Can it be real? Mechanic shares double cleat horror set up; Cav: I can get better; Wheelie-popping kid outshines Tour of Britain; Dan Martin announces retirement; Local paper positivity; Pro bike-handling skills; Charity rides + more on the live blog

The road cleat bolts/plates are suspiciously gleaming.

I'm calling fake. https://t.co/PSYZS5v4wE

— Charlie Thomas (@CThomas663) September 6, 2021

Is it fake? Charlie makes a good point...we'll drop our man a message to see if we can get any more info. Gary V isn't sure what all the fuss is about and thinks this could be a way to end that annoying toe overlap once and for all...

On Facebook, Allanna speculated our mystery toe pedaller must be Michael Jackson - very good.

Jon Bayley's calling it a set up too... 

No? Road cleats are attached by the toe stud holes. Bolts look pristine, rest of the shoe and cleats worn - so likely a setup.

— jon bayley (@jonbaabnoj) September 6, 2021

 And in the comments here, Mungercrundle made the case for using something similar for hill climbs. I'm not sure I'd want to ride to the shops, let alone up a hill at full tilt, with that cleat position. Anyway, let's hope we get some answers soon...

Not bad...but...could he pop a wheelie outside the Wilson Way Industrial Estate? Okay, I promise that's the last time I use that line...

Mathieu van der Poel and Alpecin-Fenix until 2025 is a 'four more years' we can get behind. The all-conquering Dutchman took the yellow jersey and a stage at his first Tour de France, to add to his impressive 2021, which already included a cyclo-cross world title, Strade Bianche and multiple impressive stages of week-long races.

The news will come as a boost to the 26-year-old who hasn't raced since crashing out of the Olympic mountain bike race, eventually won by Tom Pidcock.

"I’m very happy to have signed this long-term contract with a team that feels like my second family. I’m really enjoying myself at Alpecin-Fenix. The team has developed fantastically in the last years – simultaneously with the progress I’ve been making – and are still getting better and stronger each year," Van der Poel said.

Van der Poel also confirmed that competing in multiple disciplines, including cyclo-cross and mountain biking, will continue to be a priority for the next stage of his career.

Mark Cavendish is back in Britain this week, as we speak slogging his way around the grippy second stage through Devon. The Manxman is out of contract with Deceuninck-Quick-Step at the end of the season but has expressed his desire to stay with the team beyond 2021.

His return to the team has been an overwhelming success, with him winning four stages and the green jersey at the Tour de France. However, with that success comes an increase in his market value, something Patrick Lefevere hasn't shied away from when speaking to the media about the prospect of Cav signing a new deal.

"I want to continue racing, and I hope it's with the team where I am now," Cavendish explained to reporters at the Tour of Britain. "Negotiations are underway, but I don't know. It's not up to me. At the beginning of the year I thought it was my last season. I wasn't looking for a fairytale. I knew I was still good, but you also have to show it in the race. In the end it turned out to be a fairytale.

"After this year it would be easy to say I'm done, because there is a risk that I won't win next year, but I believe I can stay at this level, and I believe I can get even better. I'm no longer head and shoulders above the rest, and that's why I want to continue racing. I've lost races this year - that never happened before. This year I won a lot, but I also often finished second or third. I want to go back to that level where I don't lose anymore. I believe it is possible."

After this year, we're not going to bet against you, Mark...

Thankyou for all the support over the years. pic.twitter.com/c1Kf30ZlVK

— Dan Martin (@DanMartin86) September 4, 2021

Israel Start-Up Nation have knocked off their early stage two ambush in Devon this lunchtime. Setting up one last stage win for Dan Martin might have been the reason for the early pace setting. 

The Irishman has spent 14 seasons in the pro ranks, winning a stage of each of the Grand Tours, plus Il Lombardia and Liège–Bastogne–Liège. Speaking about his decision, the 35-year-old said he is looking forward to spending more time with his family and pursuing his business interests.

