Welcome to Wednesday's live blog, with Jack Sexty, Simon MacMichael and the rest of the team.
01/05/2019, 20:00
Elton John dressed as UCI WorldTour teams
You may have seen a thread on Twitter in recent days showing David Bowie taking to the stage in outfits that match the kits of current League 1 [asks editor if that is actually a thing, given that the team I support has been in the top flight for 100+ years and apparently it is].
Anyway. References to North London's leading club apart (the other claimant, it should be noted, was in Middlesex until the mid-1960s), someone has taken inspiration from that thread and done one of Elton John riffing UCI WorldTour kits.
And it is AM-AZ-ING.
Goodbye, Yellow Brick Jersey.
Elton John as UCI WorldTour men's teams: a thread
Team Ineos pic.twitter.com/4FQRaHW1rM
— Joseph Robinson (@joeprobinson) May 1, 2019
01/05/2019, 19:48
General Cycling Nonsense
One of the reasons we set up this live blog on road.cc was so we had a home for stuff that wouldn’t necessarily warrant a full story, but which we would love to share with you.
It’s a genre that we have felt for a while now deserves its own branding, a bit like our Near Miss of the Day series, and in a sudden flash of inspiration, we’ve finally come up with one.
Ladies and gentlemen, we introduce … General Cycling Nonsense.
We'll kick off with this tweet reacting to the new Team Ineos kit.
And if anyone can suggest a three-letter acronym for this feature, feel free to suggest it ... we are struggling 
is the new Team IntravIneos some next level trolling? pic.twitter.com/maeo5H1jih
— The Broom Wagon (@broomwagonblog) May 1, 2019
01/05/2019, 16:15
Crooks are embracing green transport
A violent offender made off from officers on a pedal cycle in Northampton town centre..
It’s a refreshing change to see our local criminals ‘going green’ in their attempts to evade Police..
He was arrested when he fell off aforementioned cycle..— Northants Police ARV (@NorthantsARV) May 1, 2019
Northants Police recognising the silver lining of a violent criminal choosing two wheels over four to attempt a getaway... of course, he fell off and got caught shortly after.
01/05/2019, 15:33
New bike, new kit and... new van
Just seen Chris heading off Greenhow hill heading towards blubberhouses.kit bike car and van looking very nice. pic.twitter.com/ZR8h22iGsp
— Robert Davies (@skye20122012) May 1, 2019
A good spot here as Froome heads out for a training ride in Yorkshire following his media engagements this morning. Of course, the team motor vehicles have had to get the new team colours too.
01/05/2019, 15:25
New Wahoo Elemnt Roam has landed in the office
The new GPS is Wahoo's first with a colours screen. Read all about it here.
01/05/2019, 13:43
Stop the press! New Ineos bottle also revealed by Elite
Welcome to the world @TeamINEOS! The team will launch their new gear tomorrow including a new FLY Teams bottle! We’re so excited to support the guys in this new chapter of their story, and look forward to another successful year together! Read more here https://t.co/B1DhUoBpXfpic.twitter.com/UBe4BTaYw3
— Elite Cycling (@Elite_cycling) May 1, 2019
Elite rule the roost when it comes to supplying pro teams with their bottles, and they've just unveiled the new Ineos version of their Fly Team bottle. We haven't seen one for sale yet, but when they are you can usually pick one up for about six quid online.
01/05/2019, 13:25
Dave Brailsford pronounces Ineos partnership as “A momentous day for the team, our fans and cycling in general"
Mais imagens do novo kit do @TeamINEOS e da nova Pinarello F12. pic.twitter.com/7fB486BFzk
— País do Ciclismo (@DoCiclismo) May 1, 2019
Speaking at an undisclosed location in Yorkshire just in case anti-fracking protesters turn up (read more about that here), Sir Dave Brailsford said: It is the start of an exciting new chapter for us and we’re all really looking forward to our future with INEOS at the helm”.
He also posed for some (slightly awkward) photos with Ineos head honco Sir Jim Ratcliffe and star rider Chris Froome, with Froome wearing the new kit and clutching a brand new Pinarello Dogma F12. You can read all about the new bike here.
