Mitchell 'Mitch' Docker - welcome to team MAAP. Although, we could lighten the formalities a little. Like us, he's proudly from Melbourne, he just has a slightly bigger mo and bigger mullet but an equally big love for cycling.

When the dust settled on his road career, Mitch chalked up four UCI race wins, nine grand tours and twenty-two classics appearances: a rider with dedication and race craft to match. With over fifteen years experience as a pro, first cutting his teeth with Drapac-Porsche, then progressing with pro conti outfit Skil Shimano before joining WorldTour teams Orica GreenEDGE and finishing up at EF-Education - Nippo, when he called time on his pro-peloton days in 2021. As impressive as his career longevity and lustre were, for anyone who's had the pleasure of meeting the man who sports the mo, the stats are just one small part of the much bigger Mitch Docker story. 

With a shared love for Melbourne and the global sport, Mitch and MAAP teaming up makes as much sense as you'll ever get in this crazy world of bikes. Mates, for a long, long time, there's no more flirting; it's now about time we made the relationship official. Heading into its eighth year, MAAP are beyond proud to support Mitch's Life in the Peloton podcast for 2024. Featuring guests and insights from all walks of professional racing: From fellow riders to coaches to directors, mechanics to commentators and everyone in between, this is Mitch's one-way ticket into the heart of cycling. 

Starting the year off with a bang, Mitch and Pat Drapac of Team Duda set out on their MAAP to RAAD ride, just shy of 900km from our Lab in Collingwood, Victoria, arriving just in time to roll into town at the Tour Down Under in Adelaide, South Australia. Refreshed with a beer (or two), Mitch then took up residence for the week, hosting a live show of Life in the Peloton from our ADL_24 pop-up with Specialized. Always a natural conversationalist who makes his guests feel at ease, Mitch hosted stage winners straight from the podium in both the women's and men's events. When back in Melbourne, Mitch then welcomed the Lifeplus Wahoo women's pro cycling team to the Lab, another new MAAP partnership for the season ahead. That's what Mitch does best with his bucket-load of natural charm: bringing people together to share their love of bikes.

"Melbourne has always been a huge part of my identity as a person and as a rider. When I was a pro in Europe, I longed to come back to the scene that I'd been a part of growing up. I've always loved the culture, the coffee shops, the style, the bars and, of course, riding bikes. MAAP is a company born out of all of those things; their recognisable, stylish kit is undeniably cool and undeniably Melbourne. We're all speaking the same language as we explore this new adventure together."

"Like Mitch, MAAP proudly calls Melbourne home. And similarly, we aspire to bring a fresh perspective to the expansive global energy of the sport. In backing Mitch, his Life in the Peloton pod, and his future pursuits, we're psyched about the road ahead. In 2024 and beyond, Mitch and MAAP's collaborative journey is poised to push a few limits."

So keep your eyes peeled for upcoming events with Mitch, and in the meantime plug your ears into the sensory joy that is the Life in the Peloton, presented by MAAP pod.