The Cycling Podcast

The 2026 Vuelta a España rolls out from Monte Carlo at the weekend, and we’ll be on the ground for the eleventh straight year to bring you all of the action, starting with our race preview. 
Before Daniel Friebe and Larry Warbasse assess the route and riders, we reflect on the devastating passing of Finlay Tarling in last week’s Volta a Portugal. Harrison Wood was also racing in the Volta. He gives us the rider’s perspective of what occurred. 
For our look ahead to the Vuelta, Larry honestly answers the question of whether he or any of the other riders in the field can realistically hope to beat Tadej Pogačar (clue: it’s a fairly resounding ‘no’). Having established that, we look closely at a decidedly spicy route and what opportunities it may offer riders not targeting the GC.

In Loving Memory of Finlay Tarling
Following the tragic death of Finlay Tarling in stage 8 of the Volta a Portugal, a fund has been set up, with the blessing of his parents and in Finlay’s name, with the goal of providing an opportunity to help future generations of young Welsh riders. You can contribute here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/for-fin-s2u87 
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DVine Cellars 2026 Vuelta wine selection 
As always at the Grand Tours, we've teamed up with DVine Cellars of London to select a case of six wines produced close to the race route, for your enjoyment. UK listeners can buy the case here https://dvinecellars.com/products/cycling-podcast-la-vuelta-2026 . The wines are as follows: 

Stage 5: (Falset – Roquetes) – La Servera, Garnatxa (No Sulphites Added), Montsant [Red]

Stage 9: (La Vila Joiosa – Alto de Aitana) – Casa Balaguer, Vino Blanco, Alicante [White]

Stage 10: (Alcaraz – Elche de la Sierra) – Bodegas Parra Jiménez, 'Larutan' Tempranillo, Castilla [Red]

Stage 11: (Cartagena – Lorca) – Casa Castillo, Monastrell, Jumilla [Red]

Stage 15: (Palma del Río – Córdoba) – Alvear, '3 Miradas' Vino de Pueblo Blanco 2022, Montilla [White]

Stage 18: (El Puerto de Santa María – Jerez de la Frontera) – Bodegas Barbadillo, 'Toto' Palomino Brut, Jerez [Sparkling]

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The Cannibal & Badger
Friends of the Podcast can join the discussion at our virtual pub, The Cannibal & Badger. A friendly forum to talk about cycling and the podcast. Log in to your Friends of the Podcast account to join in.
The Cycling Podcast is on Strava
The Cycling Podcast was founded in 2013 by Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie.

In a bumper post-Tour Press Conference episode, Lionel Birnie and Graham Willgoss tackle a final batch of listeners’ questions sent in as the Tour de France reached its conclusion in Paris.
That brings to a close our 2026 Tour de France coverage and we’d like to thank everyone who tuned in for our coverage of the men’s and women’s races.
We also recap some of the biggest post-Tour races and turn our attention towards the final Grand Tour of the season, the Vuelta a España, which starts on August 22.
Daniel Friebe will be back next week with our Vuelta preview episode.
Introducing our sponsors, MyWhoosh
Our Tour de France coverage is sponsored by MyWhoosh.
MyWhoosh is a serious indoor training and racing platform, built for riders who love cycling, and it’s free. It’s built for anyone who wants to ride indoors with purpose, whether that’s staying fit, following a training plan, joining a community ride, racing hard, or exploring virtual roads and it’s free to ride, just like outdoors.
Episode sponsors
NordVPN
Get NordVPN two-year plan + four months extra ➼ https://nordvpn.com/tcp It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bikmo
The Cycling Podcast is supported by Bikmo, cycle insurance built for cyclists who actually ride.
Whether it's a crash, a stolen bike, or your pride and joy arriving at baggage reclaim in three separate pieces – it's covered. Flexible policies you can cancel anytime, 50 per cent off extra household bikes, plus protection for your kit, race entries and travel.
Follow us on social media:
Twitter @cycling_podcast
Instagram @thecyclingpodcast
Friends of the Podcast
Sign up as a Friend of the Podcast at thecyclingpodcast.com to listen to new special episodes every month plus a back catalogue of more than 300 exclusive episodes.
The 11.01 Cappuccino
Our regular email newsletter is now on Substack. Subscribe here for frothy, full-fat updates to enjoy any time (as long as it’s after 11am).
The Cannibal & Badger
Friends of the Podcast can join the discussion at our virtual pub, The Cannibal & Badger. A friendly forum to talk about cycling and the podcast. Log in to your Friends of the Podcast account to join in.
The Cycling Podcast is on Strava
The Cycling Podcast was founded in 2013 by Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie.

