Skip to content
  • road.cc
  • off.road.cc
  • ebiketips
  • Shop
  • About us
  • Subscribe to the road.cc newsletter here
Log In Register
preferred-google-button

Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.
Subscribe
  • News
  • Reviews

    Bike

    Components

    Accessories

    Clothing

    Health, fitness and nutrition

    Tools and workshop

    Miscellaneous

    Road bikes

    Sportive and endurance bikes

    Gravel and adventure bikes

    Urban and hybrid bikes

    Touring bikes

    Cyclocross bikes

    Electric bikes

    Folding bikes

    Fixed & singlespeed bikes

    Children’s bikes

    Tandems

    Frames

    Accessories – misc

    Computer mounts

    Bags

    Bar ends

    Bike bags & cases

    Bottle cages

    Bottle

    Cameras

    Car racks

    Child seats

    Computers

    Glasses

    GPS units

    Helmets

    Lights – front

    Lights – rear

    Light – sets

    Locks

    Mirrors

    Mudguards

    Racks

    Pumps & CO2 inflators

    Puncture kits

    Reflectives

    Smart watches

    Stands and racks

    Trailers

    Arm & leg warmers

    Base layers

    Gilets

    Gloves – full finger

    Gloves – mitts

    Headwear

    Jackets

    Jerseys – casual

    Jerseys – long sleeve

    Jerseys – short sleeve

    Overshoes

    Shoes

    Shorts & 3/4s

    Skin suits

    Socks

    Tights & longs

    Underwear

    Trousers

    Bar tape & grips

    Bottom brackets

    Brake & gear cables

    Brake & STI levers

    Brake pads & spares

    Brakes

    Cassettes & freewheels

    Chains

    Chainsets & chainrings

    Derailleurs – front

    Derailleurs – rear

    Forks

    Gear levers & shifters

    Groupsets

    Handlebars & extensions

    Headsets

    Hubs

    Inner tubes

    Pedals

    Quick releases & skewers

    Saddles

    Seatposts

    Stems

    Wheels

    Tyres

    Energy & recovery bars

    Energy & recovery drinks

    Energy & recovery gels

    Heart rate monitors

    Hydration products

    Hydration systems

    Indoor trainers

    Power measurement

    Skincare & embrocation

    Sun care

    Training – misc

    Cleaning products

    Lubrication

    Tools – multitools

    Tools – Portable

    Tools – workshop

    Workstands

    Apps

    Books, Maps & DVDs

    Camping and outdoor equipment

    Family

    Gifts & misc

  • Buyers Guides
    Bike
    Components
    Accessories

    Clothing

    Health, fitness and nutrition

    Tools and workshop

    Miscellaneous

    Road bikes

    Sportive and endurance bikes

    Gravel and adventure bikes

    Urban and hybrid bikes

    Touring bikes

    Cyclocross bikes

    Electric bikes

    Folding bikes

    Fixed & singlespeed bikes

    Children’s bikes

    Tandems

    Frames

    Accessories – misc

    Bags

    Bike bags & cases

    Cameras

    Car racks

    Child seats

    Computers

    Glasses

    GPS units

    Helmets

    Lights – front

    Lights – rear

    Locks

    Mudguards

    Racks

    Pumps & CO2 inflators

    Puncture kits

    Reflectives

    Stands and racks

    Trailers

    Arm & leg warmers

    Base layers

    Gilets

    Gloves – full finger

    Gloves – mitts

    Headwear

    Jackets

    Jerseys – casual

    Jerseys – long sleeve

    Jerseys – short sleeve

    Overshoes

    Shoes

    Shorts & 3/4s

    Socks

    Tights & longs

    Trousers

    Bar tape & grips

    Brake & STI levers

    Brakes

    Chainsets & chainrings

    Derailleurs – front

    Derailleurs – rear

    Groupsets

    Handlebars & extensions

    Inner tubes

    Pedals

    Saddles

    Seatposts

    Wheels

    Tyres

    Heart rate monitors

    Indoor trainers

    Power measurement

    Skincare & embrocation

    Training – misc

    Lubrication

    Tools – multitools

    Tools – workshop

    Tools – Portable

    Books, Maps & DVDs

    Gifts & misc

  • Features

    All

    How To

    Tech

    Fitness

    Travel

  • Forum

    Bike Forum

    Tea Stop

  • Recommends
  • Podcast
  • Home
  • Subscribe
  • Log InRegister
  • News
  • Reviews

    Back

    Bikes

    Accessories

    Clothing

    Components

    Health, fitness and nutrition

    Tools and workshop

    Miscellaneous

    Back

    Road bikes

    Sportive and endurance bikes

    Gravel and adventure bikes

    Urban and hybrid bikes

    Touring bikes

    Cyclocross bikes

    Electric bikes

    Folding bikes

    Fixed & singlespeed bikes

    Children’s bikes

    Time trial bikes

    Tandems

    Frames

    Back

    Accessories – misc

    Computer mounts

    Bags

    Bar ends

    Bike bags & cases

    Bottle cages

    Bottles

    Cameras

    Car racks

    Child seats

    Computers

    Glasses

    GPS units

    Helmets

    Lights – front
    Lights – rear
    Light – sets
    Locks
    Mirrors
    Mudguards
    Racks
    Pumps & CO2 inflators

    Puncture kits

    Reflectives
    Smart watches
    Stands and racks
    Trailers

    Back

    Arm & leg warmers
    Base layers
    Gilets
    Gloves – full finger
    Gloves – mitts

    Headwear

    Jackets
    Jerseys – casual
    Jerseys – long sleeve
    Jerseys – long sleeve
    Overshoes
    Shoes
    Shorts & 3/4s
    Skin
    Socks
    Tights & longs
    Underwear
    Trousers

    Back

    Bar tape & grips
    Bottom brackets
    Brake & gear cables
    Brake & STI levers
    Brake pads & spares
    Brakes
    Cassettes & freewheels
    Chains
    Chainsets & chainrings
    Derailleurs – front

    Derailleurs – rear

    Forks
    Gear levers & shifters
    Groupsets
    Handlebars & extensions
    Headsets
    Hubs
    Inner tubes
    Pedals
    Quick releases & skewers
    Saddles
    Seatposts
    Stems
    Wheels
    Tyres

    Back

    Energy & recovery bars
    Energy & recovery drinks
    Energy & recovery gels
    Heart rate monitors
    Hydration products
    Hydration systems
    Indoor trainers
    Power measurement
    Skincare & embrocation
    Sun care
    Training – misc

    Back

    Cleaning products
    Lubrication
    Tools – multitools
    Tools – Portable
    Tools – workshop

    Workstands

    Back

    Apps
    Books, Maps & DVDs
    Camping and outdoor equipment
    Family
    Gifts & misc
  • Buyers Guides

    Back

    Bikes

    Accessories

    Clothing

    Components

    Health, fitness and nutrition

    Tools and workshop

    Miscellaneous

    Cross country mountain bikes

    Tubeless valves

    Back

    Road bikes

    Sportive and endurance bikes

    Gravel and adventure bikes

    Urban and hybrid bikes

    Touring bikes

    Cyclocross bikes

    Electric bikes

    Folding bikes

    Fixed & singlespeed bikes

    Children’s bikes

    Time trial bikes

    Tandems

    Frames

    Back

    Accessories – misc

    Computer mounts

    Bags

    Bar ends

    Bike bags & cases

    Bottle cages

    Bottles

    Cameras

    Car racks

    Child seats

    Computers

    Glasses

    GPS units

    Helmets

    Lights – front
    Lights – rear
    Light – sets
    Locks
    Mirrors
    Mudguards
    Racks
    Pumps & CO2 inflators

    Puncture kits

    Reflectives
    Smart watches
    Stands and racks
    Trailers

    Back

    Arm & leg warmers
    Base layers
    Gilets
    Gloves – full finger
    Gloves – mitts

    Headwear

    Jackets
    Jerseys – casual
    Jerseys – long sleeve
    Jerseys – long sleeve
    Overshoes
    Shoes
    Shorts & 3/4s
    Skin
    Socks
    Tights & longs
    Underwear
    Trousers

