Welcome to Thursday’s live blog, with Jack Sexty, Simon MacMichael and the rest of the team.
Vincenzo Nibali signs for Trek-Segafredo; New cycleway in Paris being heavily used – and it’s not even finished yet; Ex-pro Brajkovic on eating disorders and mental health in the peloton + more on the live blog
All today’s news from the site and beyond…
Thu, Aug 08, 2019 19:38
SUMMARY
8 August 2019, 19:38
Team Ineos rideout to Velolife cafe?
Well @RBWM you are a joke. https://t.co/98m15Gf0Bm
— Chris Lawless (@ChrisLawless95) August 7, 2019
It’s the story that keeps on giving, and now Chris Lawless of Team Ineos has branded a council’s decision to stop cyclists ‘meeting’ at a cafe in Berkshire “a joke”. A response is also brewing from Chris Boardman himself, and of course we’ll have a full story to follow later on the most recent developments.
Been standing back as there’s often two sides but this seems to be a solution looking for a problem.
This isn’t motorcycle gangs, drunks or even noisy people, it’s mostly middle aged people getting some exercise with their friends…
Will be looking into this and responding. https://t.co/9pYkB6tC2D
— Chris Boardman (@Chris_Boardman) August 7, 2019
We can ban cyclists from gathering by a cafe but not bigots protesting outside primary schools… https://t.co/18r5vlYv40
— Callum Skinner (@CallumSkinner) August 7, 2019
8 August 2019, 19:38
Will Fotheringham asks if pro cycling is "worth it" after the tragic death of Bjorg Lambrecht
In a column for the Guardian, Fotheringham highlights that eight pro cyclists have died while racing in the last three years, a mortality rate far higher than the majority of professional sports. While there is no conclusive evidence to prove why it is, Fotheringham notes that unlike motor racing, cycling has retained its roots on open roads with “all the danger that entails”:
“For any road race organiser, professional or amateur, – and I have been one of the latter for four years – the feeling that you are enabling athletes to participate in a potentially fatal activity is a daunting responsibility. It is the same feeling for a coach, a manager, a parent or a family member of any road cyclist. Somehow, you retain your belief that the game is worth the candle, that the things that road racing brings an athlete are worth the dangers, while praying that everyone stays safe. This week’s tragedy, as with that of 1995, (when Fabio Casartelli died at the Tour de France) shakes that faith and makes those prayers all the more fervent.”
Possible explanations cited for cycling’s high mortality rate even as health and safety has increased include increasing complexities of organising races on open roads, constant construction of road furniture and stretched resources among organisers.
8 August 2019, 19:38
Lovely day for it...
The extreme weather has been causing havoc in the East with huge floods – but it didn’t stop some persistent commuters.
Watch this cyclist pushing through the floods at Edinburgh Airport this afternoon ( SL Garage Livingston) #CapitalReports pic.twitter.com/70CrO43n93
— CapitalScotland News (@CapitalScotNews) August 7, 2019
Extreme flooding didn’t stop this hardy fella from riding to where he needed to get to yesterday evening. Bystander Kris Lukis, who also captured the footage, told the Edinburgh Evening News that there were five cars stranded in the floodwater but the cyclist was “wheels deep” and showed some “true Scottish spirit” to get through.
8 August 2019, 19:38
Confirmed transfers for Donovan and Mas
Over in the land of football, it’s transfer deadline day.
While cycling hasn’t got the huge buzz of the football transfers, there are some notable moves taking place.
Another one steps up congrats @markdon99 we wish you the best over the coming seasons with @TeamSunweb @TrinitySports_ pic.twitter.com/651pek7i2B
— Team WIGGINS Le Col (@OfficialWIGGINS) August 8, 2019
Young Brit Mark Donovan will make the step up to World Tour racing with Sunweb. The 20-year-old from Penrith had a stagaire period with Team Sky at the end of a very successful 2018.
