In Episode 8 of Season 7, Neil and Matt are joined in the studio by cycling icon, Canyon SRAM sports director, and expert pit crew Magnus Bäckstedt.   They review the first half of the kersteperiod that has featured fully loaded A-Z of start lists (Alvarado to Zoe Bäckstedt) a featuring World Cups with the sand of Antwerp and the mud of Gavere.  They talk through a great edition of Zolder with Van Aert clocking up a hat trick of consecutive Zolder wins, and the annual excitement of Diegem. The incident involving Matthieu Van Der Poel and Felipe Nystrom is unpacked, with views exchanged on how to keep the front of the race clean, while keeping racing further down the field meaningful.  They also talk through some great form from Del Grosso, Cant, Mason and up and coming juniors Ferguson and Wolff. In the Laatste Ronde they look forward to Hulst (fun fun fun), Baal (hmmm), Koksijde (over-rated), and Zonhoven (woohoo!). They preview Tong National Trophy, the final round for 23-24 season... and Magnus gives a Crosscast Exclusive that Zoe Bäckstedt will not be defending her National title for 2024, as she prepares for the World Champs. -- To support the show pop over to https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crosscast to make a donation towards our hosting fees - every little helps! Follow us on Insta and Facebook, and share to your networks! Neil is part of Grity Sustainable Sports Apparel @gritykit, and Matt runs Full Speed Events @full_speed_events, and both support the DonnyChainGang.