“There is no road space dedicated to cars”: Tory peer says “disproportionate” space dedicated to cycling, as cyclists blast “disgraceful, untrue” claim; Are phone drivers sociopaths?; UAE dominance continues; Giant founder dies + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
“There is no road space dedicated to cars”: Tory peer says “disproportionate” amount of space dedicated to cycling in London, as cyclists blast “disgraceful” and “untrue” claim
What’s this? A Conservative peer who reckons there are too many cycle lanes in London? Well, you could have knocked me down with a feather.
This all-too familiar tale comes courtesy this week of Daniel Moylan (that’s Lord Moylan to you, commoner), Boris Johnson’s old airport advisor back in his mayor days and, rather depressingly, the Tories’ current shadow transport minister in the House of Lords.
Moylan made the claim responding to a video posted on Twitter by London cycling and active travel campaigner Francesca of her son cycling alongside traffic on a road devoid of any kind of bike lane.
When I talk about cycling in London, the biggest barrier people mention, by far, is safety. Esp with kids.
Yet a bike is still the most efficient way to get from A-B. Evidence👇
Imagine how many more would cycle if safe, protected infra was the norm rather than the exception.🚲 pic.twitter.com/ND72yRpYz5
— Francesca 🚲💕 (@francesca_kms) February 12, 2026
“When I talk about cycling in London, the biggest barrier people mention, by far, is safety. Especially with kids,” Francesca wrote.
“Yet a bike is still the most efficient way to get from A-B. Imagine how many more would cycle if safe, protected infra was the norm rather than the exception.”
And Lord Moylan’s response?
“The amount of road space dedicated to cycling in central London is already disproportionate to its contribution to passenger transport,” he wrote.
And it’s fair to say that conclusion divided the online world.
“100 per cent right,” wrote transport campaigner, and anti-LTN advocate, John Stewart.
“All great cities rely on mass transit systems – rail and metro – to move people, and buses for shorter trips. That is where the investment should be going rather than cycle lanes which clutter up what are already the most congested streets of any European city.”
Others were less supportive, however.
“There are 431km of segregated cycle lanes in London… and 14,500km of roads,” pointed out former Hackney councillor Jon Burke.
“It’s truly unbelievable that people like Daniel Moylan sit in the House of Lords. Disgraceful, actually.”
Pointing to the same data, Simon Lord (who, to the best of my knowledge, doesn’t sit in the House of Lords), asked the peer: “Maths not your strong point?”
“The vast majority of those roads are residential side roads of no transit value and don’t belong in your calculation,” Moylan replied.
“According to actual data, around two per cent of roads in London have a cycle lane, and around 4-5 per cent of all London trips are made by bicycle,” wrote the ‘Cycleway, my arse!’ account.
“There are more people cycling than there are cycle lanes.”
“We need to install more separate cycling infrastructure to encourage more people to walk, wheel, and ride bicycles,” added Bikery.
Your comment is completely untrue. Cycle traffic is some 70% or more of the traffic on the bridges over the Thames at rush hour.
The Netherlands laughs at your ignorance, and also your terrible execution of Exhibition Road. What a disaster that was. pic.twitter.com/VSgfhhtAvv— CyclingMikey the Unspeakable (@MikeyCycling) February 14, 2026
Even Cycling Mikey got involved, writing: “Your comment is completely untrue. Cycle traffic is some 70 per cent or more of the traffic on the bridges over the Thames at rush hour.
“The Netherlands laughs at your ignorance, and also your terrible execution of Exhibition Road. What a disaster that was.”
Meanwhile, another user said: “The huge amount of road space dedicated to cars in London is still disproportionate to its tiny and inefficient contribution to passenger transport.”
To which Lord Moylan replied: “There is no road space dedicated to cars.”
I’ll leave that particular claim to you.
Are phone-using motorists ‘acting like sociopaths’? Cyclist slams “slow reactions” of selfish distracted drivers who “see nothing wrong with their actions” and tells them: “Just put your phone away”
What do Dr Gregory House and Dennis Reynolds from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia have in common with motorists who just can’t resist texting, or scrolling, or watching YouTube at the wheel?
Well, according to Irish cycling journalist Cian Ginty, they all display sociopathic traits.
Ginty, whose brilliant IrishCycle.com site was all over the Irish government’s recent ‘will they, won’t they’ mandatory bike helmet fiasco, has called on distracted drivers to “just put your phone away” after spotting an unhealthy number of motorists glued to their glowing screen while at the wheel over the weekend.
“Unless you’re actually a sociopath, most people don’t want to run over a child or cyclist or an old lady,” Ginty, who posted a photo of a van driver clearly using his phone while “creeping forward” in slow-moving traffic, pointed out in a recent column on his site.