All to gain and all to lose on the final day of the race. Find out more by listening to Rose Manley and Denny Gray on the ground at the Tour de France Femmes as The Cycling Podcast Féminin brings you daily coverage from the race.
There will be analysis, interviews, plenty of French flavour and undoubtedly, there will be cheese, so tune in every night to not miss out.
To listen to the episodes as soon as they are released, follow The Cycling Podcast in your favourite podcast app. 
Also on the agenda: dog turds and testicles
Introducing our sponsors, MyWhoosh
Our Tour de France Femmes coverage is sponsored by MyWhoosh.
MyWhoosh is a serious indoor training and racing platform, built for riders who love cycling, and it’s free. It’s built for anyone who wants to ride indoors with purpose, whether that’s staying fit, following a training plan, joining a community ride, racing hard, or exploring virtual roads and it’s free to ride, just like outdoors.
Episode sponsors
Bikmo
The Cycling Podcast is supported by Bikmo, cycle insurance built for cyclists who actually ride.
Whether it's a crash, a stolen bike, or your pride and joy arriving at baggage reclaim in three separate pieces – it's covered. Flexible policies you can cancel anytime, 50 per cent off extra household bikes, plus protection for your kit, race entries and travel.
Follow us on social media:
Twitter @cycling_podcast
Instagram @thecyclingpodcast
Friends of the Podcast
Sign up as a Friend of the Podcast at thecyclingpodcast.com to listen to new special episodes every month plus a back catalogue of more than 300 exclusive episodes.
The 11.01 Cappuccino
Our regular email newsletter is now on Substack. Subscribe here for frothy, full-fat updates to enjoy any time (as long as it’s after 11am).
The Cannibal & Badger
Friends of the Podcast can join the discussion at our virtual pub, The Cannibal & Badger. A friendly forum to talk about cycling and the podcast. Log in to your Friends of the Podcast account to join in.
The Cycling Podcast is on Strava
The Cycling Podcast was founded in 2013 by Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie.

Nice proves nice for some! Find out more by listening to Rose Manley and Denny Gray on the ground at the Tour de France Femmes as The Cycling Podcast Féminin brings you daily coverage from the race.
There will be analysis, interviews, plenty of French flavour and undoubtedly, there will be cheese, so tune in every night to not miss out.
To listen to the episodes as soon as they are released, follow The Cycling Podcast in your favourite podcast app. 
Also on the agenda: Denny at the disco and Rose’s moisture levels
Introducing our sponsors, MyWhoosh
Our Tour de France Femmes coverage is sponsored by MyWhoosh.
MyWhoosh is a serious indoor training and racing platform, built for riders who love cycling, and it’s free. It’s built for anyone who wants to ride indoors with purpose, whether that’s staying fit, following a training plan, joining a community ride, racing hard, or exploring virtual roads, and it’s free to ride, just like outdoors.
Episode sponsors
Bikmo
The Cycling Podcast is supported by Bikmo, cycle insurance built for cyclists who actually ride.
Whether it's a crash, a stolen bike, or your pride and joy arriving at baggage reclaim in three separate pieces – it's covered. Flexible policies you can cancel anytime, 50 per cent off extra household bikes, plus protection for your kit, race entries and travel.
Follow us on social media:
Twitter @cycling_podcast
Instagram @thecyclingpodcast
Friends of the Podcast
Sign up as a Friend of the Podcast at thecyclingpodcast.com to listen to new special episodes every month plus a back catalogue of more than 300 exclusive episodes.
The 11.01 Cappuccino
Our regular email newsletter is now on Substack. Subscribe here for frothy, full-fat updates to enjoy any time (as long as it’s after 11am).
The Cannibal & Badger
Friends of the Podcast can join the discussion at our virtual pub, The Cannibal & Badger. A friendly forum to talk about cycling and the podcast. Log in to your Friends of the Podcast account to join in.
The Cycling Podcast is on Strava
The Cycling Podcast was founded in 2013 by Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie.

Another legend of Ventoux has just been crowned! Find out more by listening to Rose Manley and Denny Gray on the ground at the Tour de France Femmes as The Cycling Podcast Féminin brings you daily coverage from the race.
There will be analysis, interviews, plenty of French flavour and undoubtedly, there will be cheese, so tune in every night to not miss out.
To listen to the episodes as soon as they are released, follow The Cycling Podcast in your favourite podcast app. 
Also on the agenda: a brief revival of the Nienke Vinke Fan Club and oompah loompahs
Introducing our sponsors, MyWhoosh
Our Tour de France Femmes coverage is sponsored by MyWhoosh.
MyWhoosh is a serious indoor training and racing platform, built for riders who love cycling, and it’s free. It’s built for anyone who wants to ride indoors with purpose, whether that’s staying fit, following a training plan, joining a community ride, racing hard, or exploring virtual roads and it’s free to ride, just like outdoors.
Episode sponsors
Bikmo
The Cycling Podcast is supported by Bikmo, cycle insurance built for cyclists who actually ride.
Whether it's a crash, a stolen bike, or your pride and joy arriving at baggage reclaim in three separate pieces – it's covered. Flexible policies you can cancel anytime, 50 per cent off extra household bikes, plus protection for your kit, race entries and travel.
Follow us on social media:
Twitter @cycling_podcast
Instagram @thecyclingpodcast
Friends of the Podcast
Sign up as a Friend of the Podcast at thecyclingpodcast.com to listen to new special episodes every month plus a back catalogue of more than 300 exclusive episodes.
The 11.01 Cappuccino
Our regular email newsletter is now on Substack. Subscribe here for frothy, full-fat updates to enjoy any time (as long as it’s after 11am).
The Cannibal & Badger
Friends of the Podcast can join the discussion at our virtual pub, The Cannibal & Badger. A friendly forum to talk about cycling and the podcast. Log in to your Friends of the Podcast account to join in.
The Cycling Podcast is on Strava
The Cycling Podcast was founded in 2013 by Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie.