CASTELLI Cycling Podcast

About CASTELLI Cycling Podcast

Welcome to the Castelli Podcast — your inside access to one of cycling’s most iconic brands. Founded in Milan in 1876, Castelli has a long history of pushing the boundaries of performance, innovation and design in cycling apparel. From pioneering Lycra shorts and skinsuits to windproof membranes and aerodynamic clothing, innovation has always been at the heart of what we do. In each episode, we sit down with professional and amateur riders, engineers, designers and industry experts to explore the people, ideas and technology shaping cycling today. We talk aero gains and fabric technology, training and racing, nutrition and performance, as well as the stories and thinking behind the products we create. From road to gravel, time trial to triathlon, this is where performance, innovation and cycling culture come together. For more information, visit www.castelli-cycling.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Publisher

Castelli Cycling

Category

health & fitness · news · sports

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

4 Feb 2023

Latest episode

29 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

78 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   29 Sept 2026

   Inside Cycling’s Secret Dolomite Gravel Adventure | YOLOmites5000

   5,000 metres of climbing. 120 kilometres. Steep gravel tracks, hidden roads and one very simple idea: how much climbing can you possibly pack into the shortest ride? This time, we head deep into Alta Badia to uncover the story behind YOLOmites 5000 — one of cycling’s most unique and unofficial adventures. What started as a slightly crazy idea between Igor Tavella and Jered Gruber has become an annual pilgrimage for a small group of riders drawn to the same unlikely combination: brutal climbs, beautiful roads, good friends and absolutely no rush.The number 5,000 was chosen simply because it sounded good. The first calculation suggested it would take around 120 kilometres to reach it. Somehow, the idea stuck.In this episode, Igor and Jered take us back to the beginning of YOLOmites — from road bikes, rim brakes and 25mm tyres to modern gravel bikes, huge cassettes and mountain-bike gearing. They explain how the routes have evolved, why the ride remains deliberately small and invitation-only, and what makes the hidden roads of the Dolomites such an extraordinary playground for cycling. We talk about surviving 5,000 metres of climbing, pacing yourself, the infamous YOLO Mini, nutrition, weather, the ultimate YOLOmites bike setup, and what happens when the ride gets really, really hard. But YOLOmites was never meant to be a race. It’s about riding slowly enough to stay together. Looking up from the handlebars. Discovering roads you might otherwise never find. Laughing when things get difficult. And discovering that sometimes the hardest days on a bike can also be the most rewarding. Because there’s something about the Dolomites that makes the suffering worth it. Recorded shortly after the 10th edition in 2025. CHAPTERS 00:00 – Intro 02:58 – Random Round of Questions 14:40 – What Exactly Is YOLOmites 5000? 16:35 – The Crazy Idea That Started It All 19:13 – Discovering the Hidden Roads of the Dolomites 20:30 – Road Bikes, Rim Brakes & 25mm Tyres 23:38 – How the Bikes Changed the Ride 25:35 – Why People Keep Coming Back 26:16 – What Makes the Dolomites So Special? 29:31 – How to Survive 5,000 Metres of Climbing 32:26 – Designing the Route: 120km, 5,000m & Counting 34:51 – The YOLO Mini: The Escape Route 36:34 – Food, Lunch Stops & Fueling the Ride 40:37 – What Happens When the Ride Gets Really Hard? 44:22 – Riding, Shooting & Surviving: A Photographer's Perspective 48:02 – Why Riding Together Makes the Impossible Possible 52:18 – Who Is YOLOmites Really For? 53:17 – Why Is It Still Invitation-Only? 58:15 – How Can You Get Into YOLOmites ? 1:00:30 – The Ultimate Bike Setup 1:05:31 – What to Wear in the Dolomites in September 1:08:37 – Bags, Pockets & Carrying Everything You Need LINKS ⁠2026 Route⁠ (https://www.strava.com/routes/3533463122832349894) 2025 Route (https://www.strava.com/activities/15720999129) ⁠2025 Anniversary Video Recap⁠ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yo4TlhgKbiU)⁠ (https://strava.app.link/LcQPlM1Uo6b) Castelli Story and Gallery⁠ (https://www.castelli-cycling.com/stories/yolomites5000) ⁠Pralongià Route⁠ (https://strava.app.link/LcQPlM1Uo6b)⁠ (https://www.ustariaposta.it) Hotel Ustaria Posta (https://www.ustariaposta.it)⁠ (https://www.ustariaposta.it/it/) CONNECT ⁠Jered Gruber (https://www.instagram.com/jeredgruber/) ⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/jeredgruber/)⁠Igor Tavella⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/igortavella/) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

2. 

