Sigma Sports presents Matt Stephens Unplugged

Giro Unplugged Stages 4 to 9 - The Story So Far with Ned Boulting

The second instalment of our Giro d’Italia special series, with Matt Stephens behind the scenes with Ned Boulting to discuss the drama of the race so far. Looking back at stages 4 to 9, there’s plenty to discuss - Cav’s emotional 300m sprint victory, Biniam Girmay’s incredible Giro debut, and the joys of the most unpredictable grand tour they’ve ever watched. Find out what the pair are looking forward to over the coming week, and get a real flavour of how it feels to be on the road following the race with Matt’s random recordings; there’s an incidence of Eurobeat road rage, a haunted mole grips, and a very windy volcano to contend with - an episode not to be missed!

Giro Unplugged Stages 1 to 3 - Hungary for Goulash with Stephen Roche

A new series of short catch-ups with Matt Stephens from the heart of the action at the 2022 Giro d’Italia. Recorded on rest day one, Matt looks back on stages one to three to reflect on Mark Cavendish’s emotional sprint victory. He also enjoys some Goulash, and finds out how the Giro came to Hungary from Stephen Roche. Matt tells us what he’s looking forward to in the coming stages and uses the term ‘Netflix and Chill’ with innocent naivety. 

Fred Wright would love to win Flanders one day

Matt Stephens and Fred Wright discuss that itching feeling to get back on the bike after a few days of rest, which might come as a surprise given the depth of effort Fred put into his Spring Classics season. Now with his sights firmly on the Tour de France, the Team Bahrain Victorious rider is so versatile that he has the luxury of picking and choosing whether he goes for it in a bunch sprint or a Time Trial stage. Having met Bradley Wiggins there as a kid, it wasn’t until he reached his teens that he realised that Herne Hill Velodrome and its volunteers had shaped him as a rider, and a person; setting him on his path to stardom in the pro peloton.

Tanja Erath from Zwift Academy Champion to Paris Roubaix

Matt Stephens chats with Tanja Erath about her life-changing Zwift Academy victory and her subsequent professional cycling career, which has led her to recently finishing her second Paris Roubaix. A fully qualified doctor, Tanja is seizing the opportunity to enjoy every moment of her racing career with EF Education-TIBCO-SVB, safe in the knowledge that returning to work as a medical doctor is just like riding a bike. But how does her knowledge of medicine affect her decision making on race day, how did fracturing her vertebrate make her a better doctor, and how much does entry cost to the Jazz Club in Heilbronn cost for non-members? The answer to these questions and more are all in this fascinating episode of Matt Stephens Unplugged!

Nico Roche on how dancing changed his life

Matt Stephens joins Nico Roche in his hotel room for an up-close and personal chat about his recent retirement from the pro peloton and his plans for the future. With a fascinating insight into the differences between bike racing pre and post-Covid lockdowns, Nicolas reckons things will never be the same again. Having recently stepped out of his comfort zone to take part in Dancing With The Stars on Irish TV, Nico describes how the challenging experience changed his life. And after a somewhat nomadic upbringing, the Franco-Irishman elected to be quizzed on his current hometown of Monaco - but how well does he know his Eurovision song contest winning titles?

Kasper Asgreen explains how he won the Tour of Flanders

Matt Stephens enjoys the company of the 2021 Tour of Flanders champion, Kasper Asgreen, in this monumental episode. Knowing your strengths is a key attribute of any successful bike racer, but it's the execution that really matters, as Kasper recalls his tactical approach to winning the Ronde Van Vlaanderen last season. He also remembers the moment Patrick Lefevere really made him sweat - just before offering him a place on his dream team, Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl. But it was Kasper’s hidden talents that left the biggest impression on our host, and it's a matter of time before we find out if he will fulfil Matt’s request to display them on the podium.

Connor Swift on premature celebrations

Matt Stephens chats to Connor Swift about Steak Bakes, clothes horses, and premature celebrations. Listen to his captivating recollection of the moment he threw his hands in the air at Tro Bro Leon, 2021 only for it to go to a photo finish. The Arkéa–Samsic rider might have become British national champion at just 22 years of age but now, four years later, he really feels like he’s developing into a late bloomer. But what does that mean for young riders coming through the ranks now? And what does Connor know about the oldest goldfish in Doncaster? 

Magnus Bäckstedt on two-wheel drifting at Paris-Roubaix

Matt Stephens and Magnus Bäckstedt chat about his famous victory at Paris-Roubaix, in this fascinating Spring Classics themed episode. A formidable figure on the bike, the big Swede forged his powerful legs in the world of downhill skiing, and he explains to Matt how he had to make a tough decision as to which sport to dedicate himself to. It proved a good choice, as his Alessio–Bianchi teammates of 2004 would attest, helping him to deliver a memorable victory at Paris-Roubaix. Now, Magnus dedicates his time to helping his two daughters achieve their own goals; with both Elynor and Zoë Bäckstedt riding at the very highest levels too. But how well does Magnus know the heavy metal rock bands of his hometown of Linköping? There’s only one way to find out…

Marcel Kittel on retirement, fatherhood, and musical high jumping

Matt Stephens and Marcel Kittel chat about his fantastic career as one of the best sprinters of the modern era. The former Etixx–Quick-Step and Katusha–Alpecin rider took an amazing 89 professional victories but is now enjoying his retirement by embarking on a number of personal projects. He discusses how becoming a father changed his trajectory overnight, and he has a lot to look forward to as he builds a new home for his family. But has he ever taken part in a high jump contest while music was playing in a festival atmosphere, and does he know the three most popular meats used in the sausages of his homeland? There’s only one way to find out…

Jose Been on making the most of your opportunities

Matt Stephens learns how Jose Been is like you or me; she’s a cycling fan. But when her knowledge of the sport began to get noticed on social media, she was offered her first commentary gig by Eurosport then quickly became a household name in the Netherlands, commentating on almost every race broadcast. With a talent for fact retention, she often surprises herself with information buried deep in her brain and considers the job of a commentator to include 365 days a year of research. But being in the public eye brought some unwanted attention from online trolls, leading her to step back from the sport for a short while in 2019. When she returned, she began commentating in English and found that the warm reception gave her a second wind; making English-speaking cycling fans all the richer for it.