Welcome to Thursday’s Live Blog with Liam Cahill in the morning and Simon MacMichael in the afternoon
- News

Spoormakers’ half apology for “She knows exactly what she’s wearing – or not wearing” as journalist calls him a “Brontosaurus”; Government look to ‘double cycling + walking’ (with no plan for how) + more on the live blog
SUMMARY

Meanwhile in Australia, Sam Bennett wins the inaugural Race Torquay
A perfect sprint of @Sammmy_Be, who wins the inaugural #RaceTorquay, notching up his second victory of the season!#WayToRide #No3in2020
Photo: @GettySport pic.twitter.com/ozp0DyPdKE— Deceuninck-QuickStep (@deceuninck_qst) January 30, 2020
Do you know how we can tell that this is the Aussie Torquay, not the British version?
We can see the sky…
Government to double cycling and walking - but there's no plan for how
This isn’t to knock Bikeability, which is perfectly fine. But if you were to write a list of things which would get more people cycling, and cycling safely and comfortably, training schemes for kids probably wouldn’t be in the top 50. Training is *pointless* without safe streets.
— Peter Walker (@peterwalker99) January 30, 2020
At transport questions, junior transport minister George Freeman is asked successive questions about cycling from Labour MPs Feryal Clark and Matt Rodda. Freeman insists the govt will double cycling (and walking) in this parliament – but has no real explanation as to how….
— Peter Walker (@peterwalker99) January 30, 2020
Currently, spending on active travel is quite a way off the £15+ per person that Labour MP Feryal Clark suggests is needed to meet such targets.
There are, some say, big plans on cycling being mulled inside No 10. But it has to be said, based on this Q&A session, the current DfT line-up of ministers don’t sound like they really understand the issue.
— Peter Walker (@peterwalker99) January 30, 2020
Political correspondent for the Guardian Peter Walker is at Transport Questions. While the Government, who have a “cycling Prime Minister“, say they’re going to double cycling and walking in the time of this government, Walker says that there doesn’t seem to be a plan.
We’ll be keeping our eye on this one.
Belgian journalist accused of objectifying female reporter
What is it about the Vuelta a San Juan and instances like this?
Belgian sports journalist and former professional cyclist, Sven Spoormakers has been accused of sexually objectifying a young female reporter working on the Argentinian race.
Seriously? Please tell me this is lost in translation and you did not just publicly objectify a young female reporter. Speaking from experience, let me say she does the exact same job as you but has to work and withstand twice as much still because of bullshit like this. https://t.co/N9EemBZLYV
— Sophie Smith (@SophieSmith86) January 29, 2020
When challenged by Aussie sports journalist Sophie Smith on his remarks, Spoormakers continues to blame the reporter in the picture, claiming that “she knows exactly what she’s wearing – or not wearing“.
So it’s her fault because you can’t stop looking at her boobs? What’s she meant to do, wear a potato sack so you don’t get excited? If I take a picture of you at work, post it and comment on how small your dick looks in a pair of shorts would you be alright with that?
— Sophie Smith (@SophieSmith86) January 29, 2020
This comes a year after Iljo Keisse was thrown off the same race for sexually harrassing a waitress. Keisse’s father then claimed that the waitress was “suggestive with her ass“.
Not only all that, but we’ve already had crashes caused by a rogue spectator and a rogue dog on stages 1 and 2 respectively. The curse of San Juan doesn’t seem to be relenting…
The cycling world condemns Spoormakers' comments
Over and over and over again, my female colleagues have to defend themselves from institutional disrespect. I take your voice, Sophie, and I add mine. https://t.co/HGRz9H7DW4
— Ned Boulting (@nedboulting) January 29, 2020
Mate, she’s wearing a top. That’s it. What’s the problem? Jesus Christ you’re a dinosaur.
— Matt Stephens (@RealStephens) January 30, 2020
Ah the wonderful “you wore that so you get raped” excuse. Even if she were in her bikinis and doing her job she still should be judged on her work and not her clothing. Or lack thereof
— José Been (@TourDeJose) January 30, 2020
Absolutely frustrating. @SvenSpoormakers your comment is inappropriate. We are more than the clothes we wear. If you can’t understand why your comment is inappropriate I suggest getting some training around sexism.
— Michele Reid (@Bliss_On_Earth) January 30, 2020
Some unsavoury comments filtering through, but luckily anyone with any kind of sense is defending the Argentinian reporter.
Representin'
A big shout out to the racers from Bath Cycling Club who were out racing on Zwift last night for their first team race. The Bath kit isn’t available in Zwift so the eight-man team was resplendent in road.cc colours, with Will Duffy taking second place overall, and three other Bath riders finishing in the top 20. Ride on!
"Some compared the street furniture to the Berlin Wall"


This morning we’ve been reading the news that our neck of the woods, Bath, might be transformed into a mini-Holland through new transport changes that restrict vehicle access through residential areas.
You can imagine the reaction that this is going to get from the usual anti-cycling/environment/common-sense brigade. But the comments (so far) under the SomersetLive article seem to be relatively positive.


