Got back on the bike for first time today and felt safe and secure.
New bike, new helmet… just disappointed I didn’t manage to match the socks to the frame 😂 pic.twitter.com/diqXV8qyFy
— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) March 20, 2023
Probably best not to read all the comments reprimanding Mr Walker for not wearing hi-vis…
This week’s Volta a Catalunya got off to a less than promising start yesterday, after a horrific-looking crash in the final, fast kilometres of the opening stage around Sant Feliu de Guíxols brought several riders down and seriously injured Trek-Segafredo’s Dario Cataldo.
According to a statement issued by the team last night, the veteran Italian, who has also raced for Liquigas, Quick-Step, Team Sky, Astana, and Movistar during his 16-year pro career, suffered a fractured left femoral head and right hip fracture in the crash, along with two spinal fractures which fortunately did not have any neurological impact.
The 38-year-old also sustained multiple broken ribs, a broken collarbone, and a collapsed lung.
Trek-Segafredo also noted that the Giro and Vuelta stage winner is stable and conscious, and will undergo surgery to fix his broken femur at a hospital in Girona.
Unfortunately @AdamYates7 was caught up in a crash in the final kilometers at #VoltaCatalunya102 , but thankfully escaped with abrasions and could finish the stage.
Hope the rest of the riders involved are ok 🙏#UAETeamEmirates#WeAreUAEpic.twitter.com/YhPLtCqNBO
— @UAE-TeamEmirates (@TeamEmiratesUAE) March 20, 2023
In happier news, Adam Yates – who was also caught up in the crash which brought down Cataldo – escaped with some heavy road rash and will be able to start today’s tough stage to Vallter, according to his UAE Team Emirates squad. By the looks of things, he might still be a bit sore though...
Team DSM’s Chris Hamilton, another casualty of the high-speed spill, will however not start in Mataró today.
It's a 𝙨𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙩 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙝 𝙬𝙞𝙣 for Primoz Roglic in Volta Ciclista a Catalunya! 😱
👏 The @JumboVismaRoad rider pips Remco Evenepoel to the finish in Stage 1 🏁@rogla | #VoltaCatalunya102pic.twitter.com/HhOHhrhcWX
— Eurosport (@eurosport) March 20, 2023
Meanwhile, following yesterday’s crash-marred carnage, Primož Roglič and Remco Evenepoel set tongues wagging for May’s Giro d’Italia with a ferocious and hotly contested uphill sprint, which saw the Slovenian just about hold off the fast finishing and frustrated world champion at the line. And with a 2,000 metre-plus summit finish to come, expect more of the same this afternoon…
Prepare to get angry in three, two, one…
Seen on eBay. #sackthemechanicpic.twitter.com/bXvcZmTheO
— DAN (@FatManonaBike) March 20, 2023
It’s irritating me now. Cheers
— Anthony Pope (@Plastic_Peloton) March 20, 2023
EURGH. BURN THE HERETIC.
— Partridge Thornton (@PartridgeToffee) March 20, 2023
What’s the worst and most irritating bike disaster you’ve spied for sale on eBay? (Other online marketplaces are of course available.) Let us know in the comments!
It’s been a few months since we last paid a visit to Salford’s new cycling roundabout (or cycle-a-bout, if you prefer the technical term), an interesting bit of bike infra that it’s fair to say proved rather divisive within the cycling community for what some claimed to be its novelty “car-centric” design and plethora of rather unnecessary markings.
> Magic roundabout or tragic roundabout? New "novelty" cycling roundabout hasn't gone down well
Since the roundabout was unveiled to the public in December, it’s about time that it was put to the test by a man who made his career riding around in circles:
@Ed_Clancy conquers the smallest velodrome in Manchester... #BeeNetworkpic.twitter.com/XcqRqD1NSQ
— Pete Zanzottera (@PeteZanzottera) March 20, 2023
Yep, that’s right – triple Olympic gold medal winning team pursuiter Ed Clancy yesterday proved he’s lost none of his speed by flying around Britain’s smallest velodrome… and that he’s even learnt a new trick or two in retirement:
Surprised he knows how to turn right 😂😂
— Simon Edwards (@Edvarski) March 20, 2023
Clancy was visiting Greater Manchester’s recently-installed cycling infra as part of his new role as South Yorkshire’s active travel commissioner, replacing Dame Sarah Storey last month.
Amazing day out with @SouthYorksMCA Active Travel team, checking out everything over in Manchester.
Thanks also to @DameSarahStorey for being so generous with her time and wisdom! https://t.co/idEckeiBmI— Ed Clancy OBE (@Ed_Clancy) March 20, 2023
And, it must be noted, it looks like the much-derided magic roundabout was a hit…
I’ve wondered ‘why’ the Salford cycle-a-bout was put in, I now know, it was for the joy! pic.twitter.com/Kljnrodk8I
— Eve Holt (@evefrancisholt) March 20, 2023
I did! Loved it.
Also the amount of induction loops and Cyclopes get a thumbs up from me 👍— Ed Clancy OBE (@Ed_Clancy) March 20, 2023
However, I’m still not sure everyone’s convinced:
Bring the cyclops, leave the cycle roundabout where it belongs 😂
We even have a mock up ready for Queens Road 😉 pic.twitter.com/ecmihgw7A6
— Arundels of Norfolk (@ArundelsofN) March 20, 2023