“Hang it in the Louvre”: Remco Evenepoel’s “humiliation” of Tadej Pogačar sends cycling world crazy, but world TT champion admits “it doesn’t matter”; Zoe Bäckstedt wins U23 time trial; Van der Poel’s Lambo; Is Pog “not that good”? + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
“We offer what the internet can’t. But it’s not enough”: From a popular bike shop’s demise to one of the maddest saddles you’ll ever see, here’s your weekend news round-up
If you were too busy poring over skinsuits, aero positions, and gearing choices, here’s some non-time trialling cycling news (and one worlds-related story) you may have missed over the weekend:
> “We offer what the internet can’t. But it’s not enough”: Popular bike shop closing after 45 years, “can no longer compete” with online retailers
> UCI “puzzled” by SRAM’s restricted gearing legal fight
> Strava makes serious steps towards becoming a public company
> “A mockery of press freedom”: Belgian journalist refused entry to Rwanda for cycling world championships after “critical reporting” on authoritarian regime
> This mad-looking moving bike saddle has raised £130,000 on Kickstarter and claims to reduce pressure by 80%, plus Met’s new helmets aren’t white, they’re “absolute white”
“Everything hurts!”
While it may have been somewhat overshadowed by the start of cycling’s old-school world champs, this weekend also saw the inaugural edition of the Everesting World Championships take place on Mount Etna in Sicily.
And you thought that final cobbled climb to the finish in Kigali was tough.
And, to no surprise to anyone who’s paid attention to the hill climb and Strava QOM scene over the past few years, British climbing sensation Illi Gardner won the women’s event… despite the best efforts of a treacherous fox and a dodgy stomach:
Read more: > “Everything hurts!”: Illi Gardner crowned first ever Everesting world champion, despite “very nearly packing it in” after near collision with fox and nutrition woes
“I almost can't believe it. I know it’s real and it happened, but I’ve tried so many times and it didn’t work out and now I’ve made it”: Marlen Reusser revels in “special” redemptive world time trial victory
While the elite men’s time trial was characterised by intrigue and drama, the elite women’s race against the clock can be summed up in one word: redemption.
Despite one of the best time triallists around for years now, Marlen Reusser’s worlds record, until yesterday, was one of near misses, punctuated by two silvers and that tearful withdrawal as the pre-race favourite in Stirling in 2023, when a crash in the mixed team relay derailed her, until that point, biggest shot at the rainbow jersey.
After a patchy 2024, however, Reusser has been on flying form this season, winning two of the five stage races she’s finished, and taking second at the other three (including the Giro and Vuelta).
A premature departure from the Tour Femmes on stage one due to food poisoning could have scuppered the end of her season, but the Swiss star buckled down with one thing on her mind: a rainbow jersey in Kigali.
Zac Williams/SWpix.com
And all those years of near misses and heartbreak were swept aside yesterday, as Reusser beat Dutch duo Anna van der Breggen and Demi Vollering to claim her maiden world time trial title.
And to say she was relieved would be an understatement. That forlorn, defeated, resigned expression I saw on her face in Scotland two years ago was gone yesterday afternoon, replaced by the smile of someone who knows all those demons have finally been banished.
“I almost can’t believe it. I know it’s real and it happened but I’ve tried so many times and it didn’t work out and now I’ve made it. It’s really special,” a beaming Reusser said at the finish.
“I’m still breathing heavily. I’m not usually that type of high lactic acid rider but this course you could pace it polarised.
Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
“I went really hard on the climbs and on the final climb I think I went too hard in the beginning so I was full of lactic acid but I think it was the right way to pace it. I have an advantage as I’m quite a heavy rider so without a lot of effort I can go downhill pretty fast and then I can put in all my efforts in on the climbs.
“It now makes me happy for myself but even more for the whole group around me. Even if the sport wasn’t here, I’m full of love for these people.”
