Tour de la Provence finish line crash caused by spectator; Chris Froome works with Red Bull to recover from injury; Police return stolen bike; Shimano earnings up 20%; Fernando Alonso update; Nobody cycles when it’s cold outside + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
Nobody will bother cycling when it's cold outside
No sign of any cyclists using De Beauvoir in the snow. Absolute lightweights #LTN #hackney pic.twitter.com/VT4LBadnYY
— Bob From Accounts (@BobFromAccounts) February 11, 2021
Doesn’t look like too many cyclists in Hackney took the Met Office’s advice to consider not riding. Pictures from other parts of London, including the Olympic Park and Southwark, tell a similar story. That people are still using their bikes to get around, even when it’s cold outside. What’s more Bob even says that this LTN has been in place since 1974 and nobody complains about it…
Hackney LCC replied to Bob’s post: “Cycling is an incredibly resilient transport option. Give people the right conditions and it thrives.”
These pictures come as yesterday Medway Council in Kent said they would be salting roads as a priority. They said to also salt cycle lanes and footways would be impractical.
I was in early this morning, but definitely wasn’t making first tracks!#LTN #hackney pic.twitter.com/ELQoUIY6Gb
— Tab (@mum_on_bike) February 11, 2021
Snow fun this lunchtime, what an awesome winter we’re having. pic.twitter.com/D0zia0dStA
— Simon Warren (@100Climbs) February 11, 2021
Pleasure to chat to Colin from @farroutdelivers today as he showed that a wee bit of snow doesn’t have to stop you cycling or getting your stuff delivered in a zero emission way in #Edinburgh city. Who wouldn’t want less vans on our streets? pic.twitter.com/Vh1o7w8GRp
— Andy Catlin (@andycatlincom) February 10, 2021
TfL to appeal High Court ruling that Streetspace was unlawful
As expected, TfL moves to appeal against High Court ruling that its Bishopsgate “Streetspace” restrictions, which aim to provide more space for cyclists and pedestrians, are illegal https://t.co/0IBpu9qVcG
— Ross Lydall (@RossLydall) February 10, 2021
As expected, Transport for London will appeal the High Court’s ruling that its Bishopsgate Streetspace restrictions were unlawful. At the time we shared that TfL intended to appeal the outcome. It’s also worth noting that no cycle lanes or infrastructure have been torn up yet, with TfL instead having to “substantially” revise their plans while they appeal. Even if the appeal is lost, more time may granted before quashing orders are issued.
How Finland does winter cycling properly
Nice spot by HoarseMann in the comments to share this video about cycling in Finland vs Canada. It shows that how many people cycle isn’t significantly affected by how cold it is. Instead, what’s more important is having a network of safe bike paths and making sure those bike paths are properly maintained during winter. It’s well worth a watch if you’ve got 15 minutes spare.
Shimano earnings up 20% in 2020
SGB reports that Shimano’s net income increased 22.5 per cent in 2020 as sales grew 4.1 per cent. The cycling component manufacturer, that also makes fishing tackle and rowing equipment, said they benefited from “interest in bicycles and fishing that can avoid closed, crowded and close-contact environment boosted demand.”
Net sales were up 4.1 per cent to ¥378,040 million (£2.6 million), while operating net income increased 22.5 per cent to ¥63,472 million (£438,000). The company’s bicycle component branch saw net sales increase by 2.7 per cent, with operating income up 18.4 per cent.
In a statement, Shimano said: “Demand for bicycles had declined sharply in early spring due to the spread of COVID-19 but then cycling gained attention as an easy form of recreation and exercise and a mode of transportation with a lower risk of infection leading to an increase in demand for bicycles on a global scale.”
Fernando Alonso's team give update after F1 driver has corrective surgery on fractured jaw sustained in cycling crash
Yesterday we reported that Fernando Alonso, the two-time F1 champion, had sustained multiple fractures after being hit by a driver while cycling in Switzerland. The Spaniard plans to return to the sport this year with his Alpine team. In a statement, Alpine updated us on his condition. It said: “Following his cycling accident yesterday Fernando Alonso was kept under observation in hospital in Switzerland. Medics discovered a fracture in his upper jaw and conducted a successful corrective operation. The attending medical team are satisfied with his progress.
“Fernando will remain under observation in hospital for a further 48 hours. Looking forward, after a few days of complete rest, he will be able to progressively resume training. We expect him to be fully operational to undertake preparation for the season.”
What's your favourite climb?
What’s your favourite climb in cycling? 🏔🤔
(And can you name this one ⬇️) pic.twitter.com/RexwEVY5z9
— ITV Cycling (@itvcycling) February 12, 2021
Go on then, give your local killer climb a shoutout…Maybe it’s that horrible one that’s saved for only when your legs are feeling great or an old favourite from every club run. Let us know your favourite climb…
Rohan Dennis in F1?
Swapping two wheels for four 🏁
Rohan Dennis’ first race of the season is going to look a bit different this Sunday, as he takes on the @F1 Sao Paulo #VirtualGP.
What a privilege to represent the Silver Arrows @MercedesAMGF1 🤝 pic.twitter.com/ePVYgbhkAE
— INEOS Grenadiers (@INEOSGrenadiers) February 12, 2021
Chris Froome works with Red Bull to rehab from injury
Chris Froome has credited off-season work with Red Bull for helping him put rehab from his injury behind him and focus solely on training to return to the top of the sport. Froome has been training at Red Bull’s Athlete Performance Centre in Santa Monica to address some of the imbalances that came from his 2019 Critérium du Dauphiné crash. Now, 20 months later, Froome finally believes he’s overcome the rehab stage of his recovery.
“I can finally say that I’m confident the rehab process is behind me now. It’s always going to be a weakness I’m going to have to work on until the end of my career. But in terms of the figures I’m seeing on the bike, I’ve got to the same if not even better left-right balance than I was prior to the crash. That’s extremely encouraging,” Froome explained.
The four-time Tour de France champion has been doing four two-hour sessions with the Red Bull team, mainly building his core and lower back strength. Away from the Centre, Froome has enjoyed the Californian weather which has helped him get the winter training miles under his belt.
“It’s been a way for me to get some really good quality training done over here. I feel as if I’m in the best place possible coming into the season. I’ve still got a lot of work ahead of me in terms of focusing on race fitness but as a starting point this has put me in really good stead.”
When asked about goals for 2021 Froome mentioned he’d love another shot at the Olympics, having won a bronze medal at both of the two previous games.
Police return bike to grateful owner
Following my earlier post, this bike has now been re-united with it’s delighted owner 😊 Great work PCSO’s Simon Griffiths and Julia McLaughlin.
Insp Kent pic.twitter.com/1vWlwvrO8o— Sheffield South West NPT (@SheffSW_NPT) February 12, 2021
Sheffield South West NPT were able to reunite one grateful owner with their e-bike after it was found dumped in bushes at Mount Pleasant Park in Sheffield this morning. The bike matched the description of one of three bikes that were stolen from a shed on Edgehill Road earlier this week. One of the other bikes was found abandoned before this Bergamont e-bike was recovered this morning. Top work PCSO’s Simon Griffiths and Julia Mclaughlin for getting it back to its owner…
Davide Ballerini makes it two from two at Tour de la Provence
#TDLP2021 #TDLP21 @tourdeprovence stage 2
Provisional results https://t.co/trvxRdDCuS pic.twitter.com/K2F1SinaqM
— ProCyclingStats.com (@ProCyclingStats) February 12, 2021
It was a mixed bag for Deceuninck-Quick-Step this afternoon in Provence. Julian Alaphilippe crashed just before the one kilometre to go banner after Astana’s pre-race favourite Aleksandr Vlasov went down in front of him. However, Davide Ballerini saved the day again, winning his second stage in as many days by outsprinting Trek-Segafredo’s Giulio Ciccone on the uphill drag in Manosque. Matteo Jorgenson, who featured on Wednesday’s blog, also crashed in the sprint to the line.
