Wheel Talk

This week's podcast features the full team of Abby, Loren, Gracie, and Georgie, who discuss Gent Wevelgem and Classic Brugge-De Panne and preview Dwars door Vlaanderen and the Tour of Flanders.

The "world championships of sprinting" was windless this year, but that didn't stop one youngster from forging ahead alone (for a long time) before the sprinter's teams eventually brought her back. Meanwhile, one rider attempted to prove she was unbeatable, but perhaps there is a way around her. And the biggest race of the spring is coming on the weekend, but can anyone dethrone SD Worx-Protime?

Abby, Gracie and Loren have a lot to say this week about Sanremo Women. They dive into the tactics, how the race could have been won, and if it really needs to be longer. After, they look ahead to the two races on tap this week; Classic Brugge-De Panne and Gent Wevelgem. A full preview for those can be found in this week's Wheel Talk Newsletter.

For more on Sanremo Women check out Matt's piece on EscapeCollective.com

This week the team gets together to discuss Trofeo Alfredo Binda. Almost all the best riders in the sport showed up to race in Cittiglio, but a flurry of attacks couldn't stop a top quick woman from taking the day. The race hinted at what's to come next weekend at Sanremo Women, the first for the women's peloton in 20 years.

This week Abby, Gracie, Loren and Georgie break down Strade Bianche. From FDJ-Suez's dream day to the conditions that took most of the peloton out of contention to the battle we've all been waiting for continues to heat up, there's a lot to say as the WorldTour season continues. Coming up next: Trofeo Alfredo Binda.

Bonus! Gretchen Powers checks in from the Cross Country skiing World Championships in Trondheim, Norway.

The peloton opened up Classics season with Omloop Het Nieuwsblad on Saturday and Omloop van het Hageland on Sunday, but the opening race left many pondering the new dynamics of the peloton, and how much impact offseason transfers (both in the peloton and in the cars) had on the race tactics.

Then, on Sunday, Anna van der Breggen had us feeling like we'd hopped in a time machine. With Strade Bianche up next, the question is how much impact will Omloop Het Nieuwsblad have on the season, and can teams get their **** together before the next WorldTour one day?

This week on the Wheel Talk Podcast, we assemble an A+ list of personalities to partake in the second edition of the Wheel Talk Draft. Prepare to yell into the sky when your favourite riders get picked, or don't, and let ten months of smack talk begin.

This week the team looks to Valenciana. A small race in Spain? No chance. Anna van der Breggen is back, and with a vengeance. Could Demi Vollering’s top step be in danger this season? The crew discuss what Van der Breggen's form shows, how a happy head leads to a fast Marlen Reusser, and how Trek finally opened their account with Elisa Balsamo taking two stages. With the best time of the year (the Classics) just a few weeks away, we also breakdown the start list for the Omloop Het Niewsblad and tag our riders to watch for the cobbled block of racing.

This week, the team takes you through the four stages at the Women’s UAE Tour. We discuss a world class sprinter continuing her streak, unmatched race craft from a legend of the peloton, and underwhelming performances from those we’d expect to finish higher on the results sheet. What does this race signify for the season? Join the Wheel Talk crew as we break it all down.

Obsessions: Loren - Super Bowl ads, Gracie - We Are the Stars by Gina Chick, Georgie - the Imperfects and the Minefield podcasts.

For the week between Tour Down Under and Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, we return to our "conversation series." Loren sat down with old friend Molly Weaver, former rider for Team Sunweb (now Picnic PostNL) turned Ultra racer. They two discuss the issue of power to weight, how the demand to lose weight ended Molly's career, and Molly's plans for 2025: On the Edge, Molly's British Coastline World Record Attempt.

Molly's written work from her time as a professional road cyclist can be found here.