Alan Sugar shows off custom Union Jack Pinarello Dogma; Canyon speak over Van der Poel's broken bars; Mayoral Press Office own Daily Mail anti-cycling rant with epic reply; The only pro racing we could do; Alex Dowsett's priorities + more on the live blog

Yesterday, a part of the bars on Mathieu van der Poel's Canyon Aeroad appeared to break off... of course the Dutchman carried on and helped his teammate Tim Merlier to victory at Le Samyn anyway, but understandably it raised plenty of concerns about the safety of the bike Van der Poel was riding. 

Canyon has now said all pros will ride the previous Aeroad or the current Canyon Ultimate until the problem is resolved, and all customers who have bought the Aeroad CF SLX and CFR models will be issued a 'stop riding' notice. 

The statement begins: "On Tuesday 2 March, at one of the opening classic races "Le Samyn", a part of the handlebar of our Alpecin-Fenix pro Mathieu van der Poel (NED) quite obviously broke off during the race.

“Experts from the Canyon development and quality management departments immediately began analysis and testing to understand the cause of this incident. The affected cockpits (CP0018 and CP0015) only installed on the current Aeroad models CF SLX and CFR. The Aeroad CF SL model is not in any way affected by this issue.

Canyon's founder Roman Arnold said: "Mathieu fortunately did not fall. We want to ensure with absolute certainty that no one comes to harm before we fully understand the root cause.

Canyon's CEO added: "We are doing everything we can to equip affected Aeroad models as quickly as possible with a cockpit that meets both our and our customers’ demands for total quality and safety.”

The statement ends: "It has already been decided that all professional teams will switch to alternative bikes with immediate effect. Until further notice, the pro sport athletes will be using the previous model of Aeroad or the current Ultimate." 

More on this tomorrow.  

🥳Another record breaking weekend for #SantanderCycles. 🥳Saturday was the best February day ever. Last weekend was the best Feb weekend ever. And on its own Saturday was the 11th best day of any month ever.🚲 It's glorious to see so many people enjoying cycling in London 🚲@tfl pic.twitter.com/JiRm3rKzUx

— Will Norman (@willnorman) March 3, 2021

Here are some numbers to back up the pictures and videos from the weekend of thousands of cyclists out enjoying the sunshine...Last weekend was the best February weekend in Santander Bikes' history with Saturday coming in at 11th in the most popular days for the scheme...The usual taxi accounts on Twitter have taken the news well...

Taxileaks, which claims to be Londons number one taxi news website, accused the statistics of being faked and from Sadiq Khan's PR team...

Cabbie London also said: "Non essential travel....Stay at home, save lives? Not exactly getting the right message across whilst this pandemic is on is it?"

British bike brand Whyte Bikes has received investment from Cairngorm Capital Partners LLP. Bicycle Retailer and Industry News reports the terms of the investment will not be released but that the investment will be used to develop Whyte's product portfolio, including broadening its range of e-bikes. Cairngorm Capital's expertise in international sales will also be tapped into by the brand who has been making bikes since being founded by the Farrant brothers in 1990. The move represents Cairngorm Capital's first forray into the bicycle industry.

Whyte Bikes' co-founder Derek Farrant said it is an exciting time for the brand: "This is a new chapter for Whyte and represents a natural progression for me. This is an exciting time for all involved in Whyte's future."

🇳🇱@BaukeMollema of 🇺🇸@TrekSegafredo wins 🇮🇹@il_Laigueglia #TrofeoLaigueglia (📺@RaiSport) pic.twitter.com/8uDmyjxIEe

— World Cycling Stats (@wcsbike) March 3, 2021

Trek-Segafredo's Bauke Mollema bagged his second win of the season this afternoon, winning Trofeo Laigueglia solo ahead of a group stacked with talent. Egan Bernal won the sprint for second ahead of Mauri Vansevenant in third. Clément Champoussin, Mollema's teammate Giulio Ciccone and Mikel Landa completed the chasing group. Mollema maintained his gap on the steep final climb of the day as Bernal and Landa attacked behind, before extending it on the flat run to the finish.

Deceuninck-Quick-Step's British climber James Knox was seventh at the first Italian race on the calendar ahead of Saturday's much-anticipated Strade Bianche. Ineos Grenadiers' former winner of the race famous by the white gravel roads, Michal Kwiatkowski, crashed today and said at the finish that he hopes it is just bruising and not any broken bones.

The first monitoring report from Lambeth Council on Railton LTN in Brixton has found that car traffic reduced by 31 per cent across the area, while HGV traffic reduced by 23 per cent. Cycling was the big winner from the scheme, with a 32 per cent increase in people cycling across the area and a 51 per cent increase within the LTN.

For the individual roads, Railton Road saw car traffic reduce by 75 per cent, while cycling increased by 65 per cent. Nearby Shakespeare Road also saw a significant switch as cycling increased by 84 per cent in comparison to a 60 per cent reduction in cars...

Mason Cycles' Resolution model is now available in a limited edition 'Vela' colourway and with a Campagnolo Ekar build option. Maybe, Lord Sugar's Union Jack frame isn't for you...let's face it, it probably isn't...But Mason's Columbus steel Resolution2's Vela colourway offers a more subtle, classy look.

The ride is made for covering long days in the saddle with comfort prioritised and the robust steel frame is deisgned to be a frame for life. In line with the theme of a smooth ride, the Resolution has clearance for 32mm tyres with mudguards or 35mm without.

Staark is a new premium clothing company that aims to make performance cycling clothing that "fits actual humans, not just elite cyclists." The company has raised almost £114,000 via 165 investors and smashed their £100,000 target on Crowdcube. Staark uses their own 'Staark Dimensioning Techonolgy' to create the perfect fit and use sustainable fabrics too.

They say they are unique by making clothing specifically targeted at the 80% of cyclists who aren't necessarily 'elite' shaped, instead making top end cycling clothing accessible to everyone.

61 people were prosecuted in #Warwickshire between 8-21 February for using their mobile phone whilst driving as part of a national campaign aimed at changing driver behaviour & highlighting the consequences. #Standingupforhangingup @OPUWarks https://t.co/0euLPkOfUi

— Warwickshire Police (@warkspolice) March 2, 2021

Warwickshire Police prosecuted 61 drivers for using their mobile phone while driving during a two-week campaign aimed at changing drivers' behaviours. Of the 61 offenders, 19 were HGV drivers, 22 were van drivers and 20 were driving cars during the campaign which ran last month. The force says they hope taking the time to educate the drivers, as well as the £200 fine and six points, will make them reconsider. County data shows the risk of using a phone while driving: five serious collisions in 2019 and two in 2020 were contributed to by a driver using their phone behind the wheel.

Inspector Jem Mountford said: "I find it shocking that so many drivers are willing to risk their life and the lives of others by using their mobile phone whilst driving. The results are due to a tremendous effort made by all front line officers from all departments including our Commercial Vehicle Unit, Operations Patrol Unit, Safer Neighbourhood Teams and the Special Constabulary all working together. 

The campaign also coincided with another operation which saw the force using an HGV supercab to observe drivers' speeds and behaviour on the M40 and M42.