CASTELLI Cycling Podcast

• PAUL MAGNIER, Part 2 | Inside the Flamme Rouge, Sprint Craft, Marginal Gains & Pro Workwear

  In part two of our conversation with French powerhouse Paul Magnier of Soudal–Quick-Step — one of the brightest young stars in professional cycling — we dive deep into the art of sprinting.Paul pulls back the curtain on the final 1,000 meters: how to read chaos, trust the lead-out, and time the winning move.We dig into aero gains — from wind-tunnel insights and bar-width experiments to 56×11 gearing and 105–110 rpm cadence — and why he practices seated accelerations at 800–1,000 watts. He also unpacks the Wolfpack mentality that trades pressure for confidence.Paul shares how he mentally reset after a heavy crash, what separates good from great sprinters, and his race-day routine. Plus: his go-to Castelli kit — the Sanremo S8 speed suit, Perfetto, Gabba, and Gavia jackets for rough weather — and why Castelli’s no-logo Pro Shop pieces have become a peloton secret.If you’re chasing faster finishes in crits or road races, you’ll love Paul’s practical sprint training cues and energy-saving tactics.🎧 Listen now to get smarter — and faster!CHAPTERS0:00 — Intro2:21 — Big goals: Monuments, Worlds & green jersey3:30 — Finding rider type with the coach4:19 — Handling pressure when the team backs you5:20 — Wolfpack culture: confidence over pressure7:18 — Resetting after crash & Omloop near-miss13:12 — Inside a sprint: feel vs pain; favorite race kit14:31 — Aero gains: position, wind tunnel & bar width tests16:20 — Full aero system & no-logo Pro Shop gear19:06 — Recon & visualizing the last 3 km22:16 — Race-day routine & playlist23:16 — Training to sprint: torque, short efforts, seated kicks25:26 — Five-minute power & saving energy to the line28:24 — Stage-race survival: fueling, grupetto, recovery29:28 — Gearing & cadence: 56×11 today, 58T tomorrow?30:12 — Marginal gains vs mental load; knowing your body34:09 — Cold-weather kit essentials & layering38:18 — Cooking, bus food & home life41:05 — Paddle board, jet-ski dreams & Grenoble roots44:00 — Outro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• PAUL MAGNIER, Part 1 | The Rise of the French Powerhouse

  Strap in — because today’s episode is an absolute sprint-finish thriller!We’re joined by one of the most exciting young riders in world cycling: Paul Magnier of Soudal–Quick-Step — a 21-year-old French powerhouse already rewriting what’s possible in the pro peloton.In just two seasons, Magnier has exploded to the top tier of world cycling with 24 victories, making him statistically the most successful rider of his generation, ahead of Evenepoel, Pogačar, van der Poel, and Sagan at the same age.Fresh off five straight wins at the Tour of Guangxi and a breakout year featuring 19 victories, a podium at Omloop, and his first Giro d’Italia, Paul sits down with us to reveal:- How he stays calm in the chaos of 70km/h bunch sprints- The mental toughness needed to perform under WorldTour pressure- Lead-out strategy secrets and Wolfpack sprint dynamics- Life as cycling’s next superstar — and staying humble along the way- Off-season life in Grenoble, MTB roots & why the Gabba is a winter essentialWhether you're a sprinter chasing speed, a cycling fan hungry for behind-the-scenes insight, or just fascinated by the next generation shaking up the sport—this episode is packed with firepower.If you’re obsessed with sprint finishes, race psychology, or want actionable tips to get faster, this episode is packed with firepower for you.🎧 Plus: this is Part 1 of a two-episode deep-dive—next week we go all-in on sprint technique, training, gym work, and how YOU can become faster!Hit follow, leave a rating, and join the Castelli community!– LINKS –Podcast episode with Paul ahead of the 2025 season:⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠CONNECT ⁠⁠Paul Magnier Instagram⁠CHAPTERS00:00 – Intro 04:33 – 2025 wrap: 19 wins & GT debut 05:42 – China recap: team bonding 06:23 – Race load: 90 days, 11,685 km 07:06 – 24 wins by 21; Wolfpack support 08:15 – From WC XC bronze medal to Soudal Quick-Step 12:58 – Quick-fire 10 questions 15:11 – Sprint mindset: instinct vs plan 17:18 – Lead-out roles 19:08 – Sprint power & Merlier comparison 20:05 – Fighting for the wheel & positioning 21:03 – Building the perfect lead-out; inside the Flamme Rouge 25:01 – Training lead-outs: races vs camps; staying calm 29:07 – Reading rival trains 30:44 – Final 200 m: speed, aero, seated sprint 34:47 – Strength work: in-season gym & velocity focus 38:20 – Life off the bike: friends, balance, humility 40:48 – The French wave: peers & momentum 42:15 – Role-model mindset & clean racing 43:46 – Home life: Grenoble → Nice; travel perks & weather 48:38 – Big goals: Monuments, Worlds, Tour green 50:13 – OutroCredits: Play Sports Network / Eurosport, GettyImages Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• PAUL MAGNIER ep.1 | The Rise of the French Powerhouse

