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New video emerges of moment police in Adelaide pulled over Team Sky

Footage shot by local rider shows pros doing illegal right turn and ignoring pedestrian crossing

New footage has emerged of the moment police in Adelaide, South Australia pulled over riders from Team Sky and gave them a warning over their behaviour after they were seen breaking traffic laws.

The incident happened on Monday morning in Adelaide's Central Business District while the Team Sky riders were on a training ride, on which they were being followed by several local cyclists, one of whom was filming with a helmet camera.

> Police give Team Sky riders a refresher in Aussie road laws ahead of Tour Down Under

The video was posted to YouTube by user WalrusRider, who provides  a running commentary and has also subtitled the lecture the Team Sky riders were given by police.

Earlier this week, a spokesman for SA Police confirmed to Bicycling Australia that members of Team Sky had been stopped after they "allegedly failed to give way at a pedestrian crossing and went through a red light … that sort of thing.”

He continued: “As part of Operation Safe Cycling 2018 police officers spoke to a number of cyclists on Pulteney Street in the Adelaide CBD this morning after identifying a number of traffic offences committed by the group.

“Police stop cyclist all the time but obviously there will be a further emphasis during the Tour Down Under period. It was just a verbal warning today,” he added.

Team Sky's squad for the race comprises Egan Bernal, Kristoffer Halvorsen, Chris Lawless. Jon Dibben, Owain Doull, Salvatore Puccio and Lukasz Wisniowski.

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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40 comments

Avatar
jazzdude | 6 years ago
0 likes

Cyclists get stopped by police for minor indiscretion.

 

Nothing to see here. Move along.

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Harmanhead | 6 years ago
0 likes

They just don’t like cyclists in Aus! You would think cops have got better things to do. 

Many years ago I was riding into Perth with my mate. We were riding two abreast and a road train drove deliberately at us. Nearly killed us. The cops stopped us and gave us a lecture and said the road train drivers were on the cb complaining about us. That’s fair enough, kill us. 

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Skylark | 6 years ago
0 likes

Check out them glum faces.

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gazpacho | 6 years ago
0 likes

Haven't English teams been punished enough already this Australian Summer?

#Cricket  #RugbyLeague

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PRSboy | 6 years ago
0 likes

I still don't get what they were doing out... if you were in charge of a team of highly paid riders at the beginning of the season, would you say "OK guys, this morning we are going to do a recce through rush hour traffic, zone 1 effort.  Dont worry, you don't need a team car escort."

Or were they just out freelancing, looking for an espresso and pastry?

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Deeferdonk | 6 years ago
6 likes

They are not proper cyclists, just athletes on bikes giving the rest of us a bad name yes

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Oreos | 6 years ago
5 likes

Your language implies you're the one frothing..."sonshine". Not sure if you're a troll or not given how ridiculous you sound.

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BehindTheBikesheds replied to Oreos | 6 years ago
0 likes

Oreos wrote:

Your language implies you're the one frothing..."sonshine". Not sure if you're a troll or not given how ridiculous you sound.

So writing what actually happened and what some idiots on bikes did wrong is being a troll and ridiculous, lol.

Suggest you're the one sounding like a ridiculous troll who can't accept the fact these so called pros rode like dicks with exactly the same shitty motorist attitude of MGIF/impatience/endangering vulnerable road users/blocking other road users/putting themselves at risk, that is thrown scorn upon by people like you and others on here but won't have it when it's a person on a bike.

Is that enough frothing for you muppet?

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Sniffer replied to BehindTheBikesheds | 6 years ago
1 like
BehindTheBikesheds wrote:

Oreos wrote:

Your language implies you're the one frothing..."sonshine". Not sure if you're a troll or not given how ridiculous you sound.

So writing what actually happened and what some idiots on bikes did wrong is being a troll and ridiculous, lol.

Suggest you're the one sounding like a ridiculous troll who can't accept the fact these so called pros rode like dicks with exactly the same shitty motorist attitude of MGIF/impatience/endangering vulnerable road users/blocking other road users/putting themselves at risk, that is thrown scorn upon by people like you and others on here but won't have it when it's a person on a bike.

Is that enough frothing for you muppet?

Are you angry now?

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PRSboy | 6 years ago
2 likes

I bet pros love it when some stalkers join them on a training ride...

Out of interest, why on earth would Team Sky put themselves under the sort of risk that a group ride through Adelaide at rush hour would present?  

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Jonathan Knight | 6 years ago
1 like

Not necessarily excusing them, but it's might not always obvious what the "rules" are in a specific country you might be racing. For example where I live no cyclist would stop at a red light and even cars are extremely unlikely to stop at a pedestrian crossing regardless of what the traffic laws actually say. I'm not sure where these guys all live and train and what the usual behaviour of cyclists there is but it might be very different to Austrailia and they just might not have thought about it.

