Beyond the Peloton Podcast
by Spencer Martin
Cycling writer Spencer Martin breaks down the why and how of the professional cycling race. Subscribe to learn what happened, how it happened, and why it happened in an attempt to glean a deeper understanding of the sport. beyondthepeloton.substack.com
Episodes
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Will Tadej Pogačar Be Back to His Best in 2027?
Spencer Martin, author of the Beyond the Peloton newsletter, and co-host Andrew Vontz discuss the latest transfer rumors, dig into the beef between rival Kansas City Chiefs superfans, and break down a recent New York Times profile of Tadej Pogačar’s recovery from his Vuelta a España crash…
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Are Climbing Bikes Worth It in the Aero Era?
Spencer Martin, author of the Beyond the Peloton newsletter, and co-host Andrew Vontz review the 2027 Tour de France route, debate the merits of climbing bikes, and discuss their plans to take over the budding sprint gravel scene in 2027. Follow Andrew’s path to beating cancer here BTP…
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Picnic PostNL’s Troubles Intensify & Team USA Flops at Track Worlds
Spencer Martin, author of the Beyond the Peloton newsletter, and co-host Andrew Vontz discuss allegations of a toxic workplace at the Picnic–PostNL team, Team USA’s flop at the track World Championships, and whether 2027 will be Paul Seixas's year. Follow Andrew’s path to beating cancer here BTP...
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Did Ciccone Get Robbed?
Spencer Martin, author of the Beyond the Peloton newsletter, and co-host Andrew Vontz discuss the final major race of the 2026 season, Il Lombardia, the upcoming gravel calendar, whether Giulio Ciccone got robbed at European Champs, and, most importantly, how to dress when meeting a former...
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Can Rapha Be Saved?
On this week’s BTP Podcast, co-host Andrew Vontz and I welcome Riding With’s Jonathan Kaplan on the show to go over a few lingering thoughts from the 2026 World Championships in Montreal and turn to a major question hanging over the industry right now: what exactly is going on at Rapha? The brand...
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Does Brandon McNulty’s Worlds Win Mean the USA Is Now a Cycling Powerhouse?
Spencer Martin, author of the Beyond the Peloton newsletter, and co-host Andrew Vontz break down Brandon McNulty’s incredible and unexpected win at the 2026 World Championships in Montreal, how the race was won by an underdog USA team, and what it means for McNulty’s place on his UAE team and US...
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Is This Finally Wout's Time? | World Championships Road Race Preview
Spencer Martin, author of the Beyond the Peloton newsletter, and co-host Andrew Vontz discuss the upcoming World Championships in Montreal, how the race will play out, and who will claim the undefended rainbow jersey with Tadej Pogačar sidelined by injuries from the Vuelta. Follow Andrew’s path…
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Is Sepp Kuss an All-Time Great American Rider?
Spencer Martin, author of the Beyond the Peloton newsletter, and co-host Andrew Vontz debate whether MTB & CX have a “problem,” Sepp Kuss’ impressive final weekend in the Vuelta, and the controversy around the USA Men’s team selections for the World Championships next weekend in Montreal. Follow...
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Is Matthew Brennan Cycling’s Next Big Star?
Spencer Martin, author of the Beyond the Peloton newsletter, and co-host Andrew Vontz discuss Enric Mas’ chances of winning the ongoing Vuelta a España, what to make of Matthew Brennan’s breakout performance at this race, and Wout van Aert’s return to form. Follow Andrew’s path to beating cancer...
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How Does Uno-X Keep Winning Grand Tour Stages?
Spencer Martin, author of the Beyond the Peloton newsletter, and co-host Andrew Vontz discuss the action at the ongoing Vuelta a España, including Enric Mas’ incredible ride to chase down Tadej Pogačar, and Uno-X’s incredible hit rate with stage wins at Grand Tours. Follow Andrew’s path to…
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Quinn Simmons Dropped at Leadville & Tadej Pogačar Looks for Revenge at La Vuelta
Spencer Martin, author of the Beyond the Peloton newsletter, and co-host Andrew Vontz give their thoughts on Quinn Simmons’ performance at the 2026 Leadville 100 MTB race and discuss the upcoming Vuelta a España, which sees Tadej Pogačar return to the scene of his first career Grand Tour in an...
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Our 2026 Tour de France Wrap-Up
Spencer Martin, author of the Beyond the Peloton newsletter, and co-host Andrew Vontz give their belated final thoughts on the 2026 Tour de France, including Tadej Pogačar’s record ascent of Alpe d’Huez, what the sport needs to change about the iconic climb, their personal highlights from the…
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TDF Week 3 Check-In: Is Sleep Deprivation to Blame for Jonas Vingegaard's Crash?
