Sigma Sports Podcast Archive

Episodes 51 - 60

This decade of podcasts features a series of special episodes including an AJ Bell Women's Tour Special, a party atmosphere at the live episode from Rouleur Live (sort of), and a special celebratory 50th episode special (which is actually Episode 52!). Other highlights include a meandering chat with BBC Radio 2 DJ OJ Borg, Ashleigh Moolman Pasio's passionate speech on the topic of equality in women's cycling,and Taylor Phinney advocating funemployment.

Listen to the latest episodes over on the Sigma Sports Podcast page.

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Episode fifty one - AJ Bell Women's Tour Special

Matt Stephens gets the lowdown on The AJ Bell Women's Tour with reigning champion, Trek-Segafredo’s Lizzie Deignan, Race Organiser Mick Bennett, and general manager of Drops-Le Col supported by TEMPUR, Tom Varney.

Defending champion Lizzie Deignan speaks to Matt Stephens about her iconic win at the inaugural Paris Roubaix Femmes, the buzz of riding for Trek-Segafredo with home support and the current status of her hotel biscuits. Also in this AJ Bell Women's Tour special, we hear how Race Organiser Mick Bennett manages to get the most out of his staff using a mix of good humour and motivational appreciation, while the general manager of team Drops-Le Col supported by TEMPUR, Tom Varney, explains just how important the race is for his team. Brought to you by Sigma Sports, sponsors of the Points Leader’s jersey at the AJ Bell Women’s Tour.

Listen to episode 51 below.

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Episode fifty two - 50th Episode Special! Reviewing highlights with Perry Ap Gwynedd

Perry Ap Gwynedd and Matt Stephens discuss some of their favourite moments from the first 50 episodes of the podcast.

Matt Stephens is joined by the guest that kicked off the entire series - Pendulum and Faithless guitarist Perry Ap Gwynedd - as they chat through some of their favourite moments in the first fifty episodes. With highlights from the likes of Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig, Bradley Wiggins, Justin Williams, Orla Chennaoui and Mitch Docker - there’s a mix of thought-provoking debate and a huge dash of humour too. But Matt couldn’t visit Perry’s studio without taking the opportunity to record some new theme music for this fresh batch of podcasts.

Listen to episode 52 below.

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Episode fifty three - Rouleur Live Special with Pfeiffer Georgi, Rob Hatch and Ian Cleverly

It’s a party atmosphere at possibly the best event in the cycling social calendar.

In a special episode recorded at Rouleur Live, Matt Stephens chats to the recently crowned women’s British Road Champion, Team DSM rider Pfeiffer Georgi, about the moment she realised she would take the national jersey home with her. Executive Editor at Rouleur Magazine, Ian Cleverly, drops into the green room unable to contain his excitement at the return of this special event. Matt's final guest is Rob Hatch, a cycling commentator who chats to Matt all about the buzz of seeing people with smiles on their faces again, and his Ian Curtis style coat.

Listen to the Rouleur Live Special Episode below.

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Episode fifty four - Flora Duffy

Matt Stephens chats with Flora Duffy about life-changing victories and post-race burgers.

Matt Stephens learns how quickly Flora Duffy’s life changed when she crossed the finish line of the Women’s Triathlon in first place at the Tokyo Olympics. The eerie quiet of a crowdless event helped her focus on her performance, while the wild celebrations in her native Bermuda were taking the roof off her local bar. Matt is also keen to know how Flora’s Mountain Biking skills improve her Triathlon bike handling, what her favourite post-race snack might be, and the Random Question Generator throws out an equine doozy.

Listen to episode 54 below.

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Episode fifty five - Andre Greipel

Matt Stephens chats to Andre Greipel about his decision to call time on his incredibly successful cycling career.

Matt Stephens talks to Andre Greipel about how he came to the decision to retire when the buzz of victory started to wane, and how cycling will always be a huge part of his life, whether he has a number on his back or not. Nicknamed “The Gorilla” for his immense presence and power on the bike, Greipel sprinted to victory a massive 22 times at the Grand Tours. Perhaps just like the name suggests, this gentle giant admits he has always treated others how he would like to be treated, himself. But what was his favourite ever victory? What will he get up to now he’s retired from racing? Does he have plans to visit Miniland in his hometown of Rostock? - Tune in to find out the answers to these all-important questions!

Listen to episode 55 below.

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Episode fifty six - Joe Dombrowski

Matt Stephens chats with Joe Dombrowski about the importance of having fun within the racing environment.

Matt Stephens and Joe Dombrowski talk about the culture shocks experienced by American riders living in Europe, and how he’s happy to sacrifice a little convenience for the laid back pace of life in Nice. At the time of the interview, Joe was about to sign for Team Astana and recalled his hugely successful final season with UAE-Team Emirates - featuring a stage win at the Giro d’Italia, and recalls how close he came to wearing red at the Vuelta Espana too. But when Joe remembers the time he was invited onboard Air Force One, and left with the President’s M&M’s, he concedes that it was probably the best day of his life.

Listen to episode 56 below.

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Episode fifty seven - Alex Howes

Matt Stephens chats to Alex Howes about his transition from rider to coach for Team EF Coaching.

Matt Stephens talks to Alex Howes about his new career trajectory, which includes coaching amateur riders and racing at World Tour level with EF Education-NIPPO - whether that’s on the road or at gravel events. He's got a lot of balls in the air, and Alex even juggled this podcast recording with the duty of feeding his baby. Now enjoying a mountain lifestyle in Nederland Colorado, Alex believes the world would be a better place if everyone rode a bike. But can he beat his team manager, Jonathan Vaughters in the second-ever Denver Quiz?

Listen to episode 57 below.

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Episode fifty eight - Taylor Phinney

Matt Stephens and Taylor Phinney chat about art, funemployment and fantasy dinner parties.

Matt Stephens chats to Taylor Phinney about living the dream of riding whatever kind of bike he wants to, whenever he likes. How funemployment is equipping him with newly acquired and admittedly random skills. Plus we learn about his first love of football (soccer), and how a trip to the orthodontist helped him look like his childhood hero - if only for a short while. But when the Random Question Generator leads him to the topic of modern-day heroes, it’s clear that Taylor’s heart now lies in the arts.

Listen to episode 58 below.

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Episode fifty nine - OJ Borg

Matt Stephens and OJ Borg chat radio, Lego, crisps, sleep deprivation and cycling.

Matt Stephens and OJ Borg embrace the tangents in this fun-filled meandering chat. The BBC Radio 2 DJ explains how turning vegan caused him to lose his voice, how he doesn’t just buy Lego for his kids, and how seeing Rob Hayles naked really caught him off guard. In the Leicester quiz, OJ displays sound logical reasoning, while the Random Question Generator goes all ‘Desert Island Discs’ but without the discs. There’s time for some cycling chat too - with OJ recently completing Mallorca 312, he admits he gets real clarity of thought while riding his bike.

Listen to episode 59 below.

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Episode sixty - Ashleigh Moolman Pasio

Matt Stephens and Ashleigh Moolman Pasio discuss the role of cycling in her life, and how it has the potential to offer opportunities to all women.

Matt Stephens chats to Ashleigh Moolman Pasio about her wonderful career so far, and how the multiple National Road Race and Time Trial champion of South Africa took to ESports like a fish to water - winning the 2020 UCI Cycling ESports World Championship. She speaks passionately about training and racing on Zwift, and how the platform is great for building confidence in women getting into cycling. The SD Worx rider looks forward to the season ahead with an eye on making the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift a real highlight.

Listen to episode 60 below.

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