Josh Quigley heads home; Model railways FTW; Discarded gel wrappers are back; Bernie Eisel retires; Close pass compared to ‘clipping someone’s ear with a bullet’; Indian cyclist named David Beckham + more on the live blog

the first energy gel wrapper of spring is early this year @ScienceinSport pic.twitter.com/3ppWy2xL1E

— Jo Burt (@VecchioJo) January 13, 2020

The shop in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire had seven distinctive Rose bike stolen on 10th January, and are appealing for any information or suspicious offers in person and online. This morning RG:HQ have thanked customers and the local community for their help in trying to catch the perpetrators – if you think you might have any info you can message them here or contact Nottinghamshire Police. 

If any team would be partial to a tasty Belgian ale or two, you’d think Lotto Soudal of Belgium would be that team… however Niewsblad report that for “safety and the team’s image”, CEO John Lelangue has imposed a complete alcohol ban on all riders and staff while on training camps or at races. The only exceptions will be to celebrate victories, birthdays and special events. 

While some could see it as a little harsh on team mechanics and soigneurs who tend to finish the day together with a pint or a glass of wine at dinner, it’s thought the measure could have been brought in partially due to an incident at the 2019 edition of the Vuelta, when performance director Kevin De Weet was sent home and suspended due to an ‘alcohol incident’. Lelangue denies this, saying: “It has absolutely nothing to do with that incident. We already had a code of conduct . I have now adjusted it a bit for safety reasons. Almost every staff member has to drive a car at certain times of the day, so it seems like a sensible idea just to ban alcohol. 

“In addition, every staff member wears clothing from the team with our sponsors during the races. We are all Lotto-Soudal ambassadors. “

Lelangue also insists the rule “isn’t exceptional” and has the backing of numerous staff and riders: “This measure also applies in many companies. It is part of the way of living together. The majority of staff also thought this was a good idea. We remain a friendly team, but without alcohol. Drinking coffee together is also nice.”

He says that anyone caught breaking the rules wouldn’t be subject to a direct dismissal, but would face disciplinary action. 

I love Spanish health and safety.

Me: “Can I use the motorbike”

“Yeah”

Me: “I’ve got a licence”

“Nah it doesn’t matter, I already said yes” pic.twitter.com/4xl97ScTuG

— Callum Skinner (@CallumSkinner) January 14, 2020

The Olympic track champ switched his pedal bike for a motorised one to do a spot on filming for a Sports Direct campaign, following paralympic athletes in the lead up to Tokyo 2020. 

Scott have made World Road Race champ Annemiek van Vleuten a custom Scott Addict with rainbow stripes, and have also added a windmill to pay homage to her Dutch heritage – the full bike will be unveiled at 5pm UK time. 

Bora e Quickstep usarão as Specialized Allez Sprint Disc (alumínio) no Schwalbe Classic criterium, prova pré @tourdownunder. pic.twitter.com/SO2nrYsJAZ

— País do Ciclismo (@DoCiclismo) January 13, 2020

We’ve reason to believe something could be dropping from Specialized soon, as various sleuths on the ground at the Tour Down Under have spotted freshly-painted Specialized Allez Sprint Disc bikes being ridden by Bora-Hansgrohe. 

Did I dare ride along this flooded road? Would you? pic.twitter.com/jZnPWCACno

— david arthur (@davearthur) January 14, 2020

Would you ride through this? We’ll be checking in with Dave when he gets back from his ride later, assuming he didn’t sink!

When I see people cycling, I sometimes notice a banana in their back pocket. On Audax events, I am often passed by the same rider, still carrying their banana. They never seem to eat it, just take it out for a bike ride.
So what is the longest ride you’ve taken a banana on?

— steve abraham (@steve_abraham74) January 13, 2020

If you’re on a big ride and have your pockets stuffed with malt loaf, sweets and cake, the humble banana might end up going down the pecking order as you reach for the tastier/more sugary things first… our theory on why this phenomenon might occur, anyway!

In the original incident just over a year ago (above) 59-year-old Teo Seng Tiong appeared to ram Eric Cheung Hoyu off the road after hoya took off his mirror. Teo had a strong of previous convictions including causing hurt by dangerous weapon, affray, causing voluntary hurt and numerous driving convictions, and was sentecned to seven weeks’ prison, a S$500 and a two-year driving ban. 