Spencer Martin, author of the Beyond the Peloton newsletter, and co-host Andrew Vontz discuss the final week of the Tour de France, including Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard’s midnight anti-doping tests, Vingegaard crashing out of the race, and if Remco Evenepoel can hold on to second place...
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Tour de France Week 2 Check In: What is UAE Doing?
Spencer Martin, author of the Beyond the Peloton newsletter, and co-host Andrew Vontz discuss the second week of the Tour de France, including what to make of Tadej Pogačar and UAE’s decision to pace hard on non-GC days, and how to interpret the GC picture behind them. Follow Andrew’s path to...
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TDF 2026: Is This Tour Already Over?
Spencer Martin, author of the Beyond the Peloton newsletter, and co-host Andrew Vontz discuss the opening few stages of the Tour de France, including Tadej Pogačar and UAE’s early dominance, and how his GC rivals can hope to challenge him. Follow Andrew’s path to beating cancer here BTP…
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Tour de France 2026 Preview: Can Anyone Challenge Tadej Pogačar?
The Tour de France is the biggest race on the calendar, so my co-host, Andrew Vontz, and I called in reinforcements by sitting down with Jonathan Kaplan of the Riding With newsletter to break down the route, storylines, and the race's dynamics. Even if it is looking like yet another race where...
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Have Tadej Pogačar & UAE Killed Cycling?
Spencer Martin and Andrew Vontz discuss Tadej Pogačar’s blowout win at the recent Tour de Suisse, wonder whether anyone can challenge him at the Tour de France, or whether he and his UAE team have simply hacked cycling. They also break down the US Road National Championships, talking about Quinn...
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Giro Debrief & Unbound Looks Miserable
Spencer Martin and Andrew Vontz discuss Spencer’s trip to Ruben Van Gucht and Tom Boonen’s Wattage Festival in Belgium, before breaking down the Giro d’Italia and giving their unfiltered thoughts on Unbound Gravel, and why Keegan Swenson gave Mads Würtz his wheel. Follow Andrew’s path to beating...
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Giro d'Italia Week 3 Check-In
Spencer Martin and Andrew Vontz discuss the third week of the Giro d’Italia and chat about the upcoming Unbound Gravel event, and how far things have come from the early Dan Hughes-dominated days. Follow Andrew’s path to beating cancer here BTP Newsletter: Get Daily Giro Breakdowns...
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Is the Giro d'Italia Broken?
Spencer Martin and Andrew Vontz discuss and debate whether the Giro d’Italia is still a top-tier race or due for a revamp, and break down who will win and what they expect to happen over the final week. They also go through the evolution of gravel racing and whether the discipline has drifted too...
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Giro d'Italia Week 1 Check-In: Vingegaard's GC Fight Already Tougher Than Expected
Spencer Martin and Andrew Vontz discuss the ongoing Giro d’Italia, debating whether the race has successfully designed an interesting modern course and, most importantly, whether it is providing a safe racing environment for the riders and teams. They also discuss the GC situation thus far, and...
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Who Will Win the 2026 Giro d'Italia?
Spencer Martin and co-host Andrew Vontz welcome on Riding With’s Jonathan Kaplan to discuss the upcoming Giro d’Italia, including who they expect to win, if anyone can stop Jonas Vingegaard, where the race will be won and which stages will be worth tuning in for. Follow Andrew’s path to beating...
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Is AI Cycling's Next Marginal Gain?
Spencer Martin and co-host Andrew Vontz discuss Tadej Pogačar’s incredible ride to beat Paul Seixas at Sunday’s Liège-Bastogne-Liège, and wonder if the nineteen-year-old Frenchman will eventually crack the code to defeating Pogačar. They break down the Ineos-Netcompany partnership, and wonder if…
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Is Paul Seixas the Next Pogačar?
Spencer Martin and co-host Andrew Vontz, who recently shared news about his shocking cancer diagnosis, discuss Remco Evenepoel’s win at Amstel Gold and wonder if this form will be enough to compete with the teenage sensation Paul Seixas and World Champion Tadej Pogačar at Sunday’s...
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Was Wout van Aert's Incredible Comeback Victory Over Tadej Pogačar the Best Ever Edition of Paris-Roubaix?
Spencer Martin and co-host Andrew Vontz break down Wout van Aert’s incredible victory at Sunday’s Paris-Roubaix, which saw the veteran Belgian complete an incredible comeback from a broken ankle earlier in 2026 to defeat the World Champion Tadej Pogačar in the Roubaix Velodrome, all while Mathieu...
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Clash on the Cobbles: Can Pogačar Keep His One-Day Win Streak Rolling at Paris-Roubaix?
Spencer Martin and co-host Andrew Vontz break down Sunday’s Paris-Roubaix, which will see the sport’s top star, Tadej Pogačar, attempt to win five consecutive Monuments, while Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert, Filippo Ganna, and Mads Pedersen attempt to stop him on the brutal cobblestones of...
