The Domestiques

The episode opens with a difficult but important conversation about rider safety and the loss of Finlay Tarling at the Volta a Portugal.EF Education-EasyPost sports director Tom Southam then joins Matilda Reynolds and Mark O’Brien for a look inside the Tour de France team car: how breakaways are planned, tactics change on the road, riders manage extreme heat and fueling, and the enormous staff effort behind a Grand Tour.Tom also reflects on his journey from racing in Australia to directing at WorldTour level, before looking ahead to EF’s Vuelta ambitions.Backed by Black Sheep Cycling.

Tils and Marko are joined by Sarah Gigante for the final Tour de France Femmes debrief. They unpack Demi Vollering’s overall victory, Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney’s challenge, the teams that raced boldly, those that missed their moment, and the domestiques who shaped the race. Plus: breakaway tactics, heat preparation, Sarah’s road back and what the 2026 Tour revealed about women’s cycling.The Domestiques is proudly supported by Black Sheep Cycling and JOIN Cycling.

Demi Vollering finishes the job in Nice, winning the brutal 99.2 km Stage 9 and sealing the 2026 Tour de France Femmes. Matilda “Tils” Reynolds and Verita Stewart are joined by Sarah Gigante to unpack the final GC battle with Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney, revisit the Stage 8 controversy involving Celia Gery, and explain how the course, team tactics and Vollering's all-round strength decided the race. Tils also reports from the road after riding the Nice circuit before the team reflects on nine extraordinary stages and the riders who shaped the Tour.Powered by Black Sheep Cycling and JOIN Cycling.Use code DOMESTIQUES for 20% off Black Sheep Cycling.Train smarter with JOIN: https://join.cc/domestiques

Stage 8 has blown the Tour wide open. Demi Vollering delivers a decisive victory and takes yellow by just eight seconds—then joins us for an immediate post-race interview.Verita, Sarah and Tils unpack the move that changed the race, Kasia’s fiery post-race comments and what that tiny GC margin means before the final showdown in Nice.Note: Apologies - Matilda's video cut out halfway through.

Mont Ventoux delivered the queen-stage showdown the Tour had been building towards.Matilda Reynolds and Sarah Gigante unpack Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney’s decisive Stage 7 attack, the headwind and GC tactics that shaped the final climb, and what her victory and yellow jersey mean heading into the Nice finale.Plus, roadside colour from Verita Stewart, a Stage 8 preview, and two bonus interviews: Zwift women’s strategy director Kate Veronneau on the growth of the Tour de France Femmes, followed by former professional and rider agent Loren Rowney on talent development, team budgets and the future of women’s cycling.Powered by Black Sheep Cycling and JOIN Cycling.Use code DOMESTIQUES for 20% off Black Sheep Cycling.Train smarter with JOIN: https://join.cc/domestiques

Kim Le Court refuses to let her Tour de France Femmes slip away, producing an extraordinary comeback to win Stage 6 after a day where almost everything seemed to go against her.After being dropped, suffering a mechanical, burning matches to return to the peloton and then bridging across to the decisive break with Riejanne Markus, Le Court still had enough left to attack, chase again and somehow find one final gear in the sprint to beat Puck Pieterse and Cédrine Kerbaol.Tils, Verita and Sarah Gigante break down the countless sliding-door moments that made the victory possible, AG Insurance’s complete commitment to Le Court, the sprint decisions that shaped the finish and Elisa Longo Borghini’s puzzling tactics from the break.Then attention turns to the Queen Stage and the Tour de France Femmes debut of Mont Ventoux. With Marlen Reusser holding just 12 seconds over Demi Vollering, Kasia Niewiadoma lurking, brutal heat and crosswinds in the forecast, the race is perfectly poised for the Giant of Provence.Plus, Verita reports back after conquering L’Étape du Tour de France Femmes, riding much of the same course the professionals will face on Ventoux.The Domestiques Daily Tour de France Femmes is powered by Black Sheep and Join Cycling.Build your personalised cycling or running plan free for 30 days at join.cc/domestiques.Use code DOMESTIQUES for 20% off Black Sheep.

The Tour de France Femmes delivers a pure spring classic, with eight categorised climbs, relentless attacking and a brutal battle that tears the general classification apart.Demi Vollering finishes off a complete FDJ team performance to win the stage, while Marlen Reusser remains ice-cold under pressure and retains the yellow jersey by just 12 seconds. Kasia Niewiadoma reminds everyone why she can never be overlooked, taking third and moving onto the provisional podium.Behind them, the damage is enormous. Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, Anna van der Breggen, Kim Le Court and Elisa Longo Borghini all lose ground as the race becomes a zombie march toward the finish. Tils, Verita and Sarah Gigante unpack FDJ’s tactics, the decisive breakaway and the descending skills that separated the best riders in the race.The team also examines the shifting UAE leadership battle, Antonia Niedermaier and Isabella Holmgren’s fight for white, the strange disappearance of neutral service bottles in extreme heat, and whether the GC contenders can recover before Mont Ventoux.Plus, Sarah explains exactly what she wants to hear through the radio during a time trial, and why too much encouragement can sometimes make things worse.The Domestiques Daily Tour de France Femmes is powered by Black Sheep and Join Cycling. Build your personalised cycling or running plan free for 30 days at join.cc/domestiques. Use code DOMESTIQUES for 20% off Black Sheep.

