Kittel looks back at a career built on raw power and precision. He explains why he never adopted the extreme low positions of other sprinters, how it felt to dominate the Champs Élysées, and why losing that finish still stings. “A big tradition is gone,” he said. “Paris smells different. Food, perfume, excitement.”

The conversation moves far beyond sprinting. Kittel speaks candidly about the pressure faced by young riders, the dangers of comparison culture, and how expectations have exploded in the modern era. He also discusses the changing nature of the Tour, the shrinking space for pure sprinters and what it takes to survive in a race that no longer resembles the one he grew up in.

And he doesn’t shy away from the sport’s more uncomfortable truths. “I don’t believe that cycling is clean now. Absolutely not,” he said.

They also speak about:
🏆 The sprint that changed his career: beating Cavendish in a direct duel
🔧 How nutrition and training culture have changed since his era 
🇩🇪 The state of German cycling

For a rider who defined an era, the conversation reveals a thoughtful observer of where cycling has been and where it is going.

This week on the Domestique Cycling Podcast, Bram and Ethan dive into everything happening in the world of cycling… even if it is the off-season.

From Mathieu van der Poel’s Ironman tease to Greg LeMond talking tech at Rouleur Live, it’s been a surprisingly lively week. We break down the big headlines, including:

• Van der Poel and the 100k-like Ironman challenge
• Q36.5 becoming Pinarello - Q36.5 Pro Cycling
• The early chatter around the 2026 Giro d’Italia
• Why Evenepoel, Vingegaard, and Del Toro could give us an all-timer Giro
• Zwift vs MyWhoosh and the eSports World Championships
• Red Bull–Bora’s Formula 1 deep dive into TT gains
• Oscar Sevilla and Francisco Mancebo racing into their 50s
• Chris Froome’s future after Israel-Premier Tech

Plus, Ethan shares stories from Rouleur Live, and we preview the next episode of the Domestique Hotseat featuring none other than Marcel Kittel.

If you enjoy the podcast, give it a rating on Spotify or wherever you listen. It helps a lot.

Watch, listen, and let us know your thoughts in the comments. Enjoy the episode!

At just 19, Cat Ferguson has already lived a full cycling life. From a childhood spent on Alpe d’Huez to a breakthrough season with Movistar she talks about growing up fast in the peloton, handling setbacks and whether she could beat Puck Pieterse in necking a pint.

In the Domestique Hotseat, Ferguson reflects on skipping cyclocross for the first time, the mental strength it takes to survive the spring, and how a stage win at the Tour of Britain helped her reset after a tough start to the year. She also speaks candidly about the need for a proper U23 pathway in women’s cycling, training around her period and why Movistar’s easygoing Spanish spirit feels like home.

A sharp, funny and down-to-earth conversation with one of the most exciting young riders in the peloton.

Enjoyed the episode? Give us a 5-star rating on your podcast player 🙏 Thanks!

We’re deep into the off-season — and that means one thing: transfer chaos!
In this episode, Bram and Ethan dive into the biggest transfers ahead of the 2026 cycling season. From Red Bull’s signing of Remco Evenepoel to INEOS’ puzzling strategy and Decathlon’s surprise masterclass — we break down every major move, what it means for the teams, and who’s shaping up for success next year.

Cole Kessler might be one of the tallest riders in the peloton, but he’s quickly proving he’s more than a gentle giant. At 6’6”, the American national time trial champion joins Aidan to talk about late growth spurts, finding balance in a sport built on sacrifice, and why he believes the breakaway isn’t dead.

From growing up as an undersized kid on the American football field to climbing the ranks with Lidl–Trek, Cole opens up about what it really takes to become a pro cyclist, the pressure of constant doping controls, and life in Europe as a young American.

They also dive into:
🧠 The mental side of performance and recovery
📈 How data and science are reshaping modern cycling
🎓 Juggling UCLA economics studies with a pro career
🇺🇸 The future of American road racing

Cole also shares his dream of racing a home Olympics, what off-season life looks like in Reno, and why Cinnamon Toast Crunch is still his post-ride snack of choice.

From Pogačar’s dominance to del Toro’s breakout at the Giro, from Marlen Reusser’s evolution to Maëva Squiban's fearless Tour de France Femmes ride: this episode covers it all.

