Sagan snow vid; Bernal on back injury; Great vid showing difference LTNs make; TdF/Olympic double “impossible”; Virgil van Dijk back on bike; Geoghegan Hart on University Challenge; Downing bros on lockdown boost to coaching business + more on live blog
SUMMARY
Tao Geoghegan Hart pops up as question on University Challenge
Giro d’Italia champion Tao Geoghegan Hart popped up as one of the questions on a celebrity edition of University Challenge over the festive period, with host Jeremy Paxman asking alumni of Durham University: “On October 26 2020 in Milan, Tao Geoghegan Hart from Hackney became just the second British man to win what major cycling event?”
For @taogeoghegan
–
First time I’ve ever met someone who was a question on one of my fave tv programs 🙌🙌🙌 pic.twitter.com/0Gv5QHTlnH— rich_mitch (@rich_mitch) December 29, 2020
The Ineos Grenadiers rider had a question himself when he first heard about his mention on the show …
Amazed how many people watch University Challenge haha. Is this a tier 2,3,4,7,9 and 11 thing? In the end, all I really want to know is how was their pronunciation tech?
— Tao Geoghegan Hart (@taogeoghegan) December 28, 2020
Dean and Russ Downing explain how lockdown helped boost their coaching business
Dean and Russ Downing have explained how they managed to turn lockdown to their advantage by moving their coaching business to a virtual model with the help of online platforms such as Zwift.
The ex-pro cyclist brothers from Rotherham, launched Downing Cycling as their racing days came to an end.
Dean, the older of the two, told The Yorkshire Post: “We’d both been doing little different bits within the industry, both had our own little companies, but it was Russ’s idea to put our ideas together and have a brand.
“That happened in summer 2017. We didn’t really do much that first year until I was looking to have my own coaching brand.”
He had initially moved into team management as sports director of the Holdsworth Bikes team, but said: “The No 1 thing I’ve learned from a lot of great people down the years is just how hard work that job really is.
“Jon Herety was a massive help for both of us, but I saw how hard he had to work to keep British teams on the road and then experienced it first hand with Holdsworth – it’s a massive juggling act.
“You never felt like you were in control, because the person with the money is. If you want to do something radical it needs approval from above. If something goes wrong, it’s your fault.”
That experience helped him decide that coaching was where his future lay, but as races were cancelled in March this year as lockdown began, he became anxious about the future.
“Don’t get me wrong, I was panicking in February when races were getting cancelled. Would I lose clients due to races being cancelled?” he told the newspaper.
“Do I stick my head in the sand and worry about it, or do I put my name out there to get more clients? That extra time of not being away at races, probably eight weeks, I used wisely and took on more riders.
“They started coming on board in April because people need to be training and needed help.
“It’s a full-time job, coaching every day, taking phone calls, setting bespoke training programmes. This year has been tough, but generally the client base has grown, whether they’re young or old, male or female, pro or amateur. That’s the enjoyment for me, the mix.”
Online platforms such as Zwift – the pair were ambassadors for the brand at last year’s UCI Road World Championships – have helped the business maintain its momentum, as Russ explained.
“I was one of the first guys to have a go with Zwift and I even remember getting a bit of ribbing about it”, the 2005 British road race champion recalls.
“A guy asked me to give it a bit of a nudge, this is back in 2014.
“And then lockdown came. Nobody was meeting up, your chain gang meets were no more than six people.
“So I came up with the idea to get together online. We were doing Saturday mornings as a coaching initiative under the Downing coaching arm, and from that Doncaster Chain Gang was formed. That’s been a big part of my involvement. We have people from all over the world coming online on Tuesday and Thursday nights, everyone knows it’s Russ, and we broadcast it on YouTube.”
“It’s been a crazy 2020 but this has provided a lot of good for a lot of people,” he added.
Driver abuses cyclist then knocks her off her bike
Thames Valley Police are appealing for information after a cyclist was sworn at by a driver who then deliberately knocked her from her bike.
The incident happened between 11.30 and 11.45pm on Sunday, as the cyclist, aged in her 50s, was riding along Southam Road in Banbury, Oxfordshire.
Police say a motorist in an older model, dark coloured car began shouting abuse at her then followed her, knocking her from her bike as she turned towards Great Bourton.
The driver then fled the scene, leaving the cyclist with a cut to here ankle which needed to have stitches inserted at hospital.
Investigating officer, PC Matthew Leney from Banbury police station, commented: “I am appealing for witnesses to this incident, which was frightening and distressing for the victim.
“An offender used foul and abusive language towards her while she was cycling, and continued to follow her, culminating in the vehicle being deliberately driven behind her causing her to fall.
“It is pure good fortune that the victim did not sustain more serious injuries as a result of this. I am thankful that she is now discharged from hospital, but this does not take away from how distressing it was for her.
“I would like to appeal to anyone who was in the vicinity of Southam Road, Bourton Road, and Great Bourton at the time this incident took place. If you saw this incident take place or have information relating to it, please call 101 and make a report.