The Domestiques is brought to you by Black Sheep and JOIN Cycling.Shop Black Sheep and use the code DOMESTIQUES for 20% off. Shop now at blacksheep.ccMarlen Reusser delivers a masterclass against the clock, winning the stage four time trial in Dijon and taking control of the yellow jersey at the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.Sarah Gigante, Matilda Reynolds and Verita Stewart break down Reusser’s extraordinary comeback story, Demi Vollering’s ominously strong ride and the damage suffered by Pauline Ferrand-Prévot and several other GC contenders.The team also examines Kasia Niewiadoma’s improving time trial, Elisa Longo Borghini’s costly mechanical, the growing leadership battle inside UAE Team ADQ and why the Tour remains wide open ahead of a brutal, classics-style stage five.Can Reusser defend yellow through the mountains? Will Vollering strike before Mont Ventoux? And could Puck Pieterse, Kim Le Court or Trek turn the next stage into an all-out raid?Explore personalised training with JOIN Cycling at join.cc/domestiques.

Sigrid Haugset delivers the ride of her life, completing an extraordinary 89-kilometre breakaway to win Stage 3 of the Tour de France Femmes and claim the yellow jersey for Uno-X.Tils, Verita and Sarah Gigante unpack how the peloton allowed the race to escape, why the GC favourites could not bring her back, and the mental resilience required to keep fighting with Lotte Kopecky closing fast behind.The team also takes aim at the limited television coverage that meant fans missed the opening kilometres and much of the day’s decisive racing. Sarah explains how the lack of live pictures can change the incentives for riders and smaller teams trying to deliver sponsor exposure.Elsewhere, the Free Blasi movement continues to grow, the UCI turns its attention to alleged “bra maxing” in time trials, and all eyes turn toward the pivotal Stage 4 individual time trial. Who has done the specific work, who could lose serious time, and can Marlen Reusser take control of the race?The Domestiques Daily Tour de France Femmes is powered by Black Sheep and Join Cycling.Build your personalised cycling or running plan free for 30 days at join.cc/domestiques.Use code DOMESTIQUES for 20% off Black Sheep.

What looked like the most straightforward sprint stage of the Tour de France Femmes nearly became anything but.Matilda Reynolds is joined by Sarah Gigante and Verita Stewart to unpack a daring late attack that forced SD Worx-Protime to empty the tank, the peloton’s attempts to call their bluff and another masterclass in positioning, patience and raw speed.The team also examines the growing pressure inside UAE Team ADQ following Brodie Chapman’s withdrawal, the riders changing their entire approach to avoid going head-to-head with the fastest sprinters, and why the smaller teams must seize every opportunity for exposure.Plus, Sarah continues to dominate the Black Sheep fantasy competition, the team previews a brutal and unpredictable Stage 3, and they discuss the possibility of early attacks, crosswinds and a breakaway finally making it to the line.The Domestiques is powered by Black Sheep and supported by JOIN Cycling. Access more than 800 adaptive workouts and training plans at join.cc/domestiques.

Lorena Wiebes is the greatest sprinter in cycling. Men’s or women’s. Period.The Tour de France Femmes opened in Switzerland with relentless heat, six crashes and a deceptively difficult uphill finish. Demi Vollering launched the first major attack, Kim Le Court delivered another brilliant performance, but neither could stop Wiebes from powering past a top ten filled with Tour winners, Ardennes champions and genuine GC contenders.Matilda Reynolds is joined by Sarah Gigante and Verita Stewart to break down Wiebes’ extraordinary victory, Vollering’s aggressive start, the early time losses for UAE, FDJ’s questionable tactics and what the opening stage revealed about the riders targeting yellow.They also discuss Sarah’s return to pain-free riding, the Tour’s incredible roadside access, the breakthrough day for French wildcard team Ma Petite Entreprise and who could challenge Wiebes when the race heads to Geneva for Stage 2.The Domestiques is powered by JOIN Cycling and Black Sheep.Build a personalised training plan around your goals and availability at join.cc/domestiques.

