Cosmo Catalano - How The Race Was Won®
@howtheracewaswon.com
I tweet about bike races and things tangentially related to them. @cyclocosm at the old place, @howtheracewaswon on Threads and Insta, where you'll find most of my work recent work. https://howtheracewaswon.com for the rest.
the AI cannot decide whether or not I ever need to fully flush (vs just periodically bleed) my MTB brakes. I think it's stuck between a service manual and many, many actual Shimano owners wondering if that's even a thing.
September 21, 2026 at 2:02 AM
the AI cannot decide whether or not I ever need to fully flush (vs just periodically bleed) my MTB brakes. I think it's stuck between a service manual and many, many actual Shimano owners wondering if that's even a thing.
Beep boop
September 21, 2026 at 1:08 AM
Beep boop
Blevins looking happy to set pace early on this track. Things are lined out behind him, but not enough pressure yet to really break things up.
September 20, 2026 at 10:41 PM
Blevins looking happy to set pace early on this track. Things are lined out behind him, but not enough pressure yet to really break things up.
Azzaro realizing that yeah, maybe he should go after Aldridge when 2 of the 3 riders immediately behind him are his teammates.
September 20, 2026 at 10:41 PM
Azzaro realizing that yeah, maybe he should go after Aldridge when 2 of the 3 riders immediately behind him are his teammates.
I think Sina Frei is gonna have to hold on to that cowboy hat.
September 20, 2026 at 9:17 PM
I think Sina Frei is gonna have to hold on to that cowboy hat.
Hey @flobikes — you're gonna have to walk me through how missing audio commentary for the Women's TT Worlds has anything to do with "the team on-site". CBC (the host broadcaster AFAICT) has had audio with Ant McCrossan and Hannah Walker throughout the stage.
September 20, 2026 at 8:55 PM
Hey @flobikes — you're gonna have to walk me through how missing audio commentary for the Women's TT Worlds has anything to do with "the team on-site". CBC (the host broadcaster AFAICT) has had audio with Ant McCrossan and Hannah Walker throughout the stage.
Well at least we got audio in time to hear Seb Piquet start into an English rendition of "Happy Birthday" for Reusser—a song that is no longer under copyright in the US (and really never should have been in the first place) https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-34332853
September 20, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Well at least we got audio in time to hear Seb Piquet start into an English rendition of "Happy Birthday" for Reusser—a song that is no longer under copyright in the US (and really never should have been in the first place) https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-34332853
finally moved the contents of my old Tumblr to the How The Race Was Won® website
September 14, 2026 at 10:15 PM
finally moved the contents of my old Tumblr to the How The Race Was Won® website
One week removed from Pogacar crashing out of the Vuelta, the tactical savvy and cohesive riding of (checks notes) Team Movistar has filled the leadership void:
howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-0...
howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-0...
The classic Vuelta mayhem continued into Stage 14, and the How The Race Was Won® podcast is here for it.
The classic Vuelta mayhem continued into Stage 14, and the How The Race Was Won® podcast from @escapecollective is all about it.
On YouTube (link in bio) @daneacash and I discuss 𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝑀𝑜𝓋𝒾𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓇 𝑅𝑒𝓃𝒶𝒾𝓈...
howtheracewaswon.com
September 6, 2026 at 1:15 AM
One week removed from Pogacar crashing out of the Vuelta, the tactical savvy and cohesive riding of (checks notes) Team Movistar has filled the leadership void:
howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-0...
howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-0...
MvdP did not win MTB Worlds. But Tom Pidcock did—and in the process, might have left some valuable lessons for his multi-disciplinary rival.
howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-0...
howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-0...
How Tom Pidcock Got Right What MvdP Got Wrong at 2026 MTB Worlds
It wasn’t start position that undid @mathieuvanderpoel at #mtbworlds so much as how he responded to it. @tompidcock managed his effort magnificently and reaped the late-race dividends, but the good ne...
howtheracewaswon.com
September 2, 2026 at 5:43 AM
MvdP did not win MTB Worlds. But Tom Pidcock did—and in the process, might have left some valuable lessons for his multi-disciplinary rival.
howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-0...
howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-0...
