Live blog: Peter Sagan drones on (amongst other things) in training camp vid; “My life could have changed dramatically” – Yoann Offredo on his temporary tetraplegia after crash last week; Lance Armstrong’s house; Prudhomme “sad” at Verity departure +more

Wanty- Gobert rider Yoann Offredo, who suffered temporary tetraplegia after crashing at the GP de Denain last week, is back training and aiming for a place in the team’s line-up at the Tour de France this summer.

The 32-year-old Frenchman said: “It took a while to get a good feeling, but the evolution was promising and the doctors allowed me to recover at home. I recovered bit by bit and now I am able to use my limbs and to speak quite normally. I want to thank the emergency unit, our team doctor Jelle Van Nieuwenhuyze and our sports director Steven De Neef who supported me in CHRU Lille.

 “The many support messages I received were heart-warming. I crashed a few times in my career but I always picked myself again. It will not be different, whenever the mental and physical recovery will not be easy. Yesterday (Wednesday), I was able to ride my bike again and it went quite well.” 

He continued: “I want to show what I am able to do on the bike more than ever. Last year, I broke my ribs at the end of April. This year, I am one month in advance. An athlete must be able to bounce back. My team Wanty-Gobert helps me perfectly to achieve my goal.

“The first medical was very alarming because they were speaking about tetraplegia,” he continued.

“My life could have changed dramatically so I want to enjoy the capacities I still have. I want to keep riding my bike and I want the be at the Grand Départ of the next Tour de France. Cycling is more than a sport. I became aware of it when Loïc Vliegen and David Boucher stopped after my crash to support me.”

Former pro cyclist turned YouTuber, Phil Gaimon has been riding the most famous climbs around the US in the aim of claiming Strava titles. His series, Worst Retirement Ever, has become popular and now he is doing it for charity.

This summer I'm going on a 3-month van tour to ride bikes, make new friends all over the US, and make videos. The goal is a @strava KOM every day, and $100k (1 million meals) for @chefscycle @nokidhungry, sponsored by @veloguide @ShoAirCG and lots more. pic.twitter.com/caeYHZOjLX

— Phil Gaimon (@philgaimon) 3 April 2019

If you want to know more then click on his tweet and follow for information on how to donate

Organisers of the Bristol Grand Prix have slammed British Cycling after cancelling this year’s event, which had been due to be the fifth edition.

In a statement published on the event’s website, they said: “From the start, the Bristol Grand Prix has been part of the Bristol cycling community and has been dedicated to women’s racing, youth development and creating a sustainable and locally produced race.”

But explaining their decision to cancel this year’s edition, they said: “As a race we have found that our objectives and our ethics are irreconcilable with the requirements of the governing body.

“The restrictions that are placed upon the race both undermine women’s racing and prevent us from including youth riders and local riders and clubs being part of the day.

“Additionally as race organisers we are being forced out of our race due to unfavourable conditions imposed upon us.”

They also warned the event’s backers to beware of a company that is apparently targeting them, saying: “Please note, it has come to our attention that a company is contacting our race sponsors claiming to raise money on behalf of the race.

“Please be aware that this company has nothing to do with the race and has no contract with us as organisers.”

Mathieu van der Poel shows his skills again pic.twitter.com/LsMfIiIEir

— Cycling Today (@CyclingTodayEn) April 3, 2019

Did he do it on purpose or was it just luck?

So many fridges. Can't think what they're all for...

Prudhomme was speaking at an awkward tenth anniversary celebration of Welcome to Yorkshire, taking place after the recent resignation of its boss Sir Gary Verity due to a scandal involving alleged irregularities in his expenses claims. Welcome to Yorkshire brought the Tour de France Grand Depart to the county in 2014. 

The Guardian reports that Prudhomme says he "feels sad" for Verity: “I cannot help but feel sad for the man who made me discover your beautiful county, for the man who brought together our ‘ooh la la’ with your ‘ee bah gum’, the man who made me love Yorkshire: mon ami, Gary Verity.”

After the event, Welcome to Yorkshire Board member Keith Stewart answered questions over the scandal, and said there will inevitably be meetings with West Yorkshire Police: “If there is anything that is thrown up from the investigations that we think are police matters, we will obviously pass them to the police. We have nothing to hide”, he said. 

You don’t get to where @petosagan is in the world of cycling without taking training very seriously... Stay tuned for the full video on our Youtube channel. pic.twitter.com/53JyIysYjw

— ShimanoROAD (@ShimanoROAD) April 3, 2019

And sporting an epic tash!