Service Course Report

American cycling had a massive World Championships, and Episode 51 breaks down how it happened. Ed, KS and DS dig into Brandon McNulty’s elite world title, Ashlin Barry’s U23 victory and the team tactics behind three Americans finishing in the top 10. Matteo Jorgenson gets plenty of love for covering moves and disrupting the chase, while Quinn Simmons battles his way back into the action. Then it’...

The Service Course Report hits 50 episodes. KS, DS and Ed celebrate by digging into the number 50 throughout cycling history and their own careers—from 50x15 junior gearing and 50/34 compact cranks to huge 50-tooth cassettes, 50 mph descents, 50-mile criteriums and today's 50mm gravel tires. They also revisit cycling's controversial 50% hematocrit rule, DS brings out an original Intense System 2 t...

Where does an e-bike end and an e-moto begin? Ed, Kurt and DS tackle e-moto safety, regulation, manufacturers, retailers, parents, trail access and the three-class e-bike system. We also discuss the problems created when high-powered electric motorcycles are treated like bicycles—and what that could mean for legitimate e-bike and mountain-bike access. Plus: Ed’s NYC Citi Bike experience, Kurt at L...

What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever found while riding? Episode 48 starts with roadside discoveries ranging from tools and music to a live round and a loaded handgun. Then we dig into MTB Worlds, Tom Pidcock’s race craft, Jackson Goldstone and Vali Höll defending their downhill rainbow jerseys, and how something as subtle as tire casing can change the feel of a World Championship downhill bike....

Is the next generation of XCO racers officially taking over? Episode 47 starts with Adrien Boichis vs. Mathieu van der Poel and a discussion about why younger riders are arriving at the elite level faster and more prepared than ever. We also dive into Pogačar’s Vuelta dominance, gravel and dirt in Grand Tours, the incredible crowd scene at Les Gets, the return of the Philadelphia Cycling Classic a...

Is Julian Alaphilippe the last great showman in men’s cycling? Episode 46 starts with a look back at Alaphilippe’s career, his attacking style and the unmistakable panache he brought to racing. Then Ed, Kurt and Derin break down Keegan Swenson’s sixth Leadville Trail 100 win, Quinn Simmons’ transition from the WorldTour to Leadville, Lifetime’s race coverage and the growing importance of technolog...

Where does cycling’s next big performance gain come from? Ed, Kurt and Derin debate whether the next leap will come from bike geometry and rider position, AI and technology, recovery, nutrition or training. Then we get into the Tour de France Femmes and the incredible depth of the racing, including a closer look at Lorena Wiebes’ dominant sprint technique. Kurt also conducts a highly unofficial re...

Pioneering soigneur Shelley Verses joins Ed, Kurt and Darren for an extraordinary journey through American cycling history. Shelley recounts her beginnings giving free massages to young Santa Barbara racers, being recruited by legendary U.S. coach Eddie Borysewicz and caring for the American road team during the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. She then takes us behind the scenes of 7-Eleven’s groundbre...

In Episode 43 of the Service Course Report Podcast, Ed Philbrick, Derin “DS” Stockton and Kurt “KS” Stockton gather for a final look at the 2026 Tour de France. The conversation begins with Mathieu van der Poel’s extraordinary final-stage victory in Paris before moving through Tadej Pogačar’s aggressive ride in yellow, Remco Evenepoel’s high-mountain breakthrough, Mads Pedersen’s green jersey and...

Originally recorded live from 7–9 a.m. during Stage 19 of the Tour de France, Ed, Kurt, and Derin host a special Alpe d’Huez watch party. The crew follows the racing in real time and reacts to the attacks, breakaway, team tactics, GC battle, and mountain drama. Chapters (00:00:27) - Bouncing Up Floor 42 (00:01:52) - The Fastest Tour de France ascent (00:04:11) - Tom Jorgensen on Richie Carapaz (00...

Breaking news from the Tour de France called for an emergency rest-day episode. Ed Philbrick and Derin Stockton break down Jonas Vingegaard’s Stage 15 crash and broken collarbone, the controversial middle-of-the-night anti-doping tests, and whether disrupted sleep may have affected rider safety. They also discuss: • Did Tadej Pogačar gift the stage—or did Remco Evenepoel simply beat him? • Remco’s...

Episode 40 begins with a big question: Why do cycling fans turn against dominant riders? Ed, Kurt and DS compare the criticism surrounding Tadej Pogačar with Nino Schurter’s extraordinary mountain bike career, then explore the complicated line between innovation, suspicion and respect in professional cycling. The crew breaks down Tour de France racing and sprinting, UAE’s marginal gains, short cra...

