHOP/c/Pro-Shop

– GUEST –

Meet Steve Smith: Castelli’s Brand Manager & Lifelong Marginal Gainer! From racing bikes in Portland to leading innovation at Castelli, Steve Smith brings a deep passion for performance. In this episode, he shares insights on wind tunnel testing and the game-changing gear behind the Giro d’Italia leaders. Dive into the tech, the strategy, and the gear that keeps the pros ahead.

CONNECT

https://www.instagram.com/smittystuff/

– 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 ⁠

www.linkedin.com/in/sjensen77/

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