QueenStage Women's Cycling Podcast

Ruckus Composites
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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. “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
  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 12/23/2025

    Lael Wilcox Is Definitely Here to Make Friends and Set Records

    Today’s bonus holiday episode features bike adventure legend Lael Wilcox. Molly Hurford and Betsy Welch interview the Guinness World Record Holder about her first around the world attempt, what she’ll do differently in her second attempt, and how she stays motivated on such long journeys. And of course, make sure you’re following along at queenstage.cc,@queenstage.cc on Instagram, and of course, the QueenStage Women’s Cycling Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts so you don’t miss us when we return!

    1 hr

  5. 09/28/2025

    Worlds Recap: A Brutal Kigali Course, a Surprise Champion, and Africa’s Rising Tide (with Kimberly Coats)

    We break down a wild Women’s Elite Road Race at the 2025 UCI Road World Championships in Kigali. On a 15 km circuit climbed 11 times with cobbles and altitude, the race turned into pure attrition—and delivered a podium few predicted: Magdeleine Vallieres (CAN) took the rainbow jersey, with Niamh Fisher-Black (NZL) second and Mavi García (ESP) third. Joining us is Kimberly Coats, CEO of Team Africa Rising, to talk course demands, why altitude prep mattered, and what Rwanda’s first-ever African Worlds means for women’s cycling across the continent. What we cover The course: at elevation like Denver or Andorra, with two brutal climbs, long cobbles, no radios = chaosHow the winning move formed and why the favorites stalledHistoric junior results from Ethiopia and why development pathways matterTravel, logistics, and safety in Rwanda—myths vs. realitiesAltitude camps, iron levels, and why “sleep high” isn’t a magic bulletAfrica’s momentum: Eritrea, Ethiopia, Benin, and the need for more racesLooking ahead to Montreal 2026 and LA 2028Guest Kimberly Coats — CEO, Team Africa Rising (working in African cycling development since 2009) Chapters (approx.) 00:00 Cold open & intro 01:00 Guest intro: Kimberly Coats 05:05 Race recap & podium 10:30 Why the break stuck / favorites hesitated 13:30 Altitude, cobbles, and equipment notes 17:30 Development realities for African riders 23:30 Rwanda hosting: costs, safety, and impact 29:30 Maryland Cycling Classic takeaways 34:15 Who’s next in African cycling 37:00 What we want from future Worlds courses 40:20 Access to bikes & infrastructure 43:30 Final thoughts & what’s next

    45 min

  6. 09/28/2025

    QueenStage Ep. 15 — Worlds Recap: A Brutal Kigali Course, a Surprise Champion, and Africa’s Rising Tide (with Kimberly Coats)

    We break down a wild Women’s Elite Road Race at the 2025 UCI Road World Championships in Kigali. On a 15 km circuit climbed 11 times with cobbles and altitude, the race turned into pure attrition—and delivered a podium few predicted: Magdeleine Vallieres (CAN) took the rainbow jersey, with Niamh Fisher-Black (NZL) second and Mavi García (ESP) third. Joining us is Kimberly Coats, CEO of Team Africa Rising, to talk course demands, why altitude prep mattered, and what Rwanda’s first-ever African Worlds means for women’s cycling across the continent. What we cover The course: at elevation like Denver or Andorra, with two brutal climbs, long cobbles, no radios = chaosHow the winning move formed and why the favorites stalledHistoric junior results from Ethiopia and why development pathways matterTravel, logistics, and safety in Rwanda—myths vs. realitiesAltitude camps, iron levels, and why “sleep high” isn’t a magic bulletAfrica’s momentum: Eritrea, Ethiopia, Benin, and the need for more racesLooking ahead to Montreal 2026 and LA 2028Guest Kimberly Coats — CEO, Team Africa Rising (working in African cycling development since 2009) Chapters (approx.)00:00 Cold open & intro01:00 Guest intro: Kimberly Coats05:05 Race recap & podium10:30 Why the break stuck / favorites hesitated13:30 Altitude, cobbles, and equipment notes17:30 Development realities for African riders23:30 Rwanda hosting: costs, safety, and impact29:30 Maryland Cycling Classic takeaways34:15 Who’s next in African cycling37:00 What we want from future Worlds courses40:20 Access to bikes & infrastructure43:30 Final thoughts & what’s next

    45 min

  7. 09/08/2025

    Maryland Cycling Classic Recap

    Join us as we dive into the thrilling MCC25 Women's Race Recap, where the inaugural women's race at the Maryland Cycling Classic unfolded with breathtaking intensity. From the 28-corner circuit that tested the riders' skills to the picturesque backdrop of Baltimore, this episode captures the essence of a race that was both challenging and exhilarating. Discover how the cobblestones, steep climbs, and aggressive tactics shaped the competition, and hear firsthand accounts of standout performances and unexpected turns. Tune in to experience the highs and lows of a race that promises to leave a lasting impact on the cycling world.

    28 min

  8. 09/04/2025

    Breaking New Ground: The Maryland Cycling Classic's Women's Debut

    Join us on the Queen Stage Women's Cycling Podcast as we dive into the Maryland Cycling Classic, the biggest one-day race in the United States, now making history with its debut women's edition. Our special guest, Joanne Kiesanowski, a former professional cyclist and three-time Olympian, shares her insights as the Women's Competition Manager. Discover the challenges and excitement of this unique city circuit in Baltimore, featuring cobblestones, technical turns, and a diverse international peloton. Don't miss this episode packed with expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories from the world of women's cycling.

    38 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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