This was worse, it was in slow moving traffic and the van driver was creeping forward…
— IrishCycle.com (@irishcycle.com) February 13, 2026 at 6:44 PM
“Yet if you walk past cars in traffic, you’ll likely find more than a few drivers looking down at their phones.
“If you cannot stop looking at your phone in traffic, you need to keep it out of reach. It doesn’t matter if you’re stopped or moving slowly – people have been injured and killed because drivers were ‘just’ quickly looking at their phone.
“Being stopped in traffic is still counted as driving, and it’s still illegal to hold a phone as it’s a distraction that could mean that you’re not aware of a child, cyclist, or old lady next to your car when you start off again.”
Ginty then went on to emphasise that he’s normally tolerant to a point when it comes to poor, inattentive driving on the roads, even admitting that after a motorist almost hit him pulling out of a space a few days ago, he simply “accepted their wave and waved back”.
“I try to be reasonable, and everybody makes mistakes, but I have a low tolerance for distracted driving caused by phone use, especially when motorists see nothing wrong with their actions,” he continued.
“The level of distraction is demonstrated by the slow reaction of two motorists I encountered holding phones in their hands yesterday – one when I directed a light towards them, and they were slow to react, and the other when I stood to the side of their van waiting to cross in front of them. With both, it took them way too long to realise what was going on.”
The allure of the mobile phone, Ginty says, “can really suck people in”. And it can also prevent them from having any clue of what’s going on around them, or – when they eventually do cop on – spark a whirlwind of denials.
“With the first driver mentioned above, it took them what felt like at least 20-30 seconds to realise somebody was shining a light at them,” the active travel journalist continued.
“I was walking on, but they lowered their window, and, of course, straight denial followed this.
“They were in denial that they were holding a phone, and then that they were even driving (they were in the middle of the road, with a gap of three car spaces between their car and the car in front, which was about to turn onto the main road ahead of them).”
Ginty also called for hand-free kits to be banned, pointing to “decades of research” which shows talking on loudspeaker is every bit as distracting and dangerous as holding a phone to your face.
“Our understanding of distractions and visibility is skin deep,” he concluded. “Just put your phone away.”
Simple. Or not, if the parade of drivers lit up by the tell-tale glow of their screens in rush-hour traffic this evening is anything to go by.
Can’t get enough of UAE: Tim Wellens continues UAE Team Emirates’ ominous early-season dominance with stunning long-range solo victory at Clásica Jaén, as Tom Pidcock sprints to second
The oil-powered UAE machine shows no signs of slowing down, does it?
We’re only halfway through February and UAE Team Emirates have already notched up 12 wins in 2026.
To put that number into perspective, EF Education-EasyPost (sorry guys, it’s just an example) only managed 10 victories throughout 2025. Alpecin only had 18 wins last year too, and that was with Mathieu van der Poel, Jasper Philipsen, and Kaden Groves.
And Tadej Pogačar hasn’t even started racing yet. That’s scary.
Following Isaac del Toro’s surprise sprint win at the UAE Tour this morning, this afternoon it was Tim Wellens’ turn to secure the inevitable UAE win at the Clásica Jaén. The Belgian veteran is something of a Jaén mainstay, finishing in the top ten (and twice on the podium) every year since the race was founded in 2022.
And this year, Wellens took advantage of all that experience to finally get his hands on that famous massive golden olive trophy.
After attacking alongside Mark Donovan with 60km to go, the pair traded blows before Wellens dropped the British rider and set off on his own with 50km to go. Behind the race split to bits, but a proper chase group never materialised.
The pressure exerted by Donovan’s Pinarello leader Tom Pidcock and Red Bull-Bora’s Maxim Van Gils on the climbs – with UAE passenger Jan Christen in tow – brought Wellens’ lead down to half a minute.
But he never really looked in danger, the ease with which the Belgian champion navigated the race’s rough gravel roads – one near miss aside – echoing his team’s serene start to 2026.
🫣 Pidcock takes the second place ahead of Christen. Nasty crash from Van Gils
💚 #ClásicaJaén pic.twitter.com/wJry3bdW9w
— Clásica Jaén Paraíso Interior (@ClasicaJaen) February 16, 2026
Behind, Pidcock won the sprint for second, continuing his own promising start to the season, with Christen taking third, after Van Gils hit the deck hard after a tangle with the UAE rider, a rather bizarre and unnecessary ending to another perfect day for UAE Team Emirates. And another foreboding one for the rest of the peloton.
If Wellens can do that at the Clásica Jaén, what’s Pogačar going to do at Strade Bianche? Actually, you know what, best not answer that.
