“Insanely reductive framing of an entire continent”: Cycling fans react to Biniam Girmay being asked about not having money growing up; TfL bus driver claims cyclists should only use bike lanes; Tour de France pros do keepie uppies + more on the live blog

In a Tour which has had everything so far, from the engrossing general classification battle of Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard, Mark Cavendish winning his 35th stage, Romain Bardet in yellow in his last rodeo, Remco Evenepoel winning a time trial on his debut… I can keep going on.

But one of the best, if not the best, storyline to come out of this race has been the success of Biniam Girmay, the Intermarché-Wanty rider from Eritrea who was initially drafted in the team to support sprinter Gerben Thijssen, but has instead made the show all about him, not only becoming the first black African rider to win a Tour de France stage, but going on to win two more and grab the green jersey.

> “It’s our moment, it’s our time”: History-maker Biniam Girmay becomes first black African rider to win a Tour de France stage in chaotic sprint in Turin

Despite his crash in the final two kilometres yesterday, Biniam still has a 32-point lead over last year’s green jersey winner Jasper Philipsen, and with all sprint stages, this battle looks set to go down to the wire.

Meanwhile, back in Asmara, Eritrea’s capital, people have taken to the streets to celebrate their home hero, with cycling going higher and higher in popularity in the country

Watch the moment the streets of Asmara in Eritrea erupt as local hero, cyclist Biniam Girmay, won his third stage of this year's Tour de France! 🇪🇷

🚴 Tour de France | Watch on SBS or stream free SBS On Demand here: https://t.co/qNexrLIZQy pic.twitter.com/tE4faqpTFh

— SBS Australia (@SBS) July 15, 2024

However, with Biniam still the only black cyclist in the pro peloton, fans have criticised a French documentary about the 24-year-old where the interviewer asks him a strange question, but his response is even more graceful and commendable.

“Maybe it’s a strange question, but how was your childhood?” the interviewer asks in the documentary titled C’est mon tour (‘It’s my turn’). “Did you have trouble with money? Was cycling a way to get out of…”

Biniam replies: “No, this question is bad. My family is not rich, not poor. They are alright, they have everything. Cycling is my passion, I don’t do it to get money or rich.”

That sucks. I'm glad he stood up for himself

— The Cycling Dad (@JayDadCycling) July 17, 2024

Fans have criticised this question from the documentary which aired in April this year, with a Twitter account writing: “Such an insanely reductive framing of an entire continent as large as Africa, it's unreal.”

Other people pointed out the subtle racism, saying that the same question doesn’t get asked to former pro from South Africa Daryl Impey who wore the yellow jersey in 2013, or Biniam’s teammate South African teammate Louis Meintjes, or even four-time Tour winner Chris Froome, who grew up in Kenya.

Such an insanely reductive framing of an entire continent as large as Africa, it's unreal

— #SiempreGino (@NairoInGreen) July 17, 2024

However, some people also noted the reportedly poor economic conditions of Eritrea, most notably caused by global sanctions imposed by the west due to the country’s Marxist-Lenninist government which rose to power after the Eritrean War of Independence.

What do you think? Was the question justified or is this yet another case of deep-rooted racism?

Following the official opening of this Parliament with the King’s Speech, Cycling UK has given its response to the proposed bills and measures which will have a direct impact on cycling.

Sarah McMonagle, director of external affairs at Cycling UK, said: “In today’s King’s Speech the government has presented a promising plan for the future of transport in this country. Commitments made to get Britain building have the power to enhance economic growth, improve public health, and help us meet our climate targets. However, this progress is contingent on ensuring that investments include the development of walking and cycling infrastructure from the get-go.

“We are encouraged by the prospect of increased local decision-making and see it as an opportunity to grant local leaders in England more authority to implement transport improvements in their communities. We will push the Government to pair this with increased investment in active travel, to ensure the huge benefits of cycling, for our health, our economy and our environment, are realised.”

> Welsh government review “most significant change” in UK roads building policy in 20 years, says Cycling UK

However, the reaction from Collaborative Mobility UK was quite contrasting, the charity saying that it was it is “disappointing” to see that the King’s Speech failed to legalise e-scooters or expand car clubs and bike share schemes.

Richard Dilks, chief executive of CoMoUK, said: “It is disappointing that after its comprehensive victory at the election earlier this month, Labour has not seized the chance to be as bold as it could have been in the King’s Speech.

“We welcome the government’s intention to improve services for bus and rail passengers, but there is a clear policy gap when it comes to shared transport, which has the potential to work alongside these other reforms in decarbonising the way we travel.

