Matej Mohorič’s Garmin stolen after Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne, tells thief to keep device… just “please send today’s file over”; Nick Ferrari and LBC talk cyclists; Behind the scenes of Pidcock’s flying descent; Weekend round-up + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
Behind the scenes of Pidcock's flying descent
Weekend round-up: Campenaerts' 1x 62-t chainring, BIKES + more fallout from Dan Walker's crash
Plenty going on here at road.cc this weekend, not least Victor C’s interesting Omloop set-up…
> REVIEW: Brompton C Line Explore
Also on the website this weekend:
> Why is Dan Walker’s claim that a bike helmet saved his life so controversial?
> A real steel bike at bedtime — Grant’s All City Super Professional
The HEALTHY way to lose weight by cycling | top tips for sustainable weight loss
"There seems to be a sort of lawlessness, it's one rule for cyclists and one rule for everybody else": Nick Ferrari's LBC show discusses poll suggesting two-thirds of drivers believe aggressive cyclists are a threat to their safety
We recently reported the results of a poll in Ireland which indicated that cyclists are perceived to be among the nation’s most dangerous road users, with around a fifth of those surveyed claiming that people on bikes represent the greatest threat on the country’s roads, just behind young male motorists and e-scooter users.
Well, there’s another survey doing the rounds (and forming the basis of a segment on Nick Ferrari’s LBC morning show), this time suggesting that almost two-thirds (65 per cent) of drivers believe aggressive cyclists are a threat to their safety.
In their news coverage of the IAM RoadSmart research LBC noted the results come “despite a staggering 494 cyclists being killed in crashes with cars between 2012 and 2021” while “in the same period, only four car-users perished in accidents with cyclists, according to Department for Transport figures.”
However, Ferrari’s segment, including a talk with a listener who accused bike riders of “lawlessness” and IAM RoadSmart’s Neil Greig suggesting there are calls for a law to be introduced which would see drivers “automatically at fault” if they hit a cyclist was far more catchy for this genre of reporting…
Brace yourselves… this doesn’t appear to be a parody prank call, as far as we’re aware…
‘There seems to be a sort of lawlessness, it’s one rule for cyclists and one rule for everybody else…’
This caller tells @NickFerrariLBC that reckless cyclists put her children in danger more than cars. pic.twitter.com/SnF6xmNqXi
— LBC (@LBC) February 27, 2023
So, as per the Department for Transport’s Reported road casualties in Great Britain: pedal cycle factsheet for 2021, as reported by us last year, almost half (46 per cent) of all cyclist fatalities between 2016 and 2021 were in two-vehicle collisions involving the driver of a car.
‘But what about collisions with other cyclists?’ I hear our LBC listener ask….
The missing Strava activity
The final activity uploaded from Mohorič’s Garmin before the shocking crime took place…
No sign of the Kuurne 80km attack and third-placed finish. Thoughts and prayers with you at this difficult time, Matej.
Lotus and British Cycling continue partnership for 2024 Olympic Games in Paris
[ Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com]
The Great Britain Cycling Team will once again ride Lotus-developed bikes at next summer’s Olympic Games in Paris. Both parties expressed excitement at continuing the relationship which helped win seven track cycling medals in Tokyo.
“Over the last Olympic cycle we have developed a fantastic relationship with Lotus, combining their expertise with our in-house team, constantly striving to find the most innovative solutions to give our track riders the best possible chance when the get to the start line,” performance director of the Great Britain Cycling Team Stephen Park CBE said.
“We are excited to see what we can go on to achieve together as we work towards further refining our bike, which is just one part of the world-class support we are able to offer our riders as we set our sights on Paris 2024.”
Lotus has a long history in cycling and was instrumental in the design and development of LotusSport bikes, including for Chris Boardman at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona.
Riding the Lotus Type 108 (above), he won gold in the men’s pursuit and followed it up at the 1994 Tour de France – riding the Type 110 – winning the prologue to wear the yellow jersey.
Frederik Frison's Peter Sagan impression is back...
Frederik Frison gave us his best Peter Sagan impression. What do you rate it out of 10? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/O8CyEb9Ink
— GCN Racing (@GcnRacing) February 26, 2023
LTNs are a "greenwash reminiscent of George Orwell's 1984", claims campaigner who has set up petition asking for schemes to be ripped out
We get sent many a press release here at road.cc — new products, event announcements, pro cycling teams celebrating their GC rider’s 9th place at UAE Tour — so much so that most just don’t make the cut… not this one…
And while I’m not entirely sure we’re the target audience for the news there’s now a petition asking for councils to be required to remove LTNs and “underused bike lanes that lack public support”, we’ll happily share the fact it is limping along on 2,000 signatures.
