On the 50th anniversary of Luis Ocaña's breakthrough 1970 Vuelta a España title, we recall the first Grand Tour of the volatile Spaniard’s colourful career – and ask why it did not lead to more triumphs for the nearly-man Eddy Merckx thought of as his biggest threat...

Re-Cycle is written by Felix Lowe, narrated by Graham Willgoss and produced by Pete Burton. Please like, review and subscribe on your podcast platform of choice.

This is the first of three Vuelta episodes to finish our 2020 season.

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Nerves of steel from the Irish underdogs saw Stephen Roche ride to the Rainbow Jersey at the 1987 World Championships, becoming only the second man in history after Eddy Merckx to wear it after winning the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France. But he got a big helping hand from Sean Kelly.

Re-Cycle is written by Felix Lowe, narrated by Graham Willgoss and produced by Pete Burton. This episode was edited by Ola Fisayo.

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A mix of leg power, cunning and killer instinct from charismatic Yorkshireman Tom Simpson saw him outkick Rudi Altig to take the Rainbow Jersey in San Sebastian. Felix Lowe winds back the clock to 1965, when Major Tom banished British cycling's inferiority complex.

Re-Cycle is written by Felix Lowe, narrated by Graham Willgoss and produced by Pete Burton. This episode was edited by Ola Fisayo.

Please rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice - and don't miss next week's second World Champs episode...

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An artist and adventurer who flew planes and crossed oceans; an intrepid reporter who rubbed shoulders with presidents, kings, popes and dictators; a pioneering broadcaster who brought the Tour to life, and in doing so, paid with his own.

In this week's Re-Cycle, we remember the remarkable figure of Alex Virot...

Re-Cycle is written by Felix Lowe, narrated by Graham Willgoss and produced by Pete Burton.

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As Re-Cycle returns, we look back at the 1956 edition of Il Lombardia, when Fiorenzo Magni – incensed by some goading from the so-called Woman in White – denied Fausto Coppi a sensational sixth win in the autumn Classic as the leaves were falling on the poster boy of Italian cycling’s career.

Remember to review and rate us on your podcast platform of choice - and Re-Cycle will be back during the Tour de France when we look at the extraordinary life of Alex Virot...

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Few Tour de France stages have caught the imagination quite like the day Lance Armstrong crashed on Luz Ardiden before fighting back for victory. We rewind to 2003 and the extraordinary centenary Tour tussle between Armstrong and Jan Ullrich.

Re-Cycle is written by Felix Lowe, narrated by Graham Willgoss and produced by Pete Burton.

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A desperate Eddy Merckx's seemingly indomitable grip on the Maillot Jaune was prised loose when Bernard Thévenet reeled in The Cannibal on the climb to Pra Loup at the 1975 Tour de France. We recall the punches, punctures and brutal controversy for Re-Cycle.

Written by Felix Lowe, narrated by Graham Willgoss and produced by Pete Burton.

Next week, it's time to revisit one of the all-time villains of cycling....

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Felix Lowe remembers the first Dutchman to lead the Tour de France: Wim van Est, in 1951. But he crashed 70m into a Pyrenean ravine – and was lucky to escape with his life – before Pédaleur de Charme Hugo Koblet reigned supreme.

Re-Cycle is narrated by Graham Willgoss and produced by Pete Burton.

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Spaniard Eduardo Chozas denied Italy's Claudio Chiappucci in the Giro d'Italia's first ever summit finish in the ski resort of Sestriere in 1991 – 14 months before El Diablo soloed to victory on the same climb in one of the most magnificent breakaways in Tour de France history.

Graham Willgoss narrates a story of two summit finishes. Re-Cycle is written by Felix Lowe and produced by Pete Burton.

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Marco Pantani's swashbuckling victory at Madonna di Campiglio in the 1999 Giro d'Italia should have been his crowning moment. Instead, the Italian was kicked out of the race while wearing the Maglia Rosa, ending the defence of his title and sending his career into freefall.

We take a look back at Il Pirata’s tragic turning point. Written by Felix Lowe, narrated by Graham Willgoss and produced by Pete Burton.

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