Welcome to your Wednesday live blog, brought to you by Jack Sexty, Simon MacMichael and contributions from the rest of the road.cc team.
06/02/2019, 19:54
Belgian federation apologises to Mathieu van der Poel for abuse by fans
Belgian Cycling has apologised for the way some of the country’s fans who travelled to the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships in Bogense, Denmark at the weekend treated the winner of the men’s elite race, Mathieu van der Poel of the Netherlands.
The Dutchman reclaimed the title he won for the first time in 2015 and denied his great rival Wout Van Aert of Belgium a fourth successive rainbow jersey – although the victor was reportedly the target of abusive gestures and even had beer thrown at him.
Belgium’s national governing body for cycling said in a statement that it “strongly supports the internationalisation of cyclo-cross. That is why it is unfortunate that we noticed that some spectators – luckily, a small minority – do not share the same view. Unsporting and insulting behaviour doesn’t favour anyone, and certainly not the Belgian delegation.”
The statement continued: “The fact that our riders had to concede the title to Mathieu van der Poel on Sunday afternoon, after a sporting battle with a perfectly correct race, is part of the laws of the sport. For Belgian Cycling, the Dutchman won the world title.
“We sincerely congratulate Mathieu van der Poel, not only for the way in which he got his second world title, but also for all his great performances during the past months.”
06/02/2019, 16:02
Seville's bike lanes proving a huge success
Read more about how Seville is promoting cycling here https://t.co/THsdOGWfxQ@cyclingpic.twitter.com/HoDurIXDhh
— UCI (@UCI_cycling) February 6, 2019
The UCI reports that the introduction of bike lanes in the city over the last 15 years has transformed the city's previously clogged up streets. Manuel Calvo, a consultant for the team behind the Plan de la Bicicleta de Sevilla, said of the transformation:
“It was risky, but now I advise all local governments to deliver bike projects in the first two years of office. You have to do everything in the first two years. It starts working and then people see it works and are supportive of what you did.
"It’s not expensive infrastructure. We have a metro line that cost €800 million. It serves 44,000 trips a day. With bikes we are serving 67,000 trips a day.”
06/02/2019, 15:49
New SRAM Red eTap AXS: new 12 speed groupset is here
It wasn't exactly a secret, but now we've got all the juicy details... bigger cassettes, 2x and 1x and a unique flat-top chain, read all about it here.
06/02/2019, 15:25
Flectr, the brand behind aero wheel and crank reflectors, are now back on Kickstarter with high-vis rim reflectives
Due to popular demand according to Flectr themselves, they're now crowdfunding once more for some reflective rim strips (read our review of the wheel reflectors here). They wrap around the underside of your rim so can be seen from both sides, and are super thin so they don't affect the wheel performance. A pledge of €15 will get you one set for an estimated delivery date of April 2019, and €26 will get you two sets. It's proved popular and they've already doubled their crowdfunding target, head over to the Kickstarter page if you want to back them.
06/02/2019, 13:30
Jeremy Vine posts extended footage of dangerously close white van pass on Twitter, saying he's "sick of the danger of cycling in London"
Since people asked me "what the hell was that thing with the van this morning?" here is a longer clip which shows what happened. I was saved by the lack of a manhole/pothole ... always happy to get tips if you can help me stay safer on my cycle pic.twitter.com/yIdjo41UVp
— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) February 5, 2019
As we reported yesterday, the broadcaster posted some worrying footage of a white van squeezing past him in a bus lane to save himself all of half a second... and now he's posted more footage asking Twitter just actually what he did wrong and why he should be on so much danger for cycling to work, after some of the reactions on social media to yesterday's incident were actually critical of his riding: "why should I have to be in such danger just trying to get to work? I'm sick of the danger", says Vine at the end of the clip.
This reply also shows us how far we have to go before we'll all be safe on the roads...
If cyclists actually paid into the road system you might have more empathy , but you don’t , like many other virtue signalling left field groups , you want a safe space without paying for it .
— Inbalance (@Reachingout4you) February 5, 2019
Others were quick to put this confused person right, including 'The Cycling Silk' Martin Porter QC...
There I am afraid speaks a potential juror explaining why people are not dealt with properly for dangerous driving https://t.co/EWOxznuU3r
— Martin Porter QC (@MartinPorter6) February 6, 2019
06/02/2019, 13:15
Charity banquet organised in memory of Italian cyclist who was killed by a lorry driver in 2016
The event which aims to raise awareness of road safety in London will take place on the 14th March, which would have been Filippo Corsini's birthday, and all funds raised will go to the London Cycling Campaign. Corsini, an Italian prince, died after a collision with a lorry in 2016. The coroner recorded a verdict of accidental death when it was ruled the driver wouldn't have been able to see Corsini as he overtook the HGV.
