Welcome to Thursday's live blog, with Jack Sexty, Simon MacMichael and the rest of the team.
16/05/2019, 15:25
16/05/2019, 15:25
Australia's MAMIL trend sees middle-aged cyclists soar as percentage of injured riders admitted to hospital
From 7 per cent in 1999-2000, cyclists aged 45-64 now make up 27 per cent of injured riders admitted to hospital. Read more here.
16/05/2019, 15:15
16/05/2019, 14:58
On your bike! Cycling expenses MP hits back at critical media coverage
Matt Western has also urged other MPs to get in the saddle to show leadership on tackling climate change - read what he had to say here.
16/05/2019, 13:37
Carbon disc rotors anybody?
If lightweight inner tubes weren't enough for you, then how about some carbon fibre disc rotors? We're sure we've seen carbon rotors before, but these are brand new and weigh just 68g for a 140mm rotor, which compares to about 100g for a stainless steel disc rotor.
Unsure about Carbon Rotor's? Think again....
— RedChilli Bikes (@RedChilliBikes) May 15, 2019
We're working with our partner manufacturer, Croder, to bring you these Carbon Rotor's with CPEO Ceramic Coating, and only 68g for a 140mm rotor.
They look the absolute cat's pyjama's..!!
Thoughts?#redchillibikes#yourbikeyourwaypic.twitter.com/E6j4EkZgrM
We've contacted the company for more details.
16/05/2019, 13:30
How light are your inner tubes?
We've been checking out these orange inner tubes from Tubolito. They weigh a scant 42g each. Check out our first look and video below.
16/05/2019, 12:43
Edinburgh anti-cycling campaigner kicked out of council meeting for making bizarre claim that cycle route will “asphyxiate Ruth Davidson’s baby”
Big transport and environment meeting at City Chambers today. I’ve just had this press release from campaigners - not entirely sure the tone is appropriate pic.twitter.com/R9HNVC6Thm
— David Bol (@mrdavidbol) May 16, 2019
Councillors in Edinburgh are distancing themselves from a rogue former Labour Party member who sent a press release around the meeting titled: "Edinburgh Council plans to asphyxiate Ruth Davidson's baby."
Culprit Pete Gregson is currently suspended from the Labour Party for allegedly expressing support for a known Holocaust denier (sounds like a lovely bloke so far) and regularly pedals the opinion that a proposed cycle route expansion through the Roseburn area of the city will increase air pollution - this was his motivation for the ridiculous attack on the leader of the Scottish Conservative Party and her baby boy.
As if his non-existent grasp of GCSE science wasn't enough to get him thrown out, Gregson was finally removed from the meeting by transport and environment convener, Councillor Lesley Macinnes, who called the comments “utterly shameful”, reports The Scotsman. As he was ejected, Gregson shouted “please let baby Finn live” and “watch out for the future, folks”.
While this was an utterly appalling attack on Ms Davidson and her family, in a separate issue altogether she has actually been criticised by pro-cycling campaigners recently for having a dig against the SNP for proposing a parking tax levy on those who drive to work. The first reply to her Twitter post (below) reads: “Thanks for the heads up, I’ve responded with my enthusiastic support for the levy.”
Drive to work? The SNP wants to tax you for parking at your workplace. They've opened a consultation on their #CarParkTax. Tell them what you think here...https://t.co/jLXtlfcgY5
— Ruth Davidson (@RuthDavidsonMSP) May 14, 2019
16/05/2019, 12:26
One out, one in.
Delighted to announce that @JonDibben1 will be joining Madison Genesis for the rest of the 2019 season!
Full story: https://t.co/pYB61VcE5v
@swpixtweetspic.twitter.com/btAgaS5YtG— MadisonGenesis (@MadisonGenesis) May 16, 2019
Madison Genesis have just announced that Jon Dibben will join the British squad after Connor Swift left to join Arkéa Samsic.
Speaking on Madison Genesis' website, Dibben said
"I’m really grateful to Roger for bringing me in and I’m excited to get back racing.
It’s probably the most solid team from a UK-perspective for the whole package. With Roger there and the history, it’s a good team to come into and continue to progress."
Team boss Roger Hammond seems rather pleased to have the ex-World Tour rider on the team.
"The difficult transfer market has given us the opportunity to secure Jon – a rider with World Tour winning ability. That experience is invaluable and is something that the rest of the team can really benefit from.
