With the UCI clamping down on littering, Caja Rural have a solution for their riders in the form of eco pockets. Presumably they don't want their sticky gel wrappers clogging up their back pockets so have an easy access side option. Sir Dave Brailsford will probably want to check the aerodynamics before jumping on board...
The post said: "One of the commitments of Caja Rural-Seguros RGA this season is to take better care of the environment that surrounds us, with actions such as the #EcoPocket. It will not be the only one. Very soon we will announce more news related to sustainability and respect for the environment."
I once punched a set of these to death in the middle of the street. I just snapped. Had to walk home but it felt good, man. Hateful glowworm devices. https://t.co/cEMeWWVt12
— 𝙾𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛 (@overlandertheb1) February 18, 2021
I'm probably showing my age if I say I'd never heard of Ever Ready Lights before today, let alone used them. Didn't we always have LEDs? Anyway, you lot have been sharing some of your favourite, or more often less happy memories of using them...Take a trip down memory lane with our story.
Called "Wonder" because you wondered if they were going to work or not... 😳
— London Cycling Campaign (@London_Cycling) February 18, 2021
Thanks for the dark memories! So pleased we have LEDs now.
— Rob Skinner (@robskinner) February 18, 2021
It's not just people who enjoy cycling these days pic.twitter.com/Q92Z0zgK5C
— London Cycling Campaign (@London_Cycling) February 18, 2021
If this doesn't brighten up your Thursday afternoon I'm not sure what will...For more prime pedalling puppy content, take a trip back to November when we shared this clip of MotorbikeMilly having a pop at a close passing bus driver in Glasgow...
AD.NL reports Marc Hirschi's surprising early departure from Team DSM was down to a breach of trust and that the Swiss rider was viewed as a risk for the reputation of the team and its sponsors. The story cryptically claims Hirschi wouldn't have been transparent, nor would he have answered questions asked by the team about certain things. The topic of these questions and the information the team wanted remains a mystery but suggests that his departure wasn't down to the strength of the team or Hirschi's undervalued contract, as has been suggested previously by other reports.
Hirschi is managed by Fabian Cancellara and the story claims that as part of the termination of the contract Team DSM are unable to share what their concerns were. The Swiss pair declined to comment to AD.NL.
New President of the Tokyo Olympics is Seiko Hashimoto, a speed skater in 4 consecutive winter games (84-94, 🥉 in 92) and a track cyclist in 3 games (88-96). She's now a parliamentarian and still rides a bike, pictured here during an official recon ride of the road race course pic.twitter.com/KdOj2s8Kaw
— the Inner Ring (@inrng) February 18, 2021
BREAKING NEWS: Following extensive consultations with all key stakeholders, event partners, suppliers, and the UCI, the Tour of Cambridgeshire 2021 has been moved to September 24th to 26th 2021.https://t.co/8LaBOSvMIi
— Tour of Cambridgeshire (@thetourofcambs) February 18, 2021
The Tour of Cambridgeshire has been moved to September 24-26 because of the pandemic. The sportives, road races and Gran Fondo will now be staged on Sunday 26th Spetember. All entries will be automatically transferred to the new date. The organisers say that the pandemic and restrictions likely to be in place on the original date in June would make it impossible to responsibly host as mass-participation event.
The Gran Fondo was supposed to act as a qualification route for riders hoping to participate at the Gran Fondo World Championships in Banja Luka, Bosnia-Herzegovina, from September 1st to 5th. With the new date for the Tour of Cambridgeshire coming after the World Championships the UCI has said they are considering their options and will communicate their decision as soon as possible.
Officers attended a collision between a car and a cyclist this morning near to Ham Gate in #RichmondPark resulting in the car leaving the road. The cyclist has facial injuries and has been taken to hospital. Injuries not life threatening. pic.twitter.com/nhTloI2OPm
— Royal Parks Police (@MPSRoyal_Parks) February 18, 2021
This was the aftermath of a shocking crash in Richmond Park this morning. Royal Parks Police says the crash involved a cyclist who suffered facial injuries and has been taken to hospital. The driver involved had minor hand injuries. Questions have been asked about how this happened on a stretch of road where the speed limit is 20mph.
The incident has also led to calls from the London Cycling Campaign and many others on social media for through traffic to be banned from the park, which is a notorious route for rat running drivers.
