Welcome to Friday's live blog with Simon MacMichael, Jack Sexty and the rest off the team.
28/06/2019, 18:15
Geraint Thomas and Egan Bernal to jointly lead Team Ineos at Tour de France
Team Ineos will go into the Tour de france, which starts in Brussels a week tomorrow, with Geraint Thomas and Egan Bernal as joint leaders - and they have a very strong supporting cast to back them up. Find out all about it here.
28/06/2019, 17:54
Scientists call for spinach ban for athletes due to steroid-like effects
Scientists have called for spinach to be banned for athletes after discovering steroid-like effects.
Vice reports that researchers at the Freie Universität Berlin have recommended that a chemical called ecdysterone that is found in spinach should be added to WADA’s prohibited list due to potentially steroid-like effects.
They said: “Our hypothesis was that we would see an increase in performance, but we didn't expect it to be that big. We recommended to WADA in our report that the substance be added to the doping list. We think that if it increases performance, then that unfair advantage should be eliminated.”
You’d have to be eating Popeye-esque quantities of the green stuff to feel the benefits, though – 4 kilograms a day, in fact, or 40 of the 100 gram bags it often comes in at the supermarket.
28/06/2019, 16:18
Froome is fed up...
Working on my patience #recovery#cyclingpic.twitter.com/wFMDRcyIfN
— Chris Froome (@chrisfroome) June 28, 2019
...and dreaming of getting back on the bike again. Let's hope the doctor's predictions were correct.
28/06/2019, 15:06
First Look: Cannondale SuperSix Evo 2020
Cannondale has totally redesigned its flagship carbon road race bike with an all-new frame that is more aerodynamic, stiffer and comfortable than the bike first introduced in 2011 and last updated in 2015, with wider tyre clearance and revised geometry with choice of rim or disc brakes.
28/06/2019, 13:40
28/06/2019, 13:38
Four-year doping bans for Denifl and Preidler
Professional cyclists Stefan Denifl and Georg Preidler have both been banned for four years for blood doping.
The two riders were provisionally suspended by the UCI in March after admitting being part of the Operation Aderlass blood doping investigation in their native Austria.
Denifl has been stripped of results including a stage win at the 2017 Vuelta.
28/06/2019, 13:24
Dutch government tells cyclists to leave their phone in their pocket as ban comes in
The Dutch government has launched a publicity campaign urging cyclists to “Leave your phone in your pocket and save yourself a €95 fine” ahead of a new law banning people from using a mobile phone while riding a bike coming into force on Monday, reports dutchnews.nl.
The country’s transport minister, Cora van Nieuwenhuizen, said: ‘In the traffic, an accident is just around the corner and this is why it’s important for all road users – including cyclists – to keep their eyes and minds on the road and not on their telephone screen.
“We often think that we can multi-task in traffic, but we really can’t, so please drive in ‘mono’ mode. I have a clear message for all cyclists: keep your phone, and your €95 in your pocket.”
28/06/2019, 12:44
Glaston-bike
Lovely day for a bike ride! DH pic.twitter.com/zGJhpI3zbv
— Glastonbury Live (@GlastoLive) June 28, 2019
28/06/2019, 11:58
Bloody cyclists, holding up traffic, rescuing ducks...
Rescued some ducklings this morning. First time I’ve been cheered for holding up traffic on me bike. from r/bicycling
This Redditer described his heroic act as the "first time I’ve been cheered for holding up traffic on me bike".
*We've been told on certain browsers Reddit vids don't appear to work, so here's the link JIC
28/06/2019, 10:47
Oregon cyclist sues city after workman places cable across cycle path
A cyclist is suing the city a Portland, Oregon, after a workman stretched a metal cable across a cycle path while it was closed for repairs.
James Thorne says the city was negligent in connection with the May 2018 incident, which happened in Kelley Point Park.
His lawsuit alleges that the cable was not clearly visible to riders, and that the city had failed to notify park users that the path was closed,
He sustained injuries to his back, neck and elbows and also had to undergo surgery on his left shoulder and right wrist.
Thorne is seeking $1 million in noneconomic damages for “pain, discomfort and interference with ordinary activities,” plus $86,000 in medical expenses, almost $85,000 in lost wages and $12,000 for damage to his bike.
28/06/2019, 10:27
Dowsett's new moniker recognised by the UCI...
May as well head to the registry/deed poll and get it properly changed now it’s been acknowledged at the highest level. Need all helps at the tdf I can get. https://t.co/iOtxJzhHPX
— Alex Dowsett (@alexdowsett) June 28, 2019
The new self-proclaimed 'Alex van der Dowsaerttpoel' (we presume the name is in tribute to a certain very talented Dutchman) has pretty much been knighted with the esteemed title...
28/06/2019, 10:00
Alex Dowsett wins national time trial championship for the sixth time
Alex Dowsett, who has been named in Katusha team for the Tour de France, will be riding the time trial stages in the colours of British national champion after winning the event for the sixth time in Norfolk yesterday.
Afterwards he said: “There were a few years where getting this jersey came quite easy and I guess I took it for granted. I think I will enjoy wearing it this time more than the other times I’ve had them. Today was a fight.
“I think I was down after one-third of the distance and this was a bit of a worry because I’d given a lot in this part of the course.
"Then at two-thirds it was touch and go, but then I brought it home well. We have some real fast guys in the Uk and the calibre of riders coming through is huge, so I don’t know when the last time in the national stripes will be so I’m going to enjoy every moment of this.”