Geraint Thomas blasts “ridiculous” calls to jail Tour de France crash spectator; Cav reaction; KHS congestion; Cargo bike rap; Tadej Pogacar’s TT masterclass uploaded to Strava; UK’s pothole capital; Urban skills; Breaking records + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
Tadej Pogačar's Tour de France TT masterclass uploaded to Strava
Tadej Pogačar has uploaded his ‘Afternoon Ride’ from yesterday’s Tour de France destroying TT for us all to gawp at. Unsurprisingly, Pog swept up most of the KOMs en route to go with his stage win, including the opening 1.7km of ‘Bosse Changé Saint-Germain le Fouilloux’ which averages four per cent, but was powered up at 35km/h by the 22-year-old…think about that the next time you’re panting up your local lump.
According to the Strava times, Pog was also quickest up the final climb, Montée rue Léo Lagrange, and took three seconds from Wout van Aert on the 500m ramp alone. For Stefan Küng, whose heartbroken face told the story as his much younger, faster rival crossed the line — the final climb took seven seconds longer.
Unfortunately for us, like most of the pros at the race, Pogačar has kept his power data hidden. But for some context, eighth place Mattia Cattaneo was the highest ranked rider to let us see the numbers…407w average for 33 minutes. We’d better get training…
How's your bike handling?
Some bike skills for your morning entertainment, featuring some gloriously noisy freehubs…
Alex Dowsett has no time for the "flappy garment that keeps your shoulder fronts warm and stops you getting to your food"
In the high mountains I’ve come to the conclusion that the gillet is the most useless piece of clothing available. Too warm for the uphills, not warm enough for the downhills. Basically a flappy garment that keeps your shoulder fronts warm and stops you getting to your food.
— Alex Dowsett (@alexdowsett) July 1, 2021
Gilets. Yay or nay? Dowsett is going nay (in the high mountains). Plenty of Brits enjoying the summer weather made the case for the defence…
obs have a badly designed Gilet. I live in Cold and wet Devon and it is a brilliant piece of kit and my go to on every ride
— Dave Bayliss (@dave_bayliss) July 1, 2021
guess it depends where you are; damp Yorkshire last weekend unzipped uphill allowing access to pockets, and zipped up down dale to keep the worst of the chill off (it is June after all 🙄)
— Simon.Rhino No.5 (@RhinoFive) July 1, 2021
Sustrans urges the government to create a "golden age of cycling" and capitalise on lockdown boom
Sustrans has urged the government to capitalise on the surge in interest in cycling during lockdown to create a “golden age of cycling”. The BBC reports that almost four times more journeys were being taken by bike at one point last year. Rachel White, head of public affairs at Sustrans called on careful planning of cycle lanes and a “large-scale” government campaign to push the health and environmental benefits of riding a bike.
The charity also proposes the default speed limit in built-up areas be lowered from 30mph to 20mph. “We would like the resurgence in cycling that we saw during the lockdowns in England to herald a golden age, rather than be wasted,” White said. “We know that if cyclists are kept away from traffic and traffic is slower, they feel more comfortable.”
Last summer, Boris Johnson outlined plans for bringing about a “new golden age for cycling”, including cycle training, national standards for infrastructure and bikes available on prescription.
Geraint Thomas blasts "ridiculous" calls to jail Tour de France spectator who caused opening stage crash
Geraint Thomas and Luke Rowe have expressed sympathy for the spectator holding the cardboard sign involved in the huge crash during the opening stage of the Tour de France. Speaking on their Watts Occurring podcast, Thomas called talks of the woman being sent to prison for a year as “ridiculous” and joked Jumbo-Visma domestique Tony Martin could be imprisoned for two months.
“Let’s be honest, Tony could have moved left, at least a little,” Thomas said. “It looked like he saw it and thought, ‘I can ride through that’. It’s her fault, but at the same time he has a part to play. Put him in prison for two months then, at that rate. That is absolutely ridiculous. She can’t go to prison.”
Co-host and fellow Ineos Grenadiers rider Luke Rowe added: “She fucked up massively. She did something stupid and caused a massive crash, there’s no avoiding those facts. But they’re talking about a €15,000 fine and a year imprisonment. I just feel sorry for the woman to be honest.
“She is in the middle of all this hate on social media. It was all over Facebook, they were searching for her. They finally got her, take it down to a human level and think, ‘that poor woman’. She’s going to feel bad enough about it. Imagine being in prison and someone asks what are you in for? Murder? Theft? ‘Nah, I went to the Tour de France with a sign that said hello to my grandparents.’”
