Calls to ban motor traffic from Richmond Park after shocking crash; Litter pocket; Tour of Cambridgeshire postponed; The Killers' Brandon Flowers needs surgery on cycling injury; Pro back after heart scare; Extreme winter commuter + more on the live blog

I once punched a set of these to death in the middle of the street. I just snapped. Had to walk home but it felt good, man. Hateful glowworm devices. https://t.co/cEMeWWVt12

— 𝙾𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛 (@overlandertheb1) February 18, 2021

I'm probably showing my age if I say I'd never heard of Ever Ready Lights before today, let alone used them. Didn't we always have LEDs? Anyway, you lot have been sharing some of your favourite, or more often less happy memories of using them...Take a trip down memory lane with our story.

Called "Wonder" because you wondered if they were going to work or not... 😳

— London Cycling Campaign (@London_Cycling) February 18, 2021

Thanks for the dark memories! So pleased we have LEDs now.

— Rob Skinner (@robskinner) February 18, 2021

It's not just people who enjoy cycling these days pic.twitter.com/Q92Z0zgK5C

— London Cycling Campaign (@London_Cycling) February 18, 2021

If this doesn't brighten up your Thursday afternoon I'm not sure what will...For more prime pedalling puppy content, take a trip back to November when we shared this clip of MotorbikeMilly having a pop at a close passing bus driver in Glasgow...   

AD.NL reports Marc Hirschi's surprising early departure from Team DSM was down to a breach of trust and that the Swiss rider was viewed as a risk for the reputation of the team and its sponsors. The story cryptically claims Hirschi wouldn't have been transparent, nor would he have answered questions asked by the team about certain things. The topic of these questions and the information the team wanted remains a mystery but suggests that his departure wasn't down to the strength of the team or Hirschi's undervalued contract, as has been suggested previously by other reports.

Hirschi is managed by Fabian Cancellara and the story claims that as part of the termination of the contract Team DSM are unable to share what their concerns were. The Swiss pair declined to comment to AD.NL.

BREAKING NEWS: Following extensive consultations with all key stakeholders, event partners, suppliers, and the UCI, the Tour of Cambridgeshire 2021 has been moved to September 24th to 26th 2021.https://t.co/8LaBOSvMIi

— Tour of Cambridgeshire (@thetourofcambs) February 18, 2021

The Tour of Cambridgeshire has been moved to September 24-26 because of the pandemic. The sportives, road races and Gran Fondo will now be staged on Sunday 26th Spetember. All entries will be automatically transferred to the new date. The organisers say that the pandemic and restrictions likely to be in place on the original date in June would make it impossible to responsibly host as mass-participation event.

The Gran Fondo was supposed to act as a qualification route for riders hoping to participate at the Gran Fondo World Championships in Banja Luka, Bosnia-Herzegovina, from September 1st to 5th. With the new date for the Tour of Cambridgeshire coming after the World Championships the UCI has said they are considering their options and will communicate their decision as soon as possible.

The first Monument of the season, Milan-San Remo, will follow a slightly altered route with the Turchino Pass swapped out for Colle di Giovo because of damage caused by a landslide on the former. The traditional finale of Cipressa and Poggio before the hurtle home to Via Roma remains unchanged. At 299km the race remains by far the longest race of the year.

Paolo Bellino, the CEO and General Manager of the race's organisors RCS Sport explained the change: "The previous edition of the Milano-Sanremo was held on an unusual date and took place over an unprecedented route. The results were very positive for the sport, for the media and from the audience’s point of view too.

"This year, for the 112th edition of the race, we have decided to bring the Milano-Sanremo back onto its 'classic' route in the Liguria region. So most of the route will remain as it has traditionally been; with the Aurelia, the Tre Capi, Cipressa and Poggio before the arrival on Via Roma, but we will not be able to visit the Turchino."

Last year Wout van Aert won his first Monument, beating Julian Alaphilippe in a two-up sprint as Michael Matthews rounded out the podium, winning the reduced sprint for third.

It's good news for @DiegoUlissi ! The Italian is set to resume training.

Read more👉: https://t.co/0Pv2UGXr8a#UAETeamEmirates #RideTogether pic.twitter.com/K3lKWTLuPE

— @UAE-TeamEmirates (@TeamEmiratesUAE) February 17, 2021

Diego Ulissi has been given the all clear to return to training following an enforced break due to cardiac abnormalities. The Italian hasn't raced or trained since completing the Giro d'Italia in October after doctors found the issue at a routine medical check up. In a statement, UAE Team Emirates confirmed that he underwent a cardiac biopsy in January and that no risky arrhythmias were found. Consequently, Ulissi is able to resume training. The initial diagnosis from the team's doctor was that it was a form of myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle. 

The statement explained: "The biopsy found the absence of risky arrhythmias for the athlete during the electrophysiological study, which will allow for the progressive resumption of training.In any case, a periodic monitoring period will follow before confirming any definitive return to racing."

 

 

 

 

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Here's a nice start to your Thursday morning...Just a kid delighted to be riding their bike and winning a race. After a week inside avoiding the cold and the snow, I might just sound this excited by the weekend...