Chapeau, Marlen.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in London…
> City of London considers stricter punishments for “dangerous and anti-social” cyclists jumping red lights
When a “four-lane racetrack for cars becomes a street for people”
The Royal Docks Corridor project, which aims to revitalise the streets around the east London industrial area through protected cycle lanes, wider pavements, and nicer public spaces, officially opened at the weekend.
And it’s a thing of beauty… Well, at least compared to what it was like before:
What an extraordinary transformation on the #RoyalDocksCorridor! A 4-lane racetrack for cars becomes a street for people. We attended a celebration event today with the project managers, builders, councillors, Mayor of Newham, and @willnorman.co.uk in attendance. Congratulations to all involved! 🎉
— Newham Cyclists (@newhamcyclists.uk) September 19, 2025 at 1:45 PM
“What an extraordinary transformation on the Royal Docks Corridor!” the Newham branch of the London Cycling Campaign wrote on BlueSky.
“A four-lane racetrack for cars becomes a street for people.”
“Absolutely brilliant to open the Royal Docks Corridor this morning,” added London’s walking and cycling commissioner Will Norman.
“The GLA and Newham teams have transformed this dangerous industrial road into a wonderful new public space – complete with a fab cycle lane, crossings, new lighting, beautiful planting, and flood resilience.”
Now that’s what I’m talking about.
Bermondsey cyclists, beware – the cycle lane drawing pin vandal is back
A heads up if you’re using Bermondsey’s cycle lanes this week:
@londoncycling.bsky.social Sorry to say that the cycle lane drawing pin vandal is back in Bermondsey. Please exercise caution when using along the cycle lane by Bermondsey station. The Met Police are aware.
— Rachel Bentley 🔶 (@rachelbentleyld.bsky.social) September 18, 2025 at 11:53 PM
Turns out Remco Evenepoel isn’t the only cyclist flying past Tadej Pogačar in Rwanda this week…
And he can’t even claim today’s overtakers have the best TT equipment or the super-low Remco aero position:
‘Yeah, it was definitely Tadej and Urška, I swear. And it wasn’t even that hard, just went up the inside. And yeah, the bike from the shed, that’s the one…’
“We want businesses to step up and provide safe, clearly marked spaces for Lime bikes”: Lime boss calls on UK companies to “keep bikes off busy pavements” and make cycling safer and “seamless” by installed dedicated parking pays
The ‘Lime bikes on pavements’ story has one that’s been rumbling for quite a while, with Jeremy Vine and Dara Ó Briain’s recent criticism of London’s Checkpoint Charlie-style hire bike boundaries the latest in a long line of complaints about Lime’s approach to parking.
And now, Lime’s chief executive is calling on businesses in the capital to help tackle the pavement parking problems which have plagued the company by providing dedicated parking bays for users.
According to Lime’s London Action Plan, the brand believes firms could play a direct role in preventing bikes from being abandoned on footpaths or, as Vine has warned, at borough boundaries.
“We want businesses to step up and provide safe, clearly marked spaces for Lime bikes,” Lime chief executive Wayne Ting told City AM.
“It’s a simple step, but it makes a huge difference: it keeps bikes off busy pavements, makes cycling safer, and helps the city move more efficiently”.
“Even a few marked spots outside office buildings, retail parks, or commuter hubs can prevent frustration for riders and reduce complaints from local residents. Businesses are in a unique position to help the city’s transport ecosystem work better for everyone”
“When riders have a reliable place to leave bikes, we reduce the risk of accidents and disruption. We’re trying to make e-bikes a seamless part of London’s transport network, not an obstacle for people on foot or in cars”.
Lidl-Trek bound Jakob Söderqvist dominates U23 men’s time trial in Kigali, as Britain’s Callum Thornley takes fifth
The U23 time trialling continued this afternoon in Kigali, and after a dominant performance by Zoe Bäckstedt earlier on, Sweden’s Jakob Söderqvist decided to continue the theme of the day by powering to a comfortable rainbow jersey in the U23 men’s event, a full minute clear of all his rivals.
