Live blog: Alexander Kristoff’s bike fails to survive sprint (+more vid of sprint crash), Wiggo 'bike drop', Hunt newsletter fail + save, Holly Willoughby on overtaking cyclists + more

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About Alex Dowsett's GF (what do you mean you need your own name?)⠀ ⠀ I’m Chanel, btw. I prefer it to just "Alex Dowsett’s GF”. A quick address to yesterday as a number of you got in touch about the email from @huntbikewheels.⠀ ⠀ Glorified WAG. Wannabe. Attention seeker. Either I've heard all the negatives, or I've become used to pre-empting them. Nothing surprises me and people can hold their own opinions. If they choose to voice them then it has nothing to do with me personally; I only have control over how I choose to receive those comments and their impact on me.⠀ ⠀ I purchased my Canyon bike with Hunt wheels over a year ago. I have never been paid to endorse their product (or anyone else's cycling products). I was unaware an email was sent about me using them until you guys let me know.⠀ ⠀ This account is still growing & morphing into its own purpose. I hope it inspires others - of any gender - to get into cycling and see all the great benefits it can have on lots of different aspects of life. I'm realistic about how much of it includes Alex, given that I chose to focus on our life and cycling and don't depict the other 98% that goes on behind it. Much like this account, Hunt are a relatively new company as well and are also still growing and learning. Yesterday's email is a clear example of that.⠀ ⠀ From a marketing perspective I totally get it. Of course you're going to use the World Tour rider's name as click bait because that's what's going to peak interest in your cycling audience. Hunt didn't intend this to cause offence but I am glad they reached out to me (and to you who got in touch) to apologise profusely for the oversight and the use of poor subject line.⠀ ⠀ They understand the painful inequality that exists in cycling and have accepted even casual sexism can build upon that unintentionally. As a company they are taking a lot of proactive steps to go about encouraging change for the better in the sport, which is why I'm okay with talking about this openly in the hope it creates some transparency between an ill-worded email and a social media account that's penned by the girlfriend of a pro rider - but who shouldn’t have to explain is a person.
A post shared by Chanel (@yourroyalthighness_) on Feb 27, 2019 at 11:35am PST

And here’s Hunt’s apology.

Broadly speaking, the apology seems to have been well received.

We all make mistakes... well done @HuntBikeWheels for taking ownership of yours. I’m sure the team have learnt from their mistakes and can now just go back to being awesome pic.twitter.com/Vp8JiNlYLo
— Laura Scott (@Laura_Scott) February 27, 2019

28/02/2019, 11:36

Brooks launches C17 Cambium Organic Light saddle

Brooks England has announced the launch of the C17 Cambium Organic Light saddle. The new model uses a combination of materials including organic cotton and vulcanised natural rubber. The nose and backplate are made from liquid wood, a 100% biodegradable biopolymer formed from waste products.

The C17 Cambium Organic Light is available in a variety of colours including natural, green, brick and rust and retails, and retails at £120.

The C17 Organic Light will be available online at www.brooksengland.com and at the B1866 flagship in Seven Dials, London from 4th March 2019.

28/02/2019, 11:15

Velon On-Bike Footage of Nasty UAE Tour Crash

A touch of wheels at the front of the peloton saw lots of riders going down heavily 8km from the finish of yesterday's UAE Tour Stage 5.

The footage shows quite a few broken bikes with one Astana rider even rolling a tubular tyre off the rim.

There were no casualties of this particular crash, but young Belgian sensation Remco Evenepole seems to have crashed into a stationary motorbike earlier in the stage. The crash forced him to abandon the race but a trip to hospital showed no broken bones.

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Shit happens. Crashes are part of the game, and so do motorbikes . I just want to say that the motorbikes should have a little bit more respect for the peloton, and where the riders are riding. If we ride on the right side of the road, then DON’T make a standstill on the right side, PLEASE! Goodluck to the boys for the upcoming days!
A post shared by Remco Evenepoel (@remco.ev) on Feb 27, 2019 at 8:25am PST

28/02/2019, 10:44

Investigation into Mike Hall’s “avoidable” death was compromised by loss of evidence

Coroner also concluded that the driver involved in the collision did not commit an offence. She said this conclusion was in part due to the high standard of negligence required by law.

Full story here.

28/02/2019, 09:47

What cycle clothing for a dystopian future?

Cycle clothing brand Morvélo don't seem very optimistic about upcoming times

"Legend has it that beyond the 500 metre high city wall, there is a green paradise. Living in the perpetual darkness and fighting for a living on the street, The Underworld Champions fight to escape a dystopian future plagued by the Hydroformers; an elite group hell bent on industrialisation and containing the last inhabitants of earth. Armed with whatever they can find, the race is on to find a way out of the urban maze and into the myth. Do you dare join them?"