    Back

    Energy & recovery bars
    Energy & recovery drinks
    Energy & recovery gels
    Heart rate monitors
    Hydration products
    Hydration systems
    Indoor trainers
    Power measurement
    Skincare & embrocation
    Sun care
    Training – misc

    Back

    Cleaning products
    Lubrication
    Tools – multitools
    Tools – Portable
    Tools – workshop

    Workstands

    Back

    Apps
    Books, Maps & DVDs
    Camping and outdoor equipment
    Family
    Gifts & misc
  • Features

    Back

    All

    How To

    Tech

    Fitness

    Travel

  • Forum

    Back

    Bike Forum
    Tea Stop
  • Recommends
  • Podcast
  • Off.road.cc
  • Ebiketips
  • Shop
  • About Us
  • Subscribe to the road.cc newsletter here
Subscribe
  • road.cc
  • off.road.cc
  • ebiketips
  • Shop
  • Subscribe to the ebiketips newsletter here
Log In Register
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Buying
  • Blogs
  • road.cc
  • off.road.cc
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Buying
  • Blogs
  • road.cc
  • off.road.cc
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Buying
  • Blogs
  • road.cc
  • off.road.cc
  • road.cc
  • off.road.cc
  • ebiketips
  • Shop
  • About us
  • Subscribe to the off.road.cc weekly newsletter
Log In Register
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
    • Bikes
    • Accessories
    • Clothing
    • Components
    • Health and fitness
    • Tools and workshop
    • Hardtail Mountain bikes
    • XC Mountain bikes
    • Trail Mountain bikes
    • All-Mountain bikes
    • Enduro Mountain bikes
    • Electric Mountain bikes
    • Gravel and Adventure bikes
    • Pumps and CO2 inflators
    • Racks
    • Movie cameras
    • Mudguards
    • Bags
    • Lights - front
    • GPS units
    • Computers
    • Car racks
    • Bike bags and cases
    • Accessories - misc
    • Jerseys
    • Shoes
    • Shorts and 3/4s
    • Socks
    • Underwear
    • Jackets
    • Body armour
    • Arm and leg warmers
    • Base layers
    • Helmets
    • Gilets
    • Gloves
    • Glasses
    • Cassettes
    • Chainsets and chainrings
    • Derailleurs - rear
    • Forks
    • Gear levers and shifters
    • Groupsets
    • Handlebars
    • Headsets
    • Brakes
    • Inner tubes
    • Pedals
    • Rear shocks
    • Rotors
    • Saddles
    • Bar tape and grips
    • Bottom brackets
    • Seatposts
    • Brake pads and spares
    • Wheels
    • Tyres
    • Stems
    • Energy and recovery bars
    • Energy and recovery drinks
    • Energy and recovery gels
    • Skincare and embrocation
    • Hydration products
    • Power measurement
    • Cleaning products
    • Lubrication
    • Tools - multitools
    • Tools - portable
  • Buying
  • Features
  • Trail Guides
  • About us
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
    • Bikes
      • Hardtail Mountain bikes
      • XC Mountain bikes
      • Trail Mountain bikes
      • All-Mountain bikes
      • Enduro Mountain bikes
      • Electric Mountain bikes
      • Gravel and Adventure bikes
    • Accessories
      • Pumps and CO2 inflators
      • Racks
      • Movie cameras
      • Mudguards
      • Bags
      • Lights – front
      • GPS units
      • Computers
      • Car racks
      • Bike bags and cases
      • Accessories – misc
    • Clothing
      • Jerseys
      • Shoes
      • Shorts and 3/4s
      • Socks
      • Underwear
      • Jackets
      • Body armour
      • Arm and leg warmers
      • Base layers
      • Helmets
      • Gilets
      • Gloves
      • Glasses
    • Components
      • Cassettes
      • Chainsets and chainrings
      • Derailleurs – rear
      • Forks
      • Gear levers and shifters
      • Groupsets
      • Handlebars
      • Headsets
      • Brakes
      • Inner tubes
      • Pedals
      • Rear shocks
      • Rotors
      • Saddles
      • Bar tape and grips
      • Bottom brackets
      • Seatposts
      • Brake pads and spares
      • Wheels
      • Tyres
      • Stems
    • Health and fitness
      • Energy and recovery bars
      • Energy and recovery drinks
      • Energy and recovery gels
      • Skincare and embrocation
      • Hydration products
      • Power measurement
    • Tools and workshop
      • Cleaning products
      • Lubrication
      • Tools – multitools
      • Tools – portable
  • Buying
  • Features
  • Trail Guides
  • About Us
  • road.cc
  • Ebiketips
log in
register

Back to News

  • News
Van der Poel wins Hulst round of 2022-23 UCI World Cup
Van der Poel wins Hulst round of 2022-23 UCI World Cup (GCN) (Image Credit: GCN)

Mathieu van der Poel casually celebrates big cyclocross win with (very quick) 7km run; Driver crashes into guardrail and Twitter blames cyclists; Saudi Arabia coach compares Argentina win to bike classic; Ineos curse hits Pidcock + more on the live blog

Happy Monday everyone! November’s nearly done (eek!) and Ryan Mallon’s back in the saddle with the first live blog of the week. I’m a poet, I know it…
  • by Ryan Mallon
Mon, Nov 28, 2022 09:41
24

SUMMARY

  • Weekend roundup
  • The curse of the Ineos cyclocross bike strikes again: Tom Pidcock forced to abandon World Cup after breaking wheel
  • ‘Why don’t cyclists use the cycle lanes?’, Part 3,592
  • New desks for the road.cc office?
  • “It was like a classic, and we were with Van Aert, Van der Poel and Pogačar”: Saudi Arabia manager compares historic victory over Argentina to pro cycling
  • Post-‘cross warm downs, part two: Tom Pidcock rides home with brother after World Cup disappointment
  • Where’s that meme when you need it?
  • Good Vibrations: Bert Van Lerberghe and Grace Verbeke win Belgium’s biggest beach bike race
  • “It was a crazy idea”: French football fans finally make it to Qatar for World Cup… after cycling 7,000km in three months
  • I hope they have their mudguards on…
  • Cyclists who run: From Pidcock and MVDP to Yates, Dumoulin, and – of course – Chris Froome
  • A day in the life of MVDP: Mathieu van der Poel casually warms down with (very quick) 7km run after winning cyclocross World Cup race
Van der Poel wins Hulst round of 2022-23 UCI World Cup
Van der Poel wins Hulst round of 2022-23 UCI World Cup (GCN) (Image Credit: GCN)
Google icon
Add as a preferred source on Google
28 November 2022, 09:41

Weekend roundup

From takeaway triathletes to the demise of the Shakedry jacket, here’s what you may have missed on road.cc over the weekend:

> Don’t hang around if you want a Gore-Tex Shakedry jacket – the fabric is being retired. Plus tech news from Campagnolo, MET, Kask + more

> Pro triathlete and Ironman champ Joe Skipper turns Deliveroo cyclist

> ​Drink driver who ploughed into cyclist with friend riding on bonnet jailed for 14 months

> ​Emily Bridges: Documentary on transgender cyclist to be broadcast on ITV next week

> ​Tour de France stage winner in court after allegedly threatening to stab his brother-in-law

> Near Miss of the Day 837: Mercedes driver close passes cyclist carrying four-year-old son in child seat

28 November 2022, 09:41

The curse of the Ineos cyclocross bike strikes again: Tom Pidcock forced to abandon World Cup after breaking wheel

What is going on with the Ineos Grenadiers’ cyclocross bikes this month?

First, the British team’s marquee signing Pauline Ferrand-Prévot – and her new Pinarello Crossista F – endured a turbulent debut at the Koppenbergcross at the start of the month.

The 13-time multi-discipline world champion’s opening lap in Ineos colours was derailed by a jammed chain and a botched bike change, while yet more gearing issues forced the French rider to shoulder her malfunctioning bike and run up the steep final ascent of the Koppenberg.

