Can disc brakes claim first Tour de France victory? Pogacar wins on rim brakes again; Bahrain Victorious defiant after raid; LTDA ‘help members dodge charges’; Hammersmith Bridge to reopen; Cyclist’s selfie snaps lightning strike + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
Cyclist's selfie snaps moment siblings were struck by lightning near Hampton Court during flash flooding
Three siblings from Berkshire were struck by lightning after sheltering under a tree close to Molesey Lock, near Hampton Court Palace, during Monday’s flash flooding and thunderstorms. The selfie captures the moment the trio were struck. Rachel, Isobel and Andrew Jobson were taken to St George’s Hospital in Tooting but discharged later in the day after receiving treatment for burns.
The incident happened while they were cycling to see their aunt at her home in Epsom, Surrey. PhD student Isobel, 23, told the BBC: “The picture of us at the moment the lightning strike happened was at 17:05. I took a picture of us smiling and we then wanted a sad picture in the rain. All of a sudden I was on the ground and couldn’t hear anything apart from this high-pitched buzzing. My whole right arm was numb and I couldn’t move it.”
Her sister, Rachel, added: “We were taking the picture with our phone and then the next thing, I was on the ground. I felt disjointed. My sister and I were screaming. I got burnt on my thigh and stomach and it’s left lightning-like marks behind on me and my sister. I couldn’t feel my arm.”
The family were told the titanium plates in Isobel’s arm from a cycling crash last year might have led to the lightning surge striking them.
“My sister’s arm was very hot, because of the plate. Everyone was amazed at what had happened to us,” Rachel said.
Bahrain Victorious hotel raided by police at Tour de France
Police source says they have been on Bahrain Victorious’s case since last year #TDF2021
— Julien Prétot (@julienpretotRTR) July 15, 2021
Bahrain Victorious’ hotel was raided by police at the Tour de France on Wednesday evening, according to Cyclingnews. Reports suggest the team’s bus was also searched by up to 50 police officers and that no arrests have been made.
“Nothing special, we have a visit from the police, they ask for riders training files, they check bus and that’s it,” team boss Milan Eržen told Cyclingnews. “They disturb riders for one hour and at the end, they said thank you. They didn’t tell us what’s the reason of visit, but we will found this out today through lawyers.”
Movistar were also staying at the hotel in Pau but did not get a visit from the officers. Reuters reporter Julien Prétot says a police source told him they have been on the team’s case since last year and were in the team’s hotel until 2am. Reports in Le Parisien earlier in the season led general manager Milan Eržen to defend the team in light of anonymous doping accusation following the team’s impressive Giro d’Italia and Critérium du Dauphiné. Both sources were off the record and had no proof to support the allegations.
At the time, Eržen said: “I don’t care what one sports director has to say. He can say whatever he wants. We’re doing our jobs and we’ve invested in this team, in our riders, coaches, training camps and nutrition. Everything. Sooner or later results need to come.
“I don’t know what kind of suspicions there are. We are following the work of last year and Rod Ellingworth, he taught us a lot and I can be 110 per cent sure that we’re working by the rules.”
Lukas Pöstlberger bunny-hopping his way to cycling out of context fame
— Cycling out of context (@OutOfCycling) July 14, 2021
Ah, well. If you need some cheering up after the first two live blog posts then watch how much fun Lukas Pöstlberger had bunny-hopping speed bumps…
Local media reports raid was ordered by Marseille public prosecutor who targeted Nairo Quintana and Arkéa–Samsic at last year's race
Local newspaper @sudouest reports that police search at Bahrain hotel in Lescar last night was ordered by Marseille public prosecutor – who targeted Nairo Quintana & Arkéa-Samsic in a similar mid-Tour raid last year. https://t.co/IyNlmuCMoz
— Daniel Friebe (@friebos) July 15, 2021
Local newspaper Sud Ouest is reporting the raid on Bahrain Victorious’ hotel and team vehicles was ordered by the Marseille prosecutor’s office, the same authority who targeted Nairo Quintana and Arkéa–Samsic at last year’s Tour de France.
