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Have we reached the peak of the Pogačar era? That’s the question posed on this week’s episode, following the world champion’s epic crash-maybe break bike-chase-attack-attack again-outsprint Tom Pidcock victory at Milan-Sanremo, a race that was for so long Tadej’s kryptonite. So, where do we go from here?

And in part two, Shane Stokes catches up with one of cycling’s greatest entertainers of the 2020s: Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig. The Danish dynamo has had a tough couple of years, but she’s determined to return to the top. And while the old energy and spark is still there, Shane discovers there’s a new pensive side to her personality – including an interest in world politics, stockbroking, and computers…

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The spring classics are here – and the road.cc Podcast is hitting the road. Or the narrow, treacherously cobbled and ridiculously steep Flemish lane, to be exact. 
Yes, this spring we’ve set ourselves the somewhat lofty aim of traversing every part of Belgium and northern France during the classics season, covering every town centre, rural lane, cobbled berg, bus-filled car park, and stretch of brutal pavé.
We’ll be soaking up the unique atmosphere, sounds, and culture of the best period of the entire cycling year, in one of the sport’s true heartlands, where bike racing seeps into everyday life, and (hopefully) giving you some behind-the-scenes insight into the classics and their stars – starting with Opening Weekend, where holy places were visited, unholy amounts of beers were consumed, and where new saviours were born.

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In this spontaneous edition of the road.cc Podcast, Ryan is joined by Jack Sexty, Mat Brett and Stu Kerton to discuss Shimano's surprising revamp of its popular fourth tier Tiagra groupset. 

The reason this is so surprising to us is not just because we were left to surmise that the groupset would eventually be phased out - it's because we were all but told this would be the case in a presentation distributed to the media shortly before the launch of Shimano CUES, the company's range of 9-, 10- and 11-speed components aimed at more recreational riders and commuting.  

In that presentation, Shimano said its 'mid-tier' road and mountain bike groupsets (below 105 and SLX level) would be unified under the CUES brand, which surely meant Tiagra, Sora and Claris would be chopped... but now we've been told that's not what was being said, and Shimano never explicitly said Tiagra would be phased out. Could have fooled us! 

Shimano also introduced a mechanical, 12-speed Shimano 105 groupset when it said that wouldn't happen following the launch of 105 Di2  in 2022... so, is all this flip-flopping and U-turning a worrying sign for the world's largest manufacturer of bicycle components, or is it a good thing that a company of Shimano's size can improvise and give the people what they're asking for? The road.cc tech nerds dig into the details based off what they know so far. 

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Cheating in cycling… should we just accept it will always happen?

Four months into her new role as the president of the anti-doping Movement for Credible Cycling, Emily Brammeier joins us to discuss the MPCC’s aims and ambitions, 19 years into its existence, how the cycling and anti-doping landscape has changed since then, and the suspicions that still hang over the sport.

We also chatted about the need to tackle the so-called medical ‘grey area’ exploited by teams and riders seeking an edge – which she described as pro cycling’s greatest modern challenge – the success of the MPCC in proactively leading the way when it comes to ‘grey area’ issues such as tramadol and carbon monoxide, and her and the group’s plans for the future in a sport where, Emily says, there will always be people looking to cheat.

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On this week’s episode, we’re joined by one of the most recognisable voices in cycling: former two-time British champion and TNT Sports pundit Brian Smith.

Brian chats about the struggles involved in promoting smaller races from outside cycling’s heartlands, while battling for position in a congested calendar.

We also discuss the biggest bike race of them all, the Tour de France, and its visit to the UK (and Scotland) next summer, Oscar Onley’s move to Ineos (and why it might be a mistake), why Brian believes pro cycling teams “use and abuse” their riders, and why it’s a “shame” the Tour has gone behind a televisual paywall… even if Brian’s the one commentating behind it.

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On this week’s episode of the road.cc Podcast, bike industry stalwart Rory Hitchens joins us for our annual cycling market health check-up – and tells us why brands being “honest” with themselves have brought the industry back to where it needs to be.

And in part two, Ryan and Dan pore over the details of next summer’s festival of bike racing. Apologies in advance to the people of Carlisle...