Adam Blythe clocks 136.9km/h; We Don't Want No Cycle Paths Here: The must-hear No.1 hit of the summer; 'Britain's biggest bike lane' council awarded more infra funds; AJ's pro cycling agency; Carol Kirkwood recalls collision trauma + more on the live blog

Around 200 cyclists attended a die in in Exeter on Thursday evening to protest for changes following the death of 53-year-old Maria Perez-Gonzalez two weeks ago. Perez-Gonzalez died in hospital following a collision with a BMW driver at around 8.35pm on Saturday 7 August. A 21-year-old man from Plymouth was arrested on suspicion of driving while unfit through drink/drugs and later released under investigation.

Mike Walton of the Exeter Cycling Campaign said the die in aimed to "underline how vulnerable our roads can be for people walking and cycling". He told Planet Radio: "The aim is to show our sadness at this unnecessary loss, to challenge the normalisation of the death and injury we see on our roads and to repeat our simple calls that driver lawlessness and inattention must stop, that all journeys for people cycling should be safe and that active travel must be adequately funded."

Alejandro Valverde, helped by Chente to climb off his bike, abandons the Vuelta. A heartbreaking image. 💔 #LaVuelta21 pic.twitter.com/SBQc5piuWe

— Mihai Simion (@faustocoppi60) August 20, 2021

Alejandro Valverde has followed Hugh Carthy out of the Vuelta this afternoon following a heavy crash on a descent. The former world champ hit a bump, regained control before sliding out on the bend. Valverde slid across the road and down the side of a slope and had to be helped back up to his bike. He soldiered on for several kilometres before calling it a day, visibly upset as he stood at the side of the road. 

A heartbreaking moment for Alejandro Valverde 💔

The 41-year-old is forced to abandon his home Grand Tour after a devastating crash on Stage 7 🇪🇸#LaVuelta21 pic.twitter.com/NKQuHrZWuM

— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) August 20, 2021

There it is…136.9kmph pic.twitter.com/iz8QdSaoMD

— Adam Blythe (@AdamBlythe89) August 20, 2021

Wowzers. How's your nerve? Anything close to 80km/h and I'm usually nervously glancing down at the Garmin, twitching for the brakes. Adam Blythe shared the pic on Twitter showing his head unit reading of 136km/h (85mph)...the retired pro normally uploads his rides to Strava, but we've not seen this one yet. We'll keep an eye out.

Some in the replies were jokingly concerned for his max heart rate...others in admiration of 'fuck yeah' mode...I'd hazard a guess at 85mph your heart rate might just jump up a bit...

Mainly people just wanted to know where in the UK you can hit such ridiculous speeds. Somewhere in the South West we suspect as Blythe is currently on screen for GCN's Vuelta coverage from Bath. Or is it an old pic from his racing days? We need answers, Adam.

Watching Vuelta highlights on Eurosport. Adam Blythe wearing tasseled loafers, ankle swinging trousers and a leopard print shirt. His bottom half screams "FX trader in Sushi Samba", his top half's trying to get a modelling contract. pic.twitter.com/tgGyZLRZFL

— Gary Lager (@Garrardinho) August 19, 2021

I guess the obvious question is what's the fastest speed you've ever hit on two wheels? 

Fastest ever for me was 115kmh off the Col de la Ramaz - I actually have sweaty palms typing it, even now. Definitely f*&kno! mode. Can't imagine going faster. 137km is insane. 👏

— Phil Allan (@Philipsallan) August 20, 2021

Hugh Carthy has abandoned the Vuelta. What a shame.

— Orla Chennaoui (@SportsOrla) August 20, 2021

Last year's podium finisher Hugh Carthy has abandoned the Vuelta a España during stage seven. Carthy had already lost 4:28 to red jersey Primož Roglič before today and stepped off his bike with 64km to go on one of the first major mountain days of the race.

We'll keep you updated on any words of explanation from the Preston-born climber or EF Education-Nippo as we get it...

Primal has released a charity jersey in the wake of the terrible events in the brand's home city of Plymouth last week. In collaboration with Jeremiah's Journey, all profits from the limited-edition jersey will go directly to supporting their work. The Plymouth-based children's bereavement charity has offered free support to local children and young people for the past 25 years. The £39.99 men's and women's jerseys include the charity's name and logo.

Eurovision 2022? Christmas number one? Glastonbury headliner? The sky is the limit for Judy's catchy cycle path song. The critics will no doubt gush over the 'hard-hitting social commentary inspired by pervasive anti-cycling sentiment in 21st century post-lockdown Britain'.

It's the best musical achievement we've covered on the blog since Australian cyclist Cyrus Monk spent his hotel quarantine recreating Darude's memetastic song Sandstorm using a Tacx Neo smart trainer.

I really don't know what else to say. Just try not to get it stuck in your head all weekend...

Back in 2016 we asked you for your favourite songs about bikes and cycling...check out the top 20 ft. Pink Floyd, Queen and Kraftwerk...Where would 'We Don't Want No Cycle Paths Here' rank? 

 Heavyweight champion of the world Anthony Joshua has taken a step into the cycling game by expanding his talent management agency 258MGT with the signing of a host of young prospects. ‘258 Protégé’ will represent riders in contract negotiations, sponsor negotiations and corporate events.

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Anthony Joshua (@anthonyjoshua)

Notable signings include Finn Fisher-Black, one of UAE Team Emirates' big summer additions on a long-term deal, Sarah Gigante who recently joined Movistar, Nicholas Dlamini and Leo Hayter - brother of Olympic silver medallist Ethan.

The agency was founded by Jamie Barlow who has worked as a pro cycling agent since 2013. Barlow said: "AJ is one of the biggest sports icons on the planet and that doesn't happen without a committed team behind him. We look forward to replicating this model with professional cyclists and offering a hands-on approach with a select number of talents over the coming years. 

"We are in a unique position to disrupt the market and challenge the current shortfalls of the commercial elements of the sport & utilise the full support of the team 258MGT has built around AJ across legal, financial, PR and branding industry leaders. Our modus operandi will be to focus on elite talent with a quality over quantity hands-on approach. 

"Having identified and worked with some of the best young talent the past eight years, WorldTour, Women’s World Tour, Pro Continental and Devo teams trust our opinion on talent. Outside of the cycling bubble we are the best connected commercial agency barring none."

An independent inquiry into Cycling New Zealand and high Performance Sport New Zealand has been ordered following the death of Olympic track cyclist Olivia Podmore 11 days ago. The death of the track cyclist who represented her nation at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio has raised questions in the media and amongst former athletes about wellbeing and support in the high performance programme.

The details of the inquiry will be confirmed next week, but Raelene Castle, Chief Executive of High Performance Sport NZ said the athlete's death has "focused our attention once more on the complex issues surrounding athlete welfare and wellbeing". 

During her career Podmore won two medals at the Junior Track World Championships in 2015 before qualifying for Rio a year later. Some have questioned why Podmore was not selected for the Tokyo Games having reached the qualification criteria. In the days before her death, the athlete had posted on social media about the stress of competing at an elite level.