Sigma Sports Unplugged with Matt Stephens

Belgian cyclocross star Niels Vandeputte joins Matt Stephens to unpack a huge season of 40 races, breakthrough podiums, and the challenge of going head-to-head with legends like Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert. The Alpecin-Premier Tech Development Team rider shares insights into the demands of elite cyclocross racing, how training camps and setbacks shaped his form, and why consistency might be his greatest strength. They also dive into his Belgian gravel championship win, ambitions on the road, and the long-term goal of earning another coveted championship jersey - this time in cyclocross!

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Carlton Kirby chats to Matt Stephens about their first encounter in the Eurosport commentary booth together over 10 years ago. His love of cycling might have been born in a French biscuit factory, but it was in the years after that summer job that saw him DJ in Tuvalu, become a breakfast broadcaster, and have an unfortunate encounter with the world’s biggest dog. If you think Matt is tangential, just wait till you hear some of Carlton’s stories! Warm, funny, and full of behind-the-scenes detail, this episode offers a unique look at the voices behind the racing and the stories that keep fans coming back for more.

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Sports broadcaster and journalist Anders Mielke joins Matt Stephens to share his journey from junior cyclist in Denmark to one of the most exciting young voices in cycling media. Anders reflects on the moment he realised a pro career wasn’t for him, how he built a podcast from scratch, and the path that led him to the commentary booth. He also lifts the lid on creating Chasing Cobbles, his behind-the-scenes documentary with Mads Pedersen, offering a unique insight into trust, storytelling and life inside the pro peloton. And in the hometown quiz, we witness a standout performance with a uniquely Danish twist.

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Former Irish road race national champion Imogen Cotter joins Matt Stephens to discuss a cycling journey defined by grit, ambition and resilience. From funding her racing career while working as a postwoman in Belgium to winning the Irish National Championships in 2021 and signing her first professional contract, Cotter’s rise was hard-earned and rapid. But just weeks into life as a pro, a serious collision while training in Girona changed everything. In this episode, Imogen speaks candidly about recovery, early retirement, rediscovering her love for cycling, and pursuing a new path in sports journalism. A thoughtful and inspiring conversation released ahead of International Women’s Day.

Read the accompanying article on the Sigma Sports Hub:

https://www.sigmasports.com/hub/news/imogen-cotter-resilience-and-reinvention

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Swiss powerhouse Stefan Küng joins Matt Stephens from Tudor Pro Cycling’s training camp in Spain to reflect on a career built on consistency, curiosity, and quiet ambition. Küng opens up about leaving Groupama-FDJ for a new challenge, the vision behind Tudor’s project, and why the Classics success still drive him. The conversation dives into racing with instinct in an era of marginal gains, evolving nutrition and technology, and the balance between innovation and safety in modern cycling. Stefan also shares formative stories from his youth, the people who shaped his self belief, and a memorable European Championship win before taking on a somewhat unfinished hometown quiz to round it all off.

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