01/05/2019, 13:08
And Pinarello reveals new Dogma F12 and F12 Disc
Whaddu know, Pinarello's brand new Dogma F12 is more aero and stiffer than the outgoing Dogma F10 that Team Sky had been racing since 2017. Read all about in our tech-laden story below
- Pinarello Dogma F12 and F12 Disk launched
01/05/2019, 12:27
Velon enhances pro race data tracking
Data provider Velon has teamed up with the digital services company EY to launch VelonLive, described as "a suite of digital services designed to provide enhanced performance insights and make road cycling more accessible and engaging for millions of fans around the world". The creators claim that VelonLive data tracking system is among the most sophisticated in the sports industry.
Velon has been around since 2014, providing live data and videos from some of the world's biggest pro cycle teams, including Team Ineos (formerly Team Sky).
The new level of live rider data – including real-time updates on riders’ speeds, power and cadence – will be accessible for more than 100 days of racing each year, beginning with the Giro d’Italia 2019 on 11 May in Bologna, Italy.
Earlier this year, live rider data was shown to those watching the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race in Australia, the UAE Tour and the Tour of Flanders.
"The data also provides fans with insight into the Hammer Series of races," says Velon. "Not only can fans access additional information via the VelonLive app and website, the data is also shared with organisers, broadcasters and media outlets to enhance coverage of the races."
Get more info from www.velon.cc.
01/05/2019, 11:12
Very nice in our opinion.
Our new @TeamINEOS look, debuting at the Tour de Yorkshire pic.twitter.com/bvSdCYduKH
— Team INEOS (@TeamINEOS) May 1, 2019
Here's the new Ineos kit with a very fresh-looking deep red colour scheme.
More to follow.
01/05/2019, 10:39
How to wrap your custom carbon race shoes with Adam Hansen
Adam Hansen has to be one of our favourite pro racers. He looks at things from a very different angle and what we get is some brilliant tech.
The best of his creations is his carbon shoes which are incredibly light and perfectly molded to his feet. Here, he's re-wrapping them to give them a fresh look before his next race.
Dave has built a Bamboo Bike. Should we make him have a go at some shoes?
01/05/2019, 10:35
INEOS Kit - Ron Burgundy?
#teamIneos kit. The new team will race in burgundy, with white Ineos lettering.
— Gregor Brown (@gregorbrown) May 1, 2019
What would you like to see from the new Ineos team kit
01/05/2019, 09:44
EF Gone Racing - Episode 9: Liège-Bastogne-Liège
Catch up with the latest edition of EF Gone Racing. It's the final race of the Spring Classics and the heavens have opened.
01/05/2019, 08:53
Near Miss of the Day, canine edition
“Did you ever walk into a room and forget why you walked in? I think that is how dogs spend their lives.” pic.twitter.com/Y3ueDq7je9
— ProCyclingStats.com (@ProCyclingStats) April 30, 2019
Although you could say this was very much the fault of the owner, this tiny dog just avoided getting hit by a rider in the prologue of the Tour de Romandie yesterday. The stage was won by Jan Tratnik of Bahrain Merida, and the event marks the first outing for Team Ineos.
01/05/2019, 08:35
Thank you Team Sky, it's been emosh... but isn't there are glaring omission to this video?
The Team Ineos Youtube channel posted a video with some of the best memories from the decade-long dominance enjoyed by their riders when they raced as Team Sky; however there wasn't any mention for a certain Tour de France-winning Kilburn native. Instead there are interviews with the current roster including Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas, with the former saying "none of this would have been possible without Team Sky".
01/05/2019, 08:29
22-year-old model who had ambitions to be Miss France dies after being hit by a tractor while cycling
Reported in Le Figaro, Morgane Rolland was cycling with a friend on a small road in Loire when she swerved off the pavement to avoid a car, and was hit by the trailer which led to her being pulled under the truck. The Director General of the Miss France Committee Sylvie Tellier paid tribute to Miss Rolland (above) - we don't know if any arrests have been made yet over the incident.
01/05/2019, 08:27
Ned Boulting appointed President of Herne Hill Velodrome
The popular presenter will take on the roll for the net three years, and will be involved in promotional and fundraising activities for the Trust.