Life in the Peloton, presented by MAAP

Mitch Docker
  • 4.9 (63)
  • Wilderness
  • Updated Weekly

Ever wondered what life is like as a professional cyclist? Australian ex-professional cyclist Mitch Docker takes you inside the world of Professional Cycling. Bringing you the stories behind the individuals in the sport - from the pros in the peloton to staff behind the teams - to commentators & legends, plus training insights & debriefs on major races throughout the year. It’s all here! Newly retired from the professional peloton, Mitch is exploring his new pelotons - all the pelotons that exist outside of the world tour - bringing you new stories from within the cycling community. His spin off series, Talking Luft - a bit like the DVD Extras - is where cycling style & culture takes centre stage. Talking cycling caps, bikes, kit, coffee stops, training loops and all the best things about riding a bike. Listen to all episodes here weekly! Find all our episodes, merch and more at lifeinthepeloton.com

  1. Something’s Cooking In France: Life In The Peloton’s Race Radio presented by SHOKZ

    1d ago

    Something’s Cooking In France: Life In The Peloton’s Race Radio presented by SHOKZ

    The Tour de France may be the biggest bike race in the world, but there’s a little-known race in the heart of the Pyrenees you might not have heard of that, in my opinion, might just be better.    That’s right, La Route d’Occitanie, formerly known as La Route du Sud, is a third-tier stage race that sees up-and-comers and the occasional legend rip around the wild, rustic mountain towns of the Pyrenees a few weeks before the big show in July. No, it’s not the biggest race in the world, but it’s one of the most honest. Nowhere to hide, no massive plaudits: just heat, suffering, and craft. A real racer’s race. Just take stage four of the 2010 edition, for example: one of the toughest days in history won by a real racer…   With this in mind, I thought it would be the perfect place to send Life In The Peloton’s Race Radio p/b SHOKZ for stage three of their year of chasing the lesser-known but deeply loved races that the most passionate of fans get behind each year.    With the mercury tipping over 40 degrees Celsius, Harry & Stu were in for a scorcher as they made their way from Saint-Paul-Cap-de-Joux to Loudenvielle. Here’s what Harry had to say about their long weekend on the Euro barbecue:   Three races into our ‘b-calendar’ for LITPRR this season, and after spending an amazing weekend at La Route d’Occitanie, I’m now totally convinced that smaller races are the best way to get out and watch bike racing live.    You get the same thrill of a hundred pros whooshing past, but none of the endless road closures and angry policemen blocking the road, none of the jostling for position with other fans to get a glimpse of a flash of a bike or fleeting set of calves. Big races make everything much harder.   At smaller races, you get the best view in the house with no effort. You’ve got a better chance of chatting to the riders before or after the race, and everyone is much less stressed. The racing is still exciting, and the roads are still just as beautiful.    I loved listening to this ep and hearing some familiar voices – my old team mate and DS on EF Pro Cycling, Matti Breschel, and Robert ‘Wagi’ Wagner, another former team mate and one of my oldest friends from my racing days.    Now, I don’t like to pump my own tyres up, but I did actually somehow manage to win a stage of this race back in 2010, the final day from Lauvar to Castres. It was great to see the old Skil Shimano kit from that year dusted off and worn by Harry himself at the roadside – it even managed to get some TV time as Davide Piganzoli ripped past to take the overall win.    Guys, enjoy this ep. The sounds, the vibes, and the atmosphere over in France at this time of year are the perfect combination to get you geed up ready for the big one in July, but don’t discount a trip across yourself next year for the Route d’Occitanie; one of the toughest races on the calendar. Only real champions win here…and me.   Cheers, Mitch   This Episode is sponsored by SHOKZ and Saily!    Get an exclusive 15% discount on Saily data plans! Use code PELOSURF at checkout.    Download the Saily app or go to https://saily.com/pelosurf   If you’re after the best sports headphones - be it for cycling, running, or even swimming - get across to SHOKZ’s website, and use the code LITP enjoy a cheeky discount for being a LITP listener. https://bit.ly/4skq7lK or use the code LITP at checkout.