Back in September, at the 2020 edition, Nairo Quintana’s hotel room was raided by authorities – also after stage 17. A team doctor and soigneur were taken into custody but quickly released and little has been heard of the incident since.
Welsh rugby legend Shane Williams launches cycling clothing range
Shane Williams has taken up endurance sports since retiring from rugby with 87 caps and his country’s try-scoring record. He has completed Ironman events and continued to rack up the records, including the rather niche Guinness World Record for ‘Most castles visited in one week by bicycle’…It was 50 castles, all in Wales, and 736.71 miles covered…if you were wondering.
Today, Williams has also announced the launch of his own sportswear range, including a cyclewear line. “We know there’s a big focus on getting people out and active as we emerge from the pandemic,” he said. “I’m doing what I can to inspire and encourage people of all ages to get on a bike and keep fit. My new AGILIS clothing venture reflects my latest passions of cycling and triathlon, with a range of high quality, stylish cyclewear and leisurewear.”
The range includes female and male race cut jerseys, as well as a long sleeve option, bib shorts and gilets. To mark the launch, Williams will be hosting a Zwift ride at 2pm this afternoon.
Bahrain Victorious statement on hotel raid
🗞 Team Bahrain Victorious official statement @LeTour #TDF2021https://t.co/IlvAyVlqM5
— Team Bahrain Victorious (@BHRVictorious) July 15, 2021
Bahrain Victorious has released a statement confirming that riders’ rooms were searched and training files handed over as part of the raid on the hotel that the team was staying at in Pau last night.
Vladimir Miholjević commented: “Following stage 17, we were greeted by several French police officers. We were not given a warrant to read through, but the team complied with all the officers’ requests.
“We are committed to highest level of professionalism and adherence to all regulatory requirements and will always be cooperating in a professional manner. The process had impacted our riders recovery and meal planning and as a professional team, the well being of our team is a key priority.”
Reuters journalist Julien Prétot reports French prosecutor has opened preliminary investigation into doping allegations at Bahrain Victorious
French prosecutor opens preliminary investigation into doping allegations at Bahrain Victorious #TDF2021
— Julien Prétot (@julienpretotRTR) July 15, 2021
Tour de France stage 18: Final day in the mountains includes famous ascent of Col du Tourmalet before summit finish at Luz Ardiden
I almost forgot there is a stage today with all that morning drama…It’s the final day in the mountains and we have a second HC summit finish in a row. There are a couple of early lumps where you can be sure Michael Matthews will be gunning for the breakaway to nab intermediate sprint points in Pouzac.
The meat of the stage comes in the final 50km, starting with Col du Tourmalet, the Souvenir Jacques Goddet. Luz Ardiden is the site of the finale and is 13.3km @ 7.4 per cent. It’s the final chance for Jonas Vingegaard to try and crack Tadej Pogačar and the final chance for many riders to claim a stage win, so expect fireworks.
Bahrain Victorious have "nothing to hide" according to Matej Mohoric
Stage seven winner Matej Mohoric says Bahrain Victorious have “nothing to hide” after the team’s hotel was raided by French police last night. Riders rooms were searched and training files handed over to the authorities. The Slovenian spoke to the press before the start of stage 18…
“I don’t feel uncomfortable because they went through all my stuff because I have nothing to hide, I don’t care,” Mohoric said. “They went through all the phones and messages, they took some riders’ phones and computers.
“I still find it a little bit weird that at this time in this year they still believe we are doing something illegal. We are more determined than ever to go out there to do as well as we did up to this point, to take control of the race, the team classification. We are more focused than ever to do this mountain stage.”
Italian champion Sonny Colbrelli added: “They searched all the rooms, the gendarmes were good and were just doing their job. They put everything back the way they found it in an orderly fashion. We’re good, a bit nervous because these aren’t great things for cycling. These are the last days of the Tour, yesterday was a hard stage and we could not sleep until 2:30 or 3:00 am, and then this morning we were up again early.”
Mohoric is in currently in the five-man breakaway alongside Julian Alaphilippe, Sean Bennett, Christopher Juul-Jensen and Pierre-Luc Périchon.
