More of the same old crap.
If you walk, cycle or wheel. Just live your life.
If you drive, you are in charge of a potential killing machine so always take responsibility for your and others safety, drive to conditions, follow all signage and instructions and drive safely https://t.co/nNePdzppsz— thebonnieloon 💙 (@thebonnieloon) October 31, 2022
It’s been a while (alright, two months) since the live blog last featured accusations of “victim blaming” aimed at a local police force.
But as Police Scotland launches its ‘Get Ready for Winter’ campaign, by issuing road safety advice to motorists, pedestrians and cyclists with the reminder that “we all have a responsibility to keep Scotland’s roads safe during the winter months”, some cyclists online noted one particular piece of guidance that appears to be solely directed at those on two wheels:
"Pay attention to road signs, markings and particularly red lights" is curiously only shown as advice to cyclists.
Why is that?
— Drew White (@drewsnx) October 31, 2022
Why are you telling cyclists, but not drivers, to pay attention to road signs and markings?
Why are you telling cyclists, but not drivers, to keep off pavements?— Andrew Craig (@GoodClearTweets) October 31, 2022
Usual victim blaming and bigoted nonsense that we regularly see from certain Police Services unfortunately.
— ChrisC (@ChrisC_CFC) October 31, 2022
You can imagine the scene when this advice was being put together in Police Scotland HQ: ‘Now, remember to emphasise the red lights, lad. "Particularly red lights", that’ll make our intent clear…’
Other Twitter users weren’t too pleased that pedestrians and cyclists were also being encouraged to “dress for the weather” – not by wrapping up warm, but by wearing “reflective or bright-coloured clothing”, on top of having front and rear lights (for the cyclists that is, not pedestrians. Though I wouldn’t be surprised…).
Welcome to victim blaming 101 courtesy of one of our constabularies. Why are drivers not being given same advice? pic.twitter.com/iIRQ38uO2j
— 🚴🏻♂️Ralpha (aka Phil)🚴🏻♂️ (@2wheelsnot4) October 31, 2022
If I have lights on my bike, why do I also need bright/reflective clothing? Would you give this advice to operators of dark coloured vehicles? Try harder not to be victim blamers, please.
— Kenny Munro (@kennymunro) October 31, 2022
While some were confused and bewildered as to why helpful tips such as “Cars can take twice as long to stop in wet weather” were included in the ‘Advice for Cyclists’ section:
Why is "cars can take twice as long to stop" advice for cyclists? Cyclists ride bikes, it's motorists who are supposed to be in control of their cars... just thought I'd point that error out to you.... I'll let others point out the rest of the errors. pic.twitter.com/rPWpTVTGrb
— OneAdultSwim (@OneAdultSwim1) October 31, 2022
Tell pedestrians about the stopping distance of cars on icy roads✅
Tell cyclists about the stopping distance of cars on wet roads ✅
Tell drivers to fit winter tyres ❌— Richard Gracie (@richmtb77) October 31, 2022
Both pedestrians and cyclists are told to be aware of other road users, but drivers aren’t? Read these comments and adjust your advice accordingly please.
— Ashleigh Phillip (@ashholloway) November 1, 2022
"Vehicles can take up to ten times longer to stop on slippery road surfaces so take extra care crossing the road"
You spelled "take extra care when driving" wrong
— David S (@Pionir) November 1, 2022
Thankfully, Andy was on hand to pithily sum up what everyone was thinking:
Please stop with the victim blaming, and start telling drivers to drive responsibly.
— Andy (A2002980) #FETCHFAM (@DrVxD) October 31, 2022
While it’s all kicking off in the comments section about red lights (top tip: don’t get involved), the aptly named road.cc reader Safety has had their say on Police Scotland’s latest campaign to “keep Scotland’s roads safe”:
Let’s not be surprised by the latest approach by Polis Scotland. This is the same force who have not just been slow in introducing a portal for accepting videos but at every turn have filibustered and actively delayed its introduction.
Meanwhile, over on Twitter:
Hopefully @PoliceScotland have taken in the many many valid points presented by people on twitter. Start putting on the onus on those that can do more harm, motorists and not cyclists.
— Broichan (@MikeCassie) November 1, 2022
It would be more honest to just say
"it's a jungle out there, we can only do a bare minimum of road policing and there are a significant number of drivers who are too self-absorbed to care for your safety, so cycle (and walk) defensively. Sorry"
— kinley faescotland (@Spurtle284) November 1, 2022
And finally, the inevitable, thoughtful counterpoint:
Cyclists are self absorbed leftists that cannot be criticized. They are right all the time about everything, just ask them.