David Tarsh, the petition’s promoter, claims “these traffic schemes are the worst kind of greenwash, reminiscent of George Orwell’s 1984; there’s a ‘safer cycle pathway’ that is more dangerous, low-traffic neighbourhoods that increase congestion, and extension of a clean air zone that will make a negligible improvement in air quality.
“The hidden agenda is an extortion racket based on demonising motorists and exploiting them for cash, under the cover of claiming to save the planet. The consequences are social division, economic damage, removal of liberty and discrimination against the least fortunate. They are counterproductive and the way they have been introduced is deeply corrupt.”
The full petition info is here, but you might prefer to read one of these:
> Police urge against scrapping low traffic neighbourhood, saying it reduces crime
> Levels of motor traffic nearly halved within London LTNs, new study finds
> London Conservative group accused of scaremongering over anti-LTN video
> Analysis shows nearly a third of low-traffic neighbourhoods have been scrapped
> Low-traffic neighbourhoods encourage a quarter of Hackney’s residents to cycle more, poll finds
Driver escapes punishment for alleged hit-and-run on cyclist, as victim blasts police inaction and "barriers to justice"
"I feel the crime was TfL's. You know you're continuing to take my money. When someone reports immediately a scam, they should stop payments": Cyclist's Santander Cycles scam nightmare
A London cyclist has spoken out about his ordeal after thieves snatched the paper showing his bike hire code and then racked up a £400 bill over the weekend of February 17.
The rider, Jeremy, told the BBC he tried to hire a bike in central London when two teenage boys approached him, distracting him before snatching the receipt with his hire code. The youths ran away, hired a bike which was not returned all weekend and saw Jeremy charged £1.65 every 30 minutes, plus non-return charges for failing to return the bicycle within 24 hours.
“I felt foolish, I’d been caught out and I’m usually alert to this sort of thing,” he said before explaining he reported the theft within 15 minutes to Transport for London but was told his report would only be accepted if he called Action Fraud. As it was a Friday night the call centre was closed for the weekend until Monday morning.
“I’ve had to stop thinking about it because otherwise it would have driven me crazy,” he continued, confirming his bank, TfL and Action Fraud are trying to resolve the matter.
“I feel the crime was TfL’s. You know you’re continuing to take my money. When someone reports immediately a scam, they should stop payments,” Jeremy said.
Transport for London’s head of cycle hire David Eddington apologised for any distress caused and insisted they would be refunding him in full, stressing such cases are “extremely rare”.
Happy Monday
Championne de France du lever de coude 😋🍺
Troisième aujourd’hui sur #OmloopHageland. Deuxième podium de la saison 🙌 @ZaafCyclingTeam pic.twitter.com/fwrzy5CdZs
— Audrey CORDON-RAGOT (@CordonRagot) February 26, 2023
Here’s to Matej’s Garmin turning up in the post… Ryan will be on live blog duty in the morning… have a great evening…
Matej Mohorič's Garmin stolen after Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne, tells thief to keep device... just "please send today's file over"
As if the blow of being swallowed up by the bunch at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad on Saturday and bumped into third by Jumbo Visma’s Classics dominance at Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne wasn’t enough disappointment for Opening Weekend, Matej Mohorič’s Garmin was stolen after yesterday’s race.
In typical pro rider fashion, when the kit is free and the numbers everything, the Slovenian took to Twitter… not to ask for his device back (no, the thief can keep that) just please send the race file over…
Whoever stole my garmin off my bike today after the finish, you can keep the device, but please send me today’s file over 🙏😁
— Matej Mohoric (@matmohoric) February 26, 2023
Like any good whodunnit a list of suspects was quickly drawn up, including teammate Damiano Caruso accusing Sonny Colbrelli and an accusation compatriot Jan Tratnik might be involved.
Anyway, thankfully Dan Lloyd was on hand to save the day…
If I can’t get mine that would probably be the closest thing I can get, so I’ll please take that 🤣🤣👊
— Matej Mohoric (@matmohoric) February 26, 2023
The situation also raised such philosophical questions as… if a KOM falls in a Classic, but nobody on Strava gets to see it, did it really happen?
That might indeed be correct 🤣
— Matej Mohoric (@matmohoric) February 26, 2023
Watches are not aero enough 🤣
— Matej Mohoric (@matmohoric) February 26, 2023
Mohorič will be hoping for more luck for the remainder of his spring campaign where he hopes to build on last year’s San Remo success and top tens at E3, Gent-Wevelgem and Paris-Roubaix. Based on his strength this weekend we wouldn’t be surprised to see the 28-year-old bag another big one in 2023.
