“Guess I’ll get the bus then”: Cyclist left stranded after thief with “superhuman strength” rips bolted stand to steal “rusty” bike; NYPD chief’s mum accused of influencing cyclist crackdown; Dura-Ace cranks or pizza cutters? + more on the live blog

> £20 bike handlebar sensor could help create close pass risk map for cyclists – as researchers find direct link between near misses and driver collisions

Dotwatchers, unite! After a cold night in Scotland, Sarah Ruggins is on her way again and has already crossed Inverness… and if things go according to plan today, the Canadian doctor and track athlete turned endurance cyclist could soon become the record-holder for the 2,700km ride with an elevation gain greater than two ascents of Mount Everest.

Ruggins’ attempt for the LEJOGLE crown (or JOGLEJOG depending on your directional choice) kicked off on Sunday morning, as she set out to best the current overall time of five days and 18 hours. Now into day six, Ruggins is pushing on after a dramatic night that nearly derailed her attempt altogether.

> Sarah Ruggins’ story: From paralysis to world record attempt… the extraordinary journey

In an update posted to Instagram last night, her team described the past few hours as “a real rollercoaster.”

“Half the team headed up the road to work out how to get around the Forth Road Bridge bike lane closure – thank you to our followers who shared this intel on Instagram! Luckily the construction team were happy to move the barricades and Sarah could keep on route.

“After the bridge Sarah made the call she needed to come off the bike and was having a big sugar/tiredness crash,” the post continued. “We steered her to the RV for rest – she was asleep on her feet and needed to be carried off the bike, she was tucked in for 30 mins before topping her up with glucose and caffeine. It’s hard for crew who’ve never dealt with sleep deprivation to see her in this state.”

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Sarah Ruggins 🇨🇦 (@sarah_ruggins)

After passing cognitive tests, Ruggins was back on her bike. Temperatures were dropping fast as darkness set in, and the team focused on bringing her back into the effort with “hot liquids, warm foods, and extra spare layers.”

Morale was running low — until some dotwatching magic kicked in.

“It was also time for some serious pep talks and inspiration, and wonderful  dotwatchers Hannah and her daughter Maisie more than delivered. They came to the RV to say cheer for Sarah, when she emerged Maisie gave Sarah a hand made sign – this made all the difference, it seemed to refocus Sarah’s brain and sent her off with a good second wind.”

The team added: “She’s back on the bike, eating and drinking and pushing on into the dark. Our hero.”

There was also a shoutout to “the garage owners who let us park our RV” and “lovely dotwatcher Stuart who came to buy the crew sweets.”

Ruggins began her ultra-endurance journey less than two and a half years ago, having pivoted to cycling after injury stopped her from chasing the LEJOG running record. Now, with just hours to go, she’s on the cusp of joining the small group of women athletes who hold the outright record for a feat traditionally dominated by men.

You can follow her live progress here. Stay tuned, this ain’t not over yet.

Imagine getting the markings messed up and you end up pouring over 80g of carbs on your head thinking it’s water…

 

 

 

 

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I know some people prefer SRAM to Shimano, but I’m confused and horrified — that is no way to treat a crank, let alone a Dura-Ace. Be right back, will give my Sora a nice wipe…

Sextou pic.twitter.com/q8pFPuYGOY

— O País Do Ciclismo (@opaisdociclismo) May 16, 2025

Wait a second, do I see a crack?

> “God forbid children get outside and have fun”: Police slammed for taping off grass ‘ramp’ used by young cyclists, amid concerns over anti-social behaviour, damage, and near misses with drivers

Red Bull-BORA-Hansgrohe were hit by a wave of bad luck yesterday, losing four riders in two separate races. Three riders crashed out of the Tour de Hongrie, while at the Giro d’Italia, Jai Hindley abandoned stage six after a heavy fall — later confirmed to have suffered both a concussion and a fractured vertebrae in the lower back.

The Australian, who won the Giro in 2022, was left sitting at the side of the road following the crash and did not remount. The severity of his injuries became clearer after hospital checks. “I’m not a doctor,” said team sports director Christian Pömer, “but he was able to communicate. As I said, the doctor said there was no chance to keep going, and you don’t have to be a medical expert to see that this was the right decision.”

The timing couldn’t be worse for BORA, who are counting on Primož Roglič for the general classification — and Hindley was one of the key pieces in their mountain support plan.

“You’re right, this changes things. I think we cannot hide this,” Pömer told Cyclingnews. “Jai played a major role in our strategy, and we don’t have him anymore now.”

