EP3: Stephen Roche, the Col d’Aubisque and going to war to win cycling’s Triple Crown

Ireland’s Stephen Roche remains one of only three men to have won cycling’s triple crown – the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and the UCI World Championships Road Race in the same year. In this episode he joins Bradley and Graham to talk through his extraordinary achievement in 1987, which included today’s feature climb, the Col d’Aubisque, during The Tour. Hear how Stephen outwitted rivals who thought they’d beaten him, utilising his love of mind-games and extraordinary heart to destabilise his victims. Listen as he recounts going to war with his own team mate to set up the chance for the triple crown, and squirm at his embarrassment as Stephen pioneered a skin-suit that took him to an incredible 1985 win up the Aubisque too. Meanwhile Bradley and Graham recount the tale of a rider who had to be rescued from a ravine with a make-shift rope made from inner-tubes, and Stephen battles Bradley in our Ultimate Cyclist feature – as we debate the all-time greatest tactician. Hit FOLLOW to make sure you never miss an episode and join the Café Aficionado community on social. ⁠⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠⁠TikTok⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠ | Strava Add your favourite cycle café stop to the ⁠Café Aficionado map Contact us: ⁠[email protected]⁠ Credits Presented by⁠ Sir Bradley Wiggins⁠ and Graham Willgoss Guest: Geraint Thomas Researcher: Luca Unwin Production Manager: Ross Aitken Social Video Producer: Rosie Mansfield YouTube Editor: Theo Stocklin Produced and Edited by: Toby Gilles Executive Producers: Faye Stewart, Ashley Unwin & Dominic de Terville Recorded at: London Broadcast Studio Sir Bradley Wiggins' Café Aficionado is an Atomized Studios production.