You’ve been riding for years, and you’ve had some pretty wild moments along the way. If you had to pick one, what has to be the most memorable or craziest thing that’s happened in your career?
My first race in the World Tour was the Tour of San Luis in Argentina. I was in an early breakaway on stage 1 that was never expected to stick. I took the stage win and GC lead by 4 minutes and found myself racing head-on against a peak Nairo Quintana for the next 6 stages (I eventually finished 2nd overall).
Two years later, a couple guys got sick on my team and I was called up to race Paris-Roubaix on 48 hours notice (Roubaix is not a race where a rider of my build/ability belongs). I also made the early break there, but I did not go on to win anything other than a good story.
What’s one thing only roadies understand?
I would say leg shaving, but secretly: roadies don’t actually understand that either.
When it comes to keeping a bike running smoothly, what’s the one maintenance tip you think every rider should follow—something that makes a real difference?
Clean it off right after a ride. Especially if you ride in the rain. Once you let it get dry or get caked on in your chain and gears etc, it gets a lot harder to get out of there.
You put your bikes through a lot. How important is frame protection for someone who rides as much as you?
I have a difficult internal conflict, where I love the beauty of a bicycle, I love a clean look, and I respect a custom paint job. But the same way a fancy violin dies if it’s not played, I also believe that I bike is meant to be ridden hard and often. invisiFRAME lets me live in both of those worlds at the same time, so I’m not afraid to throw it on the car, into a bike bag, or into a corner.
If you weren’t a pro rider, what do you think you’d be doing?
That’s a terrifying thought because I have no answer, and some day I’ll have to figure that.
Of all the climbs you've done, which one would you call your favourite?
Mauna Kea on the big island of Hawaii. You start by dipping your bike in the ocean, and then you go up 4500 meters. The last section is dirt that’s too lose for just about any gearing and too steep for a road bike. I’ve done some of the craziest climbs all over the world, and this one is just a full not more insane than anything else. I first set the KOM at just under 5 hours on my last day as a professional, and that day made me realize that there was a whole other world of content and challenges and adventures to be had on bikes, aside from a few weeks in Europe every year.
If you could apply the same level of protection that invisiFRAME offers to anything outside of bikes, what would it be and why?
The only answer to this is flesh. Skin protection would make you very rich, invisiFRAME
And finally, what’s next for you? Any exciting projects, trips, or ideas in the works that we should keep an eye out for?
I just finished a big trip to France for a series called “Phil Wins the Tour de France,” tackling the toughest climbs and showcasing the region, the food, the wine, and the culture. I’ll be rolling those out as fast as I can, along with daily(ish) updates as the real Tour de France goes on this month.
In the fall I build up to my big event, Phil’s Cookie Fondo in Malibu.
A big thanks to Phil for answering our questions! Follow him on Instagram and Youtube
About invisiFRAME
invisiFRAME is the industry leading bike protection brand and uses PPF (paint protection film) to create an invisible barrier between your bike and the elements. Protect your investment and keep your bike in pristine condition so you can spend more time out riding without fear of damage.
Using specialist XPEL Film, invisiFRAME can protect your bike from trail & road debris, travel damage, uplifts and general wear & tear. What's better is it's self-healing, non-yellowing and easy to fit at home. We offer both custom fitted and universal kits with maximum coverage for frames, forks and cranks.
You Ride It, We Protect It.
