The Cycling Podcast / Annus galaxicus: The Classics, part one

In the first part of our look back at the 2021 road racing season, Richard Moore, Lionel Birnie and Daniel Friebe discussed the cobbled Classics.

The Latin title of our series, Annus galaxicus, was Daniel’s idea, naturally, and it refers to Julian Alaphilippe, Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel, who looked set to dominate the one-day races. However, while all of them had outstanding moments, none of them managed to win one of the five Monuments. We ask why.

And what was the outstanding Classic performance of the year? Tadej Pogacar’s sports director Allan Peiper didn’t hesitate when we asked him the question.

We also hear from Tour of Flanders winner Kasper Asgreen and Lionel designs his five-course Monuments meal.

Next week, we’ll move on the Ardennes Classics and other eyecatching one-day races as well as ask whether any of the current generation of stellar stars can complete the career grand slam by winning all five Monuments.

The Cycling Podcast is supported by Supersapiens and Science in Sport

Supersapiens is a continuous glucose monitoring system that helps you make the right fuelling choices. See supersapiens.com

For 25% off all your SiS products, go to scienceinsport.com and enter the code SISCP25 at the checkout.

This episode is also supported by Beer52, who are offering ten free craft beers (that’s two more than usual) for just the price of postage if you order before December 17. Go to beer52.com/cycle