Joe Biden gifts Boris Johnson a Union Jack roadster...but not everyone's impressed; "This sort of infrastructure is a game changer": Riders pleasantly surprised by CS4; Get the Prince of Wheels an Allen key; BBC news report by bike + more on the live blog

"Hold your line." #tourdesuisse pic.twitter.com/xfaqidTiww

— daniel (@cyclingreporter) June 11, 2021

Rui Costa thought he won Tour de Suisse stage six, however the former world champion has been relegated for deviating off his line during the sprint. Costa forced Andreas Kron towards the barriers and ended any chance the young Dane had of rounding his more experienced rival in the final metres.

Kron has been awarded the stage win after the fact which means it was two from two for Lotto-Soudal this afternoon after Caleb Ewan's win in Belgium. The GC riders rolled in, so no change there. The weekend stages continue the mountain theme, starting with a TT tomorrow which will see riders climb then descend the Oberalppass climb. Sunday is another big climbing stage and will decide the GC.

Classic situation with @on_lothianbuses - bus pulled in and so have to decide whether to overtake or not, and in this case the timing is tricky. No probs though - driver saw and waited and waved. This is due to excellent cycle aware training - a model for other bus companies. pic.twitter.com/NXd4zzwVwY

— Algorhythmical (@Algorhythmica1) June 9, 2021

Israel Start-Up Nation directeur sportif Rik Verbrugghe has been talking about Chris Froome's Tour de France chances again. Not too long ago he was quoted saying Froome's place on his team's squad for the Tour was not guaranteed. Today, in a similar vein, Verbrugghe told DH Sports that Froome does not have a clause in his contract which means he must go to the Tour.

"Contrary to what I have read or heard, we are not contractually obliged to have Chris in the team for the main event in July, but it could help him to take another essential step in his physical evolution. And also give him a mental boost," Verbrugghe said.

So it does sounds as though the four-time winner will be on the startline in Brittany at the end of the month. In what role remains to be seen, although Verbrugghe confirmed that Canadian Michael Woods would lead the team's GC challenge, while Dan Martin will have the freedom to go for stage wins.

"Chris’ fighting spirit is impressive," the team's directeur sportif continued. "We are well aware that he is not at a level that would allow him to fight for the general classification of the Tour de France or even for a stage victory, but this race could be an important stepping-stone for the next Vuelta. Our selection will be built around Michael Woods, who will go for GC, and Dan Martin who will aim for stages.

"Behind them, we’ll lack a bit of depth in the mountains because we’ll be without [Alessandro] De Marchi, [Daryl] Impey and [Carl Fredrik] Hagen. Krists Neilands fractured his collarbone only a short time ago but we still hope he can recover in time for the Grand Départ in Brest."

 Here's an interesting piece of research by Statista who broke down where the EU imports its bikes from...Last year, EU member states imported nearly 5 million bikes with a total value of €930 million. Any surprises here?

This neatly sums up everything that's wrong with UK and US cycle culture.

Totally impractical and uncomfortable. For recreation, not transport. https://t.co/B0X0fdolAE

— Hart's Cyclery (@harts_cyclery) June 11, 2021

Joe Biden gifted Boris Johnson a Union Jack bicycle made by an award-winning bike maker from Philadelphia to mark their first meeting. Stephen Bilenky explained that he was contacted by the US Department of State about making the custom bike in a red, white and blue colour scheme. "It is a very modern version of an upright British roadster with a custom paint scheme with the Union Jack flag and a matching helmet," the bike maker said.

The PM will have no shortage of gears if he gets back to cycling around the capital...that rear cog's like a dinner plate...The gift has got a mixed reception on social media with some saying it is completely impractical and a bike to be presented, not ridden.

Others were left wondering if there was some gentle trolling going on...'Here's your bike, Boris. We got you some gears that even you'll be able to turn.'

For a Presidential gift this looks like absolute shit. Atrocious seat, wack bars, shitty brakes, insulting cassette. I know Boris was really ravaged by COVID but there's no need to do him like this.

— Bristlenose Plecostomus (@SylvainEllis) June 11, 2021

That’s not a very special relationship, based on the bike 😬

— Family ByCycle (@FamilyByCycle) June 11, 2021

will keep an eye on ebay next week

— rick (@micronap) June 11, 2021

After the questions about why the PM caught a flight to Cornwall for the G7 summit...anyone up for seeing him ride this back to Downing Street? 

Team GB added to Dame Sarah Storey's gold and Crystal Lane-Wright's silver in the women's C5 time trial, winning three more golds during the first day of competition in Cascais. Storey's rainbow jersey, her 24th, was a sign of things to come as tandem pairing Steve Bate and Adam Duggleby won the next gold shortly after.

George Peasgood then won the men's C4 time trial, his first para-cycling world title after crossing over from triathlon. "I feel pretty overwhelmed," he said. "I came here without any expectations, I just came out to have a good ride and thankfully I did. I was always going to be happy no matter what, as long as I got everything out that I could on the day, and I did. I couldn’t have ridden it any better so I’m chuffed with that." 

Lora Fachie and Corrine Hall won the final GB gold medal of the day in the women's B time trial. Sophie Unwin and Jenny Holl finished in fourth on their world championship debut as well. Alex Brooke-Turner and Luke Jones are in action today in the hand bike events.

Imma be that guy. Saddle is far too low. https://t.co/xwVuEVpskL

— Fully Vaccinated CyclingMikey. 🇪🇺🇳🇱🇿🇼 (@MikeyCycling) June 10, 2021

So then new Tooley st bike Lane (CS?) is an absolute dream! So many horrible memories of riding down this road with the trucks. This sort of infrastructure is a game changer 👌 @London_Cycling #london #cycling pic.twitter.com/MdFVUEg541

— Dirty Wknd (@Dirtywknd) June 10, 2021

What better way to start Friday than with a clip of a rider loving CS4's new segregated route along Tooley Street near London Bridge. Dirty Wknd spins seamlessly down past the stream of fellow riders travelling in the opposite direction and was so impressed they described it as a "game changer" compared to how dangerous it used to be.

Another rider who has been using the route for years was shocked by the improvement too...

Barely recognise it - used to cycle here in the 80s and 90s. Much much improved.

— Pilarin (@Pilarinciclista) June 10, 2021

Elsewhere on the capital's growing network of cycle routes, Transport for London has asked for public feedback on trial changes to CS8 between Chelsea Bridge and Wandsworth Town Centre. Earlier this week we shared pictures of the new cycle lane on the southbound side of the bridge on the live blog, which is one of the trial changes.

And...in a hat-trick of CS news to start your Friday...the CS3 counter at Embankment is close to recording 1 million cyclists this year.

We’re getting closer and closer to 1 Million cyclists passing this CS3 way-marker/counter at Embankment!

Are you planning a celebration, @London_Cycling or @willnorman? 🥳 pic.twitter.com/hMqCjEs8xW

— jp (@jeanpauljh) June 10, 2021