Enter the Black Sheep Cycling Tour de France Femmes Fantasy League and compete for $3,000 worth of cycling apparel. https://au.blacksheep.cc/pages/femmes-fantasy-league-2026The Tour de France Femmes is here, and Sarah Gigante joins Tils for the ultimate preview of the biggest race in women’s cycling.Sarah begins with an honest update on the injury that has kept her out of the Tour, the painful issues caused by the metalwork in her femur and why she is finally riding pain-free again. Then, it is time to break down all nine stages.From the frantic opening stages in Switzerland and the decisive Dijon time trial to Mont Ventoux and a brutal final showdown in Nice, the team picks the riders, breakaways and GC contenders to watch each day.Can Demi Vollering become the race’s first repeat winner? Will defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Prévot conquer Mont Ventoux? Can Marlen Reusser turn her time-trial power into yellow, or will Kim Le Court, Anna van der Breggen, Kasia Niewiadoma or rising star Paula Blasiak produce the upset?There is also peloton gossip, fantasy-team strategy, green, polka-dot and white jersey predictions, plus a look at how extreme heat, team strength and race tactics could shape the Tour.The Domestiques will be live throughout the Tour de France Femmes, breaking down every stage and taking you inside the peloton with the riders.Get 30 days free with Join Cycling at join.cc/domestiques.

Enter the Black Sheep Cycling Tour de France Femmes Fantasy League and compete for $3,000 worth of cycling apparel. https://au.blacksheep.cc/pages/femmes-fantasy-league-2026Five Tour titles at 27. Five stage victories. A record-breaking ascent of Alpe d’Huez - and one final attack through the streets of Paris.Tils and Marko wrap up a remarkable 2026 Tour de France, beginning with Tadej Pogačar’s demolition of Marco Pantani’s Alpe d’Huez record and ending with his unforgettable Montmartre showdown alongside Mathieu van der Poel.They debate whether Pogačar is now cycling’s greatest-ever athlete, why he spent the final weekend acting as Isaac del Toro’s domestique, and whether his generosity cost him even more history. There’s also Remco Evenepoel’s finish-line frustration, Richard Carapaz’s late charge, the extraordinary crowds on Alpe d’Huez and a full report card for the Tour’s biggest winners and losers - including Lidl-Trek, Jayco-AlUla and a disappointing Ineos.Plus, The Domestiques looks ahead to the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift and announces daily episodes with Sarah Gigante throughout all nine stages.Train free for 30 days with Join Cycling at join.cc/domestiques.

With the podium being reshaped by crashes and withdrawals, the Tour de France heads into a savage final stretch featuring nearly 13,000 metres of climbing across three stages.Tils and Lee break down Jasper Philipsen’s Stage 17 victory, the seven-point battle for the green jersey, Michael Matthews’ heartbreaking near miss and Lidl-Trek’s complicated pursuit of points, stages and team objectives.Then attention turns to the mountains. Stage 18 brings almost 4,000 metres of climbing, Stage 19 finishes on the legendary Alpe d’Huez, and the Queen Stage delivers more than 5,500 metres of elevation. Could Tadej Pogačar take another historic victory and challenge Marco Pantani’s long-standing Alpe d’Huez record?The team also preview the final stage into Paris, reveal their plans to bring The Domestiques to Europe and announce daily coverage of the Tour de France Femmes with a very special guest from inside the Women’s WorldTour.Join Cycling is offering Domestiques listeners 30 days free, with no credit card required. Visit join.cc/domestiques to get started.The Black Sheep powers the Domestiques and you can use the code DOMESTIQUES for 20% off at Black Sheep.The Domestiques is live throughout the Men’s and Women’s Tour de France, breaking down the stages and bringing you inside the bunch with the riders. Powered by Black Sheep.

Jonas Vingegaard was woken at 2am. Tadej Pogačar at 5am. Hours later, Vingegaard’s Tour ended with a fractured collarbone.Anti-doping testing is essential—but has cycling crossed a line? On the Tour’s second rest day, Tils, Marko and Lee unpack the overnight testing controversy and carefully separate what caused Vingegaard’s crash from what may have contributed to it. Tils and Marko also reveal the deeply personal reality of the whereabouts system, missed-test anxiety and producing a sample with someone watching.Then it’s back to the racing: Remco Evenepoel’s breakthrough road-stage victory, Pogačar riding as Isaac del Toro’s domestique, Mauro Schmid and Luke Plapp delivering for Jayco-AlUla, and the increasingly fascinating battles for the podium, white and green jerseys.Plus, predictions for the time trial, two ascents of Alpe d’Huez and the final week in Paris.The Domestiques is presented by Black Sheep Cycling at blacksheep.cc. Take 20% off with the code DOMESTIQUES.Try Join Cycling free for 30 days at join.cc/domestiques.