🇮🇹@ballero_94 of 🇧🇪@deceuninck_qst wins stage 2 of 🇫🇷@tourlaprovence #TourdeLaProvence #TDLP2021 #TDLP21 (📺@SenalDeportes) pic.twitter.com/E5vZ5rZVT0
— World Cycling Stats (@wcsbike) February 12, 2021
Tour de la Provence finish line crash caused by spectator
🇮🇹@ballero_94 of 🇧🇪@deceuninck_qst wins stage 2 of 🇫🇷@tourlaprovence #TourdeLaProvence #TDLP2021 #TDLP21 (📺@SenalDeportes) pic.twitter.com/E5vZ5rZVT0
— World Cycling Stats (@wcsbike) February 12, 2021
We briefly mentioned in the last blog update that Movistar’s Matteo Jorgenson had crashed during the sprint to the line on the second stage at Tour de la Provence. It seems the crash was caused by a spectator leaning over the race barriers. Movistar have said: “Confirmation that Matteo Jorgenson is okay after his crash on the final straight of Tour de la Provence stage two in Manosque. Word from the ground is that the American appears to have touched a spectator who was hanging over the barrier.”
From the overhead angle, it looks as though the American rider was sprinting tight to the left barrier where a spectator wearing an orange jacket was leaning over. Jorgenson disappears out of shot at the moment of contact but his fall was captured on the finish line camera…
looks like a spectator took out @MatteoJorg 🙁 Such a strong performance today gets ruined… #TDLP21 pic.twitter.com/Bz6wi9gmCj
— John Peloton (@JohnPeloton) February 12, 2021
"Sucks to miss out on a real chance at my first pro win like that": Matteo Jorgenson asks UCI to focus on more important rider safety issues
Sucks to miss out on a real chance at my first pro win like that. Let’s all refocus on the real safety problems in our sport @UCI_cycling Barriers, road furniture; NOT RIDER POSITION https://t.co/JcuF8dCqLZ
— Matteo Jorgenson (@MatteoJorg) February 12, 2021
12 February 2021, 08:58
12 February 2021, 08:58
12 February 2021, 08:58
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Latest Comments
I'll counter that by saying the Bryton 750se I have drives me nuts at times. Inconsistantly picks up on routes created on Komoot and the app re-syncs every few seconds when trying to set up the device and sends me back to the home screen. The most infuriating one is that I turned live track on. Once. It now won't turn off and repeatedly flags up the live track is starting, and then disconnecting every few seconds whilst riding. I haven't timed it but it wouldn't suprise me if 10-20% of the time the the screen is covered with an error message. That's been about 6 weeks now. Other than that it's great :/
RE: Police launch road safety operation... by clamping down on cyclists using footbridge Meanwhile in Glasgow, Police Scotland are riding their motorbikes over the pedestrian and cyclists only bridge. https://x.com/FietserGlasgow/status/2065106152917012523?s=20
@Paul J Van Schip certainly seems a bit of a dick, but he's a European and multiple World Champion on the track, pretty sure you don't get there without having some talent in your legs.
Poor Vincent cannot get over the simple fact that given the choice people prefer dedicated cycling spaces, rather than pretending to be cars like vehicular cyclists.
What is the point of the fancy air sensor if it can't account for changing weather conditions?? If all you care about is a delayed approximation of aerodynamic watts in steady conditions, you don't need any special sensors for that. Just your speed on a decently flat course is enough to approximate rolling resistance and drivetrain losses. And the rest must be aero. If you assume a less aero body position at the same watts, your speed will drop while rolling resistance also drops, which means approximated aero watts goes up. And that's enough to demonstrate what you've shown in your testing protocol ("I sat upright and the number went up a little while later").