Our next chapter begins here: @EnricMasNicolau has signed a 3-year contract with the Movistar Team! #RodamosJuntos
El futuro está aquí: Enric Mas, uno de los grandes nombres españoles para vueltas por etapas, se une a Movistar Team hasta 2022 → https://t.co/JiZ1dqJ4KE
— Movistar Team (@Movistar_Team) August 8, 2019
Enric Mas is also on the move. He’s headed to Movistar, who have quite a gap to fill after the departure of Landa and Quintana. Giro winner Carapaz is also rumoured to be leaving.
8 August 2019, 19:38
Have you cycled to work on #cycletoworkday?
Today’s happy tweet. Protected infrastructure results in a dad cycling with his toddler son in the centre of London.
Come on. Doesn’t this make your heart leap?#cycling #CycletoWorkDay #transport #urbanplanning pic.twitter.com/adChqzdY48
— Jon (@jonny_smash) August 8, 2019
Perhaps it’s just same old same old for most of you, but hopefully plenty of folk have been inspired to ditch two four wheels for two on Cycle to Work Day.
We’ll be running a celebratory sock competition over on our Facebook page shortly, do send us your pics to be in with a chance to win!
8 August 2019, 19:38
American football star takes kid's bike for a ride, breaks it, buys him a new one
Houston Texans’ J.J. Watt joined in on the Green Bay Packers tradition of borrowing young fans’ bicycles and riding them from the locker room to the practice field. Poor bike! https://t.co/Oo6VjDKGvk
Video Credit: @ClintStoerner pic.twitter.com/tQplNSzoRL
— Houston Chronicle (@HoustonChron) August 7, 2019
J.J. Watt was joining in with an annual tradition for the Green Bay packers where players borrow young fans’ bikes and ride them from the lockers to the practice field… as you can see it didn’t go so well for Watt, as he rendered the seatpost unusable and was forced to carry it the rest of the way.
All was well for the poor kid whose bike was broken though, as according to USA today Watt simply bought him a brand new bike instead.
8 August 2019, 19:38
"We have a problem": Janez Brajkovič writes heartfelt article on his website about eating disorders and mental health issues in the pro peloton
The Slovenian was given a 10 month doping ban for the use of methylhexaneamine last season, but says the reason for this is due to the stimulant being an ingredient in a meal replacement product he took while battling bulimia. He says on his website: “The whole reason I took that meal replacement was, because it was the only thing I could keep in. In that period there wasn’t a day I wouldn’t cry before going out for a ride. I was desperate, and everything was dark to me. The thing I loved, I dedicated whole life to, was being taken away from me.
“I knew I had to give my body at least something, to function. And that was that meal replacement, oats, animal protein, natural flavours….and undisclosed methylhexaneamine unfortunately.
“The UCI promised their medical department would contact me. IT NEVER HAPPENED.
“They knew we have a problem, the problem that is ruining people’s lives, careers, but they don’t want to do anything about it…nada, zero
Well, the sock height seems to be more important, right?”
He goes on to say cycling has a serious problem with eating disorders and mental health: “Right, this shouldn’t be just about me, It should be about others as well. I didn’t write this piece to get attention, or others feeling sorry for me. I’m doing ok, most of the time, not great, but still, good enough.
“I wrote this to let everybody know, from hypocrites to people working in cycling, we have a problem. Whether you like it or not, it shouldn’t be such a taboo topic. Someone who fractures a bone and carries on, is seen as a hero, but somebody struggling for months, years, with mental issues, eating disorders, addiction, is WEAK?
“Here, I exposed myself, and even now, writing this, it bring tears on my eyes. It shouldn’t be like this. This is fixable. I’m not the right person for help, but just a talk with someone who’s been through it will help immensely. The load that comes off your chest is indescribable.”
8 August 2019, 19:38
Our #CycletoWorkDay Facebook sock compo is live
If you’re not on social media feel free to post pics from your commute here, we’ll be checking both channels to find our winners.
