Ever wondered what life is like as a professional cyclist? Australian ex-professional cyclist Mitch Docker takes you inside the world of Professional Cycling. Bringing you the stories behind the individuals in the sport - from the pros in the peloton to staff behind the teams - to commentators & legends, plus training insights & debriefs on major races throughout the year. It’s all here! Newly retired from the professional peloton, Mitch is exploring his new pelotons - all the pelotons that exist outside of the world tour - bringing you new stories from within the cycling community. His spin off series, Talking Luft - a bit like the DVD Extras - is where cycling style & culture takes centre stage. Talking cycling caps, bikes, kit, coffee stops, training loops and all the best things about riding a bike. Listen to all episodes here weekly! Find all our episodes, merch and more at lifeinthepeloton.com
Episodes
Thursday Feb 27, 2025
Thursday Feb 27, 2025
We’re coming towards the end of February, and the road racing season is well underway. Since we last recorded together on the eve of the Tour Down Under, we’ve had a whole heap of European racing in Spain, France, and Portugal, the UAE Tour, and more! Southam and Durbo join me once again to dissect the races, talk about the season ahead, and - of course - have a proper laugh in the Communi-quiz.
A highlight of the last month for me has been seeing a really dominant start to the year from the young Brit, Tom Pidcock, at Alula Tour and Ruta Del Sol, which really vindicates his move to Q36.5 over the offie. But, if we’re talking about dominance in races, we have to talk about UAE Team Emirates XRG. They have had a MONSTER start to the season, and not just from Pogi. Me and the boys talk about their insane roster that’s going to have the rest of the bunch shaking in their boots all year long.
Of course, the early season races are exciting, but they’re only building tension for the real racing to kick off this weekend. That’s right, guys, it’s almost time for my favourite races: The Spring Classics. Opening weekend is right around the corner, and we discuss the upcoming classics season, as well as make a few cheeky predictions.
Durbo’s ‘Pelo Chat’ dives right into the technical advancements in the bunch over the last few years. Skinsuits, tubeless tyres, aero positions on the road bikes, and absolutely MASSIVE chainrings. I thought I was pushing big gears with a 53 tooth chainring back in my pro days, but the 2025 Pelo has literally stepped up a gear. The bunch is getting faster and faster every year, so they need the gearing to keep up. One of Durbo’s teammates is even trying out a 58 tooth chainring on their road bike! You’ll have to listen to find out who.
Tom’s ‘Talking Tactics’ segment takes a look at the UAE Tour and some…questionable decisions from Lotto and Lennert Van Eetvelt. Riding the front to boost the TSS, doing intervals on the erg after a hard stage, seriously - what were these guys thinking? It was great to hear Tom and Luke, who were both out there, dissect their tactics in the Middle East and give the Lotto boys a fair ribbing.
Of course, it wouldn’t be The Race Communiqué without the Communi-Quiz, and it’s my turn to host. With the Welsh legend, Geraint Thomas, announcing his retirement at the end of 2025, I thought it would be a fitting send-off to have a G-themed quiz to test the boys’ knowledge on one of the most versatile racers of his generation.
This is a banger of an ep packed with some proper racing analysis, good old-fashioned tech chat, a whole heap of banter, and lots more. You’re going to love it.
The Race Communiqué is brought to you by TrainingPeaks! Track, plan, and train smarter—just like the pros. Get 20% off TrainingPeaks Premium now at www.trainingpeaks.com/partners/life-in-the-peloton/.
Cheers,
Mitch
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