The final 10 kilometres of a Tour de France sprint can look like chaos. To Greg Henderson, it’s a puzzle, and one he still wants to solve.The former Grand Tour stage winner and one of the most respected lead-out riders of his generation joins Tils and Lee to dissect the Tour’s sprint stages. Greg explains what Olav Kooij got wrong, why Tim Merlier keeps finding a way to win, and how the disappearance of specialist sprint directors is leaving some of the world’s fastest riders without a proper plan.They also get into questionable relegations, the speed and danger of modern racing, why today’s sprinters need to hit more than 70km/h, and what it takes to come back after a serious crash.Plus: is Tadej Pogačar already the greatest of all time? Do Lance Armstrong’s seven Tours still count? And Greg shares three practical sessions for anyone wanting to become a faster, and hopefully better-looking sprinter.The Domestiques is presented by Black Sheep Cycling and supported by Join Cycling. Try Join Cycling free for 30 days by heading to https://join.cc/domestiques

Join Cycling has joined The Domestiques alongside Black Sheep Cycling. Join is an adaptive cycling coaching platform that builds a training plan around your goal, available time and real life. Miss a session, ride longer than planned or need to move things around, and the program adjusts with you. Listeners can try it free for 30 days at join.cc/domestiques, with no credit card required.The Tour reaches its first rest day, but there is no shortage of talking points. Isaac del Toro continues to look completely at home on cycling’s biggest stage, while Tadej Pogačar and UAE keep everyone guessing with tactics that suggest they are ready to take control of the race.Chris Hamilton joins Tils and Marko to unpack the brutal heat, Tim Merlier’s extraordinary sprint speed, Mads Pedersen’s relentless pursuit of green, the rise of Biniam Girmay, and what is really happening inside the bunch. Plus, the team previews a savage Bastille Day stage that could ignite the GC battle all over again.The Domestiques is powered by Black Sheep Cycling and Join Cycling.

The Tour de France has delivered its first decisive mountain showdown, and Tadej Pogačar has wasted no time putting the race on notice.The crew breaks down UAE’s Tourmalet demolition, Pogačar’s fearless 107km/h descent and the huge time he gained on Jonas Vingegaard. Is the Tour already over, or is there still enough road left for the race to turn?They also unpack Remco Evenepoel’s public frustration with Florian Lipowitz, the emerging battle for the white jersey, Olaf Kooij’s chaotic sprint victory and why Mads Pedersen may be perfectly placed to take green all the way to Paris.Plus, the heartbreak of crashing out in yellow, the UCI’s latest questionable rulings and a look ahead to two sprint stages before Sunday’s breakaway battle.The Domestiques is live throughout the Men’s and Women’s Tour de France, breaking down the stages and bringing you inside the bunch with the riders. Powered by Black Sheep.

A Norwegian in yellow. A Dane winning the stage. And Lidl-Trek putting on a tactical masterclass.Matilda Reynolds is joined by Mark O’Brien to break down a brutal opening week of the Tour de France, where the heat, the climbs and the relentless racing have already started to take their toll. We unpack Mads Pedersen’s brilliant breakaway win, Uno-X’s dream day in yellow with Torstein Træen, the suffering of the sprinters, and what UAE’s control of the race says about the battles still to come.They also look ahead to the first true sprint showdown, debate whether Jasper Philipsen, Tim Merlier or Biniam Girmay has the edge, and preview the coming Tourmalet stage as the GC contenders prepare for their first major mountain test.

The Tour de France is here, and it has wasted no time reminding everyone why it is the biggest race in cycling.This week on The Domestiques, Tils, Marko and Hollywood break down the opening stages of the Tour, from the Barcelona team time trial and Visma’s early masterclass, to Pogacar’s ominous start, Del Toro’s rise, Remco’s pressure, the first breakaway chances, and the brutal heat already shaping the race. The first week has barely started, but the GC picture is already shifting.They are joined by EF Education-EasyPost’s Harry Sweeny, who gives a brutally honest update on the toughest stretch of his career. After a flying start to the year at Tour Down Under, Harry looked set for a huge European season before illness, knee pain, surgery, chicken pox at altitude, a mystery nerve issue, and a second operation wiped out months of racing.Harry talks through the physical and mental toll, life in Monaco, switching off from cycling, rebuilding from a CTL of 28, staying locked in with EF, and why the Vuelta could still be on the cards.Plus: Hollywood’s Tour kit verdict, Marko’s Hellride downfall, heat training, AI in cycling, sprinters, GC predictions, and the usual amount of abuse between mates.The Tour is on. The heat is up. And the Sween Dog is rebuilding.

This week on The Domestiques, Tils, Marko and Hollywood are joined by Harry Leask, Olympic silver medallist for Great Britain, former America’s Cup cyclor with INEOS Britannia, and current Beach Road weapon making Saturday mornings miserable for anyone brave enough to sit on.Harry takes us inside one of the strangest and most brutal roles in elite sport: powering a high-speed sailing boat from inside a tiny, boiling carbon box, where four riders are locked together, producing massive watts with no control over when the next effort is coming. From rowing at the Tokyo Olympics, to training alongside the INEOS Grenadiers, to discovering Melbourne cycling culture via the Hellride and the Queensmen, Harry’s story is as ridiculous as it is impressive.The crew also previews the opening stages of the Tour de France, including the Barcelona team time trial, the first GC flashpoints, the stages to watch, and why the opening weekend could already cause serious damage. There’s also European nationals chat, special edition Tour kits, Fashion Corner, running injuries, and the usual amount of unnecessary abuse between friends.The Tour is here. Sleep deprivation begins now.