> “The road season is so much more important to me”: Pidcock casts doubt on cyclocross worlds defence after dramatic debut weekend in rainbow jersey

Jammed gears were the order of the day almost three weeks later too, as Tom Pidcock’s return to World Cup racing in the rainbow bands at Overijse last weekend was almost scuppered as soon as it got underway by his bike’s refusal to co-operate.

However, an impressive and dramatic effort saw the world champion regain, and then blast clear of the front of the pack – before disaster struck again. On the penultimate lap, Pidcock crashed, breaking his shoe in the process, and letting eventual winner Michael Vanthourenhout slip away for a narrow victory.

Pidcock was on his way to the 2️⃣nd place but a broken wheel forces him to abandon the race! 😱 #CXWorldCup pic.twitter.com/Sz9PPC4sVj

— UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup (@UCIcyclocrossWC) November 27, 2022

Well, the Ineos Grenadiers will be hoping that bad luck only comes in threes, as the 23-year-old Yorkshireman suffered yet another bout of bike-related bad luck in Hulst yesterday.

Pidcock – who stormed to victory at the X20 Trofee Kortrijk on Saturday, securing his first win in the rainbow bands – continued his flying form in an epic head-to-head duel with four-time world champion Mathieu van der Poel during the seventh round of this winter’s cyclocross World Cup.

After a mammoth tussle on the brutal, muddy circuit in Hulst, an unfortunate mid-race slip on one of the course’s many steep ramps allowed the Dutchman to finally power clear of his British rival for a winning return to the ‘cross field.

Pidcock abandons Hulst World Cup round after crash (GCN)
Pidcock abandons Hulst World Cup round after crash (GCN) (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
Pidcock abandons Hulst World Cup round after crash (GCN)
Pidcock abandons Hulst World Cup round after crash (GCN) (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

Nevertheless, Pidcock looked set for a strong second place until the Ineos curse struck once again on the last lap. A crash on a tricky descent into a fencepost saw the Ineos rider’s Shimano back wheel buckle and bend like an non-EU-regulated banana.

Man, what is it about the Ineos CX bike that means it doesn’t work in cyclocross races? 😅 https://t.co/5OkEbviJno

— Mathew Mitchell (@MatMitchell30) November 27, 2022

This season’s latest untimely mechanical mishap forced the world champion to initially press on by foot, with his bike draped over his shoulder and the broken wheel waving forlornly in the cold Dutch air, before he finally, and unceremoniously, exited the race by hopping over the barriers and into the crowd.

“I don’t know exactly what happened either,” Pidcock told Het Nieuwsblad after the race. “I think I hit something, maybe that post or maybe something else.

“I’m not quite sure. My wheel broke after that. I walked for a while, but it was still far, and it was of little use.”

Pidcock abandons Hulst World Cup after crash (GCN)
Pidcock abandons Hulst World Cup after crash (GCN) (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)
Pidcock abandons Hulst World Cup after crash (GCN)
Pidcock abandons Hulst World Cup after crash (GCN) (Image Credit: Farrelly Atkinson)

Of course, this isn’t the first time this season that Shimano’s wheels have buckled under the pressure. At Paris-Roubaix, two of Jumbo-Visma’s Shimano Dura-Ace R9100 carbon rear wheels folded under their riders on the harsh, cobbled roads of northern France.

> What’s going on with Shimano’s wheels? Two carbon Dura-Ace wheels fold in half at Paris Roubaix

Shimano dead set on promoting this whole non-circular wheel thing but I’m not sure it’ll catch on pic.twitter.com/W8YKPMmoXB

— Ryan Duff (@RyanDuffCycling) November 27, 2022

Commercial tie-in with Pringles?

— Lynne Aldridge (@littleblueshed) November 27, 2022

Never mind the curse of the rainbow jersey, Pidcock will surely be hoping that the ‘curse of the Ineos mechanical’ can be exorcised before his next meeting with Van Aert and Van der Poel…

28 November 2022, 09:41

‘Why don’t cyclists use the cycle lanes?’, Part 3,592

Not sure who would be responsible for this. @MyNottingham or @NottsCC. A driver has driven into the safety barrier on Woodhouse way and it’s sticking out into the Cycle path. Hard to see in the dark!! pic.twitter.com/MXZmKbNUGb

— CycleNotts² (@CycleNott) November 27, 2022

What do you see when you look at the above photo?

The aftermath of some dangerous driving? A safety hazard for cyclists using the bike path?

Nope, not on Twitter you won’t… Over on Elon Musk Island, it’s all the fault of cyclists using flashing lights, apparently.

At least that’s the view of the anti-cycling brigade, who have taken advantage of yesterday’s warning about Nottingham’s new pedestrian barrier of death to indulge in a rare spot of future victim blaming:

Bikes should have lights, if the front one wasn’t flashing you’d see what’s in front of you! Look where your going and take responsibility for your own life!

— supersonic (@eweK97946472) November 28, 2022

Try putting some lights on your bike then.

— Lord Wally of Welly. (@MagnaWatch) November 28, 2022

Try having a light on your bicycle!

— Chris Weldon (@we75376474) November 28, 2022

“Hard to see in the dark” – especially if you’ve not got any lights on your cycle (lots are like this).

— Michael Roots (@MichaelJRoots) November 28, 2022

Must’ve been “hard to see” for the car driver who smashed into it too. Maybe they didn’t have their lights on or more likely not looking where they were going as usual.
As yet no cyclist has hit it.

— CuriousDuck (@Wil_bike) November 28, 2022

28 November 2022, 09:41

New desks for the road.cc office?

How cool is this? A library in #Utrecht where you can charge your electric device by cycling!! 🚲 pic.twitter.com/4rZMUDe41D

— Michele Bryans (@Michele_Bryans) November 25, 2022

28 November 2022, 09:41

“It was like a classic, and we were with Van Aert, Van der Poel and Pogačar”: Saudi Arabia manager compares historic victory over Argentina to pro cycling

If you’ve spent any time on Cycling Twitter™ over the past two weeks, you’re bound to have come across bike racing fans cheerfully displaying their ignorance of the great sportswashing kickaround in Qatar by asking their fellow two-wheeled enthusiasts to explain what was happening on the pitch ‘in cycling terms’.

You’ll perhaps be surprised to learn that one of the breakout stars of this most controversial of World Cups, Saudi Arabia manager Hervé Renard, has happily obliged.

Frenchman Renard, who had a spell managing Cambridge United back in 2004, oddly enough, masterminded Saudi Arabia’s sensational comeback win over pre-tournament favourites Argentina (of Lionel Messi fame) with a superb Mike Bassett-inspired halftime team bollocking.

And now it turns out that one of the World Cup’s greatest ever upsets was inspired by the dream of a smash-and-grab breakaway win in one of professional cycling’s monument classics.

No, really.

Magnifique interview d’Hervé Renard, sélectionneur français de l’Arabie Saoudite 🇸🇦 qui compare sa victoire face à l’Argentine 🇦🇷 à une classique de cyclisme 🤩

Merci @Bat pour l’information.

🎥🎙 Interview @beinsports_FR pic.twitter.com/DT2xrcgQVi

— Vélofuté (@VeloFute) November 27, 2022

In an interview with beIN Sports, the dapper 54-year-old revealed that he and his staff are big cycling fans, before comparing his side’s shock win to a Johan Vansummeren or Mat Hayman-style triumph on the road.

“It was a classic, we were with Van Aert, Van der Poel and Pogačar too. And then they looked at each other, and we managed to get away and we crossed the line as winners,” Renard laughed.

More of this please.

Perhaps he’s angling to replace Neil Warnock and Roberto Mancini as the manager of road.cc’s Footballers who Cycle XI?

28 November 2022, 09:41

Post-‘cross warm downs, part two: Tom Pidcock rides home with brother after World Cup disappointment

Some extra training for Tom Pidcock and his brother Joe pic.twitter.com/2PVh6ddpTb

— José Been (@JoseBeenTV) November 27, 2022

As Mathieu van der Poel prepared for his ‘warm down’ run following a triumphant return to cyclocross at the Hulst round of the UCI World Cup, world champion Tom Pidcock attempted to put the disappointment of a last lap crash and bendy back wheel behind him with a relaxing 40 mile spin home.