“The people involved in these kinds of crimes are taking quite sophisticated steps to pose as the buyer”
Save of the day
Tim Wellens, TV attack or otherwise, is still out in front at the Clásica Jaén with 14km to go, a minute or so clear of the chasers – though the super-strong Belgian champion almost came a cropper on the entrance to the last gravel section of the day:
Estos caminos de olivos de la @ClasicaJaen no perdonan a nadie 🫣
Wellens, a punto de irse al suelo en la entrada al tramo de San Bartolomé.#LaCasaDelCiclismo pic.twitter.com/nNXa75UtFL
— Eurosport.es (@Eurosport_ES) February 16, 2026
Good save, Tim, good save.
Meanwhile, Tom Pidcock, who looked somewhat under par earlier in the race, is on the move and looking lively. But he seems to have left it a bit late to reel in the flying Wellens.
“He devoted himself to bicycles, believing they represented not merely a business, but a meaningful way of life”: Giant pays tribute to founder King Liu, the father of Taiwan’s cycling industry, who died this morning aged 91
Giant has announced that the bike brand’s founder, King Liu, passed away this morning at the age of 91.
Liu founded Giant in Taiwan in 1972, developing it into the world’s largest bike manufacturer. Despite not being a cyclist himself when he founded the company, in 2007 he rode around Taiwan at the age of 73, before cycling from Beijing to Shanghai two years later.
He was also one of the driving forces behind the establishment of Taiwan’s YouBike bike share service, and is widely regarded as the father of the country’s cycling industry.
“To Giant Group, Mr. Liu was not only our Founder, but a leader who consistently guided the organization forward while remaining attentive to the people around him,” Giant said in a statement today.
“Through a strong commitment to quality and a clear long-term vision, he led the company onto the global stage and helped the world recognise the strength and capability of Taiwan’s bicycle industry.
“Throughout his life, Mr. Liu devoted himself to bicycles, believing they represented not merely a business, but a meaningful way of life.
“He was widely respected as a lifelong advocate for cycling culture and remained a deeply influential figure to colleagues, partners, and riders across generations.
“As this announcement comes during the Lunar New Year, Giant Group is sharing the news with the same humility and discretion that Mr. Liu upheld throughout his life. Further arrangements will be planned in accordance with the family’s wishes and announced at an appropriate time.
“Giant Group extends its sincere appreciation to all friends and partners for their understanding, support, and companionship during this time.”
Now, that’s how you time an attack…
One of my favourite early season races, the Clásica Jaén – a race of hills, Strade Bianche-style gravel roads, and massive golden olive trophies – is taking place this afternoon.
And UAE’s Tim Wellens, a perennial top ten finisher at the Spanish one-day race, showcased his knack for perfect timing, launching an attack from the front group… just as the live television pictures started.
🏁 – 59 km
🔥 Tim Wellens ataca y solo puede seguirle Mark Donovan. Tras ellos, un grupo de 2️⃣9️⃣ corredores
💥 Tim Wellens attacks and only Mark Donovan can follow. Behind them, a group of 2️⃣9️⃣ riders
⏱️ 30”
💚 #ClásicaJaén pic.twitter.com/NnoQdsACcr
— Clásica Jaén Paraíso Interior (@ClasicaJaen) February 16, 2026
Now, that’s proper old school, 1980s Giro behaviour. ‘Is that the TV helicopter overhead? Let’s go!’
Wellens was followed immediately by Tom Pidcock’s Pinarello-Q36.5 teammate Mark Donovan, and the pair have spent the last 10km knocking seven bells out of each other on the gravel. As I said earlier, I love this race.
‘Yeah, cycling’s all and well good. But what about when you need to go somewhere with your sousaphone? Bet you can’t do that on a bike. Wait, you’ve got a unicycle?’
Cue the TV Burp music, it’s time for ‘The Most Random Cycling Internet Thing of the Weeeeekkk’…
You can watch the full bizarre clip here.
Jonathan Milan’s injuries to be monitored ahead of UAE Tour’s second stage – but Italian sprinter avoids broken bones after nasty crash, Lidl-Trek confirm
Jonathan Milan, the most high-profile victim of today’s late crash at the UAE Tour, escaped without breaking any bones, despite looking in considerable pain in the immediate aftermath of the spill, his Lidl-Trek team has confirmed.
However, the big Italian’s future at the race – one at which he would have certainly highlighted a few opportunities for sprint success – is still up in the air, after suffering a number of cuts and bruises, with Milan’s condition set to be reassessed ahead of tomorrow’s time trial.
