Welsh cycle café plan rejected due to lack of parking; Rat-run anger sees protesters D-lock themselves to Regent’s Park gates; ASO changes tack on ‘podium girls’; Kruijswijk out of Tour de France; Yates chasing stage wins + more
SUMMARY
ASO changes tack on ‘podium girls’ at the Tour de France
This year it will be a man and a woman presenting jerseys on the finish podiums at the Tour de France, rather than two ‘podium girls’.
Europe 1 reports Tour director Christian Prudhomme as saying: “You used to see the winner surrounded by two hostesses, with five dignitaries on one side and five representatives of the sponsors on the other.
“Now it will be different with only one dignitary and one representative of the yellow jersey sponsors, as well as a hostess and a host for the first time.”
He pointed out that while such a balance would be seen as ‘new’ for the Tour de France, “we have already been doing it in other races for 20 years, as in Liège-Bastogne-Liège.”
The other G has spoken
Thank you for your thoughts in this difficult time. https://t.co/8ieetL8Wjv
— Geraint Thomas (@geraintthomas) August 19, 2020
Kruijswijk out of the Tour de France
Jumbo-Visma’s Tour de France tilt has suffered a significant blow with the withdrawal of Steven Kruijswijk, who finished third last year.
The Dutchman suffered a nasty crash during the recent Critérium du Dauphiné and his injuries are more significant than initially thought.
He’ll be replaced by Norwegian national champion, Amund Grondahl Jansen.
With dissatisfaction, but sense of reality we’d like to share Steven Kruijswijk’s announcement⤵️ pic.twitter.com/vnZQMgZr55
— Team Jumbo-Visma cycling (@JumboVismaRoad) August 20, 2020
Sportive director Merijn Zeeman confirms that Amund Grondahl Jansen will replace Steven in the Tour de France.
Get well soon, Steven!🤞🏼 pic.twitter.com/1RsxMXuHNw
— Team Jumbo-Visma cycling (@JumboVismaRoad) August 20, 2020
Adam Yates not targetting the overall at this year’s Tour de France?
Mitchelton-Scott say they have selected a team of “opportunists” for the Tour de France.
“The selection comes after the team identified stage wins as its primary objective for the first Grand Tour of the season following its successful four-stage haul in 2019,” the team said in an announcement.
This rather implies that Adam Yates won’t be looking to compete in the general classification. Unless they’re having us on.
Sports director Matt White said: “This year has not been a normal one by any stretch of the imagination but the team is focused and ready for the challenge.
“We are very happy with the mix of experience and talent we have available for this year’s race. This is a very complete group across all terrains.
“Last year was an incredible race for the team and we will continue in the same vein of targeting stage wins throughout.
“One thing for sure is we won’t be leaving France without giving our all and making our fans and sponsors proud of the way we take on the world.”
🔒 LOCKED AND LOADED 🔒
“We are very happy with the mix of experience and talent we have available for this year’s race. This is a very complete group across all terrains.” – Head DS, Matt White 🎙
We’re on the hunt for stages at #TDF2020! 🇫🇷
📰 https://t.co/isTCWE69RK pic.twitter.com/rfLA1MyrHC
— Mitchelton-SCOTT (@MitcheltonSCOTT) August 20, 2020
How many people, cars and trucks does it take to support a time trial national champion?
No joke. Wout van Aert’s defending his Belgian title today and this is his support team.
One bus, one truck, three teamcars and two soldiers for defending TT-champ Wout van Aert #BKTijdrijden #BKKoksijde pic.twitter.com/4SfNNt4ICb
— Guy VD Langenbergh (@guyvdl) August 20, 2020
"I didn't think you could win." "Neither did I."
I reckon FDJ became my favourite team yesterday. Look like a bunch or mates who are just stoked on getting round a local crit. Haha it’s so nice. https://t.co/ogSHUF740a
— AlecBriggs/ Pedaler (@Alec_Pedaler) August 20, 2020
Storck founder reduces his stake in firm
Cycling Industry News reports that Storck Bicycle founder, Markus Storck, and Decathlon have both sold 25% stakes in the firm to Stefan Lohwasser.
Storck and Lohwasser have consequently become equal partners in the business.
Lohwasser said: “Storck enjoys the highest reputation in the industry. Thanks to progressive innovation, timeless design and high quality, the brand has managed to develop an unmistakable image. I am therefore very happy to join the well-established company and to shape the growth story together with Markus Storck.”
