The Cycling Podcast
65: Our Giro stage 17: My name is Luca
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Episode notes
In this episode of Our Giro, we meet Trek-Segafredo general manager Luca Guercilena and learn about his career in professional cycling.
Guercilena was not a pro rider but a sports scientist, whose career began with the Mapei team – where he tested a certain Daniel Friebe and, according to some observers, failed to spot the talent in front of his eyes(!)
Later on, he was part of the Leopard-Trek team which has evolved through several identities to become the Trek-Segafredo team today. In this episode, Guercilena talks about some of the riders he has worked with over the years.
We also hear from Ciro Scognamiglio, whose Giro Dream Team is nearing completion, and Lionel makes the Lombardy favourite, polenta with sausage ragù.
The Cycling Podcast is supported by iwoca and Science In Sport.
COMING TOMORROW
From press officer to team manager to journalist, we meet the Dane Brian Nygaard, who has moved to California to run a vineyard and wine production business. We talk about his love of cycling and Italy, how one waned briefly but the other definitely did not.
STACY SNYDER'S SECOND BATCH OF MUGS ON SALE TOMORROW
A second batch of Stacy Snyder's mugs and cappuccino sets will go on sale on Wednesday (May 27) at 5.30pm UK time (12.30pm east coast). Etsy site: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SnyderCeramics
COPPA ITALIA OF CYCLING JERSEYS
What is the best-looking Italian cycling jersey of all-time? You decide. Starting tomorrow on our Twitter page is the Coppa Italia of Italian cycling jerseys. We've reached the knockout stages so get voting for your favourites.
LIFE IN THE PELOTON
While we've been doing Our Giro, Mitch Docker and his old Orica-GreenEdge teammates have been remembering Their Giro when they won the opening team time trial of the 2014 race in Belfast.
WATCH OUR FIRST FILM
Guercilena was not a pro rider but a sports scientist, whose career began with the Mapei team – where he tested a certain Daniel Friebe and, according to some observers, failed to spot the talent in front of his eyes(!)
Later on, he was part of the Leopard-Trek team which has evolved through several identities to become the Trek-Segafredo team today. In this episode, Guercilena talks about some of the riders he has worked with over the years.
We also hear from Ciro Scognamiglio, whose Giro Dream Team is nearing completion, and Lionel makes the Lombardy favourite, polenta with sausage ragù.
The Cycling Podcast is supported by iwoca and Science In Sport.
COMING TOMORROW
From press officer to team manager to journalist, we meet the Dane Brian Nygaard, who has moved to California to run a vineyard and wine production business. We talk about his love of cycling and Italy, how one waned briefly but the other definitely did not.
STACY SNYDER'S SECOND BATCH OF MUGS ON SALE TOMORROW
A second batch of Stacy Snyder's mugs and cappuccino sets will go on sale on Wednesday (May 27) at 5.30pm UK time (12.30pm east coast). Etsy site: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SnyderCeramics
COPPA ITALIA OF CYCLING JERSEYS
What is the best-looking Italian cycling jersey of all-time? You decide. Starting tomorrow on our Twitter page is the Coppa Italia of Italian cycling jerseys. We've reached the knockout stages so get voting for your favourites.
LIFE IN THE PELOTON
While we've been doing Our Giro, Mitch Docker and his old Orica-GreenEdge teammates have been remembering Their Giro when they won the opening team time trial of the 2014 race in Belfast.
WATCH OUR FIRST FILM
Our first film, And So We Rode… is available for Friends of the Podcast to watch now. This is the story of Larry Warbasse and Conor Dunne packing their bags and going on a bikepacking trip in the French and Italian Alps after their pro team Aqua Blue Sport folded mid-season. It costs £15 to sign up as a Friend of the Podcast and you will be able to watch the film as well as listen to all our special episodes. thecyclingpodcast.com/join
OUR SPONSORS
iwoca became The Cycling Podcast’s title sponsors in March 2020. Iwoca specialises in supporting small businesses and can lend between £1,000 and £250,000. Applications can take only a few minutes to complete and they promise a fast and fair decision. To find out more, go to iwoca.co.uk
Science In Sport is The Cycling Podcast’s longest-standing supporter. It’s a relationship that stretches back to the 2016 Giro d’Italia. Listeners can get 25% off Science In Sport’s range of energy drinks, bars, gels and cakes at scienceinsport.com with the code SISCP25
RIDE OUR GIRO
If you have a smart turbo trainer, you can ride Our Giro on the RGT digital platform. Each stage is around 30 kilometres long and will be online for three days. Go to RGTcycling.com/our-giro for details of how to download the app and sign up. Thanks to RGT and Veloviewer.com for helping us create Our Giro.
GIRO WINE CLUB
Our friends at Dvinecellars.com have put together a ‘Selezione Our Giro’ case of 12 wines from around Italy. There’s also a ‘Baby Giro’ case of six bottles. Use the code ‘Our Giro’ when ordering. Cases can be delivered in the UK, excluding the Highlands and Northern Ireland, and a donation from each case will be made to the Scuola Ciclismo in Cene.