The 22-year-old, who is set to turn professional with Lidl-Trek next year after two seasons with their development squad, covered the hilly 31.2km course in 38.24, a minute and three seconds faster than silver medallist Nate Pringle.
Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
And while there was clear daylight between Söderqvist and the rest, the race for the medals was extremely tight. New Zealander Pringle beat France’s Maxime Decomble by just 0.17 seconds to take silver, while Italy’s Lorenzo Finn missed out on a medal by just four seconds.
Britain’s Callum Thornley, who will turn pro with Red Bull-Bora next year, was also left rueing what might have been, after the Edinburgh rider finished fifth, seven seconds off the podium.
“Without a name change, without a flag change, we won’t continue”
The pressure continues to mount on Israel-Premier Tech, as Rob Gitelis, the CEO of bike supplier Factor, reveals he has urged the team to drop Israel from its name and change its nationality – or else the brand will step away.
Read more: > Factor gives Israel-Premier Tech ultimatum as widespread protests make bike sponsorship “too controversial”
Fool’s Gold? A road.cc fan gets in touch to slam “me too retailers” and tell bike shops that “it’s 2025, not 1975!”
This is the one… email we’ve been waiting for.
At the weekend, we reported that popular bike shop York Cycleworks is set to close after 45 years, its owner telling us that “we can no longer compete with that is on offer from the internet”.
Well, that claim has prompted one reader, a certain Ian Brown, to get in touch (and, presumably, take a break from writing anti-vaccine songs), with some very feisty advice for struggling bike shop owners.
“These shops just don’t get that it’s 2025; not 1975!” Ian says. “Bike shops need to be open 7am-7pm Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon then closed Tues, Wed, Thur and these shops need to concentrate on servicing and repairs instead of being ‘me too’ retailers!
“I’m also fed up with going into bike shops filled with overpriced rich man’s toys on display which are just currency for bike thieves to traffic to eastern Europe!
“I also want to see: tandems, trikes, trailers, vintage restorations, school run bikes, XL bikes and XS bikes; but most of all I’m fed with being served by ignorant t*****s from behind the till who know f**k all about the products on sale!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
I wanna be adored? Not with that attitude, anyway. But does Ian have a point? And, most importantly, is he the Ian Brown?
But I bet you can’t do this, Remco…
Move over Hour Record, there’s a new ‘riding around in circles’ feat in town:
I feel sick just watching that.
“Hopefully next time I can try out the elites”: Zoe Bäckstedt puts in a stunning ride and destroys the opposition to win U23 world time trial title by almost two minutes
It was never in doubt, was it?
When it comes to the junior and U23 ranks, I’m not sure Zoe Bäckstedt will have any more room to store all her rainbow jerseys.
With two U23 cyclocross titles, two junior road race wins, a junior time trial victory, and a junior track rainbow jersey on the world stage, Bäckstedt entered this morning’s U23 world time trial in Kigali as the out-and-out favourite. And she didn’t disappoint.
Chris Auld/SWpix.com
The Welsh wonderkid dominated on the tough 22.6km course, topping every intermediate check, catching her cyclocross rival Marie Schreiber and Julia Kopecky (who she passed before the firsttime check) along the way to win by almost two minutes.
Slovakia’s Viktória Chladonová was, in fact, the only rider to get within two minutes of Bäckstedt, finishing 1.50 down, while Italy’s Frederica Venturelli took bronze, 2.11 down.
Bäckstedt’s GB teammate Millie Couzens also put in a very strong ride to finish sixth, 2.37 down on a rider who has stamped her authority all over the age ranks – and, she admitted after her latest rainbow triumph, is now seeking success on the elite stage.
“I feel like I coped with the pressure okay. I felt nervous before the start, but that’s natural in one of these championship events. But I did my usual pre-race rituals, and they just keep my head happy,” a super cool Bäckstedt said shortly after crossing the line.
Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
“Those two climbs just sapped your legs completely, but it was quite fun on that downhill to go super quick. I’m looking forward to seeing what my maximum speed was!
“But hearing I was up on the first time check by 16 seconds, I thought that’s possible to lose on the last climb. So I just kept pushing as hard as I could on that first section in-between the two climbs. The on the last part I was chasing the rider in front of me and able to do the catch by the finish.
“It means a lot to do it in both categories, and hopefully next time I can try out the elites.”
Marlen, Demi, and Anna – you’ve been warned…
“Working hard to reach Taylor Swift’s carbon footprint”: Mathieu van der Poel gifted €250,000 ‘MVDP’ Lamborghini as car brand extends partnership with rider – and some cycling fans aren’t happy
Is this the most Mathieu van der Poel thing that’s ever Van der Poeled?
The Dutch superstar has long been known for his love of Lamborghinis, spending his winter rocking up to cyclocross races in the ostentatiously priced vehicles, parking them in a muddy field beside a frites van, for the full glamour effect.
So, to celebrate renewing their sponsorship deal with Van der Poel, and to celebrate a season that saw him win his second Milan-Sanremo, his third Paris-Roubaix, and his first Tour de France stage win for four years, the Italian manufacturer decided to gift the Dutchman what I imagine is his fifth or sixth Lambo.
And the price of his latest SUV, those orange seats, and that MVDP number plate? A cool €250,000. Which is nice when you don’t have to pay for it.
“Surprise delivery for Mathieu van der Poel,” Lamborghini posed. “At the end of an impressive season, we had the honour of handing over his brand-new Lamborghini Urus SE, unveiled in style at Antwerp Airport.
“A special moment, surrounded by family and friends, and the perfect occasion to also announce the extension of our partnership with Mathieu. Congratulations Mathieu, and enjoy every electrifying kilometre in your new Super SUV!”
Pro cyclists and SUVs, they go together like… well, cycling teams and sportswashing regimes, I suppose.
And some big MVDP fans weren’t too happy about their hero’s love of all things motoring in the comments.
“Working hard to reach Taylor Swift’s carbon footprint. Huge aura loss. As a fan, I’m deeply disappointed,” wrote Arne.
“Climate change?” asked Ben. “Of course, a pro athlete has specific needs to perform, but they don’t need to promote this.”
Not that everyone was up in arms about MVDP’s latest Lambo collab.
Aleix Espargaró, the former MotoGP star who made his pro cycling debut over the summer in Lidl-Trek colours, simply wrote, “Fast” (alongside a fire emoji), with Lamborghini replying with their own fire emoji.
Because promoting fast cars is a great way to get cyclists onside…
Is Tadej Pogačar’s “big humiliation” during the worlds time trial proof that he’s “not that good” ahead of next Sunday’s road race? Dutch cycling writer Thijs Zonneveld thinks so… but warns: “He’s still Pogačar – he can still win the race”
The manner of Tadej Pogačar’s defeat to Remco Evenepoel yesterday (if not the defeat itself – after all, this is Remco on a TT we’re talking about) may have sent shockwaves around the cycling world, but what impact, if any, will it have on next Sunday’s rematch?
Evenepoel and Pogačar, who each have one rainbow jersey on the road to their name, will head into the weekend’s road race, one of the toughest in living memory, as the two big favourites.
And, according to Dutch cycling journalist Thijs Zonneveld, Evenepoel’s physical and psychological demolition of Pogačar could tip the scales in the Belgian’s favour.
Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
“Holy shit, he was so good. Evenepoel started as if he were on a rocket,” Zonneveld said during his In de Waaier podcast last night.
“And then you start to think, suppose he keeps this up until the end, then he’ll come very close to Pogačar. But for it to actually happen, the fact that Tadej Pogacar is overtaken by a rider who started 2.30 behind him… It must have hurt.
“How often has Pogačar been beaten like this? It’s such a big blow, such a big humiliation, that it’s iconic.”