Hammersmith Bridge to reopen to cyclists and pedestrians this weekend
Hammersmith Bridge is to reopen to pedestrians and cyclists this weekend. The river crossing has been closed entirely since August last year when cracks in pedestals worsened during a heatwave. Following a safety investigation, engineers have given the go-ahead for pedestrians and cyclists to resume using the route.
A report handed to Hammersmith Council said checks on the four pedestals and supporting chains showed the risk of further cracking to be sufficiently low.
“The risk of further cracking is now known to be very low, and any that may occur are very unlikely to prompt rapid crack growth due to the now demonstrably stable condition of the bridge structure.
“The application of a permanent solution remains a priority. Without a funded plan for repair, the limited current use must cease eventually. It is not acceptable in managing safety risk to rely upon interim measures indefinitely.”
The bridge will continue to be closed to motor traffic, as it has since April 2019 when “critical faults” in the cast-iron casing were found. Hammersmith Council had been exploring the possibility of a passenger ferry service in case the bridge had to remain shut into the autumn.
Hammersmith & Fulham Council Leader Stephen Cowan expressed his delight at the news: “I am very pleased to confirm the latest advice from safety engineers is that we can safely re-open Hammersmith Bridge. We have instructed the team to do that. It will open this weekend.
“I know how difficult the last eleven months have been for people, particularly children needing to cross the river to get to school and those who need to attend medical appointments or get to work.”
Tour de Tietema videos blocked by ASO
Have you ever seen a no-hands wheelie in @LeTour?!🤩 @ivan_cortina is the man!🙌 pic.twitter.com/fsPCoVWLy3
— Bas Tietema (@BasTietema) July 13, 2021
We featured one of Tour de Tietema’s videos on the live blog on Tuesday when they organised the Tour de France wheelie contest in Andorra. Unfortunately, the YouTubers’ videos have been blocked by ASO.
In a statement, Bas, Josse and Devin said: “We have had a phone call with ASO, in which we were told they have filed a claim to YouTube for violating regulations regarding (race) image rights. They don’t see a possibility to solve this in any way, which means that the blocked videos containing any footage we shot during the race will no longer be visible.
“ASO apologised for taking the videos offline unannounced, as well as for wrongfully taking the videos without race footage offline. In addition, a gesture was made to discuss how we can work together in the future. We appreciate this.”
The group’s videos have earned them 100,000 subscribers…This year’s now-blocked episodes included the wheelie contest, riding a city bike up Mont Ventoux and creating a bar for riders to grab an alcohol-free beer mid-stage.
Taxi drivers association advertises how it can help members dodge dangerous driving and road rage assault charges
This ain’t it, chief.@TheLTDA pic.twitter.com/RiVXQviWRG
— 💉 💉 Pootler (@SpacePootler) July 15, 2021
The Licensed Taxi Drivers Association hastily deleted this campaign after it received the wrong type of publicity online. Titled ‘Who’s got your back?’ the advert encouraging drivers to join suggested its expertise could help defend members of “all alleged offences anytime, anywhere”.
Charged with jumping a red light? Careless driving? Dangerous driving? Or road rage assault? The LTDA said it could help turn you into the one smiling man pictured representing a member who has got off scot-free.
One reply to the campaign called it a “massive self-own”, while another suggested it just had to be a parody…
So instead of encouraging its members to behave safely, it reassures them that it will do all it can to help them avoid justice if they behave dangerously and illegally. Instead of, you know, expelling them like any responsible trade organisation would.
— Marvin Smith (@MarvinSmith2000) July 15, 2021
Pic of the day starring Emmanuel Macron...and a Cav update
Here’s your daily Cav update…he made it. No time cut worries from here on in, barring major misfortune Cav will be in Paris…
Is the Tour de France still waiting for its first disc brake-equipped winner? All three of Pogacar's stage wins on rim brakes
As noted in our rolling article charting every bike that has won a Tour de France stage this year, the race leader Tadej Pogacar opted for a rim brake Colnago V3Rs for yesterday’s mountainous stage… and he did so again today for his stage 18 victory. As the Colnago K-One time trial bikes run rim brakes too, that means that despite Pogacar using a disc brake bike for most of the race, all three stages he has won have been on rim brakes. It’s led to some social media debate as to whether it can be said that Pogacar is the first disc brake-equipped winner of the Tour de France…
The fact that pogacar used rim brakes yesterday , technically means the tdf still not won exclusive on disc brakes bike . pic.twitter.com/Azy2KuQP1s
— Colin Loughery (@LougheryColin) July 15, 2021
Pogacar wins on rim brakes today but has used disc brakes during this race. If he wins Tour, which looks likely, can we count it as the first TdF win on disc brakes?
