Sigma Sports Unplugged with Matt Stephens

Portugal’s finest export since the pastel de nata, João Almeida joins Matt Stephens for a brilliantly honest conversation that dives into the life and mindset of one of the most consistent GC riders in the modern peloton. Matt also digs into what it’s like sharing a team with superstars Tadej Pogačar, Juan Ayuso and rising talent Isaac del Toro. Does riding for UAE Team Emirates limit his personal ambitions, or unlock even more potential? What did he really say in that infamous Tom Pidcock moment? João answers all of this and more with refreshing honesty. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt Stephens chats to ultra-distance bike racer, content creator and charity fundraiser Chris Hall about his recent challenges for Movember. Despite atrocious weather conditions, Chris completed a lap of Britain unsupported during the summer of 2025, learning valuable lessons along the way. With a history of severe depression, Movember is a charity close to his heart and this monumental effort is documented superbly in Chris’ film “Bikepacking the Perimeter of Britain”. Cycling has played a huge part in Chris' recovery from depression and continues to help him maintain his mental health.   www.sigmasports.com Support Chris’ Movember fundraising at his  MoSpace: https://uk.movember.com/mospace/6408721  Chris Hall’s ‘Bikepacking The Perimeter of Britain’ on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLGuamHY2pc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt Stephens chats to Emma Pooley about her incredibly varied career, which spans from professional cycling through long distance running and triathlon, to a victory on University Challenge and some Geotech Engineering thrown in for good measure. The very definition of a multi-disciplinary champion, Emma talks candidly about her struggle to retire from pro sports and how her love for the mountains is undying. The former UCI Individual Time Trial world champion and Olympic Silver medalist shares the origin story of her competitive nature, which to Matt’s surprise, involves roast potatoes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt Stephens chats to Amy Hudson, known as amy.cycling.adventures on social media channels, about her struggles with mental health and the role cycling has had in her recovery. While working as a Mental Health Nurse for the NHS, Amy began suffering with anxiety and eating disorders, with thoughts of suicide. Her husband bought her a road bike, and it slowly changed her life. Now, with the goal of raising funds for mental health charities, she has completed the entire men’s Tour de France route as well as the transfers, and is setting her sights on a huge challenge in 2026. ⁠www.sigmasports.com⁠ Amy’s Fundraising page for Shout and The Mix Mental Health charities - https://www.justgiving.com/page/a-c-a Read more about this episode on the Sigma Sports Blog: https://www.sigmasports.com/hub/stories/world-mental-health-day-matt-stephens-in-conversation-with-amy-hudson EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/unplugged Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Filippo Conca races in the Maglia Tricolore with UCI WorldTeam Jayco–AlUla  - but just three months ago, that seemed like a distant dream. Out of contract at the end of 2024, he found salvation in SWATT club, an Italian amateur team known for offering cyclists a fresh start with a mix of road and gravel racing. In this podcast, Filippo explains how it feels to win an Italian national road race championship as what he calls ‘a normal rider’, how his engine was suited to gravel racing, what he has planned for the end of this season and his goals in 2026. His is a story of resilience, redemption, and victory - it’s a bit like a movie. www.sigmasports.com EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/unplugged Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices