Police warn cyclist about speeding in Richmond Park; Jeremy Vine recruits another impatient driver to the Clown of the Day circus; LTN vandals pour oil over planters; Rapid Tour de France times; World's longest solar bike path + more on the live blog

Thought we’d get the band back together 🤣 #TDF2021 pic.twitter.com/COzAtR32XU

— Geraint Thomas (@GeraintThomas86) July 16, 2021

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Thomas De Gendt (@degendtthomas)

Thomas De Gendt believes this is probably his final Tour de France and says he is looking forward to taking a break. The Belgian breakaway expert has struggled to make a mark at this year's race and explained that his best power numbers are only enough to get him dropped. 

De Gendt told Sporza he'll be looking to do something different in 2022: "I don't have much to look for here, someone else can do it for me next year. The last ascent in this Tour and perhaps my last mountain ever in the Tour. There is a very good chance that this was my last Tour. But Luz Ardiden is a nice climb to finish with.

"Next year someone else can try it in my place in the Tour. I haven't been able to show anything this year and not last year either. I have very little to do here for myself, only as a servant. Then I can cope better."

The Lotto-Soudal rider said he didn't take enough rest during lockdown and has paid the price for riding four Grand Tours since last August. After the Tour of Norway in late August, De Gendt doesn't see himself racing regularly again until next spring.

"It may not be bad to get off the bike for a few months and only start again in, for example, Paris-Nice. Most likely I will only ride the Tour of Norway this year and a few Belgian one-day races, if they are short of someone," he continued.

The veteran's Lotto-Soudal team-mate Brent Van Moer, who has been dubbed De Gendt's protégé due to his breakaway expertise, is once again chasing a stage win and is in the front group of 18 riders who will compete for the day. They have 36km to go...

Since the 2012 Olympics in London, Brompton has been providing GB athletes with their folding bike transport for getting around the various training centres and Olympic villages. Now, with the help of Brooks England, Team GB bikes and saddles are available to the public for purchase.

Featuring a more classy red, white and blue paint job than Lord Sugar's Union Jack Pinarello....the GB Brompton has a red-lacquer finish with white and blue detailing and Brooks C-17 saddle featuring the roaring lion logo of Team GB.

The Brooks Team GB C17 All Weather Saddle is available online for £140 and both bike and saddle are in store at the Brompton Junction shop in London.

I only went out for a half-hour spin but have come back feeling like a boozy Brit who's fallen asleep on the beach in Lanzarote all afternoon. As much as anything this is to remind me not to get sunburnt tomorrow, but here are some of our best guides on hot weather riding...

Featuring some pictures that'll hurt just looking at them...Cycling survival — how to avoid sunburn & stay comfortable

Cycling sun protection: 5 easy ways to look after your skin

And if you feel the weather's finally worth picking out a fresh, new jersey — here are some of the best summer jerseys

Right, time for a cold shower and some water...

The central Dutch village of Maartensdijk is now home to the world's longest solar bicycle path. At 330m long it is made from blocks of concrete topped with a thin transparent layer that allows sunlight to strike solar cells housed in the blocks. The pilot project hopes to see if such dual-use roads can be used to create solar energy while also serving active travel.

"It's very important. We want to be climate-neutral in 2040, and then you have to dare to use innovation, and this is very innovative," Arne Scaddelee told Design and Development. "We have a very full province with not much room, and for that reason you have to try dual use. So if you can use roads to generate energy, you have a double advantage."

Solar bike paths are already used elsewhere in the Netherlands, but officials from Utrecht say this is the longest one yet.

The Met police driving like a madman to stop a cyclist for “speeding”(24mph) in Richmond Park…. pic.twitter.com/Kx03vJ2nn2

— The Department of Parks & Recreation 🦌 (@ldnparks) July 16, 2021

This police officer was keen to have a word about speeding with a cyclist in Richmond Park this morning, he even got the full blue light treatment...The speed limit in the park is 20mph (32km/h), something which is regularly broken by motorists. This rider was apparently riding at 24mph (38km/h) when he was stopped for a word...

"It's your safety," the officer can be heard explaining, before waving at the cyclist who stops to film. When asked if he told the rider to slow down, the officer walks off, says something inaudible, followed by, "but, yes".

The officer then drives off, ignoring the questions about stopping speeding motorists. 

While speed limits on public roads only apply to those driving motor vehicles, the Royal Parks are able to apply the 20mph limit to all users, including those on bikes. Back in 2013, questions were asked after police fined a young cyclist for speeding in the park.

The discussion around road safety has continued since then, with many riders calling for through traffic to be banned. A recent 'code of conduct' for cyclists using the park was widely criticised, with one campaign group co-ordinator saying it cannot address the "real hazard" of motor traffic.

The Department of Parks & Recreation shared these videos from shortly after today's incident and accused the police officer of an "epic double standard"...

Fifteen minutes later. 1600kg at 24/25mph. pic.twitter.com/1AVBDvZUww

— The Department of Parks & Recreation 🦌 (@ldnparks) July 16, 2021

LUZ ARDIDEN | 1990 - 2021 | #TDF2021 pic.twitter.com/fRHBi1AOPh

— ammattipyöräily (@ammattipyoraily) July 15, 2021

 The times are in...Pog, plus Richard Carapaz and Jonas Vingegaard for that matter, set the fastest times up Luz Ardiden since Lance Armstrong's infamous 2003 stage-winning attack. Yesterday's stage was considerably easier than the other most recent times on the list. It was 30km shorter and had less climbing than the Armstrong time and was 80km shorter than the Schleck time of 2011, which may account for the speedy ascending.