Markus Storck said: “In Stefan Lohwasser, Storck has gained an active, future-oriented partner. To shape the company together with him is an enrichment for the whole team. I would like to thank Decathlon for ten years of trusting cooperation and look forward to further mutual successes.”
Rat-run anger sees protesters D-lock themselves to Regent’s Park gates
There is a growing campaign for Regent’s Park to be closed to rat-running motorists.
Looks like some people are so upset about ongoing inaction of the Crown Estates Paving Commission, who are refusing to tackle motor traffic in Regent’s Park, they’re taking direct action. Parks should be for people, not through motor traffic. #CloseTheGates @Lungs_of_London https://t.co/dJwnfZE1I0
— London Cycling Campaign (@London_Cycling) August 20, 2020
Regent’s Park this morning. Protester Caspar Hughes D-locked by the neck to the park gates on Euston Road. Now is the time to stop London’s parks being used a rat runs! @RPcyclists @countcaspargh @theroyalparks @willnorman @W_Bradley @Heidi_LDN #closethegates pic.twitter.com/nwfyNgh2Mk
— Peter Murray (@PGSMurray) August 20, 2020
A protest is planned for September.
Keep Saturday 12th Septmber free. It’s time to show the CEPC that @theroyalparks Regent’s Park is for People, not for through traffic. For too long, the CEPC has pandered to a handful of rich residents, but now we want our park back! #pollution @livingstreets @MumsForLungs pic.twitter.com/v4BPLSSnNB
— Parks for People (@Lungs_of_London) August 15, 2020
Shadowy pressure group makes misleading claim London Fire Brigade has issues with Low Traffic Neighbourhood
An opaque campaign group pushing for the removal of the Oval Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) has claimed that the London Fire Brigade has safety issues with the scheme.
Brixton Buzz reports that OneOval – supposedly “an apolitical volunteer network of concerned residents” but of somewhat opaque membership – has this week released a press statement saying that London Fire Brigade have questioned the ‘rationale’ for the Oval Triangle LTN.
The release states that one fire service representative expressed concern about access to sites in the LTN area.
However, Save Oval Streets – which comprises residents associations in the area – says this is grossly misleading.
Save Oval Streets points out that all emergency services concerns were immediately addressed by Lambeth Council and that the design of the LTN was in fact altered to take into account the views of the fire, ambulance and police services.
Councillor Claire Holland echoed the comments of Save Oval Streets.
Completely irresponsible from One Oval spreading fear through misinformation. You might not like emergency LTN but at least discuss it honestly.
I wonder why they didn’t release the full email exchange to @brixtonbuzz? Maybe because the emergency services signed them off? 🤦🏼♀️👇🏼 https://t.co/Lbmj0kMM0V pic.twitter.com/2FkLZr9X2T
— Claire Holland (@clairekholland) August 20, 2020
Belstaff becomes the official outfitter for the INEOS Grenadiers
Ineos have owned clothing brand Belstaff – who are most closely associated with motorcycling – since 2017.
Last month Belstaff became the official outfitter of the Grenadier, the new 4×4 from INEOS Automotive.
Creating something of a brand soup, this relationship has now also extended to the cycling team that, as of the Tour de France, takes its name from the vehicle.
INEOS Grenadiers CEO Fran Millar said: “Belstaff is an iconic British brand who have a long and rich pedigree in racing. Belstaff is already providing the clothing for the Grenadier, so this was a natural progression as we begin to race as the INEOS Grenadiers for the first time.
“We look forward to developing the partnership as we work on future collaborations that are built for purpose – a British racing heritage brand supporting the needs of a modern day racing team.”
Who’s up for some photos of pro cyclists looking faintly awkward because they’ve been asked ot model clothing that isn’t made out of Lycra?
Thought so.
We are pleased to announce that British racing heritage brand @Belstaff will become the official outfitter for the INEOS Grenadiers.https://t.co/PWqjUHtx4b pic.twitter.com/LvNgyqitlt
— Team INEOS (@TeamINEOS) August 20, 2020
Wout van Aert is Belgian national time trial champion again
Maybe all those people and vehicles gave him the edge.
Or maybe he’d have won anyway. He has been quite winningy of late.
🇧🇪 #BKKoksijde @WoutvanAert has prolonged his national time trial title.
