ITV Cycling Podcast

Age: 22; starts: 2; wins: 2. It seems that 2 is indeed the magic number for Tadeg Pogacar, who is set to retain his Tour de France crown having finished seventh in the penultimate stage time trial. For the record, the prodigiously talented Wout van Aert took the spoils. Pogacar will officially win the yellow jersey after Sunday's final stage to Paris, when, by tradition, the leader is not challenged. Ned, Matt, David, Pete and Chris wonder whether he will be - or at least if we'll see anyone make an uncharacteristically audacious bid to claim a final win in what has been a vintage edition of the race ...

It was an emotional outing for stage winner Matej Mohoric, who made his feelings known about the well-documented police raid on the Bahrain-Victorious team hotel on finishing first in Libourne. His zipping-of-the-mouth gesture as he crossed the line recalled that of the disgraced Lance Armstrong back in 2004, and has thus divided opinion in the court of public opinion. But the likeable Slovenian receives broad support from Ned, Matt, David, Pete and Chris, who explain why in the latest episode of the pod. We also hear from the man himself, as well as Tadeg Pogacar and an unusually chipper and positive Mark Cavendish.

On a day that Tadeg Pogacar once again showed everyone who’s boss, Ned, Chris, Matt, David and Pete discuss the vagaries of the King Of The Mountains competition, which Pogacar also claimed with his victory in Luz Ardiden, such is the weighting of points towards the big climbs. The Slovenian is now likely to arrive in Paris on Sunday's processional final stage as the owner of three of the four race jerseys - the yellow, the polka dot and white garments - for the second consecutive year. Suffice to say, there’s a fair bit of disagreement among the troops as to whether or not this is fair - initially, at least ...

A largely uneventful day's racing culminated in fine style, as new best friends Tadeg Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard combined forces to see off a sneaky Richard Carapaz on the brutal final climb on the Col du Portet. Carapaz slipstreamed his rivals all the way up the mountain, then made a dashing thrust for victory a few hundred metres from the line. But the move was covered by two of the most precocious riders the Tour has seen in recent years, with Pogacar coming out on top. A thrilling day, in the end, as discussed by Ned, Matt, Pete, Chris and David....

... by which we mean, Austria's Patrick Konrad, who won a thrilling victory in Saint-Gaudens. Hence, Paddy's Day. And, appropriately enough, Ned, Pete, David and Matt spend a fair bit of the pod discussing the race for Green, with the latter in particular having a wonderfully speculative hypothesis as to how Cav could lose it. The lads also doff their chapeaux to Lachlan Morton, the Aussie cyclist who today completed his charity endurance ride of the Tour route in just 18 days, riding solo and unsupported and often sleeping wild and sourcing his own food - raising nigh on £400,000 for World Bicycle Relief in the process. Bravo, sir!

At least, that's how Ned, Matt, Chris and Pete view their second crack at a rest day pod. Among the subjects up for discussion - in the absence of interviews - the chances of anyone upsetting Tadeg Pogacar in the remaining days of the Tour, and the intriguing battle to claim to Polka Dot jersey.

... well, actually Sepp Kuss didn't chase it down, but rather broke away on the final climb in the Pyrenees to become the first American to win a stage of the Tour since Tyler Farrar in 2011. Fittingly, Andorra is the country in which he resides, too. Ned Boulting, David Millar, Chris Boardman, Matt Rendell and Pete Kennaugh reflect - and also lament the pitfalls of betting on cycling. Don't do it, kids.

On the day that Bauke Mollema claimed a fine solo victory in Quillan, Ned, David, Pete, Matt and Chris spend much of the podcast coming up with bizarre alter egos, and reflecting upon some of the less imaginative nicknames for riders on the Tour. The also ask whether anyone can pose a late challenge to Tadeg Pogacar as the race moves towards its final week.

Well, he's only gone and done it. In defiance of all expectations prior to the 2021 Tour, Mark Cavendish equalled Eddic Merckx's stage victory record with a typically gutsy and audacious ride on between Nimes and Carcassonne. It's worth listening to this pod for his interview alone, not to mention the musings about mythology and legend from Ned, Matt, David, Pete and Chris. Chapeau, Mark, as monsieur Millar might say ...

In a largely quiet day's racing, German Nils Politt cruised to victory in Nimes having launched a superb late attack from strong group of riders containing current world champion Julian Alaphilippe, and Imanol Erviti and Harry Sweeny - who finished second and third respectively. The force of nature that is Tadej Pogcacar retained yellow. Ned Boulting, Matt Rendell, David Millar, Chris Boardman and Pete Kennaugh chew the fat, and also bring you an extract from an interview with Alexi Sayle.