— Dan Cavallari (@BrownTieDan) July 15, 2021
Really it’s got to be a no, as Pogacar has mixed and matched – but it’s likely he’ll roll into Paris on the disc-equipped bike (and it’s also looking increasingly likely that it’ll be a yellow one) because stage 21 is pan flat.
We’ve theorised that Pogacar opts for rim brakes in the mountains for a slight weight advantage – although some top-end disc brake road bikes are now down to the UCI weight limit, so there’s a chance this might not be the only reason. As we reported earlier this week, Chris Froome swapped his Shimano disc brake callipers out for what we think were Magura versions for the mountain stages, possibly in an attempt to stop rubbing on descents.
So, is Pogacar switching to rim brakes for advantages going up, down or both? We’ll do some digging and hopefully have some answers soon…
15 July 2021, 08:00
15 July 2021, 08:00
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Latest Comments
Something worth a mention in indoor cycling accessories is a rocker plate. Long rides on an indoor trainer can start to hurt after a while, and a decent rocker plate gives enough side to side and fore/aft movement to help prevent this. I acquired a TurboRocks Realplate React a year or so ago, it's very well made and the service from order to collection was excellent. It took a few weeks to get used to it, until the motion felt natural, but after that, longer sessions became much more comfortable. My current setup:
@eburtthebike now wondering if anyone has looked at the possible benefits of promoting cycling *goggles*, since the eyes are very easily injured but also easily protected. Presumably rather rare, but eye damage can have massive impact on someone's life...
The horizontal component will mean that on impact there's drag and so torque (not good) but that energy will mostly be dissipated over time (sliding) so much less peak force (ignoring torque briefly). ...but isn't the fate of many crashing motorcyclists decided when their flight / slide is checked by encountering a horizontal surface? If they do that with their head that torque could fatally damage the neck / brain, or their head / helmet then absorbs the likely much greater energy than the vertical fall. So the horizontal part matters - albeit still subject to the limited ability of currently practical helmets to help. Sounds like a good idea to wear one regardless of exactly how much it mitigates any of these risks. Not only keeps the law (and the in-laws?) happy but keeps debris out of your eyes, your ears from being blasted by so much wind, rain off your head etc. All of which would be very distracting and could well contribute to crashing in the first place. Bicycle helmets - slightly different calculation for me, since a hat and glasses do much of that and I'm rarely at wind-noise-deafening speed. Although abrasion protection is (and has been) welcome.
@theslowcyclistxx Completely agree. Or at least 4.5. The truth is that it is possible to crack a gravel, road, or a MTB rim if you are riding fast down a road with sharp rocks that stick out. It has happened to me before on rough roads. Notice that tire pressure, the width of tire used, etc were not mentioned. It is hard for me to imagine that "Value" is only three stars. None of the other wheels mentioned are anywhere near the weight of this wheelset. How Scribe has a value rating of 5 stars, while the Particle one has a value rating of 3, despite it being cheaper and 350g lighter makes no sense.
On Picnic-PostNL, some interesting details from Nicolas Roche in NOS, "I think this management is not suitable for cycling. In cycling, we deal with a lot of variables. It's not a predictable sport. The body is not a perfect machine. We have to contend with weather conditions and also the tactics of 24 other teams. I understand that people want a master plan to be prepared, but they can't already be planning the seventeenth stage of the Tour de France in May. And that’s what they did." What did it mean to you that the bond between the coach and the rider wasn’t appreciated? "It wasn’t valued to maintain friendships. I find that strange. I remember that during the big tours, I got a different masseur every three days. For every rider, that massage is a moment of rest, or a chance to open up, call your wife, or just go over the day. I strongly disagreed with making changes with the sole purpose of ensuring we wouldn’t develop a friendly relationship with the masseur." Why were they so fixated on breaking those strong personal relationships? "A mystery. Maybe because in the past, masseurs often transported doping for riders? But I don’t know the real answer."
