Welcome to a new week on the road.cc live blog with Simon MacMichael, Jack Sexty and the rest of the team.
14/01/2019, 18:17
It has been alleged that Dr Richard Freeman, who formerly worked for Team Sky and British Cycling and was at the centre of the 'Jiffy Bag' investigation, ordered testosterone patches “to administer to an athlete to improve their athletic performance.”
The allegation is contained in pre-hearing information published today by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service.
Dr Freeman is due to face a tribunal in Manchester on 6 February and could potentially be suspended from practising or even struck off if any of a number of allegations against him are upheld.
While most of the allegations will be familiar to anyone who has followed the story over the past couple of years, the one that Testogel patches were ordered for an athlete’s use is new – and one that could potentially see UK Anti-doping re-open its investigation, closed last year, into allegations of wrongdoing at British Cycling and Team Sky.
British Cycling’s former head of medicine, Dr Steve Peters, has claimed that the patches were delivered to the National Cycling Centre in Manchester in error, although it has been alleged that they were ordered specifically from an Oldham-based supplier.
14/01/2019, 15:11
Astana Pro Team guilty of 'dope' violation
The Astana Pro Team have just dropped a dope rap, are the kids still calling it that? It's quite special...
The first ever Pro Cycling Rap, by Astana Pro Team! Talented riders, but even more talented rappers? #AstanaProTeam#AstanaRap#AstanaRapperspic.twitter.com/zL24wAqPNo
— Astana Pro Team (@AstanaTeam) January 14, 2019
Although they're not the first to try, as Pro CXer Kevin Pauwels showed us back in 2015, neither of them come anywhere near the great John Barnes when it comes to the sport/rap crossover though, in our opinion.
Before you watch either it's worth bearing in mind they contain things you can never unsee or unhear again. Just saying.
14/01/2019, 15:48
“Why cycle on the road when there’s a perfectly good cycle lane?”
OMG, this is unbelievable @CadenceMag#cycling#cyclinglife#cyclisme#scotwhitlock#cyclepathspic.twitter.com/cX4soyGSz3
— Simple Saddle (@SaddleScot) January 13, 2019
14/01/2019, 15:04
14/01/2019, 14:50
Sustrans "disappointed" over government's lack of action on air pollution
Whilst it is important that the Government has a strategy for tackling all forms of #airpollution, we are disappointed by its failure to tackle solutions to reduce emissions from motor vehicles, - our comment on Clean Air Strategy https://t.co/pfGVPtLGqR#walking#cyclingpic.twitter.com/yuTfoZ8pRh
— Sustrans (@sustrans) January 14, 2019
The CEO of the cycling and walking charity Xavier Brice has commented on the government's Clean Air Strategy, saying the government have failed to tackle issues caused by emissions from motor vehicles: "Whilst it is important that the Government has a strategy for tackling all forms of air pollution, we are disappointed by the Government’s failure to tackle solutions to reduce emissions from motor vehicles. The Strategy is overly reliant on reactive measures and technological solutions to address poor quality air, leaving other, currently ineffective, pre-existing plans to tackle roadside emissions.
It is clear we need fewer, not just cleaner, vehicles on our roads to truly tackle poor air quality, and while the Strategy acknowledges this it does not provide any new funding or measures aimed at achieving a meaningful shift towards walking and cycling.
We call again on the UK Government to take meaningful action on road transport emissions by investing more into high-quality cycling and walking infrastructure which allows families to cycle and walk to school and amenities with confidence so that it is the most obvious choice for shorter journeys.”
14/01/2019, 12:35
Police criticised for calling out red light jumping cyclists day after Manchester hit-and-run tragedy
Can you see this Police Motorcycle
6 pedal cyclists, at 6 junctions clearly couldn't, they all decided they didn't need to stop at ATS in @GMPCityCentre with #GMPSRTT Motorcycle waiting for the lights to change. ATS are relevant to all road users, not just vehicles. TOR's issued. pic.twitter.com/GY24Y1HS9e— GMP Traffic (@gmptraffic) January 13, 2019
Referencing the death of an 11-year-old boy in Manchester yesterday, one Twitter user replied: "So a child is killed on the lawless roads of Manchester, the day after you think tweeting about a few cyclists being given tickets makes our roads a safer place? Not many people killed on the roads by pushbikes, plenty killed by cars though #priorities"
Although some mentioned that the law still needs to be upheld regardless of other events...
