Winning or minging? A gallery of THAT EF Pro Cycling kit; Simmons ‘sorry’ for THAT tweet; Stationary objects attack Edinburgh cars; Brajkovic says racism was endemic at Bahrain-Merida in 2017 + more

Statement from Trek-Segafredo and Quinn Simmons. pic.twitter.com/WvtK9htYWN

— Trek-Segafredo (@TrekSegafredo) October 1, 2020

A 43-year-old Swindon man who has mental health issues and autism had his bike taken out of his hands outside St Barnabas Parish Church in Gorse Hill.

3) Anger as vulnerable man's £350 bike is snatched outside Gorse Hill churchhttps://t.co/eylqdzFH2S pic.twitter.com/wJzJgRpVbU

— Swindon Advertiser (@swindonadver) September 30, 2020

The Swindon Advertiser reports that the man has been staying at the SW Bed and Breakfast in Malvern Road.

Owner Sara Wheeler said: “I’ve cared for him over the last nine months and he’s become part of the family. We bought the bike in July and he loves it. On the day it was stolen he had a bad mental health episode and he took it with him to the church.

“As he was sat down a man went up to him and said ‘I’m taking that’ and walked off with it in broad daylight. He was so upset and so angry, it took him a while to save up for that bike and now it’s gone.”

She added: “I was mortified when I found out someone had taken advantage of someone who is vulnerable. He sees the bike like a child sees a teddy bear. It’s so important to him and I just hope we can get it back.

“I saw it a couple days later and saw this kid with it who was between 15 and 17-years-old. He was with an older gentleman. They were tethering it up to one of the rubbish bins just opposite the Beijing Chef (in Cricklade Road).

“I couldn’t dump my car anywhere and go look at it, I just couldn’t do anything about it.”

A spokesperson for Wiltshire Police said the incident occurred on Tuesday, September 15.

“It is reported that the man was sat on the wall of the church at approximately 2pm when it is alleged he was approached by another man who has taken the bike and left with it.

“The bike is a dark green Vengeance bike with a 32-inch frame and has bright green writing on the wheels. Anyone who may have seen the incident, or may have seen the bike since or on an online marketplace is asked to call 101 and quote crime reference number 54200094715.”

Geraint Thomas, who is riding the Giro d'Italia for the first time since 2017, will be supported by Jonathan Castroviejo, Rohan Dennis, Filippo Ganna, Tao Geoghegan Hart, Jonathan Narvaez, Salvatore Puccio and Ben Swift.

Thomas said: “I’m excited to lead the Team again in Italy and I feel ready. It’s been a strange year for everyone but it’s great to have this big objective. The legs are feeling good - Tirreno went well and then the World Time Trial was a confidence booster for me. Now stage one is nearly here and I’m more motivated than ever.

“I’ve a long association with Italy - I’ve lived here, I’ve raced for an Italian team, and I had some rough luck the last time I came to the Giro. I’m determined to right that wrong this time around.

“We’re taking a great Team and I’ve got total faith in the guys around me. Racing a Grand Tour with Swifty again will be a pleasure - we’ve been good mates since I was 12 and he’ll be our guide on the road. Tao and I have raced really well together before, most notably when I won the Dauphine, and Filippo is obviously flying after the Worlds. Puccio has so much experience of the Giro, young Jonny Narvaez is going really well and obviously everybody knows what Castro and Rohan can do.

“The Team couldn’t have supported me any better in the lead up to this race and I know those seven guys will do the job and support me on the road. Now it’s time to fight for the maglia rosa.”

 

 

 

 

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After 30km ride to work @AndyBurnhamGM Best way to lead is by doing 👏👏👏

A post shared by Chris boardman (@chris_boardmanbikes) on Oct 1, 2020 at 6:34am PDT

Greater Manchester is looking to build 55 miles of cycling and walking routes by next Christmas, plus around 25 miles of pop-up routes and two low-traffic neighbourhoods.

GM's #cycling and #walking revolution is kick starting next year with 55 miles of routes and 140 crossings to be delivered enabling thousands more journeys on foot or by bike. 🚴

For more info 👉 https://t.co/MJOU9dMdrT#Bee Network pic.twitter.com/k9VbEY7ItE

— Transport for Greater Manchester 🚲🚶🏾‍♀️ (@OfficialTfGM) October 1, 2020

Funded by the Mayor’s Challenge Fund, there will be Bee Network schemes in all 10 of Greater Manchester’s districts.

The region’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, Chris Boardman, said: “We started this mission nearly two years ago and I’m so pleased with the significant work GM’s local authorities have been doing behind the scenes to get this monumental mission underway.

“The Bee Network was a vision; now, having completed the planning, paperwork and many consultations, we are ready to start making it a reality. It will create better places to live and work, give those with a car the option to leave it at home and for those who don’t, it will provide them with a reliable, safe and pleasant network to walk or ride to shops, schools and workplaces. This is the beginning of Greater Manchester’s twenty first century transport revolution.”  

It's on now. Click here.

The coverage is good. Plenty of info on the rider and course in the sidebar.

The general theme of the replies: 'The driver would still be in the wrong even without the 'no left-turn' sign.'

CORRECTION: Yesterday we posted this video to spark a conversation about cycle safety in South London. But we did not see the 'no left turn' sign before the change of camera angle which puts the driver completely in the wrong, for that we apologise. #cycling #RoadSafety https://t.co/nESxFpO1G6

— South London Press (@SthLondonPress) October 1, 2020

After Trek-Segafredo's Quinn Simmons' was stood down from racing yesterday, 2010 Criterium du Dauphine winner Janez Brajkovic has spoken out about the culture at Bahrain-Merida when he raced for them in 2017.

..."Are you a racist"
Yes, I can't stand them, he replied. Everyone heard him, nobody did nothing....That's what's so sad and wrong with some people...And some nations more prone to racism than others.. They should not be in our sport, any sport. I felt so sorry for Tsgabu.

— Janibrajkovic (@janibrajkovic) October 1, 2020

Rather stupid question by @SthLondonPress which panders to the aggressive and outdated anti-cycling lobby. https://t.co/YF9PntqkBf

— Jenny Jones (@GreenJennyJones) September 30, 2020