Not that we have any inside info… like, I don’t know… his numbers from yesterday…
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@Rendel Harris you've painted a rather alluring picture of social harmony there, but unfortunately you've got my name wrong. I'm Jack, not Nigel. However, to return the compliment, I must think of a story for you. I imagine you sat outside a pub, real ale and pipe propped on the adjacent table, in a similar fashion to Nigel Farage at his populist best. You turn to your wife. "You know what dear? I think I've been a bit harsh in my time. I've shunned the politeness and wisdom of others for too long and want to change my ways.* "There there Rendel", says Mrs Harris. "You're not a bad old stick, it's just living in London that's emptied your soul of kindness and compassion. I've found a lovely new place where we can settle down in our later years. It's on a leafy cul de sac, surrounded by friendly neighbours and smiling faces. There's a guy a couple of doors down, a remarkable man. As well as his towering intellect and rapier wit, he's also a keen cyclist, holding severa local KOMs. Don't be perturbed dear - he'll ride with anyone provided they show other road users the kindness and courtesy they deserve." Rendel turned emotionally, voice shaking. "Oh my dear, thank you for this second chance", and with that the rest of the pub goers turned and applauded the couple, throwing garlands of petals in their wake. The end.
As a Councillor, Edward needs to be paying some attention to all that parking obstructing visibility and manoeuvres at the junction, and sorting out those radii.
Ed Hill was chucked out by Reform in 2025, though TBF to him it was about how to run it rather than ideology I think. He is now reportedly closer to Advance UK, which is distinctly more extreme than Reform. I'd call this Alan Amos style attention seeking.
Emily, thank you for such an insightful piece. I’m a man, but I enjoy watching the women’s races, possibly more than the men’s. The racing is so much closer, we rarely know who’s going to win. You painted a wonderful picture of how a true champion is able to ‘rise above’ setbacks and distractions, and focus their energy on the task in hand. ‘All’s fair in live and war -and sport, but always good to hear riders expressing their admiration for their competitors
@Nigel Garage ...and then everyone applauded my courtesy and I waved courteously to all the people who were courteously throwing flowers and cheering and courteously waving flags that said "Nigel is the best!"
The picture from street view clearly shows give way lines from the roads to the green painted cycle/pedestrian lane. The road user should give way (or must...) to the user of the green lane. This would of course apply to any cyclist on the roadway.
If I recall there is a cave or two along the route - perhaps they were sheltering from the heat in one of those having taken it for a Golf bunker?
“So if there’s a cyclist travelling down the cycle path at the moment, from this position I can’t see them because my blind spots are too big on the left hand side of the vehicle”, claims Hill. Well, there's your problem, right there...🙄
First impression from the headline that he's likely a twit. Then the detail he was expelled from Reform makes you suspect that failing even their low bar requirements he really is. Then he clearly explains his vehicle is unsafe for the highway because he can't see to give way when turning. Any collision he now has should have that video run out explaining he drove a vehicle he knew to be unsafe. Advice for motorists; instead of thinking that pedestrians and cyclists are low risk 100kg objects, imagine them as a 300 Tonne trains that will crush you and your vehicle if you cross into their paths. You'd give way to the train, so you equally can to the others.
I've had a brief look on Facebook, and Ed Hill (who now appears to be affiliated with Advance UK) seems to have taken some useful road safety improvements under his remit, including an initiative to help local pedestrians on unpaved roads, where the wider council won't help due to planning failures. Regarding the cycle path, I think this is linked to a wider misunderstanding about giving way at junctions and I'm afraid I cannot agree with Mr Hill's conclusion. Regardless of the suitability of the cycle path, vehicles should give way at the junction to both pedestrians crossing and cyclists. It seems to be a poorly understood rule among motorists where some believe they have priority at junctions like this, where they certainly do not. I once had a similar issue myself, while leisurely walking to Waitrose to buy some lunchtime fripperies. A driver beeped their horn as I crossed the junction, despite me having priority, and was shocked and apologetic when I explained I had priority. A polite conversation later, the driver departed, educated and updated on the rules of the road.
33 thoughts on “Matej Mohorič’s Garmin stolen after Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne, tells thief to keep device… just “please send today’s file over”; Nick Ferrari and LBC talk cyclists; Behind the scenes of Pidcock’s flying descent; Weekend round-up + more on the live blog”
So excited to see this
So excited to see this weekends racing! Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne did not dissapoint.. both races looked brutal. If this weekend is anything to go by.. it’s going to be an amazing classics season!!
