Some reaction to the terrible Burgos crash that we covered on yesterday's live blog...
Wypadek na #TdP22 wyglądał źle, ale za to co miało miejsce podczas #VueltaBurgos ktoś powinien trafić przed sąd... pic.twitter.com/mP5huVSkZo
— Jakub Jarosz (@jakjarosz) August 3, 2022
The UCI has been criticised from all angles after this one, with riders, staff, media and fans alike pointing out the danger of the finish AND the fact it broke the governing body's own rules regarding safety of race finishes.
Commentating on GCN, Brian Smith read out the UCI's statement: "Last year the UCI stated: 'There must be no obstacles such as road narrowings, traffic islands and speed bumps in the final kilometre.'
"Well that contravenes the UCI regulations, so who signs these things off? It's the same with what has happened in Poland, this finish could have been fine and been used in years to come, but we had an incident. It feels as though the UCI waits for an incident, then reacts to it and that shouldn't be the case."
At Tour de Pologne, too, there was a sprint crash, as riders fell while rounding a high-speed bend in the final kilometre...
Tour of Poland Crash captured by a spectator 🚴♂️💨💨 #tourofpoland#cyclingpic.twitter.com/Wvj54RmFXg
— Alex Rasmussen (@alexfalkeman) August 3, 2022
Despite the horrendous scenes, everyone involved in the Burgos pile-up, which happened when a speed bump on a sharp downhill section caused Jumbo-Visma's David Dekker to lose his grip of his bars, managed to finish the stage...
GCN commentator Rob Hatch concluded: "I have to say I think that's one of the worst crashes I've seen in recent times [...] I'm not quite sure what we've just watched there but it's an absolute shocker."
The riders involved also had strong words for the UCI. Edoardo Affini, along with stage winner Timo Roosen, was questioned for celebrating the win, but hit back to say he had no idea about the crash behind and was caught up in the madness of leading out...
2. I feel very sorry and sad for everyone involved and i hope no one is badly hurted.
Dear @UCI_cycling after all that happend already, to allow a finish with a speedbump so high in the last 800m coming from a super hig speed section is a disgrace.
Unacceptable.— edoardo affini (@edoardo_affini) August 3, 2022
Also I see people complaining about the cheering/happy teammates Timo (as he wins a race!) and Edoardo. They did not know what was happening and with this speed/close to the finish it is impssible to know. I don’t complain, so nobody should do this imo.🙏🏼💪🏼 https://t.co/Psma2u1GLH
— David Dekker (@dekkerdavid) August 3, 2022
No reason to congratulate me. I hope everyone is ok after the huge crash. Wishing a quick recovery for the involved riders. We had no clue of what happened behind us, and that it was a crash of this extent. If we knew, we would never have cheered https://t.co/uphypKx2kb
— Timo Roosen (@TimoRoosen) August 3, 2022
Lorena Wiebes will be joining Team SD Worx next season. The 23-year old sprint star has signed a three year contract (2023-2025).
Read more here:https://t.co/xqgMkGPuyDpic.twitter.com/VxHVp7hRpP
— Team SD Worx (@teamsdworx) August 3, 2022
Double Tour de France Femmes stage winner, and opening yellow jersey wearer, Lorena Wiebes has signed a three-year deal to move from Team DSM to SD Worx from the start of next season.
Wiebes' transfer was negotiated between the two teams as a clause in her contact allowed her to leave with an improved offer. The transfer makes SD Worx a frightening prospect in 2023 with Wiebes, the best sprinter in the women's peloton, joining Flanders winner Lotte Kopecky and Tour de France Femmes second place Demi Vollering.
"Lorena is a pure sprint star. When it comes to pure speed, she is by far the best," said Team SD Worx sports manager Danny Stam.
"Although we mainly focus on the tougher races and as a team like to make the race, it is also nice when you have a big chance in the sprint. With Demi Vollering, Lotte Kopecky and Lorena Wiebes we have three world-class riders for the coming years who each excel in their own field."
