The reason for Tom Dumoulin's delayed start to the season has been revealed, with the Jumbo-Visma rider disclosing that he has been diagnosed with parasites in his stomach.
The Dutchman had been due to ride the Tour of Valencia earlier this month to mark his comeback from a knee injury which forced him to abandon the Criterium du Dauphine last June and miss the Tour de France.
However, Dumoulin was forced to skip the Spanish race due to illness. Following his diagnosis, he now plans to draw up his programme for his return to racing.
The Metropolitan Police have issued a warning for assault to a private hire vehicle driver who repeatedly brake-checked a London cyclist as well as slowing down and swerving in front of him and telling him “You’re going to get it.”
Helmetcam user CycleGaz posted footage of the incident, which happened on Regent’s Street, to YouTube together with an account of what had happened.
He wrote: “I'm disappointed I missed his indication. 999/1000 I would see that indication, slow down and move over to the right to overtake them as they take the corner. I do this because if pedestrians are crossing at the turning then it would slow me down even more I waited behind the turning car. I also don't want to go up the inside and potentially get caught against the pavement or behind another vehicle stuck turning because of pedestrians crossing.
“The Traffic unit decided to pass this on as assault. Assault in UK law does not include actual physical harm, just the fear of it. So by him brake checking me, swerving in front of me, slowing down in front of me and saying "you're going to get it" makes this assault, as I called out in the video.
“In this case his reaction of brake checking me is likely because he is a poor driver and wasn't aware of me being there (despite a very good quality front light that you can see reflecting off the signs). My reaction to that was to hit the side of his car very hard with my hand, to that he reacted by cutting in front of me and braking, forcing myself and several other cyclists to take evasive action to avoid a collision.
“And his words ‘You're going to get it’ I decided that a warning was the best course of action. I was speaking to the officer investigating this case for several weeks, he kept me updated on what was going on and where his lines of investigation where going (he first had to identify the driver).
“The driver admitted guilt, is extremely sorry for this and says it is out of his usual character. The man isn't known to the police, so this is likely true.
“I was informed that if he had denied everything or had a funny attitude with the police, the option of a warning wouldn't be on the table.
“I feel that we can and we both have learned from this situation. I'm posting this video so that hopefully at least a few others can learn from it as well.”
Battling -15°c temperatures and fierce winds, entrants are allowed to choose their mode of transport over the 205km route with most opting for bikes, skates and kicksleds. The Lake Baikal ice naturally makes a soft crackling sound beneath, which is in no danger of breaking completely but adds to the thrill of crossing over the huge frozen lake - the race began at the weekend.
Pointing at a more serious bunch of competitors, one entrant told the BBC: "Victory is for those, the sportsmen. Us folks approaching retirement age, we just need to feel happy, feel the nature and the moment, and preferably stay alive before the finish."
Probably best not to drop down dead at the end either, but in any case the gentleman's outlook is admirable...
Wow check it out. This is #AddisAbaba Ethiopia’s latest protected bike lane project. What’s your city doing? 🚲🚲🚲🚲😍 pic.twitter.com/zhnDmPmJ61
— Tim Papandreou (@tpap_) February 17, 2020
Which makes us despair even more at the 'cycle crossing' and the confusing shared space in this article...
Look at this cyclist knocked over by a motorist....and see the reaction of the driver. WATCH pic.twitter.com/Y1WaOTGuC2
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) February 16, 2020
Posted by South African social justice advocate Yusuf Abramjee, the footage starts with the cyclist on the floor after allegedly being knocked over by the driver operating the white SUV. The cyclist then hits out at the car in anger, after which the motorist gets out and assaults the cyclist.
Guy in car is driving 3 tons of metal. Guy on bicycle 70kg including bike. A car is a lethal weapon in the hands of an aggressive individual such as the guy in the video. It does not matter what the guy on the bicycle does, you cant just run him over. That's attempted murder.
— 🄽🄸🄲🄺 🄿🄾🅃🄶🄸🄴🅃🄴🅁 🇿🇦 (@nickpotgieter) February 16, 2020
Some commenters have suggested the driver was simply trying to move his car, while others have said he was likely trying to drive away from the scene, which likely caused the cyclist to react angrily. The driver eventually pulls up onto a grass verge before the end of the clip.
As part of their effort to try to get one million more women cycling by the end of 2020, British Cycling have launched a toolkit that contains advice, tips and best-practice examples of making the cycling club environment as appealing as possible to prospective female members - it will be distributed to every single one of British Cycling’s 1,845 affiliated clubs across the UK.
While British Cycling claim "huge strides" have been made in encouraging more women into both competitive and recreational cycling, they say only 18% of overall affiliated club membership is currently female. British Cycling’s Head of Programme Design Jill Puttnam said: “We know that there are huge, ever-growing numbers of women cycling, and playing active roles in the sport throughout the country. However, the figure that shows that only 18% of club members are female highlights that there is still work to do in ensuring that women see a cycling club as an environment that is suitable to them.