MvdP looked a little stiff on the bike at times, but being able to hang with Boichis at Les Gets makes him a legit contender for Worlds this weekend
howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-0...
howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-0...
Yes, Mathieu van der Poel Might Actually Win the 2026 XCO MTB World Title
Last year’s XCO Worlds at Crans Montana wasn’t a great course for @mathieuvanderpoel, and he was good-not-great in his prep events.
This time around, he and @boichisadrien separated themselves from ...
howtheracewaswon.com
August 27, 2026 at 3:19 AM
MvdP looked a little stiff on the bike at times, but being able to hang with Boichis at Les Gets makes him a legit contender for Worlds this weekend
howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-0...
howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-0...
I spent a long time detailing the crummy analysis in US cycling coverage.
But honestly, missing the sport's weird little quirks hurts a little bit more:
howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-0...
But honestly, missing the sport's weird little quirks hurts a little bit more:
howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-0...
Little Quirks Like This Podium Mix-Up Are What Make New Cycling Fans
Is this Ultra-Critical Bike Racing Analysis™? No.
But is it the sort of weird quirk that creates bike racing fans? Absolutely.
(I now promise not to complain about Peacock’s coverage again for at le...
howtheracewaswon.com
August 23, 2026 at 4:07 AM
I spent a long time detailing the crummy analysis in US cycling coverage.
But honestly, missing the sport's weird little quirks hurts a little bit more:
howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-0...
But honestly, missing the sport's weird little quirks hurts a little bit more:
howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-0...
Finally got around to some Tour de France Femmes content that wasn't just complaining about the commentary
(though I do still kinda complain about the commentary just differently and more focused on racing)
howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-0...
(though I do still kinda complain about the commentary just differently and more focused on racing)
howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-0...
One of the better Tours de France in recent memory, so I have to say *something* about the actual racing
One of the better Tours de France in recent memory, so I have to say *something* about the actual racing, right?
Honestly thought this reel would be a lot quicker than it was—covered a lot of ground...
howtheracewaswon.com
August 18, 2026 at 3:56 PM
Finally got around to some Tour de France Femmes content that wasn't just complaining about the commentary
(though I do still kinda complain about the commentary just differently and more focused on racing)
howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-0...
(though I do still kinda complain about the commentary just differently and more focused on racing)
howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-0...
On the eve of US audiences losing the World Feed at the TDFF, an extraordinarily deep dive on what Peacock's cycling coverage gets wrong, why it gets it wrong, and how it could be done better:
howtheracewaswon.com/long-form/20...
howtheracewaswon.com/long-form/20...
No More Re-PHILs: How Peacock's Cycling Coverage Needs to Get Better
No More Re-PHILs: How Peacock's Cycling Coverage Needs to Get Better
howtheracewaswon.com
August 7, 2026 at 11:03 PM
On the eve of US audiences losing the World Feed at the TDFF, an extraordinarily deep dive on what Peacock's cycling coverage gets wrong, why it gets it wrong, and how it could be done better:
howtheracewaswon.com/long-form/20...
howtheracewaswon.com/long-form/20...
I get the parallels between Pogacar and Armstrong, but there are a lot of things that couldn't be more different.
I get the parallels between Pogacar and Armstrong, but as som...
https://howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-07-28-i-get-the-parallels-between-pogacar-and-armstrong-but-a-lot-is-different/
I get the parallels between Pogacar and Armstrong, but as som...
https://howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-07-28-i-get-the-parallels-between-pogacar-and-armstrong-but-a-lot-is-different/
I get the parallels between Pogacar and Armstrong, but there are a lot of things that couldn't be more different.
I get the parallels between Pogacar and Armstrong, but as someone who was around and engaged back when, there is *a lot* that couldn’t be more different.
howtheracewaswon.com
July 28, 2026 at 4:04 AM
I get the parallels between Pogacar and Armstrong, but there are a lot of things that couldn't be more different.
I get the parallels between Pogacar and Armstrong, but as som...
https://howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-07-28-i-get-the-parallels-between-pogacar-and-armstrong-but-a-lot-is-different/
I get the parallels between Pogacar and Armstrong, but as som...
https://howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-07-28-i-get-the-parallels-between-pogacar-and-armstrong-but-a-lot-is-different/
Yesterday was a wild one—and a big reason why we see Mads up the road once again today. #tourdefrance #htrww
escapecollective.com/a-sprint-sho...
escapecollective.com/a-sprint-sho...