“Giving e-scooters and other similar vehicles legal status is a common sense move that would bring the UK into line with most other European countries and give people a flexible and green way to get around.

“In the meantime, we would like England’s e-scooter trials to be expanded, with more vehicles covering wider areas in response to local demand. New schemes should also be approved in council areas that could benefit.

“Today’s announcement of plans to give more powers to local councils in England should also include the ability to expand the use of shared transport, whether that is through new bike schemes or on-demand buses following flexible routes.

“Any shake-up to the planning system should also ensure that bike share schemes, car clubs and other similar initiatives are put front and centre.

“Ministers have a huge opportunity to push ahead with the expansion of shared transport, which our research has shown carries numerous benefits, including cutting greenhouse gas emissions and improving people’s health. They need to seize the day.”

Ain't no rest for the wicked seems to be the tune on Tadej Pogačar's mind as the yellow jersey attacks with just 5km to go!

Meanwhile, Jonas Vingeagard has tried to follow but only been able to catch teammate Christophe Laporte up the road, as the Visma-Lease a Bike pair along with Remco Evenepoel try and bridge the gap to Pogačar.

#TDF2024 - 🏁 4.7 KM

Attack Pogacar!!!!

Vingegaard is struggling as Evenepoel follows!#DomestiqueLive pic.twitter.com/sZSNyYLSp6

— Domestique (@Domestique___) July 17, 2024

Breakaway madness, a Richard Carapaz win on the table, AND a GC battle?!

The Tour de France is one of the most gruelling and prestigious cycling races in the world, and although race organisers do their best to make the riding conditions as good as they can get for the riders, punctures are still inevitable.

With riders covering around 3,500 kilometres across varied and challenging terrain, punctures happen, and often at the worst possible times. But unlike us, the pros don't carry a full puncture repair kit in their back pocket – instead, they mostly rely on their team support to get them back riding again. So how do the teams and riders deal with punctures, then? In this article, we delve into all the tips and tricks the pro teams use for getting riders back on the road again rapidly... 

> What happens when a Tour de France rider punctures? From wheel and bike swaps to neutral support, here's how pros get back on the road in rapid time

Islabikes may have ceased production of its well-respected children's bikes in the autumn, but founder Isla Rowntree has returned as "100 per cent owner" and has launched a new spare parts website to help keep "all the Islabikes we sold over 18 years in circulation".

The Islabikes website now displays a range of spare parts for purchase, with a handy selector tool to help customers filter the exact part they will need based on the model, size and age.

> Islabikes launches spare parts website, as founder returns as "100%" owner "motivated by idea of keeping all Islabikes we sold over 18 years in circulation"

Research published in the British Medical Journal concluded that its findings "provide direct evidence of the health benefits of active commuting", with those who cycle to work associated with a 47 per cent lower risk of death and 24 per cent lower risk of hospital admission for cardiovascular disease. However, with cycle commuters twice as likely as 'inactive' commuters to be admitted to hospital after a road traffic collision, the research suggests it "reinforces the need for safer cycling infrastructure" to enable more people to access active travel journeys and the "important" health benefits.

Read more: > Cycling your commute can lower risk of death by 47%, as long as you aren't hit by a driver

Of course, it's Remco Evenepoel!

The Belgian, who used to play football, even representing his country at U16 level and playing for Belgian club RSC Andrelecht, aced Tour de Titiama's challenge of keepie uppies at the Tour de France.

 

 

 

 

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Other players to take the challenge included Romain Bardet, who showed some French flair with nice skill to receive the ball (although his first touch was more Lukaku, less Henry) as well as Dylan Groenewegen who displayed some really solid technique and bagged the runners up position.

One man who could certainly do with some much needed improvement and keepie uppie training would be Team dsm-firmenich PostNL's Frank van der Broek, who sheparded Bardet in his last Tour de France to an emotional victory in the first stage, after the 23-year-old Dutch rider managed a total of two bounces in the challenge. Guess he can make up for that by going strong in the breakaway once again!

 

 

 

 

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Police in Nottingham have released images of suspects wanted in connection with a shocking robbery at a branch of Rutland Cycling which saw staff threatened with shears and a knife before bikes worth £22,200 were taken.

Detectives investigating the armed robbery said that a group of masked males entered the shop on Nottingham Road, New Basford, at 4.30pm on 11 June and used shears to remove high-value bikes cable-tied to a display. When they were challenged by staff, the offenders turned violent and threatened the shop workers with the shears and a Stanley knife. 

> Bike shop staff threatened with knife and shears during "appalling ordeal", as e-bikes worth £22,200 stolen during shocking robbery