“I’d also encourage any motorists who were on these roads during these hours to please review their dash-cam footage, in case anything significant was captured on there that can assist with this investigation.
“You can make a report by calling 101 and quoting reference number 43200441657 or you can also report online.
“Alternatively, if you wish to remain anonymous please call independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Virgil van Dijk back on (Watt)bike as rehab continues
Liverpool FC star Virgil van Dijk is back pedalling a Wattbike as part of his rehabilitation from the anterior cruciate ligament injury he sustained when he was tackled by Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford at the Merseyside derby back in October.
The Dutch centre-back, who underwent surgery for his injury at the end of October, is expected to be out of action for between six and 12 months, but yesterday posted this picture of him on the stationary bike, used by top-flight athletes across a range of sports as part of their conditioning, at the club’s AXA Training Centre in Kirkby.
— Virgil van Dijk (@VirgilvDijk) December 29, 2020
Yet more anti-LTN vandalism
It’s the season of goodwill to all men, women and children … except those who want to live on peaceful streets without having to worry about rat-running drivers and the associated air pollution, it seems, with a Twitter user flagging up another depressingly common instance of vandalism of bollards designed to shut off residential streets other than for access, this one in the London Borough of Hackney.
Bollards removed & thrown into the planting at Frampton Park Road Loddidges Road @jonburkeUK @hackneycouncil 😔 Could you send someone to fix? pic.twitter.com/b8Rpalq9hX
— Will Bradley (@W_Bradley) December 30, 2020
Tour de France-Olympic double “impossible” due to Tokyo quarantine rules
It will be impossible for the world’s top male road cyclists to attempt a Tour de France-Olympic Games double due to quarantine conditions in Tokyo, the doctor to Belgium’s national Olympic committee has warned.
The two-week quarantine that will be required for riders after entry to Japan also means that leading female riders face a stark choice between going for gold in Tokyo, or racing the Giro Rosa beforehand.
Dr Johan Bellemans, quoted in Sporza, said: “Two weeks ago we received the latest version of the rules from the organisation in Tokyo. It states that they will stick to the 14 days quarantine after their arrival in Japan.
“Logistically, this quarantine period is not easy for athletes in terms of training accommodation and training modalities. But there will also be overlap with other competitions. Just think of the Tour de France, Wimbledon and the NBA.
“If it depends on the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the quarantine period would be much shorter. It is mainly the Japanese authorities who are sticking to the two weeks’ quarantine.”
Asked why Japan was standing its ground on imposing the quarantine period, he said: “The Japanese authorities have recommendations for their citizens and for foreigners entering their country. In addition, the Covid figures in Japan have been on the rise in recent weeks. I do not suspect they will relax those regulations.”
With more than seven months to go, however, Dr Bellemans is hopeful that the situation may change.
“We are now in winter, I expect that the situation will be under control in a few months,” he said.
“Moreover, the vaccines are coming. Although the Japanese do not believe that vaccines will stop the transmission of the coronavirus.
“I expect and hope that that quarantine period and other Covid measures will gradually be tempered.”
He added: “The IOC is putting pressure on the Japanese authorities to quickly reduce the quarantine period from 14 to 5 days. That would create a lot more opportunities for cyclists, for example.”
Egan Bernal: “Some days I pedal without pain”
Egan Bernal has said “some days I pedal without pain,” referring to the back injury – subsequently diagnosed as scoliosis – that forced him to abandon his defence of the Tour de France in September, reports Spanish sports daily Marca.
The Ineos Grenadiers rider plans to ride the race next year, but said: “I will have to train very hard. The truth is that we are preparing for the Tour de France, it is the most important race in the world.
Aiming to start his season with the Colombian national championships in February, he said: “Llittle by little the inflammation is going down, I am pedalling for a few days without pain, but I think recovery will take a little time.”
Fantastic video from London shows what a difference LTNs make
We’ve seen a lot of kickback on cycle lanes in the past few years, and on low traffic areas (LTNs) in the past few months … but this video from London shows very clearly the difference they make to helping people get around by bike.
Let's ride this low traffic route from Tottenham Court Road to the London Fields LTN in 2 minutes 20 seconds.
GO! pic.twitter.com/cD3QZeQoHK
— filter more streets (@iambrianjones) December 29, 2020
Proper cyclo-cross
If you love the history of cycling, and don’t already follow David Guénel on Twitter, you really should.
La pente est rude au cyclo-cross de Choisy-le-Roi (1930). pic.twitter.com/bLNnz9t1Qz
— David Guénel (@davidguenel) December 30, 2020
Peter Sagan vs the snow (video)
Three-time world champion Peter Sagan has been taking on the snow today, posting a video to Instagram from a training ride near Monaco.
“Hey there,” the Bora-Hansgrohe rider said.
“I never saw this in my life in Monaco. It’s a beautiful day. We did today five hours, and we cannot get home because of a lot of snow.
“Just the last two kilometres to Monaco (ha, ha). It’s OK.”