The Tour de France is almost here, and the final exams have been handed in. This week on The Domestiques, Tils returns from a wrong turn at Devil’s Cardigan, Marko is back from Thailand with tendonitis and a double IPA, and Hollywood delivers one of his firmest fashion rulings yet: socks over leg warmers. No debate.The crew break down Tadej Pogacar’s ominous Tour de Suisse performance, where he didn’t just win, he looked like he was running testing protocols on the rest of the peloton. They also dive into a brilliant women’s Tour de Suisse, Marlen Reusser’s return to form, Elise Chabbey’s aggression, Tali Appleton’s WorldTour stage race result, and the terrifying crash that left Eriska Zigart with a broken jaw.Closer to home, there’s Devil’s Cardigan, gravel racing, Tils’ elite-category farewell, and the sudden arrival of Harry Leesk as a legitimate wattage monster after going toe-to-toe with Brendan “Trekky” Johnston. Plus, Marko explains whether gravel training is really different to road training, Lorenzo Finn announces himself again at the Baby Giro, and the boys hand out their Best Rider on Ground.

Luke Tuckwell joins us after a life-changing weekend. After an incredible week at the Critérium du Dauphiné, the young Australian stunned the cycling world with a breakthrough GC performance, spending time in yellow and finishing second overall against some of the sport's brightest young stars.This week, Tils, Hollywood and Marko break down Tuckwell's ride, what it means for Australian cycling, and whether he's done enough to force his way into a Tour de France selection.We also preview the Tour de Suisse, discuss Isaac Del Toro's frightening form, debate Remco Evenepoel's reported 425-watt FTP, and look at the latest action from the women's peloton and Copenhagen Sprint. And yes, we spend far too much time talking about yellow bibs.Presented by Black Sheep CyclingUse code DOMESTIQUES for 20% off Black Sheep's cycling and running range.

This week on The Domestiques, we’re joined by Australian WorldTour rider Josie Talbot for a chaotic, insightful and occasionally internet-challenged conversation from Girona.We break down a wild Giro d’Italia Women, from Lorena Wiebes’ bike-weight disqualification to Demi Vollering’s final-stage heist, Anna van der Breggen’s heartbreak, Elisa Longo Borghini’s home victory, and the continued rise of Antonia Niedermaier, Celia Gery and Lauren Dickson.Josie gives us a rare look inside the women’s peloton, including her shift from sprint-focused rider to climbing domestique, life at Jayco AlUla, the rising level of women’s racing, safety in the bunch, Tour de France selection, Worlds ambitions, time trialling, altitude camps, and why doing a job for someone else is still an art form.Plus, Hollywood reviews Sydney, Marco wins Bendigo, Luke Tuckwell gets a shoutout, Talia Appleton takes a win, and we ask the big questions: is erg mode good, is Melbourne better than Sydney, and can we crowdfund Josie better internet?

The Giro wraps, the Giro Women kicks off in chaos, and somehow a gel wrapper becomes the biggest villain in cycling. Tils, Hollywood and Marko unpack Jonas Vingegaard’s dominant three weeks, Jai Hindley’s huge podium, Aussie climbing depth, Lorena Wiebes’ brutal 20-gram disqualification, Elisa Balsamo in pink, and the gravel carnage from Australian Nationals and Unbound. Marko pleads his “could’ve, should’ve, would’ve” case after a mechanical nightmare, Trekkie goes massive at Unbound, and the crew launch a new coaching segment on surviving winter training without becoming a full-time Zwift gremlin. Also, Tils learns the hard way that “are you single?” can mean something very different in a bunch ride.

The crew is back together and, somehow, still talking about gravel. This week on The Domestiques, Tils, Marko and Hollywood unpack the latest Giro drama, from breakaway chaos and motorbike controversy to Jai Hindley’s podium chances, Jonas Vingegaard’s control, and whether the final week can save the race.They also dive into the huge Tour Down Under announcement, with the men’s and women’s races set to share the same course, same distance and same day in 2027, asking whether it is genuine progress, logistical madness, or a bit of both.Plus, Marko previews his Gravel Nationals title defence, the Women’s Giro gets a proper look-in, Connor Wright keeps cooking in Europe, the Enhanced Games gets exactly the respect it deserves, and Hollywood continues his crusade against gravel, subtlety, and basic podcast structure.