    1h 4m
  2. The Dauphin… I mean the ‘Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes’ is over. The Tour de France is coming! | The Race Communqiué

    Jun 17

    The Dauphin… I mean the ‘Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes’ is over. The Tour de France is coming! | The Race Communqiué

    Life in the Peloton is proudly brought to you by MAAP   Guys, the Dauphi…I mean the ‘Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes’ has just finished, which can mean only one thing; Le Tour is just around the corner! This month’s edition of the Race Communiqué with me, EF Education Easypost DS Tom Southam, and Jayco AlUla pro rider Luke Durbridge is the perfect pod to wrap up the racing we’ve just witnessed and get you in the mood for the big one!    We kick off this month’s ep with our first listener question! That’s right, we’ve been doing this for three years and we’ve finally got our first question! Remember, drop us an email at contact@lifeinthepeloton.com with your questions and we might just feature them on the pod! The Dauphine Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes is the ultimate warm up race for the Tour de France, and it always provides a great insight into how the favourites are going, as well as giving us a bit of a sneak preview of some of the stages. With the big three - Pogi, Jonas, and Remco - all favouring altitude camps, the Dauph…..race was set to be a showdown between the young French hope Paul Seixas, UAE Emirates defector to Lidl Trek Juan Ayuso, and Pogi’s Mexican prodigy Isaac Del Toro.    Things started with a bang for Tom’s EF team with French superstar Alex Baudin taking the first stage and with it the yellow jersey, which they valiantly defended up until the final weekend. Young Aussie Luke Tuckwell put himself in the 60 rider breakaway on stage 6 and took over the lead of the race and, with Paul Seixas crashing hard on stage 7 and eventually abandoning at the start of the last day of racing, it was Tuckwell’s to lose. In the end Isaac Del Toro was just too strong and took the overall victory by just under a minute on young Luke.    At just 21 years old, this is an absolutely massive breakthrough ride for Luke. He’s out there swimming with the Dolphins in his first year pro! I was stoked to have a quick catch up with him and hear his thoughts on the race, and what this means for the rest of his summer.   Durbo’s PeloChat is one for you data nerds out there. Last year, he said Tour de Suisse was the toughest stage race he’s ever done, but this year’s Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes might just take the crown. He’s going through the TrainingPeaks data to compare the races and categorically decide which was the bigger challenge. This isn’t just about the training load, though; these races can be a real hot bed for sickness and - being so close to the Tour - if you get sick you could wreck your chances of a 3 week all expenses paid trip around France in July.   Talking Tactics time next, and Southam’s going all in for the mega break. We’ve seen it a few times already this year; first at Liege and then again at the Dauphine, and it’s starting to become a tactic that teams like EF and Uno X are banking on to bring home some big results. Full teamwork, everyone committed, reap the rewards.   Guys, this pod is an absolute banger. I absolutely love chatting to Southam and Durbo when the race season really kicks off because they’re both still out there amongst it, and their insight is just amazing. This is the kind of perspective I feel really privileged to be able to share with you all.    Roll on July!   Cheers, Mitch   The Race Communiqué is brought to you by TrainingPeaks! Track, plan, and train smarter - just like the pros. Get 20% off TrainingPeaks Premium now at trainingpeaks.com/litp