Yesterday, prosecutors confirmed a woman had been taken into custody in Landernau, the finish town of Saturday’s stage. Reuters journalist Julien Prétot has this morning reported that the race organisers have withdrawn the lawsuit against the woman, although that may not affect the state prosecutor’s case. Movistar rider Marc Soler, who was left with three fractures to his arms after the crash, has said he plans to sue the spectator.
TOUR DE FRANCE ORGANISERS WITHDRAW THEIR LAWSUIT AGAINST SPECTATOR WHO CAUSED CRASH – ORGANISERS TO REUTERS
— Julien Prétot (@julienpretotRTR) July 1, 2021
The worst place in the UK for potholes is...Cornwall, according to this new data
New data obtained via a Freedom of Information request submitted by motoring insurance firm Carole Nash found that 210,000 potholes were reported to Cornwall Council between June 2017 and 2020. Cambridgeshire took second spot with 180,000, while Derbyshire was third with 170,000. Here’s the full top ten:
1. Cornwall (210,311)
2. Cambridgeshire (184,402)
3. Derbyshire (172,297)
4. Devon (147,779)
5. Oxfordshire (110 106)
6. East Riding of Yorkshire (106,144)
7. Durham (99,630)
8. Rotherham (83,964)
9. Hertfordshire (72,230)
10. Fife (70,254)
Stage six is underway...will Cav win again?
💚 @MarkCavendish
💛 @mathieuvdpoel
🔴⚪️ @IdeSchelling
👶 @TamauPogi #TDF2021 pic.twitter.com/xzJ1KpgdQc— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 1, 2021
Almost 70km done on what looks a glorious day over in central France. We had some interesting early action with a super strong breakaway including Tour of Flanders winner Kasper Asgreen, Thomas De Gendt, double stage winner last year Søren Kragh Andersen and Olympic champ Greg Van Avermaet. The peloton weren’t too keen to chase that stellar line-up for the next few hours so reeled them in early doors. Van Avermaet and Lotto-Soudal veteran Roger Kluge are now off the front on their own and have around 1:30 over the Deceuninck-Quick-Step and Alpecin-Fenix led bunch.
Stay tuned for all the action, results and reaction…but for now let’s see what’s happening away from the Tour…
Someone get Jeremy Vine's video editor a pay rise...
Kensington High Street is still my direct route home, and there may be some irony in this video. Grrrrrrrrrrrr … @RBKC @London_Cycling @willnorman @AracerRacer @Chris_Boardman @WeAreCyclingUK @SadiqKhan @HounslowCycling @CllrSteveCurran @righttobikeit @MikeyCycling @mzdt pic.twitter.com/3W3ovFory3
— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) July 1, 2021
Maybe I’m doing Jeremy a disservice and he is in fact the mastermind behind this cinematic brilliance. If you don’t remember what the pedalling presenter is referring to, back in November actor Nigel Havers complained to the Daily Mail about the Kensington High Street cycle lane “causing gridlock every day”. The lane was ripped out shortly after and these are the scenes cyclists like Jeremy face now…
Santander Cycles enjoys record-breaking June
Transport for London’s Santander Cycles scheme enjoyed a record-breaking month in June as 1,182,901 hires were made. Which, according to Will Norman, is the best June in the scheme’s history.
Bicycle Theft and Security Survey
Leopard Technology has launched its annual survey on bike theft and cycle security and is hoping to build upon the 4,000 responses last year. The focus is on measures to prevent theft, feeling safer on the road and attitudes to safety, security and wider cycle lane usage. The survey is open until 16 July when the results will be circulated.
Colbrelli beats Cav at the intermediate sprint but the green jersey wearer's lead is cut to ten points
💚 🇮🇲 @MarkCavendish tries to extend his lead in the green jersey classification but he is beaten by 🇮🇹 Colbrelli, 🇧🇪 Philipsen and 🇦🇺Matthews.
💚 🇮🇲 Mark Cavendish cherche à augmenter son avance au classement du maillot vert mais il est battu.#TDF2021 pic.twitter.com/Me1l8RQw1H
— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 1, 2021
Lachlan Morton nears the Alps on his Tour de France solo mission
We are getting closer and closer to the Alps and it looks like Lachlan’s days of rinding in his sandals are numbered. While it’s been smooth sailing on the flatter ground, as soon as he hits the mountains his progress will slow considerably as he heaves his gear over the passes. pic.twitter.com/eyyTSmf9lT
— EF Pro Cycling (@EFprocycling) July 1, 2021
Lachlan Morton’s mission to beat the Tour de France peloton to Paris, riding the full route (including transfers) self-supported has taken him closer to the high mountains…Yesterday the EF Pro Cycling rider rode two stages…in his sandals.