“We have launched this toolkit to work alongside clubs to help this to happen. Some clubs are doing fantastic work in recruiting more women and girls, but we know that others want to do more but lack the time and resource, which is where we hope this toolkit will help.
“There are clear and achievable steps which clubs can take, all of which are informed by research, which would make a real difference to both the levels of female participation and the health of individual clubs.”
The Toolkit can be downloaded here.
Clik here to view.
Nieuwsblad reports that the 21-year-old UCI World Champion earned €126,870 in prize money from a total of 30 races, while the top-earning male pro Eli Iserbyt of Belgium took home €108,380. Meanwhile, male world champ Mathieu van der Poel took home just €66,000 from 25 races... what's this then, reverse patriarchy?
It's more a case of Alvarado stringing together the most consistent results across the whole season and finishing in the top 3 more often than not in all of her events, with the prize money being equal for men and women for higher placings in the majority of races; as mentioned in Nieuwsblad's article, there are some discrepancies between male and female prize money in the lower placings, but these are set to be eliminated in the next couple of years. Van der Poel's lower earnings were down to the fact that he didn't contest the overall classifications of the various race series, but of course, he pulled out big performances when it mattered.
Alvero commented on her earning more prize money than all of all her fellow pro cyclocrossers: "Well, that's a nice amount, I had no idea at all. It's the first year that I have won so much.
"For me, my prize money is higher than my wages. In total earnings we don't get close to the men, but it's great that I can go home with such an amount."
As it not a good day to ride outside, I thought you would all like a bit of Drillium Porn. This is the ultimate state of the art and was a special commission. #drilliumpic.twitter.com/egA8u0ksta
— The Campag Kid (@TheCampagKid) February 16, 2020
Courtesy of Campagnolo specialist the Campag Kid, here we have a marvellous, yet ultimately useless feat of engineering by modern bike design standards. Drilling holes in bike parts used to be standard fare to save weight, with time triallists believing it would make them faster too. Former British 25 TT record holder Alf Engers was known for drilling out just about everything on his bike apart from the frame; however the consensus now is that 'drillium' can actually increase drag significantly rather than provide sweet marginal gains... sorry Alf!
Cognitive dissonance. pic.twitter.com/krwcq5soP9
— Evo Lucas (@veloevol) February 16, 2020
We're not 100% sure which country this is from, but the point stands...
*Update: we've been reliably informed that it's a sketch from Icelandic comedy show RÚV Sjónvarp.
I keep watching this thinking I should have stopped, I should have seen him, what did I do wrong. Actually, #NotMyFault. Yes I had a moment inattention. I think I was checking the rear view mirror, but that car shouldn't have been there! Give way to oncoming traffic!! pic.twitter.com/Z6fq2SObd8
— Dean (@DeanbAdam) February 12, 2020
The video has made international news, with some claiming that the cyclist could have been paying more attention as he was riding in a bus lane past a queue of traffic on his right.
Hmm. Glad you’re okay. However Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.You were ‘zooming’ up the inside of a line of stopped traffic. There will always be pedestrians, drivers letting one another in, general mayhem. Riding like this, you’ll crash every three months until you die.
— Fraser Rolfe (@rephraser) February 12, 2020
Although, more sensible analysts have suggested that the onus should really be on the driver who pulled out to make sure nothing was coming; as the cyclist who uploaded the clip mentions: "He's just lucky I wasn't a bus."
Clik here to view.
Edinburgh Evening News reports that the scheme run on behalf of Transport for Edinburgh will increase its fleet significantly thanks to a funding boost. The total number of hire points will grow to 101 by spring 2020, with the funding awarded to encourage more people to cycle as a low carbon alternative to other forms of travel.
Alex Macdonald, Serco’s general manager for Just Eat Cycles, said: "We are extremely thankful for the work SPEN (SP Energy Newtworks) and TfE (Transport for Edinburgh) have done to support the scheme since its launch.
"A cost effective, green alternative to travelling by car or bus is pivotal to the City’s goals for an integrated and sustainable travel network. Expanding the existing network of hire points around Edinburgh’s city centre helps contribute to these objectives. We are hugely grateful for this funding and we thank SPEN for its ongoing support.”
Cycled past three cars all stuck in floods this morning. Up to my knees. One of the drivers looked at me as if I am the mad one. Yeah mate. I’ve got wet feet but you’ve just given yourself a £5k bill because you drove your beemer into a lake. Who is the real winner?
— Pompey Cyclist (@PompeyCyclist) February 17, 2020
We know which one we'd rather deal with...
Clik here to view.
The Gert Lush, named after the west country slang phrase that means something along the lines of 'very nice', is back for 2020 with a VE Day celebration to mark 75 years of peace in Europe.
Riders will be strongly encouraged to ride vintage bikes and wear 1940's costumes, and the event will provide an immersive experience along the way to transport riders back in time: “We want to celebrate the outbreak of peace across Europe on the 75th anniversary of the end of World War Two,” says event director and founder Patrick Collerton.