“It was planned to ride home with my brother,” Pidcock said before heading off with 20-year-old brother Joe, who raced this year for Groupama-FDJ’s development squad and is rumoured to be joining Tom’s alma mater Trinity for 2023.

“Today the ‘cross was done early, so we had that chance. I think it’s about 60km home.”

Hopefully the back wheel of his winter Dogma proved a touch sturdier than the one he raced on earlier in the day…

28 November 2022, 09:41

Where’s that meme when you need it?

You can’t have Low Traffic Neighbourhoods if there are no houses! https://t.co/gYxOXSx6Ra

— Töby Édwãrds (@IsSaddleThereIs) November 28, 2022

28 November 2022, 09:41

Good Vibrations: Bert Van Lerberghe and Grace Verbeke win Belgium’s biggest beach bike race

It’s been a bit cyclocross crazy on the live blog today, so I thought I’d mix things up a bit by sharing the results of yesterday’s… err, beach race in Belgium.

A sort of cross between road racing and the sandier aspects of cyclocross, with a bit of mountain biking thrown in, the De Panne Beach Endurance race is one of the most prestigious events in Belgium and the Netherland’s (where else?) winter beach racing season.

Move over Baywatch, it’s the De Panne Beach Endurance race. Less than 10km to go, livestream at https://t.co/zHrjBGYXaV pic.twitter.com/HwP5ZXRNan

— the Inner Ring (@inrng) November 27, 2022

Attracting over 1,000 participants every year, the De Panne Beach Endurance features 54km – yes, 54km – of windy, beachy brutality, and mixes up the tactical nuances of road racing (unsurprisingly, there are plenty of echelons) with ‘head down, ride hard’ off-road sensibilities.

> Beach slapped: Things to do on a Dutch beach in December… VecchioJo goes beach racing

It even attracts some of the best pros too: the mercurial Frank Vandenbroucke won the second edition in 1997, future Paris-Roubaix winner Johan Vansummeren took the junior title in 1999, and Canyon-Sram’s Pauliena Rooijakkers (who had a very strong 2022) has won the women’s race twice.

Even the Lion of Flanders Johan Museeuw has raced it, for goodness’ sake.

The eccentric nature of it all was underlined by yesterday’s sprint in the men’s race, which saw Quick-Step’s Bert Van Lerberghe (on a road bike) hold off Bingoal Pauwels Sauces’ veteran Timothy Dupont (on a mountain bike) for the win.

BEKIJK: Wegrenner Bert Van Lerberghe zegeviert in loodzware De Panne Beach Endurance voor Timothy Dupont #beachrace #DePanneBeachEndurance https://t.co/X1IIlzU2Ls pic.twitter.com/50yz3XHxWB

— Sporza 🚴 (@sporza_koers) November 28, 2022

Tim Declercq also proved that ‘El Tractor’ can power over the sand on his way to fourth, while Tour de France stage winner Tim Merlier took fifth, and perennial classics contender Sep Vanmarcke ninth.

In the women’s race, 2010 Tour of Flanders winner Grace Verbeke took her sixth win on the sands of De Panne.

Impressive stuff. Can’t say I want to rush to the seaside to try it, mind you…

28 November 2022, 09:41

“It was a crazy idea”: French football fans finally make it to Qatar for World Cup… after cycling 7,000km in three months

 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Mehdi Balamissa (@mehdibalamissa)

Avid readers of the live blog will remember Mehdi Balamissa and Gabriel Martin, two French football supporters who decided to show their undying love for Les Bleus (and sustainable transport) by cycling almost 7,000km from Paris to Doha for this month’s World Cup.

Balamissa, a documentary filmmaker, and TV producer Martin came up with the idea of riding their bikes to Qatar after cycling the still-considerable journey to northern Italy for the 2021 UEFA Nations League Finals.

And, after setting off from the Stade de France on 20 August, they’ve finally made it to world football’s greatest “spectacle” (alright, today’s matches have been decent I suppose).

“It was a crazy idea, but we’re the kind of people that have big ideas and don’t want to have any regrets,” Balamissa told CNN after triumphantly arriving in Doha.

“So, since we are both self-employed, we decided to block off three months of our time and come to Qatar.”

 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Mehdi Balamissa (@mehdibalamissa)

The pair hope their mammoth trip, which took them through 13 countries, will help promote the benefits of sustainable transport (as you long as you forget all the oil-based sportswashing going on at the World Cup itself of course) and said that they plan to offer cycling workshops to children from disadvantaged backgrounds when they get home.

As well as riding their bikes for the greater good, the lads’ epic journey also earned them a few, more tangible, benefits: the French Football Federation (FFF) has invited the pair to meet the team and has given them tickets for all three of France’s group games, while manager Didier Deschamps also presented each of them with a national jersey signed by the players.

 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Mehdi Balamissa (@mehdibalamissa)

“Everything here is revolving around the World Cup. We’re very excited to keep discovering the country,” Balamissa said.

“Many French people are super nice with us here and are proposing to take us places: to restaurants to visit different things.”

While Balamissa and Martin are enjoying the Doha life, the trip to get there was far from straightforward. At one point, the two cyclists were forced to travel 15 hours to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to find a bike repair shop… before taking another 15 hours just to get back to the spot where one of their bikes had broken.

“We had many troubles, but we fixed them as we went,” Martin told CNN.

“In this kind of trip, you have to be really flexible. In fact, the main part of the trip is to be flexible and to just adapt to every situation the best you can. I think we did well, actually.”

Balamissa added: “There were so many best moments. For instance, when we finished crossing Europe. It was absolutely fabulous. We crossed from the European part of Istanbul to the Asian side across the bridge.”

“Usually, that’s forbidden [by bike],” Martin said, “but we negotiated with the local police for hours and hours and they just followed us to protect us on the bridge. People along the way were so generous and kind.”

“It was very special when we got to Qatar because it meant it was the end of this crazy trip and this lifestyle that we actually enjoyed a lot,” Balamissa said.

“We’re staying until the final because France is going to win, of course,” Martin joked to CNN. “We wouldn’t have come on our bikes otherwise.”

28 November 2022, 09:41

I hope they have their mudguards on…

Rein Taaramäe & Madis Mihkels are preparing the new season in Estonia ❄️ pic.twitter.com/v0sRo5TASq

— Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert (@IntermarcheWG) November 28, 2022

28 November 2022, 09:41

Cyclists who run: From Pidcock and MVDP to Yates, Dumoulin, and – of course – Chris Froome

Mathieu van der Poel’s staggeringly quick sub-27-minute 7km run – he had just finished rampaging around a cyclocross course for an hour, after all – got us thinking about other pro cyclists fond of donning their running shoes during the off-season.

Back in February 2021, MVDP’s ‘cross rival, and current world champion, Tom Pidcock famously wound up the entire running community by uploading a post claiming to have run a 13:26 5km, just five seconds slower than the British record.

 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by ᵀᴼᴹ ᴾᴵᴰᶜᴼᶜᴷ (@tompidcock)

The greatest running achievement by a pro cyclist of all time, or a just a simple case of a dodgy GPS? I’ll let you decide…

But while cyclocrossers tend to incorporate running into their training – those bikes aren’t going to shoulder themselves – even some of the peloton’s road-only contingent have displayed some serious running chops during the colder months.

10 kilometer in 32 minuten en 38 seconden! Het leverde Tom Dumoulin een tweede plaats op in zijn Maastricht.https://t.co/8VypQG0fCI

🇳🇱 #wielrennen #hardlopen #GroeneLoperRun #Maastricht pic.twitter.com/zuUT6vHdRT

— WielerFlits.nl (@WielerFlits) November 14, 2021

This time last year, Adam Yates clocked a sub-three-hour effort at the Barcelona Marathon straight “off the beach”, while a week later the now-retired Tom Dumoulin finished second at the Groene Loper Run in his hometown of Maastricht, covering the 10km in a blistering time of 32:38, just 17 seconds behind the winner.

