"More needs to be done": Shocking congestion showing why more Londoners don't cycle; Jakobsen on working for "idol" Mark Cavendish; Bike shop jargon; Froome breakaway; Vaughters addresses 'Super League' views + more on the live blog

Absolutely correct, Peter - we know that when people are enabled to enjoy safe and convenient cycling, they do it, and motor traffic levels drop substantially. We need bold action to make this happen across London pic.twitter.com/5OKZtxozSn

— London Cycling Campaign (@London_Cycling) April 22, 2021

You've heard this one before, but as lockdown has lifted and more traffic begins to return to the roads, those who don't take the car to work are feeling frustrated with the volume of traffic on the roads... and when it comes to heavy traffic, there's probably nowhere in the UK more congested than London.

Precisely. The school near me has a tiny catchment area, yet the number of people who drop kids off in cars/park dangerously is astounding. People blame the traffic on LTNs, but as soon as school starts, the traffic disappears. (Before and after pics today, taken 20 mins apart). pic.twitter.com/9o30R5yH9U

— 🅰🅽🅳🆈 (@SpinarelloDogma) April 22, 2021

In reply to Peter Lorence, London Cycling Campaign said: "We know that when people are enabled to enjoy safe and convenient cycling, they do it, and motor traffic levels drop substantially. We need bold action to make this happen across London." 

Last year, @RBKC tore out a cycleway - the only one in the borough. This shocking footage shows how cyclists' lives are put on the line.
It is clear that this rogue borough is not willing to safeguards cyclists' safety. This road must be taken over by @TfL https://t.co/BGfnbVKtNh https://t.co/MnxZVlHo2w

— London Cycling Campaign (@London_Cycling) April 22, 2021

Jeremy Vine also posted on Twitter once more to denounce the decision to remove the cycle lane on Kensington High Street, and sharing another bit of dangerous driving following his very near miss with a London cab driver three days ago: "I was passing the Dutch Embassy. Holland has some of the best cycling lanes in the world, but their London staff have to mix it on this SIX-lane road", he added. 

Have you noticed that traffic has increased further still since the lifting of lockdown? Let us know your thoughts as always. 

The Giro-E is the world's only stage event exclusively reserved for e-bike riders. This year it will run parallel to, on the same day as, the pros riding the Giro d'Italia and will involve e-bike riders covering shorter routes based around the same host cities and towns as the professional race. It starts on 8 May and arrives in Milan on 30 May taking in all the highlights of the pro's experience too: signing on, six jerseys, awards ceremonies and hospitality. Over 21 stages the route covers 1,540km and 25,500 metres of climbing. Highlights of the route include the fearsome Zoncolan, Passo Giau and Pordoi. 

Folks: I’m fine with all the Twitter screaming about this. I have no emotional tie to football. I’m not a fan of the sport. So, you can tell me I’m wrong. I probably am. That’s fine. No problem. But from a sports business perspective, I think the SL idea had merit. 🤷‍♂️

— Jonathan Vaughters (@Vaughters) April 20, 2021

Jonathan Vaughters spoke to Cycling Tips to clarify his support for football's now-collapsed European Super League. The team boss came under plenty of criticism from cycling fans this side of the pond for failing to realise that British football clubs are more community-centred and have longer established traditions of loyal fanbases than in American sport.

He accpted he was probably wrong about football but explained how a 'Super League' could work for cycling: "Cycling is so fragmented," he said. "There is not a unifying force in cycling. The AIGCP [the association of professional men’s teams – ed.] is totally dysfunctional. Velon, for all intents and purposes, has sort of lost its bite. The sport is run by ASO and, to a lesser degree, the UCI. Neither one of them really see value in either financial fairness or in elimination of promotion or relegation.

"If you look at my Twitter feed, people are like, ‘This is greedy owners, you’re thinking about this from a greed perspective, and it’s only about making money. You’re not seeing this from a fan perspective, from an emotional perspective. But they’re right, I’m not seeing it from a fan’s perspective because I’m not a fan of football. I know nothing about football. I only know about the business side."

The descent to the Tour of the Alps stage-four finish is crazy 😲⚠️

Pello Bilbao led the riders down... then took victory! 🚴‍♂️💨#TotA pic.twitter.com/c2MzxOXFxF

— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) April 22, 2021

A twisting descent off the mountain decided this afternoon's stage in the Alps...Dan Martin fell after coming into a hairpin bend too hot. Pello Bilbao managed to bridge across to Simon Yates and Aleksandr Vlasov and won the sprint ahead of the Russian with race leader Yates third.

Today marked the fourth anniversary of Michele Scarponi's death. The popular rider's final race was the Tour of the Alps back when it was called Giro del Trentino. That year he won the opening stage on the way to finishing fourth.

At the finish, Bilbao dedicated his win to Scarponi, his former teammate at Astana.

We will always remember you like this. Today we want to celebrate you with a great stage.

Ciao Michele 💙 pic.twitter.com/GsIuZt3t4l

— Tour of The Alps (@Tourof_TheAlps) April 22, 2021

LETS FUCKING GOOO CHRIS BRING IT HOME

— Has Froome Been Dropped Yet? (@FroomeHas) April 22, 2021

The amazing @FabioJakobsen returned to competition last week and yesterday he completed his first race with the Wolfpack in more than a year 😃
So, so proud 🤗 🤗
Photo: @GettySport pic.twitter.com/9hyiN4RDCC

— Deceuninck-QuickStep (@deceuninck_qst) April 19, 2021

 Fabio Jakobsen's return to racing, coupled with Mark Cavendish winning four stages, made the Tour of Turkey a race to remember for Deceuninck-Quick-Step. Jakobsen had not raced for nine months since last August when he suffered a horrendous crash at the Tour of Poland which left him in a coma in hospital. His recovery has been long but the 24-year-old was delighted to be back in the peloton alongside his idol...

"It’s great to work for him," Jakobsen said. "He finished it off four times, so he deserved it. Hearing Mark say that he’s proud of me is really special. That already started in December, the guys took me along the rides and supported me all the time. Mark is one of my idols and he’s a really big example for me. I listen to him and follow all his advice. I hope to be as good as Mark one day."

Despite not getting his hands in the air, the 2019 Dutch national champion feels as though his comeback is a victory in itself. "In my mind I’ve already won a couple of races, which makes me confident. I think they were a bit nervous back home, but they are happy for me and I’m excited to see them again and spend time with them before my next race, where I hope my improvement will continue."

Jakobsen's return to the peloton was celebrated by fans, fellow pros and pundits alike and a touching photo of him checking up on a rider who had crashed did the rounds on social media early in the week. 

"The first stage still felt a bit weird, as I had to find my feelings on the bike again," he continued. "There’s always a couple of times the bunch makes a swing to the left or right, and guys have to brake. The first time it happened I felt a bit scared, but the second time that feeling already got less and the third time it was almost gone.

"Everybody is happy I made it back and the welcome I got was touching and beautiful to see. I spoke with a lot of guys in the peloton and it felt like coming home in a race. I spoke with colleagues from my age, but also older guys. They all said they were glad I was back and they were happy to see me at the race. It feels good that I’m back."