"Cycling has just made me really happy": Jeremy Clarkson's daughter partners with Specialized; Jeremy Vine delivers a 'road tax' schooling; Chris Froome skips the Vuelta; Quads of Destiny; Marginal groins aero package + more on the live blog

“…and you need to move over, so I can get past.”

INCORRECT

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— The Department of Parks & Recreation 🦌 (@ldnparks) August 5, 2021

It's just as well this guy got in front, he managed to save himself two seconds of not sitting in traffic time...

We interpret the world through a cognitive lens.

1. I think I’m cycling to get a coffee.
2. This guy thinks I’m deliberately blocking his path and delivering a personal slight.

We need a national educational campaign for motorists. And keep it simple!pic.twitter.com/UoWF4Awbyi

— The Department of Parks & Recreation 🦌 (@ldnparks) August 5, 2021

T.I. shared the news on Instagram that he had been arrested in Amsterdam after being caught texting while cycling. The American rapper explained he had been on his phone when a policeman "ran into me and broke his side mirror".

"He was extremely upset. I was out having a great time. I’m still not upset. They arrested me and didn’t even put me in handcuffs. They just opened the door and invited me to the backseat. I obliged."

The rapper said he had ignored the driver at first, thinking he was just a delivery driver and only realised it was a police vehicle when the officer shouted at him to stop. NME reports that as he slowed down the driver of the van pushed against his handlebars, breaking the vehicle's wing mirror.

Team Ineos are happy to let Geraint Thomas leave unless he takes a wage cut, team director of racing Rod Ellingworth has hinted. The 2018 Tour de France winner struggled for form in 2020 before suffering a series of crashes at big races this campaign. Thomas' Tour de France tilt was left in tatters by a stage three fall.

Reports have suggested Ineos are willing to keep the 35-year-old for a 13th season with the team and have offered Thomas a new deal on a reduced wage. However, the Welshman's career achievements are likely to demand a greater salary, making a departure the most likely outcome...

"It’s still ongoing and the ball is in his court," Ellingworth said. "There are conversations going on and I’ve tried to give him personal support, especially after the difficult time that he’s had but we’re talking to him and it’s ongoing, but if there's a massive offer then there’s no way we’d be able to keep him. We just need to be realistic.

"There’s quite a lot going on around rider recruitment, and not just for next year but also for the coming years after that. There are a few areas for us to work on."

Ineos have already announced the signing of promising Australian Luke Plapp - who won an Olympic bronze as part of his nation's team pursuit squad yesterday. Controversial Italian Gianni Moscon, Sebastian Henao, Owain Doull, Ivan Sosa, Cameron Wurf and Michal Gołas are all expected to leave the team.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Emily Clarkson (@em_clarkson)

Right at the top of the list of things I didn't expect to stumble across today is this news that Jeremy Clarkson's daughter, Emily Clarkson, is now partnered with Specialized, promoting the brand's e-bikes. The Instagram influencer shared the news with her 194,000 followers via a well-shot ad of Clarkson Jr and her partner going for a spin through London.

"Alex has been trying to get me cycling in London for the best part of a decade, it took until now for me to get it," Clarkson wrote on Instagram. "But I’m here. Probably because riding an electric bike is about 10 million times easier than the bikes I rode before (statistic made up by me) - although you still have to pedal it really does take the sting out of the hills. They’re fun and practical but mostly they’re just so comfortable.

"We got into central London quicker than we’d have done in the car (and didn’t have to pay congestion) and saw so much more of it than we would have done on the tube. It sounds odd but cycling has just made me really… happy, a huge thanks to Specialized for partnering with us on this, we’re loving it." I wonder what her old man thinks of that? Quicker than a car? Practical and comfortable? Making you happy? 

Jeremy Clarkson's career has been the polar opposite of his daughter's pedalling positivity. In a famous 2019 rant, Clarkson said "Bikes can f*@% off" and last year he argued the capital's segregated cycle lanes were causing congestion... 

He even managed to squeeze a pop at passing Trek-Segafredo pro Charlie Quarterman into Clarkson's Farm...

But maybe the tide is turning in the Clarkson household and we'll soon see Jeremy out and about on two wheels? Okay, probably not...But on that bombshell...

Also heard some great gossip from the track this morning - Apparently a nation has complained a certain rider had an aerodynamic aid down the front of his skinsuit - it transpired the rider was just very well endowed 😂😂😂

— Jacob Tipper ️ (@JacobTipper) August 5, 2021

Where to start with this one? 

If you’re watching the cycling sprint and you need some context of how the power equates to a normal bike… @chrishoy says get yourself on a Wattbike and see if you can get your output to hit 2600 watts!!!! 🤯🤯🤯🤯#Power #QuadsOfDestiny #Olympics pic.twitter.com/HDe46h67D8

— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) August 5, 2021

You've probably heard about the upcoming Highway Code changes by now. In short, the updated edition to be published in the autumn will introduce a hierarchy of road users, meaning those with the potential to cause the most danger to others will be deemed to have greater responsibility to those who are more vulnerable. Radical, I know...

On top of this, motorists are also to be subject to guidance on safe passing distances and speeds when overtaking riders. Cyclists will also get priority at junctions when travelling straight ahead.

This has been as well-received as you might expect by the sort of people who enjoy a spot of anti-cyclist bingo in their free time. 

Susie, for example, shared a photo of some letters in a local newspaper. Topics raised included: red light jumping, ignoring zebra crossings, pavement cycling, ignoring one way signs, riding two abreast, insurance, commuters causing congestion, number plates on bikes, hi-vis clothing and headphones...in other words, the full set.

Our old friend Jeremy Vine spotted Susie's assessment of the situation and had a smart idea...a new tax for all road users. How might that work?

Hello Susie: I'd be delighted to pay a new £10 per year road tax for riding my bicycle.
Conventionally it is scaled up based on the fourth power of weight on the rear axle, so your family car would be subject to an annual £1.3m charge. Hope that's okay — let's get cracking! https://t.co/wZSTdIyQuv

— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) August 4, 2021

Here's the notorious Surrey Roads Policing Unit's admin for their take on the whole 'road tax' kerfuffle...

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— Blythe on a bicycle 🚴🏻‍♀️ (@girlonabrompton) August 5, 2021