Meanwhile, any running-cycling crossover can’t be complete without the inclusion of L39ION of Los Angeles pro Freddy Ovett, the son of Olympic-winning middle distance runner Steve, and friend of marathon icon Eliud Kipchoge (who also, it turns out, likes to go for a spin on his bike).

 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Freddy Ovett (@freddyovett)

Last year, Ovett proved he inherited some of his father’s running legs too, clocking an impressive 2:48.55 at the Los Angeles Marathon (sorry, Adam…).

Of course, it would be remiss of us if we neglected to mention the single greatest cyclist running moment of all time.

Cue the Benny Hill theme…

28 November 2022, 09:41

A day in the life of MVDP: Mathieu van der Poel casually warms down with (very quick) 7km run after winning cyclocross World Cup race

He’s back 👋🥇

Matthieu Van Der Poel takes the win in the Men Elite race in Hulst 🇳🇱 #CXWorldCup pic.twitter.com/GUtoIxGqV4

— UCI Cyclocross (@UCI_CX) November 27, 2022

This Mathieu van der Poel fella’s a decent bike rider, isn’t he? I reckon he could go places…

After a rather inauspicious end to a tumultuous road racing season, it didn’t take long for the big Dutchman to get back to doing what he does best: destroying the field at cyclocross races.

At yesterday’s World Cup event in Hulst, Van der Poel – starting his first ‘cross race in over eleven months and despite an inconvenient fourth row start and two early crashes – looked like he’d never been away from a muddy field, storming through the pack on the diabolically difficult Dutch course.

Former World Champion van der Poel 🌈 didn’t miss his start in 🇳🇱 Hulst. After a fast start he is one of the seven riders in front of the race after the first lap. #CXWorldCup pic.twitter.com/4zFbVQZEVb

— UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup (@UCIcyclocrossWC) November 27, 2022

Capitalising on a mid-race mistake by Tom Pidcock (more on the world champion later) on one of the course’s desperately steep, wall-like ramps, Van der Poel powered away to secure his first win on the cyclocross bike since he took the rainbow bands in Oostende, way back in January 2021.

👑 Mathieu van der Poel is back!
📍Hulst 🇳🇱
✅ First race of the season.
✅ First win. #CXWorldCup pic.twitter.com/uRCfOaSCJ9

— UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup (@UCIcyclocrossWC) November 27, 2022

So, how did the Alpecin-Deceuninck rider kick back and relax after his sprightly return to the ‘cross field, on a brutal course that involved as much running up massive mud walls as it did bike riding?

By running a further seven kilometres, that’s how.

 

The 27-year-old took to Strava last night to share his ‘tempo celebration run’, which saw him cover his 7km ‘warm down’ in just under 27 minutes.

Not quite as quick as Pidcock’s infamous 13:25 5km run from February 2021 – the result of a GPS error and not Olympic track athlete legs, it turned out – but I’m sure he’s happy with his nice ‘race and run’ day out…

28 November 2022, 09:41

Met Police admit officers "clearly wrong" to scold cyclist who swore when unmarked vehicle blocked bus lane

Met Police admit officers "clearly wrong" to scold cyclist who swore when unmarked vehicle blocked bus lane

Video shows the moment officers confronted a cyclist who told them to "get out the f****** way"

28 November 2022, 09:41

Canyon aims to convert motorists with 'cycling SUV' and cargo bikes

Canyon aims to convert motorists with 'cycling SUV' and cargo bikes

"If you live in a city and want to get from A to B, you don’t need a car"

28 November 2022, 09:41

Plans for 'mini-Holland' cycling infrastructure scheme met with... positivity from locals

Plans for 'mini-Holland' cycling infrastructure scheme met with... positivity from locals

We normally fear the worst when the local paper hears from residents about plans for new cycle lanes...

Help us to bring you the best cycling content

If you’ve enjoyed this article, then please consider subscribing to road.cc from as little as £2.49. Our mission is to bring you all the news that’s relevant to you as a cyclist, independent reviews, impartial buying advice and more. Your subscription will help us to do more.

Subscribe
  • cycling live blog, live blog, road.cc live blog
Ryan Mallon
twitter
After obtaining a PhD, lecturing, and hosting a history podcast at Queen’s University Belfast, Ryan joined road.cc in December 2021 and since then has kept the site’s readers and listeners informed and enthralled (well at least occasionally) on news, the live blog, and the road.cc Podcast. After boarding a wrong bus at the world championships and ruining a good pair of jeans at the cyclocross, he now serves as road.cc’s news editor. Before his foray into cycling journalism, he wallowed in the equally pitiless world of academia, where he wrote a book about Victorian politics and droned on about cycling and bikes to classes of bored students (while taking every chance he could get to talk about cycling in print or on the radio). He can be found riding his bike very slowly around the narrow, scenic country lanes of Co. Down.  

24 Comments

24 thoughts on “Mathieu van der Poel casually celebrates big cyclocross win with (very quick) 7km run; Driver crashes into guardrail and Twitter blames cyclists; Saudi Arabia coach compares Argentina win to bike classic; Ineos curse hits Pidcock + more on the live blog”

  1. Car Delenda Est
    November 28, 2022 at 10:01 am
    0

    Was there a, now removed,
    Was there a, now removed, crime article this morning?

    Log In or Register to post comments
    • Flintshire Boy
      November 28, 2022 at 12:21 pm
      0

      .

      .

      Yes. But it’s been nicked, unfortunately.

      .

      Log In or Register to post comments
      • hutchdaddy
        November 28, 2022 at 12:46 pm
        0

        Boom boom
        Boom boom

        Log In or Register to post comments
        • ChrisB200SX
          November 29, 2022 at 10:46 am
          0

          hutchdaddy wrote:

          Boom boom

          — hutchdaddy

          One of my favourite Basil Brush jokes is…

          Two terrorists walk into a bar…

          Log In or Register to post comments
  2. IanMSpencer
    November 28, 2022 at 10:50 am
    0

    https://twitter.com

    This is why cyclists ride IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. This happens so often here where drivers just don’t look before they pull out.#cycling in #Sheffield pic.twitter.com/GEOGg8u2I4

    — CyclingInASkirt (@CyclingInASkirt) November 25, 2022

    “This is why cyclists ride IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. This happens so often here where drivers just don’t look before they pull out.”

    CyclistInASkirt bemoans a car pulling out quite quickly and far from a line of parked cars.

    There was an interesting drivist response:

    “Nah it’s really difficult to see oncoming traffic from that parked position when parked. You have to pull out to get good view. Your responsibility to anticipate hazards.”

    As I pointed out in response:

    “The driver has a responsibility not to create a hazard. For example, parking against the flow of traffic is poor driving and inevitably leads to a problem when exiting a space. HWC 239: ‘do not park facing against the traffic flow’ Whose problem is it now?”

    The interesting thing being that a commenter could think that it is reasonable for drivers to drive hazardously and a cyclist is responsible for dealing with it.

    Edit: Another comment, representative of an attitude we see a lot, it is only a “DO NOT” park on the wrong side of the road so it isn’t illegal. That makes it OK then?
     

    Log In or Register to post comments
    • Steve K
      November 28, 2022 at 10:49 am
      0

      IanMSpencer wrote:

      https://twitter.com/CyclingInASkirt/status/1596216860239958017?s=20&t=xvFTxgymriOQgTlA7i9yjQ

      “This is why cyclists ride IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. This happens so often here where drivers just don’t look before they pull out.”

      CyclistInASkirt bemoans a car pulling out quite quickly and far from a line of parked cars.

      There was an interesting drivist response:

      “Nah it’s really difficult to see oncoming traffic from that parked position when parked. You have to pull out to get good view. Your responsibility to anticipate hazards.”

      As I pointed out in response:

      “The driver has a responsibility not to create a hazard. For example, parking against the flow of traffic is poor driving and inevitably leads to a problem when exiting a space. HWC 239: ‘do not park facing against the traffic flow’ Whose problem is it now?”

