Ducklings “a threat to cyclists” - so Natural England destroys eggs; Handlebar owl; W Mids Police close pass calculation; Sutton storms out…; Boardman on BBC Question Time; New Merida Reacto LTD 2020; NTT Pro Cycling kit revealed + more on the live blog

Seriously @NaturalEngland, this is just BULLSHIT! Ducks pose no danger to cyclists, whoever fucking thought this shit up should be sacked & stop this bollocks! Want to see what real danger to cyclists is, go stand in the road! Can guarantee it ain't ducks! https://t.co/BML4qQp8GU

— @2_Wheeled_Wolf (@2_Wheeled_Wolf) November 11, 2019

It's fair to say many people aren't very happy with the news that Natural England have seemingly decided that ducks pose a threat to them when travelling on two wheels - as they have agreed to the destruction of 4,500 mallard eggs over three years at sites in Bedfordshire and Suffolk, because the ducklings when hatched will pose a "safety concern" according to documents obtained by The Independent.  

Dangerous Ducks! Mallards are a 'safety concern' for passing cyclists, licence holder tells #NaturalEngland... just when you thought it couldn't get any more ridiculous... https://t.co/589RGq2PTP @Team4Nature @Animal_Watch @RareBirdAlertUK @MarkAvery @JournoJane

— Jason Endfield (@JasonEndfield) November 9, 2019

The person who applied to Natural England for approval to destroy duck eggs in Bedfordshire said they carry "risk of disease", and the ducks often walk out in front of cyclists and pedestrians. Wildlife campaigner Jason Endfield wrote on his blog: "I am struggling to find the words to express my disbelief and despair that Natural England decision makers thought it appropriate in any way to issue a licence to an applicant that seriously considered ducks to be a threat to cyclists. Surely someone at the agency should have challenged this stupidity at an early stage rather than proceed to issue a licence that legitimized the wanton destruction of wild birds eggs for such spurious reasons. 

..."The staff at Natural England need their heads examining if they think that they can defend this decision. The real or imagined problems caused to humans by ducks could surely be solved much more rationally than resorting to clumsy egg destruction.”

ICYMI: Mikoto has a hoot: A pet barn owl enjoys a front-row seat on a bike ride in Ichihara, Japan pic.twitter.com/zFa92hAXxd

— Reuters (@Reuters) November 12, 2019

Staggering exchanges in the Freeman tribunal.
A furious Sutton tells O’Rourke she’s defending the wrong man. He calls her “a bully”.
“You’ve called me a doper and you don’t even know me” he says, banging fist on the table.
Chair steps in

— Dan Roan (@danroan) November 12, 2019

Sutton is furious at Freeman's lawyer for accusing him of being a doper when she 'doesn't know him'. He also said he intends to sue O’Rourke for defamation, and he wants the accusations that he is a "liar and a doper" retracted. 

Sutton has currently left the room for "a smoke", according to the BBC's Dan Roan. 

Bienvenue à @Harrytanfield94 Harry rejoint l'équipe pour 1 saison.

Welcome @Harrytanfield94 Harry joins the team for 1 season. #allezALM pic.twitter.com/ibyNtClmyj

— AG2RLM Pro Cycling Team (@AG2RLMCyclisme) November 12, 2019

With Team Katusha–Alpecin in turmoil, Tanfield will be relieved to have struck a deal to ride with the French World Tour team AG2R La Mondiale. Tanfield has signed for the 2020 season, and AG2R were particularly keen to sign him to improve their standings in Classics and Grand Tour time trial stages.  

I can’t speak for the others but I’m appearing on Question Time this Thursday to ensure everyone is aware I’m politically unviable. https://t.co/EhGefELKc2

— Chris Boardman (@Chris_Boardman) November 11, 2019

Boardman has confirmed that he is set to appear on the late-night shouting match formally known as Question Time, which will take place in Brighton on Thursday evening to be broadcast at 10:45pm on BBC1. As Manchester's Cycling and Walking Commissioner, presumably Boardman's appearance will be most relevant to discussions about active travel, and promoting cycling and walking - so we can probably expect him to have to 'debate' with fellow panellists of a certain political persuasion on these matters. 

