QueenStage Women's Cycling Podcast

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The QueenStage Women's Cycling Podcast is here to deliver smart, sharp, personality-driven insights to the sport's biggest races, starting with daily coverage of the 2025 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. Our hosts—all longtime cycling journalists and women's cycling advocates—are ready to bring you along for the ride.

  1. Liège-Bastogne-Liège 2026 and Canyon//SRAM's Beth Duryea on Rivalry in Women's Cycling

    4D AGO

    Liège-Bastogne-Liège 2026 and Canyon//SRAM's Beth Duryea on Rivalry in Women's Cycling

    In this episode: Demi Vollering goes solo on La Redoute and never looks back, and we start asking the bigger question: What does rivalry actually do for a sport? This is the first episode in our four-part series with Rapha and Zwift, and the theme couldn't be more fitting for the final spring classic. Rosael Torres-Davis, Betsy Welch, and Anne-Marije Rook break down the 10th edition of the Women's Liège-Bastogne-Liège, where Demi Vollering put in one of the performances of the spring season and left the chase group with no answer. The team goes deep on whether that group could have ridden differently, what Pauline Ferrand-Prévot's early exit says about the form picture heading into summer, and why Puck Pieterse is winning in ways that still don't get enough attention. Then we sit down with Beth Duryea, co-founder and marketing and communications manager of Canyon//SRAM Racing, for a wide-ranging conversation about what rivalry looks like inside one of women's cycling's most successful teams. From what really drives Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney in those final kilometers to the delicate team dynamics when twenty-six athletes share a roster and overlapping ambitions, to the best rivalry in the history of the women's peloton. This episode is also part of our first community ride on Zwift, kicking off a series of rides leading into the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift in August and the Rapha Women's 100 in September. More details below. Zwift + Rapha Series: Episode One This episode opens our four-part collaboration with Rapha and Zwift, exploring what rivalry means in women's cycling on the road, in the peloton, and in the lives of the people who build the sport. Each episode pairs a race or theme with a community Zwift ride; this month's ride is live now. https://www.zwift.com/events/tag/queenstagepod  Next Dates: May 27, June 24, and July 29 Sponsors and Partners Rapha and Zwift This four-episode series is made possible by Rapha and Zwift, two brands that have invested in women's cycling when it mattered. Rapha is a longtime supporter of women's racing through events like the Rapha Women's 100, and Zwift has provided infrastructure and visibility for riders and fans across the world through the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. We're proud to be riding alongside both of them. Join the monthly community Zwift ride tied to this series and be part of what we're building. https://www.zwift.com/events/tag/queenstagepod  Ruckus Composites The home of Queen Stage. Ruckus Composites specializes in carbon fiber repair, inspection, and engineering, keeping high-performance gear on the road and out of the landfill through science-backed carbon repair. Find them at RuckusComposites.com. Support the Show The best way to support Queen Stage is to subscribe and leave a rating or review. Have a hot take on the race or a question for the team? Email us at info@queenstage.cc or find us on Instagram and Threads @queenstage.cc.

    51 min
  2. A Star is born in Spain

    4D AGO

    A Star is born in Spain

    The conversation delves into the world of cycling technology, with a focus on wheel manufacturing and the impact of stage racing on women's cycling. Tess Denning, the Science Engineering Manager at ZIPP, provides insights into the science of wheel manufacturing, the role of resin in wheel technology, and the challenges and advancements in wheel design. The discussion also highlights the Vuelta Femenina race, the craftsmanship of wheel building, and the influence of race terrain on cycling dynamics. Additionally, the conversation explores consumer preferences in wheel design, the future of wheel technology, and the impact of race expectations on rider performance. The conversation delves into the influence of terrain on wheel selection, the impact of pro teams and riders on product development, the balance between aerodynamics, weight, and comfort in wheel selection, and the evolution of the cycling industry. It also explores the transition in the peloton and rumors of transfers, diversity and evolution in the cycling industry, and the challenges and confidence in career development. Takeaways Insights into Wheel Manufacturing and TechnologySignificance of Women's Cycling and RacingChallenges and Advancements in Wheel Design Tire width and wheel selection are influenced by the type of terrain and riding conditions.Pro teams and riders have a significant influence on the development of cycling products, including wheels and tires.The balance between aerodynamics, weight, and comfort is crucial in wheel selection for different riding conditions. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to ZIPP and Cycling Technology09:22 Innovation in Wheel Technology14:32 Consumer Preferences in Wheel Design21:09 Performance and Expectations in Cycling Races27:25 Pro Teams and Product Influence33:04 Aerodynamics and Weight Balance in Wheel Selection39:26 Diversity and Evolution in Cycling Industry