Two pods. One gravel circus. A whole lot of pea gravel carnage. This week, The Domestiques joins forces with Roadside Podcast and host Jethro Gammie-Nagle to unpack everything from Seven Gravel Race in Nannup, Western Australia. With the event acting as a full-blown dress rehearsal for the UCI Gravel World Championships in October, Matilda Reynolds and Mark O’Brien take us inside their elite races, from Tils chopping off with Tiffany Cromwell and Maria Laurie, to Marko trying to crush souls one climb at a time. There’s race breakdowns, tyre chat, collarbone counts, Netflix-level course coverage, kangaroo dodging, questionable podium-kit rules, and a look ahead to what the Europeans are really in for when Worlds hits proper Australian gravel. Plus, the crew dives into the Giro, Jai Hindley, Ben O’Connor, Luke Plapp causing absolute chaos in Hungary, and the upcoming women’s racing calendar.A collaboration pod. A gravel therapy session. A warning shot for October.Give the boys a follow at Roadside Cycling Podcast on Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/roadside-cycling-podcast/id1592269751), Spotify, (https://open.spotify.com/show/4Tx2Rm4TrY09wNVzGdxem3), YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@Roadsidecycling), and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/roadsidecyclingpodcast/)A special thank you to Patrick Boere Photography (https://www.instagram.com/patrickboerephoto/) and Daniela Tommasi Photography (https://www.instagram.com/daniela_tommasi_photography/) for supplying the amazing imagery from Seven for this week's Podcast and YouTube artwork

This week on The Domestiques, Matilda Reynolds and Hollywood are joined by one of Australia’s most exciting young cycling prospects, Luke Tuckwell. From growing up in Orange, New South Wales, to wearing pink at the Baby Giro, signing with Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, and finishing sixth at the Tour de Romandie just one second behind Luke Plapp, Luke’s rise has been ridiculous in the best possible way. The crew dives into his rapid progression, life inside one of the biggest teams in world cycling, racing alongside the likes of Roglič, Hindley and Evenepoel, and what it feels like when Pogačar attacks and you realise you are, in fact, very human.There’s also Giro chaos, Vuelta Femenina brilliance, Tour Down Under rumours, Andorra versus Girona, cycling caps, white bibs, The Wiggles, and the Simon Clarke DM that changed Luke’s life.

This week on The Domestiques, we take it off Beach Road and into the dirt with Brendan “Trekky” Johnston, one of Australia’s leading gravel riders and a regular at the pointy end of the Lifetime Grand Prix in the US.Trekky talks through the brutal mix of racing that defines modern gravel, from Sea Otter and Levi’s GranFondo to the madness of Unbound, where equipment, fuelling, tactics and luck all seem to matter at the same time. He also shares the story behind his ride across Australia for Tour de Cure, his own experience with cancer, and why that challenge became bigger than the record attempt itself.With Seven Gravel and the UCI Gravel World Championships coming to Nannup, the team dive into tyre choice, race prep, nutrition, aid stations, and why WA gravel might finally give Worlds a proper gravel test.

Fresh from the Ardennes, Australian pro Jack Haig joins The Domestiques to take us inside one of the wildest weeks of racing on the calendar. Now in new colours with INEOS Grenadiers, Jack chats through the move from Bahrain Victorious, his role inside the team, the slightly chaotic kit situation, and what life actually looks like between Amstel, Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège.Then it’s deep into the racing. From Kevin Vauquelin’s mechanical at Flèche, to the madness of Liège, UAE’s absurd chase, Tadej Pogačar’s alien-level attack on La Redoute, Paul Seixas announcing himself to the world, and Remco doing very Remco things, Jack gives us the kind of detail you only get from inside the bunch.There’s also Giro chat, Geraint Thomas updates, white shorts discourse, Jack’s new life as content king, and a reminder that professional cycling is, apparently, just six hours of being violently motorpaced until your soul leaves your body.

A quick hit with the OGs, and somehow it still spirals.Gravel’s having a moment, Hollywood’s avoiding it at all costs, and Marco’s deep in the trenches chasing form ahead of Seven. From Beechworth to Macedon, Hell Ride to airport loops, it’s a full spectrum of cycling chaos. On the pro side, Amstel Gold delivers mixed emotions, breakout rides, and a reminder that Demi doesn’t always win the sprint. Remco’s back doing Remco things, Jorgensen hits the deck, and the Ardennes ramp up with Flèche Wallonne and Liège on deck.Plus: Aussie injuries, retirements, contract chaos, and a few takes that might get us cancelled. Short, sharp, and slightly unhinged.

Fresh off one of the wildest Classics weekends of the year, The Domestiques return with a blockbuster episode featuring one of the most compelling riders in the sport right now, Kim Le Court-Pienaar.From the chaos of Roubaix to the heartbreak and brutality of Flanders, the crew unpack it all before diving deep into Kim’s story, a journey that spans continents, setbacks, self-doubt, and ultimately, history. As the first African rider to win a Monument and a stage winner at the Tour de France Femmes, Kim opens up on the reality behind the results. Plus a brutally honest look at team dynamics, domestique life, and why women’s racing still isn’t getting the coverage it deserves.

