“The gods turned their fury to a part I didn’t even know could break”: “Cursed” cyclist’s attempt to buy “indestructible bike fails miserably”, leaving mechanics confused too; Habemus Giro d’Italia; Geraint Thomas “misses” Pidcock + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
“Ongoing Trump tariff insecurity” to blame as high-end bike component brand Rotor shuts US office
> “Ongoing Trump tariff insecurity” to blame as high-end bike component brand Rotor shuts US office
Habemus Giro!
HABEMUS GIRO pic.twitter.com/NKSE6Vh7XB
— #SiempreGino (@NairoInGreen) May 8, 2025
Three categorised climbs, a downhill finish and the first of three days in Albania… Giro d’Italia is here — a day after the Papal Conclave announced the election of the first American leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV.
The big question, though, which I’m sure must be on everyone’s minds… is he a ‘bicyclist’? If yes, does he ride S-Works or a Trek? Maybe he’s old-school, and owns a Cannondale CAAD6 in the iconic red and yellow trim? And how long do we have until we see Matteo Jorgenson win a Grand Tour and gift the Pope a bike?
> Pope Francis has a new Dogma thanks to Egan Bernal – a Pinarello Dogma F12 bike, that is
“He’d still be great to have around”: Geraint Thomas says he “misses” Tom Pidcock and opens up on finishing his career on the “streets of Cardiff”
Geraint Thomas, in his final season with Ineos Grenadiers and marking the end of a remarkable 15-year tenure, has said he “misses” Tom Pidcock after his tumultuous departure, insisting that the younger rider wasn’t to blame for the British team’s recent struggles.
“I don’t think whatever issues Tom had were the reason for the whole team lacking a couple of results,” Thomas told The Guardian. “I miss him, he’d still be great to have around. He’s still riding well, isn’t he?”
Pidcock left Ineos over the winter to join Swiss Pro team Q36.5, a move that sparked speculation about internal friction and long-term planning within the British squad. Thomas, who has been with the team since its inception, previously likened its 2023 structure to a “coalition government” but believes things have turned a corner in 2025.
“The narrative around the team is a big thing,” he said. “I stay in my own little bubble, most of the time, and I’ve still been able to be successful. Now that there are more positive stories about the way the team is racing, that also helps. When people are writing negative stuff all the time, it’s easy to believe it.”
The 2018 Tour de France champion is in the final months of his long career, and has already racked up 30 race days this season across six countries and recently supported Carlos Rodríguez at the Tour de Romandie. He’ll be going to the Tour one last time in July, and will take on a similar role at the Tour, opting out of a GC bid in favour of experience and support.
“It’s a different mindset this year as I’m not going for the general classification,” he said. “It’s been a little too relaxed maybe, so it’s time to knuckle down, diet and everything.”
While many riders are embracing a Pogačar-less Giro, Thomas has chosen not to return, still stung by last year’s late collapse. “It’s certainly been up and down but you just remember the good times,” he said of the 2023 Giro, where he lost pink to Primož Roglič on the penultimate day. “Even the bad times are character building, by getting through them, learning from it and growing from it. It makes you stronger for sure.”
As for what’s next, Thomas says a management role at Ineos is possible. “It’s been mentioned, but it’s something I haven’t spoken properly about. I love cycling and the team, so would love to stay involved in some capacity. I think I’ve got a lot to offer on performance and going after bike races… that’s the type of challenge I’d be looking for.”
His final appearance will be at the Tour of Britain, finishing in Cardiff on 7 September. “It’ll be amazing,” he said. “It will be full circle: finishing my career on the roads in Cardiff. There will be lots of friends and family there. I can’t think of a better way to finish.”
If you liked Egan Bernal’s Colombian champ Giro kit, then here’s a bike you’re going to fall head over heels too
“It’s more of a dream now than something realistic”: Wout van Aert admits hopes of a maglia rosa stint on Giro d’Italia debut dented by illness
Wout van Aert was hoping to make his long-awaited Giro d’Italia debut one to remember, but unfortunately the Belgian star has said his illness-struck build-up has left him playing a “waiting game” with his form.
