ITV Cycling Podcast

In a largely quiet day's racing, German Nils Politt cruised to victory in Nimes having launched a superb late attack from strong group of riders containing current world champion Julian Alaphilippe, and Imanol Erviti and Harry Sweeny - who finished second and third respectively. The force of nature that is Tadej Pogcacar retained yellow. Ned Boulting, Matt Rendell, David Millar, Chris Boardman and Pete Kennaugh chew the fat, and also bring you an extract from an interview with Alexi Sayle.

‘That’s not the most famous mountain in world cycling, it’s a reasonably sized hill!’ At least, that’s how it looked the way Wout Van Aert rode Ventoux, crushing a high-class field with a breathtaking solo breakaway that seemingly lasted forever. It provided some well-needed cheer for the Jumbo-Visma team, who lost Tony Martin to a crash earlier in the day. Meanwhile, Tadeg Pogacar retained the Yellow Jersey - having finished 90-odd seconds behind the Belgian upstart - but he also showed his first glimpses of vulnerability in this renewal of the Tour. Ned Boulting, David Millar, Pete Kennaugh and Matt Rendell reflect.

If ever a stage has been taken in more convincing fashion by less than a quarter of a wheel, we'd like to see it. Mark Cavendish was quick to praise his teammates following his win. Especial thanks went lead-out man Michael Morkov, who made way a mere 100m from the line for the Manx sprinter to finish the job comfortably - despite the narrow margins between himself and the riders in second and third. It was a consummate display by Deceuninck-Quick-Step - and Cav is now just one off Eddie Eddy Merckx's all-time stage victory record. Ned Boulting, Pete Kennaugh, Matt Rendell, David Millar and Chris Boardmen reflect upon the action.

... the wicked being Ned, Chris, Pete, David & Matt, who compensate for the lack of action with some highly whimsical conversational meanderings. The lads return on Tuesday, when they are anticipating crosswinds on the 190km stage in the Valley of the Rhone between Albertville and Valence.

In addition to the important matters of the day, this episode is all about words you can’t pronounce and have never used, because you’re too frightened about mispronouncing or misunderstanding them. Think about the big words that fit that particular bill for you, then find out what David Millar’s are. We’ll give you a clue: he has three. Australian Ben O’Connor took out stage 9 of between Cluses and Tignes, with Tadej Pogacar extending his overall Yellow Jersey lead. The Slovenian is starting to look indomitable, as David would struggle to say. Ned Boulting, Pete Kennaugh, Matt Rendell and Chris Boardman also use a few long words of their own to describe the latest action.

Is this the moment we found our winner? Still a long way to go, of course, but day eight saw reigning champion Tadej Pogacar rip the yellow jersey off the back of young pretender Mathieu van der Poel, who was, as predicted, found somewhat wanting on the first Alpine stage. The honours went to Belgium's Dylan Teuns, but the sly, strong, stunning Slovenian did exactly what he needed to do to stamp his authority on the 2021 Tour, with potential threats and rivals spreadeagled far behind him on the slopes. Ned Boulting, Matt Rendell, Pete Kennaugh, Chris Boardman and David Millar are in situ to digest the action.

What to say about today, aside from the fact that Slovenian powerhouse Matej Mohoric joined a relatively elite club of riders to have won a stage at all three of the Grand Tours, with a supremely accomplished ride as he 'cantered' to victory in Le Creusot? Well done, Matej! That's what we'll say. Mathieu van der Poel retained the Yellow Jersey, but has never climbed a mountain in earnest during a race, according to the lads, so best of luck to him as the Alps present themselves like a set of gnarly teeth (if that's incorrect, Ned says he's willing to get up really, really early to stand corrected, so please do bombard him on all of his social channels if it is indeed an inaccuracy, and our Mathieu does, in fact, love steep hills). The aforementioned Boulting, David Millar and Matt Rendell are joined by Chris Boardman to reflect. Meanwhile, we're back on ITV4 for Stage 8!

You can be sure the old Mark Cavendish is back when he wins a sprint in fine style, yet still finds time to complain about the efforts of rivals beaten, and the fact the finish line isn’t quite where it’s been in years gone by. But we wouldn’t have it any other way. We missed you, bolshy pants! Ned Boulting, David Millar, Pete Kennaugh and Matt Rendell reflect upon another imperious display by the resurgent Manxman, and do their very best NOT to mention Cav’s (until recently) unlikely assault on the 46-year-old Tour de France stage victory record held by the legend that is Eddi … oh, shoot! And if you can be bothered to listen until the end of the pod, you'll even get to hear our grumpy hero air his gripes - with an audible, knowing smile stretched across his face, of course.

‘Now, lads, I know you’re the best cyclists in the world - and some of the fittest, strongest, most athletic and durable specimens humankind has ever produced - but I thought I might just nick 19 seconds from the lot of you over 39km on the time trial today, if you don’t have any issues with that?!’ Ned Boulting, Matt Rendell, David Millar and Pete Kennaugh reflect upon a stunning display by defending champ Tadej Pogacar during stage 5 of the 2021 Tour - alongside several other fine performances from those in his wake. The relief is also palpable that the gang don’t have to describe any carnage on the road, on a day that Mathieu van der Poel put in a great shift to narrowly retain his yellow jersey. Sadly for him, mountains loom! We hear from him, Pogacar and a downbeat Geraint Thomas to boot.

Hey, Cav, nice to see you, what have you been up to for the last 5 years? Oh, not much, hanging out, keeping busy, minding my own business, been a bit under the weather, to be honest. What you doing today, then? Hm, dunno, thought maybe I might take out stage 4 of the Tour de France. Really? You’re, like, 36. Well, you never know, stranger things have happened. Good luck with that, mate. Beer later? And chips! Yeah, why not, it’s a date - I know a great little moules-frites joint in Fougeres. Ned Boulting, Matt Rendell, Pete Kennaugh and David Millar discuss yet another remarkable day in what’s turning out to be a vintage renewal of the greatest bike race on earth. We also hear from Mark Cavendish himself, who was understandably emotional after his win, given his well-documented battles with the Epstein-Barr virus, a succession of injuries and clinical depression. It really is great to have him back where he belongs.