SAGE professor calls for road closures over Christmas to encourage exercise; Darude's Sandstorm ft. Tacx Neo; Assos step in to save NTT Pro Cycling; Cyclist attacked with metal pole; Former coach defends Chris Froome + more on the live blog

A public health professor at the University of Bristol has called on councils to close roads over Christmas to encourage people to walk and cycle for exercise. Professor Gabriel Scally, a member of the Scientifc Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) argued that the measures should be introduced as part of the fight against COVID-19. He also said people should spend as much time as possible outdoors over Christmas.

At 5'25" into the video above he tells Good Morning Britain: "We should try to spend [Christmas] as much outdoors as we can, weather permitting, walking, cycling. The councils should be closing streets and roads so people can get space and opening up new green space for them to be outside."

Earlier we reported a study by #BIKEISBEST which found that 17% of cyclists would consider buying an e-bike if they were subsidised by the government. We put the question to our readers and the result was pretty unanimous. Any excuse for a new bike.

Song name??
Day 4 pic.twitter.com/4rfTDz00Do

— Cyrus Monk (@Cyrus_Monk) November 17, 2020

Just when you think you've seen it all someone on Twitter uploads a video of them playing Darude's Sandstorm with the help of a Tacx Neo...Australian cyclist Cyrus Monk is putting his time in quarantine to good use with this series of videos, recreating some of his favourite songs using items in his hotel room. On Sunday it was Nirvana's Come As You Are and today his latest creation is Down Under by Men at Work. But it was this innovative use of the Tacx Neo that caught our eye. 

Back in May we reviewed the Tacx Neo 2T Smart Trainer, admittedly without testing it's suitability for recreating noughties dance tracks.

With Christmas parties likely to be the next social casualty of COVID-19, crankedUP think they've got the solution. Admittedly I was hoping for a mince pie and a few pints but maybe you're a more committed winter cyclist than me. On Sunday December 20 you can join other pain lovers at the world's first cycling pain cave party. The event involves team and individual competitions to ride as far as you can over two, six or 12 hours and there'll even be a live DJ set to keep your spirits high. 

Keith Williams, concept creator of crankedUP explained the event: "We want to make turbo cycling indoors the most fun and as exciting it can be using multiple connection points: music, racing and commentary, to support riders in ways you can’t in either a sportive or on the track. With technology, no longer do you need to do it on your own, let’s bring the world into your house."

If this sounds like your idea of a relaxing Sunday afternoon you can sign up here, and if you need any inspiration for setting up a pain cave check out 16 of our readers' best lockdown pain caves.

Warwickshire Police have asked people to avoid buying e-scooters this Christmas as it is currently "illegal to use a privately owned e-scooter in any public space including roads, pavements, parks, town centres or canal towpaths." E-scooters are classified as Personal Light Electric Vehicles so are therefore treated as a motor vehicle. As e-scooters do not have number plates, indicators and some don't have visible rear lights, Warwickshire Police say they can't be used legally on the road. 

Sergeant Shaun Bridle said: "We understand that buying an e-scooter can be tempting, especially as you can get them from many popular retailers. However the law is clear.  You can buy one but it is illegal to use a privately owned e-scooter in any public space including roads, pavements, parks, town centres or canal towpaths for example. The only place a privately owned e-scooter can be used is on private land.”

Team NTT look to have secured funding for at least two more seasons after Cyclingnews reported rumours that clothing brand Assos will help fund the €8 million operation for the next two seasons. It is unclear if there will be a title sponsor or if the team will take on the Qhubeka charity as their name. The team's future had looked increasingly uncertain after NTT announced they would not be continuing their partnership with the WorldTour team beyond 2020. Team Manager Bjarne Riis also stepped down from his position last week.

Domenico Pozzovivo explained the situation: "It’s not 100 per cent but normally today or in the next day we’ll have confirmation that the team will be here next year.

"We’re just waiting for the confirmation and if the team continues then I’ll stay. I think it will be WorldTour next year and I’m optimistic and confident in Douglas Ryder. He is doing the maximum and it’s not easy to find sponsors. I don’t know exactly who the sponsor will be."

As well as Riis, key riders such as Michael Valgren, Ben O'Connor and Edvald Boasson Hagen have all signed deals elsewhere for next season. Valgren will be joining EF Pro Cycling, while O'Connor and Boasson Hagen are both moving to French teams with Ag2r Citroën and Total Direct Énergie respectively. 

Wheelie Wedesday.. the @Tompid way 😎@TrinityRacing_ pic.twitter.com/p7450blRXc

— UCI (@UCI_cycling) November 18, 2020

We all know cyclocross is great for improving your bike handling skills but even by his own standards this is pretty impressive from Tom Pidcock. It's not the first time the 21-year-old's shown off something from his two-wheeled box of tricks. Remember this emphatic way to celebrate a Tour Series win back in 2017...

Skids aren't just for kids. 📷: kev fox pic.twitter.com/r5ikRocIGW

— Tom Pidcock (@Tompid) May 28, 2017