He clocked a winning time of 50:10.1#samenwinnen #BKtijdrijden pic.twitter.com/g5DtYTV8rJ— Team Jumbo-Visma cycling (@JumboVismaRoad) August 20, 2020
Van Aert finisht 30 seconden sneller dan Campenaerts en wint BK tijdrijden pic.twitter.com/Oou94398KN
— Sporza 🚴 (@sporza_koers) August 20, 2020
Electric scooter hire firm now checking driving licences
Middlesbrough is currently hosting a trial of UK firm Ginger’s electric scooters.
Cycling Industry News reported that teething problems had included scooters being taken on dual carriageways.
It seems the firm is now asking users to provide driving licence details.
They are being used though. The trial only started in July with 100 scooters.
Ginger now checks your driving licence – and reveals that riders have already covered 15,000 miles on its black-and-orange scooters in Middlesbrough. pic.twitter.com/sB1uy4TsXX
— Zag (@mindthezag) August 20, 2020
Welsh cycle café plan rejected due to lack of parking
“Most of the people wouldn’t be driving to the cafe; they’d be walking or cycling. I am extremely disappointed by this decision,” said applicant Kelly Eroglu about the rejection of her plan for a cycle cafe at Llantarnam Lakes in Cwmbran, Torfaen.
The proposed coffee shop would be housed in a steel container with bike racks outside.
There’d be a kitchen area, a toilet and a seating area with tables and chairs.
The proposal also includes plans to use the café for a wellbeing course for vulnerable teenagers.
Speaking in support of the development, Alan Slade, who represents Llantarnam ward said: “This coffee shop would provide an attractive destination and would provide somewhere people would want to walk and cycle to.”
Councillor Stuart Ashley countered: “It’s not a natural cycle route. It’s ponds for fishing.”
The BBC reports that while the council’s highways team accepted people would walk and cycle to the café, they thought a number would arrive by car.
They then concluded that the marathon 360 metre walk between the cafe and the staff car park was too far.
Eroglu will be appealing the decision.
What 'road closed' REALLY means
When traffic engineers put up a ‘road closed’ sign, this is what it really means!
(via @NQManchester) pic.twitter.com/1DlQyKZmtU
— Cycling Professor (@fietsprofessor) August 20, 2020
20 August 2020, 08:27
20 August 2020, 08:27
Cycling still up in the capital, but car use almost back to what it was
Weekday cycling in London up 10 per cent on pre-lockdown levels – but car use almost back to former levels too
Biggest growth in bike-riding is happening at weekends – but changes mask shift in shopping and work patterns
20 August 2020, 08:27
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...and, of course, there was no way of recording any kind of information before the internet was invented. 😏
Not even a passing comment for John Tomac?
@Jakrayan God knows. On the country roads here (Kent) people are usually good at not close passing me but the consistently overtake me on blind corners etc. Oncoming cars on very narrow roads its 50:50 as to whether they will slow down at all despite passing me within 50cm. Once I get back into civilisation its a different story. Bad driving becomes the norm.
You could bé right. I live in a French Pyrenean départment with plenty of narrow, tight roads. About 80% of drivers either pull over to thé max or wait for a better space to overtake. Mind you, there's always thé odd one looking at their phone...
For a while I've thought this was an unfortunate brand name. Several times I've seen cyclists riding towards me wearing Le Col jerseys with their right arm covering the L so it looks like they are advertising e.Coli.
A driver in a BMW not looking properly at a junction? Who'd have thunk it?
@bennysnnock Which is why training for a driver's licence should include cycle training, of course.
As someone who previously worked in the custom cycle clothing industry, I have to admit this news did make me smile. I'm sure the brand will rise like a phoenix from the flames, but just the idea that they've gone pop has lifted my mood. Fair play to Yanto though, I'm sure the brand has set him up, one way or another, for life; he had a vision and he delivered on it. But, having been at the wrong end of a strategy that involved outspending the rest of the industry (on advertising) and out-discounting on retail kit, it's nice to know that their 'be the last man standing' strategy has - at least for now - failed. One trick (let's be fair and call it a strategy) that really frustrated me back in the day, was the way in which they used to give university cycle teams free kit. All very upstanding you say, however their motivation was more; 1. get people in your kit young and (hopefully) keep them for life - fair enough - but more acutely 2. remove decent revenue streams from your competitors. Uni teams were great because every year there was a new influx of members needing kit - so LeCol just took the market, not to make any money, just to kill it for the rest of us.
