Welcome to Monday’s live blog, with Jack Sexty, Simon MacMichael and the rest of the team.
Live blog: Can you win the Tour de France? AMAZING game on Twitter, Top Gear break out the Brompton; Stars give fascinating insights on what makes the Tour unique + more
All today’s news from the site and beyond…
Mon, Jul 08, 2019 21:31
SUMMARY
8 July 2019, 21:31
Weekend catch-up
Here are some of our top stories from the weekend as the 2019 Tour de France kicked off with a surprise stage 1 victory for Lotto Jumbo’s Mike Teunissen…
RideLondon admits photoshopping picture of black woman
Local paper runs front page story on cyclists flouting Hull city centre ban – which doesn’t exist
Tour de France Stage 1: Mike Teunissen springs a surprise to win in Brussels and take yellow
Tour de France Stage 2: Mike Teunissen stays in yellow as Jumbo-Visma win team time trial
Exclusive: Team Ineos riding Lightweight wheels at Tour de France.
8 July 2019, 21:31
Want the best Tour insights? Follow the Tour de France helicopter on Twitter
TOCOTOCOTOCOTOCOTOCOTOCOTOCOTOCOTOCOTOCOTOCOTOCOTOCOTOCOTOCOTOCOTOCOTOCOTOCOTOCOTOCOTOCOTOCOTOCOTOCOTOCOTOCOTOCOTOCOTOCOTOCOTOCOTOCOTOCOTOCOTOCOTOCOTOCOTOCOTOTO #TDF2019
— Helicóptero del Tour (@HelicopteroTour) July 6, 2019
Every July since 2015, the mysterious ‘Helicóptero del Tour’ has popped up with a daily update from the Tour de France, and every single one looking like the above. Who needs live coverage and race reports when you’ve got in-depth info like this?
8 July 2019, 21:31
Nothing changes...
From our friends at Angry People in Local Newspapers, here’s a gloriously retro photo of a girl pointing at a pothole which, judging by her facial injury, was presumably responsible for flinging her off her super cool Raleigh Chopper. Wonder if the council have got round to sorting it yet?
8 July 2019, 21:31
Jumbo Visma's win from the team car
“’We are all happy, we are all proud’
The TTT win through the eyes of the teamWhole video#samenwinnen
— Team Jumbo-Visma cycling (@JumboVismaRoad) July 7, 2019
They’ve been the surprise package of the opening stages so far, bagging stage 1 via Mike Tiernessen and dominating the TTT – here’s that second stage from the team car.
8 July 2019, 21:31
Guardian journalist Pete Walker gets early preview of Channel 5's "Cyclists: Scourge of the streets?" documentary... and it's even worse than it sounds
New, on the Bike Blog: why Channel 5’s programme this week, “Cyclists: Scourge of the Roads?” is irresponsible, inaccurate and generally awful, and will make me, my loved ones and others on two wheels less safe.
I’ve watched it so you don’t have to.https://t.co/CNscMBuOsx
— Peter Walker (@peterwalker99) July 8, 2019
The documentary has caused much controversy before even airing (on tomorrow night at 9:15pm if you really want to put yourself through it), and Guardian journalist Pete Walker has got an early preview. Walker goes as far as to say the documentary may put cyclists at risk: “On Wednesday morning, I’ll be a little bit more wary when I cycle into work. I’m always hugely careful, anyway – the trip involves sharing space with tonne-plus lumps of speeding metal – but this time I’ll be particularly on my guard. Why? Because Channel 5 are putting me, and others, at risk.”
Walker quotes numerous false statements presented as fact in the program, such as the idea that Britain has gone ‘bike mad’ when in fact journeys made by bike in the UK are stuck on around 2%, and using the lack of helmet-wearing by cyclists as an indication that people who ride bikes are more likely to flout laws; when in fact there is no law in the UK that says cyclists must wear helmets.
The program also features a man driving a 4×4 down narrow country lanes, bemoaning the capacity of Britain’s roads and complaining that he is unable to overtake them on blind bends.
Numerous people are voicing their concerns on social media about riding the day after the documentary airs; although others are relieved that it’s only on Channel 5…
Cue thousands of letters to the Broadcasting Complaints Commission. If it’s that bad the Police should be informed as well – because this type of programming may incite violence by impressionable drivers of below average IQ. Watch out for a surge in road crime.