“Nevertheless, we still have six good riders who can support Primoz, also Martínez is a former podium rider in the Giro, and I will have to look day by day at what is possible.”

With UAE Team Emirates still fielding a powerful mountain squad, Pömer admitted the loss could shift their focus: “Generally, I think the approach stays the same, but we maybe have to just, instead of trying to win one stage or the other, save our energy and focus only on the GC.”

Today’s stage into Tagliacozzo marks the start of the mountain tests, though Pömer was cautious about expecting too much action right away: “I think tomorrow it doesn’t play a major role, it’s a relatively easy summit finish, where only seconds will be in the game.

“Basically, for tomorrow, it doesn’t matter; it’s more for the Alps, where we’re really going to miss Jai. I think we will see this day by day. It’s still a long way to the real high mountains, and it’s for sure not the last crash that will happen along the way.”

The loss of three riders in a crash at the Tour de Hongrie only added to the team’s nightmare Thursday, capping off what may well be the worst day of the season so far for Red Bull-BORA-Hansgrohe.

> Hit me with your driving ban: Ian Dury’s son loses licence after Jeremy Vine spotted him using phone in traffic, as broadcaster says phone driving is “absolute curse”

A crackdown on New York City’s cyclists by NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch is facing renewed scrutiny — not just for its lack of data, but for its suspicious timing.

On April 28, the very same day the NYPD quietly shifted policy to begin issuing criminal summonses to cyclists for infractions that were previously civil, Tisch’s mother, Merryl Tisch, launched into an impassioned tirade against bike lanes and e-bike riders during a hearing of the city’s Public Design Commission.

“I’ve had four friends run over by bikes in the last six weeks,” Tisch said during the Broadway Vision plan discussion. “One of them is still in the hospital.” She then asked city officials: “What are you doing to slow the bikes down? What are you doing to cause compliance with law for the bikes?”

The elder Tisch — a billionaire heiress, head of the SUNY board, and a commissioner on the Public Design Commission — repeatedly interrupted the Department of Transportation’s presentation with complaints about lawless e-bikers, saying: “Seniors, the disabled, teachers, kids and moms with strollers are afraid to go out into the street,” and warning: “I’ll mobilize people so quickly you guys won’t be able to even spell your names.”

> Criminal court summons for cyclists who run red lights “excessive, unfair and offensive”, say New York’s cycling community

That same day, the NYPD’s new Quality of Life Division began rolling out its new enforcement approach — targeting cyclists who fail to stop at red lights or stop signs with criminal summonses rather than civil fines. The change means riders are now required to appear in criminal court, not traffic court.

The reaction from the cycling community has been fierce. Ben Furnas, executive director of Transportation Alternatives, called it: “an obscene escalation… not one that’s grounded in real safety, data, or best practices.” Others like Amanda Tait said the punishment was disproportionate: “Bringing it up to a criminal violation seems excessive and unfair, given the relative danger of a bike compared to a car.”

There are also serious concerns about racial and class inequalities. Attorney Steve Vaccaro warned that undocumented riders could face deportation risks by being forced into criminal courtrooms. “Forcing them to go to a criminal courthouse… it’s problematic,” he said, bluntly describing courthouses as “a place to roundup deportees.”

Further criticism has come via legal action. Oliver Casey Esparza, a cyclist ticketed in October for crossing with a walk signal — something legal for bikes in NYC since 2019 — has sued the NYPD, accusing it of misapplying the law and demanding compensation for wrongfully penalised cyclists.

Whether family dinner counts as one of the “venues” where concerns were raised, as the NYPD claims, is unclear. But Jessica Tisch has previously said her mother “has a lot of feedback” on everything from public policy to haircuts, and that they “still talk all the time.”

Still, both women deny ever discussing bikes. “Believe me, dear,” Merryl Tisch told Streetsblog NYC in a phone interview. “I don’t talk to my daughter about bikes!”

She also insisted: “I am not against bikes at all… I was just relating something to think about.”

Jessica Tisch has declined to comment, though in an op-ed published in the New York Post, she made her position clear: “Every New Yorker understands how frightening it is to jump out of the way as an e-bike drives on the sidewalk.”

> “They’re so bad”: Donald Trump promises to scrap “dangerous” New York bike lanes and “kill” congestion charge

And while Merryl Tisch may not have the stats, the NYPD does. According to its own data, e-bikes caused just 0.4 per cent of pedestrian injuries in 2024, and less than 0.04 per cent in early 2025.

Yet for many in Merryl Tisch’s circle, that’s beside the point. “I’ve had friends hit by electric bikes,” she said. “Everyone does!”

