In this episode of The Domestiques, Tills, Marko and Hollywood fire the starter’s gun on the Summer of Cycling with a full-blooded preview of the Australian Road National Championships in Perth.

From time trial showdowns to crit chaos and road race tactics, the boys break down every key race across juniors, under 23s and elites. We cover Plapp vs Vine, Jayco’s numbers game, breakaway maths, dark horses, fashion critiques, heat fears, and the realities of racing Nationals versus watching it from the couch. If you are racing, watching, or yelling at the TV this week, this is your essential Nationals primer.

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Sometimes the best stories come wrapped in chaos. Fair warning. The internet and audio were very average on this one. The conversation still cuts through.

From the elusive AIS development program to the heart of the WorldTour, Simon Clarke has lived just about every version of professional cycling. Astana. Orica GreenEDGE. Cannondale–Drapac. EF Pro Cycling. Qhubeka–NextHash. Israel–Premier Tech. Few riders can say they have seen the sport change from the inside as many times as he has. Marko, Tils and Hollywood unpack a career defined by resilience, adaptability, and surviving at the highest level for over a decade.

Thank you for the support this year on The Domestiques. Ride safe. Check out the Trackhouse by Black Sheep Cycling and Focus Bikes at the TDU.

We recap Australia’s second-biggest Grand Tour, the Tour of Bright, with special guest Talia Appleton, breaking down the racing, the mix of young guns and seasoned pros on show, and what it all means heading into a massive summer of cycling.

Plus, we dig into what INEOS Grenadiers are really building and yes, we confirm the rumour mill is very much true.

Get involved in the first race of the 2026 WorldTour with Black Sheep at The Trackhouse. 16 - 25 January. Learn more at https://trackhouse.blacksheep.cc/

This week on The Domestiques, Hollywood, Marko and Tils are joined by Australian WorldTour stalwart Chris Hamilton, the road captain, climber and all-round legend who’s spent nearly a decade guiding leaders through grand tours, chaos stages and everything in between.

We talk team tactics, life inside the peloton, the role of a modern road captain, the biggest changes, and what’s next for the quietly brilliant Aussie who’s earned huge respect across the WorldTour.

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In this episode, we sit down with Australian cycling sensation Luke Plapp, a man who’s had a stellar year and is gearing up for even bigger things next season. Luke shares insights into his whirlwind year, from winning his first grand tour stage to changing coaches. He gives us a sneak peek at his race schedule for next year. We also have a bit of fun talking about the upcoming Tour of Bright, where Luke will be facing off against our very own host, Marko, in what promises to be an epic battle.

This week we dive into the impact of our local hitters, or stronger riders, and how their presence can disrupt group dynamics and lead to challenges in maintaining enjoyable and safe bunches for everyone. This comes off the back of a spate of incidents and behaviours recently.

The Domestiques also acknowledge the passing of Gold Medalist and World Champion Paralympian, Paige Greco, our thoughts are with her family and extended community

Join Kell O’Biren and Ali Wollaston, the dynamic power couple of cycling, on the Domestiques Podcast as they reflect on their remarkable year. They share insights into what it's like to live and train in a high-performance household, exploring team morale, gold medal performances, and the pursuit of those elusive one-percent improvements.

Plus, get ready for Black Sheep's Blackout Sale starting Wednesday, November 12. Get Early Access here

From United Energy Around the Bay to Gravelista, Dirty Warny to Giro della Donna, and across the ditch to the Tour of Southland, we unpack what it takes for events to not just survive in today’s climate, but to ideally thrive.

As we look toward a massive 2026 with the Tour de France starting in Barcelona and the Tour de France Femmes kicking off in Lausanne, we also discuss the uncertain future for Jayco’s licence and what it means for Aussie riders now free to seek new teams.

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