Your correction is accurate - it's almost always been "the (lack of) thought that (doesn't) count". "Massive" - less than a billion a year spent on active travel (trying to catch up / building a network across the entire country) Not massive - 6 billion every year (2026-2030) spent on road *maintenance* of existing "already built, goes everywhere, very convenient" road network for inactive travel Ultimately the reason "cycle infra" is *needed* is those unbelievably colossal amounts spent every year (and for more than a century now) on making mass motoring not just viable but apparently the "best choice" for most journeys. As the Dutch and others have shown, the majority of people *are* prepared to cycle and even mix with very light, slow local motor traffic *if* cycling is also made safe and convenient for the whole of their journey (including secure parking at both ends). (The history of the financial drivers of the current situation are a complex topic but note that while people complain about "crumbling roads" and underfunded motor infra - with some reason - by us continuing the fuel duty escalator freeze (for example) we're actually helping motorists pay *even less* for that activity / subsidising more of the cost of driving than ever.)
yes, but people will still object - which was my point.
So ' Priority of Road Users' and 1.5 metre clearance at 30mph has been been reduced to 'sharing'? NCN route 2 here in South Hams is an absolute scream with white vans, tractors and total idiots who refuse,or are totally incapable,to reverse on high Devon banked lanes ...means you have to get off and pedal back to a passing place....could be at that all day...so I don't bother...
@MaxiMinimalist Agreed. The big problem I see now is today's parents grew up being driven to their schools, and therefore, see private motor vehicles as the only viable form of transport. The vast majority of UK infant and primary schools have a catchment area that is within easy walking distance from home to school. Yet, the traffic caused by pupils being driven to/from school is astonishing. Banishing the "School Run" should be a priority for all schools.
When I was a kid (that was during the previous millenium when phones were connected to a plug in the wall), I rode my bicycle to school, music academy, sport grounds, parties even during the winter. The government didn't have to spend, correct that, didn't have to think of spending massive amounts of money to build cycling specific infrastructures. Over the past 3 or 4 decades, cars have grown bigger, taller, safer (for their drivers) and faster. Meanwhile, motorists have become abusive, aggressive, hypersensitive to people moving on two wheels, aka cyclists. Spending billions upon billions on new infrastructure won't address the crux of the matter. Sadly.
48 thoughts on “Tour de la Provence finish line crash caused by spectator; Chris Froome works with Red Bull to recover from injury; Police return stolen bike; Shimano earnings up 20%; Fernando Alonso update; Nobody cycles when it’s cold outside + more on the live blog”
NotJustBikes did a vlog
NotJustBikes did a vlog recently on the enablers for winter cycling. Quite interesting to see that it’s possible even in Finland…
Great vlog thanks! It just
Great vlog thanks! It just shows what’s possible, if only….. sigh
https://twitter.com
in #Oulu, Finland, 51% of all school trips are made by bike.
Guardian article about preventative health in Finland:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/07/finland-blazes-trail-in-keeping-citizens-cycling-and-healthy
Thanks HoarseMann, that’s
Thanks HoarseMann, that’s quite eye-opening.
If you build it, they will come (even if it’s -20c!), or…Touque can play that game.
Where I live in the south of
Where I live in the south of Germany, if it snows over night the mini plough or snow blower is out clearing and gritting the cycle and footpaths by 5 am. Often those are done before the roads.
I am happy with that, the choice is often 20 mins to dig the car out or get a toasty warm ice free bike out of the basement and just get going.
riggbeck wrote:
An approach which prioritises the safety of people, over property damage. Unfortunately the UK approach seems to eb the opposite protect those who choose to use their cars from damaging them, while people who have no choice risk injuries.
My daughter in Berlin hit a
My daughter in Berlin hit a small patch of black ice and went over, fracturing a tibia.. before she hit the black ice, the road had been dry, with no snow or ice; can studded tyres be used in those conditions?
