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Live blog: Belgian Cycling fed apologises to CX World Champ Mathieu van der Poel for fan abuse, Jeremy Vine "sick of the danger of cycling in London", Landis Pro Cycling team to race on gravel + more

All today's news from the site and beyond.....
Wed, Feb 06, 2019 17:40
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Live blog: Belgian Cycling fed apologises to CX World Champ Mathieu van der Poel for fan abuse, Jeremy Vine "sick of the danger of cycling in London", Landis Pro Cycling team to race on gravel + moreMathieu van der Poel - world champion rapper (Source - Vier video still)
06 February 2019, 19:54
Belgian federation apologises to Mathieu van der Poel for abuse by fans

Belgian Cycling has apologised for the way some of the country’s fans who travelled to the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships in Bogense, Denmark at the weekend treated the winner of the men’s elite race, Mathieu van der Poel of the Netherlands.

The Dutchman reclaimed the title he won for the first time in 2015 and denied his great rival Wout Van Aert of Belgium a fourth successive rainbow jersey – although the victor was reportedly the target of abusive gestures and even had beer thrown at him.

Belgium’s national governing body for cycling said in a statement that it “strongly supports the internationalisation of cyclo-cross. That is why it is unfortunate that we noticed that some spectators – luckily, a small minority – do not share the same view. Unsporting and insulting behaviour doesn’t favour anyone, and certainly not the Belgian delegation.”

The statement continued: “The fact that our riders had to concede the title to Mathieu van der Poel on Sunday afternoon, after a sporting battle with a perfectly correct race, is part of the laws of the sport. For Belgian Cycling, the Dutchman won the world title.

“We sincerely congratulate Mathieu van der Poel, not only for the way in which he got his second world title, but also for all his great performances during the past months.”

06 February 2019, 16:02
Seville's bike lanes proving a huge success

The UCI reports that the introduction of bike lanes in the city over the last 15 years has transformed the city's previously clogged up streets. Manuel Calvo, a consultant for the team behind the Plan de la Bicicleta de Sevilla, said of the transformation: 

“It was risky, but now I advise all local governments to deliver bike projects in the first two years of office. You have to do everything in the first two years. It starts working and then people see it works and are supportive of what you did.

"It’s not expensive infrastructure. We have a metro line that cost €800 million. It serves 44,000 trips a day. With bikes we are serving 67,000 trips a day.”

06 February 2019, 15:49
190110sramlaunch-1330
New SRAM Red eTap AXS: new 12 speed groupset is here

It wasn't exactly a secret, but now we've got all the juicy details... bigger cassettes, 2x and 1x and a unique flat-top chain, read all about it here. 

06 February 2019, 15:25
Screen Shot 2019-02-06 at 15.41.27
Flectr, the brand behind aero wheel and crank reflectors, are now back on Kickstarter with high-vis rim reflectives

Due to popular demand according to Flectr themselves, they're now crowdfunding once more for some reflective rim strips (read our review of the wheel reflectors here). They wrap around the underside of your rim so can be seen from both sides, and are super thin so they don't affect the wheel performance. A pledge of €15 will get you one set for an estimated delivery date of April 2019, and €26 will get you two sets. It's proved popular and they've already doubled their crowdfunding target, head over to the Kickstarter page if you want to back them. 

06 February 2019, 13:30
Jeremy Vine posts extended footage of dangerously close white van pass on Twitter, saying he's "sick of the danger of cycling in London"

As we reported yesterday, the broadcaster posted some worrying footage of a white van squeezing past him in a bus lane to save himself all of half a second... and now he's posted more footage asking Twitter just actually what he did wrong and why he should be on so much danger for cycling to work, after some of the reactions on social media to yesterday's incident were actually critical of his riding: "why should I have to be in such danger just trying to get to work? I'm sick of the danger", says Vine at the end of the clip. 

This reply also shows us how far we have to go before we'll all be safe on the roads... 

Others were quick to put this confused person right, including 'The Cycling Silk' Martin Porter QC... 

06 February 2019, 13:15
Junction of Sloane Street with Knightsbridge and Brompton Road (source Google Street View).PNG
Charity banquet organised in memory of Italian cyclist who was killed by a lorry driver in 2016

The event which aims to raise awareness of road safety in London will take place on the 14th March, which would have been Filippo Corsini's birthday, and all funds raised will go to the London Cycling Campaign. Corsini, an Italian prince, died after a collision with a lorry in 2016. The coroner recorded a verdict of accidental death when it was ruled the driver wouldn't have been able to see Corsini as he overtook the HGV.  

Guests will be served a spring banquet at the Petersham Nurseries Café glasshouse restaurant for the fundraiser. Tickets are £150 and available here. 

06 February 2019, 12:48
Ride London... are you in?

The ballot results are starting to appear today, so keep an eye out for the post if you've put your name in the hat. 