The reaction to the changes in a London borough, which have inspired the potential changes in Bath drew some properly ridiculous reactions with one person likening the modal filters (movable bollards) to the Berlin Wall.
Speaking to Somerset Live, Labour councillor Clyde Loakes, Deputy Leader of Waltham Forest Council said that “there’s no rat-running. The people driving through are just the people who live there. There’s no speeding”.
Celebrating National Croissant Day*


Celebration complete here at road.cc Towers (apart from those crumbs) of our favourite pastry comestible – an ideal cycling fuel mix of fat, carbs and jam (maybe leave off the latter is you’re stuffing it in your jersey pocket).
For some of us every day is croissant day, unless of course it’s pain au chocolat day… or should that be chocolatine?
*in France
"What’s she meant to do, wear a potato sack so you don’t get excited?", replies journalist Sophie Smith over Spoormakers' comments
So it’s her fault because you can’t stop looking at her boobs? What’s she meant to do, wear a potato sack so you don’t get excited? If I take a picture of you at work, post it and comment on how small your dick looks in a pair of shorts would you be alright with that?
— Sophie Smith (@SophieSmith86) January 29, 2020
Spanish police shut down doping ring
Spanish police break up a doping ring based in Barcelona that was providing EPO to “a large number of national and international athletes in different disciplines and at different levels”. No names revealed, but sporting bodies are likely to be informed of them https://t.co/X3qOecoRXk
— Peter Cossins (@petercossins) January 30, 2020
Looks like we could have a new batch of top-level athletes about to be caught up in a doping investigation.
Hopefully, it won’t just be sporting bodies that are informed of athletes that are implicated as some are famous for brushing doping issues under the rug.
When you really love a wand orca
Can’t get over how genius wand orcas are. Lane abused by most drivers for nearly a year. Tried orcas, tried orange wands. Nothing worked. Stick some wand orcas in… Suddenly it’s sorted!!!
Thanks @ManCityCouncil @Piccadilly_Lab ! pic.twitter.com/7aR0ZzDaU4
— Sam – Wand Orca Enthusiast (@MCRCycleSam) January 30, 2020
Apparently, that what these are. More of this, please!
Trek-Segafredo's Moschetti wins the first race of Challenge Mallorca
Very convincing win by Moschetti! pic.twitter.com/doofBKNHNP
— José Been (@TourDeJose) January 30, 2020
Only really posting this because I want to be in Mallorca on this rainy Thursday lunchtime.
Kiryienka retires due to heart condition
Vasil Kiryienka has today announced his retirement from professional cycling, following medical advice regarding a cardiac issue.
— Team INEOS (@TeamINEOS) January 30, 2020
Known for his steely poker face and rock-solid position, the Ineos super-domestique will be a big loss for the Grand Tours.
What a career!
Let us know your favourite Kiry moments. Reply using the hashtag #ThankYouKiry pic.twitter.com/msCzdk6lMr
— Team INEOS (@TeamINEOS) January 30, 2020
Video: Today's Transport Questions
Three questions were asked today directly about cycling. Here’s what the Government had to say…
Belgian journalist deletes sexist tweets about reporter Belén Mendiguren
We’re amazed that it took him this long, but after hours of condemnation from the cycling world, Sven Spoormakers has finally deleted the ridiculous tweets that saw him accused of sexually objectifying a young female reporter at the Vuelta a San Juan.
Belén Mendiguren, the reporter, has also spoken out to condemn Spoormakers, rightly saying that what she wears does not enable him to make jokes or disrespect her.
Lo que yo lleve puesto no habilita el chiste o la falta de respeto hacia mi persona. Lamento que haya hombres que se detengan a hacer estos comentarios poco felices. Esto que a vos te parece divertido es parte de 1 engranaje machista que lastima y perjudica enormemente a la mujer https://t.co/lK52Vha4nE
— Belén Mendiguren (@lelumendy) January 30, 2020
Thank you Sophie, it’s gonna take time, but I really hope men will finally understand that this kind of comments are a complex gender issue. We live with this kind of gender violence since we r born. I invite everyone to ask your closest female friends about it as a first step. https://t.co/o0X0k7faGY
— Belén Mendiguren (@lelumendy) January 30, 2020
Spoormakers' 'apology ' in full
What was meant to be a funny remark, turned out to be offensive to a lot of people. That was bad judgement. Sorry. And to @lelumendy in particular: we never met, but if you’re ever in Belgium, you’re welcome to discover I’m not the brontosaurus you think I am.
— Sven Spoormakers (@SvenSpoormakers) January 30, 2020
Well. in 280 characters anyway. Clearly quite a few people didn’t thin k the comments were just “a funny remark”…
Scroll down the blog to read through the rest of the drama, minus Spoormakers’ deleted tweets.
Journalist at centre of Vuelta a San Juan sexism controversy calls Sven Spoormakers a "Brontosaurus"
Y este brontosaurus dice que no es lo que me pongo si no lo que muestro. Váyase a dormir señora. Repito me pongo lo que quiero y siento adecuado. Vaya a escribir algo sobre un tema más relevante e interesante. https://t.co/8Cj0X6roeR
— Belén Mendiguren (@lelumendy) January 30, 2020
The comment was originally made by Spoormakers himself in an apology to Belén Mendiguren, where he said she was welcome to meet him and discover he’s “not the brontosaurus you think I am.”
It appears the apology wasn’t exactly accepted, with Mendiguren saying to a critic: “And this brontosaurus says that it is not what I wear if not what I show. Go to sleep, ma’am.
“I repeat, I wear what I want and feel great. Go write something about a more relevant and interesting topic.”
If you’re only just catching up on the live blog today… former cyclist-turned journalist Sven Spoormakers appeared to claim that Argentinian journalist Belén Mendiguren was dressed inappropriately during an interview at the Vuelta a San Juan (see main pic) and said she “knows exactly what she’s wearing”. He’s since deleted the offending tweets.
30 January 2020, 21:48
Keisse sent home after sexually harassing a waitress