    1h 21m
  3. Dr. David Castol: Performance, Perspective, & the Modern Peloton

    Jun 10

    Dr. David Castol: Performance, Perspective, & the Modern Peloton

    Life in the Peloton is proudly brought to you by MAAP   Being a Doctor on a professional cycling team means something very different now to what it meant just a few decades ago. Nowadays, a cycling doctor is all about balancing performance with a rider’s long term health, keeping these high functioning athletic specimens fighting fit and ready for the physical and mental load of bike racing. But, it wasn’t that long ago that being a Doctor in professional cycling meant one thing; performance enhancement.   Guys, this month’s episode of Life In The Peloton is one of the most thought provoking conversations we’ve had in a while. I sat down with my old team doctor from my days on EF; Dr David Castol.   Dr. Castol has spent years working at the heart of pro cycling, helping riders navigate the demands of one of the toughest sports on the planet. But, in 2018, everything changed when David found himself on the other side of the medical system after a testicular cancer diagnosis that transformed his outlook on life and the way he practices medicine.   David and I talk about what it takes to have a long, healthy career as a sportsperson, and how to find the balance between being a high performance athlete and focusing on your long term health. Efficiency, recovery, and managing your body’s resources better to improve your performance economy are all at the centre of Dr. Castol’s philosophy, and there’s a lot to take away for pro athletes and amateurs alike.   Of course, we also dive into the real gritty questions that come with the territory of being a doctor in cycling. Is doping still present in the pro pelo? What does he think about these extraordinary performances we’re seeing more and more often in races these days? Where does the grey area of performance enhancement begin and end?   It goes without saying that your mind and your body have to work in harmony to get the most out of your athletic potential, and hearing Dr. Castol’s take on just how important mental health is for riders was really eye opening and reassuring to know that mainstream medicine is starting to focus on psychology as well as physiology.   Since I stopped racing at the end of 2021, the pro peloton is almost unrecognisable. Riders are going faster, breaking through younger, and retiring earlier; and it doesn’t look like it’s going to slow down any time soon.   I actually learnt a hell of a lot from our chat. Despite not being a professional athlete any more, there’s so many broader points about your general health that are as relevant to day-to-day life as they are to bike riding. I hope you guys enjoy this chat and learn a thing or two about your physical and mental health as a cyclist, whether you’re a pro racer or a weekend warrior.   Cheers, Mitch     This episode is sponsored by JOIN Cycling. Train smarter with adaptive plans and efficient workouts. Maximise progress, avoid overtraining, and seamlessly connect with favourite apps and devices. Perfect for cyclists of all levels.   For 30 Days JOIN Cycling FREE, head across to https://join.cc/litp

    1 hr
  4. BONUS: Back on the Bike with Sveino!

    May 29

    BONUS: Back on the Bike with Sveino!

    This is a cheeky bonus excerpt from the full episode. To listen to the whole thing — and get access to future Chronicles — become a PODIUM Member (our foundling tier) via our Substack. 👉 https://lifeinthepeloton.substack.com/about   Although we live on opposite sides of the world to one another, Sveino and I share a really deep connection. We spent years together racing, going through those gritty, hard experiences that forge the strongest friendships its possible to have; through suffering. We catch up once a month for an hour or so, and it’s something I really look forward to - even if it is just a video call.   So, when Sveino decided to make the trip Down Under, I was absolutely stoked.   That’s right, guys, this month’s episode of The Life In The Peloton Chronicles is a special one; Sveino and I are back riding bikes together for the first time in years, taking on a bit of a mini adventure over a few days. Heading out from LanVegas, we initially planned to pick up the Great Victorian Divide trail and smash out a bit of an epic…but things didn’t quite work out that way.   The thing with these epic multi-day challenges is that you have to roll out with that mindset; “I’m on a bloody mission here”...and after reuniting with Svein, all we wanted to do was enjoy the short time we had together, so we pivoted the goal and decided to pull the chord on the full Divide, and just cruise for a few days so we could actually enjoy ourselves. I’ll tell you now - bloody great call.   I packed the mics, and we decided to record our yarns on the bike and put out this mini travelogue of an episode. Heading East out of Lanny over Mount Disappointment, we made tracks for Jamieson, before heading up to Mansfield - Gerro’s hometown - and cutting back West towards home. Still a good few hundred tough ks over three days on what Sveino would call “bomber” gravel, and more than enough riding to really rinse ourselves.   Sveino’s full of amazing, philosophical thoughts. He’s in tune with himself, and I find his energy really calming when I’m around him. “Adapt until we die” was his saying of the trip, and let me tell you we had a few mishaps that meant we had to adapt along the way.   Guys, I hope you enjoy listening to Sveino and I rambling around the Victorian countryside for a few days. I love recording pods in person whenever I can, and even more so when it’s with one of my best mates who I haven’t seen face-to-face in years.   As always, thanks so much for being part of the Pelo. Your support makes these special episodes possible. You guys are pulling some epic turns, and let me tell you, there were a few points out on this trip where I could have done with a few extra wheels to sit on…   Until next month!   Cheers, Mitch

