Wiggle and Chain Reaction down... days after much-criticised rebrand; BBC somehow turns David Byrne's Met Gala cycle into tedious helmet talk; Covid positives rule two key teammates for Primož Roglič out of Giro; GVA to retire + more on the live blog

If you're having a long Wednesday console yourself by remembering that at least you aren't involved with two giant cycling retail websites that are down just days after a major rebrand...

We've contacted Wiggle to try to work out what's going on, if it's related to last week's revamp, and if there's an indication of when the sites will be back up. In the meantime disgruntled customers' screenshots of the websites are being shared on social media, one user said the revamp had been "much-needed" but has turned out to be a "disaster"...

New Energy…. Website offline 🤷. It’s getting worse. pic.twitter.com/CUz5bmcrTF

— jif (@jifdave) May 3, 2023

No word from Wiggle or CRC's social media accounts yet, one unanswered customer saying: "The website is currently out... any idea when it will be back up and working? My guess is your developers (or the company you have employed) is a bit stressed..."

Another added: "Hi I need to place an order today with next day delivery using my Wiggle+ but I keep getting an error page on the checkout saying 'we'll be back soon'. Can you please assist?"

This all comes a week on from the rebrand and revamped website, a move that certainly didn't go down well with everyone, something more than a few of you were keen to point out on last Wednesday's live blog...

> "Awful, poor branding, less functionality. What was the point?": Customers not happy with Wiggle's new website

We'll bring you more once we've got it...

🏁Etapa 3 | Stage 3

🙋🏻‍♂️🏆 @marianne_vos - @JumboVismaWomen 🏆#LaVueltaFemenina pic.twitter.com/LvXKyVerZ9

— La Vuelta Femenina by Carrefour.es (@LaVueltaFem) May 3, 2023

Marianne Vos has won the fastest ever stage of La Vuelta Femenina, yep, that's right, at 45.6km/h the women's peloton covered the 157.8km from Elche de la Sierra to La Roda in just 3:27:38. Well, that was Vos' time at least, some less fortunate riders suffered in the crosswinds and were shelled out the back, losing valuable seconds.

The legendary Dutch rider strengthened her grip on the red leader's jersey in the process and now holds a 13-second advantage over returning American star Chloe Dygert. 

Of course this is a Grand Tour, with all the main climbing stages to come, so the likes of compatriots Annemiek van Vleuten and Demi Vollering will be looking to pressure Vos when the road tilts upwards. For now, with another lumpy sprint stage tomorrow, the Jumbo-Visma rider could well continue to strengthen her lead.

You might already be aware of Puffa Jones on social media, real name Mike, who takes deliveries of unused kids bikes and repairs and cleans them ready to be delivered to kids who haven't got a bike. Here he is making our, and these kids', week...

Every child should own a bike....#Freebikes4kids #freebikes4kids #community #cycling #bmx #mtb #charity#giving #KindnessMatters #MentalHealthMatters #newport #recycle#free #pedallingtheport pic.twitter.com/6b4HrDnOFL

— PuffaJones (@PuffaJones) May 3, 2023

The Freebikes4kids project has been running for three years with nearly 2,500 bikes repaired and rehomed in that time. The project has no government funding and Mike takes donations via Gofundme to continue to finance the work. 

[SWpix.com/Zac Williams]

Greg Van Avermaet has announced his intention to retire from pro racing at the end of the season. The Belgian classics star, who won the Olympic Games road race, Paris-Roubaix, Gent-Wevelgem, two Omloop Het Nieuwsblad titles, E3 Harelbeke and two stages of the Tour de France during his best mid-2010s years, but has failed to reach the same heights in recent seasons.

"A great adventure is ending and I'm a little sad. This decision was very difficult to make, but when I look in the rear view mirror, I am extremely proud of my achievements," Van Avermaet said.

"I gave the best of myself every day, simply so I would have no regrets. Not only did I enjoy my victories, but also the path leading up to them. I thank everyone who believed in me and helped me throughout my career. I am grateful to my fans who always supported me, even in difficult times.

[SWpix.com/Zac Williams]

"It is now time to devote myself to my wife and children, and to have a new direction in my life. I am hoping to find the same passion in this new phase. I would like to thank the AG2R Citroën team for its confidence and for the team spirit in which I have evolved over three seasons. Until the end of the season, I will give my best to the team as I have done since the day I started cycling. I hope to achieve some good results."

Van Avermaet's finals classics campaign rarely saw him trouble the favourites, a 26th place at Amstel Gold Race the highlight of a fairly anonymous spring. Turning 38 in a couple of weeks, Van Avermaet is expected to ride his tenth Tour de France in July, a race at which he has worn the yellow jersey for 11 stages.

I think we can all agree that David Byrne is the coolest guy in the room pic.twitter.com/w12ooGJarA

— Race Radio (@TheRaceRadio) May 2, 2023

Death, taxes and horrendously boring helmet talk...

Yep, this is the follow-up to yesterday's live blog where we shared the photos of David Byrne arriving at the Met Gala (some event where a load of celebrities rock up in a room for "fashion's biggest night"... no wonder it's never been on my radar).

Anyway, eye-rolling aside, in our eyes Byrne's bike is clearly the best thing to come from the night, even if the thought of that white brushing the drivetrain is slightly stress-inducing.

> Cycling celebrities — famous folk who love to ride their bikes

But that's not why you're here... on with the helmet talk...

Only the British media could take something as joyous as a famous musician turning up to a gala on a beautiful bicycle and drain any positivity from it. pic.twitter.com/Dj249mz8jw

— 𝐉𝐢𝐦 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐬 (@thatjimdavis) May 2, 2023

Props to the BBC for making this all about personal protective equipment... you know what they say about the red carpet — it's a notoriously dangerous spot for crashes and head injuries.

This entire paragraph perfectly describes the attitude toward cycling in the UK. Alien language for a Dutch resident such as myself. pic.twitter.com/eI0jdDczcT

— Jeremy Lockley (@Jeremylockley) May 2, 2023

That paragraph...

Despite being famous for hits such as Lazy, singer David Byrne was possibly the only guest who turned up looking ready to do some exercise.

The Scottish-born star brought his bicycle with him - but wisely decided to walk it up the red carpet, which we imagine was a relief to the Met's health and safety team.

Byrne wore an all-white outfit - which must have got muddy when he presumably had to cycle home - with some brightly-coloured trainers.

You may recognise the monochromatic suit, as it's the same one Byrne wore when he performed the theme song to Everything Everywhere All At Once at the Oscars in March.