      The interesting thing being that a commenter could think that it is reasonable for drivers to drive hazardously and a cyclist is responsible for dealing with it.

      — IanMSpencer

      All that.  But also cycling “in the middle of the road” like that is anticipating hazards, which was exactly CyclistInASkirt’s point that was missed by that particular drivist.

      Log In or Register to post comments
      • IanMSpencer
        November 28, 2022 at 11:29 am
        0

        Steve K wrote:

        All that.  But also cycling “in the middle of the road” like that is anticipating hazards, which was exactly CyclistInASkirt’s point that was missed by that particular drivist.

        — Steve K

        Indeed, as by just about all the other drivists in the thread who jump through hoops to say the driving was ideal.

        Log In or Register to post comments
  3. Hirsute
    November 28, 2022 at 12:07 pm
    0

    Dash cam you uk

    Dash cam you uk

    Couple of young oiks followed by a rather drunk cyclist !
    https://youtu.be/A5lN60tZv00?t=28

    This one made my blood boil. I hope the police driver has been removed from the roads until they can prove they can drive without putting people in danger.

     

    Also within that episode there are some horrendous driving round roundabouts the wrong way, one of which could easily have been fatal.

     

    Log In or Register to post comments
    • BalladOfStruth
      November 28, 2022 at 12:15 pm
      0

      That one also illustrates the

      That one also illustrates the issue with the blind overtakes that a worrying amount of drivers see no issue with (e.g, the ones right before junctions) – what happened when he was presented with an oncoming vehicle? He panicked and swerved back towards the cyclist he hadn’t finished overtaking. 

      If the dashcam vehicle would have been a second or so “earlier” up the road, the overtaking vehicle would have hit the cyclist.

      Log In or Register to post comments
      • Hirsute
        November 28, 2022 at 12:56 pm
        0

        That’s one of my bugbears

        That’s one of my bugbears with essex police. I submit the same blind bend (NSL, oncoming traffic 50+, passing traffic 45+, me up hill less than 10). They don’t give more than a letter but I’m the one who will be a KSI.

        Log In or Register to post comments
    • brooksby
      November 28, 2022 at 12:39 pm
      0

      The driving-the-wrong-way

      The driving-the-wrong-way-around-roundabouts were particularly terrifying. 

      On the pulling-out-in-front-of-someone-on-a-roundabout ones, the cynical part of me would love to see an exterior shot to see whether the dashcammer was correctly indicating…

      Log In or Register to post comments
      • Hirsute
        November 28, 2022 at 12:58 pm
        0

        Of course you should nto amke

        Of course you should not make any assumptions on indicators alone…

        Actually heard the indicator on one this week though but as you do, always wonder if there was an indicator on.

        Log In or Register to post comments
        • Patrick9-32
          November 28, 2022 at 2:50 pm
          0

          There are a few junctions

          There are a few junctions near me where the occasional driver who correctly indicates actually takes me by surprise. 

          Log In or Register to post comments
      • AlsoSomniloquism
        November 28, 2022 at 3:48 pm
        0

        There did seem to be a spate

        There did seem to be a spate of driving the wrong side of the road / islands / junctions. Just a coincidence they were mostly in the same video or a trend of driving behaviour getting even worse?

        Although the one red light jump, wouldn’t in theory qualify if they initially went over the lines when green but got delayed. 

        Log In or Register to post comments
    • AlsoSomniloquism
      November 28, 2022 at 3:44 pm
      0

      I had to re-watch that. I

      I had to re-watch that. I thought it was an Ambulance at first, not a police car.

      On the subject of poor driving standard for Police, the other week I was commuting home along here. A police car, a normal car and a police van were driving ahead of me approching this mini-roundabout. 

      Now there is only one MUST rule in the Highway code in relation to any Roundabout, all the rest are just advisory. So guess which was the only vehicle of the four of us to follow that rule. (And I don’t mean just the right side wheels touching it, it was treated like it wasn’t even on the road). 

      Log In or Register to post comments
  4. brooksby
    November 28, 2022 at 12:21 pm
    0

    https://metro.co.uk/2022/11

    50,000 driving tests taken by learners who’ve failed five times already

    More than 50,000 driving tests a year are taken by people who have already failed at least five times, research shows.

    The RAC Foundation said the figures suggest ‘driving might not be the thing for some people’.

    Its analysis of Department for Transport data found 50,875 practical tests taken in Britain in the 12 months to March were candidates on their sixth attempt or greater.

    …

    DfT bosses recently said the frequency of examiners ‘physically’ intervening to avoid a dangerous incident has increased to one in eight tests.

    Log In or Register to post comments
  5. Hirsute
    November 28, 2022 at 1:42 pm
    0

    It was the first Sunday in

    It was the first Sunday in Advent yesterday, beginning the season of goodwill to all men (obvs and any type of gender, gender identification etc etc).

    So more of a plea than a request.

    Can people stop feeding the usual suspects for a season. It is utterly tedious and a bit offputting to see a wall of disgreement down to minutiae repeated ad nauseum.

    I’m not expecting people to ignore clear lies or misinformation but perhaps people could do a bit of triage and limit themselves to one or two rebutals of the most important disinformation posts.

    And of course avoid telling then to eff off. We don’t want the police on here claiming public order offences !

    Log In or Register to post comments
    • Steve K
      November 28, 2022 at 2:45 pm
      0

      hirsute wrote:

      It was the first Sunday in Advent yesterday, beginning the season of goodwill to all men (obvs and any type of gender, gender identification etc etc).

      So more of a plea than a request.

      Can people stop feeding the usual suspects for a season. It is utterly tedious and a bit offputting to see a wall of disgreement down to minutiae repeated ad nauseum.

      I’m not expecting people to ignore clear lies or misinformation but perhaps people could do a bit of triage and limit themselves to one or two rebutals of the most important disinformation posts.

      And of course avoid telling then to eff off. We don’t want the police on here claiming public order offences !

      — hirsute

      Well said.  I’ve been trying to follow your sage advice, though I occasionally I fail.

      Log In or Register to post comments
    • Owd Big 'Ead
      November 28, 2022 at 7:29 pm
      0

      hirsute wrote:

      It was the first Sunday in Advent yesterday, beginning the season of goodwill to all men (obvs and any type of gender, gender identification etc etc).

      So more of a plea than a request.

      Can people stop feeding the usual suspects for a season. It is utterly tedious and a bit offputting to see a wall of disgreement down to minutiae repeated ad nauseum.

      I’m not expecting people to ignore clear lies or misinformation but perhaps people could do a bit of triage and limit themselves to one or two rebutals of the most important disinformation posts.

      And of course avoid telling then to eff off. We don’t want the police on here claiming public order offences !

      — hirsute

      Indeed.

      Haven’t bothered participating on the site in ages, it’s just become a wank-fest of intolerance. Surely there’s an ignore facility, so the regular offenders can be blocked?

      Log In or Register to post comments
      • Hirsute
        November 28, 2022 at 9:25 pm
        0

        You can ignore people with
        You can ignore people with ublock origin and adding in a rule., however there is no forum facility as found elsewhere.

        Log In or Register to post comments
        • Owd Big 'Ead
          November 29, 2022 at 11:56 am
          0

          Thanks for the advice
          Thanks for the advice @hirsute.
          Perhaps road.cc could consider a fully functioning forum before offering a subscription service. Being able to block certain posters would be worth the subscription fee alone. Without such a feature, I’ll just take my views elsewhere, you know, to sites that value the interactions of their members.

          Log In or Register to post comments
    • Bungle_52
      November 28, 2022 at 9:17 pm
      0

      Count me in.

      Count me in.

      Log In or Register to post comments
  6. perce
    November 28, 2022 at 4:33 pm
    0

    There is a programme on

    There is a programme on Talking Pictures tv tonight about cycling in the 1960’s as part of the Look at Life series. Might be quite interesting, it’s only on for fifteen minutes I think and it’s probably been on before (and will be again). 22:45 I think.

    Log In or Register to post comments
  7. marmotte27
    November 28, 2022 at 5:34 pm
    0

    Sad to see how in France the

    Sad to see how in France the advantages of front loading touring bicycles have been all but forgotten.