In a statement issued at lunchtime, Lidl-Trek said: “Fortunately an initial clinical assessment after the finish of UAE Tour stage 1 did not reveal any fractures but Jonny’s injuries, notably across his right hand, left elbow and hip, and right knee, will continue to be monitored this evening and heading into tomorrow’s second stage.”
Today’s late crash could potentially derail Milan’s scintillating start to 2026, the Tour de France green jersey winner taking the first two stages of last month’s AlUla Tour. His two stage wins at last year’s UAE Tour set the precedent for a storming campaign for the 25-year-old, which included two stage wins at the Tour de France, along with the race’s points classification.
“If there’s one more kick in the nuts, it might be impossible. But I have to try”: Mads Pedersen pessimistic about Milan-Sanremo return after horror crash off the road at the Volta Comunitat Valenciana
As if today couldn’t get any worse for Lidl-Trek, the team’s classics talisman Mads Pedersen has conceded that it “might be impossible” to return in time for the spring classics, as the former world champion recovers from the collarbone and wrist fractures sustained in a horrible crash at the Volta Comunitat Valenciana.
Speaking this morning on his Long Distance podcast, Pedersen admitted that he won’t be back in time for Paris-Nice next month, while Milan-Sanremo also looks unlikely.
The 30-year-old, a podium finisher at the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix last year, also seemed pessimistic about his chances at the cobbled monuments, where he was expected once again to challenge Mathieu van der Poel, Tadej Pogačar, and Wout van Aert.
“It already looks really difficult,” he said. “All it takes is one more setback. If there’s one more kick in the nuts, it might be impossible.
“But I have to try, both for my own sake and for the boys around me. I have to try to make it work.”
Pedersen also revealed that he crashed off the road on a descent during stage one of the Volta Comunitat Valenciana last week, with doctors initially fearing that he had broken his back.
“In a narrow descent we came into a left-hand corner, where two riders on the left side of the road were riding next to each other, meaning there was no space left for the riders on the right,” he said, explaining that he hit the ground hard after flying off the road, landing on his head and back after flipping over the bars, breaking his right collarbone and left wrist.
“Switch on the lights to make our streets safer”: Daily Express launches ‘streetlight campaign’ and backs Cycling UK’s call to make routes safer for female cyclists
I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect to see this headline splashed across the front page of the Daily Express this morning:
Yes, that’s right.
The Daily Express – the paper that brought you such anti-cycling classics as “secret cycling hand signals”, Highway Code “fury”, and “cyclists should pay their way” (and, whisper it, used to employ our news editor Dan) – has launched an actual road safety campaign. With the help of Cycling UK, no less.
The Express’s ‘Safer Streets Crusade’ streetlight campaign is urging councils to “prioritise well-lit routes where women walk, travel, and wait”, while focusing on overall pedestrian safety during the early hours of the morning.
And it’s being supported by Cycling UK, which launched its own female safety-focused ‘My Ride. Our Right’ campaign last year.
In a column on the Express’s website today, the charity’s director of external affairs Sarah McMonagle warned that, in addition to the tabloid’s emphasis on pedestrians, many women are also put off cycling by fears of unlit routes and harassment.
“So many women have told me, ‘there are cycle paths I don’t feel safe to use at night’. That’s why the Daily Express streetlight campaign matters,” McMonagle wrote.
“It reflects an all-too-familiar reality for women like me who plan their lives around what feels safe after dark, rather than what’s easy or sensible.
“While the Daily Express and Cycling UK campaigns may have slightly different focuses, they share the same truth: whether you’re walking or cycling, feeling safe in public should be a basic human right.
“Women deserve the same rights as men to move around freely, confidently and without fear. Lighting can play a quiet but powerful role in that. It shapes how streets are used and who feels welcome on them.”
She continued: “We know women make half as many trips by bike as men and are more likely to be put off cycling by fears of unlit routes and harassment.
“We also know how small things can make a big difference to women’s perceptions of safety. In places with improved lighting, calmer speeds and cycle parking in a good, visible location, we see more women on bikes.
“While some sceptics may say that streetlights are too costly for councils, I say it’s a worthy investment in making our public spaces work for everyone.
“Whether the solution is to keep the lights on or design streetlights with motion sensors, women shouldn’t feel forced to choose between a busy road and a dark, isolated path.
“This isn’t just about transport – it’s about equality, opportunity, and getting rid of the rock and the hard place entirely. Because when we make cycling safer for women, we make it safer for everyone.”
The Express backing safe cycling? I suppose there’s a first time for everything. Maybe the Telegraph will join in next… Alright, I won’t get my hopes up.
Why don’t cyclists use the cycle lane? #723,891: Because it’s been turned into a water feature
Well, at least the latest edition to our long-running series looks pretty in the sun. That’s a plus, right?