‘That’s not the most famous mountain in world cycling, it’s a reasonably sized hill!’ At least, that’s how it looked the way Wout Van Aert rode Ventoux, crushing a high-class field with a breathtaking solo breakaway that seemingly lasted forever. It provided some well-needed cheer for the Jumbo-Visma team, who lost Tony Martin to a crash earlier in the day. Meanwhile, Tadeg Pogacar retained the Yellow Jersey - having finished 90-odd seconds behind the Belgian upstart - but he also showed his first glimpses of vulnerability in this renewal of the Tour. Ned Boulting, David Millar, Pete Kennaugh and Matt Rendell reflect.

If ever a stage has been taken in more convincing fashion by less than a quarter of a wheel, we'd like to see it. Mark Cavendish was quick to praise his teammates following his win. Especial thanks went lead-out man Michael Morkov, who made way a mere 100m from the line for the Manx sprinter to finish the job comfortably - despite the narrow margins between himself and the riders in second and third. It was a consummate display by Deceuninck-Quick-Step - and Cav is now just one off Eddie Eddy Merckx's all-time stage victory record. Ned Boulting, Pete Kennaugh, Matt Rendell, David Millar and Chris Boardmen reflect upon the action.

... the wicked being Ned, Chris, Pete, David & Matt, who compensate for the lack of action with some highly whimsical conversational meanderings. The lads return on Tuesday, when they are anticipating crosswinds on the 190km stage in the Valley of the Rhone between Albertville and Valence.

In addition to the important matters of the day, this episode is all about words you can’t pronounce and have never used, because you’re too frightened about mispronouncing or misunderstanding them. Think about the big words that fit that particular bill for you, then find out what David Millar’s are. We’ll give you a clue: he has three. Australian Ben O’Connor took out stage 9 of between Cluses and Tignes, with Tadej Pogacar extending his overall Yellow Jersey lead. The Slovenian is starting to look indomitable, as David would struggle to say. Ned Boulting, Pete Kennaugh, Matt Rendell and Chris Boardman also use a few long words of their own to describe the latest action.

Is this the moment we found our winner? Still a long way to go, of course, but day eight saw reigning champion Tadej Pogacar rip the yellow jersey off the back of young pretender Mathieu van der Poel, who was, as predicted, found somewhat wanting on the first Alpine stage. The honours went to Belgium's Dylan Teuns, but the sly, strong, stunning Slovenian did exactly what he needed to do to stamp his authority on the 2021 Tour, with potential threats and rivals spreadeagled far behind him on the slopes. Ned Boulting, Matt Rendell, Pete Kennaugh, Chris Boardman and David Millar are in situ to digest the action.

What to say about today, aside from the fact that Slovenian powerhouse Matej Mohoric joined a relatively elite club of riders to have won a stage at all three of the Grand Tours, with a supremely accomplished ride as he 'cantered' to victory in Le Creusot? Well done, Matej! That's what we'll say. Mathieu van der Poel retained the Yellow Jersey, but has never climbed a mountain in earnest during a race, according to the lads, so best of luck to him as the Alps present themselves like a set of gnarly teeth (if that's incorrect, Ned says he's willing to get up really, really early to stand corrected, so please do bombard him on all of his social channels if it is indeed an inaccuracy, and our Mathieu does, in fact, love steep hills). The aforementioned Boulting, David Millar and Matt Rendell are joined by Chris Boardman to reflect. Meanwhile, we're back on ITV4 for Stage 8!

You can be sure the old Mark Cavendish is back when he wins a sprint in fine style, yet still finds time to complain about the efforts of rivals beaten, and the fact the finish line isn’t quite where it’s been in years gone by. But we wouldn’t have it any other way. We missed you, bolshy pants! Ned Boulting, David Millar, Pete Kennaugh and Matt Rendell reflect upon another imperious display by the resurgent Manxman, and do their very best NOT to mention Cav’s (until recently) unlikely assault on the 46-year-old Tour de France stage victory record held by the legend that is Eddi … oh, shoot! And if you can be bothered to listen until the end of the pod, you'll even get to hear our grumpy hero air his gripes - with an audible, knowing smile stretched across his face, of course.