Looking for a fun, free, and family-friendly way to spend the upcoming Bank Holiday? The brand-new London Cycling Festival is coming to a borough near you on Sunday, 25 May, with more than 30 led rides, traffic-free cycling playgrounds, bike markets, BMX events, live music, and even bicycle ballet.

Organised by the London Cycling Campaign and supported by Lime, the festival spans 11 London boroughs, offering everything from Dr Bike tune-ups to obstacle courses for kids and adults alike. Don’t own a bike? Lime is offering free e-bike hire to help everyone get involved.

Tom Fyans, Chief Executive of London Cycling Campaign: “We’re so excited to be working with Lime and councils across London to put on this festival. May’s a perfect time to get out and cycle in your area, and LCC’s inclusive rides mean even if you and your family don’t get out and cycle together normally, you can on 25 May, with our marshalled family-friendly group rides in your borough. This is a perfect moment to celebrate London’s amazing cycling together.”

Will Norman, London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner: “The new London Cycling Festival is an exciting opportunity for even more Londoners to experience the freedom and joy of cycling, with more than 30 family-friendly rides and entertainment across 14 boroughs. These marshalled rides are a fun way for those new to cycling or less confident on a bike to give it a go alongside others in their community, breaking down the barriers to active travel.  

“The Mayor and TfL are committed to making cycling more accessible for all, and we are extremely proud of our work to expand the protected cycleway, which now spans over 400km in length. 

“I encourage everyone to get out in their area and enjoy the festival, which supports the Mayor’s aim for a greener, fairer London for all.” 

You can find a ride next to you here.

What’s that Lenin quote about there being stage race weeks where nothing happens, and there being stages where a week’s action happens?

Stage six of the Giro d’Italia is one which fell into the latter category — rain, crash, neutralisation, breakaway heartbreak, a protest in the final three kilometres, and, of course, bunch sprint drama.

While Alpecin-Deceuninck’s Kaden Groves swooped in from deep to take victory in a bizarre, messy finish in Napoli, much of the post-race discussion has centred around the argy-bargy between Matteo Moschetti and Olav Kooij.

The Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team rider was hit with a relegation, yellow card, 500CHF fine, and 13 UCI points deduction after veering left during the bunch sprint, squeezing Kooij up against the barriers and forcing him to sit up.

The move that saw Matteo Moschetti relegated from 8th to 176th at the Giro d’Italia 👀 pic.twitter.com/bA6K8vEZaf

— Cycling on TNT Sports (@cyclingontnt) May 15, 2025

Initial reaction seemed to be firmly in the camp of the decision being a fair one, but some fans have voiced their opinion that there was a possibility that the incident appeared much worse than it actually was.

> “What a load of rubbish… the UCI is slowly ruining sprints”: Frustration at “absolutely ridiculous” Giro d’Italia yellow cards and disqualifications over “silly” sprint incidents

Joseph Whiteley asked on Twitter/X: “I do wonder at what point this gap is actually Kooij’s right to go for? Moschetti moves to the left here, but is two bike-lengths ahead of Kooij. Hard to say from the front on shots further down in the thread, but for sure not as bad as it seemed on first sight

He added: “By the time he finishes moving across, Kooij only just reaches him to half wheel the Italian. The road continues to turn slightly, and Kooij does seemingly go for what is a very tight gap.

“I suppose at this point here, does Moschetti deserve to be relegated because he did not move out of the way and ‘open the door’ for a competitor? Because if that is a so-called ‘gap’ for Kooij, how come his handlebars can barely fit next to Moschetti? Interesting.”

However, retired Dutch pro Bobbie Traksel, speaking on Kop over Kop, sided with the decision: “Moschetti pushed it to the limit and Kooij had great legs, but he had nowhere to go. He was completely blocked while Groves was already long gone. That corner turns left and Moschetti just dives into the inside. He stuck closer to the barriers than the white line.

“Moschetti simply didn’t have the legs. So whatever he was trying, it wasn’t going to work. He’s not the same rider we saw at the start of the season… and he shut the door on someone. Fair is fair, but he completely ruined Kooij’s sprint.”

Meanwhile, a Reddit user described it as a “dodgy” second lean: “He went back for a second go after Kooij had already stopped sprinting.” Another was more direct: “So calculated from Moschetti, what a prick.”

Others pointed at Kooij’s decision-making too. Mihai Simion called it “a mistake by Kooij to sprint on that side,” but added that Moschetti “closed him in the barriers — normally he will be relegated.”

One social media user posted: “It’s clearly relegation and yellow card but it looks worse than it is,” while Jakob said: “To be fair, Kooij handled that pretty well. Unfortunate that he couldn’t go for the stage.”