A sprint showdown on a breakaway day: How Alpecin bested Lidl-Trek on Tour stage 17
A closer look at how Jasper Philipsen won stage 17 of the Tour de France despite the best efforts of the rider in the green jersey.
escapecollective.com
July 23, 2026 at 1:38 PM
Yesterday was a wild one—and a big reason why we see Mads up the road once again today. #tourdefrance #htrww
escapecollective.com/a-sprint-sho...
escapecollective.com/a-sprint-sho...
Watching @pedersen__mads and @sebpiquet carry on about damage control at the Tour de France
Watching @pedersen__mads and @sebpiquet carry on like this in the post-race interviews ha...
https://howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-07-20-watching-pedersen-mads-and-sebpiquet-carry-on-about-damage-control/
Watching @pedersen__mads and @sebpiquet carry on like this in the post-race interviews ha...
https://howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-07-20-watching-pedersen-mads-and-sebpiquet-carry-on-about-damage-control/
Watching @pedersen__mads and @sebpiquet carry on about damage control at the Tour de France
Watching @pedersen__mads and @sebpiquet carry on like this in the post-race interviews has been extremely entertaining—#soundon for full effect.
howtheracewaswon.com
July 20, 2026 at 10:30 PM
Watching @pedersen__mads and @sebpiquet carry on about damage control at the Tour de France
Watching @pedersen__mads and @sebpiquet carry on like this in the post-race interviews ha...
https://howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-07-20-watching-pedersen-mads-and-sebpiquet-carry-on-about-damage-control/
Watching @pedersen__mads and @sebpiquet carry on like this in the post-race interviews ha...
https://howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-07-20-watching-pedersen-mads-and-sebpiquet-carry-on-about-damage-control/
Unpredictability reared its head on TdF Stage 15, shaking up a previously predictable GC race in ways both awful and encouraging.
In the latest How The Race Was Won® podcast, @daneacash and talk abo...
https://howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-07-19-unpredictability-reared-its-head-on-tdf-stage-15/
In the latest How The Race Was Won® podcast, @daneacash and talk abo...
https://howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-07-19-unpredictability-reared-its-head-on-tdf-stage-15/
Unpredictability reared its head on TdF Stage 15, shaking up a previously predictable GC race
Unpredictability reared its head on TdF Stage 15, shaking up a previously predictable GC race in ways both awful and encouraging.
In the latest How The Race Was Won® podcast, @daneacash and talk about both sides of this coin. Link in bio to the full FREE version on YouTube, though @escapecollectiv
howtheracewaswon.com
July 19, 2026 at 11:31 PM
Unpredictability reared its head on TdF Stage 15, shaking up a previously predictable GC race in ways both awful and encouraging.
In the latest How The Race Was Won® podcast, @daneacash and talk abo...
https://howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-07-19-unpredictability-reared-its-head-on-tdf-stage-15/
In the latest How The Race Was Won® podcast, @daneacash and talk abo...
https://howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-07-19-unpredictability-reared-its-head-on-tdf-stage-15/
No question UAE drew a target on TdF Stage 6 and hit the bullseye. But could Visma have done better?
No question UAE drew a target on TdF Stage 6 and hit the bullseye. But on the latest How The Race Was ...
https://howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-07-10-no-question-uae-drew-a-target-on-tdf-stage-6/
No question UAE drew a target on TdF Stage 6 and hit the bullseye. But on the latest How The Race Was ...
https://howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-07-10-no-question-uae-drew-a-target-on-tdf-stage-6/
No question UAE drew a target on TdF Stage 6 and hit the bullseye. But could Visma have done better?
No question UAE drew a target on TdF Stage 6 and hit the bullseye. But on the latest How The Race Was Won® podcast, @daneacash and I ponder—with an atypical profile and a TT/group-friendly final climb, could Visma have done better?
