Mathieu van der Poo-el: World champion’s visit to Scottish couple’s toilet makes front page news; Live from the Worlds; Jeremy Vine accused of jumping red light as he films bin lorry driver on bike lane; Lime Bike advice stickers + more on the live blog

It’s been a while since Jeremy Vine, one of our old favourites for almost constant commuter cycling content, popped up on the live blog (other things have been happening, I know. Crazy. Where’s Cycling Mikey, by the way?).

But the pedalling broadcaster is back this morning, after one of his (increasingly trippy) videos from the weekend – which showed the driver of a bin lorry head onto, in the wrong direction, a seemingly protected cycle lane in Camden – caused some online controversy after it appeared to show Vine jumping a red light.

I’ll leave that one up to you:

Really need @CamdenCouncil to stop @Veolia trucks imperilling people who cycle. You can’t take a massive hunk of metal like this the wrong way down a cycle lane, no matter how important a job its operatives are doing. pic.twitter.com/6v6usIOzT4

— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) August 5, 2023

“Every day the bin truck drives the wrong way down this cycle lane. Doing this forces cyclists off the road or into oncoming traffic,” Vine writes in the clip. “We all support bin operators, but surely, even they aren’t allowed to drive the wrong way down a cycle lane?”

Despite the bin operator’s pithy defence of “working mate” when quizzed about the bike lane driving of his colleague, Camden Council sided with the presenter’s view, replying: “Thanks for making us aware Jeremy. Our waste and recycling vehicles have set routes and should not be blocking or travelling down cycle lanes.

“We have reviewed the lorry routes with Veolia and reminded them of the importance of drivers keeping cycle lanes clear at all times”.

Nevertheless, others were quite happy to point out the “irony” of Vine apparently jumping red lights while criticising the bin lorry driver:

Jezza literally just cycled through a red light at a pedestrian crossing. He wasnt even doing a difficult job.

— riversorare (@riversorare) August 6, 2023

So distracted by the bin van, you didn’t notice going through the red light at the crossing did you.

— Anthony Dean (@realAnthonyDean) August 7, 2023

I agree – must be re-routing they can do. Clearly not something considered when adding cycle lanes – must be a headache for the crews too. But you did then go over a red light, get back on your bike on the pavement and carry on as if you weren’t meant to wait. Two wrongs…

— NDC (@Fadingbubbles) August 7, 2023

RUNNING A RED LIGHT AND NEARLY GETTING SQUASHED BY A DHL TRUCK. HAVE A WORD….

— KevinsonDeNatale🇯🇵 (@Maeda_Stone) August 7, 2023

Although, as Vine points out, it seems to be more of a case of jumping out of the way of a soon-to-be-bollard crushing bin lorry…

I moved onto the pavement on foot when a truck came head-on towards my lane in the wrong direction … What is the matter with you?

— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) August 6, 2023

So, that’s Vine back on the blog. What’s Cycling Mikey been up to lately?

So Ryan, how are you feeling on your fourth day in Glasgow at the world champs?

Me, this morning:

While I shake myself in preparation for another day of bike race spectating (I know, it’s a hard life), the fallout from Sunday’s epic road race – from debates over team tactics to the future of the planet – continues to rumble on…

> Is cycling’s ‘sportswashing’ debate too big to ignore? World Championships protest shines spotlight on less-than-green sponsors

> “I don’t know what you’re trying to get at. What went wrong?” Jasper Stuyven takes swipe at media after Belgium accused of underperforming at world championships

A taste of the madness at yesterday’s @CyclingWorlds Men’s Road Race! #GlasgowScotland2023 pic.twitter.com/QE47NNYTQ6

— Lidl-Trek (@LidlTrek) August 7, 2023

Oh, and the action hasn’t been too shoddy on the track either, has it? That dramatic Madison win last night by home hero Neah Evans and Elinor Barker was something else…

🇬🇧🥰🇬🇧#GlasgowScotland2023 @BritishCycling pic.twitter.com/IjoSOytgZ1

— UCI Track Cycling (@UCI_Track) August 7, 2023

It’s a sad day for cycling fans with a special fondness for the epic grandeur of the mountains, as one of the sport’s finest ever practitioners of the art of climbing, Federico Bahamontes, has passed away, aged 95.