It looks like Jumbo are heading for an amazing year!
I couldn’t help but think
I couldn’t help but think that this opening weekend demonstrates perfectly why the UCI should give riders an individual number per year..
Race jackets covering the numbers it was hard to tell who was who.
So many team jerseys looking so similar it’s hard to tell which team is which.
Taco van der Hoorn’s flappy number in the last 50km of KBK annoyed me far more than it should have.. if numbers were printed on kit riders would go simply go faster.
Thoroughly agree, I’ve been
Thoroughly agree, I’ve been saying this for ages! I favour a team identifier with a squad number, so Pogacar would be UA1, Pidcock might be IG3 and so on. The numbers could be printed on the jerseys football style, it would make it so much easier for the fans and commentators. It would have a spinoff benefit for kit manufacturers as well, imagine how many copies of Alaphilippe or WVA jerseys they would sell in their respective countries.
I’ve always like the idea of
I’ve always like the idea of making it mandatory that the rider’s name is printed on the rear of the cycling shorts (i.e. across the bum). That way you wouldn’t have to memorise the numbers and identifying riders would be significantly easier. From a camera perspective it would work well too, as often the camera bike sits behind riders in smaller groups.
That’s a good idea – it would
That’s a good idea – it would certainly be an improvement on Trek-Segafredo when they used to have, somewhat disturbingly, the word “splunk!” written across their rears.
Slight bit of unfinished
Slight bit of unfinished business from last week – I did a quick google to see what news outlets had reported the case of Auriol Grey, convicted of manslaughter for her “hostile and aggressive” behaviour that lead to the death of Celia Ward.
Precisely two – yes, TWO – outlets have reported on it, as of this morning – road.cc and BBC News. Compare and contrast the outrage when that little bellend Charlie Alliston killed Kim Briggs (not through aggression, but through lack of consideration and a technically non-road worthy bike). That was arguably a lesser offence, as it didn’t involve aggression and violence, yet somehow was the second item on the BBC national evening news. Front page of newspapers
Now tell me that there isn’t an institutionally anti-cyclist culture in this country.
the little onion wrote:
There are a gazillion examples before Auriol Grey of.. what.. the UK media bias?
If one were cynical.. one might conclude the motons have a near unlimited pocket of funds to lobby the media with press releases which focus on areas to distract from the ever growing fact that there are simply too many motorised vehicles on the UK roads, that the UK road system is not policed well enough, that the UK driving laws are inadequate, that the UK government (all parties for the past 50 years) want and will pay for overseas investment in car manufacturing to create or keep jobs, or even that the government cannot see past it’s issues with an underfunded or poorly processed inefficiant court system and ineffective prison system to actually implement a harsher change to punishments.
Brother, you’re preaching to the converted!
This is simultaneously
This is simultaneously shocking and yet entirely in keeping with Polis Scotland’s treatment of reported incidents by cyclists:
https://mobile.twitter.com/AlanMyles8/status/1629990008064036865
“As I have feared for the past 15 months, I have finally had confirmation that no action is being taken against this driver by @policescotland in this hit and run. I have been deeply distressed by this incident and will be taking matters further.”
“In the course of reporting other dangerous behaviour, officers have said; “you are brave cycling”, “i’d never ride on that road” “cyclists really boil my piss” all of which are an indictment of the state of things, when I am simply riding my kids to school or going to work.”
I was going to post that.
I was going to post that.
Utterly appalling that there is no action despite 2 cameras and at least 2 other witnesses to the crime.
This is simultaneously
This is simultaneously shocking and yet entirely in keeping with Polis Scotland’s treatment of reported incidents by cyclists
https://mobile.twitter.com/AlanMyles8/status/1629990008064036865
Excellent post and very informative. I know this is exactly how Lancashire police woud deal with such blatant dangerous driving: refusing to look at the video, claiming that the case was ‘timed out’ etc. etc. Our greatest single enemy is the police!
Flâneur wrote:
This is abhorrent. There must be some accountability!
Flâneur wrote:
That entire police force needs to be dismissed and a new one formed from people that care enough to do their job. Ideally, throw the sacked police into prison for perverting the course of justice.
.. and make them wear a hair
.. and make them wear a hair shirt, while walking them down a cycle path in heavy traffic while people shout ‘shame shame’ at them while throwing rotten tomatoes.
hawkinspeter wrote:
“The charity LGBT Youth Scotland is currently the subject of a live police [Police Scotland] investigation over its involvement in a second major child-abuse scandal in little over a decade.”