‘Now, lads, I know you’re the best cyclists in the world - and some of the fittest, strongest, most athletic and durable specimens humankind has ever produced - but I thought I might just nick 19 seconds from the lot of you over 39km on the time trial today, if you don’t have any issues with that?!’ Ned Boulting, Matt Rendell, David Millar and Pete Kennaugh reflect upon a stunning display by defending champ Tadej Pogacar during stage 5 of the 2021 Tour - alongside several other fine performances from those in his wake. The relief is also palpable that the gang don’t have to describe any carnage on the road, on a day that Mathieu van der Poel put in a great shift to narrowly retain his yellow jersey. Sadly for him, mountains loom! We hear from him, Pogacar and a downbeat Geraint Thomas to boot.

Hey, Cav, nice to see you, what have you been up to for the last 5 years? Oh, not much, hanging out, keeping busy, minding my own business, been a bit under the weather, to be honest. What you doing today, then? Hm, dunno, thought maybe I might take out stage 4 of the Tour de France. Really? You’re, like, 36. Well, you never know, stranger things have happened. Good luck with that, mate. Beer later? And chips! Yeah, why not, it’s a date - I know a great little moules-frites joint in Fougeres. Ned Boulting, Matt Rendell, Pete Kennaugh and David Millar discuss yet another remarkable day in what’s turning out to be a vintage renewal of the greatest bike race on earth. We also hear from Mark Cavendish himself, who was understandably emotional after his win, given his well-documented battles with the Epstein-Barr virus, a succession of injuries and clinical depression. It really is great to have him back where he belongs.

It’s days like this that serve as a reminder as to just how extraordinarily courageous and granite-hard you have to be to be a professional cyclist. The third stage of the Tour de France was won by Tim Merlier, but that doesn’t tell half the story. Geraint Thomas dislocated his shoulder early on - but still finished the stage in some sort of contention - there was yet another frightening pile-up towards the finish, and Caleb Ewen wiped out Peter Sagan during the sprint in what was an horrific incident just metres from the line. Ned Boulting, Matt Rendell and Pete Kennaugh are are quietly praying for an unventful outing on Tuesday. We also hear from Tom Steels, Mark Cavendish, Michael Morkov, Sepp Kuss and Tadej Pogacar - in interviews which landed after the podcast was recorded.

In an emotional day two of the tour, Mathieu Van der Poel took the yellow jersey by powering up the Mur-de-Bretagne for a sensational stage win on his debut - having attacked and attacked and attacked again. The Dutchman is the grandson of late great Raymond Poulidor, who died in 2019 and finished second overall in the Tour three times and third five times during the 1960s and 70s – an era dominated by Jacques Anquetil and Eddy Merckx. Famously, Poulidor never wore the yellow jersey, making Van der Poel’s achievement all the sweeter. Ned Boulting, Matt Rendell, David Millar and Pete Kennaugh consider it to be one of the greatest stage wins they’ve ever witnessed, so why not randomly invite footballer Lee Dixon onto the podcast to hold court?! (To be fair, he knows his onions.)

Gosh! Well, that was an uneventful start to the 2021 edition of the Tour. Nothing to talk about here at all. Nope, nothing: zip, nil, nada. That’s not true, of course. It was a brutal opening salvo, not least thanks to the intervention of an overzealous and frankly reckless roadside spectator, who wiped out Tony Martin and most of those in his wake by thrusting a sign into the Jumbo Visma rider’s path as he passed. Mayhem ensued. Proper mayhem. And then there was another massive pile-up, this time on a rapid downhill stretch of the course. Ouch! Ned Boulting, Matt Rendell, David Millar and Pete Kennaugh pick through the bones of what might literally have been bones after two massive crashes decimated the peloton during a dramatic opening stage between Brest and Landerneau - all of which rather overshadowed Julian Alaphilippe’s victory run. It’s not entirely clear who’ll be saddling up come Sunday, such was the seriousness of both incidents, but everyone at ITV wishes all the riders well. Find out who makes it through to day 2 on ITV4 ...

Only Ned Boulting and Matt Rendell could preview the Tour de France by referencing the Suez crisis, bull tattoos, Sigmund Freud, dental surgery, medieval Cornish and the relative merits of the Brazilian and German football teams. But all this they do, as well as marking your card with their likely winners and lively outsiders for the 108th edition of this magnificent sporting spectacle. The opening stage sees the riders travel 197.8km from Brest to Landerneau - on an undulating road containing six climbs, with potential for crosswinds in the Monts d'Arree. Follow all the action live on ITV4.

The final podcast of the Vuelta, Ned and David reflect on a vintage year of Cycling.

