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The pro calendar is winding down for another year. The world champs are done, Lombardy’s only a few days away, and plenty of riders are racking their bikes ready for a well earned off season. It’s not just the pros getting ready to crack open a few cold ones after a hard year on the road, Harry and Stu - better known as Life In The Peloton’s Race Radio presented by SHOKZ - are heading to Italy for their final race of 2027.
The Italian Classics that pepper the weeks before Il Lombardia are exactly that - classics. These are some of the oldest races around with deep, rich histories and die-hard, passionate fans; the Tifosi. Although they’re not the most well known races, they have an absolutely amazing atmosphere. I only raced a few of these in my career and, let me tell you, they’re bloody hard, but they were such a cool way to end a year of racing.
Harry & Stu have been right there sipping espresso amongst the Nonnas at the Coppa Bernocchi and Tre Valli Varesine. Here’s what old mate Harry had to say about their time in Italia:
Harry: "Italy. Land of art and culture. Of fashion and elegance. Of endless carbs. Of cinema and polemica. Of pneumatic blondes and plastic surgeons. Of great cyclists and drug scandals. Of Mario Cipollini and Marco Pantani.
We came for this exaggerated view, but what we got was a blissful few days bathing in the autumnal sun at two humble, beautiful one-day races in the lead up to Lombardia. As Giro winner Jai Hindley told us: ‘there’s just something in the air, mate’. Take us back.”
This episode is absolutely packed. If you’re a bike racing fan you have to get your ears around this. There’s interviews with some total legends like Jai Hindley, Michael Matthews, Alan Marangoni, and Charly Wegelius, Harry flexes his Italian skills, and the boys take us on an incredible tour around the iconic Madonna del Ghisallo chapel and museum - the ultimate pilgrimage destination for all cyclists.
The boys have finished their season with a bang with this one; the podcast equivalent of winning Lombardy. I do miss the races over in Europe, but having Harry and Stu get roadside this season to capture the atmosphere, tell the story of the race, and share the pure joy of watching bike races has made me feel like I’m right back there.
None of this would be possible without our good friends at SHOKZ, so get across to SHOKZ’s website, and enjoy a cheeky discount for being a LITP listener.
One more Race Radio episode to go in 2027; their end of season awards show. I can’t wait to hear it.
Cheers,
Mitch
