We genuinely love bike tech, and that’s where we devote our writing efforts. That also means we don’t really have the time to go deep into the intricacies of professional racing – even behind the scenes for the Classics that we actually would be interested in.
So it’s nice when someone else digs in and shares the stories. Not just who won, or even how their race strategy played out. But what it’s like to stand on the side of the road amongst the other local fans. And even to talk with a former top pro who’s been inside the peloton on those same roads. That’s what Rapha’s new Race Radio project is about – and we are looking forward to following along.
Rapha Race Radio, unconventional cycling coverage
For the bulk of the professional racing season, I probably couldn’t care less about who pipped who for the sprint finish in some Spanish square in a town I’ve never heard of, or whether one XC racer edged out another after a marathon of laps around a nondescript forest. I just don’t have the time to follow along and stay interested in the full cast of pro players. But I’ve met a number of great & genuinely interesting cyclists over the years, on the road, CX circuit, trail, and even downhill track. And I’ve ridden roads and courses of some of the most iconic competitions across Europe. And when those come around each year my interest is piqued.
That’s where Rapha Race Radio is hopefully going to come in and satisfy my itch.
They are sending a crew out to the best and most interesting races to get the Classics vibe and leave the standing around on the cutting room floor. They’ll “follow the professional
sport in the most unprofessional way possible” to share with their followers what the beauty of pro cycling is really like. The idea is to deliver roadside cycling coverage with the fans, and in the end pull in expert commentary from Classics legend Juan Antonio Flecha to share what the races are really like.
It’s always hard to not get too excited, because sight unseen I don’t really know how well it will work out. But I’m interested and optimistic. And I’m looking forward to their Race Radio project kicking off this weekend with the first of the northern cobbled Classics at the Tour of Flanders – Ronde van Vlaanderen, while I’ll be off spending Easter with my family.
As Rapha Race Radio producer Harry Dowdney puts it, “We’ve got a campervan, a
cameraman, and a direct line to Eurosport’s Juan Antonio Flecha. What could go wrong?”
Coverage starts this weekend with around 20 episodes mapped out through the end of the race season. Follow along on their RRR YouTube channel.
Tentative Rapha Race Radio schedule
FLANDERS – episode 01
ROUBAIX – episode 02
LIÈGE – episode 03
GIRO – episodes 04, 05 &06
HAMMER – episode 07
WOMEN’S TOUR – episode 08
TOUR – episodes 09, 10 &11
TRANSCONTINENTAL – episode 12
VUELTA – episodes 13, 14 & 15
WORLDS – episode 16
RED HOOK MILANO – episode 17
LOMBARDY – episode 18
GHENT – episode 19
OFF-SEASON – episode 20
