The Sigma Sports Cafe Ride
From the first episode which saw Matt Stephens meet up with cyclocross and mountain bike legend Nick Craig, The Cafe Ride series has taken viewers on an insightful and at times thought-provoking journey, exploring the joys of riding a bike and celebrating the enjoyment of a cafe ride.
Read on to learn more about the series' guests and watch each of the episodes.
The Andrew Ridgeley Episode
WHAM! popstar turned cyclist Andrew Ridgeley takes Matt Stephens on a stunning tour of Cornwall in this delightful episode of the Sigma Sports Café Ride. Both men have a love of music stretching back to the heyday of vinyl, and after a quick stop at a record shop, it was time to embark on Andrew’s gruelling route with plenty of hills to test the legs. But when the sun shines on a summer’s day, the rewards are certainly worth it.
With stops for selfies along the beautiful Cornish coastline, a beachside coffee stop and fish and chips by the harbour wall, this could well be the perfect summer training ride.
The David O'Doherty Episode
An award winning comedian and cycling fanatic, David O’Doherty is the perfect guest to show Matt Stephens around his hometown of Dublin for this charming episode of the Sigma Sports Café Ride. David admits his obsession with classic racing bicycles is somewhat problematic as he struggles for storage space, but he puts them to great use by regularly riding to the Phoenix Park. No trip to the biggest city centre park in Europe is complete without a sighting of the famous herd of deer that reside there, but will Matt and David find them, or crash out along the way?
Learn more about the episode and watch it here
The Greg Lemond Episode
Perhaps the most influential road cyclist in modern times, Greg Lemond sat down with Matt at the cafe to talk about how he came back from a potentially career debilitating gun shot injury to claim two further Tour de France titles. He also speaks to Matt about how he was at the forefront of tech when it came to aerodynamics and style. The American met Matt in the beautiful Champagne region where the pair set off on a short training ride, taking in some of the best views the area had to offer.
The Tom Pidcock Episode
Regarded as Britain's most versatile bike rider, Tom Pidcock joins presenter and former national road champion Matt Stephens for the latest episode of the Sigma Sports Café Ride. Setting off on a drizzly morning in late November, Matt and Tom rode an easy route to a local cafe near his winter residence in Belgium. There, they discussed Tom’s goals for a jam-packed racing season in 2024.
Learn more about the episode and watch it here
The Tadej Pogacar Episode
Perhaps the most exciting cyclist of the past decade, Tadej Pogačar joins presenter and former national champion Matt Stephens for the latest episode of the Sigma Sports Café Ride. Tadej and his partner Urška Žigart welcomed Matt to their apartment in Monaco before setting off on a short training ride over the beautiful Col d’Eze. A climb that will feature on a time trial stage of next season’s Tour de France, it was the perfect setting for a casual chat about Pogačar’s Grand Tour successes in 2020 and 2021.
The Ethan Hayter Episode
Former Team Pursuit World Champion and team Ineos Grenadiers fast-finisher Ethan Hayter joined Matt for a ride around his home of South London. The pair discuss everything from growing up racing around the Crystal Palace circuit to what the historic Herne Hill Velodrome means to him.
Learn more about the episode and watch it here
The Rebecca Charlton Episode
Broadcaster and cyclist Rebecca Charlton fully embraced the active pregnancy lifestyle, and in her third trimester, she welcomed Matt Stephens to the South Downs Link for a Sigma Sports Cafe Ride like no other.
The Sir Bradley Wiggins Episode
Matt Stephens meets Sir Bradley Wiggins to reflect on his history-making achievements of 2012, when he managed to win the Tour de France and the Olympic Time Trial in the space of a week.
Learn more about the episode and watch it here
The Elynor Backstedt Episode
A neo pro with a serious palmares to her name. Matt headed out to the Liege region of Belgium to meet Elynor Backstedt for this episode. Learn more about the Gent Wevelgem winner and her favourite place to ride in Wales.
The Brian Holm Episode
A former professional cyclist, one of the sport's most distinguished director sportives and a style icon, Matt Stephens headed to Denmark for a ride and chat with Brian Holm.
The Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig Episode
Heading to Copenhagen, Matt Stephens joins one of the most loved riders in the UCI Women's WorldTour, Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig. The duo explore some of Cecilie's favourite roads and sights, including a visit to The Little Mermaid Statue.
The Mark Cavendish Episode
Matt Stephens joins Mark Cavendish on the Isle of Man for a cycling tour of the Manx Missile's playground. To duo discuss growing up in a tightly knit community to becoming one of the most successful sprinters in the world.
The Simon Gerrans Episode
Matt Stephens is joined by Simon Gerrans; a remarkable rider with stage wins at all three Grand Tours, two Monument victories and a podium at the World Road Championships under his belt. Riding around the streets of London, the former Australian national champion talks about the next chapter in his life.
The Simon Yates Episode
A breathtaking Italian backdrop, a relaxed Grand Tour winner, and not a flat road in sight. For this episode, Matt Stephens headed out to the Mitchelton-Scott Cycling Team's end of season training camp to ride with Simon Yates.
The Daniel Oss Episode
Matt Stephens takes Daniel Oss on a ride through London with a rock 'n' roll twist. This episode features a chat lap of Regent's Park, bass guitar ogling on Denmark Street and a visit to the birthplace of the modern 'Fuzz' guitar sound.
Watch the Fabian Cancellara Episode
Matt Stephens headed out to Switzerland to meet the former Olympic and World Champion, Fabian Cancellara. The duo sample Bern's cafe scene and take a ride over the aptly named Fabian Cancellara bridge.
Watch the Adam Blythe Episode
Two former national road race champions, Matt Stephens and Lotto Soudal professional cyclist Adam Blythe clipped in and went for a ride around Adam's local Cheshire lanes.
The Alex Dowsett Episode
A cafe stop at the famous Blue Egg and a ride around the Essex lanes with the former world hour record holder and Grand Tour stage winning pro.
The Nick Craig Episode
Matt joins the cyclocross and mountain bike legend Nick Craig to learn more about the foundation Nick set up after the passing of his son.