“I’m heading into this Giro with question marks,” Van Aert admitted ahead of Friday’s Grande Partenza in Turin. “Unfortunately, I got sick last week and that meant my preparation was far from ideal.”
After showing signs of top form through the spring classics, including strong rides at Brabantse Pijl and Amstel Gold, Van Aert was forced off the bike after picking up a lingering infection. “After Amstel, I wasn’t able to do any real training. I kept having to adjust things. I had an infection that kept lingering, so to be honest, I’m going into this not really knowing where the legs are at.”
The first three stages of this year’s Giro would normally suit Van Aert perfectly, with chances to get into pink early. But the uncertainty over his condition means he’s managing expectations.
“The chance of being good right away is much smaller,” he said. “I just hope my body responds well to the first stages. Of course we’ll give it a go on Friday, but we’ll see.”
A stint in the maglia rosa was a goal at one stage, but Van Aert now admits that dream may be slipping. “It’s more of a dream now than something realistic. I’m taking it day by day and just hoping to have a great Giro. I still have plenty of ambition, but it’s a bit of a waiting game. Just last week it still didn’t look great for me to make the start this year either, so I’m really happy to be here now.”
Even the points classification is off the table, with the young gun Olav Kooij tasked to win bunch sprints for the Dutch team — Van Aert instead handling lead out duties. “With Olav Kooij in the team, it’s going to be tough to pick up points after doing a lead-out. And most of the points are in flat stages anyway, so it was never really a goal.”
Nor is the general classification part of his remit — “That was never the plan,” he said. “We’re here to go after as many stage wins as possible. Simon Yates is our GC guy.”
Disqualified lorry driver who sped through red light and left cyclist in coma avoids further jail time – as judge rules initial nine-month term was not “unduly lenient”
When the new Lime bikes in Paris have BMX pegs on, you gotta do what you gotta do...
First scare of the day! UAE Team Emirates’ Juan Ayuso down and in need of a bike change
Bristol’s “invisible” bike lanes to be painted red to reduce conflict with pedestrians – but cyclists warn “lipstick on a pig” approach will not make “disjointed” infrastructure safer
“Every step and every ride”: World Health Organisation launches toolkit to make walking and cycling safer as Global Road Safety Week begins
As the 8th UN Global Road Safety Week gets underway with the theme “Make walking and cycling safe”, the World Health Organisation has launched a new toolkit aimed at helping governments promote active travel, not just by encouraging it, but by making it safer.
Around 1.2 million people die on the roads each year, and over a quarter of them are walking or cycling at the time. Yet only a tiny fraction — 0.2 per cent — of global roads are equipped with cycle lanes, and in many places, even basics like sidewalks or safe crossings are missing.
“Walking and cycling improve health and make cities more sustainable,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “Every step and every ride help to cut congestion, air pollution and disease. But we must make walking and cycling safe, so more people choose these healthier, greener options.”
Despite their clear benefits, fewer than a third of countries have national policies to support walking and cycling. WHO’s new Active Mobility Toolkit aims to close that gap with practical guidance for policymakers, urban planners, and campaigners. The recommendations include safer infrastructure like protected cycle lanes and crossings, speed limits that follow global best practice, integrating active travel into health and transport planning, behaviour change campaigns, and financial incentives to promote walking and cycling.
Progress, however, remains uneven. While pedestrian deaths have declined slightly and cyclist deaths plateaued globally between 2011 and 2021, some regions have seen alarming increases. In South-East Asia, pedestrian deaths rose by 42 per cent. In Europe, cyclist deaths increased by 50 per cent. In the Western Pacific region, that figure reached 88 per cent.
“It is urgent to make, what should be our most natural means of transport, safer,” said Dr Etienne Krug, Director of WHO’s Department for the Social Determinants of Health. “This is paramount for road safety, but also health, equity and climate.”
WHO joins hundreds of governments and organisations in calling for action during Global Road Safety Week, with the Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety mobilising over 400 member organisations in 100 countries. The message is clear: making walking and cycling safe isn’t just good policy — it’s a matter of saving lives.
