Since 2016, when The Cycling Podcast first covered the Giro d'Italia on the ground, the soundtrack has been provided by Amaraterra, a London-based band that plays the southern Italian pizzica music.

They were in the news recently after it was reported that a Strictly Come Dancing spin-off show offered a free lunch rather than a payment to perform. It was a story that provoked a big response from many of our listeners, for whom Amaraterra's music has become synonymous with the Giro and Italy. 

In this bonus episode we enjoy the music of Amaraterra and speak to three members of the band, Alfredo Gianni, Mark Glanville and Cassandre Balosso-Bardin, as they tell us about some of the tracks that accompany our Giro coverage. 

It is a challenging time for those who work in the performing arts. Denied the chance to perform live – as they have been doing at least once a month since 2012 – Amaraterra have had a difficult year. In this episode there are also details about how to support the band as they try to finish their first full-length album: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/malvasia-amaraterra-s-first-full-length-album/x/25413806#/

The Cycling Podcast is supported by iwoca and Science in Sport.