Link in bio to the full FREE version on YouTube, though @escapecoll
howtheracewaswon.com
July 10, 2026 at 5:33 AM
No question UAE drew a target on TdF Stage 6 and hit the bullseye. But could Visma have done better?
No question UAE drew a target on TdF Stage 6 and hit the bullseye. But on the latest How The Race Was ...
https://howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-07-10-no-question-uae-drew-a-target-on-tdf-stage-6/
No question UAE drew a target on TdF Stage 6 and hit the bullseye. But on the latest How The Race Was ...
https://howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-07-10-no-question-uae-drew-a-target-on-tdf-stage-6/
Reposted by Cosmo Catalano - How The Race Was Won®
Here's @howtheracewaswon.com on the start-to-finish Lidl-Trek masterclass that won stage 4 of the #TDF2026 escapecollective.com/in-a-tour-sh...
In a Tour short on gifts, Lidl-Trek wrapped a present for themselves
Lidl-Trek dominated stage 4 from start to finish. Here's how the key moments unfolded.
escapecollective.com
July 7, 2026 at 11:36 PM
Here's @howtheracewaswon.com on the start-to-finish Lidl-Trek masterclass that won stage 4 of the #TDF2026 escapecollective.com/in-a-tour-sh...
In honor of The Fourth of July, here’s the Ken Burns / Tour de France mashup nobody asked for.
(video edits are me, script is me, voice is me, but digitally altered to sound like a certain...
https://howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-07-05-heres-the-ken-burns-tour-de-france-mashup-nobody-asked-for/
(video edits are me, script is me, voice is me, but digitally altered to sound like a certain...
https://howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-07-05-heres-the-ken-burns-tour-de-france-mashup-nobody-asked-for/
In honor of The Fourth of July, here’s the Ken Burns / Tour de France mashup nobody asked for
In honor of The Fourth of July, here’s the Ken Burns / Tour de France mashup nobody asked for.
(video edits are me, script is me, voice is me, but digitally altered to sound like a certain late Pulitzer prize-winning historian)
🎻: “Ashokan Farewell” by Jay Ungar & Molly Mason
howtheracewaswon.com
July 5, 2026 at 4:00 AM
In honor of The Fourth of July, here’s the Ken Burns / Tour de France mashup nobody asked for.
(video edits are me, script is me, voice is me, but digitally altered to sound like a certain...
https://howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-07-05-heres-the-ken-burns-tour-de-france-mashup-nobody-asked-for/
(video edits are me, script is me, voice is me, but digitally altered to sound like a certain...
https://howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-07-05-heres-the-ken-burns-tour-de-france-mashup-nobody-asked-for/
“Racecraft” tends to be the preferred term over “tactics” in MTB, but @bikerevolutionseries Davos Featured Teamwork
“Racecraft” tends to be the preferred term over “tactics”...
https://howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-06-30-racecraft-tends-to-be-the-preferred-term-over-tactics-davos-bikerevolution/
“Racecraft” tends to be the preferred term over “tactics”...
https://howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-06-30-racecraft-tends-to-be-the-preferred-term-over-tactics-davos-bikerevolution/
“Racecraft” tends to be the preferred term over “tactics” in MTB, but @bikerevolutionseries Davos Featured Teamwork
“Racecraft” tends to be the preferred term over “tactics” in MTB racing, but @bikerevolutionseries Davos had a lot of what looked like good old-fashioned teamwork.
howtheracewaswon.com
June 30, 2026 at 5:10 AM
“Racecraft” tends to be the preferred term over “tactics” in MTB, but @bikerevolutionseries Davos Featured Teamwork
“Racecraft” tends to be the preferred term over “tactics”...
https://howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-06-30-racecraft-tends-to-be-the-preferred-term-over-tactics-davos-bikerevolution/
“Racecraft” tends to be the preferred term over “tactics”...
https://howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-06-30-racecraft-tends-to-be-the-preferred-term-over-tactics-davos-bikerevolution/
At Lenzerheide, @boichisadrien and @lucamartin.12 staged a classic battle of watts vs. racecraft…
At Lenzerheide, @boichisadrien and @lucamartin.12 staged a classic battle of wa...