For me it’s not deep snow
For me it’s not deep snow thats the problem more the ice and even black ice and the fact that in a typical commute (when they happen!) there’s a wide variety of conditions and surfaces to contend with from dry/clear to snow to slush to ice/black ice and so on…also the fact that the temperature difference on a long commute from outside the city to the centre can be quite a few degrees meaning conditions are hard to predict for.
Always wondered about studded tyres but literally couldn’t imagine needing them for more than 2 or 3 days a year
I keep a set of studded tyres
I keep a set of studded tyres in the loft although I hardly ever need to fit them. They last a few years so not a bad investment if you will have to cycle in all conditions.
They do make a big difference when the paths and roads get icy.
However rolling resistance is not quite up there with a GP5000…..
EddyBerckx wrote:
Long ramble ahead…
About 10 years ago I was living in Hampshire and we had a coldish winter. I came off my bike several times after hitting ice while commuting to work. There wasn’t any public transport though (and I don’t own a car) so anything but cycling was distinctly inconvenient.
The snow and ice didn’t last long but that was what made me decide to get studded tyres. I didn’t order them till late autumn however (i.e. 8 or so months later – guessing at the time line). Still plenty of time I thought. Had to order from Germany as I couldn’t find them in stock in the UK. Dispatched the next day, took less than 48 hours from dispatch to being at the parcel company’s depot in the UK only a hundred or so km away. Still didn’t get them for a month or more. Usual thing – they say on their website that they tried to deliver but we were out, even though we were home all day. Never left a card. This went on several times. I rang and complained. They said next day for sure…
Anyway that went on long enough winter arrived. Quite early that year. Then they said they would deliver them but couldn’t because of the ice. I kept cycling to work. Every time I came off I thought nasty things about them. My wife broke a rib coming off on the ice that winter. Sure enough the thaw arrived, the tyres arrived and it was quite mild for the rest of the year.
Anyway I still use those tyres. I now live somewhere more snowy and icy than Hampshire and so they get a few weeks of use each year and are still going well. Their higher cost, ammortised over their liftime, has proven excellent value IMO. They have lost a few studs but you can get spares, something I haven’t done yet.
I have the Marathon Winters (maybe now known as Marathon Winter Plus?).
On a hill on a shared-use
On a hill on a shared-use path I use, there’s a section where all the last few weeks’ rain is still draining out of the bank, over the path and onto the road. It’s shallow enough that it freezes. I have to dismount and walk over it going uphill, and (luckily) remembered about it just in time coming back/downhill.
There’s a tub of kitchen salt in our office kitchenette for no apparent reason, so if I remember I’ll take it home tonight…
EddyBerckx wrote:
Maybe consider that you need them for about 6 weeks of the year, the time otherwise spent recovering from a broken hip? Opportunity cost type of thing.
I was lamenting the rolling
I was lamenting the rolling resistance of the winter tyres today as the roads were clear. But I kept telling myself too much grip is just more time on the bike – too little grip is more time off the bike.
Isn’t the point if you only
Isn’t the point if you only need them for 2 or 3 days, you just don’t bother with the bike?
I looked at these tyres years ago and even the diy version but we get snow so infrequently in Essex and for a short time, I just wfh or get a bus for those few days.
Bob from Accounts might not
Bob from Accounts might not have seen any cyclists when the picture was taken, but just look at the number of wheel tracks.
I cycled that way on Monday
I cycled that way on Monday and it was blooming icy!
I thought that was the point
I thought that was the point
OldRidgeback wrote:
The trouble with social media, and the written word in general, is it’s easy to miss irony. There needs to be a font specifically for irony and sarcasm.
No way! /S
No way! /S
NPlus1BikelightsNJerseys
<sarcasm=ON> Gosh. Really? <sarcasm=OFF>
😉
OldRidgeback wrote:
Evidence planted by the cycle lobby….
Wake up and take the red pill dude.
Or is it the blue pill…
BOB! BOB! Which pill are we taking this week?!
