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Road Cycling Academy Podcast

Road Cycling Academy Podcast

Ryan Thomas & Cam Nicholls 85 Episodes Aug 18, 2026

Interviews with top performing cyclists and industry experts in the fields of coaching, advanced training techniques, and human physiology. The purpose of this podcast is to learn and understand what makes high performing individuals tick, digging deep into their ingredients to success both on and off the bike.

Episodes

How Pro Cycling Teams Are Testing Durability (& What We Can Learn)
How Pro Cycling Teams Are Testing Durability (& What We Can Learn) Aug 18, 2026 26:24 Summary:  What is cycling durability, how do professional cycling teams measure it, and could it be more important than your FTP or VO2 max? In this episode of the Road Cycling Academy Podcast, Cam Nicholls is joined by RCA coach and exercise physiologist Ben Treble to unpack emerging research into one of cycling's hottest performance topics: durability and fatigue resistance. Fresh from the Scien
The Latest Science on Carbs for Cycling: How Much Do You Really Need?
The Latest Science on Carbs for Cycling: How Much Do You Really Need? Aug 12, 2026 29:23 How many carbohydrates per hour do cyclists actually need — 60g, 90g, 120g or even 150g? Professional cyclists are consuming more carbohydrates than ever, with reports of Tour de France riders pushing towards 120–150+ grams of carbs per hour. But does more carbohydrate actually mean better performance — and should recreational and amateur cyclists be trying to copy the pros? In this episode of the
Tour de France Cooling Secrets: Should Amateur Cyclists Be Paying Attention?
Tour de France Cooling Secrets: Should Amateur Cyclists Be Paying Attention? Aug 4, 2026 50:28 What can recreational cyclists learn from the cooling strategies used by the Tour de France peloton? In this episode of the Road Cycling Academy Podcast, Cam Nicholls is joined by RCA coach and exercise physiologist Ben Treble to unpack the science behind cooling strategies, heat acclimation, hydration and performance. With the 2026 Tour de France being one of the hottest on record, riders were se
Train to Drop Your Mates (The Ultimate Group Ride Workout)
Train to Drop Your Mates (The Ultimate Group Ride Workout) Jul 28, 2026 13:14 If your goal is to beat your mates on the weekend bunch ride, this might be the most effective workout you can add to your training. In this episode, Road Cycling Academy founder Cam Nicholls and Head Coach Ryan Thomas break down one of their favourite interval sessions for recreational and amateur cyclists. Rather than targeting a single training zone, this workout combines VO₂ max efforts, sweet
Is your Zone 2 training actually in Zone 2?
Is your Zone 2 training actually in Zone 2? Jul 21, 2026 13:59 One of the biggest mistakes recreational cyclists make is relying on estimated FTP numbers from Garmin, Strava or Wahoo to determine their training zones. If those estimates are wrong, your Zone 2 training could be missing the mark—and limiting your aerobic development. In this episode, Road Cycling Academy founder Cam Nicholls and Head Coach Ryan Thomas discuss a simple "bro science" method that
The Bike Fit Upgrade Nobody Talks About
The Bike Fit Upgrade Nobody Talks About Jul 15, 2026 19:54 Are cycling insoles worth it, or are they just another expensive upgrade? In this episode of the Road Cycling Academy Podcast, expert bike fitter Neill Stanbury sits down with cycling podiatrist Nathan White, founder of Cobra9, to explore one of the most overlooked aspects of bike fit: what happens between your foot and the pedal. While many cyclists obsess over frame geometry, saddle position and
Cycling Hip Pain Explained: Labral Tears, Bike Fit & Prevention
Cycling Hip Pain Explained: Labral Tears, Bike Fit & Prevention Jun 17, 2026 09:23 Hip pain is one of the most common issues cyclists face, but the source of the problem isn't always where you think. In this episode of the RCA Podcast, Cam Nicholls sits down with expert bike fitter Neill Stanbury to discuss one of the more serious causes of cycling-related hip pain: hip labral tears. They explain how poor bike positioning, pelvic asymmetry, hip impingement and repetitive movemen
Thinking About Hiring a Cycling Coach? Here's What Actually Happens
Thinking About Hiring a Cycling Coach? Here's What Actually Happens Jun 17, 2026 37:39 Thinking about hiring a cycling coach but not sure what's actually involved? In this episode of the RCA Podcast, Cam Nicholls sits down with RCA coach and sports scientist Ben Treble to pull back the curtain on the coaching process and explain exactly what recreational and amateur cyclists can expect when they start working with a coach. Whether you're training 6–12 hours per week, struggling to i
Want to Climb Faster? Here's How to Train for BIG Climbs
Want to Climb Faster? Here's How to Train for BIG Climbs Jun 16, 2026 30:11 Are you planning a cycling holiday in Europe, tackling iconic climbs like the Alps, Dolomites, or Swiss mountain passes? In this episode of the RCA Podcast, Cam Nicholls sits down with RCA coach and data science specialist Ben Treble to discuss exactly how recreational and amateur cyclists should prepare for a climbing-focused cycling trip. Ben breaks down the key physiological factors that determ
Long vs Short Intervals: Which Builds VO2 Max Faster?
Long vs Short Intervals: Which Builds VO2 Max Faster? Jun 10, 2026 29:41 Are short VO2 max intervals better than long intervals for cyclists? In this episode of the RCA Podcast, Cam Nicholls sits down with coach and data science specialist Ben Treble to unpack one of the most debated topics in endurance training: long intervals versus short intervals for improving VO2 max and cycling performance. Recent research has suggested that short interval formats such as 30/15s
The Simple 6-Week FTP Boosting Plan Most Cyclists Ignore
The Simple 6-Week FTP Boosting Plan Most Cyclists Ignore Jun 2, 2026 13:29 Are you stuck on a cycling performance plateau? Have your FTP gains stalled despite doing hard intervals, bunch rides and endless VO2 max sessions? In this episode of the RCA Podcast, Road Cycling Academy Head Coach Ryan Thomas explains why a dedicated block of tempo training (Zone 3) may be the missing piece in your training program. Many recreational and amateur cyclists spend too much time ridi
Time to Move on from FTP Tests (Critical Power Simply Explained)
Time to Move on from FTP Tests (Critical Power Simply Explained) May 27, 2026 18:16 In this episode of the Road Cycling Academy podcast, Cam Nicholls sits down with RCA Head Coach Ryan Thomas to break down one of the most talked-about topics in modern cycling training: Critical Power vs FTP. If you've ever wondered: What is critical power? Is FTP testing outdated? How do you test critical power? Why do some cyclists struggle at threshold but excel in VO2 max efforts? How do prof

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