The Race Communiqué: What's with the worlds?

The Vuelta is over and the world champs is well underway, which means we’re nearly at the end of the 2025 racing season! It’s really crept up on me, I can’t believe it! On one hand, it feels like it’s flown by, but on the other - the Spring Classics feel like forever ago.

This month’s communique focuses on the World Champs over in Rwanda. It is an absolutely brutal course this year; almost 270kms with over 5000m of climbing. Whoever wins this is going to be a thoroughly deserving winner. Remco’s already got himself a rainbow jersey in the TT; can he double up with another road race title?

What about Pog? He looked pretty knackered in the TT at the world champs, didn’t he? Still cooked from the Tour or just reaching the end of his rope? I can’t quite believe I’m saying this, but there’s a big question mark over him ahead of the road race! But just watch him make me look like a cock knob and win by 9 minutes solo now.

There’s some strong looking underdogs in the mix too; Del Toro, Healy, Carapaz, McNulty, Pidcock, and loads of other in form hitters that could spring a surprise and overcome the two main favourites. We discuss all the favourites as well as make our predictions.

In this month’s PeloChat, Turbo Durbo gives us some insight into the end of a pros season - limping or striving through the last few races. Usually, a rider gets their provisional calendar at the start of the year, and it runs through to the Vuelta. After that, it’s a case of “we’ll see”. There’s still races to go, but so many riders are sick, injured, or just cooked - so pulling together a decent squad to knock out the last few races of the year becomes a tricky task. Riders have to be adaptable throughout the whole season.

Southam’s talking tactics dives into UAE’s record breaking season - the most wins in 1 season by any team ever. How have they managed this? How does the team manage so many world class riders? How have they won so much but still lost the Giro on the last day, and seemingly piss the Vuelta away by hunting stages? Tom shares his take on UAE’s questionable tactics at points throughout the year that still haven’t stopped them winning almost everything.

The quiz this month is all about the world’s TT. I’m quiz master, and the boys go head to head. Brace yourselves, I’m thinking next month’s season finale is going to be a bumper CommuniQuiz edition.

Guys, I hope you like listening to this month’s communique as much as I love recording it. Sitting down and spinning a yarn about bike racing with some mates - does it get any better?

Cheers

Mitch

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I’ll be heading to Adelaide this January for the Santos Tour Down Under - chasing the racing, riding the bunches in the morning, and soaking up all the summer vibes the city has to offer. Hope to see you there.

🎧 Timecodes

00:00:00 – Intro

00:08:38 – Race Recap (World Championships preview)

00:33:44 – Pelo Chat (What's it like at the end of a pro season?)

00:49:09 – Talking Tactics (UAE’s record-breaking year)

01:02:24 – CommuniQuiz (World Champs TT Special)