We’ve had Connor move on and that has opened up a gap for someone with that similar kind of ability to step into the team – someone who is quick at the end of races and has the ability to finish races off."
16/05/2019, 12:18
On the forum: is a noisy freehub poor form?
An unusual tale of woe from one of our forum posters, who was accused of hassling the rider in front with a noisy freehub! Add you tuppence worth here.
16/05/2019, 11:42
Giro stage 6 - Roglic involved in crash
Crash in the peloton at km 34, Maglia Rosa @rogla involved | Caduta in gruppo al km 34, coinvolta la Maglia Rosa @rogla#Giro
Follow live: https://t.co/NOOgQeiU4c
Segui il live: https://t.co/Skv1fyhJil
Sigue en vivo: https://t.co/i1wuX44gwHpic.twitter.com/sVvwMISbhs— Giro d'Italia (@giroditalia) May 16, 2019
The Maglia Rosa was caught up in a crash but is back in his bike, albeit with a hefty bit of his shorts missing. The peloton is now back together with a small breakaway formed by seven riders after 49km of the monster 238km stage.
16/05/2019, 11:31
Froome running out of time to catch up in the Giro...
It’s starting to look like Sir Froome isn’t going to defend his Giro of Italy title this year. He’s already missed the first five stages and if he leaves it any longer there’s no way he’ll catch up!!! Such a shame!
— UK Cycling Expert (@ukcyclingexpert) May 16, 2019
16/05/2019, 10:38
Who else can relate?
Whether it's attacking your mates on the club run or trying a solo break in a race I think we can all relate to this one!
16/05/2019, 10:26
PBK Bike Box just £199.99
There's currently a whopping 58% off this brilliant bike box.
At the time of writing this, all three colours are down to this super-low price but previous sales have sold out really quickly so head this way to grab yours.
16/05/2019, 08:42
The race leader at the Tour de France will wear a unique yellow jersey each day to celebrate its 100th anniversary
From stage 2 through to stage 21, this year at the end of each stage the general classification leader will wear a unique yellow jersey. Made in France by Le Coq Sportif, images to appear on the jerseys will include The Atomium in Brussels, Reims Cathedral, the Lion of Belfort, the Place du Capitole in Toulouse and Eugène Christophe. The stage 21 jersey will fittingly feature the Arc de Triomphe. Race director Christian Prudhomme said: "The jerseys are unique this year because each jersey is different and features either the race routes or the champions that have contributed to the history of the Tour de France. We will leave from Brussels where the first Yellow Jersey will feature the Atomium, the last will feature the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Elysées, while others will feature a portrait of Bernard Hinault, Eddy Merckx, Jacques Anquetil and Miguel Indurain for example. It will be something really special for the 100th anniversary of the Yellow Jersey."
16/05/2019, 08:22
Tejay van Garderen misses turn after borrowing teammate's bike
WATCH: Tejay van Garderen reacts after Stage 4 melee over race leadership that the American keeps despite crash chaos and confusion in Morro Bay. #AmgenToCpic.twitter.com/jH0BstZAjq
— Sophie Smith (@SophieSmith86) May 16, 2019
Van Garderen borrowed Aussie teammate Lachlan Morton's bike after reportedly snapping a chain, only to miss a turn because he couldn't get used to Morton's front brake right/rear brake left set-up favoured by us here in the UK. Controversially Van Garderen was awarded the same field time as those up ahead involved in a huge crash 3km from the finish, even though he wasn't directly impacted by it at the time.
The finale to stage 4 saw some chaotic scenes, as the race leader first crashed himself, then rode off the road, then got caught behind another crash. #AmgenTOCpic.twitter.com/TuKcEchCng
— AmgenTOC (@AmgenTOC) May 15, 2019
16/05/2019, 08:15
Tour of California: crazy end to stage as Tejay van Garderen keeps overall lead, Sagan fined
The stage was won by Fabio Jakobsen of Quick-Step, but there was plenty of drama with 3km to go as a mass pile-up saw GC contenders caught up in the melee. Overall leader Tejay van Garderen lost time and his yellow jersey initially due to a mechanical further back but, after plenty of deliberation, stayed in the lead as all riders affected in any way by the crash were given field time.
Peter Sagan was fined for 'failure to respect instructions of the organiser'.
Statement from officials on van Garderen ruling at #AmgenToC. Peter Sagan also slapped with a fine. pic.twitter.com/Uj4BHSMxCw
— Sophie Smith (@SophieSmith86) May 16, 2019