Ned Boulting is launching a new cycling podcast with Manchester’s Crowd Network.
The Love Of Cycling launches on May 8th, with Boulting’s full coverage of the Giro d’Italia.
The journalist, presenter and voice of road cycling will later provide daily analysis of the Tour de France, as ITV aren’t airing the Tour this year – the first time since 2001. Instead it will only be available to UK viewers on TNT Sports or Max.
Boulting is the co-owner of the podcast and will bring his Never Strays Far (NSF) audience with him. That will reunite NSF co-hosts and former commentary team, Lizzie Deignan, Pete Kennaugh and David Miller as guests on the show.
“This year marks a significant moment for professional cycling, and a turning point in how fans access and engage with the sport,” explained Boulting.
“We had promised our loyal Never Strays Far fanbase that we would be reacting to the Tour de France coverage sitting behind a paywall. Partnering with Crowd Network who themselves have already built such a successful cycling podcast, gives us every chance of achieving our ambitions and more.
“We’re committed to provide the cycling fanbase with accessible opportunities to follow and interact with all the upcoming Grand Tours. Following the success of NSF, which has built a devoted audience, FTLOC represents the next chapter – expanding the existing format into a multi-channel experience.”
As well as cultural storytelling content and long-form stage reaction on the podcast and YouTube channels, fans will have daily access to social media videos capturing the atmosphere and reactions of each race.
There will also be multi-platform, on location coverage of the Tour de France Femmes.
It’s the latest in the “For The Love Of” series of podcasts from Crowd Network, following For The Love Of Running, For The Love Of Rugby and For The Love Of Cricket.
“As the leading voice of road cycling and Grand Tours, it’s a privilege to be partnering with Ned on our new cycling show and providing both new and legacy fans with a place where they can access engaging content,” explained Mike Carr, CEO of Crowd.
“The way people consume sport has changed drastically over recent years, and we’re proud to be leading the way in creating both long and short-form cycling content across different social channels so everyone can be part of the two biggest tours in the cycling calendar this year.”
