Velo Podcast

Pro Zwift racing has arrived, with the start of the Zwift Classics pro/am series. These six races feature $5,000 in prize cash, short and challenging courses, and fields comprised of pro and top amateur riders.

So, what do you look for in a virtual race?

On this week's episode of The VeloNews Podcast we take a deep dive into pro Zwift racing with two experts: Leah Thorvilson and Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio.

Leah Thorvilson was the first winner of the Zwift Academy talent search back in 2016, which earned her a pro contract to race with the Canyon-SRAM road squad. Thorvilson breaks down the similarities and differences between Zwift and IRL (in real life) bike racing, and discusses her own experiences in WorldTour-level road events.

Then, WorldTour veteran Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio explains why she's embraced Zwift riding during the coronavirus shutdown. Moolman-Pasio won the most recent Zwift Classics event, and it came after she dedicated herself to a month of training on the online platform. Why is she racing indoors, and how has it changed her riding style? We find out.

This week's episode is sponsored by Giordana Cycling, makers of fine Italian cycling apparel. Right now fans of the podcast can get 25 percent off their purchase by going to giordanacycling.com and entering the code PODCAST at purchase.

What role does sport play in a pandemic? And more importantly, what role will it play in a post-pandemic world?

Bobby and Gus ask the head of the world Players Association, Brendan Schwab, these questions and more.

Bobby says the world of cycling has no overarching organization. "There's no alliances, there's no loyalties. And that just has to change."

Bobby, Gus, and Brandon discuss how that could change.

On this week's episode of The VeloNews Podcast we are breaking down our favorite recent editions of Paris-Roubaix by re-watching the YouTube video and then analyzing the action.

The three editions we have on tap are from 2014, 2016, and 2019. These were the races that saw Niki Terpstra, Mathew Hayman, and Philippe Gilbert take historic wins on the jagged cobblestones of Northern France.

What did we learn about Paris-Roubaix from rewatching these past editions? Well, we learned that Tom Boonen really wanted a fifth Roubaix title, among other things. We also saw a generational shift occur amongst the Roubaix peloton's heavy hitters, and we saw how daring team and personal strategies paid off.

Fire up the YouTube clips, watch your favorite editions of Paris-Roubaix, and listen along.

Tech editor Dan Cavallari and editorial director Ben Delaney give you the basics on what you need to take advantage of power both indoors and outdoors.

Since many of us are doing a fair bit of Zwifting these days, Delaney and Cavallari discuss how to use your power meter — and more broadly, power in general — to get the most out of your Zwift sessions. There are three fundamental ways to use Zwift: riding, training, and racing. Listen to find out how to optimize your power meter and settings to get the most out of each type of virtual ride.

How about some rock and roll?

Greg Erwin is the drummer for Saint Motel, and a buddy of Taylor Phinney. He joins Bobby and Gus to talk about how he got into cycling, and how bringing a bike on tour keeps him healthy mentally and physically.

And Gus also explains the 21/90 rule of forming habits.

It's time to Put Your Socks On.

It's Flanders week here on the VeloNews Podcast. And even though Belgium's biggest race is on hold (like the rest of the sport), we are taking a deep dive into our three favorite recent editions of De Ronde.

Andrew Hood, James Startt, and Fred Dreier examine the Tours of Flanders from 2015, 2016, and 2019, and examine the tactical decisions and storylines from each race. What did each edition tell us about the Flanders course design? How did the marquee riders approach the course differently? What are our favorite moments from these editions?

All that and more on this week's episode of The VeloNews Podcast.

Bobby and Gus bring you a change of pace from all the COVID-19 news with a great interview with American racer Justin Williams.

Introducing him a "the #1 positive vibe guy," Gus brings on the founder of the Legion of Los Angeles cycling team.

Williams talks about how he got into cycling as a 13-year-old as a way to bond with his dad, who if from Belize, and how he wore a U.S. Postal Service skinsuit to the group rides that he got from Tony Cruz.

Williams also talks about his love of design, and how we wants his cycling team to stand for something more than just bike racing.

Take a tip from Williams, and make sure you look good as you Put Your Sock On.

he Mid South gravel race was the final major cycling event held in the United States before the coronavirus pandemic forced the cancelation and postponement of the remaining events on the calendar.

The race and its participants received criticism. On today's episode of The VeloNews Podcast, we examine the race's decision to continue and speak with our reporters who were on the ground at the event. What were riders and race staff talking about in the days before the event? What precautions were and were not taken at the event?

Then, we hear from Hannah Finchamp, winner of the women's event. Hannah recounts her victory at The Mid South and discusses the now famous photo of her eating a cheeseburger in the finishing chute just as she crossed the line.

This week's episode is sponsored by Amp Human and its new PR Lotion. Listener's can get a 25 percent discount on PR lotion by going to amphuman.com and typing in the code VeloNews25 at checkout.

These are special times, challenging times, and this is a special edition of Fast Talk. And I say that not because we discuss COVID-19 in this episode, but because this will be the last episode of Fast Talk to be released on the VeloNews channel.

What’s that mean? Well, I have a big ask for all of you: Head to your favorite podcast app, search for the Fast Talk podcast, and subscribe. All future episodes of Fast Talk will be released on that channel. Some of you have already found us there, many of you have not.

In the episode today, as a way to say goodbye to our good friends at VeloNews, we invited editor-in-chief Fred Dreier to join us on the show to interview both Trevor and me, about Fast Talk — where we’ve been, where we’re going, and to discuss some of the highlights from our long history together.

The Mid South Gravel race went off in the mud and muck, and Ben Delaney and Betsy Welch were there to get coated in their fair share. They join tech editor Dan Cavallari on the Tech Podcast this week to talk about their gear choices, the experience on course, and what items they were glad to have on course (and some they could have left home).