  Strap in — because today’s episode is an absolute sprint-finish thriller!We’re joined by one of the most exciting young riders in world cycling: Paul Magnier of Soudal–Quick-Step — a 21-year-old French powerhouse already rewriting what’s possible in the pro peloton.In just two seasons, Magnier has exploded to the top tier of world cycling with 24 victories, making him statistically the most successful rider of his generation, ahead of Evenepoel, Pogačar, van der Poel, and Sagan at the same age.Fresh off five straight wins at the Tour of Guangxi and a breakout year featuring 19 victories, a podium at Omloop, and his first Giro d’Italia, Paul sits down with us to reveal:- How he stays calm in the chaos of 70km/h bunch sprints- The mental toughness needed to perform under WorldTour pressure- Lead-out strategy secrets and Wolfpack sprint dynamics- Life as cycling’s next superstar — and staying humble along the way- Off-season life in Grenoble, MTB roots & why the Gabba is a winter essentialWhether you're a sprinter chasing speed, a cycling fan hungry for behind-the-scenes insight, or just fascinated by the next generation shaking up the sport—this episode is packed with firepower.If you’re obsessed with sprint finishes, race psychology, or want actionable tips to get faster, this episode is packed with firepower for you.🎧 Plus: this is Part 1 of a two-episode deep-dive—next week we go all-in on sprint technique, training, gym work, and how YOU can become faster!Hit follow, leave a rating, and join the Castelli community!CHAPTERS00:00 – Intro01:45 – 2025 snapshot04:51 – Guangxi, High-Five, and season wrap06:26 – Race load and rise, 24 wins in only two seasons08:27 – From MTB to WorldTour; Wolfpack confidence10:32 – Off-season reset and home base13:02 – Quick-fire: 1700W, favorite kit, dream wins15:25 – Sprint craft: instinct, lead-outs, launch at 200 m24:45 – Race reps, staying calm, reading rival trains31:21 – Aero at 70+ km/h; Merlier mentorship; strength work38:30 – Staying grounded, French wave, goals and Part 250:25 – Outro– LINKS –Podcast episode with Paul ahead of the 2025 season:⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠CONNECTPaul Magnier Instagram– HOST –Søren Jensen, Global Marketing Manager at Castelli, has worked for this iconic brand since 2006. He usually rides backroads and dirt trails, testing new gear in the Italian Dolomites. If you can't find him there, check the Castelli Headquarters in Fonzaso.CONNECT ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjensen77/Credits: Play Sports Network / Eurosport, GettyImages Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• DAVIDE “Brama” BRAMATI | Inside the Team Car + Win 2026 Flanders Tickets!

  🎁 Ever dreamed of watching the Tour of Flanders up close?Here’s your chance! Simply comment on this episode (on Spotify or YouTube) with your favorite team Quick-Step rider or race moment from the past 23 years (2003–2025). See details below. EPISODE DETAILSHave you ever wondered what life is really like for a directeur sportif?Here’s your chance. Davide “Brama” Bramati—ex-pro and longtime Quick-Step DS—is one of the WorldTour’s most passionate and entertaining voices.From his racing days in the ‘90s and 2000s to becoming one of Quick-Step’s longest-serving directeurs sportifs, Brama opens the doors to life inside the race car and the team bus.We dive into his transition from rider to DS, how race strategy has evolved with modern tech, the triumphs and heartbreaks of Classics and Grand Tours, and the passion that still fuels him after decades in the sport.You’ll also hear what makes the Wolfpack’s family culture so unique, how Brama handles the toughest post-race moments, and which races he’s still hungry to win.CHAPTERS00:00 Intro01:27 Brama’s career highlights05:02 Quick-fire questions: style, kit, radios & tech10:12 From rider to directeur sportif17:27 Life in the team car: pressure, emotions & family22:12 Race preparation & technology in modern cycling27:53 Tactics, breakaways & the Wolfpack mentality30:04 Dream races: Flanders, Roubaix, Liège34:51 Young riders, careers & today’s superstars42:12 Best career moments43:22 Advice for new sports directors45:26 Contest: win 2026 Flanders tickets46:34 OutroCONTEST RULESWe’ll randomly draw two winners on December 7, 2025 — each gets two (2) hospitality tickets to the 2026 Tour of Flanders Hotond Festival, including all food & drinks. Travel and accommodation are not included. Open to participants 18+. One entry per person.📅 Contest Ends: Dec 7, 2025 – 23:59 CETQuestions: [email protected] luck! LINKSBrama: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidebramati/SQShttps://www.instagram.com/soudalquickstepteam/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Polartec® AirCore™ | Inside the Future of Breathable, Sustainable Cycling Performance Gear

  Discover Polartec® AirCore™ — the revolutionary fabric that’s lightweight, breathable, PFAS-free, and made from recycled materials, designed to keep you dry from the inside out.Watch interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-EFOAr534V4As the industry’s first advanced air-permeable laminate, AirCore™ combines stretch, windproofing, and water repellency with nanofiber technology that actively vents sweat without sacrificing protection from the elements.In this episode, Ramesh Kesh, Senior Vice President at Milliken & Company and Business Manager at Polartec, joins Steve Smith, Castelli Brand Manager, to share how this breakthrough came to life, and why it could redefine winter cycling gear for years to come.Together, they unpack the science, the challenges, and why Castelli’s new winter collection — launching September 9, 2025 — marks a turning point in performance cycling apparel. From lab testing to real-world rides, discover why AirCore™ is set to become the new benchmark in cycling performance.– LINKS –Castelliwww.castelli-cycling.com/polartec-aircorehttps://www.castelli-cycling.com/II/en/custom/full Polartec®:www.polartec.com/fabrics/weather-protection/aircore– GUESTS –Ramesh Keshhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/rameshkeshSteve Smith⁠www.instagram.com/smittystuff/⁠CHAPTERS00:00 Intro03:56 Quick-Fire Round07:16 Why New Fabric Was Needed13:26 Engineering Breathability19:41 Inside the AirCore™ Fabric25:20 How Movement Activates Performance28:03 Removing PFAS chemicals, 30:33 Real-World Performance33:26 Breathability & Numbers37:50 Waterproofness & Water Column Explained40:04 Soudal Quick-Step41:27 Product Collection45:52 Sustainability & The Future49:03 AirCore Setting a New Standard52:11 Looking Ahead52:54 Sum up AirCore53:36 Outro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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