This week on the GCN Show, we dive into the shocking news of Simon Yates’ retirement and ask if the extreme intensity of the modern pro era is causing riders to burn out sooner than ever before. We look at the shift in training, diet, and pressure that has transformed the peloton since 2020. Plus, we cover a massive list of retirements across the industry, a bizarre 500km ride in a McDonald’s drive-thru, and a heated “copycat” controversy in the world of aero tech.
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Chapters:
00:00 – Intro: Greeting from Toronto
00:45 – Pro Cyclists vs. A Stranded Car
01:18 – Tech Controversy: Derailleur Fairing “Copycats”
02:12 – The Simon Yates Retirement
05:03 – Is Pro Cycling Too Hard Now?
15:12 – Cycling Shorts- Industry Retirements: Calvin Jones & Eli Iserbyt
17:16 – The McDonald’s Drive-Thru Festive 500
18:09 – Industry Retirements: Calvin Jones & Eli Iserbyt
15:17 – Cycling Shorts: FKTs & Giveaways
23:08 – Hack or Bodge of the Week
32:01 – Caption Competition & Comment of the Week
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With riders like Simon Yates stepping away at 33, do you think pro cycling has become too physically and mentally draining for the traditional long career, or is this just the natural evolution of the sport? Let us know your thoughts in the comments! 👇
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33 Comments
With riders like Simon Yates stepping away at 33, do you think pro cycling has become too physically and mentally draining for the traditional long career, or is this just the natural evolution of the sport? Let us know your thoughts in the comments! 👇
If human nature suggests that relaxation, a natural diet, minimal stress, warmth etc are optimal for hormonal health and then you look at what cyclists do daily, in season, there's no surprise they're tired and burnt out. They live a life completely in opposition to nature.
Dan have you thought about the Diamondback Racing WCF Vertex from 1995. A great steel mountain bike with carbon fiber top tube down tube and seat tube. The WCF stands for "Welded Carbon Fiber".
Yes. I'm 50% of the people who made it to the end of the show!
I would like to try those sugar solution things too? Any links to the recipe?
cool!
Listen you , 33 is a turning point for a great many men both physically and mentally. MAY BE Simon is one of us.
dans caption is a banger… he should win
Simon Yates won his 1st and last GTs over 8 seasons. This seems to be about the limit. Merkxx, Hinault, Anquetil, Froome for example. Coppi and Bartali had longer time periods as a gap but only 8 racing seasons. Gimondi is the only exception I can think of. 2027 will be TPs 8th season by the way.
Hey Dan I am one of the 2 people still watching at the end of the show! Thanks guys, nice one 🙂
The increase in the rigours and intensity of pro cycling is basically matched by similar changes in all other big sports. One retirement of a man in his mid-thirties is no indicator of the contrary.
Lance did not win, he cheated!!
Bjarne Riis retired at 36
Caption competition: Yves Lampaert still feeling smug about Tour stage win years later and no longer views himself as a humble "farmer's son from Belgium"
For Comment of the Week.
"The claw" said in the voice of the aliens from You story
Dan! I know why your zwift sessions with your wife are so popular! Because there is a female presenter shaped hole on the GCN channel!
Cyclists retire unexpectedly while at the top of their game because they've made a deal with the people who know about a positive test that has so far, been hidden.
Looks like Si got a case of the Conors 🙂
That "three wheeler" bidge is the upgraded version of a Cockentrice
I don't think Yates retirement at age 33 is particularly unique. Bicycle racing has always been a intellectually, emotionally and physically tough sport. Bicycle racing is not a casual ride through the country side. I haven't raced in decades, and I view my time racing as an enormously positive influence in my life. It was really exciting and it forced me to push myself in positive ways. Having said that, I can't say racing itself was something I would describe as fun. After a while, the constant push to improve and win became emotionally exhausting to me. Particularly at elite levels where the racers eat, drink and sleep the sport at the most intense levels and do little beyond that, I can see why some people simply don't want to do it any longer, and "retire" at a relatively young age. Overall I don't think the sport is more demanding than in previous eras. In certain ways I believe the sport is more demanding now than ever before, but in many ways it's not nearly as demanding as it used to be. Moreover, I question how much faster riders actually are compared to riders in previous decades versus how much modern technology and better roads account for the increased average speeds. I've seen studies, but most lacked a comprehensive view.
Rumor mill swirling that Yates was about to fail/failed a drug test and chose to retire vs. get a ban.
I think Jonas going to the Giro is a big slap in the face to Simon. Defending champ diss. He was pissed off by that.
Maybe Si Yates has enough $ and wants to start another life adventure where he can excel again.
The more i look at the hack or bodge ebike I am more and more certain it is AI generated
Intro: says welcome to beautiful Toronto and picks literally one of the least beautiful places to do it from, in the city. lmao
Si just made the 2026 bloopers.
Too hard? No, too expensive
I would watch a masters tour de france or similar
The intensity is now brutal and off the chart. Living like a monk, altitude camps, long seasons, the feeding routines, whereabouts rules, and dangers of high speeds. This makes for quick cyclists but the human at the centre is becoming somewhat forgotten. Exceptional persons not to forget, Annemiek van Vleuten, Matt Haymen, Adam Hanson, shut up legs Jens Voigt, Chris Horner. But there seems to be fewer these days.
Caption: if you want to win a sprint, grab yourself a Merlier.
Simon Yates retires from Road cycling ….. becomes the favorite for 2026 World Gravel Bike Championships!
And Iron maidens new album cover is
Also Simone Biles…I think as fans we fail to appreciate the mental toll this ruthlessly competitive profession takes on these athletes. We tune in once a week for a few months a year (or less) and cheer them on, but they have to eat, sleep and breathe the sport for 365.