Team Sunweb’s Niklas Arndt wins Vuelta Stage 8, Nicolas Edet into race lead (+ video highlights)

I get thé feeling that thé over-riding motivation for changing thé format is to mâke it more 'exciting' on TV

“Instead of moving us closer to reopening, it locks in years more of congestion across south-west London. This will do further harm to residents and businesses and put even more strain on local transport networks." Wandsworth council demonstrating the delusion and fallacy that transport = motor vehicles and only motor vehicles. But there is a cure! The Dutch did it fifty years ago at their DfT equivalent HQ, by cutting the car parking by half and prioritising alternatives. The chances of Wandsworth doing anything to affect the petrolhead councillors would appear to be less than England winning the world cup.

staple, perhaps?

@StevenCrook Horses for courses...

@Backladder you think you're joking, but sadly I _have_ met bikes locked to these! Tends to make an almost impassable obstacle even more ridiculous Definitely lawyers at work, they're obsessed about not having cyclists ride out in front of cars on the cross streets

Are you sure they weren't overshoes?

Winning GC is irrelevant, what a relief. The best thing about knowing Pogacar will most likely win GC, is that it frees us to focus on all the more interesting aspects the mountainous chess game that is the TDF. The real challenge for all (riders, teams and spectators) will be the hot weather. This might be the last TDF to be ridden in the heat of the afternoon. There will also likely be major climate protests against the rampant sports washing by fossil fuel corporate sponsors that defiantly continue as the core funding strategy of pro cycling, despite all evidence that their products are endangering the health of the greatest grandstand in all sport. Corporate surveillance and AI will not be far behind for protestors in coming years (if not this year), as a world on fire impacted by corporate greed and wilful ignorance towards the human rights of all earths citizens begins to bite; all whist cycling through some of the planets most glorious and endangered lands. The irony is palpable and the suspension of public disbelief seems about to crack. The onus is on the UCI to shift policy. Protests and epic TDF crowds could yet be the deciding factor in 2026.

I had very much enjoyed his rides around Birmingham previously.

A fine career from a great rider, backed by an exceptional team. I hope that we haven't lost him completely from the world of cycling. There were a few solo breakaways, when and where I cannot recall, but they were just great and for me unexpected.

The LBS had a few copies of this when I had to pop in a few weeks back, needed a new rim, grrr. It piqued my interest, I like exploring the Chilterns and beyond and I love cake. Almost purchased. But noticed that the ride description wasn't up to what I liked, and the maps are all navigation app based, not really suited to a luddite such as myself. So I'm going to have to stick to my 1p very tatty copy of Nick Cotton's 24 one-day routes in Berks, Bucks & Oxfordshire. Much less cake based mind, but suited to the way I ride, that and a few local OS explorers.