Clearly he handles a bike about 100 times better than even the best of us here at road.cc, but may we just point him towards our perennial piece giving tips on how to ride on ice and snow … ?
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Latest Comments
Rice cakes or flapjacks work well for me, gels and chews and bars on longer rides. Most of the time I'll stick to using carb drinks, seems to work better for me as I don't always feel like eating on the bike even though I know I have to, so the drink keeps me topped up.
I always ride with gels and a peanut butter Clif Bar as emergency bail-outs (which very rarely get used), but my go-to for longer ride is 100% peanut butter with salad in a white bread sandwich - protein, fat, carbs. And a banana, of course. Very old school.
@jaymack Exactly this. My regular go-to snacks are Squashies, porridge oat bars and jam sandwiches.
@Velophaart_95 It's about eight seconds from the traffic lights to the bus stop. Discount say three seconds for getting up to speed and letting Vine go first would have delayed the bus driver by about five seconds. You might also want to consider the fact that the bus driver is breaking the law by moving into an occupied cycle lane (Highway Code 140: Do not drive or park in a cycle lane marked by a broken white line unless it is unavoidable...You should give way to any cyclists in a cycle lane, including when they are approaching from behind you). I rather think that the one who needs to "give your head a wobble", if you must use that tedious and rather asinine cliche, is yourself.
@kingleo MGIF ... that's why. It happens regularly - e.g. dangerous overtake, just to have to stop at the entrance to the fuel station, because the forecourt is already rammed (and can be seen to be, from a distance)
Forgive my paranoia but one would assume that users of Garmin bike computers probably self-sort into a group one could easily name as "owners of expensive bikes". Surely there's a risk of scrotes using it to ambush cyclists and nick bikes?
Ah, that's a shame. Personal service was good from them in my experience (up there with Fairlight) and the bikes looked the part. The original Classic Electric was a perfect UK city/further bike with a powerful motor coupled to a surprisingly elegant and light frame. They've not be accepting bike orders for about three weeks - which is to their credit as it hopefully means fewer customers will lose out due to the closure. I was all set to order from them as I was in the market and was disappointed to see they were closed for new orders .
Ace Ventura 👏
Ah yes, Waze. That "community-driven app" that's owned by Google. Of course, they're famously "community-driven". The app that sells itself on being able to drive places faster by using cut throughs and rat runs down residential streets. The app that features alerts of where drivers might be caught speeding, rather than alerting drivers they are speeding. And you can now use audio apps, even news apps, directly through Waze. While driving. More of this is not making anyone safer.
@Backladder I'd thought of that one, but I'd want to be sure that the councils would a) not have cocked their own side up legally and b) stick to their guns once the first letters from M'very expensive friends arrived (and if the likes of a Mr. Loophole has already one once and hammered some hapless LA ...) Bureaucracies can be extremely bureacratic ... but they can also get risk-averse (and let those with disabilities / cyclists / pedestrians worry)
13 thoughts on “Sagan snow vid; Bernal on back injury; Great vid showing difference LTNs make; TdF/Olympic double “impossible”; Virgil van Dijk back on bike; Geoghegan Hart on University Challenge; Downing bros on lockdown boost to coaching business + more on live blog”
Geoghegan I have no
Geoghegan I have no difficulty with as I once worked with a chap called that. It’s his first name I’m not sure about. Is it Tay-oh or does it rhyme with wow?
The BBC reckon it is Tay Oh.
The BBC reckon it is Tay Oh.
I was standing next to
I was standing next to another supporter at the roadside of the 2014 Tour of Britain when Tao rode past. She evidently knew him and yelled ‘go on Tay-oh!’ so I’ve run with that.
Tayo Gaygan Hart*^, I never
Tayo Gaygan Hart*^, I never had to struggle, I just heard Ned having to say it before I ever read it.
*Any relation to Tony?
^Hope to be taking the TGH in London soon.
I’m getting my tiresome
I’m getting my tiresome commentary in early on todays blog. Bit busy so I’ll give you some general comments to cover all stories:
A. It was the cyclists fault.
B. You’re wrong.
C. Labour supporting, green BLM snowflake activists are the real problem.
Anyway got to run, gammon for breakfast!
You’ve missed out how cars
You’ve missed out how cars are the perfect answer to mass transportation. Or was that electric cars?
SocrapiCyclist wrote:
…….lunch and dinner too.
You need to be ruder to pull
You need to be ruder to pull this one off.
D. LTNs are bad
D. LTNs are bad
E. it was the cyclist’s fault
Good to see the apostrophe
Good to see the apostrophe has been added 😉
There We Are Then.
There We Are Then.
“Driver abuses cyclist then
“Driver abuses cyclist then knocks her off her bike”
Has anyone checked the whereabouts of Cristo the cretin? Or perhaps rung in to his programme to point out that this is exactly the kind of thing that the people he’s stirred up do?
Glad the injuries weren’t too bad and best wishes for a full and speedy recovery.
Clearly the driver meant
Clearly the driver meant their abuse and violence to be taken humorously, cos then its all right…