8 August 2019, 19:38
Repente launch new Magnet TT/Tri saddle, weighing in at just 135g
The new saddle is made almost entirely out of carbon, with EVA medium density padding and a PU cover with a special grip layer on the seat tip for maintaining an ideal position. RRP is 249 euros, so get saving…
8 August 2019, 19:38
What's it like to ride Canyon's new 6kg Ultimate?
David has been riding Canyon’s brand new Ultimate CF Evo Disc, which at 6kg is possibly the lightest production disc brake road bike you can buy right now. You can read his first ride impressions right here and even watch a video below.
8 August 2019, 19:38
Remco Evenepoel wins European Time Trial Championships in the Netherlands
#EuroRoad19 – 6th time for Lampaert
REMCO EVENEPOEL IS THE NEW ITT EUROPEAN CHAMPION pic.twitter.com/djsCtFs55d
— La Flamme Rouge (@laflammerouge16) August 8, 2019
The 19-year-old Belgian has continued his winning streak, completing the course in a time of 24:55. His Quick-Step teammate Kasper Asgreen was 2nd, finishing 18 seconds behind Evanpoel.
8 August 2019, 19:38
"Cycle to Work", says noughties pop singer
If you’re in need of some persuasion to cycle to work on this, Cycle to Work day of all days, then heed these wise words from 2002 Fame Academy graduate Lemar. The singer, who now cycle commutes to host his Magic Soul Radio show at their London studio, says: “I cycle mainly for exercise and to clear the mind. Doing Magic Soul gives me the perfect excuse to jump on the bike whenever I can and roll through central London. Cycling is great for fitness and lifts the spirits. Anyone thinking about joining in, I would hugely encourage, even if you’re just starting your cycling journey, Cycle to Work Day is the perfect day to start. You’ll be amazed at the benefits it brings your body, mind and soul.”
These quotes are part of a promotional campaign from Cyclescheme, who say that currently over a third of workers want to cycle to work, but only six per cent do. Reasons for not cycling include time, distance and danger. Cyclescheme also say commuters like Lemar here can save on average over £100 a month by cycling, and as he will testify, those that cycle say happiness, fitness and convenience are all good reasons to cycle.
Also… that’s a tasty bike Lemar, chapeau!
8 August 2019, 19:38
Vincenzo Nibali confirmed to Trek-Segafredo
Vincenzo Nibali has signed a two-year contract with Trek-Segafredo, with his brother Antonio also making the widely-expected move from Bahrain-Merida.
Aged 34, Nibali is one of just seven riders ever to have won all three Grand Tours, and last month took the penultimate stage of the Tour de France after a solo attack.
He said: “I followed my heart and chose for this team, knowing that their project is very serious and competitive.
“The great confidence Trek and Segafredo and all the other sponsors are showing in me is very motivating. I am really happy to continue my cycling career at Trek-Segafredo and look forward to 2020.”
Luca Guercilena, general manager of Trek-Segafredo, commented: “Vincenzo is obviously a great champion and like always, having such riders on the team gives a lot of opportunities to the other riders, to learn from his experience and excel themselves as well.
We are all very excited to have him with us as of next year, and we are confident he will battle again for an overall victory in a Grand Tours.
“ Vincenzo’s younger brother, Antonio, 26, will join the team as well. He’s a solid rider that still has quite some margin for progression, so we hope to see him develop into a strong helper in the years to come.”