The new water feature on Balham High Road seems to be made permanent now. It looks great when the sun is shining ☀️
It is part of a series of similar water features that have appeared across the boroughs. Thanks to TfL and Wandsworth Council 🌊🚧— Wundelin (@wundelin.bsky.social) February 16, 2026 at 11:17 AM
“On a more serious note,” continued Wundelin, “It is unacceptable that a bit of rain consistently floods cycle lanes and pavements in Wandsworth. It affects cyclists and pedestrians.”
Boom! Isaac del Toro lays down ominous marker with sensational long-range uphill sprint at UAE Tour, as Jonathan Milan crashed hard in frenetic finale
Typical UAE Tour.
For 115km, the most exciting part of today’s opening stage to Liwa Palace was the fact it was shortened due to strong winds.
But then, in the final 2km, all hell broke loose. As the peloton navigated what must be one of cycling’s largest roundabouts, the pace ramping up towards the flamme rouge, several riders hit the deck at speed following a touch of wheels, including Jonathan Milan, the man expected to dominate the bunch gallops this week.
The Lidl-Trek sprinter looked in considerable pain on the road, but was quickly – if a little tentatively – back on his bike, making it to the finish.
#UAETour 🇦🇪 / La terrible chute du grand favori du jour 🇮🇹 Jonathan Milan (LTK), à 1km de l’arrivée… pic.twitter.com/AxaYGhhZDE
— Renaud Breban (@RenaudB31) February 16, 2026
With the bunch a Milan down, Ineos swiftly took control. Until, just seconds later, they didn’t, Sam Welsford engulfed by the swarm almost as soon as he neared the front on Ben Swift’s wheel, his legs seemingly gone.
He wasn’t alone. On the steady, five per cent rise to the line at Liwa Palace, the peloton’s momentum stalled as lead-out riders were cast asunder.
And that’s when Isaac del Toro made his move. The 22-year-old Mexican – the nearly-man at last year’s Giro, the autumn classics annihilator – started 2026 the way he ended 2025. In flying form.
View this post on Instagram
Del Toro’s acceleration was stunning. And – despite his legs tying up in the final 50m – it was enough, the UAE Team Emirates rider holding off the much bigger and sprintier Cees Bol to clinch a sensational first win of the season, on his first race day. Now, there’s an ominous marker for the campaign.
“I did plan it, but I thought it was a dream, and not too realistic,” the 22-year-old said after the stage, when asked if he’d targeted a day that was nominally for the fast men.
“I just saw the chance and didn’t want to regret it. It’s unbelievable, crazy.”
And then, once the interview was over, Del Toro asked UAE’s comms head: “Can I go home?”
A few of his rivals may be asking themselves the very same question right now.
Police investigate “deliberate” dooring which seriously injured cyclist in his 80s
A cyclist in his 80s suffered serious injuries including multiple fractures after a car door was opened into his path last month, police reporting that it “was believed to be a deliberate act”.
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Read more: > Police investigate “deliberate” dooring which seriously injured cyclist in his 80s
Local newspaper in ‘accurately describing illegal e-motorbike’ shocker
Well, I never… Maybe the message is getting through after all.
Mother Nature strikes again: First stage of UAE Tour shortened by 26km due to “strong winds”
It’s fair to say that the start to the 2026 road racing season has been a windy one.
And after the gale force-caused chaos and farcical scenes that brought a premature end to the Vuelta a Murcia on Saturday (more on that in a minute), the UAE Tour has become the latest victim of Mother Nature this campaign.
Luckily for the organisers, however, the prospect of “strong winds” during the first stage of the men’s UAE Tour this morning has only led to a minor 26km adjustment to the route.
Very windy here at the start of the first stage. pic.twitter.com/sBzyH7Q6AW
— GreenEDGE Cycling (@GreenEDGEteam) February 16, 2026
Instead of the planned 144km sprinter-friendly ride to Liwa Palace, today’s stage will now be contested over a still blustery 118km, with the finish time being moved to 15.50 UAE time (that’s 10 minutes to 12 in the UK).
“The race direction, in agreement with the jury, due to strong winds, has decided to shorten the first stage of the UAE Tour to 118 km instead of 144 km,” the organisers said in a brief statement.
So… does that mean we should expect echelons over the next hour and a half?
“He was struck while training on his home roads, while doing what he loved most”
More tragic news, unfortunately, from Italy over the weekend, where Francesco Mazzoleni, an 18-year-old cyclist pursuing a professional career, was killed in a collision involving a motorist while training:
Read more: > Italian cyclist killed in collision with driver while training
Our thoughts are with Francesco’s family and friends.