    Log In or Register to post comments

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

 

 

Read more...

How modern marginal gains are helping underdogs EF Education-EasyPost secure famous Tour de France victories
How modern marginal gains are helping underdogs EF Education-EasyPost secure famous Tour de France victories
feature
0
LIVE BLOG
“She saw nothing was wrong, came back and started screaming about how I’m a f***ing moron”: Cyclists share “terrifying” road rage experiences; Hinault tips Pogacar to win three Grand Tours in a year + more on the live blog
“She saw nothing was wrong, came back and started screaming about how I’m a f***ing moron”: Cyclists share “terrifying” road rage experiences; Hinault tips Pogacar to win three Grand Tours in a year + more on the live blog
news
26
PRO Pioneer Performance Handlebar Tape
PRO Pioneer Performance Handlebar Tape
Comfy, grippy, but lacks durability
review
0
What happens when a social media influencer gets pulled over on his heavily modified electric motorbike by undercover police dressed as roadmen? Yet more confusion and mixed messages about the legality of e-bikes
What happens when a social media influencer gets pulled over on his heavily modified electric motorbike by undercover police dressed as roadmen? Yet more confusion and mixed messages about the legality of e-bikes
While these very well disguised officers were actually hoping to nab Al Capone for tax evasion, over in Birmingham a delivery rider had his perfectly legal electric cargo bike destroyed for no good reason. What message does all this inconsistency send?
blog
4
“I’m winning races, and I believe you’ve got to be as clean and transparent as you possibly can”: Victor Bosoni on how he won the Tour Divide… and THAT Traka controversy
“I’m winning races, and I believe you’ve got to be as clean and transparent as you possibly can”: Victor Bosoni on how he won the Tour Divide… and THAT Traka controversy
Just a few weeks back the ultra-fast French racer Victor Bosoni stormed home to victory in the Tour Divide, one of the greatest offroad endurance races around. Steve caught up with him to hear about how he won the race, and his controversial Traka
feature
0
“I didn’t know if I had just been naïve”: German cyclist “embarrassed” as bike stolen from Newcastle metro station days after completing Land’s End to John O’Groats ride
“I didn’t know if I had just been naïve”: German cyclist “embarrassed” as bike stolen from Newcastle metro station days after completing Land’s End to John O’Groats ride
“I locked up my bike at the station but when I came back someone had taken it. I couldn’t believe it”
news
7
New LAP Project 001 clothing promises integrated crash protection without sacrificing speed
New LAP Project 001 clothing promises integrated crash protection without sacrificing speed
LAP has unveiled cycle clothing that integrates D3O impact protection while aiming to retain low weight, aerodynamics and freedom of movement. The company says the launch addresses one of cycling’s last remaining trade-offs: choosing between speed and protection
tech news
1
Udog Forza
Udog Forza
Fantastic shoes when you're on the bike, undone by a sole that's impractical for walking
review
0

Read more...

“I’m winning races, and I believe you’ve got to be as clean and transparent as you possibly can”: Victor Bosoni on how he won the Tour Divide… and THAT Traka controversy
“I’m winning races, and I believe you’ve got to be as clean and transparent as you possibly can”: Victor Bosoni on how he won the Tour Divide… and THAT Traka controversy
feature
0
Giant Reign Advanced E+ 2 e-MTB
Giant Reign Advanced E+ 2 e-MTB
A composed and capable bike with adjustments galore but power hungry and rattles
review
0
Chinese bikes, MTBs from the pros and prototype brakes: All the best mountain bikes and kit from Ard Rock 2026
Chinese bikes, MTBs from the pros and prototype brakes: All the best mountain bikes and kit from Ard Rock 2026
The UK's greatest mountain bike festival returned to Swaledale for yet another year, and brands brought some mighty cool kit for us to peruse
feature
0
Cross country or trail? We take a look at Canyon’s genre-straddling Lux Trail and more from Topeak, Cast, Adidas and Albek
Cross country or trail? We take a look at Canyon’s genre-straddling Lux Trail and more from Topeak, Cast, Adidas and Albek
Get your weekly fix of Five Cool Things featuring kit from Canyon, Topeak, Cast, Adidas and Albek
feature
0
Kali’s Kru helmet gets world first titanium chin-bar to blend DH protection with lightweight
Kali’s Kru helmet gets world first titanium chin-bar to blend DH protection with lightweight
Is this the ultimate mash-up of full-face and three-quarter helmets?
tech news
0
This wild new German gravel bike could “redefine gravel racing and everyday adventure riding”, claims its creator
This wild new German gravel bike could “redefine gravel racing and everyday adventure riding”, claims its creator
The SilverRider is the latest bike from Silverback incorporating the brand's patent-pending 'S-Shape Skeletal Structure', said to strike a fine balance of power transfer and comfort... all while looking extremely distinctive, of course
tech news
3
Coast Optics Nita XL Photochromatic
Coast Optics Nita XL Photochromatic
Top class performance, keen pricing and frames that are more eco-friendly than many
review
0
Specialized unveils Ultralight version of its genre-bending Turbo Levo R Ultralight e-MTB, shedding weight down to just 18.8kg
Specialized unveils Ultralight version of its genre-bending Turbo Levo R Ultralight e-MTB, shedding weight down to just 18.8kg
The Ultralight takes the lightweight full suspension electric mountain bike concept a step further, shedding significantly more grams than the other Levo R models. It will also cost you a cool £11,999, but at least that's a fair bit less than the range-topping Levo 4 Ltd (yours for £16,999)
tech news
0

Read more...

What happens when a social media influencer gets pulled over on his heavily modified electric motorbike by undercover police dressed as roadmen? Yet more confusion and mixed messages about the legality of e-bikes
What happens when a social media influencer gets pulled over on his heavily modified electric motorbike by undercover police dressed as roadmen? Yet more confusion and mixed messages about the legality of e-bikes
blog
4
Giant Reign Advanced E+ 2 e-MTB
Giant Reign Advanced E+ 2 e-MTB
A composed and capable bike with adjustments galore but power hungry and rattles
review
0
“Insufficient, inadequate, circumvented”: Chinese e-retailer AliExpress fined €550 million for failure to enforce compliance checks against illegal, unsafe goods
“Insufficient, inadequate, circumvented”: Chinese e-retailer AliExpress fined €550 million for failure to enforce compliance checks against illegal, unsafe goods
The ruling could have serious consequences for the UK's import of bike and e-bikes that fail to meet trading standards
news
10
City of London cracks down on poor e-bike parking, Fox’s e-MTB dropper, free e-bike rides for Mancs + more
City of London cracks down on poor e-bike parking, Fox’s e-MTB dropper, free e-bike rides for Mancs + more
Check out all this week's latest e-bike goodies, including Fox's e-bike specific seatpost, free rides for Mancunians, an inspiring journeys + more
feature
0
Police to stop using “bogus” e-bike speed test as charges against delivery cyclist who had £6,000 cargo bike seized and destroyed are dropped
Police to stop using “bogus” e-bike speed test as charges against delivery cyclist who had £6,000 cargo bike seized and destroyed are dropped
The bike shop that loaned the bike to the cyclist has also been reimbursed, with West Midlands Police now saying it will explore “alternative testing” after admitting the method used by its officers was “not accurate”
news
26
vanRaam Easy Rider Compact Tricycle
vanRaam Easy Rider Compact Tricycle
Superb design for easy and practical riding if you're looking for three-wheeled electric assistance
review
1
Specialized unveils Ultralight version of its genre-bending Turbo Levo R Ultralight e-MTB, shedding weight down to just 18.8kg
Specialized unveils Ultralight version of its genre-bending Turbo Levo R Ultralight e-MTB, shedding weight down to just 18.8kg
The Ultralight takes the lightweight full suspension electric mountain bike concept a step further, shedding significantly more grams than the other Levo R models. It will also cost you a cool £11,999, but at least that's a fair bit less than the range-topping Levo 4 Ltd (yours for £16,999)
tech news
0
Police seize and destroy delivery cyclist’s legal e-bike hired through council-funded scheme after “bogus” test – but officers claim rider didn’t have insurance
Police seize and destroy delivery cyclist’s legal e-bike hired through council-funded scheme after “bogus” test – but officers claim rider didn’t have insurance
The cyclist’s e-bike was seized after officers tested its speed by lifting the back wheel and turning the pedals, clocking a speed of 47kph – which they claimed was proof that the bike failed to meet the current regulations
news
37