An epic finish on La Covatilla as Carapaz and Roglic go mano a mano. Ned and David reflect on stage 17 of the Vuelta.

Ned and David talk about Magnus Cort's victory on Stage 16, the retirements of Ian Stannard and Yoann Offredo, and etymology. Yes. Etymology.

Ned and David enjoy Jasper's jubilation as Philipsen avoids an oil slick to take the win in appalling conditions on a bruising Stage 15.

Ned and David reflect on Tim Wellens victory over a high class break including Mike Woods at the Stage 14 finish of the Vuelta in Ourense. Grammar also becomes an issue.

Ned and David reflect on a fantastic fourth stage win from Primoz Roglic and an excellent TT performance from Hugh Carthy at Stage 13 of the Vuelta.

Stage 12 of the Vuelta and an immense victory for Huge Carthy on the
Angliru. Ned and David reflect on the pride of Preston's great moment and
break down what should be a thrilling Tour de France as the 2021 route is
announced.

Ned and David look back at a thrilling win for David Gaudu on the Alto de La Farrapona at Stage 11 of the Vuelta. And the listeners' film-style Vuelta reviews make their debut.

Ned and David enjoy the spectacle of Stage 10 at the Vuelta, so mucho so that it's questionable what they find more impressive - stage winner Primoz Roglic or the Cantabrian scenery.

Stage 9 of the Vuelta and the drama of disqualification infuriates Ned and David, as Sam Bennett is denied the win after officials rule a shoulder barge illegal. That's how the cookie crumbles in Spain's biscuit capital.

Ned and David reflect on a thrilling day's racing at Stage 8 of the Vuelta where there was a fantastic fight as Primoz Roglic and Richard Carapaz went mano a mano on the last mountain. Interviews with Roglic, Sepp Kuss, Rusty Woods and Carlos Verona

A great day for Team EF Pro Cycling as Rusty Woods has the smarts to beat a high quality break away group on Stage 7. Ned and Dave reflect on another tough stage on the Vuelta and Daniel Friebe's interview with Preston's Hugh Carthy.

An epic day of racing as Ned and David first discuss a rainswept stage 6 of the Vuelta, where Richard Carapaz and Hugh Carthy snatched first and second from Primoz Roglic and Dan Martin, and then reflect on Tao Geoghegan Hart's career-defining victory in the Giro d'Italia.

Roglic's line dance sends Dan Martin crashing as the 3 km rule gives Ned and David something to ponder as Tim Wellens claims a breakaway victory at Stage 5 of the Vuelta.

Neglected childhoods and the geology of Aragon give Ned and David much to ponder as Sam Bennett sprints to victory on Stage 4 of the Vuelta.

As Stage 3 of the Vuelta finishes on the Laguna Negra climb in deepest Soria, Ned and David reflect on an emotional victory for the evergreen and ever popular Dan Martin.

Stage 2 of the Vuelta as Ned and David talk Movistar after the Spanish team put the squeeze on Jumbo Visma and claim a famous win for Marc Soler on home roads.

Stage 1 of the Vuelta as Ned and David recap a thrilling days action culminating in the Arrate arrival after a boisterous bash around the Basque country.

The Pod hits Paris - the final stage of the 2020 Tour De France

The Pod' salutes 'The Pog' - a remarkable Stage 20 of the Tour De France

Going Green with Sammy B, it's Stage 19 of the TDF

Gifts and goosebumps on Stage 18 of the Tour De France

Polka Dots, Superman & Stage 17 of the Tour De France

Reverse stories, the art of bluffing & Stage 16 of the Tour De France

Lakes, Madisons, Rabbits and Moustaches. The boys go wildly off-piste in the high mountains.

You Winston, you lose some. Sunweb won a bike race, Matt lost a Podcast.

Two races for the price of one. Who were the winners and losers on a day when the Tour erupted on a volcano?

Philosophy, anthropology and stage 12 of the Tour de France

Richard The Lionheart and Peter The Reckless star in a Podcast full of Fairytales and Finishes.

The works of Bennett, Swift and Milne are all reviewed. Author! Author!

Fantasy Cycling and Farcical Commercials. It’s all there in the Stage 9 Pod

The Peyresourde, Pompeii, Peters, Pogacar and Pidcock. You’ll be p’ed off if you miss the Stage 8 Pod.

Eyeballs Out, Full Gas, On The Rivet. Today was The Fast Show.

Sounds like the boys are missing life on the road. Chin up lads.