   31 Aug 2026

   PAUL MAGNIER | Finding Speed: Aero Testing, Lead-Outs, the Giro & the Road to 100 Wins

   We caught up with Paul Magnier at Soudal Quick-Step’s altitude camp in Tignes at the end of July to go behind the scenes of his sprinting, training and the technology helping him find another level. We talk aero testing and wind-tunnel development, the Castelli Sanremo 8S Veloce speed suit, lead-out trains, sprint positioning, gym work and explosive power, as well as the technology being developed to improve rider safety, including airbag systems. At just 22, Paul has already racked up 32 professional victories, including three Giro d’Italia stage wins, the Ciclamino jersey and a WorldTour one-day victory. But he’s not stopping there – his ambition is to reach 100 career wins and, one day, become world champion. We also look back at his breakthrough Giro experience, what it’s like going head-to-head with the fastest sprinters in the world, and how his confidence, instinct and understanding of the sprint have evolved. Because at this level, winning isn’t just about producing more watts. It’s about finding speed everywhere. You don’t want to miss this one. It’s a great conversation about speed, confidence, technology and the relentless pursuit of the perfect sprint. We hope you'll enjoy this one! TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Intro 05:21 Quick-fire: Paul Magnier on sprinting, instinct and speed 08:36 Beating some of the world’s fastest sprinters 10:00 Recon, Finding the fastest line, Race instinct vs. data 11:26 The dream lead-out: Jasper, Dries & Fabio 16:10 Building more explosive power for 2026 17:00 Box jumps, gym work and the sprint “kick” 17:59 The Giro’s special 150-year Castelli jersey 19:01 Developing Paul’s prototype sprint aero suit 22:17 Why Tim Merlier raced in "Paul’s" suit 23:14 Sprint position, handlebars and aerodynamics 25:02 The surprising science of aero fabrics 27:40 What could the future of cycling technology look like? 28:16 Inside the new cycling airbag safety project 31:15 WorldTour wins, the Classics and 100 career victories 33:33 Pure sprinter or future Classics rider? 34:57 Growing up in Grenoble, MTB 38:24 Seven hours and 5,000m of climbing… tomorrow?!? 40:00 The Sanremo 8S Veloce: built and made with pros! 41:50 Post-recording update: Paul’s race program – LINKS – Other podcast episode with Paul Magnier: Sprint Power & Classic Dreams (2024) https://podcasts.apple.com/it/podcast/castelli-cycling-podcast/id1669906821?l=en-GB&i=1000699990338 The Rise of the French Powerhouse (2025) https://podcasts.apple.com/it/podcast/castelli-cycling-podcast/id1669906821?l=en-GB&i=1000735689566 Sprint Secrets (2025) https://podcasts.apple.com/it/podcast/castelli-cycling-podcast/id1669906821?l=en-GB&i=1000736461228 CONNECT ⁠ ⁠Paul Magnier Instagram⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/paul_magnier_/) – HOST – Søren Jensen, Global Marketing Manager at Castelli, has worked for this iconic brand since 2006. He usually rides backroads and dirt trails, testing new gear in the Italian Dolomites. If you can't find him there, check the Castelli Headquarters in Fonzaso. Connect: ⁠LinkedIn⁠ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjensen77/) SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION If you want your questions to be answered on air, be sure to submit your questions by sending us a message on social media or by email to ⁠⁠podcast@castelli-cycling.com⁠⁠ Video and Photo credits: Ashley & Jered Gruber: https://www.instagram.com/jeredgruber https://www.instagram.com/ashleygruber Sam Bauget: https://www.instagram.com/sam_has_a_camera Wout Beel: https://www.instagram.com/wout.beeld Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

3. 

   30 Jul 2026

   KIM LE COURT | Winning, Crashing & the Weight of Yellow

   Kim Le Court Pienaar joins us to discuss the incredible highs and difficult setbacks that followed her breakthrough 2025 season. From winning Liège–Bastogne–Liège and becoming the first rider representing an African nation to wear the yellow jersey at the Tour de France Femmes, to recovering from a fractured wrist after a devastating spring of crashes, Kim opens up about pressure, self-doubt, resilience, and returning to the biggest race of the season with even bigger ambitions. Whether you're a cyclist, an athlete, or simply someone fascinated by resilience and high performance, this is an honest conversation about what happens after success, and what it takes to come back even stronger. – LINKS – Previous episode: Kim's Journey into Cycling – Chasing Dreams (https://podcasts.apple.com/it/podcast/castelli-cycling-podcast/id1669906821?l=en-GB&i=1000701918729) Kim's Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/kimlecourt/) CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 03:25 Catching up in Tignes before the TdFF 04:10 From promising talent to breakthrough season 07:05 Winning Liège & becoming the first African rider in yellow 10:35 Why winning is the only goal 11:50 Living with pressure, expectations & self-doubt 14:25 Representing Mauritius on the world stage 16:35 The crashes that changed everything 20:30 Recovering from injury & learning resilience 21:50 Returning to racing at the Tour de Suisse 23:50 TdFF ambitions: yellow, stages & GC 25:55 Why teamwork matters more than results 28:40 Looking beyond the Tour: World Championships & the future 31:20 Final thoughts ________ After a breakthrough 2025 season that saw her win Liège–Bastogne–Liège and become the first rider representing an African nation to wear the yellow jersey at the Tour de France Femmes, Kim Le Court Pinaar returns to the Castelli Podcast for an honest conversation about what came next. Recorded during AG Insurance–Soudal's altitude camp in Tignes, just two weeks before the Tour de France Femmes, Kim reflects on the pressure that follows success, recovering from a fractured wrist after a difficult spring of crashes, and the resilience needed to return to the sport's biggest stage. We also discuss representing Mauritius, overcoming self-doubt, the importance of the team's "Wolfpack" mentality, and why true success is about far more than results. As Kim prepares to chase yellow once again, she shares the mindset that's driving her into the biggest race of the season. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

46 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 38 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

42

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

85

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