150. Brian Smith: National champ, racing with Lance, saying no to EPO, and snakes in showers

This week, James and Will are joined by Scottish ex-pro turned team manager, commentator and pundit, Brian Smith.

Brian cut his teeth in the 1980s at the school of cycling hardknocks, ACBB – Athletic Club de Boulogne-Billancourt – in Paris, whose alumni include Jacques Anquetil, Stephen Roche and Pippa York, before turning pro with the legendary British Banana team in 1991. Three successful seasons followed including his first British national road race title, which led to Brian catching the eye of the Motorola team bosses. He signed for the American outfit in 1994, and went on to race alongside Lance Armstrong, Andy Hampsten and Phil Anderson. Brian won his second British national road race title that same year, but as we discuss in our chat, despite such success he found himself disillusioned and on the outside of a sport he loved as cycling embroiled itself in its darkest doping years – something Brian wanted no part of. He hung up his racing wheels in 1996 but returned to the pro-peloton in 2011 as directeur sportif for Endura Racing, where he stayed as it evolved into MTN-Qhubeka then Dimension Data, before retiring in 2014.

Today, Brian can be found with a microphone in hand as a commentator and pundit for Eurosport, and among other parts of that job, Brian discusses his love of commentating and watching the lesser-known Tour of Hellas, a five-stage race around Greece which this year takes place between 6th and 10th of May, so keep an eye out for that one.

There are probably few people with as much experience across the last four decades of cycling as Brian, and certainly few people who talk so candidly about everything from being invited into 'the program' by Lance Armstrong, to having a snake thrown into his shower by Shane Sutton. So get the kettle, pin back your lugholes and listen to this one.

Interview begins at 3.44

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The Tour of Hellas in Greece is a five stage race taking place from 6th - 10th May 2026. Find out more here, and check in with wherever you watch your cycling for broadcast times

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This episode is brought to you by the Hammerhead Karoo GPS bike computer. Visit hammerhead.io and use the code CYCLIST to get a free HR strap with every purchase (just be sure to add the strap to your cart then apply the code at checkout)

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