It's Christmas Eve! Traditionally we've recorded a look back at the year and talked a bit about what's coming up. This year we're reviewing things a little differently, as we take a look back at some of the most popular stories and subjects we've addressed over the years and what they teach us about the sport, the audience and the business of Pro! Women's! Cycling!

Pro Women's Cycling

Episode 37 - Xmas Ever

This is a significant episode for us, as this week we are announcing the end of our regular podcast series. We talk through the reasons behind our decision to take a step back, what's changed over the nearly six years we've been doing this and also reminisce about some of our favourite things. This is a positive episode and we'll really love for you to share it with us. Thanks for listening, we hope you've had as much fun as we have.

Episode 36 - It Could Be Like Giorgia Bronzini

British cyclocross rider Helen Wyman has always been a fan favourite, and it seems like her racing is getting better than ever. Winning her fourth Koppenbergcross this season, she was on the podiums of the last two Cyclocross World Cups, and with the weather turning wet, rainy and muddy, just as she likes it, this could be just the beginning of an exciting season. We talked about what's made a difference, and how the sport has changed over the last five years - including how Helen's work on the UCI Cyclocross Commission has contributed to that. It's not all 100% positive, and we also talked about the changes Helen would like to see in the future, as well as losing her sponsor at a tricky time.

Sarah interviews... Helen Wyman on her 2017

Sean Robinson is one half of Vélofocus, whose photography makes women's road cycling look so good. Sean talked to me about how 2017 was for him - the highs and lows, and changes he saw from his unique viewpoint of the sport. We also talked about how the sport could improve, and who he thinks we should watch out for in 2017. Check out the Vélofocus pictures, and buy their 2017 annual at http://www.velofocus.com

Velofocus' Sean Robinson on 2017 in women's cycling

This week we recap our highlights and best parts of the 2017 women's road season. It's been an amazing year of racing and there's so much to celebrate. From the spring classics through to worlds in Norway, we've got opinions on them all! Get your best of the year opinions now!

Episode 35 - The Best of the Year

In this episode we take a look at the changes in races, race days and race types from the 2017 season into the 2018 season. There's been some interesting changes in different global regions and specific countries. We look at which country has the most races and several surprising countries should probably be doing much better. Then right at the end Sarah causes Dan's brain to melt and the episodes in a minor medical emergency... so, enjoy!

Episode 34 - If I Had An Intern

This episode we go through what we know about the 2018 UCI Calendar so far, and what's changed from this year. There's been a lot of changes, with fewer overall race days but still a wealth of races, from all over the world. We go through in detail and talk through the implications of this new season for the peloton as a whole. We also catch up on the latest transfer news and a couple of other exciting announcements as well.

Episode 33 - It Being Back is Heart-Healing

This week we dive right into all the latest news and updates on transfers. If you need to know which rider is going where, then this is the episode for you! (Unless they haven't been confirmed yet, in which case, you probably still want this episode but you'll have to learn to live with the fact that we can't predict the future). Lots of interesting moves being made, with notable riders going to interesting teams; young up and comers joining the elite peloton; and a few eyebrow raisers too.

Episode 32 - Transfers (and the BS of the Points System)

This week we talk through the Junior and Elite Women's Road Races from Bergen in Norway. There was all sorts of excitement in both races, and we talk through the highlights, the lowlights and the interesting moments that made the races. We also have a bit of a chat about riders to keep an eye on from the Junior racing, and of course we get a bit sidetracked, distracted and diverted some of the time too. There's even a special comedy bonus in the post for you!

Episode 31 - Being Italian IS a Tactic!

This week it's been a week of trials, time trials! World Championship Time Trials! We talk through what happened in Bergen with the Team Time Trial and then both the Junior and Elite Women's Individual Time Trials. There are some spectacular results and the racing has been absolutely top notch. We talk through the start of Cyclocross season, and how the American races have gone thus far. There's a bunch of other topics we get through quickly before taking a look ahead at the road race and the scenarios we're hoping to see play out on the road.

Episode 30 - You Just Danned The Ending

This week we catch up on the racing in Spain and France with the Madrid Challenge and the Tour de l'Ardeche. We discuss what happened at the mountain bike world championships in Cairns, and we also get into the latest intrigue from Cycling Australia leading into the Road World Championships in Bergen. Speaking of which, racing in Bergen starts on Saturday! So we talk worlds, along with transfers and new team rumours. Heaps to discuss so let's get to it!

Episode 29 - Inverse Cobbles

This week we catch up after Sarah's been away at the Boels Rental Ladies Tour in the Netherlands. There's Plouay results to discuss, all the Dutch racing and of course what it means for worlds. Speaking of worlds, we're two weeks out from the festivities in Bergen and so of course it's time for the (sigh, eyeroll) polemica. This year it's Australia's turn to do something unforgivably stupid, and Dan's got shoutpinions about it.

More Direct and More Devious

This week Sarah and Dan talk through the polemica and outrage of Dan's whisky choices. Also discussed is each of the stages from this year's Ladies Tour of Norway, including a bit of race-related polemica. Then there's a look ahead to the Boels Rental Tour next week and the implications of current races for Worlds which is coming up quickly indeed now. We also wax rhapsodical about the GP Plouay which is on live tomorrow! And there's an interesting bit of news from around the place with retirements and some fascinating new projects from retired riders. Beware, the swearing abounds this week.

Episode 27 - Polemica On Toast

This week we cover the results from Sweden with the Vargarda Team Time Trial, and the Road Race. We also have an interesting diversion into how the calendar shift of this race has changed the way it's raced and the results. Ella CyclingTips this week had a really interesting interview with Leah Thorvilson, the Canyon-SRAM rider who was the winner of last year's Zwift Academy. We discuss that interview and the broader impact of Zwift Academy on the sport, especially interesting as the second year of the program is due to start in September. As always, lots more fun, laughter and Australian weather updates included!

A Finn for the Finish

Home of Sarah Connolly and Dan Wright's (sweary) "Unofficial, Unsanctioned Women's UCI Cycling Show" and the "Sarah Interviews" podcasts, full of news and events in the world of professional women's cycling, & racing from around the world. Posts with links to the things we talk about in the podcasts, including race videos, on our website www.prowomenscycling.com.

hubhopper

Pro Women's Cycling

hubhopper