    15 min
  5. The Giro So Far… | The Race Communiqué

    May 27

    The Giro So Far… | The Race Communiqué

    Life in the Peloton is proudly brought to you by MAAP   We’re nearing the end of the Giro d’Italia, and it’s been a crazy race so far. Jonas Vingegaard’s dominating the GC, the sprint stages have been hotly contested by Magnier, Groenewegen, and Milan, and UAE are mopping up stage wins left, right, and centre. With just a few days left of the first Grandy of 2026, it’s time for this month’s Race Communiqué!    That’s right, guys, Tom Southam, Luke Durbridge, and I are sitting down for a good old yarn about what’s been happening over in Italy for the last few weeks before it all reaches a crescendo this weekend.    Whilst it’s pretty nailed on that Vingegaard will take home the pink jersey and, with it, a place in the Grand Tour triple crown hall of fame, there’s still a hotly contested fight for the podium spots and - more importantly - the best placed Western Australian, with Hindley, O’Connor, and Storer all sitting pretty in the top 10!    I raced the Giro twice in my career, and I have some fond memories from the land of espresso, prosciutto, and pretty chaotic racing. This grand tour is always a fan favourite; less mainstream than the Tour, but not as low-key as the Vuelta. But, as always, Southam disagrees; is the Giro actually boring?! He makes his case, but also takes a look at the Unibet Rose Rocket’s strategy in this month’s talking tactics. They’re all in on winning a sprint stage because, as our old DS Klier says; “You can’t dance at two weddings at the same time.”   In this month’s PeloChat, Durbo takes a look at the concussion protocol, and what needs to be changed to better serve riders. This is a real hot debate in the sport at the moment and - after seeing Adam Yates covered in blood and mud battling back into the bunch before a DNS the following stage with concussion - it’s clear that it’s coming to a head (...if you’ll excuse the pun). We discuss the current protocol, and what could be done better to give riders the support they need.   As always, we finish up with a CommuniQuiz, and Southam’s up to bat as quiz master with a real tricky Giro special edition. I reckon even Coppi, Pantani, and Nibali would have been caught out with some of these questions, so play along at home and see how you get on! Guys, it’s smoking hot over in Europe right now whilst I’m cosying up by the fire at the end of Autumn back home in Melbourne. Seeing the riders sweating away in the mountains is making me feel pretty smug - I don’t miss that one bit…but then again, a good excuse to knock the top off a few cold ones.   Cheers, Mitch   Thanks heaps for listening to this month’s Communiqué, brought to you exclusively by TrainingPeaks. Make sure you hop on TrainingPeaks virtual next Tuesday June 2nd at 8pm AEST / 11am GMT+ 1 (BST) / 6am EDT to join Southam and I for a virtual ride. Southam’s going pretty well at the moment from what I hear, so I’ll have to dive deep into the hurt box to try to get one over on him - why not jump on and give me a virtual draft? Sign up here: https://tpvirtualhub.com/77873/signup   Track, plan, and train smarter - just like the pros.   Get 20% off TrainingPeaks Premium now at trainingpeaks.com/litp