Racing round-up: Chaos and confusion (and riders being blown off the road) in Murcia, Vollering victorious in Valencia, Riccitello battles Ineos in Provence, and Bini wins again in Spain
Yep, road racing’s well and truly back. And if you managed to keep track of all the action taking place (or not taking place, as the case may be) across Europe this weekend, fair play. You’re as sad and obsessed as I am.
But if you didn’t – because you have a life – here’s a very brief recap of a packed weekend of racing:
Blown away. Literally. 🌪️
🙏 Luckily everyone is okay. The race is neutralised.
🇪🇸 #VueltaRM2026 pic.twitter.com/eH3Jx9iZx0
— Unibet Rose Rockets (@rockets_cycling) February 14, 2026
The only place we can start, really, is at the Vuelta a Murcia, where chaos reigned thanks to the high winds which have plagued races so far this year.
After Marc Soler won Friday’s opening stage – itself shortened due to the blustery conditions – stage two (already cut by 45km that morning) ran for just 20km before the wind began to wreak havoc, with at least 20 riders blown off the road on an exposed corner (though thankfully nobody was reported injured).
“What on earth have we just watched?!” 😅
Emīls Liepiņš ‘wins’ the second and final stage of the Vuelta a Murcia, after wind stops play in Spain. pic.twitter.com/NJg77ZlhJD
— Cycling on TNT Sports (@cyclingontnt) February 14, 2026
A lengthy debate between the organisers ensued, before the riders were shepherded onto their team buses and driven to the finish town of Santomera – where a pretty farcical 10km club ride and faux sprint took place, ‘won’ by Emīls Liepiņš, took place, bringing a farcical end to one of pro cycling’s more bizarre recent spectacles.
“We can’t do anything against a howling gale,” race official Paco Guzman told Eurosport during the stage. “We could save stage one, but today there have been gusts of up to 90kmh.”
View this post on Instagram
Meanwhile, on the snowy high roads of Provence, Decathlon’s new signing Matthew Riccitello kicked off life at the French squad with a bang, overcoming the freezing conditions and the combined might of the Ineos Grenadiers to win the first summit finish of 2026 at Montagne de Lure.
The American’s win on Mont Ventoux’s little sister also secured him the overall victory, ahead of Ineos duo Carlos Rodríguez and Brandon Rivera.
The British squad will take plenty of optimism from their showing in Provence, however, with the in-form AJ August putting in an enormous turn on Montagne de Lure, while Axel Laurance pulled off a tactically perfect breakaway win yesterday in Arles.
What a move! IQ level: 1000 🤯
Axel Laurance did his homework and made it count, hopping the curb, creating the gap, taking the short route, and smashing it all the way to Stage 3 victory at the Tour de La Provence 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/x7TOuDskmG
— Cycling on TNT Sports (@cyclingontnt) February 15, 2026
At the Setmana Ciclista Valenciana, Demi Vollering laid down a marker for 2026, winning the final stage (her second of the race) to seal a comfortable GC win over UAE’s Maeva Squiban, after Saturday’s third stage fell victim to the high winds and was also cancelled (I sense a theme developing here).
And finally, Biniam Girmay continued his winning start to life at NSN by winning a messy, crash-strewn sprint at the Clasica de Almeria, while António Morgado outsprinted Alex Aranburu in a two-up duel to defend his title and win on home roads at the Figueira Champions Classic in Portugal.
Bini is back 💪🏻
Biniam Girmay wins the Clásica de Almería in a tightly fought bunch sprint, taking his second victory of the season after his stage win at the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana ✌️ pic.twitter.com/4skvwQxdZW
— Cycling on TNT Sports (@cyclingontnt) February 15, 2026
All caught up now? Good. Because the UAE Tour is nearly over…
Too busy watching the Tour de la Provence, the Clasica de Almeria, the team skeleton, the snowboardcross, and the curling all at the same time over the weekend? Don’t worry we’ve got you covered
Here’s our Monday morning round-up of all the non-racing cycling news you may have missed while juggling a packed start to the European road season, the Winter Olympics, and… family stuff, I suppose:
> Cycle to Work scheme uptake remains steady despite political scrutiny
> Sharp rise in e-bike use may reduce fitness among young riders, review finds
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I may be reading far too much into it, but I felt as though Pogacar and UAE weren't actually that bothered about winning today. Not having yellow to defend and all the extra press etc to do this early in the race is an indisputable advantage; I just got the impression that they were out to lose no more than a handful of seconds but not to bury themselves for the win. With about 2.5kms to go I thought that if Pogacar really wanted it he would have gone from there, but he stayed with Del Toro for nearly another kilometre even though the body language was saying that no way was Del Toro in as good shape as Pogacar. Even after the finish he didn't seem as wiped out as Ganna (whom I don't think I've ever seen quite so shattered) or Jonas. As I say, might be reading too much into it but I would not be surprised if UAE had played a very clever hand not to lose any meaningful time but to avoid the burden of yellow from the get go.