— Richard Lewis #FBPE (@cyclisethecity) July 7, 2019
The only saving grace might be that because it’s on @channel5_tv it will only be seen by the viewing figures of the occupants of a tandem.
— OstendGudgeon (@OstendGudgeon) July 7, 2019
8 July 2019, 21:31
Congratulations Dr Ian Walker! Europe Cycle Record smashed
16 days, 20 hours, 59 minutes.
The new world record for crossing Europe by bike.
I did it solo and unsupported.
It feels great. pic.twitter.com/Srf2eRHTgD— Ian Walker (@ianwalker) 8 July 2019
Ian has completed the 6,350km top to bottom route in just 16 days, 20 hours and 59 minutes – more on this later.
8 July 2019, 21:31
Tech randoms from the Tour de France
We were out in Brussels ahead of the Tour de France nosing around the team trucks. Here’s a gallery of bikes and equipment we spotted Trek, Pinarello, Specialized, Canyon and more, plus lots of interesting new products and top hacks.
8 July 2019, 21:31
Dumbest question of the Tour...so far...
Prize for most ludicrous interview question of the day
“Chris Froome crashed whilst riding a tt bike, do you agree that tt bikes are dangerous and should be banned?”
My reply;
“Ever seen anyone crash a road bike?”They continued….
— Alex Dowsett (@alexdowsett) July 8, 2019
What else could we blanket ban to improve safety? Pop your stupidest ideas in the comments.
8 July 2019, 21:31
Tour de France tech highlights
Click here for some of the coolest bits and bobs we spotted on our travels last week.
8 July 2019, 21:31
You can't accuse the UCI of not being thorough ...
.@UCI_cycling sock-height-measuring device at @LeTour pic.twitter.com/6IgH1OYakc
— Jakub Zimoch (@kubawinter) July 7, 2019
8 July 2019, 21:31
Giant launch Cadex, a new high-end whees and components brand
All the details here on the revival of the Cadex name, transformed into a high-end carbon wheel and component manufacturer.
8 July 2019, 21:31
Lucy Kennedy guilty of premature celebration as Marianne Vos steams past her to take Giro Rosa stage 3 victory
Did @marianne_vos teleport in the last 10 meters? That was just insane! (via @wcsbike ) #GiroRosa pic.twitter.com/z2XyPr11Sm
— Mihai Cazacu (@faustocoppi60) July 7, 2019
Australian rider Lucy Kennedy is the latest to learn her lesson from an early celebration, as Marianne Vos put down a phenomenal sprint to beat her on the uphill finish to stage 3 of the Giro Rosa…
Lesson most definitely learnt: always sprint beyond the line and never celebrate early. It hurts to come so close to my first #WWT win at #girorosa today, but I can be very happy with my form and how @MitcheltonSCOTT executed our plan perfectly (until 3m to go ) pic.twitter.com/xDyFZ7rM4G
— Lucy Kennedy (@lucyjkenn) July 7, 2019
8 July 2019, 21:31
The Tour de France in gluten
Baker Gregory Piraux was inspired to create the Tour de France map in bread after a meeting with Tour director Christian Prudhomme – after 30 hours of work, here is the result…
A French baker has created a map of the Tour de France – out of bread!https://t.co/WFqEq6Oh0f#France #TourdeFrance #bread pic.twitter.com/xDqqAvpqh8
— Living France mag (@LivingFrance) July 8, 2019
Looks pretty hefty, I’m guessing you’d have to eat it in stages…
8 July 2019, 21:31
Want to wear the Maillot Jaune? Tandem
On Saturday, Mike Teunissen surprised the entire world by taking the opening stage of the 2019 Tour de France; winning the Netherlands’ first yellow jersey in 30 years.
Here he is in 2005—at the age of 12—training with legendary cyclist Peter Winnen in the village of Ysselsteyn. pic.twitter.com/bjjqwU8uGF
— Dutch Cycling Embassy (@Cycling_Embassy) July 8, 2019
According to the Dutch Cycle Embassy this is stage 1 (and 2 with his teammates) winner Mike Teunissen training in his homeland with Peter Winnen on a battered old tandem, aged 12.