Iljo Keisse thrown out of Vuelta a San Juan and fined by judge following sexual harassment of waitress
Organisers say Deceuninck-Quick Step rider’s actions “damaged the reputation and honour” of the race and cycling
30 January 2020, 21:48
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Or even the driver having a wobble because they've dropped their phone in the footwell or are busy changing track on the stereo. Or are just a bit crap at driving.
Ahh yes, the old "I was pulled off my bike by someone going too fast and too close". Thats the least of my concerns. I'm far more concerned about hitting a pothole and needing more than 20cm to wobble before I hit the passing car. Its got very little to do with wind/sucking effect of close overtakes and everything to do with giving space for cyclists needing to move laterally to avoid things. We all know that drivers are fucking awful at judging....anything, especially speed limits so saying 1m just means that they will do 50cm. At least 1.5m means that unless they are doing it intentionally, most give around 1m.
Regarding the photo from Police Scotland. Shouldn’t that be measured from the widest point of the cyclist? Handlebar or elbow? It hardly matters, because they have no intention of ever enforcing any minimum distance. We've had 1000 NMoTD, yet there still no acceptance from the police that there is any such thing as a close passing offence. The only evidence of 'passing a little closer than preferable' they're willing to consider is a KSI'd cyclist. For some inexplicable reason, there seems to be a great reluctance among cyclists that their greatest corporate enemy is the police.
Why would we need to count 'em when you've already numbered 'em?
dangerously close to hate speech there, talking about wide cyclists. and they actually arrest people for that sort of thing. 🙄
Regarding the photo from Police Scotland. Shouldn't that be measured from the widest point of the cyclist? Handlebar or elbow?
How about overhead platforms above the pavement with suitable on and off ramps for cycle access and stairs for pedestrian access - making space out of nothing and providing shelter from the rain for pedestrians?
Because its much cheaper to buy a second adjustable spanner for non cycle related bolts?
Re: Gt.Yarmouth cycle lane. What's with the give way markings at the edge of the road? It looks like another cycle path joining the cycle lane with stop lines for the cycle lane adjacent to the road. Does anyone have a bigger picture?
'Fag ash fuhrer', that comment's made my day, thank you.





















7 thoughts on “Spoormakers’ half apology for “She knows exactly what she’s wearing – or not wearing” as journalist calls him a “Brontosaurus”; Government look to ‘double cycling + walking’ (with no plan for how) + more on the live blog”
Well done Matt Rhoda, he’s
Well done Matt Rhoda, he’s mine, his remit is transport, but is meant to be on buses. Good for getting involed in the cycling thing.
The idea that because Boris cycled a bit means that, without any investment, cycling will magically double is… rather doubtful.
Seems to me that with the governments pledged £1.18 per person funding, the entire parliments cash could easily be spent on a couple of years worth of the excellent Manchester’s plan.
30 miles of the M4 turned into what seems to be a less than “smart” motorway for £850 million.
What we need is a snappy
What we need is a snappy slogan for the media to latch on to, and how about “Get cycling done”. As recent events have proved so graphically, you don’t really need a plan when you’ve got a slogan.
Kiryienka retiring is a big
Kiryienka retiring is a big blow to the
SkyIneos power train! He’s been like a iron rod of realiability in that team. It’s all change at Ineos!Makes me excited for the TdF.. Ineos or Jumbo!
Two phrases I’ve picked up
Two phrases I’ve picked up from today’s news are, modal filters and gender violence.
No idea what either of them means but I’m gonna use ’em a lot; at least they should clear a space at the bar.
As I understand it modal
As I understand it modal filters would be the same as filtered permability.
Generally blocking a route to motor vehicles (occasionally with some allowance for emergency vehicles) but allowing cyling and walking. Stopping rat running. Turing roads into streets.
Anne Elk is gonna be pissed.
Anne Elk (Miss) is gonna be pissed. Brontosauri are her thing.
MPs asking questions about cycling are making a noble gesture, but Parliament has nearly zero power now. Sovereignty aplenty, but the government will do what it wants for the next five years.
I came late to this one, but
I came late to this one, but now that the Belgian journalist has “deleted his ridiculous tweets” I have no idea what stupid or offensive things they actually wrote…