@NickSprink Didn't some people successfully threaten - er .. I mean protest - a council's installation of bike hangars? (I can't recall how this one ended but the IIRC the council contractors decided that discretion was the better part of valour, at least at the time).
It would be interesting to understand if this type of design is working simply by moving your hand position and centre of gravity, or whether it's as an enabler for keeping each on a larger frame. If you have (or could get) 2 bikes, one in your normal size and one a size up and put this stem on the bigger bike, does it then make sense? Much easier for you to try than us readers. (Oh, and side point, did you try adjusting the suspension to account for the rearwards CoG move?)
@OnYerBike Elsewhere on this post I've complained about the older button sequence and believe the newer implementation would suit me better. Having so many functions being controlled by a single button necessitates compromises. I'd prefer one button for on/off, one for brightness h/m/l and one for flash on/off and the brightness and flash remembered the last setting - but acknowledge there isn't much space on my Sirius.
@Bezzard74 Berry It may not be hard for you! On my, now comparatively old, Exposure Sirius the instructions to set flashing are "With the light already on in any constant brightness setting, press and hold the button for roughly 1 to 2 seconds, then let go. The beam will switch into its flashing/pulsing sequence." So that's a hold just longer than the hold to change brightness ,but not so long that it switches off the light completely - get it wrong and you have to cycle through the brightness modes again for another try, or everything's just gone dark - fantastic. I shouldn't have to practice how to confidently perform such a simple activity as setting my bike light to flash - and as my username suggest, I am a percussionist! This isn't a complaint that it unique to Exposure - I've a Moon front light which has an equally obtuse means of operation.
[Of course, in a motorbike crash, you're probably not going to be 'released horizontally' either - it's highly likely that, as you lose control of the bike, some of that horizontal energy will be converted into rotational, and then into launching you on a vector that has a vertical component, so you're actually more like the cricket ball than it would appear at first glance - the vertical speed when you strike the ground will be higher than if you'd simply fallen from the same height.]
29 thoughts on “Can disc brakes claim first Tour de France victory? Pogacar wins on rim brakes again; Bahrain Victorious defiant after raid; LTDA ‘help members dodge charges’; Hammersmith Bridge to reopen; Cyclist’s selfie snaps lightning strike + more on the live blog”
Quote:
Presumably by someone who doesn’t understand how lightning works.
mdavidford wrote:
Presumably by someone who doesn’t understand how lightning works.
Now now…
Thank goodness they were
Thank goodness they were wearing helmets!
They were really, really
They were really, really lucky not to be more seriously hurt. A friend of mine was struck by lightning and was paralysed for some time. She’s ok now but the recovery took months.. And even she was lucky not to be killed.
OldRidgeback wrote:
Sounds like they took quite a while to discharge her.
mdavidford wrote:
Presumably by someone who doesn’t understand how lightning works.
I thought that lightning follows the path of least resistance, but if that’s true why aren’t all the lightning strikes in France?
I thought, according to the
I thought, according to the stereotype, that strikes did happen all the time in France?
hawkinspeter wrote:
— hawkinspeterItaly, surely? I’m pretty sure the French had a very effective resistance.
eburtthebike wrote:
Highly. And the discipline and courage of the all but defeated French Forces as they guarded Dunkirk allowed the evacuations (evacuations that they knew would not include them), and lead to about 90k French casualties.
Love a bit of bantz me, but lampooning brave forces for their stoic endurance of something that Britain hasn’t had to endure since the 11th century (and that by geographical advantage rather than fortitude) never sits comfortably with me.
We’ve fought with the French for centuries, both as enemies and allies, and frankly they’ve rarely been found wanting in either capacity. I wish that we as a nation would sometimes return the obvious esteem and affection that we often find in them.
Captain Badger wrote:
A bit before my time to be honest and I can’t say that I’ve ever fought with the French.
I did hear an old war story about a French, a German and an Italian spy that all got captured at the same time.
