The Gravel Paddock

From the road to the very front of the global gravel peloton. In Episode 5 of The Gravel Paddock, Antonin Liverset sits down with Nicole Frain, currently one of the most dominant forces on the European circuit.Fresh off an incredible 3-win streak in the UCI Gravel World Series (including a massive solo victory at Wörthersee) and a brutal podium finish at Monaco, Nicole gives us an unfiltered tactical debrief of her season so far.In this episode, we cover:00:00 - Intro & The Aussie Engine: The transition from Australian National Road Champion to top-tier gravel privateer.08:30 - The Perfect Season Start: The secrets behind her winning streak, the technical mistake that turned into a "tactical masterclass," and the physical toll of back-to-back racing weekends.26:14 - Women’s Peloton Dynamics: Are team tactics taking over, or is it still every privateer for themselves?33:16 - The Data Check: The reality of elite gravel physiology (it's not about 1000W sprints, it's about pushing 210W for 5 hours).36:11 - The Tech Check: Her Factor Ostro setup, the 1x 13-speed Campagnolo drivetrain, and her exact tire pressures.The Gravel Paddock takes you inside the professional peloton. Subscribe so you never miss an episode and follow us on Instagram: @TheGravelPaddockFollow Nicole's journey: @_nicolelouise_ on Instagram @Nicole Frain on Strava.And find all info about Nicole on her website www.nicolefrain.info

How do you transition from explosive 60-minute cyclocross mud fests to surviving brutal 5-hour battles at the front of the professional gravel peloton?In Episode 4 of The Gravel Paddock, we sit down with young Belgian powerhouse Julian Siemons (GVA Gold Gravel Team) for a raw, tactical reality check. Fresh off a massive performance at the Gravel Earth Series event "The Hills" in Italy, Julian drops the filter on what it actually takes to compete in the modern European gravel scene.🎙️ In this episode, we dive into:The CX Engine: How the traditional Belgian cyclocross school shapes bike handling and the breakaway mindset."The Hills" Race Debrief: A pure tactical deep dive into the decisive moments, pacing strategies, and a crazy data check: pushing 351W Normalized Power.The Tech Check: The 1x vs 2x drivetrain debate, his exact bike setup with the GVA Gold project, and tire choices.The Pro Calendar: Why the European gravel scene is getting so fast and his upcoming objectives at The Traka.⏱️ Chapter Markers:00:00 Introduction to Gravel Racing and Julian Siemons03:22 Julian's Transition from Cyclocross to Gravel05:38 Team Dynamics and Strategies in Gravel Racing08:17 Race Debrief: The Hills Race Strategy10:37 Pacing and Endurance in Long Gravel Races12:52 Technical Aspects of Gravel Racing Equipment15:11 Future Goals and Upcoming Races for Julian17:48 The Evolution of Gravel Racing and Personal Aspirations32:57 That's a wrap🏁 The race starts here.If you enjoyed this deep dive, please hit that follow button and drop a 5-star rating!📱 Follow the Paddock:Instagram: @thegravelpaddockGuest: @julian_siemons

"People say I'm a walking scar... but I never give up."In Episode 3 of The Gravel Paddock, we sit down with Elite gravel racer and Pro cross-country skier Annabel Fisher. After a dominant start to the season, a horrific crash at the Leadville 100 changed everything. Annabel drops the filter on the physical toll of breaking her hands and sternum, and the brutal reality of the gravel industry when an athlete gets sidelined.But this isn't just a comeback story. We dive into her radical decision to move to 2000m of altitude in the Swiss Alps full-time, the intense logistics of balancing an Elite gravel calendar with a Pro XC Skiing career (targeting the Team GB FIS squad), and why she absolutely doesn't care about cycling power data during a race.No fluff. No filter. The race starts here. 🏁⏱️ Episode Chapters:00:00 - Cold Open & Intro01:49 - The Brutal Leadville 100 Crash & Recovery10:06 - The Industry Reality: Being Sidelined as a Pro14:49 - Engine Building: The 2000m Altitude Life in Engadin 🇨🇭20:35 - The Dual-Sport Pro: Transitioning from Skis to Gravel 🎿🚲25:25 - Team GB Ambitions & The 2029 World Championships28:22 - Tech Check: Ski Wax Geeks vs. Anti-Data Cycling Setup32:46 - 2026 Race Schedule & Closing Words📱 Follow The Inside Line:Follow Annabel Fisher on Instagram & on StravaJoin the Paddock on Instagram: @TheGravelPaddockHosted by Antonin Liverset: antoninliverset.comIf you enjoyed this deep dive, please leave a 5-star rating and subscribe to the show!

How do you secure a Top 5 at the brutal Valley of Tears with almost zero training and a bad knee?In Episode 2 of The Gravel Paddock, we sit down with Gravel & Road pro racer Simon Pellaud. We debrief his chaotic start to the 2026 season, diving into the reality of high-altitude winter prep in Colombia and the extreme survival tactics required for the Transcordilleras.Beyond the racing, Simon opens up about the "Privateer Shift", the massive logistical, and mental transition of managing his own global racing program after years in a traditional team structure.No fluff. No filter. The race starts here. 🏁⏱️ Episode Chapters:00:00 Introduction & Welcoming Simon Pellaud02:12 Transitioning from Road to Gravel Racing07:10 Becoming a Privateer: The Shift in Racing Dynamics08:03 2026 Goals and Challenges Ahead11:18 Training in Colombia: The High Altitude Advantage15:22 Adapting to New Equipment and Injury Management18:51 Race Debrief: Transcordilleras Experience23:19 Injury Treatment27:18 Valley of Tears and Mid South Gravel Insights34:21 The Tech Check38:32 Managing Travel as a Privateer41:16 Mental and Physical Preparation for Upcoming Races43:24 Conclusion44:42 Outro📱 Follow The Inside Line:Follow Simon Pellaud on Instagram & Strava: @simonpellaudJoin the Paddock on Instagram: @TheGravelPaddockIf you enjoyed this deep dive, please leave a 5-star rating and subscribe to the show!

Debrief of a brutal European gravel season opener with Gustave Orain.We dive into the reality of moving to the Elite ranks, the mud fest at Santa Vall, and the high-speed battles of Castellón UCI. Expect raw tactics, the truth about the privateer life, and a nerdy "Tech Check" covering mud tires, drivetrains, and tire pressures.No fluff. No filter. The race starts here. 🏁