    1h 15m
  3. Live at Sea Otter: Life Time Grand Prix with Michelle Duffy + Marley Blonsky's Big Year

    APR 19

    Live at Sea Otter: Life Time Grand Prix with Michelle Duffy + Marley Blonsky's Big Year

    Recorded live at Laguna Seca, the Queen Stage Podcast sits down with Michelle Duffy (VP of Marketing for Life Time) and Marley Blonsky (All Bodies on Bikes co-founder) to discuss the evolution of women's gravel and the power of inclusive community. The Sea Otter Women’s Race: GP Year Five The Grand Prix season kicked off with Sofia Gomez Villafañe and Lauren Stephens breaking away on the final climb at Barloy Canyon. Sofia took the win in a sprint, with Karolina Mignon rounding out the podium.Michelle notes that the field's depth is shifting significantly, with stars like Kate Courtney, Jennifer Jackson, and Tiffany Cromwell entering the mix. Notably, three German riders cracked the top 18, including Rosa Klöser, who arrived fresh off a solo attack at Paris-Roubaix Femmes.Addressing the "Villain" Narrative The episode pushes back against the "villain" label recently attached to Sofia Gomez Villafañe. The hosts argue that Sofia is simply a professional performing at the highest level—a standard rarely criticized in male counterparts like Keegan Swenson. Her dominance creates a "benchmark" that makes the chase more meaningful for the rest of the field.Evolution of the Life Time Grand Prix Michelle breaks down structural changes aimed at professionalizing the series:Expanded Purses: Five-deep prize money at every individual event.Finisher Compensation: A new $2,500 payment for professional athletes who complete the season but finish outside the top ten.Community Focus: Keeping events rooted in local culture (Emporia, Leadville, Monterey) to maintain a unique identity. Growth and Inclusion Women’s participation at Unbound has surged by 44%, largely driven by 25- and 50-mile distances. Michelle identifies two major needs for the sport's future: increased financial investment in the women’s side and a crackdown on toxic commentary in live broadcast chats. Marley Blonsky’s Big Spring Molly talks with Marley Blonsky about her new children’s book, Ragtag Best Friends Bicycle Club. The book tells a story—mirrored by Marley’s own life—of a rider told she is "too slow" who eventually finds her own crew and builds something better. All Bodies on Bikes & Industry Inclusion The All Bodies on Bikes nonprofit now supports 14 chapters and a new documentary, We Are Cyclists (available on YouTube). Marley doesn't pull punches regarding the industry’s lack of size inclusion, noting that many brands still cap at XL and blame supply chains—a claim she debunks via her partnership with Shredly, which offers a full range of technical apparel. Quick Hits E-bikes: A defense of e-bikes for accessibility, despite the separate debate regarding podiums.32-inch wheels: Marley (5'1") confirmed they are surprisingly accessible for shorter riders.Cyclocross: The joy of competing and "catting up" even when finishing at the back of the pack. Resources & Links:Advocacy: allbodiesonbikes.com Documentary: We Are Cyclists on YouTubeBook: ragtagbestfriendsbicycleclub.com Apparel: shredly.com Socials: @marleyblonsky | @queenstage.cc Sponsor: Ruckus Composites (Carbon fiber repair)

    59 min
  4. Koch Shocks the Velodrome: Paris-Roubaix Femmes 2026 Recap + Tire Tech with Silca's Josh Poertner

    APR 12

    Koch Shocks the Velodrome: Paris-Roubaix Femmes 2026 Recap + Tire Tech with Silca's Josh Poertner

