More Surrey traffic cops truth bombs...this time about riding two abreast; Promising pro rider killed while training; 10,000 RideLondon entries on sale; How to overtake a cyclist; Ok, vroomer; Pro rider of 2021; Nature fights back + more on the live blog

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Ludvig Anton Wacker (@ludvigwacker)

Retiring Danish prospect Ludvig Wacker has called out the use of legal pills, such as painkillers, by riders in the pro peloton. The 21-year-old rode for WorldTour outfit Sunweb's development team (now Team DSM) for two years between 2019 and 2020, but said the use of pills by riders is "grotesque" and "ridiculous".

Speaking to Danish news outlet Feltet.dk, Wacker did not name specific teams or athletes but said the use of legal medication was one of the reasons for his retirement.

"I'm tired of pills in the sport. It may be legal pills, but I'm tired of having pills in cycling, and I think it's grotesque, it should be so clear," he said.

"It simply came to our notice then. In the big races, people ride around with small containers in their pockets with pills and so on. I have never wanted to take something myself, and then you know that in all the finals, the others take something you do not take yourself. These include painkillers and caffeine, among other things. It's completely ridiculous the amount of people taking, because you do not know what it can mean for the rider's body in 20 years.

"I often think it is the young riders who do it themselves. It is not necessarily the team that is responsible for it. The riders can get it themselves. It is very easy to access."

Many painkillers remain legal to use during competition or can be accessed via a TUE (therapeutic use exemption).

It's a typical morning here in Cumbria - rain, rain and more rain! Looks like our young people are far more resilient than our politicians and planners #ThisMachineFightsClimateChange #cycling #COP26 pic.twitter.com/qyhmepBGp2

— Cycle Sprog (@CycleSprog) November 9, 2021

There's always plenty of these 'commuting in the rain' scenes from the Netherlands to share on the live blog. Here's one closer to home. In fairness, if you only cycled in Cumbria when the weather's nice, you'd be pretty unfit...

Shame there's no cover for the bike racks here. That's gonna be a damp journey home. 

Two votes was all that separated Cav and Pog in yesterday's live blog poll, one of which was me picking a random name to see the result... it all came down to whoever cast that deciding vote. The Slovenian's double Monument-winning season (and the small matter of a second Tour de France) was enough to swing it over Cav's comeback.

Poor Julian Alaphilippe won a second rainbow jersey, a stage of the Tour, wore the yellow jersey, but that was only enough for 23 per cent of your vote. Anyway, Vélo magazine's panel will decide who the actual Vélo d'Or is...we'll have to wait and see if they agree with 36 per cent of you...

I had a massive maple leaf get swept up by the wind and stick to my face on the Embankment cycleway last week.
I probably briefly looked something like this 🤣 pic.twitter.com/tOsh6cLFg4

— Simon MacMichael (@simonmacmichael) November 10, 2021

Death wish squirrels get my vote for the most dangerous British wildlife for cyclists. If you can hear laughing, that'll be our American and Australian readers...

I'm talking about those pesky squirrels that wait by the road (or in it) and then run towards the danger at the last minute. At least most other wildlife runs away from trouble. They always scamper off happy as Larry while you're left with your heart in your mouth, clenching the brakes. 

Desiet 💙

With her constant smile, kindness, respect and deep passion for cycling, Desiet Kidane Tekeste 🇪🇷 was a rising young talent who will be greatly missed.

Our thoughts are with her family, friends and @WCC_Cycling teammates and coaches during this tragic time. pic.twitter.com/6xve9QDV6i

— UCI (@UCI_cycling) November 9, 2021

Desiet Kidane Tekeste, a 21-year-old pro cyclist from Eritrea, has died after being hit by a driver while she trained in the country's capital Asmara. The UCI broke the news, saying: "With her constant smile, kindness, respect and deep passion for cycling, Desiet Kidane Tekeste was a rising young talent who will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with her family, friends and WCC team-mates and coaches during this tragic time."

Deputy general at the UCI, Amina Lanaya, added: "Such a tragic loss. On behalf of everyone at the UCI and WCC Cycling, our hearts go out to Desiet's family and close ones during this tragic moment in time. Her passion, kindness and immense talent are major losses to the whole cycling community."

Kidane won her country's national time trial championships in 2019, aged 18, and had been racing in Europe this season, including at the World Championships in Leuven.

Zoa is Albion’s new on/off the bike range that’s suitable for multiple riding disciplines and thanks to a partnership with technical fabrics brand Pertex, Albion says the collection uses “the world’s best performance fabrics.”

Zoa includes the first cycling products to use Pertex Shield Air, according to Albion, which is a new highly breathable 3-Layer waterproof fabric designed for intense activity.

The full line-up consists of a hooded insulated jacket (£185), a hooded rain shell (£260), and an insulated scarf (£35), and has been designed as a system that can be used together, or as standalone products, depending on the conditions and intensity. 

Albion also recently launched its Autumn/Winter products, continuing its sustainability drive the full range is now PFC free, and inclusivity-wise, Albion has introduced its first cold weather products for women. 

The Three Season Tights (£150) are new; created with the British weather firmly in mind, it consists of a panelled construction using a mid-weight thermal recycled fabric in the waist and thigh area, windproof front knee panels, and a lighter weight fleece-backed recycled fabric for the lower and back of the legs, all coated with a C0 DWR treatment.

Find out more about the other new products...

RideLondon is back in 2022 with a new route heading out into Essex. The popular 100-mile sportive is on Sunday 29 May, but the ballot opens today at 10am. According to the event's website the first 10,000 places will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, costing a hefty £89. International entries will open later in the year.

> RideLondon: Essex urged to focus on road safety ahead of revamped sportive

The full route will be announced early next year but will include traffic-free roads out of London and into Essex, where riders will face 60 miles of rolling roads through some of the county's "most beautiful countryside and villages" before the turn back into London.

If you're interested you can sign up on RideLondon's website (after 10am)...