“If they can’t build cycle lanes, devolve bloody powers to us and we’ll do it”: Council slams government’s “joke” approach to cycling infrastructure; Mads Pedersen calls Jasper Philipsen “a real a**hole”; Bike stand horseplay + more on the live blog

Councillors in Belfast – a city often ridiculed by its cyclists for its poor or non-existent implementation of active travel initiatives in recent years – have launched a scathing criticism of Northern Ireland’s Stormont government and what they describe as its “joke” approach to cycling infrastructure.

As regular live blog readers will know, Northern Ireland – not helped by the lack of a sitting, functioning executive in recent years – has lagged behind the rest of the UK when it comes to protecting vulnerable road users with proper infrastructure (while even those protected cycle lanes that have been installed, such as on Belfast’s Hardcastle Street, tend to be blocked by parked cars and bins).

> No change in cycling casualties over 10 years in Northern Ireland called “shameful” by Cycling UK and should be “wake-up call” for decision makers

This glaring disparity has prompted an increasing number of cyclists and campaign groups to criticise the inaction of the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) and Belfast City Council when it comes to dealing with the problems faced by people on bikes on a seemingly daily basis.

However, this week it has been the turn of the council to point the finger at the Stormont government for its “frustrating” attitude towards active travel, as councillors in Belfast called on more powers to be devolved locally to ensure bike lanes can be, you know, built sometime soon.

Speaking at Belfast City Council’s Growth and Regeneration Committee, Alliance Party councillors Mickey Murray said: “There is quite a lot going to DfI but not a lot coming back from DfI, especially with cycling network plans.

“As a major stakeholder/deliverer of cycling infrastructure, we are doing our bit in terms of cycling enabling infrastructure. But the information DfI is coming back with on their plan is a bit of a joke. The information just isn’t adequate.”

Murray then called, with cross-party support, for a workshop on cycling at City Hall to present the need for the urgent delivery of cycling infrastructure to the department.

> Sinn Féin minister “neglecting Northern Ireland’s future” and “locking us all into a fossil-fuelled dark age”, says Cycling UK

Green councillor Anthony Flynn was equally scathing about the lack of delivery stemming from the government’s grand cycle network plans, which he described as “incredibly frustrating” and “ridiculous”.

“With £700,000 they have delivered 2.8 kilometres in the last two years. And on another project £245,000 on an active travel funding upgrade.

“I am exasperated with that, to be honest. We had the Belfast Cycling Network Delivery Plan two years ago – there was an £11 million budget, and again we are left with little to no delivery, which is incredibly frustrating.

“When we have that round table with DfI I will want more information on the lack of delivery. They say in the letter response there are various reasons – but I want to know what the various reasons are.

“We are talking about a landowner here – they cannot come back and tell us there are issues of ownership.

“Where are the roadblocks? What are the roadblocks? And if they cannot do it, devolve bloody powers to us and we will do it.”

> “This is the reality of cycling in Belfast”: Cyclists blast ‘protected’ bike lane packed with parked cars and bins

The Green politician continued: “We are talking about an active travel spend per capita in Northern Ireland of £7.20, while in Scotland it is £20 per head. We are a significant outlier in the United Kingdom.

“DfI is the department that should be coming up with results when it comes to active travel spend per head, and they are not doing it. 2.8 kilometres in the last two years – ridiculous.

“We need answers from them because there is an underspend here also. And most of the budget was spent on the signalling upgrade. So, where are the cycling lanes?”

Where are the cycle lanes, indeed…

Over on Facebook, Austen wasn’t too happy with the, ahem, eclectic music tastes of his fellow cyclists, at least according to Go Outdoors’ latest Spotify study…

Can’t say I disagree with that sentiment.

Well done Victor, your fluffy coo will be shipped in November along with all the other pre-orders.

Probably my favourite teammate celebrating of the season so far! Campanaerts being a cow, I'm guessing?!
😂 pic.twitter.com/tofUhAkRtq

— Katy M, Worlds Edition (@writebikerepeat) August 15, 2023

Ah, so apparently Campenaerts wasn’t trying to win a cuddly world champs memento (although judging by the rate at which they were selling in Glasgow, they’re probably more coveted than the Giro’s never-ending trophy right now), he was actually just celebrating another win by Lotto Dstny teammate Arnaud De Lie – the ‘Bull of Lescheret’, of course – at this afternoon’s Tour of Leuven.

An overtake timed to 𝙥𝒆𝙧𝒇𝙚𝒄𝙩𝒊𝙤𝒏 gives Arnaud de Lie the top spot at the Tour of Leuven! ✨⏱️ pic.twitter.com/WAcgS7K5Er

— Eurosport (@eurosport) August 15, 2023

That makes more sense, I suppose…

In case you’re having post-worlds withdrawal symptoms – and stories about jiffy bags and testosterone deliveries from 12 years ago just won’t cut it – never fear, because there are five (yes, five!) stage races on across Europe this week, as we all gear up for the Vuelta.

At the one race I’ve been able to keep up with (I’m good, but I’m not that good), the Vuelta a Burgos, another popular and not at all contentious sprinter Juan Sebastián Molano stormed away on the slight drag to the line to take his third win of the season for UAE Team Emirates:

Juan Sebastian Molano wins Stage 1 of the Tour of Burgos!

