Sky Sports News presenter Orla Chennaoui is joined in the studio by Team Sky rider Ben Swift to dissect everything you need to know about the for the first Grand Tour of the season, as well as a whole host of interviews, chat and previews.

In the first instalment Sir Bradley Wiggins talks at length about his preparations leading into the race, Sir Dave Brailsford chats about the process of team selection, and Dario Cataldo enthuses about the pride he feels of riding his home Grand Tour.

Orla and Ben also discuss what makes ‘Corsa Rosa’ such a special race, how it differs from the Tour de France, and what the riders will face during their first week on the road.

The subsequent two editions will also feature a wide range of news, views and interviews, and will be released on each of the two rest days – Monday 13 May and Monday 20 May – so be sure to stay tuned for those.

You can download the podcast and subscribe via iTunes HERE

Or listen on Mixcloud Here:

Team Sky Giro d’Italia Podcast – Episode One by Team Sky on Mixcloud

Hello All

Here is an update on what I’ve been up to since the season openers in Mallorca.

My recent trip down to the Triathlon Show at the beginning of March was good fun and it was really enjoyable to be in a slightly different environment but still around people that are passionate about cycling.

Photo: Paul Watkins

Whilst I was down south, I did my first Twitter ride and it worked out really well.  Before the ride I was very curious and to be honest a little apprehensive as to how many people would come, I was expecting a one man and his dog scenario! But I needn’t of been quite so pessimistic as it turned out to be a very successful ride and something I’d like to do more of in the future.

The amount of riders that turned up on a very cold morning was encouraging to see and I think its more proof cycling in Britain is in rude health and the new sport to be involved in.

As you may have seen from the website post last week, I have got involved with a sportive being organised by Human Race so I also met up with them to talk through the event.

To give you a quick inside to the sportive, it will just run on 30^th June down in London. There will be 3 distances 50km, 100km and 100mile. It finishes off nicely with a lap of the famous Herne Hill Velodrome that is the last standing infrastructure of the 1948 London Olympics, and is currently going through a major spruce up.

It’s definitely going to be a cool event and one not to be missed.  I’m hoping to ride the sportive and as long as it fits with my racing schedule…I will be there. for more info on the event click here

As you can see I’ve been keeping myself busy as to be honest I have had a bit of a rough time of it of late, the knee injury that I picked up from my crash in the Mallorca Challenge is still hanging around.

I think we are on the home straight now but it has been quite a challenging time. After the spill I just wanted to get back on my bike and build on my form and fitness, but it was a vicious circle. I would feel OK and ride, then the next day I could feel the pain come back.

I’m sure you can imagine taking time out when you have good condition and goal’s coming up is hard no matter what level of sports person you are and I’m not afraid to admit I struggled with that and now I think I’m paying the price a little through rushing it a bit too much.

The knee is feeling better now but it is looking like my classics season is over before it begun, frustrating but I need to be positive and I am lucky that it is still only March and I will be able to come back stronger and even more hungry to achieve a good mid and late season.