Maybe the only difference between standing on the podium and leading the losers is the music you’re listening to. Maybe the right playlist will make you stronger, fitter, and less bonklikely. Not bloody likely, but, hey–dare to dream. And in the meantime, check out what’s in heavy rotation from a couple of athletes who know a thing or two about podiums.

Want Tony Hawk’s latest playlist? Or skier Seth Morrison’s or climber Steph Davis? See this page.

If available, song title links to its page on Apple’s iTunes store.

I’m not sure which to admire more about this pro road cyclist—her athletic skills or her sense of humor. Hatch’s coffee-filled (and fueled) twitterstream is fresh and funny, like carbonation in a world of still water. And yes, you’ve probably seen her Maxim shoot, but it’s her bloody bike crash images that are truly badass. Follow: www.lizhatch.missingsaddle.com, @liz_hatch.

“These are the songs I’ve been playing while in Italy preparing for the Giro del Trentino and Giro d’Italia Donne. They take me on a mental journey, starting with something light-hearted and “poppy” and moving into a bit of rock to get the heartrate up and finally the stuff that really gets my blood flowing and my head in the place to accept the pain that I know will be inflicted during the war, otherwise known as bike racing.

“I always end with the Richard Durand song, “Sweap and Repeat”, it drives me to the point of insanity almost but an enjoyable and productive insanity! “

Canto Della Terra — Andrea Bocelli

Where Do You Go To(My Lovely) — Peter Sarstedt

You Have Placed A Chill In My Heart — Eurythmics

Science Of Silence — Richard Ashcroft

LA County — Lyle Lovett

Goodbye — Zornik

Movie Star — Roisin Murphy

My Own Summer — Deftones

On A Good Day — OceanLab

Street Spirit (Funkagenda Remix) — Radiohead

Come To Me — James Holden feat. Julie Thompson

Look Inside Your Head — Sander Van Doorn

Sweap and Repeat — Richard Durand

STEPH GILMORE
Surfer

Like Kelly Slater, Aussie Steph Gilmore took surfing’s world championship crown in her rookie year, 2007. Unlike Slater, though, who could only muster sixth place in his sophomore year, Gilmore came out on top in 2008, too. This year? It’s no lock, but after two events she has solid lead and is on track for a hat trick. Follow: http://stephgilmore.blogspot.com/

Good Fortune — PJ Harvey

Boiling Pot — JJ Cale

Love Her Madly — The Doors

Little Bit — Lykke Li

Magic’s in the Makeup — No Doubt

Under My Thumb — Rolling Stones

100 Days, 100 Nights — Sharon Jones

All Day and All of the Night — The Kinks

Black Balloon — The Kills

Malibu — Hole

L.E.S. Artistes — Santogold

I Feel Free — Cream

Boa Sorte — Vanessa Da Mata / Ben Harper

Tagged as: cycling, music, surfing