Knee pain forced him to switch out cleats for flat pedals ahead of day four where he rode the TT route in 1:17, almost 50 minutes slower than stage winner Tadej Pogačar.
Now on day six, the Alt Tour tracker has Morton 1,766km in and currently riding the transfer between stage seven and eight. Stage eight will take him into the Alps with a triple-header of first category climbs.
Cargo bike rap
"Don't say the name!": Mark Cavendish shuts down speculation he could break Eddy Merckx's Tour de France stage wins record
Oh. my. gosh. He has done it AGAIN!
Once he starts, he does not stop 👏#TDF2021 pic.twitter.com/GD6PrJs1Ky
— ITV Cycling (@itvcycling) July 1, 2021
Cav’s back! Two in three days and our favourite sprinter is giving those brilliant post-stage interviews that only he can. Fast talking, tactical breakdowns, disdain for other teams and hitting back at the man with the mic.
“Mark, it’s your 32nd victory, you know what my next question will be,” Cav was asked at the finish by the interviewer hinting that the 36-year-old could reach Eddy Merckx’s Tour de France stage wins record of 34.
A sigh, another pause and a roll of the eyes followed, before Cav blurted out: “Don’t say the name! Don’t say the name…I’m not thinking of anything. Again, I’ve just won a stage of the Tour de France. If that was my first stage or my 32nd stage, I’ve just won a stage of the Tour – that’s what people work their whole life for. If I’m good enough to win 50 more or never win again here, then so be it.”
Most impressive thing is how Cav recounts his wins and also remembers how the stage finish differed back in 2008…#TDF2021
— road.cc (@roadcc) July 1, 2021
A message bigger than the sport...what does Cav's comeback mean to you?
In my opinion, one of the reasons why so many people are so thrilled to see Cav winning at the highest level again is because it shows what someone can achieve when they are given a chance and people back them. That’s a message that is bigger than sport.
— Chloe Hosking (@chloe_hosking) July 1, 2021
How good was that? We’ll be raising a cold one to Cav again tonight. For all the details you might have missed, check out our race report…
For me it’s amazing because of the depression. Such an example for everyone — he asked for help and became the real Cav again. Mental health matters 💚
— Marcos Marín (@MiCiclismo) July 1, 2021
1 July 2021, 08:01
1 July 2021, 08:01
1 July 2021, 08:01
1 July 2021, 08:01
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Latest Comments
…and why was Jonas tested at 2am, whilst Tadej was tested in the morning at 5am?
Midnight testing in the middle of a cycling grand tour is only justified if it catches a doping cheat, otherwise it is unconscionable. The UCI’s own rules say it is only justified if there is real suspicion of doping. …Where is the evidence?
Is that a Russian "z" symbol represented by the front wheel? Or is it an "s" - and is the back wheel the same?
Of course this will rightly be subject to meeting legal evidence requirements. Which will then be amended to "we have been told that the minimum evidential standards are..." Which a cynic might suggest will allow police to dismiss enough cases so they don't get too busy. Except when a few of them get suspicious of someone and decide to make up the law again...
RE: "suitable roadside test equipment" Does this mean "UCI-level scrutiny is needed" .... Or "eyes plus awareness that bikes normally slow down when on the flat / going uphill *without being pedalled*"?
"West Midlands Police is exploring alternative methods of spotting illegal e-motorbike use" Somebody please tell them easiest way to 'spot' would be the rider's going faster than any typical cyclist for the conditions. And if the rider isn't even pedalling - well bang to rights, innit? Or if they're scouring popular stops for Deliveroo etc. couriers, just look for the throttle.
Motorists cause considerable delays to cyclists in cities and towns.
And even in the apology statement they call him a driver 🤦♂️
That sounds like work, though.
I was quite disturbed by this story yesterday and I'm glad that it seems to be getting resolved a bit. Presumably the bike looked fairly standard and was not covered in gaffer, with tern graphics, so surely one quick web search would have shown the ridiculous expense of this machine (you pay for quality mind...) hinting at it's full legality in unmodified state and preventing this embarrassment through incompetence.
21 thoughts on “Geraint Thomas blasts “ridiculous” calls to jail Tour de France crash spectator; Cav reaction; KHS congestion; Cargo bike rap; Tadej Pogacar’s TT masterclass uploaded to Strava; UK’s pothole capital; Urban skills; Breaking records + more on the live blog”
Here, have a link: https:/
Here, have a link: https://www.strava.com/activities/5554938566.
