The Roadman Cycling Podcast

Why do cyclists shave their legs? For decades, we’ve been told it’s for speed — Specialized even claimed it saves 79 seconds over 40km. But what if that science is flawed? In this video, we dig into the real reasons behind cycling’s most iconic (and weirdest) ritual — from old-school tradition to group ride psychology. With insights from wind tunnel studies, Olympic bike designers, and pro riders...

What does it take to drop world-class riders like Van der Poel, Simmons, and Yates on a Tour de France mountain stage? For Ben Healy, it wasn’t just power or tactics — it was fueling. Healy consumed nearly 140g of carbohydrates per hour on his way to a dominant solo win on Stage 6, and today we’re breaking down exactly how he did it. With insights from WorldTour nutritionist Dr. Sam Impey, this vi...

Cycling used to be about skill — race craft, resilience, knowing when to attack. Now? It's about looking good. Style has overtaken substance, and nowhere is that clearer than with Pas Normal Studios. In this episode, we dive into how the Copenhagen-based brand transformed high-end kit into a status symbol. It’s not just clothing — it’s a cultural signal. €300 bibs, curated café stops, matching...

What happens when a lifelong Cat 1 racer cuts training volume in half? For 12 years, I trained 12–15 hours weekly. Then life changed — and I dropped to 6. This episode breaks down exactly what happened: the watts lost, the kilos gained, and the reality behind the numbers. Using 3 years of TrainingPeaks data, I compare my fitness at both ends — and reflect on the science (Seiler, Rønnestad, Mujika)...

Netflix spent €8 million to bring cycling to a global audience — and got it completely wrong. In this episode, we unpack how Unchained misrepresented the Tour de France, damaged trust with riders, and failed to grasp the sport’s unique culture of silence, strategy, and sacrifice. From Wout van Aert’s “disturbing” portrayal to key moments cut from the final edit, we explore what happens when Hollyw...

What if everything you know about fuelling is slowing you down? In this episode, world tour nutritionist Dr. Sam Impey joins us to dismantle outdated advice—and reveal how elite cyclists are now pushing up to 120g of carbs per hour without crashing or bloating. From the science of gut training to the myths around weight loss, recovery drinks, and carb loading, Sam explains why more carbs + smarter...

Tour de France winner Tadej Pogačar swears by it—and in this episode, we break down why you should too. Learn how pre-ride activation and post-ride stretching can unlock more power, prevent injury, and keep you riding strong well into your 40s and beyond. Anthony and Sarah dive into pro tips, simple routines, and the science behind why glute bridges, band walks, and deep lunges actually work. Whet...

Anthony is joined today by Dirk Friel. Dirk is the co-founder of Training Peaks & pioneer of the digital coaching world. This is a deep dive into the future of training metrics and athlete performance. Dirk pulls back the curtain on how different types of athletes engage with Training Peaks and explains how an amateur rider uses the platform in comparison with the high performance athletes. Di...

Think you’re slowing down with age? Think again. In this episode, we dive into the latest science behind getting faster after 40 — and why your best cycling years might still be ahead. With insights from legendary coaches like Joe Friel and Dr. Stephen Seiler, you’ll learn how to reverse fitness decline through smart, polarized training, strength work, and proper recovery. Whether you're 40, 5...

Most cyclists are making at least one of these mistakes — and fixing it could unlock big performance gains. In this episode, Anthony and Sarah break down the five most common cycling errors they see, from poor fueling and gear misuse to bad pacing and neglected recovery. Whether you’re new to the sport or have thousands of miles in your legs, these are the small habits that separate frustration fr...

What happens when chasing performance drains the joy that once drove it? In this episode, I sit down with Shannon Malseed — former pro cyclist turned mindset advocate — for a powerful reflection on the hidden cost of high achievement. Shannon shares her journey from elite sport to inner rediscovery, challenging the idea that success must mean sacrifice. We explore the athlete mentality, burnout, s...

Every amateur cyclist falls into the same trap: chasing intensity instead of consistency. In this episode, I sit down with Christian Schrot, performance coach at Team Jayco AlUla, to explore one of endurance sport’s most surprising truths — riding easy is what actually makes you faster. We unpack the science behind the 80/20 polarized training model, why zone discipline matters, and how even elite...

