S2E4 Cycling: Daniel Friebe on the Narrative of the Peloton

Whether or not you have a passion for the high-octane drama of a professional road race, for most of us cycling is part of the narrative of our lives - a childhood rite of passage. Whilst lockdown presented unique challenges for the sport of cycling, it has also created a surge in interest among hobbyists. But it’s amid the drama of the peloton where we find our guest today. Author and journalist Daniel Friebe has been covering the sport’s blue riband event The Tour de France for nearly 20 years. In this episode he sheds light on the “theatre and pantomime” of cycling, its unique ability to turn locations into characters, and how the peloton at times feels like the House of Commons. Daniel also flips many of our past lessons upside down, by changing our perspective on the role of the minor character, and explaining why expertise and knowledge isn’t always a good thing.