Milano–San Remo delivered exactly what it always promises… and somehow still surprised.From a brutal, slow-burning build to one of the most chaotic and thrilling final 30km we’ve seen in years, this was cycling at its absolute peak. Crashes, comebacks, and a finish that came down to centimetres. The kind of race that reminds you why this sport hits different.We break down:Pog’s unreal recovery and what it means for his legacyThe tactical moments that decided the raceWhether Pidcock let one slipThe chaos, crashes, and courage in the women’s raceWhy Lotte Kopecky’s win might be bigger than it looksPlus:Pro Velo Super League wrapBig performances from the next wave of Aussie talentAnd yes… Hollywood’s still whingingChloe Hosking was meant to join us to unpack what’s going on at Cycling Australia, but internet issues had other ideas. We’ll bring that conversation to you in a special follow-up episode later this week.

The Domestiques are back off the Peaks high and straight into a massive week of racing. We cover Grafton to Inverell, the latest from the ProVelo Super League, Paris-Nice, Tirreno-Adriatico, Trofeo Binda, and a full preview of Milan-San Remo. The crew break down Finlay Walsh’s huge win, Pat Eddy’s response in Inverell, Isaac del Toro’s rise, Van der Poel’s form, Vingegaard’s strange fashion choice in the freezing rain, and who could shake up the first Monument of the season. Plus, Rhino Keith gets a well-earned shout, Hollywood unpacks life after Peaks, and Tils cops questions about her date.

The crew finally unpack the much-hyped Post Peaks Challenge debrief. Tils, Hollywood and Marko relive the full chaos of the day, from freezing descents and fog on Hotham to missed groups, music failures, pain caves and the push for sub-8 glory. Spoiler alert: Marko, Tils and Hollywood DOMINATED. There’s plenty of laughs, a few near-disasters, some very honest suffering, and a proper appreciation for what makes Peaks one of the most special days on the bike. They also touch on Strade Bianche, the ProVelo scene, and the big stories that came out of a huge weekend of racing.

In this episode of The Domestiques, Tills, Hollywood and Marko unpack a huge Warny weekend - from Hollywood’s gritty on-road survival story (nutrition chaos, puncture drama and a borrowed bike rescue) to Matilda’s tough crash update and a no-holds-barred breakdown of how the men’s race tactics unfolded. The crew also recaps an exciting women’s edition, reacts to Omloop and Kuurne in Europe, and looks ahead to Strade and Peaks with form, weather and race-winning calls.

Warny week is here and this episode is stacked. We break down the headlines from the UAE Tour, where Isaac del Toro impressed, Luke Plapp climbed with confidence, and plenty of questions were raised, before diving into the chaos and GC shake-up from the ProVelo round in Tasmania ahead of the Melbourne to Warrnambool Classic. To close, we sit down with Maeve Plouffe for an honest chat about Europe, burnout, rediscovering joy on the bike, and her renewed focus on the track as a home World Cup approaches.

We've got a bit on this week. Peaks Challenge is almost here and the nerves are real. This week the crew dives deep into pacing Tawonga, surviving Hotham, fuelling like your life depends on it, and why the race is often won in the valleys, not on the climbs. Over in Tassie, the ProVelo Super League Tour of Tasmania is shaping up as one of the most open editions in years. With key names absent, the hilltop finish at Poatina could reveal the next breakout climber. In the Middle East, Jayco go on a UCI points raid, Luke Plapp takes a big step forward against Adam Yates, and UAE Tour looms with Remco, Del Toro, and a stacked Aussie contingent ready to test early season form. On the women’s side, Demi Vollering returns with intent, while the classics conversation is already heating up.Sp6W5iQKO5rTa25O1hIH

The crew are back with a deep dive into training, and racing for Peak Challenge. Marko maps out a very real plan to go very fast for a very long time, and Tills slowly realises just how cooked a sub-8 hour Peaks can be. There’s serious talk on climbs, watts, group dynamics and strategy. if you’re training for Peaks, thinking about Peaks, or just want to feel better about your own climbing, this one hits close to home

The crew unpack a massive weekend of racing at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, breaking down both the women’s and men’s editions lap by lap. From Ally Wollaston’s historic back-to-back win and the growing depth of women’s racing, to a chaotic men’s finale shaped by wind, positioning, and split-second decisions, there’s no shortage of analysis. The conversation digs into team tactics, standout performances from Mackenzie Koopland, Matthew Brennan, Tobias Lund Andresen and Brady Gilmore, and the fine margins that decide races like Cadel’s. Off the road, there’s strong opinion on SBS vs Channel 7 coverage, Cyclocross Worlds, rising teams, and the future of the sport. Plus, a major update on the Powercor Melbourne to Warrnambool, confirming dates and putting an end to weeks of uncertainty.

It’s an emergency pod as the crew reconvenes to unpack the chaos and intrigue around Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race weekend. From final Tour Down Under reflections to sharp takes on ProVelo, form riders, and tactical trends, the conversation quickly turns serious with bushfires threatening the Surf Coast, Cadel’s, and even the Melbourne to Warrnambool. The team dives deep into what route changes, postponements, and uncertainty mean for riders, teams, and momentum across the Australian summer. Expect informed analysis, strong opinions on the women’s and men’s races, bold podium picks, and the usual mix of insider knowledge, gallows humour, and passionate bike chat.

