How would we experience the tour without the perfect shot? Jerome Delay, the chief photographer in Africa for the Associated Press, joins Jonathan Kaplan to discuss the art and logistics of photographing the Tour de France. From the gear he relies on to the meticulous process of filing photos, Jerome shares a behind-the-scenes glimpse into his world.

Hear about Jerome’s journey into cycling and how it intertwines with his photography career, the bikes he rides, and the role cycling plays in maintaining his health and creativity.

This is an insider's perspective you don't want to miss. Be sure to view his stunning Tour de France photos on the Associated Press website.

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From NBC’s international broadcasting studio in Stamford, Conn., Paul Burmeister leads the pre- and post-race coverage of the 111th Tour de France for the eighth consecutive year. Joining him this year are former American professional cyclists Brent Bookwalter and Teejay VanGarderen.

Paul Burmeister, accustomed to the spotlight from his days as quarterback for the University of Iowa and later as a free agent for the Minnesota Vikings, now shines in the broadcast booth at NBC Sports. With over three decades in sports broadcasting, from the NFL Network to NBC Sports, Burmeister brings a seasoned perspective to the Tour.

Following the Tour de France, Burmeister heads to Paris for play-by-play coverage of rowing and flatwater canoeing before returning to the U.S. for pre-season NFL games. In this episode, we discuss the intricacies of Tour de France play-by-play, mentoring rookie analysts, wardrobe choices, advice for aspiring TV professionals, and much more.

Whether you’re a Tour fan or curious about television, don’t miss this conversation with Paul Burmeister.

NBC Sports will broadcast the 2024 Tour de France in the U.S., streaming all stages on Peacock and fuboTV, with select stages (8, 14, and 20) airing on NBC. Note: This discussion occurred in early June before final Tour de France team rosters were selected.

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The 111th Tour de France begins this Saturday in northern Italy. It will end three weeks later in Nice, France. 

To preview the race, I’m joined by Joshua Robinson of the Wall Street Journal. He and Jason Gay, his colleague at the Wall Street Journal, are the last two journalists at a major American newspaper who cover professional cycling.

Joshua and I talk about his background and how he got into journalism, what he’s looking to write about at this year’s Tour, and we talk a bit about Netflix’s second season of “Unchained”—what works and what doesn’t. 

I’m also joined by Mark Malloch-Brown, former diplomat and strategist, to discuss the political backdrop of the Tour de France. This July, sport and politics collide in France because there will be parliamentary elections on June 30 and July 7.

Here at the RIDING WITH newsletter and podcast we are exploring stories about how professional cycling explains the world.

Please subscribe to the newsletter at RIDINGWITHKAPLAN.SUBSTACK.COM

Thanks for listening and see you on the roads.

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Louis Hatchwell joins host Jonathan Kaplan to discuss a range of topics related to cycling and Hatchwell’s ability to tell punchy stories on the screen. 

It’s a fun conversation that pulls back the curtain on what it takes to become a creator and shows how hard Hatchwell works on and off the bike. Telling stories is hard work, no matter the medium. 

If you haven’t already please make sure to follow Louis Hatchwell on Instagram and TikTok.

This episode is brought to you by RedWhite Apparel.

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Welcome to Riding With, hosted by Jonathan Kaplan. 

This podcast uses cycling to tell stories about the world around us and the human condition.

Whether it's a professional cyclist, a gifted journalist, or a dedicated fan, each episode brings you closer to the heart of the sport and closer to the heart of who we are as people.

Riding With isn't about the races and results. Join us as we explore the media landscape, from the days of print to the digital age, and uncover the stories that deserve to be told.

It's really important that we hear each other's voices. And if you're interested in reading more, the full narrative is on my Substack. Head to RidingWithKaplan.Substack.com to subscribe.

This is Riding With. See you out there on the road. Now, let's get to it.

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Brent Bookwalter, a former professional cyclist who retired in 2021 after over a decade racing at the highest levels, made a swift transition to the broadcast booth within only a year. In this episode, he joins me for a conversation about his career shift, the nuances of race analysis, the ever-evolving landscape of cycling media, and the ongoing efforts to captivate fans worldwide with the intricate stories and nuances of the sport.