A 22nd career victory for the Colombian! 👏 pic.twitter.com/zSBkNzhTNb

— Eurosport (@eurosport) August 15, 2023

In what may prove a landmark decision for British Cycling, Team Sky, and their legacies and reputation within the sport, Richard Freeman – the former doctor for both organisations during the 2010s – has been banned from sport for four years after being found to have ordered testosterone for an unnamed rider and then lying to cover it up.

UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) today confirmed that the independent National Anti-Doping Panel found Freeman had committed the Anti-Doping Rule Violations of ‘Possession of a Prohibited Substance’ and (on two distinct occasions) ‘Tampering’.

UKAD’s investigation, which began in 2016 after it received information about a jiffy bag delivered to Freeman at the 2011 Critérium du Dauphiné, later uncovered that the Team Sky and British Cycling doctor had ordered 30 Testogel sachets to British Cycling’s Headquarters in Manchester in May 2011.

Freeman lost a High Court appeal in January against a tribunal’s decision to strike him from the medical register in 2021, when it was ruled that his ability to practise medicine had been impaired by misconduct, having been found to have ordered the banned testosterone in 2011 “knowing or believing” it was to help dope an unnamed professional cyclist.

> Former British Cycling and Team Sky doctor Richard Freeman facing doping ban after declining to defend himself against charges

Following the 2021 tribunal, UKAD charged the former Team Sky doctor with two anti-doping violations, namely possession of prohibited substances and tampering or attempted tampering with any part of doping control (this involved lying about returning the gels to the supplier and that the Testogel was for a non-rider member of staff).

That case was paused as Freeman appealed his ban, but following the High Court’s ruling, a National Anti-Doping Panel hearing was held last month, which he declined to attend.

According to UKAD, the hearing was “comfortably satisfied that Dr Freeman had intended to make available to one or more of his athletes the Prohibited Substance delivered to the Manchester Velodrome” and that UKAD had also proved the second Tampering violation.

The independent tribunal has now sanctioned Dr Freeman with a four-year ban, effective from 22 December 2020 (the date of his provisional suspension), making him ineligible to participate in any World Anti-Doping Code-compliant sport until 21 December 2024.

> Freeman fallout continues as Wiggins doubts a rider would have used Testogel for doping

Jane Rumble, UKAD’s Chief Executive, said in a statement: “The decision of the independent tribunal of the National Anti-Doping Panel confirms that Richard Freeman broke the UK Anti-Doping Rules. The rules are in place to make sure everyone plays their part in keeping sport clean and to ensure a level playing field.

“The outcomes of both UKAD and the GMC’s respective investigations were vital to outing the truth in this matter. This case sends a strong message to all athlete support personnel that the rules apply equally to them, just as they do to athletes, and that they have a clear responsibility to uphold the values of integrity in sport. When they fail to do so, every effort will be taken to ensure that the rules are enforced.”

Mario Theophanous, Head of UKAD’s Intelligence and Investigations Team, who led UKAD’s investigation into Dr Freeman, described the case as a “complex and comprehensive investigation to ascertain whether any wrongdoing had been committed, working with individuals who bravely came forward to give information to protect the values of their sport”.

Responding to the decision, British Cycling chair Frank Slevin said: “We note today's verdict from the National Anti-Doping Panel and thank them for the time and consideration put into reaching their decision. Throughout this case we have reiterated our belief that it is in public interest that all matters are heard and thoroughly examined, and have made every effort to support both UK Anti-Doping and the General Medical Council in their respective investigations.

“As we have stated previously, Richard Freeman’s conduct during his employment by British Cycling bore no resemblance to the high ethical and professional standards which we, our members and our partners rightly expect.”

He continued: “We also acknowledge that many will be understandably frustrated, as we are ourselves, that some matters arising from this case and others remain uncertain. We once again want to take this opportunity to urge individuals with relevant information to share that with UK Anti-Doping.

“In the years since Freeman was suspended from his employment by British Cycling, we have made great progress in strengthening our provision of medical services to riders competing for the Great Britain Cycling Team. Being granted Care Quality Commission status in October 2020 – making us one of the first professional sport medical facilities to achieve the status – is testament to the progress we have made.

“Ensuring that British Cycling remains at the forefront of our sector in this area will continue to be a key priority for us, and under the leadership of our Chief Medical Officer, Dr Nigel Jones, I am incredibly proud of the support we are providing both to our funded riders and wider sport.”

More to follow.

After the success of last week’s Super Worlds, is the Grande Boucle set for a wee visit to Scotland in 2026?

Read more: > Scotland could soon host Tour de France stages after “successful” World Championships 

Canyon has introduced new Endurace CFR and CF SLX endurance bikes that offer space for tyres up to 35mm wide, internal storage, adjustable handlebar width, and improved aerodynamic efficiency.

Canyon says the new bikes offer both comfort and speed, even describing the CFR as “arguably the fastest endurance road bike ever made”.

For everything you need to know, along with our initial ride impressions of the CFR Di2, read more here: > First look: Canyon launches all-new Endurace CFR as “arguably the fastest endurance road bike ever made”

> Entries open on Tuesday for 2024’s Ford RideLondon-Essex – and will be first-come, first-served rather than ballot

And, judging by the current speed of the website, it seems like those spaces will fill up fast… (I feel like I’m trying to buy tickets for a Bruce Springsteen gig this morning).