However, Zonneveld put the scale of yesterday’s defeat down to preparation, claiming Evenepoel’s preference for the Tour of Britain, and his lighter season in general, paid dividends on the time trial bike in Kigali.
Zac Williams/SWpix.com
“The difference is that Pogačar has been busy all year, riding from one big goal to another since the beginning of March,” he said.
“He was great in the spring classics and the Tour, but then he ran out of steam a bit. Evenepoel started the season with a lot of problems, didn’t do well in the Tour, and dropped out. His peak comes later in the season.”
Questioning the four-time Tour de France winner’s decision to once again use the one-day races in Quebec and Montreal as pre-worlds preparation, Zonneveld said: “I understand that those laps in Canada are really useful; they are World Championship-like courses. I understand that he wanted to ride two more races, but you do end up with double jet lag. I really wonder to what extent those races are the ideal preparation.
“I do think he will be in better physical shape on Sunday than he is today. And I think he’s right that missing that time trial block has had an impact. But even if he had done it, if he hadn’t been ill and had been in top form today, he still wouldn’t have beaten Evenepoel.”
Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com
So, what does this mean for Pogačar next Sunday?
“He’s not that good; he’s not at his best,” Zonneveld argued. “But he’s still Pogačar, and he can still win the race, break away solo in the final laps, and ride to victory. But he’s not at his best, and you could see that in Canada too.”
So, basically, this Sunday could be very exciting, indeed.
And, finally, Zonneveld reckons yesterday’s time trial could act as a spark of inspiration for ASO, as they piece together next year’s Tour route.
“But when you see this, you think, guys, just put in 100 kilometres of time trials in next year’s Tour, then it will be fun again!” he laughed.
“One of 47, one of 43, and a prologue of 10, like in the Wiggins years.”
Well, it would be fun for Remco, anyway…
“Hang it in the Louvre”: Remco Evenepoel’s “humiliation” of Tadej Pogačar sends cycling world crazy – but world time trial champion admits “it doesn’t matter” who he caught
It was the catch heard around the world.
Alex Dowsett, commentating for the BBC, branded it an annihilation. Journalist Thijs Zonneveld opted for iconic, and said it was a “humiliation”. Cycling’s corner of the internet, meanwhile, erupted in disbelief.
Five years and two days after inflicting his own devastating time trial defeat on Primož Roglič, on the torturous slopes of La Planche des Belles Filles, Tadej Pogačar finally got a taste of his own medicine.
The four-time Tour de France winner, celebrating his 27th birthday, entered yesterday’s world time trial championships in Kigali as one of the big favourites, after skipping the Vuelta a España to target a double rainbow jersey triumph in Rwanda.
Zac Williams/SWpix.com
But on the brutal, jarring cobbles of the Côte de Kimihurura, it happened. Pogačar, off the pace from the opening kilometres, looked across and saw Remco Evenepoel – the undisputed master against the clock – roar past him, the Belgian having bridged the two-and-a-half minute gap between the pair at the start.
The Slovenian attempted to hold the Belgian’s infernal pace on the 11 per cent gradients, but was ultimately forced to relent.
Evenepoel stormed on to his third consecutive world time trial title, while Pogačar was forced to settle for fourth, a second down on bronze medallist, and Remco’s Belgian teammate, Ilan Van Wilder, as Jay Vine secured a very impressive silver.
And let’s just say the images of Pogačar – the greatest rider of his or any generation – beaten, caught, annihilated set the online cycling world ablaze.
Zac Williams/SWpix.com
“Hang it the Louvre,” said John Maguire.
“A beautiful sight,” added another BlueSky user.
“This is cathartic,” said Goldblue, while Tim summed it up simply with: “Bloody hell, Remco.”
And then Ned Boulting came along to add some perspective: “It is, after all, the greatest possible compliment to Pogačar that this moment, made possible by the brilliance of Evenepoel made us catch our breath.”
