2019 champion Julian Alaphilippe will miss Saturday's opening Monument of the year, Milan-San Remo, after suffering bronchitis and a fever. The double world champ told fans: "Sad to leave the team, especially after a hard week of racing at Tirreno-Adriatico where I felt the legs were coming back despite my crash at Strade Bianche. Rest and patience on the program now. See you soon."
Alaphilippe has three times finished on the podium at Milan-San Remo, including his maiden Monument win three years ago. The second favourite in tomorrow's 14:10 at Cheltenham is called Alaphilippe...so maybe it's all a smokescreen for a career change...
Following my reply to @CyclistGlos earlier regarding the lack of care and duty about #roadsafety by @Glos_Police and then this happens! @RoadCrime@ChiefGlosPolice@roadcc@theJeremyVine@MikeyCycling@reportdriversuk@markandcharlie@GlosLiveOnlinepic.twitter.com/p8npwyTu6w
— The Cycling Nerd 🇺🇦 (@NerdCyclist) March 15, 2022
It's one of the most commonly heard criticisms of painted cycling infrastructure we hear...overtaking road users don't give cyclists using a painted lane 1.5m gap because, well, there's a line on the road. If you're in a whole different lane to me then it must be fine for me to overtake...
It's why some would rather have no cycle infrastructure at all than just a painted 'lane'. It's also presumably why this police officer didn't think much about waiting beyond the pedestrian crossing to overtake.
Had they then they might have seen the upcoming roundabout and decided just to wait. Note the use of 'might' in that sentence...
The Cycling Nerd has reported the footage to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, we'll keenly await that response...
As if to prove the point about how road users view painted cycle lanes...
Yes, thank you. I'm glad you've caught on.
The painted "murder strip" as demonstrated is worse than no cycle lane. As has been mentioned in the thread multiple times it encourages dangerous close passes.
— Town Cycles (@TownCycles) March 15, 2022
It was within 1.5 metres therfore its close. The infrastructure, or lack of, in a road is no excuse.
— Laird of Langtoun. (@LangtounL) March 15, 2022
So what do we reckon? Would the road be safer without the painted lane? (I think I already know your answer)...
The first overtake was a nice pinch point with that crossing island 😳 and crossing into the cycle lane, knowing they've just overtaken a cyclist is poor driving. That road would be better without the cycle lane, then drivers have to abide by the 1.5m.
— SomewhereOnaMotorway 🚨🚔❌ (@SomewhereOnAMwy) March 15, 2022
White line cycle lanes encourage close pass… the motorist feels as lone as they are to the right of it they are giving you space, you’re better off with no line!
— Wayne™ (@Dog_in_a_hat) March 15, 2022
Everyone go be nice to Liam on Strava...
If you watch road.cc on YouTube and were climbing Ralph Allen Drive in Bath yesterday, you may have spotted a familiar face suffering up the 10 per cent average gradient. Liam's 68 ascents racked up 8,867m of climbing, earning him a place in the Everesting hall of fame.
"How are the legs?" I perhaps stupidly asked...I mean, what's he going to say? Turns out it's not just the legs...
"Absolutely ruined. I have a wrist strain, my left hamstring is no more, left knee pain, feet are cramping, neck it fucked, abs are sore and triceps are tight."
Last July, Liam achieved his life goal of becoming the best cyclist in the world by stealing Tadej Pogačar's KOM on the 110m top section of Luz-Ardiden...that's how it works, right? It's nice to think that even as the two-time Tour champion, you can still have your day ruined by the dreaded 'Uh oh!' email in your inbox...
Did you ever take a close look at the problem being solved on the blackboard in Good Will Hunting? pic.twitter.com/mI4WS5QqFo
— Tom Flood (@tomflood1) March 15, 2022
Get it? Good Wheel Hunting? Like...Good Will Hunting...but, Good Wheel Hunting? Right, okay, you got it...ah, okay, I'll see myself out...
So, how many teams forgot to look at the #MilanoTorino profile then? pic.twitter.com/VgmKie3Dvo
— Katy M (@writebikerepeat) March 16, 2022
It's Milano-Torino today, the race which can claim to be the oldest cycling classic in the world, dating back to 1876. Alejandro Valverde came fourth that year...
Last year, Primož Roglič won (well it was going to be him or Pogačar, wasn't it?) as the race finished up the traditional finish line ascent of the Superga. It's the climb that has seen Michael Woods, Thibaut Pinot, Rigoberto Urán, Miguel Ángel López and Alberto Contador win in recent times. However, this year the race doesn't finish up the Superga. In fact, it doesn't have any climbs at all...
It seems someone forgot to tell EF Education–EasyPost...
They definitely think it is on the Superga again https://t.co/ZSuNUZAs3t
— Cycling Clown Of The Day 🤡 (@CyclingClown) March 16, 2022
So, who's sprinting? Chaves or Carthy? Bora-hansgrohe went one further and actually shared the wrong profile on Twitter. Who's going to tell them?
Oh God no it's happening. The teams are goofing it! pic.twitter.com/1MY32m80dO
— Rasmus Nowak Franklin (@NowakFranklin_) March 16, 2022
Voting in the most Dutch way I can pic.twitter.com/esIU5Drwxa
— Ken Wynn 🇺🇦💔 (@highfielder80) March 16, 2022
Denmark's Ministry of Transport has joined with the Cyclists' Association to help citizens donate bicycles to Ukrainian refugess. The Give a Bicycle (Giv en cykel) scheme set up last week allows Danes to donate their old or unused bikes to "help newcomers move around more easily".
All citizens have to do is upload a photograph of the bike, as well as some details about its size and condition, before it is collected by volunteers who will match it with a new owner. Refugees arriving from Ukraine simply have to fill out a form to request a bike.
The website asks Danes to "makes a difference — give a bike", adding "Denmark is a cycling country, and the bicycle is an everyday means of transport for many Danes.
"Join us in welcoming Ukrainian refugees to Denmark and Danish cycling culture. Donate your own, used bicycle — and help newly arrived refugees from Ukraine get a bicycle so they can easily explore their new surroundings."
National chairman of the Cyclists' Association Jens Peter Hansen said: "We can make a difference. As cyclists, we know how the bicycle gives us the freedom to get around. I hope that many of our members and other volunteers have the desire and opportunity to help people who have had to leave everything."
The website also includes a section on 'Danish cycling culture' with a full list of traffic rules and requirements which may differ to those in Ukraine.