Cole Kessler: The next big thing to come out of American cycling - Hotseat Podcast

Cole Kessler might be one of the tallest riders in the peloton, but he’s quickly proving he’s more than a gentle giant. At 6’6”, the American national time trial champion joins Aidan to talk about late growth spurts, finding balance in a sport built on sacrifice, and why he believes the breakaway isn’t dead.

From growing up as an undersized kid on the American football field to climbing the ranks with Lidl–Trek, Cole opens up about what it really takes to become a pro cyclist, the pressure of constant doping controls, and life in Europe as a young American.

They also dive into:
🧠 The mental side of performance and recovery
📈 How data and science are reshaping modern cycling
🎓 Juggling UCLA economics studies with a pro career
🇺🇸 The future of American road racing

Cole also shares his dream of racing a home Olympics, what off-season life looks like in Reno, and why Cinnamon Toast Crunch is still his post-ride snack of choice.