Michael Storer is a Grand tour stage winner, and Matteo Bono joins the Zwift Cycling Central Podcast

August 26, 2024·43 min·3 clips

Michael Storer reveals he didn't expect to win his first Grand Tour stage, calling it a 'really difficult' victory.

This episode of the Zwift Cycling Central Podcast focuses on Michael Storer's stage win at the Vuelta a España and features analysis from former professional rider Matteo Bono. Hosts Dave and Chris are joined by Bono, a veteran of 12 Grand Tours, who now lives in Australia. The conversation centers on dissecting Stage 7 of the Vuelta, where Australian rider Michael Storer secured his first Grand Tour victory. They examine the tactical decisions within the breakaway, particularly focusing on Pavel Sivakov's performance. The hosts and Bono review key moments using race footage and play audio clips from Storer, his DSM teammate Romain Bardet, and Sivakov himself. Sivakov admitted he "got a bit too carried away" and made tactical errors after dropping his chain, which Storer attacked following. Matteo Bono analyzes the crash and withdrawal of veteran rider Alejandro Valverde, describing him as "probably the most respected rider in the world." The discussion covers the general classification, with Primoz Roglic unexpectedly retaining the red jersey, and speculates on team leadership at Bahrain Victorious between Jack Haig and Mikel Landa. Bono offers a rider's perspective, comparing the difficulty of the Vuelta to the Giro d'Italia, stating the Vuelta is harder because you "never have a quiet day." He shares an anecdote about rooming with a 19-year-old Tadej Pogačar at a UAE Team Emirates training camp, noting the young rider was "flying" without any specific training. The tone is conversational, enthusiastic, and informed by insider experience from a former pro. The style blends race analysis with personal anecdotes and lighthearted banter between the hosts and guest. This episode is ideal for cycling fans seeking detailed post-stage analysis and behind-the-scenes insights from a professional rider's perspective. Listeners less interested in granular tactical breakdowns of a specific Vuelta stage might find the content too niche.

As heard by us

A brisk stage debrief that keeps the tactics clear.

The episode opens with Michael Storer's result, then settles into a tight tactics discussion around Matteo Bono and Pavel Sivakov. The panel keeps circling back to the same moment: Sivakov feeling strong, dropping his chain, Storer attacking, and whether Sivakov showed too much…

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Why you'd press play

Want a sharp read on a stage decided by one chain slip and one tactical miss?

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