Where does cycling’s next big performance gain come from?

Ed, Kurt and Derin debate whether the next leap will come from bike geometry and rider position, AI and technology, recovery, nutrition or training.

Then we get into the Tour de France Femmes and the incredible depth of the racing, including a closer look at Lorena Wiebes’ dominant sprint technique.

Kurt also conducts a highly unofficial real-world aero test of the Specialized Tarmac SL9, we talk Garmin Varia and rider safety, DS begins his rehab journey, and the conversation turns to the current state of cycling media, clickbait and paywalls.

Plus, a quick look at the newly modified Leadville Trail 100 MTB course.

It’s Episode 45 of the Service Course Report.

Pioneering soigneur Shelley Verses joins Ed, Kurt and Darren for an extraordinary journey through American cycling history.

Shelley recounts her beginnings giving free massages to young Santa Barbara racers, being recruited by legendary U.S. coach Eddie Borysewicz and caring for the American road team during the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

She then takes us behind the scenes of 7-Eleven’s groundbreaking European campaigns, including the 1985 Giro d’Italia and the team’s first Tour de France in 1986. Along the way, Shelley shares unforgettable stories involving Alexi Grewal, Bob Roll, Mike Tyson, Olympic host housing, homemade race food, European soigneurs and the daily improvisation required to keep a professional cycling team moving.

She also reflects on working with La Vie Claire, Toshiba and TVM—and what it was like to be a pioneering woman inside the European professional peloton.

Episode 44 of the Service Course Report Podcast, hosted by Ed Philbrick, Kurt Stockton and Darren Stockton.

In Episode 43 of the Service Course Report Podcast, Ed Philbrick, Derin “DS” Stockton and Kurt “KS” Stockton gather for a final look at the 2026 Tour de France.

The conversation begins with Mathieu van der Poel’s extraordinary final-stage victory in Paris before moving through Tadej Pogačar’s aggressive ride in yellow, Remco Evenepoel’s high-mountain breakthrough, Mads Pedersen’s green jersey and Lidl-Trek’s impressive team performance.

The hosts also examine Uno-X’s memorable Tour, Decathlon’s support of Paul Seixas, Richard Carapaz’s relentless attacks, Sepp Kuss’ devastating crashes, concerns about mountain-stage crowd control, extreme heat, cooling technology and several important UCI decisions.

The episode closes with the regular ride report, including injury recovery, Nashville cross-training, the Thurlow ride and Ed’s conversion to 35 mm road tires.

Subscribe, leave a review, share the episode and send us your Tour questions.

Originally recorded live from 7–9 a.m. during Stage 19 of the Tour de France, Ed, Kurt, and Derin host a special Alpe d’Huez watch party.

The crew follows the racing in real time and reacts to the attacks, breakaway, team tactics, GC battle, and mountain drama.

Breaking news from the Tour de France called for an emergency rest-day episode.

Ed Philbrick and Derin Stockton break down Jonas Vingegaard’s Stage 15 crash and broken collarbone, the controversial middle-of-the-night anti-doping tests, and whether disrupted sleep may have affected rider safety.

They also discuss:

• Did Tadej Pogačar gift the stage—or did Remco Evenepoel simply beat him?
• Remco’s incredible climbing form
• Quinn Simmons attacking in the mountains
• What Vingegaard’s exit means for the podium
• Predictions for the time trial and final week

What do you think about overnight testing during the Tour? Let us know in the comments.

Subscribe to the Service Course Report for cycling news, race analysis, rider interviews, and plenty of opinions from inside the sport.

#TourdeFrance #CyclingPodcast #TadejPogacar #JonasVingegaard #RemcoEvenepoel

Episode 40 begins with a big question: Why do cycling fans turn against dominant riders?

Ed, Kurt and DS compare the criticism surrounding Tadej Pogačar with Nino Schurter’s extraordinary mountain bike career, then explore the complicated line between innovation, suspicion and respect in professional cycling.

The crew breaks down Tour de France racing and sprinting, UAE’s marginal gains, short cranks, aerodynamics, wearable health data and the latest equipment trends. They also discuss Kate Courtney’s move to the WorldTour, DS’s knee injury, Tim Merlier’s sprint position, Quinn Simmons’ memorable family moment and the old-school intensity of Superweek racing.

The episode closes with wider road tires, Pidcock’s shifter problem, crashes on lime-treated Tour roads, the Radial race app, UCI video review and why professional cycling needs stronger concussion protocols.

Thanks to Lazer Helmets, the first official sponsor of the Service Course Report.

Follow the show, share the episode and send us your questions and vintage racing photos.

Season 2 is officially underway.

This week the crew debuts new Lazer Helmets, breaks down the opening week of the Tour de France, discusses Primož Roglič's future, reviews Haskell Canyon Bike Park, shares unforgettable memories from CoreStates and Downer Avenue, remembers Ming Tan, and talks about the evolving future of cycling infrastructure and e-bikes.

Could Kate Courtney become America's next Olympic road racing star?

Ed Philbrick and Kurt Stockton discuss Kate's impressive road performances, Quinn Simmons claiming another Stars and Stripes jersey, Tour de Suisse, Mathieu van der Poel's UCI controversy, BWR Montana's dramatic sprint finish, MTB World Cup racing, and memories from the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic road race as anticipation builds for LA28.

Are younger riders changing professional cycling forever?

Ed Philbrick, Kurt Stockton, and DS discuss Isaac Del Toro's rise, the Critérium du Dauphiné, Quinn Simmons, Christopher Blevins' comeback, modern sports science, rider safety, concussion protocols, and how today's athletes are training and recovering differently than previous generations.

The crew also shares personal riding updates, Big Sur adventures, and thoughts on where cycling is headed next.

This week on the Service Course Report Podcast, the crew breaks down Matthew Wilson's remarkable Tulsa Tough victory on a gravel bike, the thrilling final stage of the Giro Women, and shares personal stories about suffering, perseverance, and learning not to quit.

Plus:

A cycling conversation covering racing, technology, adventure, and the stories that keep us riding.