Season 2 is officially underway. This week the crew debuts new Lazer Helmets, breaks down the opening week of the Tour de France, discusses Primož Roglič's future, reviews Haskell Canyon Bike Park, shares unforgettable memories from CoreStates and Downer Avenue, remembers Ming Tan, and talks about the evolving future of cycling infrastructure and e-bikes. Chapters (00:00:00) - Season 2 (00:00:36)...

Could Kate Courtney become America's next Olympic road racing star? Ed Philbrick and Kurt Stockton discuss Kate's impressive road performances, Quinn Simmons claiming another Stars and Stripes jersey, Tour de Suisse, Mathieu van der Poel's UCI controversy, BWR Montana's dramatic sprint finish, MTB World Cup racing, and memories from the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic road race as anticipation builds for...

Are younger riders changing professional cycling forever? Ed Philbrick, Kurt Stockton, and DS discuss Isaac Del Toro's rise, the Critérium du Dauphiné, Quinn Simmons, Christopher Blevins' comeback, modern sports science, rider safety, concussion protocols, and how today's athletes are training and recovering differently than previous generations. The crew also shares personal riding updates, Big S...

This week on the Service Course Report Podcast, the crew breaks down Matthew Wilson's remarkable Tulsa Tough victory on a gravel bike, the thrilling final stage of the Giro Women, and shares personal stories about suffering, perseverance, and learning not to quit. Plus: Unbound Gravel reflections Giro Women's analysis Tulsa Tough and Cry Baby Hill Gravel vs. road racing Cycling culture and industr...

Unbound 2026 is in the books, and we're unpacking one of the wildest editions in race history. From mud-covered drivetrains and chain guide debates to Keegan Swenson's wheel swap and Specialized's impressive results, there's plenty to discuss. We also look at the growing influence of team tactics in gravel racing, Sofia Gomez Villafañe's victory, and what the future of elite gravel competition mig...

This week on The Service Course Report, the crew dives into Unbound Gravel predictions, Giro d'Italia observations, cycling doppelgängers, and stories from the steel-bike era. From Binda toe straps and broken frames to Roman Bardet's gravel ambitions and Sofia Gomez Villafañe's chances in Emporia, this episode blends cycling history with today's biggest gravel race. Chapters (00:00:00) - Toe Stomp...

The Giro d’Italia delivers again. Episode 33 covers the raw media energy surrounding the Giro, the rise of behind-the-scenes YouTube coverage from teams like Unibet Rockets, gravel tire trends from Sea Otter, Quick n Dirty MTB racing, and why Ed may officially be converted to e-MTB life after riding Skypark Santa’s Village. KS joins remotely from Russian River ahead of the Ukiah Hopper, while Deri...

The Giro d’Italia finally hits Italy and immediately delivers chaos. Ed, KS, and Derin break down Stage 5’s rain-soaked finale, UAE’s continued crash problems, and Visma’s controversial “back is the new front” strategy. The crew also dives into cycling’s high-carb fueling trend — from Maurten gels to maple syrup packets — debating what actually works for real riders versus the pros. Plus: • La Vue...

The Service Course Report crew is back with a Giro-themed episode covering cycling’s next generation, the evolution of training and the future of grand tour racing. Ed Philbrick, Kurt Stockton and Derin Stockton discuss: Paul Seixas and Tour de France expectations Giro d’Italia storylines BWR California and Southern California MTB racing MTB World Cup downhill action Tire technology and setup Mert...

Are we watching a dominant era—or a boring one? Episode 30 unpacks the Pogačar conversation, breaks down Liège–Bastogne–Liège, and looks ahead to BWR California. The crew also gets into MTB race dynamics, passing etiquette, and real-world ride stories from Santa Barbara to Mendocino. A mix of pro race insight and on-the-ground cycling culture—exactly how we like it. Chapters (00:00:00) - BWR Calif...

Episode 29 of Service Course Report dives into the aftermath of Sea Otter Classic 2026 and the biggest trends shaping cycling right now. We break down: Lessons learned from Sea Otter (racing, tech, and media coverage) E-bike innovation and why DJI’s Avinox system could be a game changer Amflow vs Specialized Levo real-world impressions Pro race insights from Amstel Gold and La Flèche Wallonne Risi...

Episode 28 of the Service Course Report comes straight from the Sea Otter Classic—recorded inside the new Sprinter studio with our first-ever guest : longtime cycling and motocross journalist Zap Espinoza. We go deep on: The early days of Mountain Bike Action and Road Bike Action How media shaped the sport (and why honesty mattered more than advertisers) The evolution from BMX → MTB → gravel Why g...

Day 2 from the Sea Otter Classic 2026 — live from Laguna Seca. We break down the Life Time Grand Prix fallout, including the tactical women’s finish and how line choice decided the race in the final corner. A 90-mile effort coming down to seconds. We also dig into: Race conditions shifting from tacky to loose and dusty Attrition rates and what they tell us about the field Rider performances and st...