To mark Cycle to Work Day, Cycling UK has published its latest analysis of transport data in England, which the group says shows more people are turning to cycling as the impact of record fuel prices is felt.
On average between March and July this year, weekday cycling levels have been 47 per cent higher, and on weekends and holidays 27 per cent higher, when compared to the same time in 2021.
Duncan Dollimore, head of campaigns at Cycling UK, said: "Rising fuel prices have triggered some people to think about their transport choices, switching some of their car journeys to cycling. But too many people don't feel like they have that option because they don’t think our roads are safe enough to cycle on.
"The answer to that is more and better infrastructure for cycling and walking, giving more people the opportunity to do so safely rather than default to driving a short trip to work or the shops.
"With 71 per cent of all journeys made in the UK under five miles, switching some of those to cycling is a simple way to help people make ends meet during the cost-of-living crisis, with additional health, wellbeing and environmental benefits. But to give people that choice we need local authorities to act now to make active travel a realistic option and help people keep moving."
🇬🇧 #B2022
The podium of today! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/eEIwnNYJry
— Team Jumbo-Visma cycling (@JumboVismaRoad) August 4, 2022
There is the final podium, Fred Wright taking a surprise silver, and Rohan Dennis adding a Commonwealth gold to his silver from Glasgow in 2014. Geraint Thomas was third that day too as Alex Dowsett won gold, but went on to win the road race. Will lightning strike twice?
Editor Jack's on the scene...
Can we close the roads to all the time please? #cycling#CommonwealthGames2022pic.twitter.com/GnxXL0dUsQ
— road.cc (@roadcc) August 4, 2022
All very positive atmosphere-wise at the roadside, but then again maybe all the unhappy NIMBYs are locked in their homes unable to leave...
Dan Bigham joins the Commonwealth crash club...
💥 Crash into the barrier
🚲 Bike tangled in the fence
🆕 Replacement ride requiredNot a great 30 seconds for England's Dan Bigham!
Follow live here: https://t.co/fpRrvmL7uA#BBCCWGpic.twitter.com/Sx1OYryoom
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 4, 2022
Straight up trying to untangle aero bars from the barriers, a jog to the team car and he's off again...
Looks like he remembered to remove his gilet. https://t.co/lAwTJTP1SN
— Mike McTimoney (@miketually) August 4, 2022
Here's the situation at the second checkpoint. Not much change, with Dennis on track for gold. Aaron Gate did well to keep himself rubber side down while negotiating one of the delightful steep descents on the course...
All the while, clubhouse leader Fred Wright was checking TikTok...
Kids, eh...
You can almost see the 'why always me?' moment as G picks his TT machine up from the deck after yet another big race tumble...
A nightmare start for Geraint Thomas in the time trial! ⏱😬#BBCCWGpic.twitter.com/HB06wmk9t6
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 4, 2022
Having made it around the sketchy first bend, which has claimed a few victims so far today, the podium finisher at the Tour de France overcooked a left turn and was brought down after clipping a barrier. He's back on the road and chasing Fred Wright's current best time. A podium finish may still be on the cards, especially given Ineos teammate Luke Plapp's hopes were all but ended by a slow bike change following a jammed chain.
Despite the spill, G went through the first checkpoint second fastest 30 seconds down on fastest man Rohan Dennis. Without getting too far ahead of ourselves it will be very difficult for anyone to best the Australian from here...
Fiona Kolbinger is the first woman home at Transcontinental (and the eighth rider overall). She's been uploading her rides to Strava too which makes her a winner in our eyes...
Nothing major, just 101 hours on the bike last week and 60 this week...and it seems she was stuck in 50x15 for her last day...
Photos of useless things. #VueltaBurgospic.twitter.com/dfc9j7riJG
— Mihai Simion (@faustocoppi60) August 3, 2022
@GeraintThomas86 has arrived!
