Cycling, Game Theory and Group 2 Syndrome / Kerr's 222 Attempt / Teenage Phenoms Set up to Fail

Cycling, Game Theory and Group 2 Syndrome / Kerr's 222 Attempt / Teenage Phenoms Set up to Fail

Author: Professor Ross Tucker and Mike Finch April 1, 2026 Duration: 58:15

Support the Science of Sport - become a supporter, show your support, keep us ad free, and you get access to the best sports science community around!


Show Notes


In this Spotlight, we kick off with cycling, and wonder whether we're seeing a tactical evolution in cycling in response to long-range attacks. We also talk about Group 2 syndrome, and why elite cyclists could be a behavioural economist's ideal cohort. Cycling safety is in the Spotlight, after the inquest into the death of Muriel Furrer concludes, and new devices over-promise on risk reduction and head impact measurement.


In athletics, Josh Kerr is going for a mile world record, and it'll actually be legitimate, while teen phenom Gout Gout is in the news, though not for winning this time. We discuss how misplaced the general expectation of teenage progress is, and why we may be setting young talent up to fail, no matter how it succeeds. Speaking of failure, Albert Korir failed three drugs tests and confessed, and is now serving a ban. Do we even care?


And finally, another teenage phenom is in the news, as Indian 15-year old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smashed a 15-ball half century to go with a 35-ball century last year. He's now old enough to play for India. But should he? That's a different question...


Links



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


Ever wondered what actually happens inside an athlete's body during a marathon, or whether the latest training trend is backed by evidence? The Real Science of Sport Podcast cuts through the noise with a unique blend of academic rigor and frontline reporting. Professor Ross Tucker, a world-renowned sports scientist, and veteran journalist Mike Finch form an engaging partnership, dissecting everything from athletics and rugby to soccer and cycling. Each episode feels like a deep, insightful conversation where complex research is translated into understandable takeaways, myths are debunked, and heated controversies are examined from all angles. You’ll hear them analyze the latest studies, extract practical lessons from professional athletes and coaches, and speak directly with leading global experts in exclusive interviews. This isn't just sports talk; it's a thoughtful exploration of the mechanisms, psychology, and culture behind performance and competition. For anyone with a curious mind and a passion for sport, this podcast offers a consistently fascinating look at the real stories behind the headlines and the physiology beneath the jersey.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Real Science of Sport Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Inside the World of F1 Racing: An Engineer's Perspective [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:37:52
Love the show? Become a Member and get a weekly bonus episode, ad-free listening, our VIP community, and a real say in what we discuss!Show notesFormula 1 is one sport we've never properly tackled, so who better to guide…
The Creatine Episode [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:48:42
From muscle growth to a treatment for Alzheimers, creatine has been touted as the 'King of Supplements'. But what does the science say about one of the most researched products in sport? Enter Dr Eric S. Rawson, Chair an…
Re-Release: The Art and Science of the Perfect Football Penalty [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:55
British football journalist Ben Lyttleton literally wrote the book on football penalties. As the author of 'Twelve Yards: The Art and Psychology of the Perfect Penalty' and 'Edge: What Business Can Learn From Football',…