@tomlew It's not his youth so much as his inexperience. He's never ridden a race longer than eight days before. Pogacar won his first Tour, it's true, but he'd already finished a Vuelta. There's simply to much for him to learn and become accustomed to in my opinion for him to have a realistic chance of victory, particularly as he's up against probably the greatest of all time and a double Tour winner, both of whom seem to be at the peak of their powers. It's not entirely beyond the bounds of possibility but he'd need a hatful of luck and something fairly catastrophic to happen to both of those guys before he'd realistically be in with a shout. Don't forget nobody has won their first Grand Tour since Hinault in 1978, forty-eight years is a hell of a lot of precedent.
There is no rational reason for a rider this young not to dominate the race, other than some of us believing this is "not right" based purely on opinion. Younger athletes recover much, much faster. They adapt more easily. They are typically more eager to take risks, which is... well, risky, but could pay off big time if the stars align. Burnout? Yes, that is a risk. But it's not a given. See how long Leo Messi has been absolutely top-notch. The risks are high, but the potential is even more so. And even if Seixas does burn out early, it may just be his choice despite the awareness of the risk. If I were a prodigy cyclist youngster with a realistic shot at winning, I might take it even if I knew it might be the end of my career. After all, it's winning the TdF we're talking about!
@Rendel Harris Let's turn this around. One can hack their electronic shifting and nobody will believe them!
I’m confused: “ A driver who took a selfie, watched videos and sent messages at the wheel before killing a cyclist was jailed for five years, whilst a hit-and-run motorist who subsequently struck the same rider….” How does that work? Resurrection? Did the poor unfortunate cyclist recover from his/her case of death, only to be hit by a motorist again? Please, I don’t mean to make light of either case, merely to point out the poor/lazy journalism….
It was certainly an exciting watch today. Surprised that INEOS selected Ganna and Tarling. It felt like win at all costs and they didn't quite manage it. Personally I would rather see more riders having to stay together till the finish. It will reduce opportunities for teams to "rest" climbing domestiques and it preserves the spectacle and identity of the TTT discipline. Great start to the tour. Vingegaard is obviously in outstanding shape, but will he pay for today's effort later on.
@chrisonabike Yes does it mean those without it are intrinsically less safe because they don't appear on the motorists' "radar" (in both senses of the word)? This is the problem with bike radars - they aren't addressing the root cause. The problem isn't cyclists being informed just before a motorist smacks into them for which the cyclists can do very little. The problem is motorists not taking evasive action before they (almost?) collide with the cyclist. Radar should be mandatory for cars.
I watched it in thé Dauphiné but didn't get that feeling.
Incoming Betteridge's Law here ("No"). I don't know if this becomes a "thing" but let's say it did: Pro: see round corners etc. And and increasing number of bikes (not just ebikes) have batteries / wireless / other tech anyway... Con: could easily become yet another way to relocate responsibility for safety from drivers, without substantially or reliably improving safety for others. Why? Not guaranteed (both your system AND all the other road users' systems need to be exist / be working / be enabled). How well does the bike interface work anyway (vibration could be masked by road noise; does everyone have both hands on the handlebars at all times? If it becomes prevalent it's easy to see the police / lawyers reaching for "bicycle didn't have (the latest version of) this thus the cyclist was irresponsible / brought it on themselves". For those who are "chips-with-everything" / "Internet-of-everything"-skeptical (that boat has sailed...) this would be yet another driver for "you used to buy a bike now you buy another smartphone".
100% agree, I have Assos and they work a lot better for me, yes they’re more expensive but a lot comfier and last a lot longer. So cost per ride Assos win hands down over Le Col.
20 thoughts on ““There is no road space dedicated to cars”: Tory peer says “disproportionate” space dedicated to cycling, as cyclists blast “disgraceful, untrue” claim; Are phone drivers sociopaths?; UAE dominance continues; Giant founder dies + more on the live blog”
I’d say narcissism rather than sociopathy would be the most accurate classification for phone drivers, given its characteristics of grandiose sense of self importance (“I’ve got important calls to make unlike jobless cyclists”), lack of empathy, (“if you can’t cope with my behaviour you shouldn’t be here”) and an overweening sense of entitlement (“we’ve paid for the roads”).
I’m not even sure its that. These people aren’t making important calls or writing important messages, they are almost certainly just chatting to friends or checking social media.
