Highway Code changes going well — even in a bike lane you're never safe; Tell us you cycle with a pic; "Up against extra-terrestrials"; Lotto-Soudal pro's Sagan impression is undefeated; Police investigate spate of 60 bike thefts + more on the live blog

Right, seven days on the job in a row and I'm ready for some David Gaudu time...

Any place is a good place for a nap. pic.twitter.com/npno7BD1DM

— Cycling out of context (@OutOfCycling) July 8, 2022

But first some beers. Seven Tour stages in a row and I'm pretty sure at this point my self-talk will be in the voice of Sean Kelly..."make the calculation, do you need another one?" "Don't go full gas, as they say, make the calculation"... 

Anyway, the live blog will be back Monday...

In the midst of the madness, Louis Meintjes may have just produced the most relatable moment of the race so far...running across the finish line...

pic.twitter.com/hiWc8OXdkK

— Cycling out of context (@OutOfCycling) July 8, 2022

#TDF2022 🇫🇷

The positioning battle has begun in the peloton as there's only 12km left to the foot of La Super Planche des Belles Filles!

🏁 19km pic.twitter.com/oi0wxKR5A3

— Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert (@IntermarcheWG) July 8, 2022

This is where we're heading...

The break is: Lennard Kämna, Max Schachmann, Dylan Teuns, Luke Durbridge, Imanol Erviti, Simon Geschke and Cyril Barthe. They've got an advantage of 1:45 as UAE Team Emirates try to close the gap for their leader and yellow jersey Tadej Pogačar to potentially take his second win in as many days.

Having made the break, my pre-stage pick Giulio Ciccone has just been dropped from the peloton. Superb. Any last predictions?

𝑺𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒚 😳

Kristen Faulkner showing off in the Giro Donne ✨ pic.twitter.com/OZW6X0nrfG

— Eurosport (@eurosport) July 8, 2022

We mentioned it in our race report earlier, but here's the video evidence...

How'd she keep that up? 

🏆🙌 ANNEMIEK VAN VLEUTEN WINS IN ALDENO 🙌🏆

Despite a late crash, @AvVleuten takes stage eight of the 🇮🇹 #GiroDonne22 and reinforces her lead as Maglia Rosa 💖#MiekItHappen | #RodamosJuntos | @Telefonica pic.twitter.com/fd0GIe4TOT

— Movistar Team (@Movistar_Team) July 8, 2022

Giro d'Italia Donnination... 

Annemiek van Vleuten won stage eight of the race this lunchtime, despite a nervy moment when she crashed on the final descent, a fall she later called "stupid and unnecessary" before apologising to her mum watching on TV at home...

Kristen Faulkner had given it her best shot, and put all our heart rates through the roof...

Kristen Faulkner just casually showing off her endo skills - not sure that's the right time or place though 😅

Was a great hold though!#girodonne22 pic.twitter.com/CHUfgBjIMJ

— Mathew Mitchell (@MatMitchell30) July 8, 2022

Home riders Marta Cavalli and Elisa Longo Borghini finished second and third on the stage, Cavalli rising above Mavi García into second on GC, still 2:13 behind Van Vleuten. Tomorrow is likely the last opportunity to find an unobvious chink in the Dutch rider's armour (if such a thing exists) as the peloton travels 112km to San Lorenzo Dorsino across three mountain passes.

The last of the climbs, the HC Passo Daone tops out with 27 lumpy kilometres still to race and averages 10 per cent for 6km. 

Can anyone beat Van Vleuten?

Breaking pic.twitter.com/N62NjyDUwv

— Ned Boulting 🇫🇷 🚲 (@nedboulting) July 8, 2022

> Crime of the century: Who stole Pete Kennaugh's wheelie bin? 

The Black Unity Bike Ride returns on August 6 for its third year to celebrate Black Empowerment. A 15-mile ride across London, founded by Tokunbo Ajasa-Oluwa, is led by an alliance of over 20 Black-led cycling collectives from across London and welcomes novices and experienced riders alike to join the peloton.

The annual bike ride began during the period of mourning following the death of George Floyd in 2020, and calls for the Black community to unite against social injustice and inspire more active wellbeing.

"The Black Unity Bike Ride is a community ride that was created with the aim of inspiring more unity and a sense of empowerment," founder Mr Ajasa-Oluwa said.

"It's an awesome vibrant day where we get participants aged seven to seventy-year-olds riding side-by-side and enjoying some of London's most iconic landmarks."

"We are up against extra-terrestrials." That is how Cofidis climber Guillaume Martin summed up the ridiculous yellow jersey breakaway of Wout van Aert and subsequent continued domination from Tadej Pogačar...

(ASO/Pauline Ballet)

Speaking to Stelvio, the Frenchman simply concluded "they're above everyone". Tom Pidcock had something similar to say about Van Aert (just with a bit of Yorkshire straight-talking chucked in)...

> "He's playing with our balls... he's taking the piss!": Tom Pidcock sums up how we all feel about Wout van Aert

So, will the alien win again today? Predictions in the comments...

Lincolnshire Police are appealing for information as part of an ongoing investigation into more than 60 bikes that have been stolen from properties and public spaces in Grantham during the past six months.

The force says it has attended all reports of bike thefts and carried out house to house and CCTV enquiries. The Grantham Journal reports dedicated patrols have also been part of the response.

"There has been a high number of bikes stolen from the local area in the past six months, and our investigations lead us to believe that there may be an individual or group, trafficking these bikes for profit," Sergeant Lee Mayfield said.

We love a good Twitter thread here on the live blog...and today's cracker: tell us you cycle with a pic...(Prepare yourself for more tan lines than you've ever wanted to see)...

🙄. A couple of years ago. Runner up in the world tan line (senior class )competition. #cycling pic.twitter.com/gmiPS6Cxdm

— Andrew. (@MrWetwood) July 8, 2022

But it's not just about the questionably bronzed quads...

pic.twitter.com/3KPeleVUCQ

— varză (@semiotec_) July 7, 2022

pic.twitter.com/BqmvvfVA5q

— Neil Irwin (@nellyboot) July 7, 2022

pic.twitter.com/4iR5NjJ1Zz

— shaun (@slow_tri_guy) July 7, 2022

pic.twitter.com/vMlKVzMgOR

— Biscuit Van Guy 🍪🚚🚴‍♂️🇫🇷 (@BiscuitVanGuy) July 7, 2022

I feel like this says i cycle but am not a proper cyclist pic.twitter.com/Nj2ia9jieR

— Chris (@Wenlockedge1) July 8, 2022

Nah, every 'proper' cyclist has done that before, they just might not admit it...

And finally, our personal favourite...

pic.twitter.com/GP9mAISsa8

— Japster (@Japster11) July 7, 2022