8 July 2019, 21:31
Top Gear break out the Brompton (not for the first time)
"Now THAT is British engineering!"
Thanks, @BBC_TopGear – They cost less on fuel too! pic.twitter.com/dgk8SuxCCW
— Brompton Bicycle (@BromptonBicycle) July 7, 2019
Some top notch British engineering popped up on Top Gear last night. No, not that £276,00 Rolls Royce Cullinan SUV (though we’re sure it’s very good mind if you like that sort of thing… and you don’t look at the front end), it was of course the Brompton emerging from the Cullinan’s capacious boot.
British engineering at it’s best, and it folds, and it’s a lot, lot prettier than the Roller. Brompton’s marketing department must LOVE Top Gear.
8 July 2019, 21:31
Brad on a bike proving popular with the riders and fans
“I love you, man. You are my hero!” – @SirWiggo feeling the love out on Stage 3 with @BOUETMAXIME! #BradOnABike #TDF2019 pic.twitter.com/HDjdVUifaX
— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) July 8, 2019
Eurosport have certainly upped their game by sticking Bradley Wiggins on the back of a motorbike to provide live updates at this year’s race. Here he is having a friendly chat with an Arkea-Samsic rider mid-race.
8 July 2019, 21:31
Tour latest - Wellens suffers mechanical and loses lead
.@Tim_Wellens is on top at the Côte de Mutigny despite strong competition from @alafpolak1!
Tim Wellens passe en tête de la Côte de Mutigny mais Julian Alaphilippe est sorti en force du peloton ! #TDF2019 pic.twitter.com/Iuo35FqJI7
— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 8, 2019
Wellens has been passed by Julian Alaphilippe, who is motoring towards the finish with about 5km to go. Will this put the Quick Step man in yellow or will the peloton catch him?
8 July 2019, 21:31
He's done it
Victory for Julian Alaphilippe!
Victoire en solitaire de Julian Alaphilippe ! @alafpolak1 #TDF2019 pic.twitter.com/PjRq59tbNN— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 8, 2019
Julian Alaphilippe stayed well clear of the peloton to take the stage 3 victory and the yellow jersey – full story to follow.
8 July 2019, 21:31
It'll buff out...
Kasper Asgreen’s bike #TDF19 #Epernay @k_asgreen @deceuninck_qst pic.twitter.com/awvZn9hizp
— Brecht Decaluwé (@caluweski) July 8, 2019
The latest we’ve heard is that Kasper Asgreen is in far better shape than his bike after falling hard on stage 3. The Dane put in a shift before his team mate rode away from the peloton to take the stage win, and rolled across the line on a spare bike as Alaphilippe was been presented with the yellow jersey on the podium.
8 July 2019, 21:31
Can you win the Tour de France? Take a look at this AMAZING Twitter game
We’ve been wasting a lot of time at road.cc towers today on this AMAZING Twitter thread that starts with the question, Can you win the Tour de France?
Follow the thread, make your choices, click on the blue arrow button wherever it pops up, and have fun!
******* Can you win the Tour de France ? *******
A JANKY BIKE RACE ADVENTURE THREAD#TDF2019 pic.twitter.com/HziObLuFBP— Jonathan Rowe (@ronnyjowe) July 7, 2019
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Jack is group editor across road.cc, off.road.cc and ebiketips, overseeing all three sites in the F-At Digital group to make sure everything’s up to scratch. He’s been writing about cycling and multisport for over a decade, arriving at road.cc via 220 Triathlon Magazine in 2017. He worked across all areas of road.cc including tech, news and video, and also contributed to ebiketips before being named editor of road.cc in 2021 (much to his surprise). Jack has been hooked on cycling since his student days, and currently has a Trek 1.2 for winter riding, a beloved Bickerton folding bike for getting around town, and an extra beloved custom Ridley Helium SLX for fantasising about going fast in his stable. Jack has never won a bike race, but does have a master’s degree in print journalism, and two Guinness World Records for pogo sticking (it’s a long story).