“Afternoon Ride”
“Afternoon Ride”
Thanks! Not sure why you’d
Thanks! Not sure why they’d write this whole article and not give the link
Isnt his average power shown
Isnt his average power shown in the summary…411w? Or is that the strava guesstimate.
It’s estimated power.
It’s estimated power.
If we are going to have a
If we are going to have a golden age of cycling, then we need to keep Sustrans as far away from it as possible. Unless we want this golden age to be based on shared paths, muddy paths, A-frames on paths, and a nationwide network random blue signs that does nothing to facilitate cycling.
We are already in a golden
We are already in a golden age of dog muck littered Sustrans paths, infested with dog walkers without dogs on leads and zombie joggers with noise cancelling earphones. If you’re really lucky you’ll also come across abusive youths. You’ve never had it so good.
Spot on. But where I am there
Spot on. But where I am there is also generally a carpet of glass shards from broken bottles.
I think Sustrans have
I think Sustrans have acknowledged that they got it wrong in the past. But they did build some utterly useless paths, and even worse, were pretty much guaranteed to give approval of any old shit put forward by a local authority even when all the other cyclist advocate groups objected. Bike scary roundabout – that will do fine.
Let’s hope that they really are a completely reformed organisation.
I can excuse even the worst
I can excuse even the worst sustrans path, because at least it’s been saved from being sold off or built on.
I would be really pleased if the abandoned railway line near me was a muddy track. As it happens, it’s now a housing estate and a supermarket. The rest of the line being mainly overgrown or private land.
Was particularly impressed
Was particularly impressed with the 1 in 3 wet, greasy, cobbled lane in Hebden Bridge they use as part of NCR 68.
To be fair, it’s hard to plot
To be fair, it’s hard to plot a route through Hebden Bridge, the hillclimber’s paradise, without a steep hill. (Apart from route 66 which follows the nearly-flat valley bottom east-west). Route 68 is supposed to follow “the spine of England“, after all.
On the other hand, Sustrans show an alternative route on a proper road with a milder gradient (lower section of Heptonstall Rd) without mentioning that the turn is forbidden by local roadsigns. Which are, admittedly, often ignored by cyclists.
“Up the Buttress” used to be a lovely event, though, for the chafed masochists among us. Maybe there should be a local hillclimb event which takes in both Slack Bottom and Raw End.
Excellent Strava bombing by
Excellent Strava bombing by Francois Beaujean there
Quite… Pojacar might think
Quite… Pojacar might think he’s clever with his 50kmh average, but he ‘s not the Local Legend.
Re: the pothole statistics, I
Re: the pothole statistics, I get that the FOI concerns ‘potholes’ specifically, but it seems to be misleading. I know there are some rules and guidelines governing the size of what constitutes a pothole, but surely a larger prevalence of these is no indicator of poor overall road quality – or is it? My thinking is that poor road surfacing can and often does spread consistently across a significant area of road (West Midlands residents might recognise Stoneleigh Road between Stoneleigh and Coventry) and as such, would create a more jarring and negative experience for the road user than isolated potholes. Unless the pothole statistic is simply an indicator of a wider problem, where more potholes = poorer road maintenance standards = poor road quality overall.
Anyway, could I suggest that Loose Tooth Fillings per Mile (LTFpM) be adopted as a road quality measurement standard?
Kensington High Street…
Kensington High Street…
What happened to the muc-off
What happened to the muc-off ludicrous review of £1 a ml? Was it an april fool ?
I’m guessing it got laughed
I’m guessing it got laughed off.
Regarding potholes. Spent
Regarding potholes. Spent last week on a family break in Pembrokeshire so I took my bicycle. The roads are excellent, even the small lanes smooth and almost pothole free. I had some of my most enjoyable rides ever. Pembrokeshire CC you should be proud of yourselves; Hampshire CC and West Sussex CC hang your heads in shame.
Agreed… I spend a lot of
Agreed… I spend a lot of time in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion cycling. The roads there are superb, even the tiny rural ones. The local drivers are generally courteous and safe too.
My welsh father in law tells me that its a simple function of ‘chimney pots’ as he calls it… relatively few people for predominantly rural Welsh CCs to spend money on and relatively less usage.
I’m astonished to find Oxfordshire only 5th on the list… the roads elsewhere must be unbelievably bad!
I have encountered
I have encountered Oxfordshire’s Dragon Patcher, which seemed to be able to mend small defects.
The gravel used and the tar cause sticking on the tyre and so it sounds like you are riding on rice crispies for a while after.