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CASTELLI Cycling PodcastJoin us as we sit down with top athletes, aero engineers, and product experts to learn the best practices for peak performance. Author: Castelli Cycling
Welcome to the CASTELLI podcast, your exclusive access to the iconic brand that has revolutionized how pro-riders dress and pushed the boundaries of cycling clothing performance for decades. This is the pod you never knew you needed, whether you're a roadie, triathlete, mountain biker, graveler, track rider, or someone who simply loves commuting on your city bike.In each episode, we are joined by people from the world of cycling to learn the best practices for peak performance, how to dress, share riding stories, and hear firsthand what new and innovative products are in the works and get a glimpse into Castelli's almost 150 years of history.Whether you already live and breathe the cycling lifestyle or are looking to dust off your bike and get back out there, we've got you covered.New episodes are released every other Tuesday. Listen to the show on your preferred podcast platform. Reach out to us on social media @castellicycling or email us at podcast@castelli-cycling.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Language: en Genres: Health & Fitness, Nutrition, Sports Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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JOE LAVERICK | Privateer’s Life, Marginal Gains & Having Fun!
Monday, 24 November, 2025
Joe Laverick was one of the standout British talents through his junior years and earned a place on one of the top development teams in cycling: Hagens Berman Axeon. He spent two seasons there under the guidance of the world-renowned Axel Merckx.Joe had hoped to make the jump to the WorldTour, but things didn’t fall into place, and he found himself without a contract at the end of 2022 — facing an uncertain future.Instead of walking away, Joe built something completely different: a one-man privateer project that blends road racing, time trialling and gravel, fuelled by spreadsheets, sponsors, side clients and a serious obsession with marginal gains.Joe lifts the curtain on:What it actually costs to race as a privateer (race budget, travel, equipment)Why you need to be more than “just a bike racer” in 2025Balancing being a rider, writer, team owner, sponsor-hunter, soigneur and logistics managerHow he uses products like the Castelli Gabba R and new gravel kit – and why honest feedback mattersThe learning curve of gravel: tyre pressure, technical skills and why it’s an “untapped jigsaw of performance”200+ days on the road in the US gravel scene, host housing, burnout, and finding balanceWhy enjoyment is the ultimate performance metric, and his advice for young riders choosing between the pro pathway and privateer lifeWe wrap up with Joe’s dream Girona loop over Sant Hilari and Montseny – a 6.5-hour, 180–200 km that he still calls one of the best rides in the world.– LINKS –Joe Laverickhttps://www.instagram.com/joe.laverick/https://www.strava.com/athletes/7026027Sant Hilari Ridehttps://www.strava.com/activities/10469253051Castelli SOGhttps://www.castelli-cycling.com/spirit-of-gravelMen’s Unlimited Gravel Collection:https://www.castelli-cycling.com/IT/en/Men/Collection/Unlimited/c/Man-Col-UnlWomen’s Unlimited Gravel Collection:https://www.castelli-cycling.com/IT/en/Woman/Collection/Unlimited/c/Wom-Col-UnlCastelli's Xmas Ride, Nov 29:Overview | https://www.strava.com/clubs/66959Italy | Signup form: https://www.castelli-cycling.com/castelli-unlimited-christmas-ride-2025CHAPTERS00:00 – Intro, Castelli Christmas Gravel Ride & Spirit of Gravel Cabal02:00 – Who is Joe Laverick? Beating Remco & Girona life04:00 – Quickfire round: fashion crimes, coldest rides & junior chaos in Belgium09:10 – Contracts dry up: Tour of Alsace, injuries & the decision to go privateer14:30 – Building “Joe Laverick the brand”: writing, sponsors, and race budget reality18:30 – Gear geek: equipment choices, spreadsheets, and why the Gabba R blew his mind22:00 – Influencer vs athlete: social media, honesty and choosing the right partners27:20 – 200 days on the road: US gravel, burnout and learning to say “no”32:30 – Gravel as an “untapped jigsaw”: tyre pressure, skills and doing more with less budget44:40 – Joe’s favourite Girona mega-loop & how not to bonk47:00 – Advice to young riders: pro vs privateer, happiness and why fun has to come first Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