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BTP x Choose the Hard Way: Tour of Flanders & Why Our Kids Love Riding the Wahoo Kickr Core
In a special crossover episode of Choose the Hard Way & the Beyond the Peloton Podcast, Spencer Martin and co-host Andrew Vontz break down Tadej Pogačar’s big ride at the 2026 Tour of Flanders and share why their kids love riding the trainer. See the breakdowns of the latest pro cycling races in...
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Battle Royale: Who Will Win the Tour of Flanders?
Spencer Martin and co-host Andrew Vontz break down Sunday’s Tour of Flanders, which will pit the sport’s top stars, like Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert, and Remco Evenepoel, against the seemingly unbeatable Tadej Pogačar on the cobbled Flandrien roads of Belgium. They discuss Evenepoel’s…
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Was Milan-Sanremo The Best Win of Tadej Pogačar's Career?
Spencer Martin and co-host Andrew Vontz catch up on what they’ve missed, like Tadej Pogačar’s incredible win at Milan-Sanremo, and discuss the recent racing, from Jonas Vingegaard’s dominance and Remco Evenepoel’s continued climbing struggles at the Volta Catalunya to Mathieu van der Poel’s...
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Ranking the Top 10 Greatest Cyclists Ever & Should the Tour Start in America?
Spencer Martin and co-host Andrew Vontz talk to Riding With’s Jonathan Kaplan about his ambitious project to rank the top 100 cyclists of all-time, go through their own top ten lists, and debate whether the Tour de France should start in the USA. Mid-Week Check-In: Paris-Nice & Tirreno–Adriatico...
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The Stars Finally Align: Pogačar vs. the Greatest Prospect Ever at Strade Bianche & Vingegaard vs. Ayuso at Paris-Nice
Spencer Martin and co-host Andrew Vontz discuss the upcoming weekend of racing as the season officially heats up, with Tadej Pogačar facing off against Paul Seixas on the white gravel roads of Tuscany, Jonas Vingegaard battling Juan Ayuso at Paris-Nice, and Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert...
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The Cobbled Classics Begin: Mathieu van der Poel Versus The World
Spencer Martin and co-host Andrew Vontz discuss the upcoming weekend of racing at the unofficial season opening on the Belgian cobbles with Omloop Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne, where Mathieu van der Poel will take on the field while Wout van Aert continues to struggle to get, and stay,...
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Is Superstar Dominance Making Cycling Great or Killing It?
Spencer Martin and co-host Andrew Vontz invite Jonathan Kaplan from the Riding With newsletter to discuss the recent racing, from the Isaac del Toro/Remco Evenepoel duel at the UAE Tour, the young stars emerging at Volta Algarve, and debate if the era of a select few historically good superstars...
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Breaking Down Tadej Pogačar’s Strava Power File Reveal & the Sudden Departure of Jonas Vingegaard's Coach
Spencer Martin and co-host Andrew Vontz discuss what we learned from Tadej Pogačar’s recent Strava file, which was uploaded with his full power file information included, the early-season racing, where all the top stars are, and why they aren’t racing, what is going on at Visma, as well as…
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Pogačar & Van der Poel Hit the Slopes as Rivals' Injuries Pile Up
Spencer Martin and co-host Andrew Vontz break down early-season racing, as well as discussing how early crashes to top stars like Mads Pedersen have already shaped the 2026 season, and if Tadej Pogačar and Mathieu van der Poel are taking unnecessary risks with their off-season alpine ski trips....
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Breaking Down Remco’s Hot Red Bull Start & EF’s Call for More Funding
Spencer Martin and co-host Andrew Vontz, just back from their annual team-building retreat at Pace Ranch in Tucson, Arizona, discuss the 2026 season’s kickoff races, what has stood out to them, and if Remco Evenepoel’s strong start at Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe means the Belgian is on track to meet...
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Wout van Aert Injured Again, Simon Yates Retires & WorldTour Talent Hiding on Strava Leaderboards
Spencer Martin and co-host Andrew Vontz kick off the New Year by discussing Wout van Aert’s extremely unfortunate broken ankle and how it will affect his upcoming season, as well as what his Visma–Lease a Bike team can do to plug the hole left by Simon Yates’ shocking and sudden retirement…
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AYF500 2025 Announcement
Spencer Martin and co-host Andrew Vontz are joined by Riding With’s Jonathan Kaplan to break down their annual end-of-year challenge, the Abandon Your Family 500, where they ride 500 kilometers before Christmas Day. BTP Newsletter: UAE’s Performance Duo Jeroen Swart & Javier Sola on the Training...