They simply don’t consider it a big deal. Like everything driving related we are led to believe that “accidents happen” and outside of the people doing 80 in a 30, they are simply a fact of life. They have used their phones behind the wheel dozens if not hundreds of times and never crashed so whats the issue. Its clearly not a big deal. Same reason almost everyone speeds. Same reason so many people fly into side roads going far too fast and with only a simple check to make sure another car isn’t coming if they are cutting across traffic.
They do it because most of the time they get away with it and if they don’t, meh, shit happens, they will be able to explain how it wasn’t really their fault and the punishment will be so pathetic that its hard to argue with their outlook.
You’ve overlooked the fact that in Surrey there is a bylaw allowing drivers to use mobiles behind the wheel in queuing and slow moving traffic, apparently (plus there are exceptions for fast moving vehicles too).
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A minute… or 63. Someone has that Monday morning feeling. 😉
Bad drivers in Thames Valley to face ‘increased action’, supposedly.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3wlee76pd5o
“Police investigate “deliberate” dooring which seriously injured cyclist in his 80s”
If the police do decide to press charges lets hope its Grievous Bodily Harm with intent and not some farcical traffic based nonsense like due care and attention. Attempting to seriously hurt someone should carry the full weight od the law. I fear it will be watered down (as usual)
“Ginty also called for hand-free kits to be banned, pointing to “decades of research” which shows talking on loudspeaker is every bit as distracting and dangerous as holding a phone to your face.”
Currently, drivers of new cars have a get out of jail free card by using their phone through the car’s bluetooth system as it would be thrown out by the police because the driver didn’t have the phone in their hands.
Unless the video evidence showed the driver being massively distracted by it and driving dangerously.
This loophole is not covered by the 2022 update to the Highway Code and must be addressed immediately.
This is true. My car came with it and I used it a couple of times before realising that it was distracting so I disabled it. That was a number of years ago.
The other loophole is having the phone in a cradle. A lot of phone-using-drivers aren’t talking on the phone; they are sending messages on WhatsApp or scrolling through social media etc. Which is illegal if you’re holding the phone, but apparently becomes completely fine if the phone is mounted in a cradle.
I wonder if looking through a windscreen is so much like looking at a screen that real-world possibilities just don’t occur to folk. Maybe this is similar to youngsters swiping (the tech meaning) books.
And that “water feature” in the bike lane is nothing compared to this (temporary lake installation)…
Meh… https://m.youtube.com/shorts/4AAN_D14Uhg
Motorists using their phones while behind the wheels aren’t sociopaths. Just regular junkies. Highly addicted to scrolling, social media, gaming, porn, texting, sexting, you name it. They pay no attention whatsover to their immediate surroundings. In case they injure or kill an unfortunate cyclist, they will receive a slap on the wrist because the judge thinks they are, otherwise, decent people. Here is an existential question for the cycling and walking community : what’s more dangerous – a car driven by a motorist with one or more phones, or a driverless car?
If the vast majority of residential side roads have no transit value then there should be no objection to making them all LTNs
Excellent – I can imagine the Tory peer spluttering ‘yes, but, well, no, but . . . . . . . .’ when offered that obvious logic.
They really are ridiculous these people. Cars are everywhere in the city! Vast car parks, retail centres, dual carriageways, fly overs, every single road has a car on it; stationary or not. Many pavements have cars on them; stationary. Huge SUVs clog up the roads – with just one passenger inside.
Indeed. If they’re not into cars for some idealogical reason (commercial…? Perish the thought!) then surely it’s just about what is the “best” ways of facilitating transport from A to B? Or rather what the best balance of provision (of choices) is?
Focus on providing for motoring and you end up with little else. And in fact in urban areas even miserable conditions for motoring *.
Provide for cycling and that reinforces walking (and mobility vehicles of all kinds) and can also work well with public transport. (If there’s any left.)
It’s not actually about cycling per se – just people getting around. BUT if you *aren’t* seeing cycling in your urban space your transport mix is almost certainly out of kilter. That’s just because it’s such an efficient, accessible, cheap and benign mode…
* Other modes are suppressed by mass motoring – and it’s a very inefficient use of space and resources, along with bringing lots of negatives.
Lord Moylan. Surely ripe for a transfer to RefUK. Completely lacking in sense, analytical ability, and when proved wrong, doubles down. I find it frightening that such people are part of our government, and not elected so we can’t vote them out.
BBC at it again with the conflating e-bikes and e-motos.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdx4762znr6o
You’d think there’d be some guidance given to the editorial team after the Panorama fiasco last year, or maybe they just don’t care? *shrugs*
The BBC have told me many times that the points I’ve made will be listed in a book that the producers look at before doing anything: there must be an awful lot of dyslexic producers, because they keep making the same mistakes time after time.