For his part in the incident, Hoyu was fined S$2,800 in April 2019 for for mischief and failing to cycle in an orderly and careful manner. 

Teo’s lawyers say he intends to appeal the sentence. 

TfL have announced that £3.5 million of funding has been awarded to 30 London Boroughs for the extra bike parking, boosting provisions in town centres, stations, schools and residential areas. This include 1,100 new spaces at stations in Hackney and Islington, parking areas in schools and spaces in various Tube stations. 

Recent data has shown that cycling in London is at a record high, with the average daily total distance cycled by Londoners estimated to exceed 4 million kilometres. Will Norman, London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, said: “We are determined to get more Londoners onto their bikes to help to tackle congestion and make the city greener.

“As well as continuing to make cycling safer, we know it’s vital that we make the beginning and the end of people’s journeys as simple and hassle free as possible. Alongside our investment in high-quality routes, we are extremely pleased that this new funding for cycle parking facilities will enable thousands more Londoners from all corners of the capital to hop on a bike.”

Just spotted a cyclist whizzing through traffic in high heels.

I’m impressed and bamboozled in equal measures.

To be fair, I neither wear heels nor ride bikes… pic.twitter.com/KaUSrbmToq

— Indigo Daya (@IndigoDaya) January 14, 2020

The Italian cycling apparel brand will donate a portion of the proceeds from their Tour Down Under collection to WWF Australia and Red Cross Australia – we’ve found the jerseys available to buy at Bike Inn for UK delivery. 

Hi everyone, I have some news to share with you. pic.twitter.com/DJWMI7sGPV

— Bernhard Eisel (@EiselBernhard) January 14, 2020

The Austrian, who last rode for Team Dimension Data (now NTT) announced his retirement today after nearly two decades as a pro cyclist. During that time he won a TTT stage at the Vuelta 2010, won the Gent–Wevelgem one day race (also in 2010) and was also part of the Team Sky team that helped Bradley Wiggins to the Yellow Jersey at the 2012 Tour de France.  

A hugely popular rider, he has a particularly close friendship with his former Sky and Dimension Data teammate Mark Cavendish; in fact, rumour has it eyebrows were raised when Cav said he was getting married because it was assumed he and Bernie had already tied the knot… just look at them, smitten! 

Tom Sovilla was cycling in Huntington beach back in May last year, when he was hit by Jack Keith’s truck at approximately 60mph. Keith told KTLA 5: “It happened so fast, I don’t know where everything was, but all I remember was Tom flying through the air, like 30 feet, and I just freaked out.” 

Sovilla had a month-long stay in hospital and was treated for a fractured back, broken pelvis, torn knee ligaments, bruised intestines and two brain blood clots; during which time he formed an unlikely friendship with Keith, chopsing to forgive him: “Holding on to things just eats away at you. It doesn’t necessarily hurt the other person. I think if people can understand that, then people would learn to forgive, because forgiveness is a big part about your own mental and physical health.” 

After Sovilla was left with an extra $7,000 medical bill, Keith set up a GoFundMe to make up for the shortfall. He wrote on the page: “Well as a lot of you know I was driving on PCH and hit a cyclist going 60 mph… me, him and his family have been in contact and have had multiple visits.

“Thank God he is gonna recover, but his road to recovery is gonna be a long one. My insurance paid out the max which wasn’t much. His insurance has paid the bulk of the hospital bills. But he is stuck with 7000 dollars having to come out of pocket. God has had his hand over him and all of us involved.  I pray that my friends will help me in covering his bills so that he can recover without any more stress or worries. I thank all of you for your support.”

The total is at $4,250 and counting – you can find the page here. 

That’s the question posed in this long read from Rose George in The Guardian, which also delves into the history behind the world’s most popular social fitness app. Do you get anxious if your GPS dies, and if it ain’t on Strava, did it even happen? Let us know your thoughts as always. 

