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The Slow Ride: A Cycling Podcast · WideAnglePodiumNetwork

Horse Trails

·53 min·5 clips
Why did Tim bail during cycling's biggest week, and how does it mirror his chaotic racing style?
This episode of The Slow Ride Podcast breaks down the 2025 Paris-Roubaix races without co-host Tim. Hosts Matt and Spencer analyze how inexperience affected the men's race, arguing it either cost Tadej Pogačar victory or secured Mathieu van der Poel's win. They dissect Pogačar's critical cornering error and van der Poel's tactical pressure, which mentally and physically drained his rival. The hosts reference Pogačar's post-race comment about following a motorbike and overcooking a turn, leading to a crash and bike change. They note van der Poel's history of attacks through sectors like Arenberg and his record of three consecutive Roubaix wins. Matt and Spencer contrast this with Mads Pedersen's race, ruined by a poorly timed flat tire, highlighting Roubaix's notorious luck factor. A surprising insight is their reconsideration of cyclocross skills' importance at Roubaix, a point they'd previously dismissed. They find it compelling that van der Poel used his off-road expertise to make Pogačar's race harder, not just easier for himself. The discussion notes Wout van Aert's consistent but frustrating spring, with fourth-place finishes at Flanders and Roubaix. For the women's race, they praise Pauline Ferrand-Prévot's dominant victory in her first road season in seven years. They highlight her unique pedigree as a world champion in cyclocross, mountain bike, and road disciplines. An interesting moment was EF Education's Christina Borghesi sneaking away for second place while favorites like Marianne Vos and Alison Jackson hesitated, playing for the sprint. The tone is conversational and opinionated, filled with insider racing banter and personal anecdotes. Listeners who enjoy detailed, post-race analysis and playful debates about cycling tactics will love this episode. Those seeking news on industry trends or narrative storytelling might want to skip, as the focus is strictly on the weekend's racing action.

As heard by us

A cycling hangout that turns race details and ride drama into a lively argument.

Episode 526 keeps Matt and Spencer sharp even without Tim, and the missing chair becomes part of the week's cycling drama. The jokes land because they keep turning bike trouble into character work: flats, slow leaks, second guessing, and that familiar gap between having the legs…

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Why you'd press play

You get Roubaix banter, Tim missing from the booth, and no polished gloss.

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