road.cc live blog from Brussels: Team Ineos criticised for unveiling "gas guzzling" Ford Ranger Raptor as their new Recon Car; Tour de France team presentation; Tour de France tat + Vélo North cancelled and more

A fairly uneventful Team Presentation took place in the Grand Place this evening, with arguably the most controversial moment coming during Richie Porte's mini-interview on stage - the compere put it to Porte: another Australian won the Tour when he was 35, you're 34, is it now or never?"

As well as pointing out that Evans was in fact also 34 when he won in 2011, Porte didn't seem best pleased about his age being scrutinised: "I don't really know what to say to that. Maybe best I just say nothing." 

Later on Team Ineos took to the stage, with Geraint Thomas saying that he thinks we'll have a "pretty good idea" of who will take the GC by the end of the second week. 

The famous Brussels statue, that literally translates to "Little Pisser" according to Google, was dressed with a yellow jersey by a quick-thinking member of the public. It was eventually removed by security unfortunately, but we think the outfit was a significant upgrade if not protecting all of the lad's modesty...

Bike manufacturers have been working on bikes. Riders on their fitness. And, erm, Bostik on sticky numbers. We think.

"Bostik has developed a hot melt adhesive solution (or hot melt glue) sprayed on the back of the bibs", it gushes. "Its formulation, based on industrial technologies and with an accurate dosing of 60 grams, has been tested in its laboratories to assess its adhesion rate and flexibility in extreme conditions (wind and rain resistance, perspiration ...). Solvent-free formulated and made up with 10% of bio-sourced materials derived from pine resin, the company is also committed to act as a responsible industrial company"

"The result is an amazing simplicity: adhesive bibs that are easy to apply on the jerseys by pressing strongly and slowly on the palm of the hand. They provide both more comfort and lightness for optimal performance while being able to be removed without damaging the shirt and without leaving marks."

We're assuming it's talking about the self-adhesive bib numbers, rather than bib shorts. It doesn't actually say so in the press release, ever. Unless self-adhesive bib shorts are a thing now, and no-one told us.

We reckon this is a new limited edition colourway of Trek's Madone, as it's not one we've seen before and the Trek Segafredo mechanics were pretty quick to hide it when they saw us snapping. Insert 'what brand is it?' joke here... 

While the team vehicles have all been fully transformed to their new team colours, we couldn't help bt notice the personalised plate could do with updating...

Meanwhile, we managed to take a closer look at Geraint Thomas' Dogma F12 and were intrigued to spot a prototype 38t inner chainring. With an 11-30t cassette and 53t big ring this will presumably give a slightly better spread for hilly stages without resorting to grinding on steep inclines. 

We're here to nose around the team hotels, shoot some cool bikes and generally soak up the atmosphere ahead of the Tour de France departe on Saturday. Here's a shot of Grand Place we took last night where the team presentation will take place from 4.25pm today. If you're planning a visit yourself, we can confirm the beer in Belgium is indeed reassuringly strong... 

We made Dave ride round and round in circles for an hour to try and find out!

5.30 this morning, Holborn ... no motor traffic, just a bicycle gloriously lit up by the morning sun.