Marianne Vos powers to stage six victory at La Vuelta Femenina after photo finish with Bredewold
Visma-Lease a Bike’s Marianne Vos showed she still has the sharpest sprint in the peloton, claiming her second win of the race in a nail-biting finish to Stage 6 of La Vuelta Femenina 2025.
The 126.7km stage from Becerril de Campos to Baltanás was tipped to favour the fast finishers, but it was anything but straightforward. A huge break of 19 riders animated the early part of the day, with Ellen van Dijk and Kristen Faulkner among the aggressors. That move was neutralised with 46km to go — but the chaos was just getting started.
Multiple solo attacks tried to spoil the sprint — including strong digs from Sarah Roy and Nicole Steigenga — but in the final 10km, the race regrouped just in time for a select bunch sprint. A sharp corner with 200 metres to go added one last twist, but Vos hit the final straight with a clear line and just enough legs to edge SD Worx-Protime’s Mischa Bredewold by a whisker. Ally Wollaston (AG Insurance-Soudal) rounded out the podium.
“It’s always special to win, and this one was very close!” Vos said after her 257th career victory. She also strengthens her hold on the points jersey.
Demi Vollering (FDJ-SUEZ) finished safely in the bunch and retains the overall lead heading into tomorrow’s decisive mountain showdown on Alto de Cotobello.
Mads maglia! Pedersen powers to Giro d’Italia stage win and takes first pink jersey in Tirana by outsprinting Wout van Aert, as Mikel Landa crashes out on dramatic opening day
Lidl-Trek’s Mads Pedersen stormed to victory on the first stage of the 2025 Giro d’Italia, beating Wout van Aert in Tirana to claim not only the stage but also the first maglia rosa of the race.
The 160km opener from Durrës to the Albanian capital promised fireworks — and it delivered. Despite some pre-race uncertainty over Van Aert’s condition following a lingering infection, it looked like the Belgian had overcome his issues — just not enough to stop Pedersen.
“This is my favourite stage now,” said a beaming Pedersen at the finish. “To win the stage and go in the pink jersey, it’s absolutely amazing, especially after teamwork like this. It’s incredible that the team worked that hard and I can pay back with a win.”
The stage featured two climbs of the Surrel ascent in the final 50 kilometres, with Lidl-Trek setting a searing pace for Pedersen that jettisoned not only most of the big sprinters in the race, such as Olav Kooij, Kaden Groves, and Sam Bennett, but also two pre-race GC favourites, Derek Gee and Thymen Arensman.
Israel-Premier Tech rider Gee, who burst onto the scene at the 2023 Giro with a string of sparkling performances, ended up shipping 57 seconds to the lead group, while Ineos co-leader Arensman, second at last month’s Tour of the Alps, conceded 1.35.
However, while those two race on to fight another day, the same can’t be said for Mikel Landa, who came into this Giro harbouring hopes of another podium finish, the veteran Spaniard crashing heavily on the frenetic, twisting descent back into Tirana.
Landing hard on the pavement, a few steps below the road, Soudal Quick-Step leader Landa looked in considerable pain, and was later stretchered into an ambulance, his Giro bid over before it had even begun.
Back at the front of the vastly reduced group, Pedersen capitalised on his team’s sterling effort, launching down the left-hand side of the road and holding off a charging Van Aert in a drag race to the line, while Movistar’s Venezuelan ride Orluis Aular rounded out the podium in third.
With the win, Pedersen adds the pink jersey to his growing collection of Grand Tour leader’s kits — having worn both yellow at the Tour and red at the Vuelta previously.
Cyclist fined £1,224 for riding bike in town centre – as councillor claims cycling ban isn’t “simply way to make money”
“The gods turned their fury to a part I didn’t even know could break”: “Cursed” Cyclist’s attempt to buy an “indestructible bike fails miserably”, leaving mechanics confused as well
Sometimes, even the most meticulously specced bike can’t save you from divine intervention — or, in the case of this Reddit user, a cosmic vendetta that’s apparently been running for years.