— Dash Cinnamon (@Dustin_crops) November 1, 2022
Ach, that ‘z’ in ‘criticized’ irks me. I can accept being called a self-absorbed leftist. But a self-absorbed American leftist? That’s where I draw the line…
Best bike lights 2022: find the best bike lights for your #cycling, front and rear... https://t.co/JCIDhrayijpic.twitter.com/5HEjVd4I0p
— road.cc (@roadcc) November 1, 2022
Edinburgh’s Leith Walk appears to be the gift that keeps on giving at the moment – if by gift, you mean example after example of questionable driving, that is.
Following yesterday’s close encounter with a bike lane-mounting lorry driver, a delivery van was spotted this afternoon taking up the whole of the new bike lane and a decent chunk of the footpath:
"What we'll do is drive into a closed road behind the cones and reverse onto the pavement, blocking what is left of it with all the crap we unload BUT we'll have our Park Anywhere Lights on so it'll be fine."@AnyVan@yplac_edpic.twitter.com/YHnp0Ok1dS
— Dougal Stanton (@dougalstanton) November 1, 2022
Today’s cyclocross drama at the prestigious Koppenbergcross certainly didn’t end with the women’s race and Pauline Ferrand-Prévot’s woes.
Wat een finish! Na een knappe remonte is het Van der Haar die de Koppenbergcross wint, voor Iserbyt en Vanthourenhout 🔥🏆#X2OBadkamersTrofee#koppenbergcross#veldrijden#cyclocross@larsvanderhaar@IserbytEli@vth_michaelpic.twitter.com/4iFc61GZjO
— X²O Badkamers Trofee (@X2OTrofee) November 1, 2022
In an absolute corker of a men’s race, European champion Lars van der Haar tore up the final ascent of the Koppenberg to see off the Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal pairing of Michael Vanthourenhout and reigning three-time champion Eli Iserbyt.
At the very end of what was a feisty and sometimes volatile race (let’s just say that I’ve seen less bullying in 1990s school-based sitcoms), Van der Haar’s blistering turn of speed on the steep cobbled climb, a mainstay of the Tour of Flanders, completely blew away the Vanthourenhout-Iserbyt double act, and even came after the Baloise-Trek Lions rider crashed during the final lap, allowing Vanthourenhout to slip away for what looked like a nailed-on victory.
However, the last time up the Koppenberg proved one too many for Vanthourenhout, who could only watch as Van der Haar flew past in the closing metres, while teammate Iserbyt – the recent king of the Koppenberg – could muster very little by way of response.
European champ Van der Haar’s impressive win – his third and biggest of the season so far – also marks the first Dutch victory at the prestigious Flemish race since Mathieu van der Poel took the victory in 2017. No pressure then, Lars.
Great to see Belgium going beyond minimum standards to make combined bike-train trips an easier and more attractive choice for more people! 🇧🇪👏 https://t.co/LqpHh3IEQH
— Galway Cycling Campaign (@GalwayCycling) October 29, 2022
According to a law passed by the Belgian parliament last week, all new trains in the country from 2025 will be equipped with a minimum of eight designated spaces for bikes, while refurbished trains will be required to have four bike spaces (from April 2021, all EU member states are obliged to include four places for cycle storage on all new or upgraded trains).
The new law forms part of the National Railway Company of Belgium’s train-bike strategy, which aims to increase the overall capacity for bikes on trains, provide more secure bicycle parking, and ensure clearer signage and information for travellers.
It’ll also make it a whole lot easier to take your bike to the cyclocross, which is what this is all about really…
Nuestros 45; vuestros 45. #RodamosJuntos
📙 https://t.co/wqUjQYH6mD (PDF) #MovistarTeam2023pic.twitter.com/P46hm6RxTt
— Movistar Team (@Movistar_Team) November 1, 2022
Amazing to see @FERRANDPREVOT racing in our colours today.#Koppenbergcross proved to be a tough race with some mechanical issues but Pauline never gave up. True grit and determination on display.
Next stop: European Champs 👊🇫🇷🔜 pic.twitter.com/zTAsT2VEEM
— INEOS Grenadiers (@INEOSGrenadiers) November 1, 2022
Oh dear, it really hasn’t been a great first outing for Pauline Ferrand-Prévot as an Ineos-backed rider – or for her new Pinarello Crossista F – at the Koppenbergcross today.
Despite picking her way through the field after that unlucky first lap mechanical and bike change, the French rider’s final lap was then derailed (excuse the pun) by yet more gearing issues.
Pauline Ferrand Prévôt finit à pied dans le #Koppenberg... "être à pied" fait partie du dico du vélo, qui signifie être crâmé, cuit. pic.twitter.com/OuEjfa51dA
— 🅰ntoine VAYER 📸🖋️ (@festinaboy) November 1, 2022
Those pesky jammed gears (where’s Bauke Mollema when you need him?) forced the gravel world champion to run up the final ascent of the Koppenberg, her troublesome bike slung over her shoulder – which, in cleats, is a feat in itself to be fair…
There were no such issues, however, for the imperious Fem van Empel.