True.
And while our collective jaw dropped at the sight of Remco easing past the greatest cyclist of the modern era as if it were a local club 10 on a Tuesday night, for the Belgian himself, that particular moment doesn’t matter all that much.
Zac Williams/SWpix.com
“On a day like today it doesn’t matter who it is,” he said at the finish. “I just wanted to push as hard as possible from the first climb on and try and recover on the descents.
“Of course, on the cobbles when I saw I was coming close quite quickly I knew I had to push through, but I have to say I knew it was really tough on the false flat part at the end, so I didn’t want to go over the limit because I knew that last 400m were hard.
“Then the first climb of the day was quite hard, together with the last two ones, so I pushed it there. After that first climb I could see I had quite a big gap so I just wanted to keep it at a pace that I could hold to the bottom of [penultimate climb] Côte de Péage and then I just went flat out on every climb.”
And while some fans are dreaming of a Remco rainbow double next Sunday, Evenepoel is only thinking about making it four time trial world titles in a row next year, which would bring him level with Tony Martin and Fabian Cancellara at the top of the all-time list, after tying Michael Rogers’ record of three yesterday.
“It’s a big honour for me to step up there with Tony and Michael,” he said. “Next year I guess I have to go for another one because I want to be the first one to get four in a row.”
Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
For Pogačar, however, defeat – and the manner in which it was inflicted – was “hard to swallow”, he admits.
“For sure, it was a hard one to swallow, but he’s Remco, and he is so good in this discipline,” the Slovenian said.
“Of course, I am disappointed that Remco caught me, but it is incredible how good he is in this discipline. Chapeau for all the ride by him.”
But, in classic Pog fashion, he’s already looking forward to next Sunday’s rematch in the road race.
“I hope that he prepared 100 per cent for this discipline today and that he will be 99 per cent ready for next Sunday,” Pogačar said.
“This year, I don’t want to spoil myself to win today, so let’s try to win on Sunday.”
Somehow, I reckon he’ll be fine…
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Latest Comments
@mitsky Leaving aside the fact that I, and I think most people, wouldn't want to live in a society where physically or chemically mutilating people was used by the state as a form of punishment, why do you think that would be a deterrent? In cases like this the perpetrator, vile as he is, didn't intend that day to murder somebody, he didn't sit down and think okay, I'll get life in prison but I'm not going to have my taste buds or libido removed so I'll chance it. He did one of the most appalling things I've ever heard of a driver doing but on the spur of the moment and doubtless in a panic, if capital punishment was still in place the deterrent effect wouldn't have worked on him. We all know that in the USA states that have the death penalty have no lower murder rates than those that don't, there's no reason to suppose that your proposed, and if you'll excuse me utterly barbaric, form of punishment would act as any more of a deterrent. It might make us, or some of us, feel better about getting some form of revenge on the perpetrator of such an appalling crime, but as a deterrent its effect would be negligible if not non-existent.
Oxford Street is very wide, they ought to have accommodated cycling in these plans from the start. Not least because it's going to be very difficult to police and a lack of safe alternatives will encourage many cyclists to ignore the ban. They could have added bike lanes going in both directions, separated by a pedestrian area in the middle so that pedestrians only have to deal with crossing one direction of cycling traffic at a time.
@the infamous grouse KCs and barristers don't have an awful lot of choice about accepting a case: on the "cab rank" principle they are obliged to take instruction from anyone who asks, providing the case falls into their area of competence, an appropriate fee is offered and they have room for it on their calendar. They certainly are not allowed to say no, this bloke's obviously a piece of shit and guilty as sin, I'm not defending him, and once in court they are obliged to do everything within their power within the rules of the legal system to defend their client. Hence the obligation to make speeches like the one to which you object. I'm acquainted with several barristers and a judge and they've all told me that there are times when it absolutely sticks in their craw to have to do this sort of thing but it really is the only way to ensure that everybody gets proper representation regardless of however heinous the crime of which they are accused, their race, sex, personal beliefs et cetera.