Still an offence though isn't it.
Are you suggesting that everything should stop when there has been such a serious incident?— Retired PC (@pc_retired) January 14, 2019
What do you think?
14/01/2019, 13:39
Campagnolo 12 Speed Super Record EPS - detailed shots on Movistar bikes
We've heard rumours, seen some of the parts from a distance and now this Instagram post from Movistar confirms that Campag's new Super Record 12 speed electronic groupset is now adornding their 2019 bikes. On Canyon's Ultimate with a matching power crank, we reckon it's looking pretty fine.
14/01/2019, 13:47
Crowdfunder for Bad Ass Bikes of Burrington after burglary
The bike shop Bad Ass Bikes, located right on Burrington Combe hill in Somerset, is trying to recover from a burglary in which bikes and most of their tools were stolen. A crowdfunder has been set up to help the popular bike shop which reads: "Bad Ass Bikes suffered a break in the early hours, taking not only the bikes but his tooling too. Being a workshop first, the stealing of tools will have a devastating effect on this shop. Knowing how hard he and his family work, knowing that anyone can always pop in for a coffee and a chat, they are so so much more than the shop that they work in. Like with many great community shops, any issues you have they are always there.
"I feel it’s time we all gave something back and help get BAD ASS BIKES back open and keeping our bikes turning like new again. We all know the payment will repaid through the shops humour, great coffee and an honest opinion cycling or non-cycling related."
If you want to donate, the link is here.
14/01/2019, 11:53
Peak Copenhagen
A #Copenhagen moment ...
Congratulations to the Newlyweds!
MT @Pedamdam | #Cycling | #JustMarriedpic.twitter.com/bORsqYpGbF
— Anders Adamsen (@anderspreben) January 12, 2019
The bike rules in the Danish capital!
14/01/2019, 11:48
Fair point?
If you think cycling is athletic and can't be reliable transport as the body ages, spend some time watching people trying to climb out of their cars.
— kylie (@inter_stitial) January 12, 2019
14/01/2019, 11:40
Strava down... what did you do instead?
Thoughts and prayers to all those affected as Strava was failing to upload activities yesterday (full story here). With thousands of rides technically having not happened, we just skipped straight to the cake instead...
14/01/2019, 10:39
#ICYMI BoTY 2018/19 Sportive and Endurance bikes
On Saturday we counted down out top 10 mile munching bikes of the last year… you might have missed it if you were out mile munching yourself. So here it is again just in case.
road.cc Sportive and Endurance Bike of the Year 2018/19
14/01/2019, 09:25
Video: Late crash at Down Under Classic leaves way clear for Ewan to win
The Santos Tour Down Under, the opening race of the 2019 UCI WorldTour season, doesn’t start until tomorrow, but some of the biggest names in the peloton fought it out for the win at the Down Under Classic criterium in Adelaide on Saturday which acts as an annual curtain raiser to the event.
A late crash took out a number of riders including Italian champion Elia Viviani of Deceuninck-Quick-Step, with Caleb Ewan of Lotto-Soudal avoiding the crash and taking the win from Bora-Hansgrohe’s Peter Sagan.
14/01/2019, 09:05
Here's our Monday morning catch-up of some stories you may have missed over the weekend
Registration open for the North Cape 4000 ultracycling event (+ video)
Manchester's Beelines renamed the Bee Network after copyright issue with London firm
Scarborough hotel to become first Bike and Boot Inn geared towards cyclists and walkers
Gangs of lads on bikes in Liverpool are … just out for a bike ride
Peter Sagan to race an aluminium bike! See his Allez Sprint Disc in detail