Nicknamed the Eagle of Toledo, the feisty, confrontational Bahamontes was the first Spanish winner of the Tour de France, winning the 1959 edition ahead of Henry Anglade and Jacques Anquetil, but it was another classification of the Tour where he really made his name.

🕊️It is with deep sadness that we learn of the passing of Federico Bahamontes, winner of the 1959 Tour de France.
Aged 95, the Eagle of Toledo was the oldest Tour de France winner, the first Spanish winner, and a six-time winner of the Mountain classification.

Our thoughts and… pic.twitter.com/tV308Szoi3

— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) August 8, 2023

He was the first rider to win the mountains competition at all three grand tours, and took six King of the Mountains titles at the Tour between 1954 and 1964, a record that would later be equalled be another legendary climber, the Belgian Lucien van Impe (who out of deference to Bahamontes’ standing within the sport, refused to attempt to surpass his six KOMs at the Tour), before Richard Virenque eventually eclipsed both with his seventh polka dot jersey in 2004.

The undisputed best climber of his generation, Bahamontes’ times on cycling’s iconic roads can even stand up to the standards of today’s finely tuned peloton with its emphasis on nutrition and groundbreaking equipment. His mountain time trial win on the Puy de Dôme, on his way to overall victory at the Tour in 1959, saw him ascent the mythical Massif Central volcano almost two minutes faster than the winner of this year’s Tour stage on the Puy, Michael Woods.

Alongside his success, Bahamontes also embodied the individual, often eccentric personality that defines some of the sport’s greatest climbers. On his debut Tour in 1954, he famously stopped at the top of the Col de Romeyere, after stones had broken his spokes, and enjoyed an ice cream while waiting for his team car to arrive with the bunch.

Con profundo pesar, lloramos la pérdida de Federico Martín Bahamontes, el Águila de Toledo, un referente del deporte que ha llevado el nombre de nuestra ciudad a lo más alto.
El primer español en ganar el Tour de Francia forma parte de la historia del deporte en nuestro país,… pic.twitter.com/QuRV3wBvou

— Carlos Velázquez (@cvelazquezromo) August 8, 2023

“It is with deep sorrow that we mourn the loss of Federico Martin Bahamontes, the Eagle of Toledo, a benchmark in sport who has taken the name of our city to the very top,” the mayor of Toledo Carlos Velazquez announced this morning on social media.

When the riders hit the Alps and Pyrenees of the Tour next year, remember to raise a toast to Federico Bahamontes, one of the greatest to ever ride his bike up a hill.

8️⃣5️⃣ years old

Today we say Brian Lewis 🇬🇧 win gold in the Gran Fondo Time Trial Men’s 85-89 category.

The oldest athlete of #GlasgowScotland2023 🫶 pic.twitter.com/HJJ2NNkAcc

— UCI (@UCI_cycling) August 7, 2023

Go on Brian, son. 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Dave Buonaguidi (@realhackneydave)

What do you reckon? Is this the way to prevent so-called “Lime lemons” from leaving their bikes scattered across the city? Or is this just another sticker-based game of anti-cycling bingo?

Take a bow (preferably one on your bike in mid-air, while simultaneously doing a back flip), Kieran Reilly, take a bow…

60 seconds of pure wizardry on Glasgow Green 🪄

Kieran Reilly makes winning the rainbow bands 🌈 look FAR too easy in his winning run 👏 🔥#GlasgowScotland2023 | #BritishCycling pic.twitter.com/EPhUVOdyGD

— British Cycling (@BritishCycling) August 7, 2023

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙜𝙚, 𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙚𝙩 🎭

First riders off at 1pm – get set for fireworks in the Team Time Trial Mixed Relay!

6️⃣ Riders in a team, 3 men and 3 women
🏙 Glasgow city centre circuit
🗺 2 laps, 40.3km total
⏱ Fastest time wins!