Or it could just be a collaboration with artist Death Spray Custom.

28/02/2019, 09:37

28/02/2019, 09:31

Wiggo back racing. Sort of

Sir Bradley Wiggins has been enjoying a spot of competitive cycling in Belgium this week.

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I’m out#BikeDrop
A post shared by Sir Wiggo (@bradwiggins) on Feb 27, 2019 at 1:37pm PST

28/02/2019, 09:17

28/02/2019, 09:16

Pinarello's Grevil gravel bike arrives in UK bike shops

You've read all about Pinarello's bold new gravel bike named the Grevil, well now you can see it at your local bike shop as it's starting to arrive in stock about now. You can also see our video where we ask if it's hot or not.

28/02/2019, 09:14

Fizik Tempo Overcurve R5 shoes launched

Italian company Fizik has launched the new Tempo Overcurve R5 cycling shoe, a new model in a range intended to offer a timeless look, which uses the micro adjustment of a single Boa IP1 dial and a staggered collar wrapping around the ankle to provide a fast and secure closure.

The new shoes are available now and cost £140 and come in sizes 36 to 48, with half sizes between 37 to 47. More at www.fizik.com

“We are pleased to bring the new Tempo Overcurve R5 shoes to market,” says Luca Mathia Bertoncello, fizik’s Brand Director. “Showcasing the versatile new Tempo shoe construction and R5 outsole provides an ideal platform on which to deliver the all-new Overcurve system.
A study in ergonomic design, its form follows the natural shape created by the lateral and medial malleoli protrusions on either side of the ankle – the asymmetric shape lends itself to an overlapping curve along and across the rider’s foot. It means a technically superior fit option to rival many others available.”

28/02/2019, 09:08

Brazen bike thief video

Now that's just a brazen attempt to steal a very expensive Yeti mountain bike from a bike shop

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Our own #superbilly stopping a scumbag thief today trying to leave without paying for a Yeti! If you recognise this guy or can share the video to try and catch him that would be great! Keep an eye out shop owners! #scumbag #cloud9security #billythehero #billyspeed #yeti #custombikes
A post shared by Cloud9Cycles (@cloud9cycles) on Feb 27, 2019 at 1:50pm PST

28/02/2019, 09:03

Holly Willoughby (CC licensed by Roy via Flickr)

Holly Willoughby turns up the radio when her husband is judging her for not overtaking cyclists

“I do not like overtaking cyclists at all,” said Willoughby. “As soon as there’s a cyclists in front of me I’m like, oh my god just please turn left, please just get off the road, because I can’t do it. I hate it.”

Referring to her husband, she continued: “And Dan, now, looks at me... All he has to do is do that, and I’m like, ‘Stop it! Because I know you’re going to make a big deal of the fact I’m going to sit behind this cyclist until they move.’”

She said that to distract herself from his critical looks, she turns up the radio.

(Via the Express.)

28/02/2019, 08:13

Sir Dave Brailsford has completely lost control of his hands

Sir Dave’s hand gestures have long fascinated us and Team Sky’s latest Colombia YouTube documentary thing provides a fine example why.

‘Success’ is represented by some sort of ham-fisted pottery spinning gesture, while he expresses ‘winning the race’ with an up-and-down move that we can only assume relates to different positions on a leaderboard.

He’s even got one for ‘can we use the experience of these guys to feed and fast track these guys?’

28/02/2019, 07:58

Alexander Kristoff’s bike fails to survive sprint

This is what happened to Alexander Kristoff’s bike in the UAE tour yesterday.

Alexander Kristoff snapped his chainstay in half during the sprint up Hatta Dam today #UAETour pic.twitter.com/ENaXiCqYHA
— Frederick Dreier (@freddreier) February 27, 2019

Looks like the rear mech somehow took out the seat stay.

Kristoff explained:

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A lot of sand on the road today in #uaetour I was involved in a crash 5-6km from the finish, my bike got banged up a bit and in the finish climb it broke unfortunately. Anyway used a lot of energy to get back in the pack last 5 km so would not been able to beat @calebewan today new day tomorrow and hopefully a good race for us in @uae_team_emirates @fizzaazzif
A post shared by Alexander Kristoff (@kristoff87) on Feb 27, 2019 at 7:45am PST

You can see him come to a complete stop at about 2m30s (he’s already way in the background).

28/02/2019, 15:36

Former London cycling commissioner accuses mayor of building "fake cycle network"

28/02/2019, 14:21

Uninsured teen driver would have known cyclist was under car when he did three-point turn

28/02/2019, 11:54

The Classics are coming!

28/02/2019, 11:46

Hunt apologises for “ALEX DOWSETT’S GF RIDES HUNT” newsletter headline