It’s Phone a Friend Day on the ITV Podcast. All the news and views from inside the Tour.

Slovenian History, French Philosophy and Manx Literature. The Stage 4 podcast is absolute class

A Slovakian Cannibal and Cannibalised Ewan combine for a fun-filled Stage 3 Podcast.

French television directors, Peter Sagan impressions, National Champions’ jerseys, Julian Alaphilippe and, of course, Thomas De Gendt. Pretty much a full house then on the ITV Podcast bingo for Stage 2.

Ned, Chris, Matt and Pete discuss an incident packed stage one which saw a surprise stage winner.

Ned, Matt, Chris and Pete are back to preview an unfamiliar looking Tour de France which is set to depart from Nice on Saturday.

Ned and David rate the Vuelta out of ten, reflect on the stand out moments of the 2019 Edition, and shed light on a dangerous floater at the Worlds

David and Ned reflect on the confirmation of one of the most exciting young talents in the history of the sport – and then proceed to get philosophical. Because why not?

David and Ned talk about the wind (again) and Movistar (again) and preview the upcoming World Championships in Yorkshire.

David and Ned get the latest from Matt Rendell on another Colombian winner and check into Phoenix Arizona to find out how to save the world

No “Any Other Business” today because the bike race was all business. David and Ned try to make sense of Movistar’s Tug of War.

“How come he’d never won a stage of a Grand Tour before?” And other important questions – all answered in today’s pod

David and Ned celebrate a memorable win from a rising star and delve deep into their history books.

A Stellar ride from a stellar rider as Dave and Ned go into interstellar overdrive

A world class race which Ned and David fail to describe in a very mediocre podcast. Their words though...

Dave and Ned pay homage to a great champion, and start to bid farewell to a much-loved part of the world.

Ned and Dave dive deep into the Basque county to salute a special region with special traditions and they celebrate a special stage winner.

A decisive day at the La Vuelta as David and Ned dig deep into their home spun dictionary of cycling terminology.

Ned and Dave reflect on the calm after another storm and talk about talented riders, both very young and really rather old.

Dave and Ned ride the storm as the Vuelta heads to Catalunya - and offer a glimpse into the inner workings of ITV’s Tour de France operation.

Ned and David discuss an exciting stage 7 as the race hits the gruelling Alto Mas de la Costa.

Ned and David tackle through stage 6 of La Vuelta from Mora de Rubielos to Ares del Maestrat

Ned and David discuss stage 5 of La Vuelta as the peloton hits the first summit finish at Javalambre

Listen up as David Millar and Ned Boulting analyse Stage 4 of this year's La Vuelta

Ned and David pick through Stage 3 at La Vuelta and are joined by a very special and very familiar guest...

David Millar and Ned Boulting present the third installment of the La Vuelta podcast as the riders take on stage two.

David Millar and Ned Boulting present the second podcast of La Vuelta.

David Millar and Ned Boulting return for the ITV Cycling podcast ahead of La Vuelta with ReVuelta - listen out for those special jingles too!

The guys get together for the final podcast of 2019, tears will be shed!

It's the penultimate stage of Le Tour and Matt, Ned, Pete and David discuss the champion-elect

Ned, David and Pete discuss one of the craziest days on the Tour de France in recent history.

Ned, David and Pete discuss an enthralling stage 18 of Le Tour and Scouse Nairo is back via telephone.

Ned, Matt and Pete chew the fat over stage 17 and look ahead to the Alps.

Pete Kennaugh is back! He joins Ned, Matt and David to talk over stage 16 and reveal some interesting advice from Mark Cavendish.

Ned, Matt and Phil explore anxiety dreams and the Tour so far...

Ned, Matt, Philip and David discuss another intriguing day in the Pyrenees during stage 15 of Le Tour.

Ned and Matt are joined again by Philip Deignan and David Millar to discuss the events of stage 14 and Philip is handed a trophy.

Ned and Matt are joined by Philip Deignan and David Millar to discuss an enthralling stage 13 and the sixth edition of La Course

Ned and Matt are joined by Philip Deignan and David Millar to discuss Stage 12 of Le Tour and look ahead to the sixth edition of La Course.

It's all change in the pod as regulars Ned and Matt are joined by David Millar and new boy Philip Deignan

Ned, Matt and the departing Pete are joined by David Spindler from Team Dimension Data to answer your questions and David Millar makes a rare appearance

Ned & Matt bid adieu to Pete and the pod is crashed by some charming fans