https://howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-06-22-at-lenzerheide-boichisadrien-and-lucamartin-12-staged-a-classic-battle/
At Lenzerheide, @boichisadrien and @lucamartin.12 staged a classic battle of wa...
https://howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-06-22-at-lenzerheide-boichisadrien-and-lucamartin-12-staged-a-classic-battle/
At Lenzerheide, @boichisadrien and @lucamartin.12 staged a classic battle of watts vs. racecraft…
At Lenzerheide, @boichisadrien and @lucamartin.12 staged a classic battle of watts vs. racecraft
If you’re in 🇺🇸, sign up at the link in my bio to re-watch this epic throw-down in full—along with every other race from this year’s MTB World Series (XC and DH) plus extend highlights, special featu
howtheracewaswon.com
June 22, 2026 at 6:59 PM
At Lenzerheide, @boichisadrien and @lucamartin.12 staged a classic battle of watts vs. racecraft…
At Lenzerheide, @boichisadrien and @lucamartin.12 staged a classic battle of wa...
https://howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-06-22-at-lenzerheide-boichisadrien-and-lucamartin-12-staged-a-classic-battle/
At Lenzerheide, @boichisadrien and @lucamartin.12 staged a classic battle of wa...
https://howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-06-22-at-lenzerheide-boichisadrien-and-lucamartin-12-staged-a-classic-battle/
Was tempted to do a supercut of @saviliablunk looks back, but her XCC win at Lenzerheide was just too good for that
Was tempted to do a supercut of @saviliablunk looks back...
https://howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-06-20-was-tempted-to-do-a-supercut-of-saviliablunk-looks-back-xcc-win-lenzerheide/
Was tempted to do a supercut of @saviliablunk looks back...
https://howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-06-20-was-tempted-to-do-a-supercut-of-saviliablunk-looks-back-xcc-win-lenzerheide/
Was tempted to do a supercut of @saviliablunk looks back, but her XCC win at Lenzerheide was just too good for that
Was tempted to do a supercut of @saviliablunk looks back, but it was just too good a race for that.
ALSO—you can watch these races live & full replay in the US from the MTB World Series site! Voucher code COSMO30 gets you 30% off your first month’s subscription. More details at the end of the video
howtheracewaswon.com
June 20, 2026 at 6:29 AM
Was tempted to do a supercut of @saviliablunk looks back, but her XCC win at Lenzerheide was just too good for that
Was tempted to do a supercut of @saviliablunk looks back...
https://howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-06-20-was-tempted-to-do-a-supercut-of-saviliablunk-looks-back-xcc-win-lenzerheide/
Was tempted to do a supercut of @saviliablunk looks back...
https://howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-06-20-was-tempted-to-do-a-supercut-of-saviliablunk-looks-back-xcc-win-lenzerheide/
A *fantastic* final day at the @giroditaliawomen 2026
A *fantastic* final day at the @giroditaliawomen—Van der Breggen cleared the final summit in Pink, still holding the virtual lead, but Vollerin...
https://howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-06-07-a-fantastic-final-day-at-the-giroditaliawomen-2026/
A *fantastic* final day at the @giroditaliawomen—Van der Breggen cleared the final summit in Pink, still holding the virtual lead, but Vollerin...
https://howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-06-07-a-fantastic-final-day-at-the-giroditaliawomen-2026/
A *fantastic* final day at the @giroditaliawomen 2026
A *fantastic* final day at the @giroditaliawomen—Van der Breggen cleared the final summit in Pink, still holding the virtual lead, but Vollering proved the GC action doesn’t have to stop at the top.
howtheracewaswon.com
June 8, 2026 at 12:27 AM
A *fantastic* final day at the @giroditaliawomen 2026
A *fantastic* final day at the @giroditaliawomen—Van der Breggen cleared the final summit in Pink, still holding the virtual lead, but Vollerin...
https://howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-06-07-a-fantastic-final-day-at-the-giroditaliawomen-2026/
A *fantastic* final day at the @giroditaliawomen—Van der Breggen cleared the final summit in Pink, still holding the virtual lead, but Vollerin...
https://howtheracewaswon.com/reels/2026-06-07-a-fantastic-final-day-at-the-giroditaliawomen-2026/