This is not acceptable - we call on @theroyalparks to take urgent action. Close the park to through traffic and end this preventable and senseless road menace https://t.co/m4fGqeI4pZ
— London Cycling Campaign (@London_Cycling) February 18, 2021
Others were critical of Royal Parks Police's reaction to the crash, comparing it to another tweet where they warned cyclists to be careful when riding in the park after a cyclist hit a goose. By contrast, this morning their tweet said: "When driving, you must be able to stop in the distance you can see to be clear[...] Wishing all a speedy recovery." The initial tweet also reported it was a crash between a car and a cyclist, rather than a driver and a cyclist. Royal Parks Police addressed this in the tweet below.
Thanks, I did consider deleting and reposting, but thought an acknowledgment tweet would be better. We want to get it right, so it’s good to learn.
— Royal Parks Police (@MPSRoyal_Parks) February 18, 2021
Presumably this will be the straw that finally breaks the camel’s back and causes @theroyalparks to ban motor vehicles from Richmond Park Nature Reserve?
— Ben Aston (@benastonx) February 18, 2021
Please tell me how damage of this kind could be caused by a competent driver, adhering to the maximum speed limit within the park and consideration to other users of the park.
— Rory McCarron (@CyclingLawLDN) February 18, 2021
We hope you will be thoroughly investigating just how this happened - and putting pressure on @theroyalparks to reevaluate their policy on cars & speed limits?
— Pearson 1860 (@pearsoncycles) February 18, 2021
The first Monument of the season, Milan-San Remo, will follow a slightly altered route with the Turchino Pass swapped out for Colle di Giovo because of damage caused by a landslide on the former. The traditional finale of Cipressa and Poggio before the hurtle home to Via Roma remains unchanged. At 299km the race remains by far the longest race of the year.
Paolo Bellino, the CEO and General Manager of the race's organisors RCS Sport explained the change: "The previous edition of the Milano-Sanremo was held on an unusual date and took place over an unprecedented route. The results were very positive for the sport, for the media and from the audience’s point of view too.
"This year, for the 112th edition of the race, we have decided to bring the Milano-Sanremo back onto its 'classic' route in the Liguria region. So most of the route will remain as it has traditionally been; with the Aurelia, the Tre Capi, Cipressa and Poggio before the arrival on Via Roma, but we will not be able to visit the Turchino."
Last year Wout van Aert won his first Monument, beating Julian Alaphilippe in a two-up sprint as Michael Matthews rounded out the podium, winning the reduced sprint for third.
When mtn biking down hill, don't squeeze left brake. pic.twitter.com/XKLmBKjTZU
— The Killers (@thekillers) September 6, 2017
The Killers frontman Brandon Flowers is to undergo surgery on a shoulder injury sustained in a cycling crash. He told fans during an Instagram Live that he tore his labrum when he went over the handlebars in 2017 and the injury has never healed. At the time, The Killers tweeted a picture of Flowers bashed up after the crash with the caption "When mtn biking down hill, don't squeeze the left brake." Guess he should have used the Brightside instead...I'll see myself out...No Bones were broken, Everything Will Be Alright and he should be back On Top again soon...
"I went over the handlebars on my bike and an injury from that has manifested itself. I have a torn labrum on that shoulder so I am going under the knife in a couple of weeks to get that taken care of. Maybe one day I will play golf again. I will be in a sling for six weeks," he explained.
It's good news for @DiegoUlissi ! The Italian is set to resume training.
Read more👉: https://t.co/0Pv2UGXr8a#UAETeamEmirates#RideTogetherpic.twitter.com/K3lKWTLuPE
— @UAE-TeamEmirates (@TeamEmiratesUAE) February 17, 2021
Diego Ulissi has been given the all clear to return to training following an enforced break due to cardiac abnormalities. The Italian hasn't raced or trained since completing the Giro d'Italia in October after doctors found the issue at a routine medical check up. In a statement, UAE Team Emirates confirmed that he underwent a cardiac biopsy in January and that no risky arrhythmias were found. Consequently, Ulissi is able to resume training. The initial diagnosis from the team's doctor was that it was a form of myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle.
The statement explained: "The biopsy found the absence of risky arrhythmias for the athlete during the electrophysiological study, which will allow for the progressive resumption of training.In any case, a periodic monitoring period will follow before confirming any definitive return to racing."
For anyone like me who didn't brave the outdoors during the cold snap last week, here's a video to make you feel bad. Cycle commuting in Chicago during winter isn't for the faint-hearted...This cyclist's top tip for riding in all conditions: "28mm Gatorskin back and 28mm 4 seasons on front. Don't try this at home."
At least that's more conventional than The Q's sawmill blade bike used to ride over frozen lakes...
Here's a nice start to your Thursday morning...Just a kid delighted to be riding their bike and winning a race. After a week inside avoiding the cold and the snow, I might just sound this excited by the weekend...