On an edition of the show filmed in Glasgow on 29th October, the program's host Fiona Bruce incorrectly told an audience member that Leave.EU had not broken the law, when in fact they were fined by the Electoral Commission. Bruce claimed she "misheard" the question. 

We have now been kicked out of the tribunal and they have gone back into private session.

— Sean Ingle (@seaningle) November 12, 2019

Sean Ingle of The Guardian, attending today's hearing, says the chair has announced that Freeman's health issues can be discussed in open session - as can Sutton's erectile dysfunction - but no other issues related to health. They haven't yet decided how to deal with a possible appearance from Dr Steve Peters, the former head of medicine at British Cycling who Freeman's lawyer wanted to cross-examine. Shortly after these announcements, the tribunal went back into private session. 

Merida has unveiled its 2020 Reacto Ltd, a special edition of the aero road bike that's now going into its third product year.

"For the 2020 Reacto Ltd we have taken the full carbon CF2 frame and not just specced it with a well thought through componentry package, but more importantly, have given it a unique look and appearance," says Merida.

"The design is inspired by architecture, modern interior design and the relationship between light and dark. It shows its beauty with clear and straight shapes; a fluid interaction between shapes and geometry. 

"The keen-eyed observer will notice the arrangement of three rectangles on the head tube, positioned one above the other, fitting seamlessly into the geometric design aesthetic, while also, based on the oldest Chinese classic text I Ching (Book of Changes), symbolising ‘power’."

Read our review of the Merida Reacto Disc Team-E 

The Reacto Ltd comes fitted with a complete Shimano Ultegra Di2 drivetrain, including Ultegra hydraulic disc brakes, and special edition Reynolds AR 58 DB wheels. 

The bike also features Merida's lightweight Expert stem, saddle (with an integrated toolbox and mini tool), thru axles (with integrated 4/6mm Allen key) and handlebar. 

The S-Flex seat post is designed to add comfort and it comes with an integrated rear light.

The Reacto LTD will be available from December 2019. Price? It's £4,000.

For more info head over to Merida's website. 

We missed this last month, but US energy drink brand Gatotrade have made a sweat patch that they say will determine what type of sweater you are and therefore calculate your hydration needs. Everyone's sweat rate differs and it will also change depending on what climate you're in, so Gatorade say they recommend completing a training session with one of the single-use patches in the climate you plan to be riding in/racing in for the most accurate results. 

We're not sure of prices or availability this side of the pond, but Gatorade say they will be on sale by summer 2020. 

New team colours for the 2020 season...

What do you think? pic.twitter.com/K2MAuRtmlB

— NTT Pro Cycling (@NTTProCycling) November 12, 2019

The World Tour team established in 2007, whose roster includes Edvald Boasson Hagen and Mark Cavendish (the latter until he leaves for Bahrain Merida at the end of the year), have unveiled a complete rebrand and new kit ahead of the 2020 season. 

In a statement released this morning to coincide with the launch of the rebrand in Tokyo, NTT said: "The new kit will grace the WorldTour and the sport’s biggest races throughout 2020. It’s a brand that riders – old and new – will wear with immense pride, while at the same time continuing to showcase the impact that bicycles have in changing lives through NTT Pro Cycling’s work with Qhubeka, which has recently distributed its 100,000th bike."

The team also said they have used technology to help assemble their new look squad: "Each of the riders were selected with the help of a technology solution that was co-innovated by NTT and NTT Pro Cycling. The solution leverages advanced data analytics that helps the team to select riders, prepare its race calendar and assign the right riders to the right races. Technology also helps the team monitor the health and wellness of its riders through a mobile application, and business-focused applications such as asset tracking, vehicle tracking and monitoring, help the team to function as a well-organised global business. Together, we’ve created the most technically advanced team in the WorldTour."

There might be another recently rebranded team who might also stake a claim for the most 'technically advanced", but if they say so...

You know you've had luck on your side when you've driven for over 50 years without a license and never been prosecuted. But alas, all good things must come to an end. A small collision has finally revealed one mid-Devon man's secret to us.#sneakyseptegenarian
1059 / 3656 pic.twitter.com/W5Ux9vzkWU

— Alliance RPT (@RoadPolAlliance) November 10, 2019