"Consequences" for insane close pass (NMoTD 217); Sagan reacts to Giro 2020 route (+ vid); Genesis chainset recall; ‘Emergency' filling of Queensbury Tunnel; Motoring journo films himself at 100mph on Snake Pass; Froome big in Japan +more

Peter Sagan and Richard Carapaz were both present at today’s launch of the Giro d’Italia 2020 route in Milan (see post below for route details).

Carapaz is heading from Movistar to Team Ineos, and with their wealth of Grand Tour contenders, it’s too early to say whether he will be in Budapest to start the defence of his title.

Geraint Thomas has already signalled his intention to target the Giro, leaving the way clear for Chris Froome and this year’s Tour de France winner Egan Bernal to ride that race.

What does seem certain though, is that Bora-Hansgrohe’s Peter Sagan will ride the Giro – improbably, given he started his career with an Italian team, for the first time; previously, he’s preferred to spend May racing the Tour of California, where he has enjoyed great success.

Carapaz said: “The 2019 Giro d'Italia will always be a very important moment in my history as a pro rider, just thinking about it excites me!

“I owe so much to my parents and to all the people who helped me become the rider I am today. I will never stop telling the kids in Ecuador who start cycling how important it is to pursue their dreams.

“I really hope to be at the start of the Giro next year. It is a very interesting route with stages that present many surprises. In the last week, there are a lot of mountains, the Stelvio could be decisive, I really hope to be there.”

Sagan commented: “It's nice to be here today at the presentation of the Giro d'Italia 2020 route. I want to announce that I will be at the start in Budapest. It is still a few months away but I can announce that I will be there. 

“I really like this route, right from the first stages in Hungary. I am sure there will be many of my supporters on the route for the first three stages because Slovakia is very close to Hungary.

“But we will also enjoy the stages on the Italian roads, as I lived and used to train in Italy. It’s a nice Giro route; the first part suits me best but I will try to stay until the end in Milan.”

Guess who'll be riding the @giroditalia next year?

For the first time in his career, @petosagan will be participating in the Corsa Rosa in 2020!

Read more here  https://t.co/I2rQVkhpjL pic.twitter.com/Sop5viX1o4

— BORA – hansgrohe (@BORAhansgrohe) October 24, 2019

They haven't bothered trying to make the press release quotes sound like him...

“Italy holds a special place in my heart. It is the country where I won my first World Championship in 2008 and where I spent the formative years of my professional career, riding for an Italian team.

"In the last ten years I have had the opportunity and privilege to compete, many times, in some of the most prestigious races held in Italy, but I always felt that something was missing, the Giro d'Italia.

"I don't think there is any rider that doesn't dream of taking part in the Corsa Rosa, one of the most beautiful and challenging races in the world. This is why I'm delighted to announce that on May 9th, I will be on the starting line in Budapest, ready to tackle this iconic Grand Tour for the first time.

"It will certainly not be an easy race but I look forward to it. With the Grande Partenza and the first three stages held in Hungary, next year's Giro d'Italia will also give me the chance to race so close to Slovakia and I'm sure the cheers of the Slovak crowds will be felt along the course.”

Team boss Ralph Denk says he'll ride the Tour de France too.

After becoming aware of a potential problem with the durability of Samox AF-13 single speed chainsets on various models of the Day One, Genesis is voluntarily recalling them and will replace them free of charge with a brand-new redesigned Samox chainset. 

In a statement, the firm said: “If you have one of these bikes with the original single speed chainset, please contact your Genesis dealer so a replacement chainset can be requested from UK-distributor Sportline. 

“If you are not certain if you have one of these chainsets, please take your bike to your local Genesis dealer, where they can check and confirm for you. 

“We would like to sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused, but rest assured our commitment to quality remains our highest priority.”

Full details here.

Leicester’s getting a £3.9m cycle scheme along London Road and large parts of it are now finished.

Congratulations @leicsccc for putting sustainable infrastructure into the heart of the city - London Road Cycle Route #Leicester #cycling #green #fitness #HealthyLiving pic.twitter.com/uOEn6kLISL

— Warren Jukes (@WarrenJukes) October 22, 2019

However, the Leicester Mercury reports that drivers are parking in it.

One local cyclist said that when she rode along it, she kept having to veer out into traffic to avoid parked vehicles.

"There were people parked with their cars half on the cycle lanes, and others just making the last minute decision to turn left. They were not stopping to check to see if anyone was there."

She reported all the parked cars, but the council says that drivers aren’t yet being fined for parking across the lanes, as the work on them has not yet been completed.

"Work on the cycle lanes is very nearly complete,” said a spokesperson. “Once finished, they'll be protected by large bolt-down kerbs, bollards and parking restriction lines and enforcement will recommence."

Four months after his horrific crash at the Criterium du Dauphinne, Chris Froome will be back this weekend in Japan at the Saitama Tour de France Criterium.

It's effectively an exhibition race, but one that gets him back in the saddle ahead of a close season in which he will continue his rehabilitation with a view to going for a record equalling fifth Tour de France title next summer.

Happy to be back in Japan for the @saitamacrite #cycling #saitama #saitamacriterium pic.twitter.com/iYGz0V8AEq

— Chris Froome (@chrisfroome) October 24, 2019

Red Bull Timelaps will be held at Windsor Great Park on the 26th and 27th of October.

1,000 riders will take part in team and solo racing.

The aim for both categories is to complete as many laps of a 6.6km closed circuit within 25 hours.

A smaller 4.5km loop will be opened at 2am for the “Power Hour” where laps count double.

Team INEOS’ Pavel Sivakov will be taking part.

“I’m incredibly excited to be racing at this year’s Red Bull Timelaps,” he said. “From everything I’ve read and watched, it seems like a unique race that should also be a lot of fun.

“It’s something completely different to a grand tour like the Vuelta or the Giro, so will be good to do going into the off season. And I’m sure it’s still going to be tough, being part of a team that needs to ride for a full 25 hours.”

Hi Edward, the Government only saw fit to inform me about this by letter yesterday! I have already responded demanding to know what evidence they have to support their claim that emergency works are necessary.

— Judith Cummins MP (@JudithCummins) October 22, 2019

"This is not how we wanted to announce our new model", said Batribike's MD; although hopefully the stolen bikes won't get very far, because they're without their unique batteries that the thieves won't be able to source from elsewhere. Full story over on eBikeTips.

“The fact that he filmed this and posted it are significant aggravating factors. They show that he planned this in advance, and was proud of having done it. His purpose was to drive dangerously, and he is wedded to doing the same.

“Given that I am surprised he was not banned from driving for a significant period.”

The march of the e-bikes is upon us and Wilier, an Italian bike brand founded in 1906 and best known for creating beautiful lightweight race bicycles, has launched its second e-road bike with the brand new Cento10 Hybrid.

Read all about it here or watch the video below. 

According to the Queensbury Tunnel Society, the flooding that the tunnel is suffering is at least in part because a pumping station was switched off.

It was switched off because Highways England twice failed to pay the £50 annual rent for the land on which it is sited.

If you want to understand the justification - or complete lack of it - for @HighwaysEngland 'emergency' infilling of No.2 Shaft, we've produced a report about it...https://t.co/q0lIpCTJZ4 pic.twitter.com/8l2AAOXDJc

— Queensbury Tunnel (@QburyTunnel) October 23, 2019

Wooden balance bike for £30 anyone?

From today. Here’s the flyer.