It is very disappointing. My best guess is that he personally is not interested in cycling, and he can't see beyond his own habits and wishes.
@OldTom i suppose my commentary depends on whether the KC had any choice in representing this client or not .. a Milgram disclaimer, in a way.
This is my local constabulary. Does anyone know if there is any actual evidence behind this beyond "deemed", or do I need to FOI them? I think that if we actually had some cycle tracks without anti-cycling barriers, there would be fewer cyclists on the roads to be run down.
Labour MP Clive Betts seems to be another of those MPs who think that all of his constituents drive cars: none of them ride bikes or catch buses. And none of them are at all worried about climate change, pollution, congestion or dead cyclists. "Betts went as far as to describe the whole scheme to the BBC as “a complete waste of money”, “not necessary” and “a cycle lane to nowhere” I wish that this idiot was my MP (who is bad enough) as he would be getting a broadside from me, and demands that at least tries to be sensible sometimes. Honestly, MPs are supposed to be relatively intelligent.
@the infamous grouse It is the job of the defence solicitor to put the best possible case for their client. I think the defendant is a disgusting individual of little worth who deserves to be hit with the harshest possible sentence having now been convicted. I suspect you do too. But the role of the defence here, is to defend. It is the role of the jury to determine to what extent that defence holds up (as well as to consider the extent to which the prosecution has made its case). They have done so. Justice has been served in all regards. Having defending legal representation, whatever the crime, is a necessary cornerstone of our justice system. They have to be there for the worst people as well as those who are innocent and everyone in-between. The alternative is not a system we want to get into.
While I can only applaud the jury for their verdict, it gives me little joy. Two lives have been ruined when it could all have been so easily avoided. The state of mind of Simon Richardson is not mentioned, but he must be some kind of sociopath to behave so incredibly callously. My thoughts are with the family and friends of Michael Mullins, and I hope that this brings some closure to them.
@mitsky The mentality of, 'its just a cyclist' pervades throughout society and discourse, and is normalised to the extent that the killer likely believed this and therefore thought he would be judged in a more lenient way by the courts and by peers, which is what we see all of the time, both in sentencing and by the reporting in some media. It will be interesting to see how the media overall portrays this killer over coming days and I expect the hostility towards the cyclist community to be on full display (sadly!).
20 thoughts on ““Hang it in the Louvre”: Remco Evenepoel’s “humiliation” of Tadej Pogačar sends cycling world crazy, but world TT champion admits “it doesn’t matter”; Zoe Bäckstedt wins U23 time trial; Van der Poel’s Lambo; Is Pog “not that good”? + more on the live blog”
Ryan Mallon wrote:
Not even an “arguably” in there? Jury still out surely. I’m a big fan and I think by the end of his career we will be able to say that with certainty but at the moment he’s still trailing the Baron on most metrics.
Le Cannibale?
Le Cannibale?
Baron Merckx himself, indeed.
Baron Merckx himself, indeed.
Junior – U23 – Senior WOrld
Junior – U23 – Senior WOrld champ TTs
I feel sorry for those riders who are pushed on to a higher level (there was an 18 yo in the mens elite – cant remember where he finished) or held back to thier eliglible level (Zoe B can hold her own in elite level) to “gaurantee” a win.
Is it really beyond the with of the UCI to run a large TT field and award prizes for the best in each category. If and U23 is fastest on the day they win 2xRainbow jerseys
EK Spinner wrote:
Better still, give them a double-rainbow jersey (with the colours reversed on the second).
Slightly darker white in
Slightly darker white in-between?
“We want someone else to take
“We want someone else to take responsibility for our mess, so we don’t have to” said Lime Chief Executive Wayne Ting
mdavidford wrote:
It’s weapons-grade chutzpah, isn’t it? Not even “We want to work with businesses to provide more parking spaces,” just, “Your business should, at its own expense and inconvenience, provide a way of making people complain less about my business.”