In 2017, Rapha was the gold standard of cycling cool — premium kit, boutique clubhouses, and a cult-like following. Today? Stores are closing, prices are slashed, and the brand is losing millions. In this episode, we break down the meteoric rise and stunning fall of Rapha, from its poetic beginnings to its sale to the Walmart heirs. What went wrong? Was it discount culture, over-expansion, or simp...

Alex Wild is back, the elite gravel racer is fresh off the biggest gravel race in the world, the 2025 Unbound 200 . This is one of the craziest races on the planet. We get into it: the strategy, the chaos, the power numbers. Stick around till the end where Alex’s gives us his thoughts on who the real losers were in this 2nd round of the life time GP. This is a rare opportunity to peek inside the r...

What happens when one of the most aero-conscious cyclists in the world heads into a wind tunnel? Dylan Johnson teamed up with performance experts at Rule 28 to test his gear, position, and aero gains — and the results were surprising. In this episode, Anthony sits down with Sam from Rule 28 to unpack what really happened in the tunnel, what changes they made to Dylan’s setup, and what everyday rid...

After 10+ years in the saddle, Anthony finally tried creatine—and the results weren’t what he expected. In this episode, he breaks down the full story: the gains, the weight, the sprint numbers, and the myths that got shattered along the way. Does creatine actually help cyclists? What happens to your weight, power, and recovery? And is it worth the hype for endurance riders—or just sprinters? Alon...

We got weight loss wrong - In this episode, we speak with the performance nutritionist behind top WorldTour teams like INEOS Grenadiers, EF Education, and Uno-X. He reveals why the traditional “lighter is faster” mindset is holding cyclists back. If you’ve been dieting for cycling performance, you might be sacrificing power, endurance, and recovery. This expert coach explains how fuelling correctl...

Alex Wild returns to the podcast to reveal his setup for Unbound 200 — one of the toughest gravel races on the calendar. This isn’t just a gear list; it’s a detailed look at the decisions that help riders go fast — not just finish — over 200 miles of rugged Kansas terrain. And this year Alex is breaking gravel rules. From tyre pressure and drivetrain choice to fuelling, hydration, and kit, Alex ex...

Links to podcast - SPOTIFY - https://open.spotify.com/episode/7BjfwSowLD08jpGcWDDOK7 APPLE - https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/dame-kelly-holmes-everything-she-couldnt-say-then/id1750982117?i=1000709610942 AVAILABLE ON AL OTHER PODCAST PLATFORMS Dame Kelly Holmes is an Olympic legend — but behind the double gold medals was a story she couldn’t tell until years later. In this raw and revealing...

Zone 2: everyone’s talking about it, but how much do you really need? In this episode of Rider Support , we dive into the great training debate — slow rides vs. speed work — and unpack what the science says about intensity balance, performance gains, and long-term fitness. With insights from Stephen Seiler’s 80/20 model and real-world advice from pro coaches, we explore how to train smarter whethe...

Are cyclists cheating with hidden motors? In this episode, we expose the shocking truth behind mechanical doping — the use of secret engines in elite and amateur racing. From thermal cameras catching glowing seat tubes to riders fleeing races in getaway vans, motor doping is real… and more common than you think. We break down how these stealth motors work, who’s using them, and why even Tour de Fr...

AI is quietly reshaping cycling—not through bikes or gear, but through data. In this episode, we dive into how artificial intelligence is transforming the way we train, recover, and race. From adaptive workouts that respond to your sleep and stress, to predictive tactics that could change race-day strategy forever, we explore where AI is already making an impact—and where it's headed next. But thi...

Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) has become one of the most divisive topics in Masters cycling. Is it a legitimate medical need—or a performance enhancer in disguise? In this episode, we break down what TRT is, when it’s medically justified, and why it’s rarely granted a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). We also explore the ethical grey areas of TRT in amateur racing, whether age should excus...

What if your training plan could adapt in real time—based on how you actually feel and perform each day? In this episode, Anthony sits down with the creator of a groundbreaking AI platform that’s quietly being adopted by WorldTour teams - VEKTA. Riders like Eddie Dunbar are calling it a “game changer,” helping eliminate guesswork and dial in race-ready form with precision. We break down how this t...

You doubled your training hours… but somehow got slower? This week, we unpack why more volume doesn’t always mean better performance — and how intensity control, fatigue, and poor structure can quietly derail your fitness. We also dig into whether the aero obsession is doing more harm than good for amateur riders, if shorter crank arms actually help endurance cyclists, and how to manage team dynam...