Velonews Podcasts

We were promised a race full of attacks and excitement — did the 2017 Tour de France route deliver? Spencer Powlison argues that it didn't. On the ground in France, Fred Dreier got really sweaty. He also got peeved that Chris Froome and Team Sky shut most journalists out of traditional rest day press conferences. Plus, we talk about the unconventional La Course women's race. First it went up the Izoard. Then, it raced around Marseille. Former world champion Lizzie Deignan liked part of it — but not all. Also we talk to Polish champion Kasia Niewiadoma.

The last week of the Tour delivered thrills and spills and plenty of drama and was capped off by Saturday's decisive time trial through the streets of Marseille. Fred Dreier and Caley Fretz have takes galore on the week's biggest stories and then take a walk through the TT paddock, catching up with Greg LeMond, mechanics, riders, and more. Then, the podcast heads into the Marseille Vélodrome for the final battle between Chris Froome, Romain Bardet, and Rigoberto Uran.

Six days to Paris. Two major mountain stages and a time trial. Four riders sit within 29 seconds of the lead. And the peloton is a herd of cats. Fred Dreier and Caley Fretz analyze the fight for the yellow jersey, discuss Sky's decision to bar a reporter from its press event, then sit down with Taylor Phinney and Nate Brown to talk about Tour rookiedom, pressure, stress, and yes, cats. Plus, a diary from top-10 hopeful George Bennett and insight into Dan Martin's quest for seconds.

The Tour de France podium is closer on time than it's ever been this far into the race. Can Chris Froome take yellow back? Can he defend against his own teammate, Mikel Landa? Are short stages like the one to Foix the future of the Tour? Fred Dreier, Caley Fretz, and Andrew Hood dig into the Tour as it rides out of the Pyrenees.

Chris Froome just lost the yellow jersey. Is it the beginning of the end? Caley Fretz and Fred Dreier check in from their drive off Peyragudes and discuss what Thursday's stage means for the Tour de France. Plus, a look at the latest jury polemic, which saw two GC riders docked 20 seconds and a third, Romain Bardet, left alone despite identical offenses.

Forget what you thought you knew about sports nutrition. New science shows that cyclists should consider periodizing their nutrition, much like they periodize their training. We speak with Dr. John Hawley, one of the top experts in the world about the cutting edge trends in sports nutrition. Hawley also debunks myths about Ketogenic diets and explains the difference between race and training nutrition. Plus, we talk to Cannondale-Drapac's Toms Skujins and national champion Joey Rosskopf about how they use nutrition in the real world.

Richie Porte is out. Geraint Thomas is out. Nacer Bouhanni punched a guy. Fabio Aru says he can't see elbows and Chris Froome has trouble steering straight. The Tour de France is never dull. Fred Dreier is in France! He joins Caley Fretz and Andrew Hood to break down the GC battles of last weekend and dig into the controversies of the day — and there are plenty.

One mountain stage down, many to go. The Tour de France is about to head back into the high peaks and will tackle a stage Alberto Contador called the hardest of the Tour. Who will come out on top? But first, more on Peter Sagan's controversial expulsion, his court petition, and what might have happened if he'd won it. Can you skip a stage of the Tour de France? Then, the hottest of hot takes straight from the center of the cycling universe, Boulder, Colorado, and diaries from George Bennet and birthday boy Nate Brown.

Peter Sagan has been disqualified from the Tour de France. Is that right? Is that even within the rules? Who pushed for this? Andrew Hood and Caley Fretz report from France on the this Tour de France's biggest controversy.

It's American polka dot week! First for Taylor Phinney, then Cannondale-Drapac teammate Nathan Brown. VN correspondents Caley Fretz and Andrew Hood are on the ground in France and discuss the climber's jersey, Lance Armstrong's return to cycling media, and a new rule designed to keep the GC men out of sprint finishes. Plus, special hotel room diaries (and theme tunes) from both Brown and Tour of California winner George Bennett.