8 August 2019, 19:38
This is the road where Kensington & Chelsea has blocked safe cycling infrastructure
We are told cycle infrastructure only benefits white, middle aged men. Holland Park Avenue tonight. #safecycling pic.twitter.com/UqSgOyop8t
— betterstreets4kc (@betterstreetskc) August 7, 2019
8 August 2019, 19:38
In the future, everyone will be famous ... on Google StreetView
When you trundle around London so much that you end up on the map. Well, Streetview. pic.twitter.com/yrMl4IFdIg
— The Dynaslow (@TheDynaslow) August 7, 2019
8 August 2019, 19:38
Until now, the only time you'd see this many cyclists here was on the final stage of the Tour de France
So they've built a bike lane along a major route in Paris. Cyclists have appeared from everywhere to use it and it's not even finished. A beautiful thing to see. #ifyoubuildittheywillcome https://t.co/xgK4nk7lia
— Cobble Scourge of Calderdale (@JohnBaker1975) August 8, 2019
8 August 2019, 19:38
... and more of this please
It’s on the south side of the river close to the Thames Barrier
This is the exciting new Quietway 14 link that I cycled along earlier. Super gorgeous pic.twitter.com/7lVS3naXjI
— citymobility (@citycyclists) August 6, 2019
8 August 2019, 19:38
Less of this ...
So I’m not really convinced parking in the cycle lane on double yellows is very “safe” pic.twitter.com/ph916nYuXt
— Laura Davis (@LauraPony) August 8, 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
Gm_Crop 5 hours ago
I'll counter that by saying the Bryton 750se I have drives me nuts at times. Inconsistantly picks up on routes created on Komoot and the app re-syncs every few seconds when trying to set up the device and sends me back to the home screen. The most infuriating one is that I turned live track on. Once. It now won't turn off and repeatedly flags up the live track is starting, and then disconnecting every few seconds whilst riding. I haven't timed it but it wouldn't suprise me if 10-20% of the time the the screen is covered with an error message. That's been about 6 weeks now. Other than that it's great :/
IanGlasgow 5 hours ago
RE: Police launch road safety operation... by clamping down on cyclists using footbridge Meanwhile in Glasgow, Police Scotland are riding their motorbikes over the pedestrian and cyclists only bridge. https://x.com/FietserGlasgow/status/2065106152917012523?s=20
Rendel Harris 7 hours ago
@Paul J Van Schip certainly seems a bit of a dick, but he's a European and multiple World Champion on the track, pretty sure you don't get there without having some talent in your legs.
Bill H 7 hours ago
Poor Vincent cannot get over the simple fact that given the choice people prefer dedicated cycling spaces, rather than pretending to be cars like vehicular cyclists.
pbunyon 7 hours ago
What is the point of the fancy air sensor if it can't account for changing weather conditions?? If all you care about is a delayed approximation of aerodynamic watts in steady conditions, you don't need any special sensors for that. Just your speed on a decently flat course is enough to approximate rolling resistance and drivetrain losses. And the rest must be aero. If you assume a less aero body position at the same watts, your speed will drop while rolling resistance also drops, which means approximated aero watts goes up. And that's enough to demonstrate what you've shown in your testing protocol ("I sat upright and the number went up a little while later").
chrisonabike 8 hours ago
Your correction is accurate - it's almost always been "the (lack of) thought that (doesn't) count". "Massive" - less than a billion a year spent on active travel (trying to catch up / building a network across the entire country) Not massive - 6 billion every year (2026-2030) spent on road *maintenance* of existing "already built, goes everywhere, very convenient" road network for inactive travel Ultimately the reason "cycle infra" is *needed* is those unbelievably colossal amounts spent every year (and for more than a century now) on making mass motoring not just viable but apparently the "best choice" for most journeys. As the Dutch and others have shown, the majority of people *are* prepared to cycle and even mix with very light, slow local motor traffic *if* cycling is also made safe and convenient for the whole of their journey (including secure parking at both ends). (The history of the financial drivers of the current situation are a complex topic but note that while people complain about "crumbling roads" and underfunded motor infra - with some reason - by us continuing the fuel duty escalator freeze (for example) we're actually helping motorists pay *even less* for that activity / subsidising more of the cost of driving than ever.)
belugabob 8 hours ago
yes, but people will still object - which was my point.