Latest Comments

kyzyl2 14 minutes ago

The physics principle exploited is that opposing forces equal applied forces. Conventional power meters measure applied forces--very well but admittedly not cheaply. This app appears to measure acceleration and slope to determine two of four important opposing forces. Notice something missing? Wind...the dominant opposing force when riding on the flats or in a pack. This app assumes that wind speed equals bike speed in order to "guess" the critical opposing wind force it does not measure. If you always ride solo and never ride when the wind blows maybe this app will work OK for you. Otherwise you are wasting your money. There is no such thing as free power.

in: New Ride app promises real-time power with no power meter required
Sredlums 3 hours ago

Not gonna lie, when I saw the name LAP I thought 'Here we go again, yet another pretentious brand like MAAP, PNS, ASOS and Rapha that wants to grab a piece of the 'bragging rights' cycling category. But, to my surprise, what they bring to the table seems pretty well considered. Let's see if this idea gets some traction.

in: New LAP Project 001 clothing promises integrated crash protection without sacrificing speed
wtjs 7 hours ago

The difference in the UK is that the police don't try to hide their pride in paying no attention to bicycle theft, in order to maintain credibility with their motorhead mates. When the British Transport Police actually declared they weren't interested (OK, there were some provisos to that, but what they really meant was: cyclists can get stuffed) in cycle theft, they were forced to retract that officially but continued in practice to teach cyclists a lesson by making no effort to catch the thieves (I assume - no personal experience of this particular police-encouraged crime wave)

in: “I didn’t know if I had just been naïve”: German cyclist “embarrassed” as bike stolen from Newcastle metro station days after completing Land’s End to John O’Groats ride
mjc2669 7 hours ago

Might have been usefull to describe the bike / brand etc..?

in: “I didn’t know if I had just been naïve”: German cyclist “embarrassed” as bike stolen from Newcastle metro station days after completing Land’s End to John O’Groats ride
chrisonabike 8 hours ago

Operation "Sorry Not Attempting Prosecution"? Certainly some forces see it as a success!

in: Police say “Operation SNAP has become so successful” as they continue not to investigate close passes without being able to measure passing distances
Xenophon2 8 hours ago

I have some Assos gear and generally like it but at 295 GBP, trouser legs that slip upwards while riding are most definitely unacceptable. That's a kill right there in my book. Hell, I own several bib shorts that cost me 1/4 th of that amount and while they are not so supremely comfy as Assos where the pad is concerned, no slippage.

in: Assos Equipe RSR Bolide Bib Shorts S11
Rendel Harris 9 hours ago

@mdavidford "We should all love one another and I know there are people who do not love their fellow man and I HATE people like that!" Tom Lehrer. Thing is Tom was being satirical...

in: “She saw nothing was wrong, came back and started screaming about how I’m a f***ing moron”: Cyclists share “terrifying” road rage experiences; Hinault tips Pogacar to win three Grand Tours in a year + more on the live blog
Benthic 9 hours ago

Bristol City Council is hell bent on turning the former railway line into a so-called relief road for the A4. Van dweller pitches are simply a ruse to bide it time whilst it plots its next manoeuvrers.

in: Proposed bike lane rejected in favour of temporary van dwelling site due to safety concerns
Rendel Harris 10 hours ago

@BaselGooner In the early '90s a friend of mine was working in Geneva, his girlfriend had her (unlocked) bike stolen one night and two days later it reappeared in the same rack outside her flat cleaned, oiled and with flowers and chocolates tied to the rear rack and a note saying, "I took your bike because I was drunk and had no money for taxi or bus. I thought it was funny but I was wrong. Sincerest apologies." I've always remembered that and thought what a great place Switzerland must be for cycle ownership if that's representative, sorry to hear it might not be.

in: “I didn’t know if I had just been naïve”: German cyclist “embarrassed” as bike stolen from Newcastle metro station days after completing Land’s End to John O’Groats ride
MaxiMinimalist 10 hours ago

Said motorists remain mentally ill when they aren't behind the wheel.

in: “She saw nothing was wrong, came back and started screaming about how I’m a f***ing moron”: Cyclists share “terrifying” road rage experiences; Hinault tips Pogacar to win three Grand Tours in a year + more on the live blog

Most Popular News

1. “I didn’t know if I had just been naïve”: German cyclist “embarrassed” as bike stolen from Newcastle metro station days after completing Land’s End to John O’Groats ride

2. “She saw nothing was wrong, came back and started screaming about how I’m a f***ing moron”: Cyclists share “terrifying” road rage experiences; Hinault tips Pogacar to win three Grand Tours in a year + more on the live blog

3. “Insufficient, inadequate, circumvented”: Chinese e-retailer AliExpress fined €550 million for failure to enforce compliance checks against illegal, unsafe goods

4. Proposed bike lane rejected in favour of temporary van dwelling site due to safety concerns

5. The Tour de France’s Montmartre experiment is the best thing to happen to cycling for years – but please, ASO, make it count for the GC next time; “It’s too hard to answer!” Pogačar and Evenepoel baffled by climate change question + more on the live blog

6. Police say “Operation SNAP has become so successful” as they continue not to investigate close passes without being able to measure passing distances

7. Dealclincher x Zwift: Save over £100 on the Wahoo Kickr Core 2 in Zwift’s Tour Fever Sale, now down to just £399!

8. Tour de France’s final stage in Paris shortened due to “exceptional circumstances” caused by wildfires

Award-winning cycling news, reviews and buying advice

QUICK LINKS

  • About us
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Buyers Guides
  • Features
  • Tech
  • Forum
  • Opinion
  • Podcast
  • Recommends
  • Shop
  • Bicycle Insurance

FOLLOW US ON

preferred-google-button
rcc-facebook
rcc-youtube
rcc-insta
rcc-threads
rcc-bluesky
rcc-whatsapp
rcc-rss

Our Websites

GET IN TOUCH

Editorial, general: info@road.cc
Tech, reviews: tech@road.cc
Advertising, commercial: sales@fat.digital
View our media pack

Privacy policy

Support us

Subscribe

All material © Farrelly Atkinson (F-At) Limited, Unit 7b Green Park Station BA11JB. Tel 01225 588855. © 2008–present unless otherwise stated. Terms and conditions of use

offroad_logo
Mountain bike and gravel cycling reviews, news and advice

QUICK LINKS

  • About us
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Buyers Guides
  • Features
  • Trail Guides
  • Blog

FOLLOW US ON

rcc-facebook
rcc-youtube
rcc-insta
rcc-threads
rcc-bluesky
rcc-rss

Our Websites

roadcc-logo

GET IN TOUCH

Editorial, tech and reviews: info@off.road.cc
Advertising, commercial: sales@fat.digital
View our media pack

Privacy policy

Support us

Subscribe

All material © Farrelly Atkinson (F-At) Limited, Unit 7b Green Park Station BA11JB. Tel 01225 588855. © 2008–present unless otherwise stated. Terms and conditions of use

Electric bike reviews, news and advice

QUICK LINKS

  • About us
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Buyers Guides
  • Features
  • Blog

FOLLOW US ON

rcc-facebook
rcc-youtube
rcc-insta
rcc-threads
rcc-bluesky
rcc-rss

Our Websites

roadcc-logo

GET IN TOUCH

Editorial, tech and reviews: info@ebiketips.road.cc
Advertising, commercial: sales@fat.digital
View our media pack

Privacy policy

Support us

Subscribe

All material © Farrelly Atkinson (F-At) Limited, Unit 7b Green Park Station BA11JB. Tel 01225 588855. © 2008–present unless otherwise stated. Terms and conditions of use