    1h 16m

  6. May 20

    The Smartest Rider In The Pelo; Matteo Trentin | Life In The Peloton

    Life in the Peloton is proudly brought to you by MAAP   You don’t have a career in pro cycling as long as Matteo Trentin’s without being strong, smart, and totally dedicated to the sport. I was so excited to sit down with Matteo when I was across in Europe during the Spring Classics and find out more about the life and career of one of the wiliest riders in the peloton.   That’s right, guys, this month’s ep sees me spinning a yarn with Matteo Trentin over a crisp acqua frizzante - it was in between Wevelgem and Flanders, after all - and hearing the story of his career on the bike.    Since turning professional with Quickstep at the end of 2011, Matteo’s bounced between some of the biggest teams in the sport; from Greenedge to CCC, through to UAE Emirates and now riding for Tudor Pro Cycling. Along the way he’s bagged himself three stage wins at the Tour de France, four stages at the Vuelta, a stage at the Giro, AND, as if that wasn’t enough, a European Championships title ahead of none other than Wout van Aert and Mathieu Van Der Poel.    But he’s not just good on paper. Watch any classic bike race, and more often than not you’ll see Matteo right there in the thick of the action during the decisive moment. He never misses. Over a decade and a half in the sport, he’s built up a reputation as being one of the most intelligent racers in the whole bunch, and I loved hearing about his mentality in the races, his ability to surf the bunch, and how he always looks out for ‘the watch dog’.    At just 17 years old, Matteo served a short ban for a salbutamol positive. I wanted to find out how this shaped the rest of his career, and Matteo’s open and candid answer speaks volumes about his professionalism and his mindset as a rider.    This is a real racer’s episode. We talk about the grit and grime of the sharp end of the Spring Classics, the harsh reality of coming back from injury and disappointment, and what it takes to have a long and successful career like Matteo’s.    I absolutely loved my chat with Matteo, and I hope you do too. If you followed this year’s classics then you’ll know, sadly, a few days after recording this ep Matteo hit the deck at the Tour of Flanders and broke his collarbone…for the first time in his career - which, if you ask me, is a pretty good ratio in 16 years pro. He’s on the comeback trail now and is getting ready to return to the pelo again and show those young guns how the vintage riders do it; with race craft, dedication, and a touch of Italian flair.   Crack open a bottle of vino, plate up the antipasto, and get your ears around this awesome chat with Matteo Trentin.    Cheers Mitch   This episode is sponsored by JOIN Cycling. Train smarter with adaptive plans and efficient workouts. Maximize progress, avoid overtraining, and seamlessly connect with favorite apps and devices. Perfect for cyclists of all levels. For 30 Days JOIN Cycling FREE, head across to https://join.cc/litp

    55 min
  7. Live At Tro-Bro Léon: Life In The Peloton’s Race Radio presented by SHOKZ

    May 13

    Live At Tro-Bro Léon: Life In The Peloton’s Race Radio presented by SHOKZ

    Tro-Bro Léon. The mini Paris-Roubaix. 200km of rolling Breton hills, aggressive racing, and the iconic farm track - or Ribinoù - the race is known for. This race is iconic, but niche. It’s a real racers race; if you know, you know. That’s why it’s the perfect setting for the second episode of Life In The Peloton’s Race Radio presented by SHOKZ.   That’s right, Harry & Stu are back at the races to bring you all the sounds, sights, and smells from the roadside to take you on the journey with them. Here’s what the boys had to say about their adventure:   Harry: Tro-Bro Léon – what a delight. Stu and I had a blast in Brittany, shucking oysters, shopping in Decathlon and cheering on Lewis Askey and Fred Wright. My personal highlight? Meeting 'Mr Pig' himself Laurent Pichon, legendary rider from the area and all-round nice guy. Bring on the Route d'Occitanie!   Stu: Ribin-who? I only heard about this race a couple of years ago, and I’ve wanted to go ever since. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint... If only all races were this wild! This is France like I’ve never seen it before. Pure Breton passion, hard racing, great crowds. Mitch knows how to pick em! See you there next year?   I only did this race once in my career, and for some reason EF gave me the green light to be the team’s leader and go for a result. How did it go? Well, let’s just say I’ve never won Tro-Bro…not even close.    This is a real bastard of a race, but that’s why it’s loved so deeply by the fans. The iconic piglet prize presented to the best placed Breton rider is just one of the weird and wonderful things about Tro-Bro Léon, but after you listen to Harry & Stu’s latest adventure it’ll all make sense.   Of course, none of this would be possible without support from our presenting partner SHOKZ. If you’re after the best sports headphones - be it for cycling, running, or even swimming - get across to SHOKZ’s website, and enjoy a cheeky discount for being a LITP listener.    Guys, you don’t need me to tell you…but I’m going to anyway; this is a banger of an ep. Harry and Stu are just like you and me - real bike racing fans. Their passion is infectious, and after hearing this episode, I’m so pumped to get back roadside watching some live racing. If you enjoyed this one, drop the boys a line at raceradio@lifeinthepeloton.com and let them know!   You’ll next hear from Life In The Peloton’s Race Radio presented by SHOKZ at La Route d'Occitanie in June - another niche race, but one that - in 2010 - saw one f the greatest stage victories of all time. Stay tuned.   Cheers, Mitch