Writing on the subreddit r/Justridingalong, the self-described “well-behaved German boy” shared his quest to build a bombproof, maintenance-free machine after turning his previous bikes into mechanical mulch on a near-seasonal basis.
“Maybe it’s because I like to ride fast and brake so quickly, or maybe it’s because I don’t skimp on the payload and always have half my household with me,” he wrote, before adding: “Personally, I just don’t think wasting resources and energy should be left to SUVs alone. I, too, can drag around absurd amounts of unnecessary stuff! Though I usually leave the sofa at home.”
My attempt to buy an indestructible bike fails miserably. Seems to be something with the gods or fate…
byu/Infamous-Talk-4877 inJustridingalong
After his insurer understandably lost the will to keep bankrolling quarterly derailleur/wheel/headset funerals, he decided to go all-in. No suspension. No rust. And absolutely no gears to mangle.
“One that wouldn’t rust in the rain but instead, Chuck Norris-style, would make the water ride bicycles. One that I could just peel out of the SUV driver’s electric tank after a crash and keep riding like nothing happened. I wanted to flip off the vengeful gods who kept destroying my bikes.”
Enter the Rohloff Speedhub — the internal gear hub revered by German engineers, so it’s got to be great, right? “My German heart starts beating faster when thinking about this marvel of engineering,” he said. “It alone costs as much as my last bike.”
The final choice? Well, definitely not the Itera Volvo, which Jack tells me he’s eager to become the owner of (and thus also claim the title of owner of the world’s worst bike) for £100.
No, instead it was a €3,200 Böttcher Dakkar. “Steel frame, no suspension, disc brakes, belt drive, solid wheels, red paint (I’ll admit that part doesn’t help functionally, but it does look cool), and most importantly: an internal gear hub,” he said.
For five glorious, uneventful months, the gods were silent. “That’s the longest I’ve gone without repairs in years,” he said. Then, as he pushed off from a red light, it happened.
“The gods, who used to destroy my gears and wheels, bit their teeth out on this bike and then turned their fury to a part I didn’t even know could break: The axle of the bottom bracket.”
With a snap “like a pencil, or a carrot,” the pedal dropped to the pavement. He looked down in disbelief — and up in cosmic resignation. Fortunately, the drama unfolded just metres from his trusted local bike shop. “I walk in, place the pedal on the counter, and say: ‘Got something new for you today.’”
Even the mechanic had never seen a failure like it on a new bike. “A few weeks later he even calls me back and says the manufacturer didn’t have any useful explanation for it, either.”
> Quick, here’s your chance to buy one of the worst bikes in the world for just £100!
Still, axle replaced, insurance activated, and no charge for the repair. “Every day I hop on my shiny red bike and push myself up the steep hills of my hometown at max speed, arriving at the office sweaty and wheezing. And I’m happy.”
Well… mostly happy. “Some of the parts are starting to rattle every now and then,” he confessed in a postscript, “but it rides great and I’m quite happy with it.”
And though his visits to the shop are rarer these days, they still greet him by name. “I have to admit, I’m a little flattered by the whole thing. Not everyone can say they get that much attention from up there!”
Any self-proclaimed mechanics in the road.cc readership who might want to explain a reason behind why this BB spindle snapped? Let us know in the comments!
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The defence may well have argued that, and the magistrate may have accepted it, but that's not what the law says. It says that you have only driven without reasonable consideration for others if someone is inconvenienced. But the offence is committed if you drive without due care and attention, OR without reasonable consideration for other person. You have done the first if the driving falls below what would be expected of a careful and competent driver, regardless of whether anyone was inconvenienced. And CPS guidance specifically cites driving too close to another vehicle as an example.
Some years ago (before there was a cycle lane) I used to commute on Sidmouth St. But only because I worked on the London Road campus, from anywhere else there are better alternatives. As a cycle route it runs from between two busy roads, neither of which are exactly cycle friendly. So it's hardly surprising that no cyclists use it.
The officer's comments unfortunately reflect the reality of UK law. While the Highway Code guidance indeed refers to 1.5m, that is not anywhere in the law. And the criteria in law for proving a charge of careless driving does in fact rest on whether the rider is being "inconvenienced", as the discovered several years ago when the Met prosecuted a taxi driver who nearly hit me when cutting into my lane from the left near Marylebone. The prosecution lawyer was a barely competent newbie who fumbled over his words. The court computer was barely capable of playing the video footage, which kept freezing and crashing. The cabbie had an highly assertive defence lawyer who immediately seized on this point, and argued to the magistraite that I clearly hadn't been "inconvenienced" because I had not stopped or swerved, and had carried on my journey. Never mind that didn't have time to do either of those things, or that I was centimetres from being hit - the magistraite acquitted him on those grounds. That is unfortunately the outrageous reality of actually prosecuting a close pass incident. I know it's popular to blame the police and the CPS for not prosecuting enough close passes ... but the fact is the law is inadequate, and if the driver has a good lawyer then they can likely get off most close pass prosecutions.
Let's not forget the protruding "side" mirror...
HTML rules are clearly only partially implemented
please can we have the ability to use bold and italics for emphasis back as well?
As a Reading resident and cyclist, I can say I cannot think of a single occasion when I have seen a cyclist using the Sidmouth St cycle lane, nor can I think of any reason I'd use it myself. It doesn't connect to any other useful cycle routes. I don't rejoice that some of it is going back to motor traffic but I can see why the council is proposing to do that. Reading could really do with a cycleway to cross the town centre west to east and east to west but I'm not holding my breath on that.
Giant are one of the most trustworthy brands out there when it comes to manufacturing components given that they actually own their own production facilities. None of that matters though when it comes to road hookless, I and most other people won't touch it with a barge pole. We're surely at a stage now where it's toxic amongst consumers and it's only a matter of time before the UCI ban it for racing.
Filling the road with one person per car is using the road space more efficiently, amazing, I never realised that.
I bought a Giant Defy recently and immediately sold off the hookless wheels at a pretty big loss and won't ever do that again. I'm not buying hookless for road ever. Giant in particular has very short list of what tires they test with their rims so it's way too restrictive even if I was going to ride hookless wheels. Which I won't. Very short sighted by Giant.
5 thoughts on ““The gods turned their fury to a part I didn’t even know could break”: “Cursed” cyclist’s attempt to buy “indestructible bike fails miserably”, leaving mechanics confused too; Habemus Giro d’Italia; Geraint Thomas “misses” Pidcock + more on the live blog”
G finishing career in Cardiff
G finishing career in Cardiff – has the ToB route been announced then? Can’t find it anywhere.
That BB axle – “After his insurer understandably lost the will to keep bankrolling quarterly derailleur/wheel/headset funerals” – do people really claim on insurance for bike repairs?! Also, doesn’t look like a belt drive.
quiff wrote:
In the full Reddit post, they call it “repair insurance”. Not something I’ve come across, but maybe it’s a thing in more civilised countries where cycling is seen as a perfectly normal mode of transport (akin to breakdown insurance).
Agree, the picture is definitely not of a bike with a belt drive. From the full post, it’s still not 100% clear but I think they are saying they wanted a belt drive, but it would have been a 3 month wait and so instead they went with what a local shop had in stock.
quiff wrote:
Full route not announced yet but definitely confirmed the final stage will be Worcester to Cardiff with a three-lap route round the town to finish.
Hilariously the race website has used its 2015 text as a placeholder and just changed the year to 2025 – I got all excited when I read it was going to finish in London, then saw that apparently Alberto Contador was amongst this year’s favourites…
I struggled to find an
I struggled to find an official site. Tour-of-britain.com ranks well on Google, but it looks a bit too focused on betting to be official. British Cycling has some pages with a 2025 date, but they’re still under construction.
Thought this might have made
Thought this might have made the news today Le Tour Moto GP
https://www.motogp.com/en/videos/2025/05/08/two-wheel-titans-mark-cavendish-leads-the-race-before-the-race/748555?playlistId=425969
Marquez won of course