    Queen Stage Podcast | Paris-Roubaix Femmes 2026 Race Recap and Tech Deep Dive Franziska Koch wins Paris-Roubaix Femmes 2026 in a photo-finish sprint that nobody saw coming. We watched it live, stress-texted each other through the whole thing, and still weren't ready for that ending. Rosael, Molly, and Rook break down every kilometer of the Hell of the North, then sit down with Silca CEO Josh Poertner to talk tire pressure, flat tires, and what gravel tech is doing to the Spring Classics. What Happened at Paris-Roubaix Femmes 2026 Franziska Koch of FDJ United-SUEZ won in one of the most dramatic finishes the race has seen, edging out Marianne Vos and Pauline Ferrand-Prévot in a three-up sprint at the Roubaix velodrome. We've been calling Koch since last summer; she did an enormous amount of work, launched her sprint early, and held on for the win in her fourth career pro victory. Vos had every tactical advantage, including a leadout from defending champion Ferrand-Prévot, but couldn't close the gap. We discuss what went right for Koch, what went wrong for Visma-Lease a Bike, and how this result shifts the power balance in the peloton. We also touch on Marianne Vos racing weeks after losing her father—an emotional performance that had the whole sport rooting for her. Paris-Roubaix Femmes Broadcast Controversy Before the sprint, Rosa Klöser (Canyon-SRAM ZondaCrypto) went solo for over 100km—racing that essentially nobody got to watch. ASO broadcast only 90 minutes of the women's race, meaning fans missed nine entire cobbled sectors, while the junior men received full coverage. We break down who made that decision, why blaming Peacock or FloBikes misses the point, and the impact of Zwift's departure as title sponsor. Race Highlights and Key Moments Lucinda Brand's crash caused by a fan raises ongoing safety questions regarding spectator access.Lotte Kopecky and Megan Jastrab led a hard chase group that never quite made contact.Arlenis Sierra (Movistar) finished ninth; Elisa Balsamo flatted early as Lidl-Trek faced another difficult day.Silca Tech Segment: Tire Pressure, Flat Tires, and the Classics Silca CEO Josh Poertner joins us to explain the high volume of flats in 2026. We talk about the balance between rim protection and casing cuts, what happens when inserts fail, and why teams are now gluing tubeless tires directly to their rims. We also explore how gravel tech is influencing the Spring Classics and why wider tires are the inevitable future of road racing. Also Discussed Is FDJ United-SUEZ the new SD Worx-Protime?What's going wrong for Lidl-Trek this spring?Fan access: Beloved tradition or growing safety risk?Queen Stage is heading to Sea Otter Classic next week!Keywords: Paris-Roubaix Femmes 2026, Franziska Koch, Marianne Vos, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, women's cycling, Paris-Roubaix results, FDJ United-SUEZ, Visma-Lease a Bike, Silca, Josh Poertner, tire pressure, Spring Classics 2026, Rosa Klöser, Canyon-SRAM, Lotte Kopecky, ASO broadcast controversy. Links and Resources SilcaQuestions & Hot Takes: info@queenstage.ccInstagram: @queenstage.ccThis episode is sponsored by Silca, precision performance tools that serious riders trust.

    1h 4m
  5. "Demi's Day": The Tour of Flanders 2026 Breakdown

    APR 5

    "Demi's Day": The Tour of Flanders 2026 Breakdown

    Demi Vollering rode into Oudenaarde alone, and honestly? We kind of called it. Rosael Torres-Davis, Molly Hurford, and Shawn Small break down a thrilling, crash-marred edition of the Ronde van Vlaanderen, covering Vollering's dominant solo attack and the gravel tech taking over the peloton. This episode is brought to you by SRAM. Support the Show The best way to support Queen Stage is to subscribe and leave a rating or review. Have a race or tech question? Email info@queenstage.cc or find us on Instagram @queenstage.cc. In This Episode Ronde History: The race’s evolution into a 2026 Monument with equal prize money.Race Recap:The Breakaway: Why the peloton let the early move go.The Crash: The pile-up before the Koppenberg that took out Reusser and Le Court-Pienaar.The Attack: Franziska Koch’s lead-out for Vollering’s winning move at 18km.The Podium: Ferrand-Prévot 2nd, Pieterse 3rd, and Kopecky 4th.Absences: Marianne Vos’s late withdrawal and Anna van der Breggen’s DNS.On Sensationalism: A discussion on the ethics of replaying crash footage on loop.Tech Segment: Why teams like Visma and Uno-X are using the SRAM RED XPLR gravel groupset for 1x reliability on the bergs.Gravel-to-Road Pipeline: How gravel racing is becoming the premier talent factory for the pro peloton.Advocacy: The new Life Time Grand Prix pregnancy policy sparked by Sophia Storm.Congratulations: Queen Stage’s own Anne-Marije Rook has welcomed a new baby!Roubaix Preview: Tire talk and wildcard picks (Zoe Backstedt).Sponsors and Partners SRAM: Supporting women's cycling from the pro peloton to gravel privateers. Their components are built for the toughest cobbles.Ruckus Composites: Experts in carbon fiber repair and engineering. Ruckus keeps high-performance gear on the road and out of landfills.Next Episode: Paris-Roubaix Femmes recap, Sunday, April 12th.