Guests will be served a spring banquet at the Petersham Nurseries Café glasshouse restaurant for the fundraiser. Tickets are £150 and available here.
06/02/2019, 12:48
Ride London... are you in?
allot results for the 2019 Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 are beginning to drop...
Good luck everyone! #RideLondonpic.twitter.com/lPIFC21Dw3
— Prudential RideLondon (@RideLondon) February 6, 2019
The ballot results are starting to appear today, so keep an eye out for the post if you've put your name in the hat.
06/02/2019, 12:35
Floyd's Pro Cycling announce new sponsors and an interesting race schedule, including the Dirty Kanza gravel epic
The unconventional team have now added Biemme clothing, Louis Garneau and Worthy Brewing craft beer as sponsors, and have announced they will send riders to the 200 mile Dirty Kanza gravel race and also the Leadville 100 this year. Primarily they will be competing on the UCI Continental circuit, read our full story on the new team from back in October here.
06/02/2019, 12:07
G kicks off 20-19 season at Vuelta a Valencia
Nice way to start the year!! Other than the last 500m...pic.twitter.com/hlriyI4S0c
— Geraint Thomas (@GeraintThomas86) February 6, 2019
The defending Tour de France champ took part in the opening 10.2km time trial this morning, and is part of a star-studded lineup at the five stage UCI race.
06/02/2019, 11:48
06/02/2019, 10:58
Re Sam Boatwright - the previous record belonged to...
Well done @sam_boatwright1 for breaking my (unofficial) 24 hour @wattbike World Record of 470 miles
— Mark Beaumont (@MrMarkBeaumont) February 3, 2019
...none other than Mark Beaumont, the fastest man to cycle around the world. His unofficial indoor record stood at 470 virtual miles before it was broken at the weekend.
06/02/2019, 08:35
Maths teacher rides 488 miles in 24 hours to take world indoor cycling record
Sam Boatwright of Silsden, West Yorkshire claims to have broken a world record for the farthest distance rode on a static bike in 24 hours, riding 488 miles to eclipse the previous mark of 470 as announced on his Facebook page. Boatwright has previous for endurance challenges, having ran 50 miles a day for 50 days back in 2012, raising some £30,000 for Help the Heroes along the way according to Keighly News. His latest feat was actually a sort of insane training session for his Epic Triathlon challenge coming up this summer, where Boatwright will attempt to break records for a channel crossing, the Land's End to John O'Groats cycle and then also attempt the running record on the way back down. It sounds extremely audacious, and if you want to sponsor him or find out more you can do so at samboatwright.com.
06/02/2019, 08:46
The popular Monsal Trail could be turned back into a railway line
Forbes online reports that the Monsal Trail in the Peak District, used by over 60,000 cyclists a year and many more walkers, could be turned back into a railway line. The Campaign for Better Transport is calling on the government to spend £4.8 billion to bring 33 former railway lines back into use, and the Monsal Trail works would take place as part of the second phase of the plans due to start in 2026. The nine mile route is hugely popular as a recreational trail, with cafe's and bike repair shops amongst other thriving where railway stops used to be and numerous cycling, running and walking events using it each year, including the Eroica Brittania vintage bike sportive.
06/02/2019, 08:43
Pau Sherwen memorial takes place this afternoon at Manchester Cathedral, all welcome
A Memorial Service for former professional racing cyclist and cycling commentator, Paul Sherwen will take place tomorrow (6 February) at 2.30pm. Members of the public are welcome to join Paul's family and friends as they celebrate his life. #PaulSherwen#cyclist#cyclingpic.twitter.com/Uu5XpunBHP
— Manchester Cathedral (@ManCathedral) February 5, 2019
The legendary cycling commentator will be remembered in a memorial service at 2.30pm today at Manchester Cathedral. All are welcome to join.
06/02/2019, 08:57
Trek appoints former pro Kathryn Bertine as their Ambassador for Equality in Cycling
Big news! Proud to take on a new role & join forces w/@TrekBikes@TrekSegafredo& @TrekFactory as Trek’s Ambassador for Equality in Cycling.
Not as a racer. As a keynote speaker & activist. Which is kinda like racing. But this time, toward the finish line of equality. pic.twitter.com/fObdJF41Vo
— Kathryn Bertine (@KathrynBertine) February 5, 2019
The former Wiggle High 5 pro will now be a keynote speaker and activist for the US bike brand on equality in cycling.