Top broadcaster and cycling journalist Orla Chennaoui describes her version of heaven to Matt Stephens, which involves an elevator, reliable wifi and the freedom to chat ad nauseam. She shares her inspiring attitude to the difficulties of life and explains how hope always trumps despair. But can she deliver a shockwave to the Guess That Snack leaderboard?

Orla Chennaoui on how the interview is just the tip of the iceberg

Sigma Sports is proud to present Matt Stephens Unplugged, a regular catch-up with cycling’s favourite character, Matt Stephens, as he chats with special guests and explores the bowels of his own fruity mind. With lots of surprises along the way, the route-map has been torn up; so who knows what direction we’re going in, or where we’ll end up! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Comedy

Sports

Matt Stephens chats to Luke Rowe about his decision to retire just months after signing a contract extension with team INEOS Grenadiers. Luke is candid and open, explaining how easy it was to make the decision following a chat with his neurologist. Ever the optimist, the Welshman has loved his career and knowing how hard successes are to come by, he offers some sage advice to enjoy every single thing you achieve. There’s a first in the Cardiff quiz when Luke phones a friend of his live on air - but will he know what Cardiff City football club were originally known as?!

Luke Rowe on success, retirement and zero regrets

Matt Stephens is back behind the scenes at the Giro d’Italia 2024 to bring us clips from his experiences in the final week of his favourite grand tour on the calendar. In this episode he encounters a garden gnome from the lofty heights of a scary chairlift, gets stuck on a mountain, manages to create a race with some team buses after stage 19, and takes us into the commentary booth to call the race home in Rome. 

Giro Unplugged 2024 Stages 16 to 21 - Reflecting on Tadej Pogacar’s dominance in la Maglia Rosa

From behind the scenes of the second week of the Giro d’Italia, Matt Stephens brings us a mix of off-the-wall clips and considered race reviews. With his colleague and good friend Ned Boulting for company, the duo survive a night in a Snow White themed hotel, rescue Matteo Trentin, and as the fatigue sets in and food in the Italian mountains gets scarce, there’s a disturbing suggestion of cannibalism.

Giro Unplugged 2024 Stages 10 to 15 - Chainrings with 68 teeth and the Ambience Police

Matt Stephens is back at the Giro d’Italia bringing his trademark blend of unusual clips from behind the scenes. This bumper episode takes us from before stage 1 through to stage 9 with a short review of each stage mixed with whatever spontaneous nonsense unfurls around him. Matt bemuses his Eurosport colleague Ned Boulting with some outlandish predictions, and the pair bring us into the booth for some exciting stage finishes, then they encounter the best-resourced tax policing unit in Europe.

Giro Unplugged 2024 Stages 1 to 9 - Wild predictions and tame reflections

Matt Stephens chats to Rory Townsend about his versatility as a rider, both in terms of his ability to win one-day classics and stage race sprints, but also in terms of his flexibility within UCI ProTeam Q36.5. Being on a team with limited resources requires a range of skills that can be called upon at short notice - and at the time of recording, Rory was waiting to hear if he or teammate Szymon Sajnok would be required for Ronde Van Vlaanderen, just three days later! Matt was also keen to learn if the former Irish national road race champion would be targeting that title again this season, and what other goals he set himself.

Orla Chennaoui on how the interview is just the tip of the iceberg

Download our free app to listen on your phone