Astralstroll 10 hours ago
So ' Priority of Road Users' and 1.5 metre clearance at 30mph has been been reduced to 'sharing'? NCN route 2 here in South Hams is an absolute scream with white vans, tractors and total idiots who refuse,or are totally incapable,to reverse on high Devon banked lanes ...means you have to get off and pedal back to a passing place....could be at that all day...so I don't bother...
Mr Anderson 11 hours ago
@MaxiMinimalist Agreed. The big problem I see now is today's parents grew up being driven to their schools, and therefore, see private motor vehicles as the only viable form of transport. The vast majority of UK infant and primary schools have a catchment area that is within easy walking distance from home to school. Yet, the traffic caused by pupils being driven to/from school is astonishing. Banishing the "School Run" should be a priority for all schools.
MaxiMinimalist 12 hours ago
When I was a kid (that was during the previous millenium when phones were connected to a plug in the wall), I rode my bicycle to school, music academy, sport grounds, parties even during the winter. The government didn't have to spend, correct that, didn't have to think of spending massive amounts of money to build cycling specific infrastructures. Over the past 3 or 4 decades, cars have grown bigger, taller, safer (for their drivers) and faster. Meanwhile, motorists have become abusive, aggressive, hypersensitive to people moving on two wheels, aka cyclists. Spending billions upon billions on new infrastructure won't address the crux of the matter. Sadly.
17 thoughts on “Vincenzo Nibali signs for Trek-Segafredo; New cycleway in Paris being heavily used – and it’s not even finished yet; Ex-pro Brajkovic on eating disorders and mental health in the peloton + more on the live blog”
Oosh.. looks like a feisty
Oosh.. looks like a feisty blog today!
Massive props for that Scottish cyclist, he’s my hero of the day.
I find it amazing that some
I find it amazing that some amateur races are held on roads open to traffic.
I see this sometimes in YouTube videos. I think the most recent one was some national time trial 24h championship.
The article doesn’t say if some of these deaths are caused by this kind of traffic though.
cdamian wrote:
All of the races that I do in the UK are on roads with a rolling partial closure. Went to France to race this year. Fully closed roads. Was absolute bliss!
Pretty sure the 24s have always been held on open roads?
Liam Cahill wrote:
I find it amazing that some amateur races are held on roads open to traffic.
I see this sometimes in YouTube videos. I think the most recent one was some national time trial 24h championship.
The article doesn’t say if some of these deaths are caused by this kind of traffic though.
— Liam Cahill All of the races that I do in the UK are on roads with a rolling partial closure. Went to France to race this year. Fully closed roads. Was absolute bliss! Pretty sure the 24s have always been held on open roads?— cdamianAlmost all TTs are going to be on open roads – there are many fewer issues of safety when riders are going one at a time.
Safety is improving and partial closures are getting better as a result of the Accredited Marshalls Scheme – dne well it means the effect is similr to a full closure – I’ll be out with my lollipop on Saturday am…..
cdamian wrote:
I think it is still to be determined if Bjorn died of the crash, or had a heart attack on the bike and then crashed like Goolaerts at Paris Roubaix last year. However just going on stories on this site over the last year, there was the one crash involving a public vehicle that I remember where the cyclists took a wrong turn on the course in some continental race but most have been either medical issue or furniture ones. But for the amount of actual races around the world, the deaths (although still too high for sports) are probably statiscally lower then others.
AlsoSomniloquism wrote:
The team put out a statement this morning giving some details. The accident caused a “big liver laceration” resulting in “massive internal hemorrhage” and subsequent cardiac arrest.
He needed a miracle, and it didn’t arrive.
Chapeau to the Edinburgh
Chapeau to the Edinburgh flood rider.
Is it worth it?
Is it worth it?
Yes, I’d guess so given the rates of mortality people face for everyday things.
As a follower of motorsport (and more involved at one point) I’ve seen it unfold on TV and actually live and after a period of reflection by those involved, the sport goes on. Sometimes it’s even been 14 year old kids which does make you question the sanity of it all.