Dublin’s National Transport Authority proposed to increase the number of segregated cycle routes in the city fivefold way back in 2013; but very little of the p;ans have come to fruition, said hospital  chiefs Eilish Hardiman and Lorcan Birthistle in a joint letter to Minister for Transport Shane Ross:

“The lack of safe cycling infrastructure in Dublin city is the single biggest barrier to increasing the mode share of cyclists,” it says in the letter. “As acute hospitals we see directly at times tragic consequences of cyclists sharing the same roads infrastructure as cars and heavy duty vehicles.

“As leading healthcare institutions we know that the increasing levels of inactivity amongst adults and children is alarming. Regular physical activity can help protect from serious diseases such as obesity, heart disease, cancer, mental illness, diabetes and arthritis.

“Cycling is an ideal form of physical activity but the lack of safe cycling infrastructure is a significant barrier to increasing the uptake of such an active means of commuting.”

Kevin Baker of the Dublin Cycling Campaign also told The Irish Times that lack of safe infrastructure was “the biggest thing” preventing most people from taking up cycling: “The number one thing we can do to make roads feel safe for people is to build proper, segregated cycle routes on main roads, and that’s what this plan does.”

A Department of Transport spokeswoman said the department are committed to improving road safety, and are increasing the levels of funding for active travel in Ireland.

Nope, not THAT David Beckham… the one above is actually a 17-year-old cyclist from Dehli, who is currently competing at India’s Youth Games. 

Beckham has already won a silver medal at the games in Guwahati, and says he was given the name simply because his family were big fans of David Beckham, the 44-year-old retired footballer: “My family is a huge fan of David Beckham, so they named me after him. I also became a David Beckham fan. I used to play football. I have played in the Subroto Cup tournament. Then my grandfather asked me to take up cycling.

“I started cycling in Delhi in 2017. In the beginning, my feet didn’t touch the ground when I sat on the cycle seat. Eventually, I started doing well in the sport. It’s difficult to find facilities for cycling in Andaman, so I have to go to bigger cities for training.”

Tragically Beckham lost his father as an infant in the 2004 tsunami, and his mother passed away due to an infection in 2014. He now lives with his maternal grandfather, who also supports his grandson’s sporting ambitions. ​

Beckham’s ‘goal’ (here all week) is simply to give his best in training with no concrete targets at the moment; but like his footballing namesake, he wishes to “taste success” in the near future. 

Now that’s a pretty bike… the frame changes colour with the light and also features tulips and a windmill to reflect her Dutch heritage. Here’s the full spec: 

Frame – SCOTT Addict RC
Groupset – Shimano Dura Ace R9170
Crankset – Shimano Duar Ace FC-R9100P
Cockpit – Syncros Creston IC SL
Handlebar tape – Syncros Super Light
Front Wheel – Shimano Dura Ace WH-R9100-C40
Rear Wheel – Shimano Dura Ace WH-R9100-C40
Tyres – Pirelli P-Zero
Saddle – Syncros Belcarra
Seatpost – Syncros Duncan Aero SL
Pedals – Shimano PD-R9100

Question: If someone shot a gun so close the bullet clipped someone’s ear (even if they claimed that they missed on purpose) what would they be charged with? Assault? Attempted murder? How is that different from this video? pic.twitter.com/88PVNwiJyr

— Cycliq (@Cycliq) January 14, 2020

The Australian retailers of all-in-one bike cameras and lights Cycliq used footage of a close pass involving a trailer in their latest campaign video: “If someone shot a gun so close the bullet clipped someone’s ear (even if they claimed that they missed on purpose) what would they be charged with? Assault? Attempted murder? How is that different from this video?”, ask Cycliq. 

Do your agree with their analogy? In any case, this might just be one of the worst close passes we’ve seen. 

The round-the-world cyclist from Scotland sustained multiple injuries when he was rear-ended by a driver in Texas last month … he’s made an amazing recovery.

WAITING TO FLY HOME

READY FOR DISCHARGE

Sponsor: @elixinol_eu pic.twitter.com/ujBPhVN0Qp

— Josh Quigley (@JoshQuigley92) January 14, 2020

*MONSTER CHAIN RING KLAXON* https://t.co/BvpifEiKbU

— LukeB_MTB (@LukeB_MTB) January 14, 2020

the first energy gel wrapper of spring is early this year @ScienceinSport pic.twitter.com/3ppWy2xL1E

— Jo Burt (@VecchioJo) January 13, 2020