You watched the Tour de France stage, now hear Taylor Phinney describe the day, and his mindset, in his own words. What began with a rather awkward sounding meeting in the Cannondale-Drapac team hotel ended with polka-dots in Liège.

The Tour de France is here! Caley Fretz and Andrew Hood discuss the weird vibes in Germany, the unorthodox race route, and predictions for the first time trial. Plus, VeloNews tech editor Dan Cavallari has a rundown of the highlights in the pits — new bikes, helmets, and more. Finally, we hear from Tour debutant Nate Brown of Cannondale-Drapac and Orica-Scott director Matt White.

Have you ever turned on a Tour de France stage and found yourself wondering what the heck is going on? Why are these riders off the front? Shouldn't that team be chasing? In this special Fast Talk episode, we are joined by Cannondale-Drapac pro rider Toms Skujins to discuss the intricacies of racing strategy. Plus, we'll give you a few ways you can translate Tour de France tactics into your local races.

The Tour de France is here! Fred Dreier, Caley Fretz, and Spencer Powlison dig into the Grande Boucle. Listen in for analysis of the contenders, the route, good teams and bad teams, plus a hefty dose of speculation. Then, Caley catches up with your new American national road champion, Larry Warbasse to find out what the stars and stripes will mean for the Michigan native.

Is "Tour de Pharmacy" a horrible, sad depiction of pro cycling or is it merely cycling's "Caddyshack" moment? Have we finally made it? Spencer Powlison and Caley Fretz are joined by VN tech editor Dan Cavallari to debate the upcoming HBO film, as well as look back at the Tour de Suisse and ahead at the tech we're likely to see debuted at the Tour de France. Finally, Spencer catches up with Jeff Byers, a former pro football player and avid cyclist. This episode is presented by Velofix mobile bike shops. WIN a free tune-up, pedals, and Jagwire cable set at velofix.com/velonews

Is the heat of summer getting you down? Fast Talk is here to help. Coach Trevor Connor and Caley Fretz are joined once again by Rob Pickels, a physiologist who is currently studying ways to make clothing work better in hot weather. The panel discusses the mechanisms that cause your performance to drop when your body gets too hot, how to trick these mechanisms, and why you don't want to. Finally, Fast Talk digs into the best ways to stay cool and safe when the mercury rises. Fast Talk is presented by Quarq.

Richie Porte might have been the strongest rider at the Dauphine, but Chris Froome won the mental battle. Fred Dreier, Caley Fretz and Spencer Powlison dissect the attack-filled final three days of the Tour de France tune-up race (with a little help from our Cat. 3 friends) and look ahead to what this race means for July. Then in a return to Belgium as the three discuss Fretz's story on Tom Boonen's final races and Dreier's story on Flanders's ability to find Boonen's replacement.

Was the Hammer Series a success? Who will win the Dauphine's Alpe d'Huez stage? Fred Dreier, Caley Fretz and Spencer Powlison are joined by Cannondale-Drapac pro Alex Howes to discuss the Hammer, the Dauphine, and the upcoming Tour de Suisse. Then, we ask Howes what makes the Giro special, what scares him the most on the road, and what his NPR name would be. This episode is supported by PowerTap. For a chance to win a free PowerTap power meter, head to PowerTap.com/VeloNews.

Your training questions answered, live! Coach Trevor Connor and VeloNews senior editor Caley Fretz turned on the Facebook machine Friday and held a live Q&A session, tackling questions on everything from cramping to recovery to Andrew Talansky's chances at the Tour de France. This is the audio from that chat.

To win races, you need to sprint faster. Everyone does, except maybe Marcel Kittel and Mark Cavendish. Though sprinting ability is largely a function of genetics, there are still tons of ways to get more out of your finishing kick, from positioning to neuromuscular training to simply showing up at the finish line fresher. Coach Trevor Connor and senior editor Caley Fretz discuss the ins and outs of sprint technique and training, and are joined by two-time national criterium champion Eric Young for some pro tips.