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Latest Comments
mdavidford 20 minutes ago
You forgot to include giving yourself a dose of heatstroke by riding all day in mid-40s temperatures.
JLasTSR 1 hour ago
@eburtthebike Sorry to hear that. I had a very worried wife who saw me being a goldfish. I kept going round the same loop of 4 statements. My shoulder really hurts, what happened? My watch is broken, I suppose the bike is fu***d? Apparently I did that for about 2 hours. I eventually came back to near normality about 5-6 hours later. I was on the phone to my wife and I suddenly realised I had cold feet. I looked at them and they were bare as were my legs, I said Bear this is a bit embarrassing I haven't got any trousers on, er nor a shirt what the hell is going on? She said you have been in an accident and you are at hospital. The bike had fingernail marks in the bar tape, a scuff to the back of the front mudguard, and a broken quill pedal. now all repaired. Somehow I managed to stop the bike but not me. The Helmet was cracked right through. I had a broken tooth a bust rib and a lot of bruising. Someone came out of a house and put me in the recovery position in the road until I came round. For me not remembering what happened is really quite frustrating. I have bought a go-pro clone to go on the bike but I haven't actually fitted it yet. It would be sensible to just to have a bit of evidence if the same should ever happen again. After all there aren't always Londis shops with CCTV in just the right position are there?
chrisonabike 1 hour ago
@timscottellis given the "anarchic by design" organising principle what Critical mass is "for" will vary (even between participants). I believe part of the original idea was to be "critical" - direct activism against motorists by reclaiming space. Whether it's a good idea to annoy people who mostly will have no clue why you're doing that is a question of course. It certainly serves a community building and awareness raising function. And for some (perhaps like yourself?) showing them that they *can* ride on the streets. Albeit some would never do so outside of such an event.
chrisonabike 2 hours ago
Money's *always* tight - or rather it's always tight for active travel because in the UK that is very low on the priority list *. The vast majority of money goes on apparently unrelated stuff - health and adult social care. But I think active travel could make a minor but positive contribution here. And a large amount of that money compared to active travel spend goes on things that overall have a negative impact there (indeed are a net cost) - providing for the level of motoring we have. Including repeatedly pouring money into (pot-) holes in the ground. Could we reallocate some of that? * For some parties - maybe even governments - it's actually something they're against. If only because they're more keen on motoring which will effectively work against it.
Rendel Harris 2 hours ago
I don't understand why the police can't crack down on those bloody idiots forcing the riders to inhale the smoke from powder flares, not as if it's a sort of guerrilla action, interfering with the riders then disappearing back into the crowd, they couldn't be any easier to spot as they stand there holding them but I don't think I've ever seen police, authorities or other fans intervening to stop them in a road race. Seen the police doing a good job stopping them at cyclocross, obviously on a long road stage it's not as easy to have an officer on the spot at the right time but yesterday's flareup (sorry) was on the finishing circuit, there must have been a few coppers in the vicinity who could have dealt with it.
Rendel Harris 3 hours ago
Bit confused now Tom, you said that "AFAIK nobody said he’s going to ride to win the GC", I gave you an example of Seixas himself talking about going for GC, now you're saying there you are, there is evidence that he's talking about the GC? I know that, it was me who shared the quote.
Rendel Harris 4 hours ago
Couldn't have a much more perfect example for a certain poster of how cycling continues to feel the full force of climate change...
tomlew 7 hours ago
@Rendel Harris Oh, and by the way. "But I will not take risks for something other than the GC." - this could just as well be read as "I won't take any risks unless it's really, really worth it." They're not even talking about snatching the maillot jaune for a day, but about the GC. Who wouldn't, if they had a opportune shot at that?
Miller 14 hours ago
Here's a photo I took on Alpe d'Huez at TdF 1991. L to R: Gianni Bugno, Miguel Indurain, Luc Leblanc. They would finish the stage in that order, Bugno winning. Yes, colour film was available in 1991 but that day I chose to use black and white knowing that many years hence it would look epic.
tomlew 15 hours ago
Riding a bike is green. Pro cycling is not. Don't greenwash us by confusing one with the other.