Q36.5 issued a short statement after the race: “Matteo Moschetti has been relegated following today’s sprint. We respect the jury’s decision.”

The controversy comes off the back of a growing narrative around UCI ruling and fans’ discontent and frustration over “silly” sprint incidents. Just yesterday, we covered the fallout from Max Kanter’s stage four relegation and Bram Welten’s yellow card, with Adam Blythe calling the penalties “a load of rubbish” and Robbie McEwen saying “it is absolutely ridiculous.”

Juan Ayuso claimed his first-ever Grand Tour stage win on stage seven of the Giro d’Italia with an explosive sprint up the final climb to Tagliacozzo, and also establishing himself as a real threat to Primož Roglič’s bid for pink.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by UAE Team Emirates🇦🇪 (@uae_team_emirates)

The 168km stage through the Apennine Mountains featured over 3,500 metres of climbing and culminated in a steep 12km ascent where UAE Team Emirates-XRG took control. Ayuso’s late move distanced his rivals in the final 500 metres after Egan Bernal had launched two attacks on the 10 per cent gradients.

Drama struck with 40km to go when a crash involving David Gaudu and Romain Bardet disrupted the chase. Gaudu, with the help of his team Groupama-FDJ, later clawed his way back just before the final climb.

 

 

 

 

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Once on the ascent to Tagliacozzo, the breakaway was reeled in, and the GC fight kicked off. Giulio Ciccone launched the first real move before Bernal and finally Ayuso fired. The 21-year-old Spaniard surged away to win by four seconds over teammate Isaac del Toro, with Bernal, Roglič and Ciccone rounding out the top five.

Despite finishing fourth, Roglič will be wearing the maglia rosa tomorrow, with Mads Pedersen dropped earlier, with the Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe rider four seconds clear of Ayuso in the overall standings.

Hold your breath, and keep your fingers tightly crossed everyone, she’s almost there.

 

 

 

 

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A cyclist has been left bike-less — and understandably furious — after someone apparently ripped an entire bike stand from the ground to steal her “second-hand and rusty” road bike, which she’d locked up on a bike stand in Cardiff.

The post, originally shared on the r/Cardiff subreddit, read: “So somebody really wanted my Ridgeback Speed Womens Road Bicycle apparently (second-hand and rusty, well worth stealing).

“It was chained by the Rainbow Bargains bike stalls on Albany Road (perhaps not the wisest place to put, if you know you know). I am wondering if anyone saw somebody with superhuman strength rip the bolts from the ground and steal my bike either yesterday or this morning? I’ve reported it to the police, but not really hopeful.”

Guess I’ll get the bus then.
byu/Haunting_Genie inCardiff

Reddit users had plenty to say — and none of it made for reassuring reading.

“Will keep an eye out for Hulk on a ladies bike,” one user joked, before adding: “Might be worth asking nearby shops if their cameras caught it, but more than likely it’s gone.”

Democrich wrote: “The bike situation in Cardiff is dire. I had a bike I owned for three months stolen. Ended up buying a £45 grind-proof bike lock just to feel safe, and even then I won’t park it in town.

“Police don’t seem to care even if you find evidence and the person who took it. The actual advice they gave me was ‘Go and confront the person and if it goes badly call us’… absolutely shocking.”

Another added: “Police will do nothing anyway even if you have a crystal clear image. They’re useless.”

> Police force admits bike thefts “unlikely to ever be solved” after spoof sign pokes fun at station’s “Bicycle Redistribution Point”

A user named Space_Hunzo commented: “Rotten luck… It’s as much luck as anything else these days.”

Another person remembered an earlier incident at the same rack: “A year or so ago, literally at the same bike stand, there were a bunch of youths in balaclavas hammering an OVO bike or something.

“Not sure what their goal was, but it was like 1pm on a busy sunny weekend afternoon. Everyone just walked past and said nothing (I included), because it’s just not worth the risk of confronting a group of boys with weapons… Pretty brazen of them. Definitely not a good area to leave any sort of bike.”

The theft highlights a glaring infrastructure issue that’s not unique to Cardiff. In 2023, cyclists and councillors in Edinburgh warned about bike stands that could be easily unscrewed from the ground — with one even picked up and carried away by a councillor herself.

The terrible bit is, as someone who’s lived in Cardiff for over three years, I still don’t feel comfortable locking my own bike to public stands. And Rainbow Bargains is a terrific little shop, tucked inside a repurposed church and run by wonderful locals. At least there’s a bus stop nearby — yes, some of them still function in the city…