The Domestiques

The dust has barely settled in Perth and there is a lot to unpack. The Domestiques break down everything that went down at Road Nationals from every angle. We dig into the time trials, crit carnage, junior and U23 breakthroughs, and an elite men’s road race that has everyone arguing online. Pat Eddy’s stunning national title, Team Brennan’s masterclass, Jayco’s tactical dilemma, and why Luke Plapp probably does not deserve the pile on he has received.Add in on the ground insights from inside the bunch, behind the commentary mic, and from the couch, plus plenty of laughs, heat-induced suffering, and honest takes on what actually decided the race. Road Nationals done. Summer of cycling is officially underway.

In this episode of The Domestiques, Tills, Marko and Hollywood fire the starter’s gun on the Summer of Cycling with a full-blooded preview of the Australian Road National Championships in Perth.From time trial showdowns to crit chaos and road race tactics, the boys break down every key race across juniors, under 23s and elites. We cover Plapp vs Vine, Jayco’s numbers game, breakaway maths, dark horses, fashion critiques, heat fears, and the realities of racing Nationals versus watching it from the couch. If you are racing, watching, or yelling at the TV this week, this is your essential Nationals primer.Powered by Aid Station and Black Sheep.

Sometimes the best stories come wrapped in chaos. Fair warning. The internet and audio were very average on this one. The conversation still cuts through. From the elusive AIS development program to the heart of the WorldTour, Simon Clarke has lived just about every version of professional cycling. Astana. Orica GreenEDGE. Cannondale–Drapac. EF Pro Cycling. Qhubeka–NextHash. Israel–Premier Tech. Few riders can say they have seen the sport change from the inside as many times as he has. Marko, Tils and Hollywood unpack a career defined by resilience, adaptability, and surviving at the highest level for over a decade. Thank you for the support this year on The Domestiques. Ride safe. Check out the Trackhouse by Black Sheep Cycling and Focus Bikes at the TDU.

We recap Australia’s second-biggest Grand Tour, the Tour of Bright, with special guest Talia Appleton, breaking down the racing, the mix of young guns and seasoned pros on show, and what it all means heading into a massive summer of cycling.Plus, we dig into what INEOS Grenadiers are really building and yes, we confirm the rumour mill is very much true.Get involved in the first race of the 2026 WorldTour with Black Sheep at The Trackhouse. 16 - 25 January. Learn more at https://trackhouse.blacksheep.cc/

This week on The Domestiques, Hollywood, Marko and Tils are joined by Australian WorldTour stalwart Chris Hamilton, the road captain, climber and all-round legend who’s spent nearly a decade guiding leaders through grand tours, chaos stages and everything in between.We talk team tactics, life inside the peloton, the role of a modern road captain, the biggest changes, and what’s next for the quietly brilliant Aussie who’s earned huge respect across the WorldTour. Powered by Black Sheep Cycling.