06 February 2019, 12:35
floyd pro cycling
Floyd's Pro Cycling announce new sponsors and an interesting race schedule, including the Dirty Kanza gravel epic

The unconventional team have now added Biemme clothing, Louis Garneau and Worthy Brewing craft beer as sponsors, and have announced they will send riders to the 200 mile Dirty Kanza gravel race and also the Leadville 100 this year. Primarily they will be competing on the UCI Continental circuit, read our full story on the new team from back in October here.

06 February 2019, 12:07
G kicks off 20-19 season at Vuelta a Valencia

The defending Tour de France champ took part in the opening 10.2km time trial this morning, and is part of a star-studded lineup at the five stage UCI race. 

06 February 2019, 11:48
06 February 2019, 10:58
Re Sam Boatwright - the previous record belonged to...

...none other than Mark Beaumont, the fastest man to cycle around the world. His unofficial indoor record stood at 470 virtual miles before it was broken at the weekend. 

06 February 2019, 08:35
sam boatwright wattbike challenge 2
Maths teacher rides 488 miles in 24 hours to take world indoor cycling record

Sam Boatwright of Silsden, West Yorkshire claims to have broken a world record for the farthest distance rode on a static bike in 24 hours, riding 488 miles to eclipse the previous mark of 470 as announced on his Facebook page. Boatwright has previous for endurance challenges, having ran 50 miles a day for 50 days back in 2012, raising some £30,000 for Help the Heroes along the way according to Keighly News. His latest feat was actually a sort of insane training session for his Epic Triathlon challenge coming up this summer, where Boatwright will attempt to break records for a channel crossing, the Land's End to John O'Groats cycle and then also attempt the running record on the way back down. It sounds extremely audacious, and if you want to sponsor him or find out more you can do so at samboatwright.com. 

06 February 2019, 08:46
Monsal Trail Cressbrook Tunnel (courtesy Peak District National Park Authority).jpg
The popular Monsal Trail could be turned back into a railway line

Forbes online reports that the Monsal Trail in the Peak District, used by over 60,000 cyclists a year and many more walkers, could be turned back into a railway line. The Campaign for Better Transport is calling on the government to spend £4.8 billion to bring 33 former railway lines back into use, and the Monsal Trail works would take place as part of the second phase of the plans due to start in 2026. The nine mile route is hugely popular as a recreational trail, with cafe's and bike repair shops amongst other thriving where railway stops used to be and numerous cycling, running and walking events using it each year, including the Eroica Brittania vintage bike sportive. 

06 February 2019, 08:43
Pau Sherwen memorial takes place this afternoon at Manchester Cathedral, all welcome

The legendary cycling commentator will be remembered in a memorial service at 2.30pm today at Manchester Cathedral. All are welcome to join. 

06 February 2019, 08:57
Trek appoints former pro Kathryn Bertine as their Ambassador for Equality in Cycling

The former Wiggle High 5 pro will now be a keynote speaker and activist for the US bike brand on equality in cycling. 

Jack Sexty

Jack has been writing about cycling and multisport for over a decade, arriving at road.cc via 220 Triathlon Magazine in 2017. He worked across all areas of the website including tech, news and video, and also contributed to eBikeTips before being named Editor of road.cc in 2021 (much to his surprise). Jack has been hooked on cycling since his student days, and currently has a Trek 1.2 for winter riding, a beloved Bickerton folding bike for getting around town and an extra beloved custom Ridley Helium SLX for fantasising about going fast in his stable. Jack has never won a bike race, but does have a master's degree in print journalism and two Guinness World Records for pogo sticking (it's a long story). 

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9 comments

Avatar
srchar | 5 years ago
0 likes

Ride London yet again informing people of rejection by sending out a load of unwanted paper bumph, despite being asked not to on my application.

Apparently, I can still get a place if I raise an unfeasibly large amount of money for a mainstream charity. Got to fund the CEO's salary somehow, I suppose.  No thanks, would rather do ten rides for my local hospice instead.

Avatar
CXR94Di2 | 5 years ago
2 likes

Riding on the road is wonderful until, in one moment is spoilt or destroyed. 

I had a lovely 80miler ride last year in the summer on my own. I went early to miss traffic and arrived at my cafe.  On my return the wind was on my back the sun was shining, a lovely relaxed ride until 6 miles from home where I had to use a 1 mile section of A road.  I was welcomed with a driver flying passed @60mph with 6 inch gap between my elbow  and his wing mirror.  Whole ride spoilt because of this punishment pass.

There is a massive boom with indoor training, wonder why?

Avatar
Redvee | 5 years ago
1 like

The Flectr rim reflectives are overpriced and similar to an Instagram ad I saw a few months back which gave me an idea for something similar. I purchased 1m of 50mm diamond grade white reflective tape and cut it into 40mm lengths and bent them in half and stuck them on my front rim exaclty like the Flectr idea, total cost £3. Diamond grade reflective is what they use on the side of vehicles so will long lasting.

Avatar
bikeman01 | 5 years ago
3 likes

What proud parents they must be...

or maybe they are just pig, scum in uniforms.

Avatar
burtthebike | 5 years ago
5 likes

It isn't only cyclists who don't get justice in our legal system.  Two pedestrians mown down by a driver high on canabis and he can't even be named because he's got rich parents, both police, and he's under 18.  https://metro.co.uk/2019/01/30/son-wealthy-couple-killed-two-audi-crash-...