He’ll be heading off at 14:29 👊#CommonwealthGames2022pic.twitter.com/EiJKNm3YJx
— Welsh Cycling (@WelshCycling) August 4, 2022
Nothing against Wolverhampton, just a lovely representation of the glitz of UK time trialling. We'd have liked to see the organisers take it even further and host sign-on in the local village hall, but hey, I guess the pros need some level of professional luxury...
The other side to yesterday's live blog moaning about road closures for the Commonwealth Games TT today has been pointed out to us in an Express and Star piece well worth a look this lunchtime...
> Cycling-mad couple who have one of the best views of the time trial route
Lifelong cyclists Brian and Jean Hinett, both in their 80s, will watch the race from their front garden. The couple met at Oldbury and District Cycling Club in 1963 and married the following year with bikes on their wedding cake. Brian estimates he's racked up 400,000 miles over the years and is looking forward to seeing the event so close to home.
"It's lovely we have got it on our doorstep. The more people who get on a bike the better," wife Jean said. "A runner went by earlier and said 'you've got a grandstand view'."
Grace Brown of Australia, Anna Henderson of England and Georgia Williams of New Zealand enjoy their moment of glory pic.twitter.com/5TJyCBXm4r
— James Vukmirovic (@jamesvukmirovic) August 4, 2022
The women's event was won by Australia's Grace Brown who will be joined on the podium by Anna Henderson of England and Georgia Williams of New Zealand. Brown set a time of 40:05, 33 seconds faster than Henderson, and 1:20 quicker than Williams. Aussie teammate Georgia Baker missed out on making it a 1-3 on the podium, finishing 19 seconds slower than third place.
Teniel Campbell was seventh, Elynor Backstedt eighth, Sarah Roy ninth and Joss Lowden 12th.
The men are up next... here are some of the start times to watch out for...
12.24pm Daryl Impey, 12.25pm Luke Plapp, 12.27pm Fred Wright, 12.28pm Owain Doull, 2.28pm Rohan Dennis, 2.29pm Geraint Thomas. The medal ceremony is expected at 3.40pm.
Sneak a peak at the BBC coverage online at work, or if like editor Jack you can simply head to the end of your road for a front row seat...
Is it Rick Astley?
Did I just pass @rickastley on my way into work? pic.twitter.com/lm0Zdrx3Xp
— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) August 4, 2022
Get in the comments with your case for or against...anyway, it led to an early comment of the day contender...
Always nice to see Rick rolling
— Josh Key 🇺🇦 (@thekaddiman) August 4, 2022
Well played...
Happy Cycle to Work Day! Today is the 10th anniversary of the UK's biggest cycle commuting event ❤️ 🚲
Be a part of history and log your ride on Love to Ride for your chance to win great prizes.https://t.co/mekTx3Zxkbpic.twitter.com/miQQyOUMUH
— cycletoworkday (@cycletoworkday) August 4, 2022
It's Cycle to Work Day so well done if you ditched the car, train, bus or tube this morning...
Some interesting research from Blackhawk Network dropped in our inbox this week, suggesting that 46 per cent of Brits would prefer to cycle to work to reduce travel costs, and that cycling to work helps people save on average almost £750 a year (£1,400 for those in Greater London)...
The figures come from a survey of 2,000 employees across the UK conducted by the employee benefits platform, in partnership with Sapio, to mark the 10th anniversary of Cycle to Work Day, and also suggest more people want to take to life on two wheels to get to work and cut costs. In the last year alone, 11 per cent began cycling to work, and a further 36 per cent are actively considering it.
In part due to soaring prices elsewhere — 40 per cent of commuting drivers and 82 per cent of rail commuters have noticed a significant increase in cost of travel compared to a year ago — almost half of respondents (46 per cent) said they would prefer to cycle, with 67 per cent of those saying cutting travel costs is their primary reason.
Last month we did a vid with Ribble to ask the question: how much money you could save by ditching the car on your commute? Check it out for more cycle commuting chat...