The 2025 Tour de France is right around the corner, the largest race in cycling all year. Mike Levy, Andrew Hood, and Jim Cotton get together on the Velo Podcast to break down the key stages of the 112th Tour de France – including one with over 18,000 feet (5500 m) of climbing. They dig into the history of the stages relevant to this year, the key contenders and teams to know, and a whole lot more.
In addition to this Tour de France preview, stay tuned for a daily Tour de France stage recap podcast to come on the Velo Podcast feed, as well as our coverage of the latest and greatest around the Tour.
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52:33
Shimano's First Wireless 1X Gravel Drivetrain Ridden & BMC's Revamped Teammachine SLR Goes Even Lighter
Shimano's *mostly* new GRX Di2 12-speed group is the Japanese giant's
first single-ring drivetrain for gravel, and it borrows tech from the
mountain bike world to make it happen.
Senior tech editor Alvin Holbrook has unboxed, installed, and ridden GRX Di2, and this week's episode sees the crew dive into his early impressions on shift speed, gear range, and how it compares to SRAM's wireless offerings.
BMC had also just released a new, lighter and even more climbing-focused Teammachine SLR ahead of the Tour de France, while Orbea launched the revamped Terra Race gravel bike. We've ridden both bikes and Josh, Alvin, and Levy break down how they perform and who they best suit.
For your consideration:
First Ride: The Orbea Terra Race Is an Aero Road Bike in Gravel Disguise
Classified Can Now Be Controlled Directly by Shimano Di2 Shifters
First Look: The Canyon Endurace AllRoad Checks All the Boxes For Under $1,500
First Ride: Shimano GRX Di2 1x Is the Fastest-Shifting Wireless Gravel Drivetrain I’ve Used
S-Works Torch Remco Is Uber Light and Ultra Expensive
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1:12:49
TRP's New Vistar Drivetrain Tested, the UCI's Weird Tech Clampdown Explained, & Fresh 13-Speed SRAM Groups
TRP's new Vistar drivetrain combines a 12-speed cassette with a
Classified internally geared hub to give you the benefits of a front
derailleur without the hassle and complication, but does it work in the
real world? Senior Tech Editor Josh Ross has spent months using it and
explains the benefits, drawbacks, and how the hybrid 1X system compares to a traditional drivetrain.
Josh has also been riding the new SRAM Force and Rival drivetrains that aim to bring the performance of Red down to a lower price point; he describes the differences between each group and tells Levy why Force is the answer. Cervelo also just released their Aspero-5 gravel race bike that trades tire
clearance and comfort for pure aero-focused speed, which is the opposite approach that we're seeing with most new designs.
Alvin has been testing the fresh Aspero and explains why this new "gravel bike" might be the ideal all-road machine for many riders.
Lastly, the crew debates the UCI's strange new tech mandates that limit handlebar width, fork leg geometry, rim height, and aero helmets, all of which are intended to slow racers down and increase safety. But are yet more rules really the answer, and how do the UCI's decisions affect what consumers can purchase?
For your consideration:
TRP Vistar with Classified Stacks up to the Big Groupset Players, but There’s a Catch
SRAM Force AXS First Ride: RED Gets a Discount
SRAM Rival AXS XPLR First Ride: 13-Speed Gets Cheaper
First Ride: Cervelo Áspero-5 Is a Fast Gravel Bike That Might Just Replace Your Road Bike
New UCI Gear Rules Incoming: Rim Height Limits, Minimum Bar Widths, and a Tech Fraud Crackdown
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1:10:56
Unbound 200 Winner Cam Jones on 200g of Carbs per Hour & His Unusual Tire Choices
New Zealander Cam Jones talks to Mike Levy about escaping early with an eager partner, how they built an 8-minute gap on the field, and the importance of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. They also get into the time Cam lived in a U-Haul truck while racing in America, his lifelong love of good adventures, and how he plans to tackle the Leadville Trail 100.
For your consideration:
Power Analysis: The Watts Behind the Fastest Ever Unbound Gravel 200
Unbound Bike Check: Elite Men’s 200 Winner Cameron Jones’ Scott Addict Gravel
Unbound Gravel 200 Men’s Results: Kiwi Cameron Jones Kicks Late for the Win
Unbound Is the New Launch Pad to a Pro Career
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1:01:58
Chaos in the Unbound Pits, All of the Prototype Road Bikes, and New Gravel Suspension Tested
Unbound gave us some incredible racing and smashed previous course records, but it wasn't without controversy. With higher speeds, larger fields, and more competition than ever before, the Unbound pit zones were hectic and dangerous, especially with pros and amateurs alike taking a free-for-all approach. Should Unbound add more rules to keep racers safe, or should they move to a fully unsupported format without pit zones?
Alvin, Josh, and Levy also dig into all the new prototypes, including the unreleased Cervelo, something that sure looks like a new Specialized Diverge, and Factor's wild-looking aero machine that takes its DNA from their track bike. Alvin has also been riding DT Swiss' new F132 ONE gravel suspension fork and it sounds like he's a believer.
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