“As well as an incredible route that takes in the best of Bristol’s beautiful countryside, we have a family-friendly VE street party finale and some extraordinary period treats for riders along the route.”
“We’re also celebrating the history of UK cycling and the craftspeople who created the works of art that we ride.”
The Gert Lush ride is 65 miles with 3,420 feet of climbing, and there's also the 34 mile Roight Lush which is 34 miles with 1,791 feet of ascent; For kids there's the Babba Lush, a free four mile fancy dress bike ride accompanied by parents on traffic-free cycle paths. Head over to thegertlush.com to book your place if you fancy it.
Clik here to view.
Dempsey is a very keen cyclist as well as being an actor and motor racer, and will take up the roll for the U.S cycling team at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. He told The Portland Press Herald: “I have been a passionate cyclist for years now and this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, one that I could not pass up.
"Cycling is not just a sport, it’s a lifestyle, and it is important to bring awareness to the world. I feel incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to play a small part in USA Cycling.”
The 65-year-old was a member of Spalding CC for over 30 years, and sadly passed away just before Christmas. At Mr Bryett's funeral, 13 club members accompanied the hearse Surfleet to the crematorium in tribute to their club mate, reports Spalding Today.
"It was important for us to do this as we wanted to honour Tim. He was a great guy", said club chairman Simon Hare.
""He was a popular member, very friendly and helpful to everyone. He was very keen on his bikes and mechanics and would offer help."
Clik here to view.
The adventure specialist announced a new partnership with Endura shortly before starting the Atlas Mountain Race (AMR) in Morocco, a 1,145 kilometre unsupported off-road race. Hayden says: “This partnership is a perfect fit for me; during ultra-races I can find myself in 40 degree heat, to then being caught in a snowstorm all in the same race - so I need kit that fits a range of ever-changing conditions which Endura certainly deliver on.”
Hayden currently finds himself in second place having completed just over 590km at the time of writing, with leader Sofiane Sehili setting an astonishing pace up front and approaching the 680km mark - you can dot-watch here.
Ever got to the start of a CX race and thought "gosh darn, this mud is not quite slippery enough for a mud tread, but it's just slightly too slippery for an intermediate tread".
I know, I have the same thoughts numerous times (possibly once) per season.
Well, good news tyre fans! Dugast has a new tubular in the prototype phase. It mixes the low central tread height of the Typhoon intermediate tyre with the aggressive side knobs of the Rhino mud tyre.
If your name begins with "Van der" or ends with "Aert", you'll be able to get your muddy hands on a pair in 2021.
This is a brand new crossing for cyclists to turn right.
You have to go up a kerb at an angle, past a concealed entrance, watch out for pedestrians with dogs and watch out for cars when you re-join the road.
Look how much easier it is not using it. pic.twitter.com/WMC8rTBeqP— HullCamGuy (@HullCamGuy) February 16, 2020
Take a look at Chris Boardman's Bee Network plan for Manchester or take a ride round Amsterdam, and you'll often find that cycle lanes and crossings appear to be made to get you around as efficiently as possible while avoiding traffic... that doesn't appear to be the case with this new 'cycle crossing' in Hull, with the cyclist in the clip saying it puts riders into conflict with pedestrians and is far slower than using the road.
We clocked the time it took the cyclist to complete the turn from entering the cycle lane to rejoining it after he'd turned right, and got 22 seconds for run one and just 9 seconds for attempt number 2. A similar scenario was filmed in Bristol back in December to demonstrate the extra time it takes to use these new breed of cycle lanes compared to using the road:
I raced myself through the @BristolCouncil Temple Gate area - from Bath Bridge to Temple Way using the road vs. using the brand new cycle route. I did not win... pic.twitter.com/slWDDVMtzE
— Toby Wells (@Toby_Wells) December 1, 2019
Do you think there's a place for cycle crossings such as the one in Hull, or does it need ripping up and starting again? Let us know your thoughts as always.
There’s letters to the editor,
..then there’s this! 👇D. Gordon..Take a bow! pic.twitter.com/unAwKSsXky
— Safe Cycling Ireland 🇮🇪 (@SafeCyclingEire) February 16, 2020
There's hitting the nail on the head, and then there's D. Gordon of Ormskirk... this letter is nothing short of a myth-dispelling masterpiece!
Clik here to view.
Storm Dennis blown your computer away? Assuming you have access to one or a mobile phone now, here's what you missed over the weekend...
World Naked Bike Ride returns to London in June
Hell of the Ashdown sportive cancelled – but no refunds for those who entered
Met Police denies operation issuing hi-vis to cyclists was ‘victim-blaming’
Video of car passenger throwing orange juice over cyclist goes viral
Near Miss of the Day 374: Driver at traffic lights Must Get In Front
There have been over 21,000 fines handed out since the Netherlands banned texting while cycling