And we have Scottish LGBTI Police Association currently raising funds for this “charity” https://wingsoverscotland.com/the-thin-pink-line/
Polis Scotland is nothing but a political tool for Sturgeon’s woo woo gang.
Alan Myles should have stated that it was either Alex Salmond or an independence supporter and PS would have been all over it like a rash.
I cycle the same roads and am not surprised by Alan’s post.
Reading that twitter thread,
Reading that twitter thread, I admit that (perhaps unfairly?) my first thought was to wonder to which senior police officer or politician the driver of that car was a friend or a relation…
This is truly shocking
This is truly shocking behaviour from the motorist and I would say actually assault. It’s shameful treatment also from Polis Scotland and pretty much highlights their reticence in dealing with traffic offences committed towards cyclists.
This reminds me of the
This reminds me of the Nottingham Funeral Procession case from 2013, where the police blamed the cyclist who had been deliberately run down.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2013/aug/08/nottingham-police-cyclist-video
Why were riders walking on
Why were riders walking on the Muur? I saw it on the live coverage but didn’t see or hear an explanation.
Kapelmuur wrote:
It was the fairly common problem of compression, too many riders trying to funnel into too narrow a space, once a few are forced to stop then that concertinas back and once you’re stopped on such a steep and slippery surface remounting is close to impossible.
When the likes of Ferrari
When the likes of Ferrari spout off, I just wish someone would quote back to him actual data of law breaking which shows the vast majority of drivers speed.
Wasn’t Mr Ferrari the
Wasn’t Mr Ferrari the gentleman who believed you can grow concrete?
No, that was Mike Graham who
No, that was Mike Graham who makes Ferrari look like a rabidly green lefty by comparison. Both of them are great advocates of motorised transport, and both of them are great adverts for what happens to people who rely too much on motorised transport.
My mistake. Those LBC
My mistake. Those LBC deejays all look the same to me…
Selective reporting
Selective reporting
If you read the survey it also states a much more interesting statement, see image, ref the very nice newspaper (https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-11798085/Two-thirds-drivers-think-aggressive-cyclists-threat-safety.html)
Chapeau for putting the “How
Chapeau for putting the “How to lose weight Cycling” video after the Nick Ferrari article.
somebody on Nick Ferrari’s
Actually true – but not in the way the caller thinks. See “speeding” and the threads “Car crashes into building – please post your Local news stories” and e.g. “parking” posts in “Drivers and their problems”. And wtjs’s reportage. (More correctly “there are a lot of laws for drivers but some of them are effectively decriminalised – and still a LOT of people break the law and society generally accepts that”).
We judge cyclists by motoring standards but we sometimes don’t judge motorists by motoring standards.
Indeed. In many areas there
Indeed. In many areas there literally are different rules for cyclists too. Speed limits and pavement parking, for instance. And rightly so.
Uni – cycle, 75″ tv – no
Uni – cycle, 75″ tv – no problem !
hirsute wrote:
He looks a bit wobbly on that – I reckon his seat should be a bit higher
Empty box, perhaps.
Empty box, perhaps.
At 5s in when he drops the front 4″, the back bounces off the grouns.
Wouldn’t fit in one of those new cycle lanes in Manchester, anyway. :
This morning I preferred this acted-out video:
https://twitter.com/NoContextBrits/status/1629975959108481025
Interesting thread about the
Interesting thread about the institutional mess in Scotland which makes imposing penatlies on errant drivers very difficult:
https://mobile.twitter.com/DeaconThurston/status/1628747451023630338
Bizarro…
Bizarro…
“Questions are being asked after a road sign stating ‘psychopath to Inverness’ was displayed near North Kessock.
The sign was spotted at the North Kessock Junction onto the A9 by a reader on Friday, but it has since been removed.
The reader said: “I’m guessing it was supposed to state ‘cycle path’, but someone or something misheard the instruction.”
It is unclear who put the sign in place and who removed it.”
https://www.ross-shirejournal.co.uk/news/mystery-surrounds-psychopath-road-sign-on-black-isle-304867/
“…almost two-thirds (65 per
“…almost two-thirds (65 per cent) of drivers believe aggressive cyclists are a threat to their safety”….
when I listen to the traffic news I get a daily reminder that all the congestion is the result of collisions caused by cyclists “appearing out of nowhere” and even worse they must be “riding aggressively and unpredictably” on roads where they aren’t even allowed! its shocking…
liked the data table and the LTN links keep it up