On the Medway Council not
On the Medway Council not gritting cycle lanes thing, surely they are therefore endorsing cyclists using the roads? I mean, if the roads have been cleared and gritted then they are the obvious route…
I live in Medway and the
I live in Medway and the council has little / no interest in cycling. The vast majority of infra is shared paths and it is much easier to use the roads most of the time. I will say though that I have very few worryingly close passes around Medway itself so feel the roads are pretty safe.
RE: “Favourite” Climb:
RE: “Favourite” Climb: Streatley Hill. It would be Whiteleaf but thats much further away from me that its in “occasional visit territory. Whereas Streatley is 21 miles round trip in just over an hour.
One day a sub-5 minute time will be mine! (PB is 5 mins dead).
https://veloviewer.com/segment/6665255
I remember riding the Reading
I remember riding the Reading CC Hill Climb on Streatley Hill many years ago……
Nowadays I mainly pass through Streatley when off-roading on the Ridgeway.
I’m not in London. Cycle
I’m not in London. Cycle infrastructure here (reasonably decent protected and shared) is all snow to slush to ice) and unusable. In other countries they have mini gritters for cycle paths or they could put the big gritters here on a larger grit spread.
So I’ve been on the roads, and near the gutter is not possible either so near primary position, setting Strava PBs from cars pressuring me to go faster. Close passes experienced also insane – in dry, no ice conditions they would be bad but in these semi icy ones they are mad /impatient. Good to get out though.
Thanks to Hoarseman for that
Thanks to Hoarseman sharing for that vid!
I’m spending more time
I’m spending more time watching youtube videos of cycling than actually cycling at the moment!
HoarseMann wrote:
I’m spending more time watching YouTube videos than doing anything…..
Credit where it’s due, this
Credit where it’s due, this is the headline to the Alonso article on the MailOnline…
Fernando Alonso has undergone successful jaw surgery after Formula One star was hit by a car while cycling in Switzerland – but he will be kept in hospital for at least two more days
Compare that to the BBC…
Alonso fractures upper jaw in cycling accident
And on a lighter note, my favourite climb (or climbs if I can sneak three in) is the combination of the Horseshoe Pass, the Shelf and then with World’s End (ending with the Panorama).
yep beebs article includes
yep beebs article includes all the normal cyclist crash media tropes, the Spaniard (Alonso) collided with the car and the accident happened as a car turned left.
It only mentions the driver of the car when they start to quote the police crash report. Yet if the crash had happened on a race track, I doubt at any point would the article state Alonso had collided with another car or another car turned left into him, it would name both drivers as being the ones responsible for controlling the vehicles they were in.
I would struggle to call any
I would struggle to call any climb a favourite, but I have done the Brickworks on the edge of Cheshire/Derbyshire an a biannual basis. I never trouble the standings on the way up but was third overall on a decent off the top. One day I am watching the ToB going up the Brickworks and wonder which way they are headed off the top? I hurry to Strava and find I have slipped from 3rd to 76th, argh.
I have Schwalbe IceSpikers on
I have Schwalbe IceSpikers on the mountain bike. Conditions like this are fantastic, and I’ve been out most nights of the freeze. The moor tracks that are usually too boggy are fun to ride when frozen hard. Packed snow with ice tyres on has a smooth, quiet feel.
This year I got a bagful of spare studs from AliExpress, and a tool, to replace the ones that fall out occasionally.
So many of the ‘new’
So many of the ‘new’ generation of pro riders come accross like a bunch of whining pu55y’s. If you ride up close to the barrier, you’re the one putting yourself at risk. Every crash of note, in recent times was caused by riders flirting with the barriers. You didn’t see Sagan whining when he got taken down by a spectators coat during Roubaix. He admit he went too close to the barrier, it was his fault. Taking responsibility for ones actions is lacking in younger gens.
I wish him a speedy recovery and a victory soon, but man’up lad.
Yes, like all these
Yes, like all these footballers and rugby players whinging about “concussion”. Real men get on with it, take their lumps and die young of easily-avoidable causes.
