For most directeurs sportifs, especially one who spent his most important years as a cyclist in Italy, taking and defending the maglia rosa might be a euphoric experience. It is indeed for Trek-Segafredo’s Yaroslav Popovych, but, to him, Juan Pedro López’s pink jersey may also feel more like a welcome distraction. In February, Russia declared war on Popovych’s Ukraine, and three months on their bombs are still falling. Watching on from Italy, Popovych felt helpless – and yet soon swung into action. In this Kilometre 0, he tells Daniel about his extraordinary efforts to offer aid and in some cases salvation to his compatriots back home.

Kilometre 0 by The Cycling Podcast is supported by Supersapiens. Supersapiens is a continuous glucose monitoring system that helps you make the right fuelling choices. See supersapiens.com