Another race, another win for Fem van Empel who had no equal today
Genuinely very hyped about what she might do on the road going forward too - should be on every 2023 future breakout riders list#X2OBadkamersTrofee#Koppenbergcrosspic.twitter.com/A5mwm97OO2
— Mathew Mitchell (@MatMitchell30) November 1, 2022
The prodigious 20-year-old Dutchwoman, who is set to join Jumbo-Visma for 2023, has been in scintillating form so far this ‘cross season, winning each of the four UCI World Cup events so far, and she stormed around the Koppenberg course to secure yet another resounding victory.
And what was Van Empel’s prize for such a dominant display?
An inflatable cobbled duck.
A COBBLED DUCK?! 😍 This is next level stuff from the X2O Trophy #Koppenbergcross#X2OBadkamersTrofeepic.twitter.com/SkcqlodALj
— Katy M (@writebikerepeat) November 1, 2022
A. COBBLED. DUCK.
Ladies and gentlemen, I believe cycling may have peaked.
But then you get a hug from this thing pic.twitter.com/NPc3Bel8me
— José Been (@Jose_Been) November 1, 2022
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot’s much-anticipated first race in Ineos colours isn’t quite going to plan, as an unfortunate opening lap mechanical (due to a jammed chain) has left her a long way behind the dominant Fem van Empel:
Argh total nightmare for PFP in her first CX of the season, and first race for Ineos. Mechanical issues on lap 1. Tough times, but will be a good test for her to see how much ground she can gain back #Koppenbergcross
— Katy M (@writebikerepeat) November 1, 2022
However, it was the questionable response of PFP's new Ineos-branded pit crew as she rushed to change bikes that has raised a few eyebrows online:
Well, something is up with Pauline's pit crew. She clearly had problems but the mechanics didn't walk towards her, and then the bike was given to her on the wrong side. That's just incompetence. #Koppenbergcross#X2OBadkamersTrofeehttps://t.co/6kAq8gyJ5x
— Jens Dekker (@jens_dekker) November 1, 2022
Not saying these people are necessarily bad mechanics, but the fact that at least one of them apparently knows so little about cyclocross that he gave the bike from the wrong side is not a great sign
— Jens Dekker (@jens_dekker) November 1, 2022
Considering her new team has the current men's world champ, it's a shame they couldn't do that better.
— Micheal Boedigheimer (@landsoftly) November 1, 2022
As Andrew Feather and Illi Gardner stormed to victory at the National Hill Climb Championships on Sunday, atop North Wales’ fearsome Old Shoe, Rod MacFadyen was once again on hand to capture all the grit, determination and beauty of hill climbing in the UK (and its fervent roadside support):
It almost makes me want to get back into hill climbing. Almost…
As I noted earlier, the Koppenbergcross takes place this afternoon, providing cycling fans with both a preview of the winter of mud-spattered ‘cross goodness to come, as well as an early dose of the insanely steep, cobbled delights awaiting us in the spring…
The Koppenbergcross also marks the first round of the X2O Badkamers Trophy, the eight-race-long competition known primarily for its love of giant, inflatable rubber ducks:
Cyclo cross is officially the most ridiculous sport in the world and I loves it.
Also Wout is just insanely good at it so his massive duck collection must be growing. pic.twitter.com/mGHdD3Erzq
— Richard (@richkbristol) December 30, 2021
Unfortunately, this morning the strong Flandrien winds of November have incapacitated one of cyclocross’s defining features (along with the chips and beer, obviously), prompting many – okay, one hardcore fan to argue that we should just call the whole thing off…
It’s too windy for the DUCK #Koppenbergcrosspic.twitter.com/eZxEz7tuHH
— José Been (@Jose_Been) November 1, 2022
They should postpone it. It's meaningless without the duck.
— Henk (@Henk_FCSP) November 1, 2022
Rise duck ! Rise!!! pic.twitter.com/odC0w2MYJS
— Tom Ink (@TDelencre) November 1, 2022
And who says cyclocross is cycling’s “silliest discipline”?
ITV commentator Ned Boulting here, currently touring the UK with his one-man show, pointing out one of many inherent flaws in the ‘cyclists should ride in the cycle lane’ argument favoured by some motorists:
Just got told by a taxi driver (using his horn and gesticulating wildly) that I should be in the cycle lane - the new one in Deptford. I would’ve been. Except I was about to turn off the main road. So sick of car drivers telling me where I should and shouldn’t be. It’s enraging.
— Ned Boulting (@nedboulting) October 31, 2022
It’s verbal assault, from behind the wheel of a machine that could be steered into you (they have, in the past, been steered into me to make a point). It is a deeply, deeply unpleasant to experience.
