S13 Ep18: A Good Return

With old grudges and new rivalries playing out on the gravel roads of Tuscany, Strade Bianche offered up plenty to talk about in this month’s episode of The Cycling Podcast Féminin. Rose Manley and Denny Gray are joined by cycling broadcaster Rebecca Charlton to discuss all the juicy details, plus they look ahead to the return of Milan-Sanremo with a mini-feature about the race’s predecessor, the Primavera Rosa.

Ever since Demi Vollering's move to FDJ-Suez and Anna Van der Breggen announced her return to the peloton last year, anticipation of a fierce rivalry between the pair has been rising. After Strade Bianche and their first meeting at Setmana Valenciana, it is fair to say that the match-up has already more than exceeded expectations. Van der Breggen has proven to be the only rider in the peloton capable of matching Vollering for power and tactical nous, although Vollering has thus far always come away with the spoils.

Strade Bianche also saw former world champion Pauline Ferrand-Prevot take third place, in her first spring Classic since 2018. Plus the race was a welcome showcase for the top riders in the peloton after something of a stalemate at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad which saw a surprise victory for Lotte Claes.

In anticipation of the inaugural Milano-Sanremo Donne, we take a look back at the race’s precursor – the Primavera Rosa – which ran for seven editions from 1999 until 2005. The race took place on the last 118 kilometres of the men’s Milan-Sanremo, on the same day and included the same Poggio and Cipressa climbs and Via Roma finish. We offer up a potted history of those editions and hear some first-hand accounts from people that were there including Marion Clignet, podium finishers Chantal Beltman and Ina Teutenberg, 2005 champion Trixi Worrack and photographer Mario Prato.

Also on the agenda, hippopotamus races, bumping into your ex with 30 toilet rolls and the battle of the names: Nienke Vinke vs Lotte Claes.

Sponsored by Sports Tours International
The Cycling Podcast is proudly sponsored by Sports Tours International. Whether you want to ride, or watch the best in the world in action, Sports Tours International can take you to the heart of some of the world’s biggest cycling events. Choose from a VIP experience at the Tour de France or one of the major classics, or riding events such as the Etape du Tour or Marmotte, you can travel in style with Sports Tours International.

Go to the Tour de France Grand Départ in Lille, or see the race in the Alps, Pyrenees or on Mont Ventoux with one of Sports Tours International’s package trips. Alternatively, enjoy a VIP experience in Paris, or even a once-in-a-lifetime journey in an official Tour de France vehicle, getting you as close to the action as possible.

Let Sports Tours International take charge of all the planning and logistics so all you have to do is enjoy the ride.
Go to sportstoursinternational.co.uk for full details.

EPISODE SPONSORS
Indeed
If you are looking to hire someone for your company, maybe the best way isn’t to search for a candidate but to match with Indeed. Go to indeed.com/cycle now to get a £100 sponsored job credit and get matched with the perfect candidate fast.

SEE AMARATERRA LIVE IN LONDON
Cozze, by Amaraterra, has been the theme tune for our Giro d’Italia coverage since we began daily coverage in 2016. They are playing live at Brixton Jamm on Saturday, March 15 and would like as many podcast listeners to join them. You can buy tickets here.

TRIBUTE TO RICHARD MOORE AT GENT-WEVELGEM
Friend of the Podcast Charlotte Elton is raising money to pay tribute to our friend and co-founder Richard Moore at Gent-Wevelgem by painting his name on the road. She’s crowdfunding to pay for the paint and any additional funds will be donated to Sir Chris Hoy’s Tour de 4 charity. You can donate to the cause here.

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 Cannibal & Badger
Friends of the Podcast can join the discussion at our new 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 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 Cycling Podcast is on Strava

The Cycling Podcast was founded in 2013 by Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie.