Giro stage winner Demare pays tribute to dad’s scooter – but Thomas out of the race; Cyclist given police warning for swearing after being punched for filtering; Why Premier League clubs may start hiring out bikes; Join the Evil Cycle Lobby + more
SUMMARY
The situation with Geraint Thomas (and everyone else) in the Giro d'Italia
Let’s start with a quick recap.
Already ahead of his rivals after the opening time trial, Geraint Thomas was sitting pretty in the Giro d’Italia at the start of Stage 3.
He then fell heavily while still in the neutral zone when a water bottle that had become dislodged from another rider’s bike got stuck in his front wheel.
The latest from Ineos Grenadiers is that he doesn’t have any broken bones.
However, he lost contact with the main group 10km before the final climb and lost 11 minutes.
It was a bad day for Simon Yates too. Distanced on Mount Etna, he lost three minutes.
So where does that leave us?
João Almeida (Deceuninck-Quick Step) leads overall on the same time as yesterday’s stage winner, Jonathan Caicedo (EF Pro Cycling).
Pello Bilbao (Bahrain-McLaren) is in third, 37 seconds back and then it’s another five seconds to Wilco Kelderman (Team Sunweb).
Former winner Vincenzo Nibali (Trek-Segafredo) is also conspicuous in sixth, 55 seconds back.
Stage 4
Nothing too obviously remarkable terrain-wise. That hefty looking climb only averages 4%.
This year’s edition of the Giro is promising toddler-at-mealtimes levels of messiness though, so who knows what’ll happen.
The latest from Thomas himself
2020 you can just do one now🤬Thanks for all your well wishes though guys🙌😘 pic.twitter.com/UTm0JKs1Uz
— Geraint Thomas (@GeraintThomas86) October 6, 2020
Jonathan Caicedo's family watching him win
Asi vivió la familia de Jonathan Caicedo su victoria en el @giroditalia x @ESPNBike@mario_sabato @PROFE_RESTREPO
📷#alexcardenas pic.twitter.com/qX1VFe6xwh— Victor Hugo Pena/ OLY (@victorhugopenag) October 6, 2020
Premier League clubs could turn to bike hire to combat public transport concerns
One of the big concerns about having fans in football stadiums is not them sitting around in the stands – it’s how they get there in the first place.
The Sun reports that Premier League clubs are considering hiring out bikes so that people can get to grounds without using public transport.
They hope that this could convince public health officials to allow fans back into grounds again.
Flaunt your membership of the Evil Cycle Lobby
Don’t forget the evil cycling lobby monthly meeting is next Friday at the parish hall, everyone please bring something for the buffet (but not that horrible coleslaw again Jill I swear to god I will ban you)
— Hannah 🚲 (@theeyecollector) October 1, 2020
T-shirts and other clobber available here.
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Thomas out of the Giro
@giroditalia according to @Gazzetta_it sources @GeraintThomas86 won’t take the START of stage 4 today after yesterday crash @INEOSGrenadiers
— Ciro Scognamiglio (@cirogazzetta) October 6, 2020
Ineos Grenadiers have reportedly since confirmed that Geraint Thomas won’t start Stage 4 of the Giro d’Italia following his crash in the neutral zone of Stage 3.
Further scans this morning revealed a fractured hip.
The obvious question is: could Thomas race the Vuelta a Espana later in the month?
Physically, it’s impossible for us to say, but he’d most likely be allowed.
The UCI needs to give permission but it has happened before.
Thomas felt he may have been in better shape than when he won the Tour
Confirming Geraint Thomas’s withdrawal, Ineos Grenadiers Doctor Phil Riley said: “Geraint had an MRI and a CT scan this morning which revealed a small undisplaced fracture in the lower part of the pelvis which wasn’t picked up on the X-rays yesterday. As a precaution he will be withdrawn from the race as it’s an injury that could easily be aggravated.”
Thomas said: “It’s so frustrating. I’d put so much work in to this race. I did everything I could and feel like I was in just as good, if not better shape, than when I won the Tour. I was feeling really good. So for it just to end like this is gutting.
Cardboard pump track anyone?
Things that could have saved me a lot of time in my youth.
Turin inventor slashes pump track costs with cardboard solution: https://t.co/vx3vWbZeHO pic.twitter.com/CkQyUMxrN2
— marksuttonbike (@marksuttonbike) October 6, 2020
Cyclist given police warning for swearing after being punched for filtering
In October 2019, David Brennan encountered a queue of slow-moving traffic on his commute to work in Glasgow.
As he filtered up the inside, one driver appeared to take exception, accelerating to within inches of Brennan’s rear wheel.
This video features a lot of swearing.
“I thought I was in danger and reacted to the fast approaching vehicle by slapping the bonnet with the palm of my hand,” he said.
“The driver got out and was incredibly aggressive, hurling abuse at me. He pushed me and then punched me in the face. I was left with a swollen lip and in a state of shock.”
Brennan reported the incident to police. He said he had video footage from front and rear facing cameras, plus a witness from the driver of the vehicle behind who confirmed that the man had driven at him.
Brennan repeatedly chased the force and was eventually told that the driver had been given a written warning.
After later seeing the footage online, the police told Brennan they were going to investigate ‘further criminality’.
This turned out to be Brennan’s own behaviour. He was given a written warning stating that he ‘Did shout and swear causing fear to others’.
After taking advice from Cycling UK and Cycle Law Scotland, and with Cycling UK committed to covering legal costs through its’ Cyclists’ Defence Fund Brennan appealed the warning.
Seven months later he was informed that the case had been dropped as it was ‘disproportionate’.
Cycling UK is calling for significant changes in the way vulnerable road users are treated in Scotland.
Jim Densham, Cycling UK’s policy and campaigns manager in Scotland, said: “David’s experience on the road that morning must have been frightening and the shock compounded by his subsequent treatment. Too often we hear of people who are out enjoying a cycle ride but experience a dangerous situation through no fault of their own.
“Dangerous incidents reported to the police on the road must be dealt with fairly and they must recognise that people who cycle are vulnerable road users. We believe that helmetcam and dashcam technology can help the police do their job and that’s why we are calling for Police Scotland to introduce a straightforward system which enables anyone to submit this footage.”
Evil bidons
“An evil bidons revolution” … ? Why not, I don’t think anything in 2020 could surprise us any more.
— Simon MacMichael (@simonmacmichael) October 6, 2020
Sagan attempting to reduce his number of sprint rivals at the finish
Impressive job by Peter Sagan and BORA-hansgrohe on #Giro Stage 4 as they drop several sprint rivals by upping the pace on the Portella Mandrazzi climb 💪
On the same 4km section…
Sagan: avg 420w & 29.5kmh
Gaviria: avg 340w & 26.4kmhFollow live data: https://t.co/V1cH8whCIY pic.twitter.com/5cQJLPrzel
— Velon CC (@VelonCC) October 6, 2020
Arnaud Demare wins Stage 4 of the Giro d'Italia
Arnaud Demare edged out Peter Sagan by a matter of millimetres in today’s sprint finish.
Today’s photofinish #Giro pic.twitter.com/wUtyYvfjD8
— the Inner Ring (@inrng) October 6, 2020
Fair to say the Frenchman knew what was coming on this stage.
🎙️ @ArnaudDemare: “Yesterday, we were in the gruppetto waiting for today. I won’t be the only one interested in the sprint but we know @BORAhansgrohe can make things hard in the climb.”#Giro pic.twitter.com/FcyWgGCkGN
— Giro d’Italia (@giroditalia) October 6, 2020
Stage 4 winner Arnaud Demare pays tribute to his dad's scooter
🔻 The last, uncertain km, Stage 4!
🔻 L’ultimo, combattutissimo, chilometro della Tappa 4!#Giro pic.twitter.com/BhXJoh71UB
— Giro d’Italia (@giroditalia) October 6, 2020
Speaking after the stage finish, the stage winner Arnaud Démare said: “Behind my dad’s scooter I often train for the last jump. Today it paid off but I wasn’t sure that I’d won when I crossed the line. It was so tight. It’s fantastic to have won a Giro stage already in the first days of the race.”
Meanwhile race leader João Almeida grabbed a couple of seconds at the intermediate sprint.
“I tried to go for the time bonus at the intermediate sprint,” he said. “I can be fast in a small group. I am very happy to wear the Maglia Rosa another day.”
Bad crash at the finish may have been caused by helicopter
#Giro Stiamo ricevendo tantissimi messaggi di supporto. Luca Wackermann è cosciente e a breve vi informeremo sulla situazione. Grazie di cuore 💗
We are receiving a lot of messages of support. Luca Wackermann is conscious and soon you'll know the full story. Thanks 💗#ForZabù pic.twitter.com/g2300zKbpo
— Vini Zabú – Brado – KTM (@ZabuBradoKTM) October 6, 2020
#Giro Luca Wackermann didn't finish the stage. The strong wind has made a fence fly in the middle of the road. We will update you soon#ForZabù
— Vini Zabú – Brado – KTM (@ZabuBradoKTM) October 6, 2020
Citracca on RAI 2: "The helicopter was flying too low, the movement of the air blew up the barriers. Wackermann was send to the hospital, he was barely conscious – is not clear if he had broken his pelvis or femur. Barriers weren't tied properly"#Giro
— La Flamme Rouge (@laflammerouge16) October 6, 2020
Etienne Van Empel was also involved, but managed to get to the finish.
Demare savours win
— Équipe Cycliste Groupama-FDJ (@GroupamaFDJ) October 6, 2020
"Yeah but no-one will cycle when the weather turns bad..."
Delft is on its fifth straight day of rain, yet the bike lanes are still full.
“The only interesting number for cyclists is the minutes of travel time, not the millimeters of rainfall.” – @copenhenken
Make cycling the most convenient option, and people will do it rain or shine. pic.twitter.com/Kq6bQvV9bM
— Modacity (@modacitylife) October 6, 2020
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Latest Comments
@mctrials23 totally agree, I think the problem is perhaps finding a police officer these days with a basic grasp of maths - or at least the authority to deploy it without being bestowed with the title of "trained forensic specialist".
"The net result of this confusion was police forces in Wales no longer issuing warning letters to drivers who dangerously overtake cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders, despite there being no formal policy change." That is one result, but my understanding is that it's wider than this - they were getting so many submissions that they are no longer taking action on *any* offence where the action would be a warning letter. So, for example, zig-zag line offences, where South Wales Police previously acted on OpSnap reports, are now NFAd. That begs a further question though - if you've already had a warning letter for an offence, a repeat offence should potentially result in a fine or prosecution. Are they checking each report to see if the reported driver has previously had a warning, or just NFA-ing all offences of a particular type? Any thoughts, wjts?!
The leader's team would get on the front and block the roads through Montmartre and completely kill the spectacle. Let's face it, the last stage has always been meaningless apart from the sprint, now it's meaningless apart from a superb and thrilling triple lap of Montmartre followed by a sprint. Neutralising GC helped that spectacle - imagine if Tadej had needed to go back and help bring Del Toro up. The roads are too narrow to allow for really fair racing, if we want the wonder of the Montmartre loop then GC neutralisation is the price we have to pay, and one well worth paying in my view.
@mdavidford Exactly this.
The big thing that the technical analysis missed out is positioning on the bike. Modern riders do aero work on their road bike and have much better discipline on holding position than even riders 10 years ago. I think Dan Bingham summed it up, his team rode with an old POC helmet with a massive peak whereas Sky had a little stub tail Cask helmet the idea being that it was less sensitive to head position. Bingham said that the long tail helmet was about 15W faster. “How hard would you train to get 15w more power, is it harder than training yourself to live with that helmet?” Pantani is standing up on the pedals, bare head, shirt open, rocking and rolling everywhere with his position, vs someone who is sat on the seat in a quasi time trial position. The 90’s riders were rank amateurs compared with those today, so it’s not a massive surprise that 30 years of progress can beat EPO.
@HoarseMann Oh I can assure you that plenty of passes can be proved with absolute certainty to have been illegal purely from generous guesses on the size of cars and the size of lanes. Lets say you drive a 2m wide car that takes up 2/3rd of a lane in a video. Someone with a basic grasp of maths would be able to tell you that you couldn't overtake a cyclist without moving into the opposite lane even if the cyclist was 0cm wide and somehow riding on the very edge of the road where it meets the pavement. Someone with a basic understanding of maths would be able to tell you that unless the car was 1.5m or less wide on a 3m wide road, its impossible to overtake by staying on your side of the road with 1.5m space even if the cyclist took up 0 space. They simply don't want to do anything about it. Its got absolutely nothing to do with holding up in court because that wouldn't be an issue in a huge number of cases and they know it. No one in their right mind would go to court to contest it.
That's... not right. The prosecution has to* prove beyond reasonable doubt that the offence was committed, but not that every single detail of statements made by their witnesses is accurate. And HoarseMann is correct that it doesn't mean the same as "with absolute certainty", otherwise it would be "beyond *all* doubt". [* More accurately, should have to. In practice, when it comes to offences against cyclists, the system often does seem to demand that it's proven beyond unreasonable doubt as well, but that's not what the standard is supposed to be, or what's applied to other offences. ]
has anyone else seen this story from the BBC - basically, a cyclist in West Yorkshire reported a close pass, and the police went through their footage and the cyclist ended up paying a £1,200 fine for dangerous cycling for squeezing in the gap between a parked car and an oncoming car. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/cd9w2l2wqvdo I'm a believer in fairness, proportionality and so on, so there are several key things here: -that is a terrible piece of cycling, posing a danger to themselves, and some small danger to the driver because the cyclist could have ended up smashing through the windscreen -there is absolutely NO WAY that any driver in West Yorkshire has been fined £1,200 for a close pass on a cyclist, even if they took it all the way to court and had to pay costs etc. -there is a strong "man bites dog" element to this story. Drivers endangering cyclists is mundane and everyday, not worthy of being reported in the BBC. Cyclists endangering drivers is the unusual exception, which then gets reported. P.S. as a measure of the standard of driving which endangers cyclists but DOESN'T get prosecuted by West Yorkshire police, they decided that this close pass/undertake wasn't a crime: https://vimeo.com/1079291114/f8d5ab5f41
Completely agree. Neutralising GC half way through a stage is just utterly absurd. What are they thinking? Imagine if Del Toro had not made it back on in time, what would have happened then? He'd have lost the white jersey *because* of ASOs dumb decision to try protect the starting GC standings. Either the GC standings are frozen at the gun (still requiring them to finish) or they should be taken at the end of the stage.
I'm fine with GC being taken far from the line. Those who want to race can, and by God they did, and those who want to kick back and enjoy the last hour of the Tour waving to fans can do that, and by God they earned it.
23 thoughts on “Giro stage winner Demare pays tribute to dad’s scooter – but Thomas out of the race; Cyclist given police warning for swearing after being punched for filtering; Why Premier League clubs may start hiring out bikes; Join the Evil Cycle Lobby + more”
In 2016-17 I cycled to and
In 2016-17 I cycled to and from every Crystal Palace match. I now feel like a trailblazer! ?
I don’t think Manu Fans could
I don’t think Manu Fans could make the trip from Cornwall though.
As getting to Selhurst
As getting to Selhurst involves a climb up a long and steep hill from my house, I generally go on my motorbike. We probably crossed paths at some point if you locked up your bike with the rest of the others in the carpark. I’ve been a few times by bicycle but the motorbike is easier!
Since I discovered that the
Since I discovered that the Chas Roberts head tube logo was based on a Crystal Palace one, I’ve had to rekindle my love for Ron Coopers instead.
Blimey. A real Annus
Blimey. A real Annus Horribilis for Ineos (and I realise it’s not been a bed of roses for anyone other than Amazon perhaps).
Kendalred wrote:
Yeah c’mon Jeff, sponsor a cycle team or three.
A few seasons ago there was a
A few seasons ago there was a Shrewsbury Town supporter who cycled to every away game (for charity).
Early in the season he cycled home too, then the club heard about him and offered to give him lifts back on the team bus.
Kapelmuur wrote:
That’s what I did with Palace matches – cycling there and back. I hadn’t realised someone had done it before me. (Palace didn’t offer me lifts, but they did invite me to the Directors’ Box for one match and did a publicity video at training – which you can still watch here is you’re really bored https://youtu.be/PMH0PDvv0As )
Don’t be daft, Jeff won’t be
Don’t be daft, Jeff won’t be happy until he’s got All the Money in the World, and nobody else don’t got none.
/sarcasm=ON
/sarcasm=ON
Mr Brennan broke the most serious of commandments – “Thou shalt not touch a motorist’s car” – and clearly deserves everything he got! He was lucky – in some parts of the UK, touching a motorist’s car warrants the death penalty IIRC.
/sarcasm=OFF
Surpising how far to the
Surpising how far to the right the car went leading up to the incident leaving such a big gap and how far to the left he came when the gap was used. I’m sure I have seen people complain about similar weaving around in the lane before by certain vehicle owners.
David Brennan again, I
David Brennan again, I thought he’d disappeared and become a better human, I guess not…Although this was 10 months ago, he used to go out looking for problems, he’s complaining that this driver could have hung back, the same applies to him, where did passing get him? Yes, there was a bit of room, but hardly enough to be squeezing through.
Bet you’re a lovely chap.
Bet you’re a lovely chap.
At this point there’s a good half-mile or more of queuing traffic, so of course a cyclist should be filtering past the queue of cars. The only reason Mr Brennan hit the car was because the driver was getting aggressively close after failing to prevent the cyclist passing. The driver was the first to start swearing and the only one to raise his fists.
The police attempting to give Mr Brennan a warning was because they didn’t like being criticised for being lenient with the driver.
Gkam84 wrote:
I don’t know the individual. However, I think your judgement of the situation has been clouded by your view of the victim.
The behaviour of the driver was unacceptable and inexcusable. And that’s it. Past behaviour is irrelevant in this case.
I would also wonder why
I would also wonder why campaigning for better cycling infrastruture and rules doesn’t make him a better person anyway.
Maybe it is the same as some view Cycling Mikey. Most see him as campaigning for safe roads by stopping or filming law breaking. A minority see him as a “Snitch” who causes drivers to hate cyclists. I’m asuming from some comments on here that some of this minority also want all video devices banned from any vehicles and just want all road incidents to be “one word against the other” like the old days.
I don’t see why it’d be a
I don’t see why it’d be a problem if someone did go out specifically “looking for problems” – isn’t that what the police are doing as part of their job? (It’s not vigilantism if they then report problems to the authorities, only if they attempt to enforce the law themselves).
To my mind, it’s like complaining if someone decides to pick up litter on the streets – they’re going out “looking for litter”.
Those banks are really
Those banks are really looking for trouble with the amount of cameras they have.
Nice analogy!
Nice analogy!
It is difficult to find words
It is difficult to find words to comment on David Brennan’s story; not without swearing and risking prosecution anyway. There is something very, very wrong there, was this an off duty policeman, or the chief constable’s son?
Glad it was taken on by CUK and the CDF so at least the threat of prosecution of the victim has been dropped, but this should be taken further, and his vid says that he will be doing so. At the very least take it to the chief constable, his MP, and make an official complaint.
We cannot be expected to both share the road with such dangerous criminals and for them not to be punished when they attack us. If the government want a golden age of cycling, we need law changes fast.
Agreed.
Agreed.
The driver was over the white line when the rider passed the truck and was waiting behind the driver – like the driver was trying to prevent the rider getting past on his right. He already had a bad attitude to the rider.
It was ok to touch (near the headlight) the car.
It was not ok for the driver to get out and assault the
rider (Glasgow kiss/!).
The Police were pathetic – no sympathy, no follow up and no conviction ;-(
Can’t believe that’s happened
Can’t believe that’s happened again – very similar incident at either the Giro or Vuelta a couple of years ago. Advertising hoardings and barriers blown into the finish area on a seafront finish by a chopper.
In Lanterne Rouge twitter
In Lanterne Rouge twitter thread, someone has posted the video to the incident you mentioned and it was the Vuelta.
Looking at the comments I see
Looking at the comments I see that too many of us have risen to the bait thrown in by Blowjob and Pratcyclist. Ignore them and they’ll go away. There are plenty of other thing to discuss and comment on.