In a week when the dying embers of the raging fire that was the 2023 season are almost extinguished, we're already looking ahead to 2024... Welcome to the latest slice of cycling news from RadioCycling... We start with a guest appearance by Charlie Quarterman, who lifts the lid on the reasons for his decision to retire from the professional scene at the age of 25, despite a sterling performance in the 2023 Giro d’Italia and his undimmed passion for racing. The young Briton talks candidly about the constant physical and mental pressure he felt he was under, both on the bike and off it, about how his mind was made up when he found himself in hospital at 3 in the morning with heatstroke, and about his desire for a normal working life. All roads lead to Rome for the 2024 Giro d'Italia – Starting in Turin and finishing in the Italian capital, we look at the many and varied delights on next year's corsa rosa, including summit finishes a-go-go, a stage on the Strade Bianche, almost 70km of time trialling, a final weekend plane transfer that flies in the face of climate concerns – and a possible debut for Tadej Pogačar...? Michael Mørkøv’s mission is to help Mark Cavendish win stage number 35 at the Tour de France. The pair are set to be reunited next season at Astana-Qazaqstan and the Danish lead-out supremo tells us that he's confident that they can rediscover the winning formula that resulted in Cavendish taking four stage wins for QuickStep at the 2021 Tour. TDF Femmes sets its sights on Alpe d'Huez – Following this year's finale on the Tourmalet, the TDFF peloton will tackle the mythical ascent of Alpe d'Huez on its final stage next year. We examine what this means for the race and explain why performances by former greats of women's racing cement the Alpe's status as "Dutch mountain". This podcast is brought to you with the support of our sponsor, Saddle Skedaddle.  Support the show