We seriously need a thorough review of road laws.

Avatar
EK Spinner replied to burtthebike | 5 years ago
3 likes

burtthebike wrote:

It isn't only cyclists who don't get justice in our legal system.  Two pedestrians mown down by a driver high on canabis and he can't even be named because he's got rich parents, both police, and he's under 18.  https://metro.co.uk/2019/01/30/son-wealthy-couple-killed-two-audi-crash-...

We seriously need a thorough review of road laws.

 

WTF he didn't even get charged with any "Death by ... Driving" offences, despite both dying instantly, that looks awfy like some serious strings being pulled in my simple thinking

As for not naming him, is that not the norm when under 18

Avatar
brooksby replied to EK Spinner | 5 years ago
1 like

EK Spinner wrote:

burtthebike wrote:

It isn't only cyclists who don't get justice in our legal system.  Two pedestrians mown down by a driver high on canabis and he can't even be named because he's got rich parents, both police, and he's under 18.  https://metro.co.uk/2019/01/30/son-wealthy-couple-killed-two-audi-crash-...

We seriously need a thorough review of road laws.

WTF he didn't even get charged with any "Death by ... Driving" offences, despite both dying instantly, that looks awfy like some serious strings being pulled in my simple thinking

As for not naming him, is that not the norm when under 18

For anyone who has low blood pressure, these are pertinent quotes from the Metro's article:

1.

"The court heard how the boy had even been stopped by police just weeks before the tragic crash and had also been at the wheel after taking cannabis.

The youth was awaiting a hearing before magistrates when he knocked down and killed two men who were crossing a road to return to a hotel.

The JPs were told that the boy, who lives with his family in a £1 million home in affluent Ascot, Berkshire, had admitted a charge of driving a motor vehicle with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the specified limit."

2.

"He was given a 24-month supervision order, a £105 fine, which his parents said they would pay, and banned from driving for two years."

3.

"Sentencing the boy, presiding magistrate Penny Wood said: ‘We need to tell you that our initial thinking was to sentence you into custody. It can’t be right to drive your car and knock down two people, innocent pedestrians and kill them.

‘However, there are no charges in relation to the standard of your driving on that day. But we can begin by saying so it can be heard by anyone in the court, that we take this extremely seriously.’"

 

Avatar
hawkinspeter replied to brooksby | 5 years ago
1 like
brooksby wrote:

EK Spinner wrote:

burtthebike wrote:

It isn't only cyclists who don't get justice in our legal system.  Two pedestrians mown down by a driver high on canabis and he can't even be named because he's got rich parents, both police, and he's under 18.  https://metro.co.uk/2019/01/30/son-wealthy-couple-killed-two-audi-crash-...

We seriously need a thorough review of road laws.

WTF he didn't even get charged with any "Death by ... Driving" offences, despite both dying instantly, that looks awfy like some serious strings being pulled in my simple thinking

As for not naming him, is that not the norm when under 18

For anyone who has low blood pressure, these are pertinent quotes from the Metro's article:

1.

"The court heard how the boy had even been stopped by police just weeks before the tragic crash and had also been at the wheel after taking cannabis.

The youth was awaiting a hearing before magistrates when he knocked down and killed two men who were crossing a road to return to a hotel.

The JPs were told that the boy, who lives with his family in a £1 million home in affluent Ascot, Berkshire, had admitted a charge of driving a motor vehicle with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the specified limit."

2.

"He was given a 24-month supervision order, a £105 fine, which his parents said they would pay, and banned from driving for two years."

3.

"Sentencing the boy, presiding magistrate Penny Wood said: ‘We need to tell you that our initial thinking was to sentence you into custody. It can’t be right to drive your car and knock down two people, innocent pedestrians and kill them.

‘However, there are no charges in relation to the standard of your driving on that day. But we can begin by saying so it can be heard by anyone in the court, that we take this extremely seriously.’"

 

What the actual shit?
Should be a lifetime driving ban at the very least. Driving is a privilege and that kidult should not be given another chance to kill. However "privilege" does come from "private law", and that's clearly what's at play here.

Avatar
FluffyKittenofT... replied to burtthebike | 5 years ago
6 likes

burtthebike wrote:

It isn't only cyclists who don't get justice in our legal system.  Two pedestrians mown down by a driver high on canabis and he can't even be named because he's got rich parents, both police, and he's under 18.  https://metro.co.uk/2019/01/30/son-wealthy-couple-killed-two-audi-crash-...

We seriously need a thorough review of road laws.

 

Absurd that a 17-year-old can legally drive but can't legally be named when he screws-up with the car.  Utterly inconsistent.  If you aren't adult enough to be identified, you aren't adult enough to be trusted with a motorised vehicle.

 

They should either raise one age or lower the other.

 

Also, it's another case to compare-and-contrast with the Alliston one.  Double the number of fatalities, but no custodial sentence.  And 'cannibis' seems on a par with 'no front brake' as far as compounding factors go.

 

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