The thing is, those doing it want to do it and given the mindset of pros it would literally have to be like being at the Somme before people would stop. Look at the IOM TT and the road race lot. Everyone knows the risks. I remember thinking that could be it for Valentino Rossi when he ran his best racing mate, Simoncelli, over. It would have been for me but these guys like most pros at most sports are something else mentally. Not cold, but something else.
Rick_Rude wrote:
I’ve seen so many deaths “live” in 40-odd years of watching motorsport. They live with you, for me particularly Greg Moore on four wheels and Daijiro Kato on two. I was fortunate to miss Simoncelli at Sepang & Shoya at Misano.
I guess partly the difference is that there’s bugger all money in cycling. I know that those guys would have raced and knowingly risked their lives for buttons, as do the TT riders, but the point is that the rewards are there, particularly in comparison to cycling. It’s always harder when it’s a talented young rider/driver I think – that feeling of what might have been. It’s been a year of near misses up to now, and hopefully Froome and Van Aert will come back just as strong.
I tried emailing Duncan
I tried emailing Duncan Sharkey (as per the letter from RBWM) but it turns out he’s gone on holiday. I bet he’s going to have a fun inbox to come back to…
It seems to me that RBWM are
It seems to me that RBWM are making their restrictions on Velolife deliberately ambiguous so they can shut it down more easily. They can argue with their own definitions of ‘organised’ and ‘meet’ and apply it to pretty much any group of cyclists that numbers more than 4 or 5.
Kendalred wrote:
I think they;re just making it up as they go along. Making the occupier of premises responsible for the legal actions of third parties is a bit of a stretch by anyone’s standards….
I watched the film ‘The Tour:
I watched the film ‘The Tour: The Legend of the Race’ the other day.. it had footage of Tim Simpson collapsing as well as Fabio Casartelli on the ground as per he race coverage. I must say those images especially poor Fabio Casartelli will stay with me for a while. This sport of ours is dangerous and shocking but I wouldn’t want it to change.
We watched the Simoncelli
We watched the Simoncelli crash live, then several times before we had realised how bad it was. Damn those PVRs. Rossi seemed to lose some of his edge after it. Understandable.
Bjorgs accident was a freak
Bjorgs accident was a freak event and couldn’t be forseen. Even on a closed circuit a freak accident could happen. There’s a death during the Isle of Man TT every year, but riders sign on every year knowing the risks. Cycling would be boring on motor racing circuits, and wouldn’t get any TV coverage. We love the spectacle of the big races, and so do the riders, otherwise they wouldn’t race. The only viable option will be virtual racing, but riders could still suffer from heart attacks, and where would the atmosphere come from. You cannot account for freak accidents, same as riding for pleasure, anything could happen, it’s just life.
Quote:
I’m not on all that social media gubbins.
I find socks to be problematic.
I had a set of Pearl Izumi coolmax type short socks (go about two inches above the ankle) – I bought several pairs a couple of years ago, and they’ve finally started developing holes.
On every other pair of cycling-specific socks I’ve tried, and every pair of ‘civilian’ socks, the elastic bit at the top shrinks in the wash so that they are really very uncomfortable.
Surely there are socks out there which don’t? I mean, a pair of cheap Halfords-own-brand ones shrunk after a single wash!
And even Endura ones don’t seem to last more than a handful of washes before I’d only choose to wear them as a last resort.
brooksby, the sock is the
brooksby, the sock is the last peice of clothing that I have yet to make cycling specific, though I do generally ride around in M+S boxers, saving the chamois liners for the longer rides, I wear high merino (which is after all the cyclists wool) content hiking socks from Bridgedale. Summer, spring/autumn and winter weights. Bit pricey, but 15% off Cotswold, and they do last many years. I wash them either with my bike wear, cold sythetic cycle with delicate washing liquid or with my merino tops, wool wash with delicate washing liquid, and no fabric softener. They are very good quality.
The elastic at the tops lasts, though I don’t wear them pulled up lots, and the heel eventually wears through.