@Rendel Harris Absolutely. I was just making the point that Surrey has a lot of 'couldn't care less if I hit you' drivers whose attitude is get out of my way and if you don't that's your fault.
Their socks were all right.
19 thoughts on “Welsh cycle café plan rejected due to lack of parking; Rat-run anger sees protesters D-lock themselves to Regent’s Park gates; ASO changes tack on ‘podium girls’; Kruijswijk out of Tour de France; Yates chasing stage wins + more”
I humbly submit that I would
I humbly submit that I would look like a complete tit in a pair of sunglasses like that.
I’m pretty sure Greg van
I’m pretty sure Greg van Avermaet is wondering if he can get Bolle replaced with 100% for the 2021 season.
The Emperor’s new clothes
The Emperor’s new clothes methinks.
nniff wrote:
You are not alone in that assumption; we all would.
Quote:
Which translates as “We spoke to this one bloke, my brother-in-law’s cousin, who used to be a fireman in the seventies, and he reckons…”
Nope, from the looks of it is
Nope, from the looks of it is more: –
My brother in law cousin works in admin at the fire service and he has seen an email which would normally be sent when routes are changed and discussed with council. Like any other time this has been resolved to all parties needs but we won’t include that part in our press release.
I suspect these anonymous
I suspect these anonymous briefings do indeed often come from ‘some bloke in admin who has no decision-making capacity’.
I’ve just finished reading Janette Sadik-Khan’s book about putting in bike lanes and things in New York, and it’s surprising how often she encountere anonymous critical reports to the press that the Fire Dept disapproved of a particular change (even when she could show emails from Fire Dept higher-ups saying everything was shiny).
What amazing news from
What amazing news from Regents Park, and congratulations and support to Caspar Hughes. If I lived in London, I’d be there with you. I hope this makes the msm, and the park management have to explain why they reopened the park to killing machines.
I will go to the ‘protest’ on
I will go to the ‘protest’ on the 12 Sept. People have been asking for this park to be car free for decades.
There is the ‘problem’ with the zoo car park – but with careful planning access could be granted to the car park and keep the rat runners out.
Sutton Park near Birmingham
Sutton Park near Birmingham is slightly bigger then
RegentsRichmond and had Rat Runs in it up to the early 90’s. They then gated off full car through routes with access allowed to car parks only. Although some of the gates can be busy (especially when negotiating the cattle grids) and some motorists think 20mph is 5 mph, it is a massively safer for everyone on the tracks.I’m assuming the parks have to pay to maintain the roads in the park so removing most of the damaging traffic is surely a better option, especially as they have trialled this for 2 months unintentially.
Edit, sorry thought this was Richmond Park with the similar trial, reflected in edit.
Quote:
I… what…? eh…?
Since when did 4x4s start wearing clothes?
On another matter, surely ‘winningy’ is the adverb – you mean ‘he’s been quite winning’ (or ‘winningsome’), no?
I wonder if Torfaen Council’s
I wonder if Torfaen Council’s policies on environment, sustainability, pollution, congestion, health, obesity and active travel include reducing car use and providing for the alternatives? Clearly not.
So are the Ineos Grenadiers
So are the Ineos Grenadiers going to be riding in Barbour jackets and green wellies from now on? I’d love to see that.
iandusud wrote:
Hardly, that would be like them wearing Quickstep flooring! Surely Barbour are the opposition to Belstaff aren’t they?
PP
Belstaff – the bit below the
Belstaff – the bit below the bellend. Ineos is soooo 1900’s.
“It’s not a natural cycle
“It’s not a natural cycle route. It’s ponds for fishing.”
How do the fisherfolk get there?
(And what the hell is a ‘natural cycle route’ as opposed to a ‘natural’ pond for ‘natural’ dangling of ‘natural’ steel hooks from ‘natural’ nylon line attached to ‘natural’ fibreglass rods and ‘natural’ metal reels by people sat on ….naturally, I’ve gone on long enough.)
It’s like those “natural
It’s like those “natural roads” that those fisherpeople drive on to get them and their seemingly huge amount of stuff to the fishing ponds.
ktache wrote:
Natural motorways!
pockstone wrote:
Well, I know what it isn’t; most of the NCN.