"Vansplaining": tweet bashing Van Aert's gear choices mocked; Cycling UK CEO warns of return to "pre-COVID era"; Team bike merry-go-round; Richmond Park congestion anger; Moto rider who collided with Alaphilippe "feels guilty" + more on the live blog

I saw a cyclist not wearing a plastic hat tho.......

— cycling weakly (@chute55uk) October 19, 2020

This week's edition comes to you from an idiot who has done it before, and will most likely do it again... 

Starting as the CEO of the charity today, Mitchell has vowed to help maintain the increased levels of cycling seen in Britain during the pandemic, and has urged councils to resist pressure from a "minority of people" who are against low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs), cycle lanes and wider pavements.

She said: “We’re at a crossroads in the UK. We have to ask ourselves whether we want a return to the bad old ways of congested cities, polluted unsafe streets and parents feeling they have no choice but to drive on the school run, or whether we want something better.

"Funding and guidance released by national governments for local councils to improve cycling has seen a series of measures including cycle lanes, widened pavements, “school streets” and low traffic neighbourhoods employed at a local level to great success.

"These have largely been well received by residents, though Cycling UK is concerned councils are under pressure from a minority of people who are resistant to the positive impact these changes could bring.

“Lockdown showed that the people of the UK want to get out on their bikes but only if conditions are made to feel safer. The vast majority of people support councils’ improvements for cycling. We can’t – and I won’t - let a small minority of people pressure our councils and governments into going back to a pre-Covid era that put motorists first.

“It is my, and Cycling UK’s, mission to keep Britain cycling, ensuring people have a choice over how they can travel safely.”

Hot off the press and the team's second big announcement of the day is that they will be parting with the Bianchi celeste and riding Cervélo bikes from 2021. Here's the statement, more to follow: 

The Dutch-based team is already famed for athletes such as Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert and Tom Dumoulin. However we’re proud to announce that Cervélo is also collaborating on the development of a new women's programme for the team that already has among others Marianne Vos signed up for next season.

With the R5 disc, S5, P5 and Caledonia the teams riders have the choice to select the most suitable bike for any race making the world’s fastest riders even faster and propelling them towards the biggest titles in cycling. Our composites and aerodynamics engineers will also be developing new products to help reach
the highest of goals as the partnership unfolds.

Reserve carbon wheels, co-designed by Cervélo, will equip the women's and development teams.

Cervélo’s Managing Director Nick McAdams says, ‘We are very proud to partner with Team Jumbo-Visma. We’ve been involved in World Tour racing for a long time and with that comes access to the best athletes and testing for our bikes. As one of the best teams in the world, TJV are made up of world class riders racing at the sport’s highest levels. That knowledge and feedback will help us develop products to
make all riders faster. We are very much looking forward to our cooperation and to seeing the team riding Cervélo from next season.

I also want to use this opportunity to thank Team Sunweb for inviting Cervélo to be part of their program and delivering some exciting moments and great results these past two seasons.

Richard Plugge, managing director of Team Jumbo-Visma: “This is a great step for our team. Cervélo is a fantastic brand and an industry leader by technology. We are very happy that our cycling teams will be riding on Cervélo from next year. I am confident that we can further innovate to build even faster bikes together. Working together and striving for the best is our daily objective.”

The Dutchman is excited about the collaboration. “We look forward with confidence to work with Cervélo. The brand is part of Pon, just like us they are a Dutch global company. It is great that two Dutch brands that make a global impact have found each other.”

Look of the state of it @LBRUT
Get those cars out.

— 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐲 🎨 🖌️ 🌳 🐈‍⬛👽🌝🚲 (@JustinBaileyart) October 19, 2020

We've had quite a response to our earlier coverage of the congested scenes in Richmond Park; although Merv Charles claims that the photo was misleading considering the scenes in the rest of the park, saying that the photo was taken near a car park. He added: "The rat runs of Sawyers & Queens road were pretty much traffic free yesterday."

Do you think Royal Parks should re-introduce the motor vehicle ban that was brought in during lockdown? 

🇫🇷 😱 CHUTE D'ALAPHILIPPE ! Quelle terrible fin de saison pour le Français...

Le champion du monde était en train de parler avec son DS et n'a pas vu la moto garée sur la droite de la route, il ne repartira pas 😨#LesRP #HomeOfCycling pic.twitter.com/4oe0ryOJxB

— Eurosport France (@Eurosport_FR) October 18, 2020

In an interview with Het Laatste Nieuws, the 64-year-old former policeman who was riding the race motorbike that collided with Alaphilippe has defended his actions. Eddy Lissens said: "The lead of the front group was more than 20 seconds.

At that moment I decided, together with Shimano's bike, to take up my post behind the leaders. We let ourselves hang back, the TV crew went on the left side of the road and we chose the right side. 

"Should we have gone on the other side too? Anyone who says such a thing has never ridden a race. I didn't do anything unusual. Such things happen 100 times in a match. This was just an unfortunate moment."

Nevertheless, he also expressed regret over the incident, apologising at the time and saying that he has already spoken to members of the Quick-Step entourage: 

"I've been doing this for 20 years and something like this has never happened to me", said Lissens.

"I feel sorry for Alaphilippe. His injuries are bad, but he also had the chance to win the race and that really hit me hard. 

"...I feel guilty, even though I can't do anything about it."

X-rays confirmed that Alaphilippe broke the metacarpal 2 and 4 bones on his right hand, and he is due to undergo an operation today. 

Jumbo-Visma general manager Richard Plugge says the team is now "complete", announcing a full team roster including three-time world champion Marianne Vos and British rider Anna Henderson on the day of the launch. They will be managed by Esra Tromp, the former team manager of the Parkhotel Valkenburg women's team, who says the ambition is to "build the best women’s team in the world". 

The word is out! The release of a new team: Team Jumbo Visma Women. I am happy to announce I will be the team manager of team Jumbo Visma Women😊 To make a new beginning makes you excited for the future but a good moment to see what happened to make a next step.

— Esra (@Esratromp) October 19, 2020

The existing Parkhotel Valkenburg team will continue as a development squad to feed into the elite Jumbo-Visma team. Here is the full roster: 

Marianne Vos (NED)
Jip van den Bos (NED) 
Riejanne Markus (NED)
Anouska Koster (NED)
Nancy van der Burg (NED)
Romy Kasper (GER)
Aafke Soet (NED)
Teuntje Beekhuis (NED)
Julie van de Velde (BEL)
Pernille Mathiesen (DEN)
Karlijn Swinkels (NED)
Anna Henderson (GBR)

If you weren't aware, Manchester's Walking and Cycling Commissioner will be appearing on the famous Radio 4 show on 25h October. There's already been some speculation on what Boardman's top tunes will be... what do you reckon?

'Ferry across the Mersey' or one Beatles tune. No Bunnymen, though one Teardrop Explodes track - I'm gonna say 'Treason.' Also, 'Seven minutes to Midnight' by Wah! Heat, but nothing by Pink Military. Can't see 'You spin me round' by Pete Burns - unless Sally has insisted.

— Kenny Pryde (@Kenny_Pryde) October 18, 2020

Monday pic.twitter.com/EMytklzPde

— Cycling out of context (@OutOfCycling) October 19, 2020

Just five more sleeps till the weekend folks...