The Echelon Cycling Podcast

The week after the Tour de France had a lot of racing including the conclusion of the Tour de France Femmes, start of the Tour de Pologne and a number of one day races in Spain including San Sebastián won by Remco Evenepoel who won his third title after a sprint against Pello Bilbao. Meanwhile off the bike Miguel Angel Lopez was suspended for a test from the 2022 season delaying a return to La Vuelta for the Colombian.

Jonas Vingegaard Sealed an impressive second Tour de France title in the final week ahead of a crumbling Tadej Pogacar, however now the Dane might have his sights on La Vuelta as well this year? The Tour de France Femmes 2023 began as well and could Mark Cavendish return for the Tour de France 2024?

Collaboration between @thecyclingdane and @OwDoCycling

Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard are one of the most exciting rivalries in the history of the Tour de France and at the end of the second week, there were only 10 seconds between them in the standings. Remco Evenepoel is again rumoured to be Leaving Soudal Quickstep with Ineos Grenadiers, Lidl Trek as well as Israel Premier Tech named as potential destinations for the World Champion.

Sylan Adams has also been openly critical of Chris Froome in the media.

Collaboration between @thecyclingdane and @OwDoCycling

In the first week of the Tour de France there have been plenty of narratives with Jasper Philipsen dominating the sprints, Jai Hindley was in Yellow and the legendary rivalry of Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard is back for another edition of the Tour.

Collaboration between @thecyclingdane and @OwDoCycling

The grand depart of the Tour de France 2023 is completed with electric stages that saw both Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard already lock horns lightly and Victor Lafay ending the draught of 15 years for Cofidis. Fabio Jakobsen rumoured to DSM but is it a good idea?

There are numerous teams in the Tour de France with varied experiences and targets for the Tour de France in 2023 so we rank the teams based on their previous performance and aspirations of this years edition but will it be Jumbo Visma or UAE Team Emirates who are the legendary team this year?

This week's episode dives into the national championships in both time trial and on the road with plenty of high profile winners such as Remco Evenepoel and Tadej Pogačar. And unfortunately Peter Sagan crashed and only finished second in Slovakia but Fred Wright won his first elite British title.

And in Colombia Miguel Angel Lopez won 9 out of 10 stages at the Vuelta a Colombia. Chris Froome was announced to not be selected for Israel Premier Tech For the Tour de France.

Collaboration between @thecyclingdane and @OwDoCycling

In a week filled with sadness after the death of Gino Mader, there were however numerous races including the Tour de Suisse. Mathieu van der Poel won the Belgium Tour in dominant fashion and Mattias Skjelmose became the first Danish winner of the Tour de Suisse and there was a controversy in the Giro d'Italia Next Gen Race as well.

Collaboration between @thecyclingdane and @OwDoCycling

Jonas Vingegaard dominated the Criterium du Dauphine winning it along with two stage wins behind him Adam Yates was the best of the rest but what will happen at the Tour de France 2023? Ineos Grenadiers look delusional as they didn't feature in the pointy end.

The Netflix Tour de France Unchained series is also discussed.

In a week with limited racing, there was announcement of transfers and sponsor changes. Fabio Jakobsen is rumoured to Bora, whereas Remco Evenepoel has yet again been linked with Ineos Grenadiers. Tadej Pogacar confirmed no participation at the Tour of Slovenia for the first time since 2020.