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Bonus Episode: UAE Media Day - Tadej Pogačar on His 2026 Goals
In this bonus minisode, Tadej Pogačar speaks in front of the gathered press at UAE Team Emirates' media day in Benidorm, Spain, during his UAE team’s training camp. The featured audio includes Pogačar’s press conference, where he outlines his early-season plans and reveals key details of his...
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Remco Evenepoel Targeting the Tour, Lidl-Trek Leaves Jonathan Milan at Home & UAE Testing Roubaix Tech
Spencer Martin and co-host Andrew Vontz check in from the epicenter of pre-season training camps, Spain’s Costa Blanca, where the stars are preparing for their 2026 campaigns, releasing their race schedules, and the transfer rumors are flying. They discuss Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe’s decision to…
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Will an Easier Giro d'Italia Route Lure Jonas Vingegaard & Remco Evenepoel?
After announcing and outlining their Abandon Your Family 500 challenge, Spencer Martin and co-host Andrew Vontz discuss how the recently revealed Giro d’Italia route could lure top stars to the race, debate who will win in a potential matchup between Isaac del Toro, Remco Evenepoel, and Jonas...
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Matthew Riccitello on His Vuelta Breakout, Trading NBA Dreams for Cycling Stardom, Leaving IPT for a French Super Team & Taking on Tadej Pogačar
Spencer Martin and co-host Andrew Vontz sat down with Tucson local/American GC star Matthew Riccitello live at the El Tour de Tucson to discuss his breakout ride at the Vuelta a España, his development from aspiring NBA star, to novice cyclist, to finishing 5th place overall at the Vuelta in just…
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El Tour de Tucson Post-Race Thoughts
Spencer Martin and co-host Andrew Vontz report back on their experience racing at the El Tour de Tucson, which saw them race 102 miles at a scorching pace alongside George Hincapie, Sir Bradley Wiggins, Quinn Simmons, and 11,000 of their closest friends. Before they wrap, they have Steve...
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Rouleur Live Dispatch & Off-Season Rumors
In the latest episode of the Beyond the Peloton podcast, BTP newsletter author Spencer Martin and co-host Andrew Vontz check in from London’s Rouleur Live event, discuss their recent travel drama and the unfolding drama around the IPT team, and the rumor that their former sponsor, Premier Tech…
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Does Premier Tech's Sudden Withdrawal Suggest Pro Cycling is Heading for a Financial Sustainability Crisis?
In the latest episode of the Beyond the Peloton podcast, BTP newsletter author Spencer Martin and co-host Andrew Vontz discuss Los Angeles’ rise as a global hub for off-season pro-cycling training, why Premier Tech’s sudden and shocking departure from the IPT team is happening, and what it…
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Benji Naesen on the Best & Worst of the 2025 Pro Cycling Season
In the latest episode of the Beyond the Peloton podcast, BTP newsletter author Spencer Martin and Andrew Vontz are joined by Benji Naesen of the Lanterne Rouge Cycling Podcast to dive deep into his favorite and least favorite things about the 2025 season, as well as how Benji would devise a...
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TdF 2026 Route Details, Gravel's Future & What the NBA's Gambling Scandal Could Mean for Pro Cycling
In the latest episode of the Beyond the Peloton podcast, BTP newsletter author Spencer Martin and Andrew Vontz break down the LTGP’s season finale at the weather-shortened Big Sugar event, including what the future holds for Cinderella series winner Cam Jones and the evolving landscape of gravel...
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Are Big Money Transfers Actually Worth It in Pro Cycling?
In the latest episode of the Beyond the Peloton podcast, BTP newsletter author Spencer Martin and Andrew Vontz dive into the wild mix of late-season gravel and road racing—from the Scratch Labs Café bike rack scene in North Boulder to Cam Jones shaking up Little Sugar, to how Isaac del Toro is...
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Pogačar’s Dominance Rolls On & Derek Gee Gets Sued
In the latest episode of the Beyond the Peloton podcast, Andrew Vontz and BTP newsletter author Spencer Martin break down what Tadej Pogačar’s presumed dominance in the season finale means, explore what other riders could do to stop him, and marvel at Tom Pidcock’s private jet dash from the…
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Tadej Pogačar’s Worlds Domination, Remco’s Meltdown, the Rise of Isaac del Toro & the Upcoming Galácticos Clash at Euros
In our latest episode of the Beyond the Peloton podcast, Andrew Vontz and I discuss a few major takeaways from Tadej Pogačar’s dominant World Championship win in Kigali, Rwanda, including the staggering watt numbers behind his solo attack, and the cracks apparent in Remco Evenepoel’s armor after...
About this show
Cycling writer Spencer Martin breaks down the why and how of the professional cycling race. Subscribe to learn what happened, how it happened, and why it happened in an attempt to glean a deeper understanding of the sport.
beyondthepeloton.substack.com
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Spencer Martin