WTF UCI?! Handlebar Rage, Tuckwell Magic & Tour Squad Chaos
This week on The Wheelhouse, the UCI dropped a rulebook bomb—and we’re here to pick through the debris. From banned handlebars to gear limits and a crackdown on bike tech, riders are fuming and we’re asking… WTF, UCI?!
But it’s not all outrage. There’s also an Aussie lighting up the Giro Next Gen, a Tour de Suisse GC shake-up, and who will make the cut for July’s Tour de France.
🔧 UCI Rule Meltdown – Minimum handlebar widths, gear restrictions, fork limits, and tech bans.
🗣️ Reaction from riders: Amanda Spratt, Fisher-Black, van Dijk and fit experts fire back.
🇦🇺 Luke Tuckwell goes big at the U23 Giro – three days in pink, finishes 2nd overall.
🇨🇭 Tour de Suisse Recap – Almeida wins, Ben O’Connor stays steady, UAE looking stacked.
📋 Tour de France squad – Will UAE have too many cooks in the kitchen?
George Hincapie rejoins the Pro Tour – well, kinda.
Hit play, grab a handlebar that actually fits, and let’s unpack the week that was in pro cycling.
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Harper’s Heroics, Dauphine form & Wollaston Wins Big
Kate, Henk, Joel and Merckxy are in the bunker this week with lots to chat about.
Giro d’Italia Drama
🇦🇺 Chris Harper’s epic queen-stage victory at Sestriere
Simon Yates wins overall with a classic team move
UAE Team Emirates’ costly tactical errors.
Critérium du Dauphiné Insights
Remco Evenepoel dominates Stage 4 time trial.
Early stage victory and vulnerabilities for Tadej Pogačar.
Ben O’Connor gears up for the upcoming Tour de Suisse.
Women’s Racing Round-up
Ally Wollaston clinches Tour of Britain Women in thrilling fashion.
Cat Ferguson emerges as breakout talent
Women aren’t small men
Your essential cycling update—sharp, insightful, and action-packed!
Buckle up for an explosive final-week recap of the 2025 Giro d’Italia on The Wheelhouse Podcast!
Katey, Henk and Merckxy dive into all the juicy drama and thrilling racing from Italy:
🌧️ Stage 16 Chaos: Brutal weather sparks crashes—Roglič bows out in agony.
🚑 Bee Attack! Juan Ayuso’s bizarre abandonment mid-stage.
🇨🇦 Derek Gee’s Rise: Canada’s dark horse gallops to 4th overall—can he hit the podium?
🚀 Lidl-Trek Domination: Pedersen and team dominate sprints and climbs alike.
📢 Brisbane’s Bridge Battle: Cyclist protest halted—what’s next for safer cycling infrastructure?
🚴♀️ Women’s Vuelta a Burgos Féminas: Marlen Reusser sweeps all before her.
And don’t miss Henk’s insider scoop on mid-stage Giro deals—revealing the dodgy negotiations that decided the maglia rosa behind closed doors!
We also pay tribute to beloved Belgian rider Ludo Dierckxsens, whose legendary late-start career inspired us all.
It’s controversy, triumph, tragedy—and cycling chat at its finest.
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"Goats, Grit, and Grand Tours"
Join Kate Bates, Henk Vogels, and Merckxy for a wild ride through cycling's most entertaining and dramatic moments!
Aussie highlights at Giro d'Italia 2025, including Lucas Plapp and Kaden Groves, plus Jai Hindley's crash.
Ayuso, Del Toro, Yates and McNulty - Team UAE Emirates have four in the top ten - too many cooks in the kitchen?
Can Roglic find a way to the Maglia Rosa with a reduced team?
Chaotic animal pitch invasions: goats, rally squirrels, bears, dolphins, and even black cats.
Women's Vuelta recap featuring Demi Vollering as the MVP
Marianne Vos's strategic brilliance.
Inspirational bike-packing journey from Ireland to Australia by Fergal Guihen.
Debate over an Aussie city's billion-dollar bike lane refurbishment.
Buckle up—this episode is packed with insights, laughs, and unexpected twists!
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Hell of the North, Heaven for Fans: Paris-Roubaix 2025
Get ready for chaos, cobbles, crashes and cycling history! In this week’s episode of The Wheelhouse, we break down the epic men’s and women’s 2025 Paris-Roubaix. From Mathieu van der Poel’s three-peat domination to Pauline Ferrand-Prévot’s fairy-tale French victory, this year’s Hell of the North dished out drama in spades.
We dive into:
Van der Poel VS Pogačar: the battle, the crash, the bidon(!)
PFP’s emotional win and Vos the perfect teammate
Slippery cobbles, brutal crashes, and wild equipment choices
The heartbreak (sorry, Kopecky)
Why Paris-Roubaix 2025 will go down as one of the most unforgettable in history
The Herald Sun Tour is back!
Whether you’re a die-hard Roubaix fan or new to the pavé party, this recap has it all—analysis, banter, and behind-the-scenes gems. Hit play and relive the carnage, courage and cobbled glory with us.
About The Wheelhouse Cycling Podcast with Kate and Joel
Cycling content that is easily digestible and mostly factual.... Hosted by Olympian and World Champion Cyclist Katherine Bates and Sports Journalist, TV and Radio Host Joel Spreadborough - their light hearted approach, combined with their expertise, brings an entertaining take on what’s going on in the world of cycling.
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