— Ned Boulting (@nedboulting) October 31, 2022
🌈🌈🌈🌈@FERRANDPREVOT's first day as a Grenadier. You love to see it! 👊 pic.twitter.com/C5GnIZMnlm
— INEOS Grenadiers (@INEOSGrenadiers) November 1, 2022
French off-road star Pauline Ferrand-Prévot – who has, you know, just the four world titles to her name in 2022 – is set to make her debut as the Ineos Grenadiers’ first ever female rider this afternoon, at the always-fun Koppenbergcross:
A new adventure starts... TOMORROW! 🤩
Pauline @FERRANDPREVOT will make her INEOS Grenadiers debut as she returns to cyclo-cross on Tuesday at #Koppenbergcross🙌 pic.twitter.com/3BtupWE0vR
— INEOS Grenadiers (@INEOSGrenadiers) October 31, 2022
PFP has missed the last two ‘cross seasons to focus on mountain biking, so today’s hit-out on and around the famous Koppenberg – a Tour of Flanders favourite (granted, not for Jesper Skibby) – could provide an interesting, if somewhat early, indicator of her form in the fields of northern Europe as she aims towards a second career world cyclocross title in February.
There have been so many twists and turns in the ‘Where will Mark Cavendish end up in 2023?’ story that, frankly, it’s hard to keep up.
First, we had the Manx Missile’s controversial omission from Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl’s Tour de France squad in July, ending all hopes of that historic stage win number 35 (for this year, at least), followed by Patrick Lefevere’s confirmation that Cavendish would no longer be “part of our project” after the end of this season.
With Cav’s exit from Quick-Step confirmed, the rumour mill has been swirling wildly since July: first, there were the – albeit tentative – rumours of a move to EF Education-EasyPost, after the 37-year-old attended a Rapha (EF’s clothing sponsors) event in London.
Cav visits Rapha in July (Simon MacMichael)
French minnows B&B Hotels-KTM (who appear to be on the cusp of a major funding boost) then took the lead in the race for Cavendish’s signature, with team boss Jérôme Pineau’s hopes of securing a deal – a “50/50” prospect in August– appearing to rise steadily throughout the autumn, with many expecting the sprinter to be announced as the squad’s marquee signing at a grand unveiling in Paris last Wednesday.
However, that big reveal was called off at the last minute, as Pineau reportedly struggles to secure the required funds, amidst uncertainty over the arrival of new, heavyweight sponsors.
Cavendish, meanwhile, has remained tight-lipped on the matter, telling Cyclingnews at the Tour de France Criterium in Singapore on Sunday: “When I know, then you’ll hear it”.
So, just when you thought things couldn’t get any more convoluted, in walks Movistar, everyone’s favourite chaotic Netflix stars and the unlikeliest of bedfellows for a thoroughbred sprinter like Cavendish.
Movistar riders at the Tour of Britain (SWpix.com)
But according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Spanish band of climbers have emerged as a backup option if Pineau’s Parisian adventure falls through. The venerable Italian sports paper has claimed today that Movistar DS (and former GB rider) Max Sciandri is interested in securing his friend’s signature and aiming for No. 35 at the Tour next July.
A lead out train – consisting of Alex Aranburu, Imanol Erviti and Ivan Garcia Cortina – has even been touted, with Cav apparently set to share sprinting duties with old teammate and new Movistar signing Fernando Gaviria.
Gaviria sprints against Cavendish at the 2022 Tour of Oman (ASO/Pauline Ballet)
But…
Just as we were all getting excited about the prospect of watching the volatile Cavendish and the squad’s impassive GC leader Enric Mas interact on the team bus on Netflix next year, the Spanish team took to Twitter itself to quickly quash any rumours concerning what surely would have been the shock signing of the winter:
Let's put these rumours to sleep quickly and remind people what the WT rules are (we're at 30 for 2023) - but it's No News November after all, we need to come up with something? 😅😛 pic.twitter.com/oRTbV2rw8E
— Movistar Team (@Movistar_Team) November 1, 2022
“Can we please, kindly remind everyone that we’re at 30 riders on our men's team for 2023 (the UCI maximum) and this is just the desire of Max, who has been close friends with Cav for a long time,” the team’s social media manager wrote, in between fits of laughter I presume, this morning.
And in any case, Movistar tells us, if they could have an extra man in their squad, it would of course be the now-retired Alejandro Valverde:
We've already got plenty of (namely Iván Romeo and Vinícius Rangel), and that's why we're at 30 - might as well have tried that formula to get Bala out of retirement, but the UCI won't allow us, either!
— Movistar Team (@Movistar_Team) November 1, 2022
We understand it's a low month when it comes to news in cycling, but come on, some things are too much!
— Movistar Team (@Movistar_Team) November 1, 2022
Well, they don’t call it the silly season for nothing…