Live blog: 6,000 sign Brum velodrome petition, F1’s Rosberg interview Froome, Brum A34 cycle route opens, Bibby’s bike nicked + more

More than 6,000 people have signed a petition for a velodrome to be built in Birmingham ahead of the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The city was awarded the event in 2017 after the original host city, Durban, pulled out of staging the multis-sports event for financial reasons.

Birmingham’s successful bid was based on using existing venues such as the Alexander Stadium for athletics and the National Exhibition Centre for boxing, judo, table tennis and freestyle wrestling.

But the track cycling events are due to take place 130 miles away, at the Lee Valley Velodrome in London - whicch, by pure coincidence, has a capacity of around 6,000 people.

The petition will be handed to Ian Ward, leader of Birmingham City Council, on 15 April.

David Viner, who organised the petition, said: “The Commonwealth Games are going to be a superb opportunity for Birmingham and the West Midlands but it is such a shame that the track cycling is to be held in London.

"The new aquatics centre in Sandwell with 5,000 seats for the Games and retaining just 1,000 seats afterwards is a perfect example of how a competition velodrome arena, costing £35m, with a similar seating plan could have been built for 2022.

"Councillor Ward has an open mind and has engaged with us. Now we hope the feasibility plan will prove there is a strong case for a modest training and development velodrome arena, with room in the track centre for multi-community based sports including disabled and sight impaired sports.

"We have benefited from firm support from many local people and we thank every person who has supported the petition.

"We have velodrome experts on hand and there is still time to get the velodrome built in time for the Games,” he added.

"I think it is important that our campaign is viewed as working with Birmingham City Council to get a velodrome and get a great legacy. The campaign is not just a protest."

Although as some have already pointed out on social media... was it really the wheels that deserve all the plaudits? The rider Alex Paton might have something else to say about it! Full story here in any case. 

Froome sat down with Rosberg to talk through his career and notable victories in detail. Some interesting comments about his support of Bradely Wiggins between 15:30 and 19:00, and the whole 50 minute podcast is definitely worth spending your lunch break on.  

The bike is very distinctive with team colours and a super slammed stem, so with any luck Bibby's bike will be too hot to handle for the bottom feeders who stolen it. With a position like that hopefully the thief will end up with some pretty bad back and neck problems if he/she attempts to ride it...