16 thoughts on “Live blog: Can you win the Tour de France? AMAZING game on Twitter, Top Gear break out the Brompton; Stars give fascinating insights on what makes the Tour unique + more”
Thats not a raleigh chopper ,
Thats not a raleigh chopper , its a Tomahawk!
Well done Dr Walker!
Well done Dr Walker!
To be fair to channel 5 I
To be fair to channel 5 I understand their running a follow up show next week called. “British motorists, ISIS terrorists ? Who’s side are you on ?”
They’ve spent 5 mins on YouTube and realise that there’s is enough death and destruction caused by motorists for 300 seasons.
Very well done to Ian Walker!
Very well done to Ian Walker!
It’s more than a bit mental if you think about it, more superhuman!
.. 230 miles a day (average) for 16 days straight!
Which is 45% further than the Tour de France covers this year in 23 days.
Chapeau indeed!
Ofcom accept complaints after
Ofcom accept complaints after airing. Pre complaints could goto
viewerenquiries@channel5.com
They will get improved ad revenue from this irresponsible crap. Hopefully OfCom will pull the series. Please do complain.
The trouble with complaining
The trouble with complaining about that C5 bilge, is that I don’t feel I could complain without first watching it and (a) doing so would make me want to smash my TV and (b) I don’t have a TV (haven’t had one for nearly 20 years now). So I’d have to buy a TV, and a licence, just in order to annoy myself and smash the thing.
Reading the Guardian article
Reading the Guardian article account of that program also furthers my deep loathing of black-cab drivers. As if listening to LBC doesn’t do that enough.
FluffyKittenofTindalos wrote:
Cockroaches.
FluffyKittenofTindalos wrote:
We should cut their brake lines and drop bricks through the windscreens … just a bit of bantz
Sugar in the fuel tank totally acceptable however!
I never got a reply from CH5 nor OFCOM, despicable bags o shite!
Quote:
I hesitate to ask, for fear of looking stupid, but is that a real rule/thing?
brooksby wrote:
Yes, I believe so. I believe the rationale is to prevent socks being used to aid performance via muscle compression and/or aerodynamics.
https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/check-illegal-socks-reaction-uci-introduces-maximum-sock-height-2019-400273
OnYerBike wrote:
Wow. Well, OK then…
OnYerBike wrote:
i’m surprised they’re using a mechanical device in this day and age. I’d have though an internet*-enabled laser device with an app would be better able to take into account variables such as fabric stretch, rate of droop over time at different altitudes, fibia:tibia:sock ratios both lengthwise and circumference, change in ratios resulting from dehydration and vein bulging, etc. It’s a complex matter.
Or they could just blanket ban socks and insist that pro cyclists paint their ankles instead.
*I mean, we all like net stockings, don’t we…?
In his several interviews
In his several interviews Mike Teunissen does seem like a charming young man.
I took a peek at C5’s website
I took a peek at C5’s website, very revealing, and I trust they will be getting an avalanche of complaints after it’s aired.
From the Channel 5 website:
“Hello and welcome to the Channel 5 Programming pages
What we DO want are programmes that are engaging, intelligent, well made and have a relevance to the viewer.
We particularly like factual shows – Specialist Factual, Documentaries and Factual Entertainment. These can be poppy, tabloid type shows or serious pieces, there’s room for all tones and textures. But they need to have a good, grabby title.
Ben Frow
Director of Programming”
And “The Independent Producers Handbook aims to give helpful and practical guidance to all our programme-makers and editorial staff on the Ofcom Broadcasting Code rules and the main areas of law that apply to the making and broadcast of programmes.”
The Ofcom Broadcasting Code has quite a few sections, including:
“Section two: Harm and offence
This section outlines standards for broadcast content so as to provide adequate protection for members of the public from harmful and/or offensive material.
Section three: Crime, disorder, hatred and abuse
This section of the Code covers material that is likely to incite crime or disorder, reflecting Ofcom’s duty to prohibit the broadcast of this type of programming.
Section five: Due impartiality and due accuracy
To ensure that news, in whatever form, is reported with due accuracy and presented with due impartiality.”
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv-radio-and-on-demand/broadcast-codes/broadcast-code
“What else could we blanket
“What else could we blanket ban to improve safety? Pop your stupidest ideas in the comments”
blankets.