As you might expect this podcast solely focuses on the Coronavirus and its effect on professional cycling.

 We’re going to hear from team bosses Jonathan Vaughters, and Matt White, as well as our European Editor Stephen Farrand, who lives in Italy, and Sophie Smith, who made it home from the UAE and is safely back in Australia.

 But we start with Stephen Farrand and we discuss the impact of Covid-19 on the Italian race scene and how teams and the Italian public at large are struggling to cope. This was recorded just a few hours after RCS announced that Strade Bianche would not take place this weekend.

Our interview with Jonathan Vaughters from EF Pro Cycling was conducted on Thursday evening but Paris-Nice was set to go ahead and EF were down to ride.

 Vaughters talks about how teams are trying to understand the quickly evolving situation and the various playbook scenarios they are having to consider when it comes to race selection, rosters and riders’ health.

 Matt White’s Mitchelton-Scott team was one of the first, if not the first, to announce that their men’s and women’s teams would be halting all racing with immediate effect. That as before Strade Bianche was canceled. In this interview White talks about the wellbeing of his riders, and the logistical stresses put on a team. He uses the example of the recent developments at the UAE Tour as an example.

 Finally, we hear from Australian journalist Sophie Smith on the dramatic twists that took place at the UAE Tour last week. Some teams and riders are still stuck in the UAE and will be there until mid-March but the situation for around 72 hours was fraught and tense, to say the least. In this interview with Smith, we take you through how the situation unfolded.

 

To subscribe to the Cyclingnews podcast, click here. 

Our latest competition gives you the chance to win one of two musettes. We have one from Katusha Alpecin that’s stuffed with goodies and kit from last year, while we also have a similar prize for BMC Racing fans. Can you tell we’ve recently moved offices and need to clear some space?

 All you have to do to win these fantastic prizes is head to our Itunes page, give us a review and post your top three kits for 2020 (men’s or women’s). We’ll announce the winners in the next couple of weeks. 

This podcast was brought to you by Sportful and Floyds of Leadville.

 

Sponsor message

Born in the Italian Dolomites, Sportful has been making athletes faster, more efficient and better protected since 1972

Official apparel supplier to Bora-Hansgrohe. 

The same Pro Issue apparel, which includes our BodyFit Pro and Fiandre lines, worn by Peter Sagan is available to purchase by all cyclists. 

BodyFit Pro; a form fitting design with a focus on enhanced aerodynamics was created specifically for the rigors of pro bike racing. 

Our versatile Fiandre line uses proprietary technology to keep you dry and comfortable in inclement, variable weather conditions. 

Sportful leads the market with innovative and technical apparel so you can experience those unforgettable moments, your very best days on a bike. 

For more details visit sportful.com

Follow the ride on instagram @sportful