The captors grab the French spy, take him to the next room and tie his hands behind a chair. They then proceed to torture him for 2 hours before he finally cracks, answers all questions and gives up all of his secrets.
The captors then grab the German spy. They tie his hands behind the chair in the next room too and torture him for 4 hours before he finally cracks and tells them what they want to know.
They then grabbed the Italian spy. Once again, they tie his hands behind the chair and begin torturing.4 hours go by and the spy isn’t talking. Then 8 hours, then 16 and after 24 hours they give up and throw him back into the cell.
The German and French spy are impressed and ask him how he managed to not talk.
The Italian spy says, ” I wanted to, but I couldn’t move my hands.”
hawkinspeter wrote:
Oh tre bon monsieur, chapeau
Nothing to do with the very
Nothing to do with the very large tree they shetered under then. Good to know.
AlsoSomniloquism wrote:
Wasn’t that Newton?…
Shocking stories today.
Shocking stories today.
I’m not see-ing bunny hopping
I’m not see-ing bunny hopping but rather David Brent on a loop…..Scrub that – there now.
Great to see the Proviz
Great to see the Proviz jacket really popping!
Interesting question on the
Interesting question on the TDF raids. Do french persecutors not have to show probable cause? Or do they have a cushy arrangement with ASO just to raid one team per year?
Secret_squirrel wrote:
I know the French legal system is different to ours, but I didn’t realise they had “persecutors”.
…including the rather niche
…including the rather niche Guinness World Record for ‘Most castles visited in one week by bicycle’…It was 50 castles, all in Wales, and 736.71 miles covered…if you were wondering.
As someone who has recently moved to Scotland, this sounds achievable…
The blocked videos….. if
The blocked videos….. if they have used footage from the official sources of the TdF ok, but if it is all their own shot footage, (ie the Wheelie Competition they setup) then I’m surprised they have taken this approach. Does this mean if I videoed some of the riders going past me, they have all the copyright for it and would block my vidoes if they wanted?
I thought there’s a standard
I thought there’s a standard defence where there’s no expectation of privacy when in public space (eg. if someone complains that a photo has been taken of them while they’re just out-and-about)… So is the Tour (wherever) treated as being a moving volume of ‘private’ space rather than being counted as ‘public’?
On that LTDA campaign – I’d
On that LTDA campaign – I’d kind of read it like the local papers always publishing where mobile speed cameras will be positioned for the week ahead. Which I hate, and don’t think should be allowed
I don’t think that a Road
I don’t think that a Road Rage attack that results in a 2 year sentence could be described as being “careful”.
Or something that “the best of drivers” would be doing.
The odds are stacked against
The odds are stacked against them bit is also wierdly worded. What odds? The odds that something they do wrong on the roads might be recorded by cyclists, dash cams and CCTV? The odds someone assaulted by them might report it to the Police.
ktache wrote:
Certainly not as careful as the ones that didn’t result in a 2 year sentence…
But you know, Speed Cameras
But you know, Speed Cameras are just a tax on honest motorists…….
However as some bright spark in the Justice Dept decided that the Police had to give notice of Speed Camera locations in advance the paper is just offering a public service. I have to admit, somebody somewhere managed to get lots of concessions for Speed Camera requirements. Must be painted yellow so easily spotted. Why? The Speed limit is posted all the way down the route they are on multiple times so if the driver is following the legal limit, it doesn’t matter where the camera is or their need to see them. Must have signs warning cameras are around. Again anyone following the legal speed limits all the time shouldn’t need to be told there are camera along the route. I’m just glad the campaign to stop the usage of average speed cameras failed.
I guess it depends on wether
I guess it depends on wether you would rather motorists stick to the speed limit or get fined for exceeding the speed limit. If speed cameras are really about safety then the best ones are surely those positioned at known “accident black spots”* that catch no-one, because no-one is speeding.
*Places where lack of driver ability is regularly exposed.
So glad the person who did
So glad the person who did this wasn’t one of the LTDA members otherwise he would have gotten off with their help. After all even the best drivers get charged for multiple sickening crimes.
I always wondered if he was a
I always wondered if he was a member of the LTDA whilst commiting his crimes?