Snake Pass: Cycling UK set to challenge council’s decision; Cyclists – defeating traffic for over a century (until the council steps in…); The cost of cycling; Bora's Irish twins + more on the live blog

Whilst @Sammmy_Be and I operate on a very similar IQ level, I've signed Sam's autograph more times than my own this week. I'd like to point out to fans of Paris Nice I'm unfortunately not Sam. I wish I was, but sadly I'm not.
(I'm more disappointed than you are trust me.)

— Ryan Mullen (@ryanmullen9) March 10, 2022

For years cycling fans (and some commentators) grappled with one of the sport’s toughest questions – which Yates twin is on the front?

That eternal conundrum was finally solved when Adam moved across to Ineos Grenadiers last year, leaving brother Simon at BikeExchange.

But it seems as if autograph-hunting followers of the sport have been stumped by another puzzle as they mill around the team buses before races: ‘which Irish Bora-Hansgrohe rider am I looking at?’

Bora-hansgrohe DS says Sam Bennett and “super big” Ryan Mullen will “fight any team” https://t.co/JjcCvN0Urapic.twitter.com/BsAVYr6MPO

— StickyBottle.com 💚 🚲 (@sticky_bottle) January 18, 2022

In fairness, with their full kit on it’s easy to mistake sprinter Sam Bennett and time triallist Ryan Mullen. It used to be simpler when both men rode for different teams, but since Mullen joined Bennett as the Tour de France green jersey winner returned to his old stomping grounds at Bora, the task of distinguishing between the two has been made somewhat more difficult.

And if you don’t keep up with your national championships, that fact that Mullen wears the Irish bands on his kit probably only serves to further confuse matters, rather than work as a handy identifier.

I noticed this phenomenon first-hand at the soaking wet road worlds in Harrogate in 2019. While standing outside the Irish team’s campervan, a knowledgeable fan posed for a photo with one of the riders.

“Good luck, Sam”, she told him.

“Thanks, but I’m Ryan,” came the bemused reply.

I suppose it could be worse for Mullen. About a decade ago, someone congratulated me after hearing that Ryan Mullen (not Mallon) had ridden well at the Irish nationals. Evidently, that particular person hadn’t been paying close attention to my TT times…

Some potentially good news on the Snake Pass front, as national cycling charity Cycling UK looks set to challenge the council’s decision to close the road to cyclists and walkers: 

Thanks to all who flagged #SnakePass with us. Our campaigns team has looked at the Traffic Regulation Order and is drafting a letter to the council outlining our concern about their decision to close the road to cycling and active travel. More updates to follow.

📸: @pannierccpic.twitter.com/qfIFdKX77s

— Cycling UK (@WeAreCyclingUK) March 10, 2022