🔗 Start list ↙… pic.twitter.com/rZnIgtrMRz

— 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships (@CyclingWorlds) August 8, 2023

After a one-day hiatus, the festivities return to the much-debated roads of Glasgow city centre, with the relay team time trial due to take place this afternoon. I’m heading to George Square now to catch all the action, and I’ll keep you posted about what’s happening on the road and elsewhere (because, as you all know, Glasgow is an interesting place, world champs or not…).

Several changes are being planned for cycle paths in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, including putting up signs indicating “shared-use path” and updating the town’s cycle maps, after a 77-year-old cyclist was killed by a pedestrian angered by her “presence” on the pavement.

Read more: > “Shared-use path” signs to be put up after pedestrian’s “resentment” towards cyclist using pavement led to manslaughter

The strong women’s side of the French team time trial squad, including Audrey Cordon Ragot, Cedrine Kerbaol, and Juliette Labous, have arrived for their effort, once their equally strong male contingent of Remi Cavagna, Bryan Coquard, and Bruno Amirail finishes.

Also, not long until Dan Bigham, Josh Charlton, and Ethan Vernon roll down the ramp for GB…

Is it time for Bigham’s revenge, after his devastating defeat to Filippo Ganna on the boards the other night?

Last year, it was Annemiek van Vleuten’s crash just off the start ramp, now it’s the turn of Daan Hoole – after crashing out of the road race – who snapped his fork after misjudging a bend and crashing into the barriers:

HOOLE HOOLE HOOLE, crash and fork broken #LesRp #GlasgowScotland2023 #TTT pic.twitter.com/alVC4HriDW

— Marc (@marcrp) August 8, 2023

 While Luke Plapp will owe his Aussie teammates Michael Matthews and Luke Durbridge a few pints tonight after his early crash:

Disaster start for Australia 😰

Luke Plapp is out of the Team Time Trial Mixed Relay just a few hundred metres in 🇦🇺#GlasgowScotland2023 pic.twitter.com/gtr2wuNNNf

— Eurosport (@eurosport) August 8, 2023

Team Time Trial Mixed Relay podium!

🥇 Switzerland 🇨🇭
🥈 France 🇫🇷
🥉 Germany 🇩🇪#GlasgowScotland2023 pic.twitter.com/8CEAsW5avO

— UCI (@UCI_cycling) August 8, 2023

Well, that was a bit dramatic, wasn’t it?

On a lovely, sunny day in Glasgow, Switzerland secured their second consecutive world team time trial title, beating a strong France team by just seven seconds, despite their powerhouse Tour de France Femmes stage winner Marlen Reusser having to overcome a crash and chase back on.

After Stefan Bissegger, Stefan Küng, and Mauro Schmid set the fastest men’s time, Élise Chabbey, Nicole Koller, and Marlen Reusser completed their assignment, which at one point looked perilous after Reusser crashed on a corner. However, the SD Worx TT specialist managed to rejoin her teammates to secure a narrow victory over France.

Pedal strike potentially for Marlen Reusser and the bike just flips!#GlasgowScotland2023 pic.twitter.com/PpAKxn3AYG

— Mathew Mitchell (@MatMitchell30) August 8, 2023

Germany took the bronze, 51 seconds down, while Great Britain finished fourth a further 12 seconds down.

Meanwhile, Italy finished fifth, despite Silvio Persico’s troubles with her rear mech, which forced her to resort to the blunt force DIY method ((before eventually resorting to a bike change)…

🫣 Don’t look! An interesting mechanic method from silvia_persico! #GlasgowScotland2023 #couchpeloton #sbscycling pic.twitter.com/5sOzPJmW4E

— SBS Sport (@SBSSportau) August 8, 2023

It’s been a world championships of so near but yet so far for Dan Bigham, who followed up Sunday’s agonising defeat to protégé Filippo Ganna in the individual pursuit on the track with the dreaded fourth spot in the team time trial on Glasgow’s city circuit.

“It’s been quite the 48 hours, hasn’t it?” he joked to reporters at the finish. “It would be nice to end up on the right side of history, but I enjoyed that. I knew not having Ben Turner would be a big miss, as he’s a great rider.

