"I despair of humans sometimes": Anger over "dangerous and damaging" New Forest mountain bike trails; School of Rock star Kevin Clark dies in collision with driver; Remco abandons Giro; Cyclists dismount; LEJOG record attempt + more on the live blog

BETTIOL WINS STAGE 17 OF THE GIRO.

It was clear from the start today that this guy was going to give it everything he had. He did just that until the finish...and then some 🤜

We couldn't be prouder of him for getting a win like this in his home country. Cheers Bettiol 🥂 🇮🇹 🥇 pic.twitter.com/ubaUkEAIip

— EF Pro Cycling (@EFprocycling) May 27, 2021

Alberto Bettiol dedicated his stage win to his former agent who passed away last year and the victims of the Mottarone cable car crash. 14 passengers were killed in the incident at the summit, where the Giro was meant to visit on tomorrow's stage, however the route has now been altered.

"It really means a lot for me," Bettiol said at the finish. "For my team and for the people that always believe in me. It’s a gift that I want to give to my former agent Mauro Battaglini who passed away last year, he was like a second father to me so this victory is for him. For sure, he looks at me from the sky. I also want to give a thought to all the victims in the Mottarone cable car and all the families."

Mind blown https://t.co/d0ks7FfYS8

— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) May 27, 2021

"A moment to savour!"

What a ride from Alberto Bettiol as he wins Stage 18 at the Giro d'Italia on home soil 🇮🇹#Giro pic.twitter.com/KUz57iVJmw

— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) May 27, 2021

One of the most consistently impressive performers at this year's Giro has finally got his reward...Alberto Bettiol won stage 19 solo after catching Rémi Cavagna on the final climb, dropping the Frenchman and extending his advantage to around 20 seconds by the finish. It is only Bettiol's second pro win in a road race...the first? Tour of Flanders in 2019...not a bad two to have.

Behind, Bettiol's compatriot Simone Consonni pipped Nicolas Roche to second, with the Irishman holding on for third. The GC riders are still out on the course which tells you how big a gap the peloton let the breakaway have. More stunning scenery today and a slightly easier parcours for the riders.

Tomorrow it is back to the mountains for the first of a double-header of tough climbing stages before the TT in Milan on Sunday. Stage 19 ends with the summit finish of Alpe di Mera, a first category climb averaging nine per cent for nearly 10km. How are you feeling, Egan Bernal?

Some new research from Aviva found that of 2,000 UK cyclists who bought a bike within the last 12 months, 38 per cent have no insurance for their new pride and joy. Of course, this is not a 'same old cyclists, no insurance...no road tax' story, just an interesting look at how many riders with new bikes feel the need to cover them against damage and theft. 

The study found that UK customers spent on average £835 on a new bike last year or £1,201 per e-bike and that e-bikes are three times more likely to be stolen than their non-electric counterparts. The figures also point towards something of an e-bike boom with one in three people bicycle customers opting for an electric model.

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Jack Black (@jackblack)

School of Rock actor Kevin Clark, who played the drummer Freddy, has died aged 32 after being struck by a driver on the Northwest side of Chicago, TMZ reports. Clark was cycling when he was struck by a 20-year-old women driving a Hyundai Sonata who was not arrested but has been issued citations. The incident happened in the early hours of Wednesday morning and the Cook County Medical Examiner confirmed that having been taken to hospital the cyclist was pronounced dead just after 2am.

Clark was famous for his role as Freddy Jones in 00s comedy School of Rock. Co-star Jack Black said he is heartbroken by the news. "Devastating news. Kevin is gone. Way too soon. Beautiful soul. So many great memories. Heartbroken. Sending love to his family and the whole School of Rock community," Black said.

Unfortunately @giuliocicco1 won’t start stage 18. The rider had a hard night with a fever. He initially signed his presence at the podium but, after a further evaluation by team doctor, considering his heavily weakened state, the team decided to stop him to safeguard his health pic.twitter.com/t4hhxYohqC

— Trek-Segafredo (@TrekSegafredo) May 27, 2021

Trek-Segafredo climber and 10th on GC Giulio Ciccone has also abandoned the Giro d'Italia ahead of stage 18. Ciccone was involved in the same incident that has forced Remco Evenepoel out of the race and struggled through the night with the effects of the crash. His team said he had a fever last night and other reports add that the Italian suffered serious back pain as he finished yesterday's stage eight minutes after Dan Martin.

The loss meant Ciccone dropped from sixth to 10th in the overall standings. Team Bike Exchange's valuable climbing domestique Nick Schultz fractured his hand in the fall and will also not be involved today. A frantic start to stage 18 has finally seen a group establish an advantage over the peloton after nearly 40km of racing. The 23 riders, including Diego Ulissi and Alberto Bettiol, currently have 25 seconds advantage...

It may finally feel like summer is getting started but the Tour of Britain is already getting everyone in the mood for our home race with some video previews. Following some of the key British riders on UCI Continental teams, the Road to the Tour of Britain will show their preparation for the biggest race of their season. The riders involved are Rory Townsend (Canyon dhb SunGod), James Shaw (Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling), Tom Mazzone (Saint Piran), Pete Williams (SwiftCarbon Pro Cycling) and Ben Healy (TRINITY Racing) and the first episode is out now.

Check out the host towns and cities here...

Forestry England and members of a New Forest litter-picking group have slammed the mountain bikers whose "dangerous and damaging" wild trail was recently discovered at Wilverley Inclosure. Photos of the site were shared on the New Forest Litterpickers Group on Facebook and showed large trenches and piles of earth. The New Milton Advertiser reports a member of the group found the trail while collecting rubbish nearby and said it was also scattered with bottles, bags and food wrappers.

Nicky Searle wrote: "Thought it might be a poachers den but apparently it’s people trying to make a mountain bike trail. Thanks to Forestry England and our local keeper who are now onto it and putting the damage right as best the can. I despair of humans sometimes...why would you want to cause so much damage to such a beautiful space?"

Forestry England condemned the trail and said it creates "hazards in the woodland, including deep holes close to footpaths." The spokesperson continued: "Although looked on favourably by some from the local mountain biking community, this ‘wild trail’ has caused real damage to the environment, which is home to rare and sensitive wildlife. Forestry England will be removing this and restoring the area; we urge people to stop building any more.

“We have supported off-road cycling for many years – here in the New Forest we have an extensive network of approved trails and we encourage cyclists to stick to these way-marked routes."

Earlier this month the Beyond New Forest sportive was cancelled after Forestry England threatened legal action against the organisers after insisting permission is needed for events on off-road tracks. In January, Forestry England was told to "toughen up" action against "out of control" cyclists by the Verderers Court, a body dating dating back to the 13th century that functions similarly to a magistrates' court for the New Forest. One verderer slammed the "gangs of hardcore bikers determined to ride where they please."