"I will always be a cyclist; I won't hang up my wheels, just my race number," Martin said. "I feel fortunate to be deciding when I retire. I am genuinely grateful for the support of family, friends, fans, and so many cycling teammates and colleagues who have supported me throughout my career. A big thank you to my current team, Israel Startup Nation and all the staff and riders for making these past two seasons one of the most enjoyable and successful periods in my career.

"Giving 100% to what I do has always been how I operate. Though I could continue racing for a few years to come, and for many, this would seem like the obvious thing to do; I am at a point where I'm ready to take on some exciting new challenges in life."

Oh, Dartmouth, you've spoiled us 👏#TourOfBritain🟢⚪🟢 pic.twitter.com/FCt1aunHSx

— AJ Bell Tour of Britain 🇬🇧 (@TourofBritain) September 6, 2021

Lovely weather to watch a bike race...not so to be in one. 130km to go and Israel Start-Up Nation and Alex Dowsett have put the hammer down, cut three minutes off the breakaway, and started smashing it up all the steep hills. There are riders all over the road and Cav's back in the cars looking for help of some sort...we could have some day of racing ahead of us.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by trench_tales (@trench_tales)

Where to start? Is it real? If so, how long has this poor guy been riding like this? How has nobody said anything? Was he clipping in the SPD or three-bolt? Or was he wedging the pedal between the two?

Some will say it has to be fake...if the guy 'toe cleat man' was riding with knew about cleats, and also used them, surely he could have helped, or at least avoided the ignominy or a trip to the bike shop? But then again, we've seen more than our fair share of disastrous home mechanics and maintenance over the years.

Here's the story, as told by Trench Tales on Instagram: "Two guys roll up - the second looking really awkward on his bike. First guy says 'can you help my buddy out here? He's tired of pedalling on his tip-toes, and is wondering if there's a better way you can mount his cleats!'

"I say 'alright, let me see your shoes', at which point he takes them off and hands them to me. I must have stared for two minutes straight - not uttering a word - fully expecting cosmic black holes to open up on the bottoms of those kicks."

Unsurprisingly, the picture has got a lot of attention online...replying to a message saying the photo must be framed for future generations' benefit, the mechanic added: "Following my involuntary moment of silence, I think I dropped to me knees, in tears - while clutching those stinky shoes to my chest - and whimpered 'Thank you, Bike Gods. Thank you so much.'"

NotBenLopes wrote: "The wear on the cleats seals it for me. He’s been like this for a minute..."

Bike Cycles Wilmington was just pleased the profession is likely to be around for the foreseeable: "That, that right there...That gives me hope that bicycle shops will continue to be around. It is spectacular."

The photo made it to Twitter too...

Dual mode?

— Zen Turtle (@_Zen_Turtle_) September 6, 2021

What a day! £700k raised for @SocialBite_ with our ‘Break the Cycle’ charity ride from Glasgow velodrome to Edinburgh, amazing fundraising and cycling effort from the 500+ riders!! 👏🏻👏🏻 https://t.co/sTjEfGcIAX

— Chris Hoy (@chrishoy) September 5, 2021

 Sir Chris Hoy and around 500 charity cyclists pedalled from Glasgow to Edinburgh yesterday to support Social Bite's Break the Cycle campaign, which has so far raised more than £700,000 towards the creation of Social Bite villages in Glasgow and London.

The villages have helped 43 homeless people so far, with 100 per cent of Edinburgh village residents polled saying they preferred living at the Social Bite Village over hostels or B&Bs.

Hoy was joined by former Scottish rugby player John Barclay as well as residents and staff from the Edinburgh Social Bite Village, where the ride finished close to.

"I’ve been a huge supporter of Social Bite and the incredible work it does for a number of years now," Hoy told The Scotsman. "I’ve seen the positive impact the charity has on so many people’s lives and I’m really thankful to everyone who has been able to support the Break the Cycle campaign so far."