With his blend of athletic prowess and media experience, Bookwalter provides a unique perspective from the booth. He offers listeners an insider's view into the demanding preparation, daily routines, unexpected challenges, and moments of pure joy that define the life of a cycling commentator.

This conversation with Bookwalter promises to resonate with cycling enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Tune in as we explore the intersection of athleticism and storytelling in the world of cycling.

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From the storied roads of the Giro d'Italia to the iconic routes of the Tour de France, Anthony McCrossan has been the voice behind some of the most iconic moments in cycling.

In part two of our conversation, he shares insights and experiences from the commentator's booth, previews for the upcoming season, and crucial advice for budding commentators. 

If you haven’t heard part one,  jump back to the Riding With feed and check it out. It’s worth a listen.

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Anthony McCrossan is the voice behind some of the most iconic moments in cycling commentary.  From local races to global platforms like Eurosport and the pioneering days of CyclingTV, he has continuously honed his craft to stay at the forefront of cycling commentary. 

In this two-part conversation, Anthony shares career his path from passionate fan to the broadcast booth. We explore the challenges facing cycling media businesses, the broader sustainability issues plaguing the industry, and what lies ahead for cycling media and the sport as a whole.

Be sure to subscribe to the Riding With podcast to catch part two, where Anthony shares some of the best advice he's been given over the years.

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During the past 15 years, too many journalists have experienced too many layoffs, including myself. It was July 2008. I was sitting through a congressional hearing on derivatives when I got an inadvertent email from HR to the editor that read, “When are you going to tell Kaplan he’s being let go.”

Well, today’s guest experienced something similar. It was not an email sent by mistake, but a hastily scheduled 15 minute meeting added to his calendar during which he was told he was finished as editor of CyclingTips.

Caley Fretz has experienced the ups and downs of today’s difficult media environment. He’s taken his punches and landed some, too. Many of you have read his work when he was with Velo News and CyclingTips.

In November 2022, Outside, Inc., the owners of Outside Magzine, VeloNews and CyclingTips, axed several top writers and editors, including Caley.

While he could have wallowed in self-pity and left journalism altogether, he chose to take advantage of the situation and create something new. Six months later, he launched Escape Collective, an online platform designed “inform, inspire, entertain, connect, and improve the lives of people around the world through our common
love of cycling and the power of the bike.”

Escape Collective’s goal is to build the “world’s largest and most significant cycling community.” Full disclosure: I paid the $99 membership fee.

Escape Collective offers a group of writers, including some of the best-known names in cycling journalism, who cycling fans want to read. Please give RIDING WITH a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts or where ever you might be listening.

My newsletter, RIDING WITH, can be found at RIDINGWITHKAPLAN@ SUBSTACK.COM. RIDING WITH tells the stories of Americans and Israeli cyclists, among others, making their way on the WorldTour, as well as the journalists, analysts, and television personalities who write and report on professional cycling.

I love hearing from you—especially the positive feedback—ideas for guests are always welcome. You can find me on Instagram at @RIDINGWITHJEK or on LinkedIn.

To learn more about Escape Collective, go to
https://escapecollective.com

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This episode of the RIDING WITH podcast is produced in partnership with Bartali – Youth in Movement (BYIM), a unique Israeli nonprofit that operates a network of cycling centers for at-risk youth aged 13-18, who live mainly in youth villages and welfare boarding facilities throughout Israel, as a platform for social mobility.

After October 7, BYIM launched YOUTH STRONGER TOGETHER, a joint ride with thousands of others from Israel and around the world to restore and support the resilience of Israel’s children, especially those from the towns along the Gaza Strip.

In late October, I spoke with Guy Sagiv, a veteran professional cyclist from Israel who rides for Team Israel-Premier Tech. Sagiv is married to Omer Shapira, an accomplished professional cyclist in her own right. They were married last year and just had a baby. In today's episode, Sagiv talks about his experience in Israel on October 7, how that day has changed him and his view of the world, and what he plans to do moving forward. Sagiv and Shapira are very lucky--for but a small decision made the day before, who knows what bloodshed might have been visited upon them.

Thanks for listening and please visit https://youthstrongertogether.com/stronger-together for more information about Bartali – Youth in Movement.

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RIDING WITH is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.