You may have seen on Instagram - I had a little ‘run-in’ with the door of a refuse collection vehicle.

I was cycling down a bike lane, when 💥a bin-man swung his door into my face. Ouch.

(I won’t go into the details, it’s a bit distasteful to ‘keyboard-bash’ people online.)

My X-ray and CT scan confirmed that nothing’s broken, just a case of bad whiplash and the usual road rash, cuts and bruises.

It’s not all bad, I had a date planned with ITV’s cycling commentators - David Millar and Ned Boulting. Watching them commentating on la Vuelta and recording their podcast REVUELTA - cheered me up.

I picked the right stage. Philippe Gilbert (One of my all-time heroes) gave us a masterclass.

Why do I love Gilbert? I’ll give you three reasons (otherwise, you’ll be reading this for a fortnight). 

PhilGil Broner: 1

As you may know, the Tour of Flanders is my favourite race… EVER.

I was on the roadside, cheering, as Gilbert won CYCLING’S GREATEST MONUMENT - by launching a solo attack on the Oude Kwaremont with 55km to go. Gilbert crossed the line with his bike in the air and the Belgian bands on his back.

Having ‘walked in his shoes’ the previous day (riding the sportive), I had a better understanding of how tough that effort must have been… 260km from Antwerp to Oudenaarde, and the reappearance of the iconic Muur Van Geraardsbergen.

PhilGil Broner: 2

I’ve cheered Gilbert from the roadside during: Flanders, Roubaix, le Tour de France, Surrey Classic, K-B-K, Omloop, etc… Each time, he has acknowledged me, said thanks, waved or nodded. 

When he’s ’not racing’ you’ll find him on the front of the grupetto - making jokes and lifting the spirits of the drained équipiers behind.

Gilbert is a true role-model and sportsperson, he gives back to the fans and riders.

PhilGil Broner: 3

‘Strive for five’ - his quest to complete the ‘full house’ of cycling Monuments. 

• Milan-San Remo ❌

• Tour of Flanders ✅

• Paris-Roubaix ✅

• Liège-Bastogne-Liège ✅✅

• Il Lombardia ✅

That is one bold quest for the holy grail.

Back to the commentary, David and Ned are the perfect duet: an ex-pro racer with a wealth of experience, knowledge and insight, and a sports journalist with intellect and fan-like passion.

As Gilbert launched from Sam Bennett’s wheel to win the stage, the ‘duet’ erupted with energy - they make you ‘feel it’ too, that’s great commentary.

I don’t have time to watch TV (I know that's ironic, seeing as I work for a television company…)

I’m a busy guy. I get up at 4am every day to ‘get the job done’ - uninterrupted.

I live three lives: 

• Gareth Winter - the Cyclist 

• Gareth Winter - Senior Creative, Sky Creative Agency

• Gareth Winter - me

Unfortunately, I don’t have time to watch a three-week stage race. I’m too busy riding my bike, coming up with creative ideas and trying to find time for the people I care about.

The solution to my problem? David and Ned’s podcast - REVUELTA . It's brilliant. I can catch up with la Vuelta ‘on-the-go’ and eavesdrop on two of cycling’s greatest ever commentators.

I thoroughly recommend it to people like me - who don’t have time to watch TV, or those desperate for more insight and debate.

David, Ned, Gilbert - Thanks for cheering me up while I’m on the mend.

Gareth.

This is my happy face, I promise.