Rendel Harris wrote:
… And AFAICS their entire business model.
(Well, simplifying it a bit; the key proposition seems to be “keep riding the venture capital for as long as possible while sticking bikes on the streets *then* maybe worry about the other stuff”. At least, whenever I’ve asked people more knowledgeable than me they confirm that is really where the money is coming from for Lime. Although they hedge that sometimes with ‘but that’s not really income…’ – except that they seem to keep getting large cash injections).
chrisonabike wrote:
It’s weapons-grade chutzpah, isn’t it?
— chrisonabike … And AFAICS their entire business model. (Well, simplifying it a bit; the key proposition seems to be “keep riding the venture capital for as long as possible while sticking bikes on the streets *then* maybe worry about the other stuff”. At least, whenever I’ve asked people more knowledgeable than me they confirm that is really where the money is coming from for Lime. Although they hedge that sometimes with ‘but that’s not really income…’ – except that they seem to keep getting large cash injections).— Rendel Harris
Its the easiest proven way to become a billionaire!
Rendel Harris wrote:
The playbook seems somewhat familiar. Almost like the one the entire automobile industry used for nearly 100 years.
Bellend-grade chutzpah, n’est
Bellend-grade chutzpah, n’est-ce pas?
While I’m not condoning Lime
While I’m not condoning Lime for bringing their bikes to the streets without considering the implications which we are now seeing, isn’t this situation analogous with motor vehicles when they arrived over a century ago?
Society and authorities ended up having to make way, and infrastructure, to accomodate motor vehicles/drivers.
No car manufacturer pays 100% of the cost of building and maintaining all the roads/parking space required for their products…
If there’s obvs thing we
If there’s one thing we should think twice about copying it’s how we got mass motoring… (OTOH it’s remarkable how it succeeded and how well – though that took a LOT of governments shoving it up the population and shovelling money at the enterprise, together with genius-level PR dark arts etc.)
The more I learn about their business model the more they remind me of the “outsource all risk and cost onto the public” food delivery companies (though TBF Lime have got a long way down to go…)
Is Pogi the GOAT? That’s a
Is Pogi the GOAT? That’s a debate to hold back until he retires. Is Pogi human? Yes, he is, obviously. And that’s a good news for other pros and cycling fans alike. Does he need to better plan his season? Yes, he does although he got himself 17 wins so far in the season. And counting?
It’s very difficult to
It’s very difficult to compare cyclists from different eras and different disciplines.
Professional cycling is open to athletes from more countries theses days and has more strength in depth. Good training and nutrition is universally available.
Pogacar is a great stage and one day racer, but has yet to win a world or Olympic TT medal.
Bradley Wiggins and Geraint Thomas won Olympic and world track medals and the TDF – Wiggins also won an Olympic TT title.
Chris Froome won World and Olympic TT medals and all of the Grand Tours.
Filipo Ganna has won track medals, World TT titles and stages in the Giro
And what about Beryl Burton, Katie Archibald, and the Dutch female cyclists?
Things you can say about Pogacar is that he is the most talented road cyclist in recent times and has won an unusually large percentage of high profile races over 5 years, in an era of fierce competition and that is likely to continue for some time. And I will be surprised if he doesn’t win a world TT medal at some point.
Calling someone a GOAT is maybe a bit meaningless – like the Ballon d’Or in football, or calling somebody the World’s Greatest Runner.
Mr Blackbird wrote:
Forrest Gump has that one sewn up, surely?
Quote:
Is he driving around with the dealer’s triangular thingy still on the roof?
He had a bit of a bad day.
He had a bit of a bad day. The race of truth does that.
I still wouldn’t bet against him in the roads…
It will depend on the type of
It will depend on the type of race, but Pogacar has a superior ability to break away from almost any distance and stay away. If the road race terrain is anything like that in the time trials, it will suit him.
If he is at or near his best, he will take some beating.