Bas Tietema and the Unibet Rose Rockets are two name synonymous with limit-pushing, fun-having, and big goals. The Rockets have captured fan attention are the world for their authenticity, relation to the public, and impact on cycling as a whole. Bas Tietema is the man behind the squad and one of the founders.

Cycling has long been viewed as a conservative and tradition-based but yet we have progressed so far in the sport in terms of technology, tactics, training, and nutrition. It's time for the sports business model to see a shake-up!

From concept to reality, what has the journey been like from those within? Is it actually beneficial to have more teams follow a "future-proof" branding style? What are the surprises

for first-time team managers in building a squad? How much does budget, logistics, and staff management play into day-to-day operations? And is a stage win at the Giro truly a bigger marketing boost than multiple days in breakaways and in front of the peloton?

Follow Bas Tietema on Instagram @bastietema

Follow the Rockets on Instagram: @rocketscycling

Join the Clipless in Canada Strava Club: https://www.strava.com/clubs/cliplessincanadapodcast

Noemi Rüegg has quickly becoming one of cycling’s fan favourites for her personality, charm, authenticity and genuine kindness, good-nature, and impact on the sport. Pair that with EF Education - Oatly’s growth to being the “fan’s team” and there is real room for impact, growth, and development for the sport.

We chat about Noemi’s development in the sport and her move from running to cyclocross to road, and where her career has come from and what the future holds. Noemi gives some insight into the differences felt and seen in developing in a Dutch team versus one more international like EF Education - Oatly. We also look into why authenticity is so important for career and brand building, why relationships and maturity are invaluable because we never know which young athlete is watching and admiring, as well as the ability for teams, brands, and athletes, to do so much more through being truly good.

All this and more on the episode!!

Released in May 2024, the Rudy Project Wingdream accelerated the idea of what an aero helmet could be. It changed the game for triathletes and cyclists all over the world, amateur and elite. The helmet is so fast, pros are going off-sponsor to race in it!

"Oversized" lids are a big deal now and Rudy Project really pushed that agenda forward. But how? Why? And with what R&D, engineering, testing and real-life knowledge goes into creating something like this? We decided to find out!

Mike Buenting; the Sports Marketing Manager for Rudy Project's North American division, Matt Hanson; pro triathlete and Rudy Project sponsored athlete, as well as Geoff Eaker; General Manager of A2 Wind Tunnel all join the show to give a deep dive into one of cycling's most exciting tech pieces.

We chat about the development of the helmet, bringing wind tunnel testing and real-world riding together, the impact of pro athlete input in the final product, the growth of a brand through a product like this, and what it means to riders, teams, and Rudy Project as a whole.

To stress, this is NOT a paid episode, nor am I, Carter Lewis, receiving any form of kickback, monetary or others. Cool cycling technology is what gets people into the sport and long-time athletes keep chasing goals. This episode is for all the tech nerds and marginal gain hunters!

Rudy Project Wingdream: https://www.rudyprojectna.com/collections/rudy-project-aero-helmets/products/wingdream

Mike Buenting Instagram: @buentingm

Matt Hanson: @matthansontri

Matt's coaching website: https://www.matthansontri.com/

Geoff Eaker/A2 Wind Tunnel: https://a2wt.com/

Instagram: @a2windtunnel

Ansel Smolund and his Couchview creation are fast becoming one of cycling's premier media outlets. Bringing a new style, vibe, and personality, Ansel showcases what cycling can be if we imagine it in an updated fashion. From crazy edits on Instagram, to spontaneous interviews and volts on YouTube, Couchview challenges the norm, all in good, energetic ways.

I, Carter Lewis, chat with Ansel about his vision for the brand, building it into what it is now and where it can go, how the merch game is massively important in today's world, and the need and desire for brands to reach audiences in new, exciting, differentiating ways.

Ansel and this very show share a very similar vision for building the sport, growing bike racing worldwide, and enabling new riders to get into the sport. It's not about changing cycling, it's about altering the status quo to see change, push the sport in the right direction, and create something in the sport we can all be proud of.

Follow Ansel on Instagram @ansel.smo

Follow Couchview on Instagram @couchview.cc

Shop Couchview merch at https://couchview.cc

Being paid to race bikes is a privilege and something that very few of us will ever get the chance to say they did. But what is it like to make the Junior - WorldTour jump? How does one train for something they are yet to find out about? Is becoming pro "as seen on TV"? Young riders face these questions and many more on their potential path to the biggest races in the world.

Alex Volstad raced a strong rookie 2025 season with EF Education - Oatly, and is set to make in impact in her sophomore season this year. We chat about her rookie year, the learning curve that is being a young rider in a well-developed peloton, and what she looks back on as areas to improve.

At the end of the day, cycling is a sport, a game, and something to enjoy. Alex keeps the "happiness watts" high and the mental aspect of cycling at the forefront of what she does. She'll be racing her second Paris-Roubiax in her young career, so just imagine the success that could be coming down the road!

It's not about what you do, it's how you do it. Peter Disera embodies that mentality perfectly.

From local level racer to Olympic Cross-Country Mountain Bike racing in Tokyo 2020, Peter has generated tremendous impact for himself and those around him in his professional journey. In his still fresh post-racing years, he's not stopped that impact as he works with 94 FORWARD to build up the next generation of mountain biking talent.

We chat about his development and the less-than-straightforward route for young mountain bikers, where the difficulties arise for athletes in trying to turn pro and how we can help mitigate those problems, thereby helping participation numbers, local and national talent, and ultimately more international success.

Peter also gives insight into the massive impact (there's that word again) of 94 FORWARD, a legacy fund for the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria, British Columbia. He talks on how it works to build the local talent, bring awareness and funding to athletes that otherwise struggle to get it, and why it will only continue to see success in the coming years.

The jump from Junior to Elite pro is a difficult one, a jump which most can't make. Then there are others that take it in their stride, adjust to the new demands and thrive under the lifestyle. Moritz Mauss is set to do just that.

The young German joins UAE Team Emirates Gen Z for 2026, development team for UAE Team Emirates - XRG. Mortiz is packed with potential and is a fantastic person to go along with it. We chat about his development, adapting to the WorldTour level training and preparation, building his personal brand on social media, the behind-the-scenes work of the German Cycling Federation, and more.

We've heard many cyclists come to the sport from soccer/football, speed-skating, and running, but is Moritz the first to go pro with a fencing background? I think so!! And what's it like racing and training with the team and athletes so many kids dream about? Turns out it's pretty cool!

Follow Moritz on Instagram @mauss.moritz

Kenna Pfeiffer is one of America's brightest young talents, and she's doing it in style!

Riding with Virginia's Blue Ridge - TWENTY28, Kenna brings speed, tenacity, grit, and vibes to the 2026 calendar. We chat about her development in cycling, the switch from a very promising speed-skating career, building her social media platform, and her appreciation for what USAC has given her and so many other riders.

Kenna gives some insight into the Virginia's Blue Ridge - TWENTY28 system, why they really are such a cool group, the success that comes from having good values, and why it's more of a family, rather than a team.

Follow Kenna on Instagram @kenna.pfeiffer and Virginia's Blue Ridge - TWENTY28 @twenty28procycling