    56 min
  6. “12 Watts and a Somersault”: The Milano-Sanremo 2026 Breakdown

    MAR 21

    “12 Watts and a Somersault”: The Milano-Sanremo 2026 Breakdown

    In this episode: A coastal battle from Genoa to Sanremo, the chaos of the Cipressa, and why your chain lube might be the difference between a podium and the bus. The 2026 Spring Classics continue with one of the most prestigious—and longest—days on the calendar. Rosael Torres-Davis is joined by Molly Hurford and Anne-Marije Rook to break down a thrilling edition of Milano-Sanremo Donne. The team analyzes how the race was won (and lost) on the iconic climbs of the Cipressa and the Poggio, including the tactical masterclass by SD Worx-Protime and the heart-stopping moments that thinned out the peloton. We also dive into a high-stakes “Smooth is Fast” Pop Quiz sponsored by SILCA, testing Rook and Molly’s knowledge on drivetrain efficiency and why "dry lube" is a scam you should avoid at all costs. Support the Show: The best way to support Queen Stage is to subscribe and leave a rating or review. Have a tech question or a hot take on the race? Email us at info@queenstage.cc or find us on Instagram and Threads @queenstage.cc. Milano-Sanremo Donne Recap Cipressa Chaos: Analyzing the crash that took out Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney and the terrifying somersaults over the barriers.The Poggio Selection: How Puck Pieterse exploded the race and who had the legs to follow.The Via Roma Sprint: Lotte Kopecky’s clinical patience vs. Noemi Rüegg’s grit.SD Worx Dominance: Lorena Wiebes celebrating a 6th place finish like a win—the power of team culture.Tech Talk Pop Quiz: Powered by SILCA Wax vs. Oil: Why solid lubricants are the secret to keeping a clean bike and a fast drivetrain.The Wattage Penalty: How a dirty chain can cost you 12+ watts when it matters most.Tie-Breaker (The "Sanremo" Special): Learn what kind of lube is best for wet conditionsSILCA Supporting our tech segments and pop quizzes this season. From Secret Chain Blend Hot Melt Wax to the Super Secret Drip Lube, SILCA is dedicated to making every watt count through world-class engineering and a deep commitment to the growth of women’s cycling. Check them out at Silca.cc. Ruckus Composites The home of Queen Stage. Experts in carbon fiber repair, inspection, and engineering. Ruckus keeps high-performance gear on the road and out of the landfill by bringing damaged frames back to life with science-backed carbon repair. In This EpisodeSponsors & Partners

    41 min
  7. Omloop Het Nieuwsblad & Strade Bianche Donne 2026 Recap

    MAR 7

    Omloop Het Nieuwsblad & Strade Bianche Donne 2026 Recap

    In this episode: Strade Bianche Donne, Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, and why Lael Wilcox might shave her head in the name of aerodynamics. The 2026 women’s road season is officially underway, and Queen Stage is back. In this episode, Rosael Torres-Davis is joined by Molly Hurford and Anne-Marije Rook to break down the opening races of the Spring Classics season. The conversation begins with a deep dive into the drama, tactics, and standout performances at Strade Bianche Donne, before turning to Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, where Demi Vollering and Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney delivered the first major duel of the year. The team also launches a new recurring tech segment supported by SILCA, kicking things off with ultra-endurance racer Lael Wilcox’s wind-tunnel testing ahead of her upcoming around-the-world record attempt in June. The best way to support the show is to subscribe wherever you listen and leave us a rating or review. If you have a tech or mechanic question you’d like us to tackle in a future episode, send us an email at info@queenstage.cc or reach out on Instagram or Threads @queenstage.cc.

    41 min

  8. FEB 28

    Queenstage is coming in hot (from the cold) for 2026!

    Welcome to the literal cold open from Rosael Torres-Davis and Molly Hurford, our snowbound reporters. We’re chatting about what’s coming up in 2026: team shifts, predictions and clashes we can’t wait to see, the races this show is covering, and some hints about the sponsors and special episodes that are in store. Make sure you’re subscribed wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode! We’re back to race coverage on Saturday March 7 with a Omloop het Neiuwsblaad Women and Strade Bianche recap and analysis.

    10 min
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About

The QueenStage Women's Cycling Podcast is here to deliver smart, sharp, personality-driven insights to the sport's biggest races, starting with daily coverage of the 2025 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. Our hosts—all longtime cycling journalists and women's cycling advocates—are ready to bring you along for the ride.

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