Bradley Wiggins slammed for saying Sam Bennett could be "considered British"; Speeding drivers doubled risk for London cyclists during lockdown; Confusion over new govt rules for cyclists; Peloton launch Bike+; 45g 9-in-1 multitool + more on the live blog

Cited in the Evening Standard, TfL's study found that cyclists and pedestrians were twice as likely to be killed or seriously injured in London during the lockdown because of a huge increase in speeding.  

TfL recorded 38 deaths in London between 20th March and 29th August - including three cyclists - and found that while the total number was down, this was almost entirely due to a much lower number of pedestrian deaths, because there were far fewer people on the streets. They also reported that suburban areas were the most dangerous for cyclists, with injuries increasing in zones three to five.  

The findings mirrors countrywide statistics from the early stages of the lockdown, which found that cyclist deaths were running at almost twice the national average for the time of year in April. While there could have been other factors at play, some road safety campaigners and experts attributed it to a sharp rise in dangerous drivers taking advantage of quieter roads, even though there were less vehicles on them.

THE FUCKING NECK. And then he comes back with another insult.

Sean should've decked him. pic.twitter.com/7QtmFoutfu

— Aidan (@onthenickel) September 9, 2020

Discussing Irishman Sam Bennett's stage win on Eurosport's "The Breakaway" show with Sean Kelly, the 2012 Tour de France champ appears to have offended most of Ireland with his comments, saying: "We can almost consider him [Bennett] British, I know that you lot won't like that will you."

Kelly did not look amused, telling Wiggins: “You’re not going to claim him”... and instead of apologising, Wiggins doubled down with a comeback mocking Kelly's accent, saying: "We spoke to him [Bennett] at the Vuelta last year when he came on our show, and at least we can understand what he’s saying. We can’t really understand what you’re saying Sean, can we?”

Who is that moron!

— hate car thieves (@hatecarthieves) September 9, 2020

true brit absolute ignoramus

— Seàn de londra (@shanelan) September 9, 2020

Brad, honest question, what is it about Sam Bennett that makes you think of him as 'nearly british'. Interested in what makes you or many British people feel this way about Irish sports people.

— Simon Rouse (@rightrousers) September 9, 2020

Social media was generally not amused, with one even calling the comments "casual racism". Wiggins hasn't addressed the backlash, instead just writing "what a day for Sam" on his Twitter account this afternoon. 

Accompanied by chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance, Boris Johnson is delivering a press conference on the new rules that come into force on Monday - you can watch live on the BBC. 

The Daysaver's Swiss creators have partnered with PB Swiss Tools to get the super light tool ready for production, and will be launching a Kickstarter campaign in the next few weeks. It features a T25, 2,3,5, 6 and 8mm hex key sizes, a slot tool and an extra round bit that they say is "up to you" how it is used. Magnets ensure all the parts stay in place, and the shape means there will be no struggle to tighten your bolts in awkward places, as is the case with some bulkier multi-tools. 

Prices are TBC, but you can check out daysaver.fun for more info. 

We've asked Cycling UK and British Cycling for comment on what the government's new rules on social gatherings in England will mean for cyclists and cycling events, with the former telling us that they are "trying to work out what it all means" and will be deciding on a policy soon. 

As mentioned further down the page, it's unclear if British Cycling's reintroduction of non-competitive events such as sportives - permitted from 5th September - will be affected. Here's what British Cycling say in their Way Forward document: "The greatest consideration for organisers is ensuring that groups riding together during the event do not exceed the size permitted by Government guidelines - which is currently (as of 20/08/2020) six riders. At no point in your event should groups exceeding this limit be riding together."

It's unclear if an event constitutes a gathering, or whether the event will be held under the guise that people will not mingle or ride together in groups of more than six.

For informal group or club rides, existing government guidelines allow gatherings of more than six from up to two households to exercise "providing members of different households can follow social distancing guidelines"; but the new rules appear to mean that the group mustn't exceed six people at all from 14th September. Health secretary Matt Hancock said on BBC this morning: "In social settings, you can''t gather in groups of more than six. That's it, [a] really super simple rule."

 

 

 

 

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Keep an eye out for @l_cahill1 first ride impressions on the new Basso Diamante SV. How does it go in the Dolomites? #cycling #basso #dolomites

A post shared by road.cc (@road.cc) on Sep 8, 2020 at 3:19am PDT

Someone's gotta do it, so road.cc Liam and cameraman Matt have been sent to the Dolomites to try out Basso's revamped Diamante SV. Video coming soon, or check out our Instagram stories for fooling around and general silliness. 

Once again, people are finding themselves slightly confused by the government's new announcement that in England from 14th September, only six people can meet socially, indoors or outdoors, with fines of £100 dished out to those who don't comply. Some exemptions are made, including 'team sports organised in a way limiting the spread of coronavirus', and we're assuming that doesn't mean social bike rides... so we're also assuming group rides will only be legal if there are six people or less riding together. As we understand it the rules could also mean that sportive-type cycling events are off, even though British Cycling said such events that abide by government rules on outdoor sport and physical activity could resume from 5th September in their Way Forward document. 

A full list of the changes will be published on Monday, so we'll be checking for any exemptions that might apply to cyclists. 

Me being interviewed yesterday after @LeTour stage.... pic.twitter.com/PHMo81tdcm

— Sam Bennett (@Sammmy_Be) September 9, 2020

The Irishman was overwhelmed after winning stage 10 yesterday, and has finally held back the tears to provide some analysis in the form of a gif. If you missed it, here is the totes emosh moment again... 

You've won Sam....YOU'VE WON!!!! 🏆🏆🏆@Sammmy_Be is é tusa buaiteoir an staid inniu!!

CHAMP!!! Táimid fíor-bhródúil asat 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪@LeTour#TDF2020@JOEdotiepic.twitter.com/RGqprOJlUP

— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) September 8, 2020