Fresh off the Tour Down Under, we sit down with Brodie Chapman for a wide ranging and honest conversation about life inside the women’s WorldTour. From dissecting UAE Team ADQ’s tactics on the Corkscrew to breaking down what really went wrong in the final stage, Peta gives rare insight into decision making under pressure. We dive into her move to UAE, the reality of being a domestique at the highest level, the arms race of equipment and aero gains, and her evolution into one of the world’s best time trialists. It’s reflective, analytical, and refreshingly human, a proper look at how elite racing actually works when the heart rate is at 190 and the margins are razor thin.

Live from the Trackhouse after Stage 1 of the Tour Down Under, we sit down with newly crowned Australian National Road Champion Pat Eddy for his first-ever podcast appearance. Fresh from pulling on the green and gold, Pat talks through the chaos and chess match of Nationals, the reality of life after a WorldTour contract, and what it feels like to go from sleepless nights to national champion in a matter of days. We dig into his role in the Australian team on Stage 1, the noise around his win, the road ahead with Team Brennan, and why this week in Adelaide feels like more than just another race. Raw, honest, and still buzzing, this is Pat Eddy in the thick of it.

We relive Stage 3 of the 2026 Women’s Tour Down Under, where defending champion Noemi Rüegg made history by outsprinting a trio from UAE Team ADQ on the punishing Corkscrew Road to take both the stage and overall victory for a second year in a row, fending off sustained attacks and tactical chess on the final climbs. Matilda and Hollywood unpack how the GC battle unfolded after Ally Wollaston’s fast start to the race in Stages 1 and 2, the impact of going up the infamous 'punchy' Corkscrew Climb twice, and Rüegg’s calm, aggressive response to pressure that ultimately sealed her repeat triumph in Adelaide’s brutal heat.The Domestiques is live at the Black Sheep and Focus 'Trackhouse', and is supported by Aid Station.

Our first live episode of The Domestiques, recorded straight from the Trackhouse during Stage 1 of the Santos Women’s Tour Down Under. With the race still fresh, we unpack the opening day chaos, the sprint finish, early GC signals, and what it all means heading into stage two and three. Joined live by Peta Mullins, we dig into the state of women’s racing, life on the WorldTour circuit, gravel, crits, commentary, and why the TDU still matters more than ever. Crowd noise. Hot takes. No edits. No filter.

Former TDU winner Sarah Gigante joins Tils to break down the World Tour start list, the stages and who will take home the Orche Jersey! This is a deep dive into the first world tour race of the 2026 season!

The dust has barely settled in Perth and there is a lot to unpack. The Domestiques break down everything that went down at Road Nationals from every angle. We dig into the time trials, crit carnage, junior and U23 breakthroughs, and an elite men’s road race that has everyone arguing online. Pat Eddy’s stunning national title, Team Brennan’s masterclass, Jayco’s tactical dilemma, and why Luke Plapp probably does not deserve the pile on he has received.Add in on the ground insights from inside the bunch, behind the commentary mic, and from the couch, plus plenty of laughs, heat-induced suffering, and honest takes on what actually decided the race. Road Nationals done. Summer of cycling is officially underway.

In this episode of The Domestiques, Tills, Marko and Hollywood fire the starter’s gun on the Summer of Cycling with a full-blooded preview of the Australian Road National Championships in Perth.From time trial showdowns to crit chaos and road race tactics, the boys break down every key race across juniors, under 23s and elites. We cover Plapp vs Vine, Jayco’s numbers game, breakaway maths, dark horses, fashion critiques, heat fears, and the realities of racing Nationals versus watching it from the couch. If you are racing, watching, or yelling at the TV this week, this is your essential Nationals primer.Powered by Aid Station and Black Sheep.

Sometimes the best stories come wrapped in chaos. Fair warning. The internet and audio were very average on this one. The conversation still cuts through. From the elusive AIS development program to the heart of the WorldTour, Simon Clarke has lived just about every version of professional cycling. Astana. Orica GreenEDGE. Cannondale–Drapac. EF Pro Cycling. Qhubeka–NextHash. Israel–Premier Tech. Few riders can say they have seen the sport change from the inside as many times as he has. Marko, Tils and Hollywood unpack a career defined by resilience, adaptability, and surviving at the highest level for over a decade. Thank you for the support this year on The Domestiques. Ride safe. Check out the Trackhouse by Black Sheep Cycling and Focus Bikes at the TDU.

We recap Australia’s second-biggest Grand Tour, the Tour of Bright, with special guest Talia Appleton, breaking down the racing, the mix of young guns and seasoned pros on show, and what it all means heading into a massive summer of cycling.Plus, we dig into what INEOS Grenadiers are really building and yes, we confirm the rumour mill is very much true.Get involved in the first race of the 2026 WorldTour with Black Sheep at The Trackhouse. 16 - 25 January. Learn more at https://trackhouse.blacksheep.cc/