“Ethan [Vernon] was kicking my head in on the corners, he’s a bit of a mad man. Just trying to follow him, he’s got some ability, that’s for sure.

“We didn’t have much time to prepare for this, as it’s the super worlds, and so much is going on, but we should be really content with how we did do.”

(Zac Williams/SWpix.com)

Meanwhile, despite missing out on a medal in the team time trial, Anna Shackley – from just down the road in Milngavie – was also nevertheless happy to enjoy the home support of the Glasgow crowds.

“It was really nice, actually,” she said. “We had people shouting our names, and there were so many people out on the streets.

“And, for me, this is my home city, so it’s really strange to be cycling past shops I’d normally go into! And there’s so many people on the course, it’s really nice.”

In the winners’ press conference, Switzerland’s Marlen Reusser discussed her “stupid” crash on a corner, and that she may need to work to regain her confidence before Thursday’s individual time trial in Stirling and, of course, Sunday’s road race.

“This was not the strategy,” she laughed when asked about how her crash affected the team’s plan. “I did what I shouldn’t do, and pedalled on the corner. Which was really stupid. But I managed to get back and we finished okay.

“I’m glad the men always give us a nice advantage, so we can do stupid things, so that was nice.

“I just have a little bruise, but I just don’t like that I did this. It’s taken away a bit of confidence that I need to get back tomorrow.”

Well, that’s me settling in now for a lovely evening at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome (as I said earlier, it’s a hard life).

I’ll see you all next week!

As someone who loves cycling, I suppose it’s heartening to know that, with all that’s going on in the world at the moment, the Daily Record decided to focus this morning’s front page on Mathieu van der Poel’s emergency visit – in the middle of the protest that temporarily halted Sunday’s elite men’s road race – to a local Scottish couple’s house to, ahem, use their facilities…

Now that’s what I call a front-page splash (or should that be dump?).

And come on, the Daily Record, ‘Mathieu van der Poo-el’ was stirring you right in the face and you went with that headline?

Anyway… Proud Scottish hosts Davie and Shona Findlay told the newspaper that they were “thrilled” to play such an integral role in Van der Poel’s maiden world road race title, and the first Dutch rainbow jersey in almost 40 years.

> “A few corners too many”: Riders react to claims that Glasgow city circuit was a “death race” and “designed in a pub” after Mathieu van der Poel wins epic battle

“All we did was offer a bit of hospitality, which we would always do. Any of the neighbours would have done the same thing,” says Davie, who lives near the site of Sunday’s environmental protest, which halted the race for almost an hour in the Carron Valley.

“We did feel that it was a bit of an emergency because the team manager came first and asked if we could let one rider use the facilities, who I now take to be Mathieu van der Poel.

“He was such a nice guy and extremely polite and he was so grateful. The next thing we knew there was another rider and then another and I think we had four of the guys from the Netherlands in.

“I think they were just taking advantage of the lull in the race and enjoying the rest while they got focused for the restart.”

Delightful. Although, to be fair, given Tom Dumoulin’s exploits in the past, we should all just be glad that Dutch riders have now taken to using the toilet…

 (Pauline Ballet/SWpix.com)

Van der Poel even showed how grateful he was by giving a shout out on Dutch TV to the Findlays.

“I had to do a big massive message,” he said. “I had to knock on the door of a couple’s house along the course. I really owe them and I would like to thank them so much. I couldn’t have carried on racing without their help.

“It was the biggest race of my life and it was so kind of these people to let me in their house and let me sit on their toilet.”

After hearing the world champion’s message, Davie said: “I heard that Mathieu had a very nice message for us so if we’re able to respond to that, I’d like to tell him that he’s very welcome and I’m thrilled that we could help him any way. It’s all a bit surreal to be honest, as we’re aware of what a massive race it was and the incident with the protestors made our home a real focal point in world news for an hour or so.”

(Alex Broadway/SWpix.com)

I hear the Findlays’ toilet seat and a tin of Febreze will be appearing next to the infamous BOA dial at the Netherlands’ cycling museum before Christmas…