Calm down kiddo. How many
Calm down kiddo. How many football players do you know, that have died young, from concussion caused by heading a ball? I’m guessing its between 0 and 0.
alexuk wrote:
On that basis how many people do you know personally that have died of (or with) Covid-19?
If it’s 0 does that mean Covid-19 should not be taken seriously?
Lots of people who’ve had Covid-19 but not died have reported lingering, debilitating health issues; for some people these may be permanent. For the same reason, perhaps you don’t have to die due to concussion for it to be a lifelong problem.
Perhaps you’ve ridden in elite/pro races so understand the risks better than the rest of us on here. But then again, if you think that crashing in a bunch sprint is the same as Sagan snagging on a spectator’s coat on a cobbled climb then Fabio Jakobsen could put you straight on that.
I’d venture that the riders will have a more informed view of the risks than the likes of us.
Concussion related cognitive
Concussion related cognitive decline and early dementia related deaths exist.
You’d guess wrong, then. Have
You’d guess wrong, then. Have a read http://www.thejeffastlefoundation.co.uk/our-story
alexuk wrote:
As I understand it a disproportionately large group of the England 66 squad suffered concussive injuries, and long term brain disorders later in life such as Parkinson’s, dementia, CTE etc. I would doubt very much that they are non-representative of the wider footballing fraternity, both pros and amateurs.
Granted, not died young. Some might say that may have been preferable to their later struggles….
alexuk wrote:
A) It wasn’t Roubaix, it was Flanders;
B) He never said he was too close, though lots of armchair critics did;
C) Inside the barriers is the cyclists’ playing field, they have as much right to expect to be unimpeded by outside agencies there as a rugby player or footballer has within their field of play.
D) Heading the ball is not associated with players dying young, it’s associated with long-term brain damage in later life: thus far, 5/11 of England’s 1966 world cup team have died with dementia, way higher than would be staistically expected for men their age.
Back to the good old days
Back to the good old days when men were men and laughed off industrial accidents without a second thought, eh?
You guys are all full of it.
You guys are all full of it. I’m just saying they should not flirt with the barrier. If they take risks, they get the deck – simple. life’s full of risks – you have to measure the risk and be self-accountable if you make a bad call; not blame others.
You’re the ones making these stupid non-comparisons, because you’re the perpetually-offended-crew. I feel bad for you guys. Just chill out, and stop pandering for other people’s opinions.
alexuk wrote:
Racers have a right to ride close to the barrier without being hit by dickheads leaning over it. If they flirt with the barrier and hit it themselves, fine, that’s their fault. If some pillock leans over it to get a better view or take a picture and hits them, no. Now stop your silly nonsense.
alexuk wrote:
Oh dear……
Congrats on posting quite
Congrats on posting quite possibly the stupidest thing ever seen on this site, then doubling down on it under extraordinary pressure from people – then adding in the ‘woke’ trope for good measure. Must have been really difficult to not only stick to your guns, but upgrade them in the face of all that relentless common sense. Kudos on so fully commiting to your cretinhood.
Sagan’s Flanders incident was
Sagan’s Flanders incident was well away from the finish and he was in front so had much more freedom to pick his line (the spectator in that situation was still in the wrong though).
It’s very different in the final barriered section of the finish where riders are sprinting – riders should have every expectation of using all the road between the barriers without stupid spectators hitting them. It’s also very easy for riders to find themselves squeezed closer to the barriers that they might have intended – still it’s 100% the fault of the spectator if them leaning over the barriers causes an accident.
Fortunately the majority of such incidents just end up with grazing etc. for the rider but it can also end up far worse which is why leaning over the barriers just before the finish line is utterly stupid and should be universally condemned (I’d even support charges being brought against the spectator although it’s unlikely any would stick).
Just a warning to everyone in
Just a warning to everyone in Sheffield (specifically the south/south west of the city), there is a spate of bikes being stolen from sheds & garages. Make sure they are locked and as safe as possible.
Hopefully the perpetrators will be caught soon.