Bram and Ethan sit down for a full-season recap of men’s and women’s racing, breaking down the highs, lows, and biggest surprises of the year. Expect strong opinions, bad predictions, and plenty of laughs as the Domestique team hands out its unofficial end-of-season awards.

🎙 Topics covered:
• Best riders of 2025 (no prizes for guessing who…)
• Breakthrough talents and biggest surprises
• The strongest teams and top domestiques
• The most entertaining one-day and stage races
• What 2026 might have in store

In this episode of The Domestique Hotseat, Bas Tietema opens up about storytelling, ambition and the rise of the Unibet Rose Rockets, cycling’s most unconventional team.

From filming rides with friends to leading a pro squad chasing a Tour de France wildcard, Tietema shares how belief, creativity and community turned an idea into a movement.

With Wout Poels and Dylan Groenewegen joining for 2025, the Rockets are no longer outsiders as they redefine what a modern cycling team can be.

🎙️ “It’s not just about the WorldTour. It’s about building the biggest fanbase in cycling.”

Listen to the full conversation for a candid look at the Rockets’ rise and what’s next on their road to the Tour.

After a season that took her from the high climbs of the Tour de France to the chaos of Worlds in Rwanda, The Domestique Hotseat sat down with Niamh Fisher-Black to talk leadership, learning curves, and what it means to grow up inside the peloton.

At just 24, the New Zealander has already lived the full arc of a rider’s education. From her early jump to SD Worx to her new role as team leader at Lidl–Trek, Fisher-Black is still searching for that first win at the highest level, but the consistency tells its own story.

We spoke about her silver medal at the World Championships, her critique of the UCI’s handlebar-width rule, and the reality of racing without radios. She also reflected on the importance of a true U23 category, something she feels women’s cycling still misses. 

Fisher-Black also opened up about her time at SD Worx, the media scrutiny around Demi Vollering, and what it means to carry the weight of leadership. 

Listen to the full conversation for a thoughtful and quietly determined insight into one of cycling’s young leaders, a rider learning not just how to race but how to win.

In this episode of the Domestique Cycling Podcast, Bram is joined by Domestique editor Ethan for a short preview of the season's last WorldTour race on European soil as they break down the parcours, where they expect Tadej Pogačar to go solo and who will attempt to follow him.

Potentially standing in the Slovenian's way is Remco Evenepoel, who’s been closing the gap all autumn after strong rides at both the World Championships and European Championships. Behind them lies a deep field of challengers, including Tom Pidcock, Richard Carapaz, Giulio Ciccone, and breakout star Paul Seixas, each with their own chance to disrupt the Pogacar–Evenepoel duopoly.

Other topics in this episode:

• Underdogs to watch: Pidcock, Seixas, Carapaz, Ciccone, and more
• The last races for riders switching teams in 2026
• UAE’s internal tensions and Ayuso’s future
• Astana’s mysterious roster situation and what it means
• Podium predictions and surprise top-10 picks
• A lighthearted look ahead to the Tour of Guangxi and the offseason

Expect sharp insights, humour, and a healthy dose of cycling nerdery, all wrapped up in Domestique’s signature blend of passion and precision.

On the back of a rollercoaster season, we sat down with Sarah Gigante for this episode of The Domestique Hotseat. At just 24, the Australian has already endured more setbacks than many face in a lifetime: from breaking both arms as a junior, to heart inflammation at Movistar, and most recently surgery for iliac artery endofibrosis.

Gigante opens up about her unconventional path: an ATAR score of 99.95, a mother who doubled as scribe and soigneur, and the home-made abseiling harness that kept her training after a double arm fracture. She reflects on her first years at Movistar, her rebirth with AG Insurance–Soudal, and the relief of realising that surgery had finally restored full blood flow to her right leg.

We talk about her breakout rides at the Giro d’Italia Donne and Tour de France Femmes, the criticism of her descending, and how she handles the scrutiny that comes with being one of the sport’s brightest young climbers. Gigante also shares her perspective on UCI’s safety rules, the rise of women’s cycling, and why she believes beating Lorena Wiebes or Tadej Pogačar is almost impossible.

Listen now for an inspiring mix of honesty, resilience, and a touch of humour from one of cycling’s most fascinating young riders.