    58 min
  8. BONUS: Surviving the Spring Classics

    Apr 30

    BONUS: Surviving the Spring Classics

    This is a cheeky bonus excerpt from the full episode. To listen to the whole thing — and get access to future Chronicles — become a PODIUM Member (our foundling tier) via our Substack. 👉 https://lifeinthepeloton.substack.com/about   The Spring Classics are done and dusted for another season. When I was a pro, I used to absolutely love these races. The grit they demanded of you as a rider, the passion of the fans in Belgium, the race craft you had to possess just to survive…man, I lived for it.   This month’s episode of The Life In The Peloton Chronicles is all about exactly that - surviving and thriving at the Spring Classics. Sveino may not have enjoyed the races quite as much as I did, but he gave them a bloody good go throughout his career, and shares that deep understanding of what’s required to even just get to the finish line of these races, let alone win them.   If I had to summarise the Spring Classics in a word, it would be ‘Passion’. You need to have passion for these races, for these roads. You have to be prepared to basically die for every single corner - that’s how intense the fight to be at the front at the key moments is. If you don’t have that passion, you’ll never win that fight, and you’ll be spat out the back quicker than you can say ‘Kwaremont’,   Svein and I are just a couple of old guys, really, so we spoke to some young talent to see if the demands of these races that left such a deep impression on us as riders are still there for the next generation.   Kell O’Brien has just wrapped up his fifth go around the Spring Classics circus as a pro. Hailing from Melbourne and riding for Jayco, I see a lot of myself in Kell. He came across as a young man, and did his time taking a real beating in these races - learning the hard way just like I did. Now he’s been around for a few years, he’s starting to carve out his spot in the bunch and get more and more out of these races. I loved chatting to Kell and hearing just how much it means to be a part of these prestigious, historic, crazy events and how much he’s grown as a person not just on the bike, but off it as well because of it.   Sveino caught up with the young American prodigy Riley Sheehan from team NSN. Riley tasted success at the classics before his pro career had even started, winning the late season classic style race Paris-Tour when he was just a stagiere! A trainee getting their hands in the air is rare enough as it is, but to do so at a race with gravel sectors and all the fighting and chaos as a Belgian classic shows just how much potential there is. Naturally, that kind of result puts a lot of pressure on a young rider, and repeating that kind of success in races that some riders take years to crack is no easy task. Fortunately for Riley, he absolutely loves the fight and the pure racing that plays out on the roads, cobbles, and bergs of Belgium and Northern France.   As always, I loved chatting to Svein and having a yarn like we do every month. Being able to relive these races and hear about the experience of a couple of talented young riders only makes me love them even more. Only 345 days until Roubaix 2027!   Guys, thanks for being part of the Pelo and getting behind everything we’re doing here at Life In The Peloton. You’ve done a great job keeping the echelon rolling throughout the crosswinds of the Spring, and now we’re only a few weeks away from chasing back on through the valleys of Italy together…after being dropped in the mountains.   Cheers, Mitch

    17 min
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4.9
out of 5
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About

Ever wondered what life is like as a professional cyclist? Australian ex-professional cyclist Mitch Docker takes you inside the world of Professional Cycling. Bringing you the stories behind the individuals in the sport - from the pros in the peloton to staff behind the teams - to commentators & legends, plus training insights & debriefs on major races throughout the year. It’s all here! Newly retired from the professional peloton, Mitch is exploring his new pelotons - all the pelotons that exist outside of the world tour - bringing you new stories from within the cycling community. His spin off series, Talking Luft - a bit like the DVD Extras - is where cycling style & culture takes centre stage. Talking cycling caps, bikes, kit, coffee stops, training loops and all the best things about riding a bike. Listen to all episodes here weekly! Find all our episodes, merch and more at lifeinthepeloton.com

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