Why I Left GCN - Matt Stephens

Matt Stephens is an ex-professional cyclist and GCN presenter who now commentates and presents for Eurosport, Sigma Sports, Zwift and many other outlets.

We’ve all indirectly spent hours in Matt’s company through his work at GCN and Eurosport, and so I wanted to get a flavour of the man behind the microphone. We ended up having a broad-ranging conversation including some cycling topics, and some non-cycling topics such as language, art, reverence, and culture.

Matt gives an insight into his time in the police and how that helps him host conversations with the biggest names in cycling, what makes a bad interview and how he aims to bring the humanity of the riders to the fore, his use of emotion and language in the commentary box, how the history of art helps him as a presenter, the early days of GCN and why he moved on, and so much more.

There is a depth to Matt that I - and now you - get to enjoy, and it was a real pleasure to have an hour of Matt’s time. I don’t think there are many podcasts in the world where Mark Cavendish and Francis Bacon are both mentioned, but that’s the way we roll on the Joe Reilly Podcast.
If you’re new here, consider subscribing and leaving a 5-star review as it enables me to bring you more conversations like this.

Key Words: GCN, Eurosport, Zwift, Mark Cavendish, Amstel Gold, Tour de France, Language, Commentating,

[kaitheus]

My favorite GCN 'era' was Matt, Si, Dan and Emma: great rapport, thanks for those memories.

[dagatoe]

Matt, Si and Dan had a chemistry that really came through on camera and made GCN worth watching.
It was kind of like Top Gear, just with bikes.

[tomrachellesfirstdance]

GCN missed Matt way more than Matt missed GCN, was never the same without him.

[Frostbiker]

I always enjoyed Matt's contributions to GCN. He came across as a really friendly guy, much like Si.

[alikabok-essx]

Matt, was one of the pillars of GCN's formative years.
Dan, Simon, Matt and Tom and the great team behind them truly transformed cycling.
I missed Matt, when he left, but I still support GCN due to Dan and Simon.

[kamucho]

Its worked out amazing for Matt. He is clearly very well respected in the industry and I look forward to following him as he continues to grow

[kenrodriguez]

I saw this on my feed and I immediately clicked on. Matt is a true professional and I thoroughly enjoy hearing him do race commentary. A great sense of humor and someone who doesn't take himself too seriously. Bravo, Matt!

[GelMibson-uy]

Matts coffee ride series rule. Some of my favorite cycling content on YouTube

[Yriel]

I’ve been waiting for this for Matt made GCN entertaining and enjoyable to watch. Always a highlight.

[generaphaelian]

Matt is the gold standard. A true pro.

[jimjr]

Well I miss Matt, especially his clipping in !!! Loved the YouTube presentations.

[LeMenuisier]

Absolutely great guy--Love your Sigma sports / commentating / Cafe ride videos. What a pleasure meeting & getting his autograph at this past years Tour de France. Thanks Matt!!

[drummercrm]

Such a legend. I loved those old GCN days. Mad respect to this man

[LeonEvans_Guyver]

Absolutely love Matt "clip in King" Stephens ❤👍👌

[santiagobenites]

Nice interview, Joe. Matt Stephens is the best, and the cycling world is fortunate to have him.

[Mordiiax]

I always felt that Si, Dan and Matt was the cycling equivalent to Clarkson, May and Hammond. Then I watched everything, now it is just the occasional stuff.

[glennwilliams]

He seems to be one of the most humble men out there. Everyone loves Matt

[herculesrockefeller]

I miss Matt. One of my favorite GCN moments is when Matt was supposed to ride up to the camera, come to a complete stop, then fall over on his left side. He did that, but completely missed the cushy pad they had set up to cushion his fall!
Great memories of Matt, thank you!

[chrispig]

Great interview, loved Matt on GCN with Simon and Dan. They were so funny and entertaining. Got me me back into cycling so thanks so much for that. GCN was much better in those days with Matt, it’s a bit too serious now. Matt was always a good sport

[ianstewart]

Love Matt! Glad he addressed this. Thanks for doing it. He answered a bunch of my questions too