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Team EPO | 6 years ago
6 likes

Probably in a rush to get to the pharmacy before it closed.

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fenix replied to Team EPO | 6 years ago
1 like

Team EPO wrote:

Probably in a rush to get to the pharmacy before it closed.

 

Apart from the fact it was morning rush hour..... D'oh !

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Boss Hogg replied to Team EPO | 6 years ago
0 likes

Team EPO wrote:

Probably in a rush to get to the pharmacy before it closed.

asthma attack!

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stenmeister | 6 years ago
0 likes

I remember this from fours years ago in Glasgow when  the Sri Lankan cyclists went on the motorway. Back then it was seen as quirky; now with Sky it's seen as another example of their flaunting of rules.

 

http://road.cc/content/news/124704-commonwealth-games-cyclists-go-traini...

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RobD | 6 years ago
1 like

As if Sky need any more bad press at the moment, I'd have thought there'd be a few emails to all staff going around telling them to keep out of the news for a few weeks if they can.

To be fair they probably should know better, particularly in a country as strict on cycling laws as Australia, and it's not a great example to set.

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crazy-legs replied to RobD | 6 years ago
1 like

RobD wrote:

As if Sky need any more bad press at the moment, I'd have thought there'd be a few emails to all staff going around telling them to keep out of the news for a few weeks if they can.

To be fair they probably should know better, particularly in a country as strict on cycling laws as Australia, and it's not a great example to set.

Every team out there has been pulled over, spoken to, I think a couple of fines were even handed out. Not sure if Sky were the only ones caught on video or if it's a deliberate move by the media to only focus on them.

On the face of it, Australia looks wonderful but every time I see anything related to cycling out there it looks horrible.

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maviczap replied to crazy-legs | 6 years ago
0 likes

crazy-legs wrote:

RobD wrote:

As if Sky need any more bad press at the moment, I'd have thought there'd be a few emails to all staff going around telling them to keep out of the news for a few weeks if they can.

To be fair they probably should know better, particularly in a country as strict on cycling laws as Australia, and it's not a great example to set.

Every team out there has been pulled over, spoken to, I think a couple of fines were even handed out. Not sure if Sky were the only ones caught on video or if it's a deliberate move by the media to only focus on them.

On the face of it, Australia looks wonderful but every time I see anything related to cycling out there it looks horrible.

Yes, lets sling some more mud at Sky, bound to sell a couple more issues

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HarryTrauts | 6 years ago
2 likes

"So, if you've all got anything with your name on it, I'll just write down some details."

Do you think they just showed them their bikes? 

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Bmblbzzz | 6 years ago
1 like

I like that at the end when the cops are giving their talk, we can see "Lawless" on the back of one rider's jersey. yes

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BehindTheBikesheds | 6 years ago
5 likes

Bang to rights I'm afraid, the right turn was dumb enough and their haphazard riding tells you they aint no skilled road riders in the city but running the red is totally unecessary and simply retarded, and no not all the pedestrians had finished crossing.

Set an example, this arrogant attitude isn't acceptable, typical modern day noddy hat cycling IMHO. If it's ok for the pros then kids follow right!

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Ush replied to BehindTheBikesheds | 6 years ago
2 likes

BehindTheBikesheds wrote:

Bang to rights I'm afraid, the right turn was dumb enough and their haphazard riding tells you they aint no skilled road riders in the city but running the red is totally unecessary and simply retarded, and no not all the pedestrians had finished crossing.

Set an example, this arrogant attitude isn't acceptable, typical modern day noddy hat cycling IMHO. If it's ok for the pros then kids follow right!

I disagree.  They did not follow the laws, but they rode courteously and carefully.  I have zero problems with how they rode and I wish some of the Skinner trained "rule followers" were as aware of their circumstances.

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maviczap replied to Ush | 6 years ago
2 likes

Ush wrote:

BehindTheBikesheds wrote:

Bang to rights I'm afraid, the right turn was dumb enough and their haphazard riding tells you they aint no skilled road riders in the city but running the red is totally unecessary and simply retarded, and no not all the pedestrians had finished crossing.

Set an example, this arrogant attitude isn't acceptable, typical modern day noddy hat cycling IMHO. If it's ok for the pros then kids follow right!

I disagree.  They did not follow the laws, but they rode courteously and carefully.  I have zero problems with how they rode and I wish some of the Skinner trained "rule followers" were as aware of their circumstances.

Indeed, I wonder how many of our internet experts know the rules and regulations of each and every country they've ridden in. I certainly don't

Do you think Team Sky have a briefing and say, now look Froomey, I don't care you've won 4 tours, but these are the rules of the road in Uzbecistan. If you don't abide by them you'll be shot.

I would have thought SA Police would have made better use of their day by targetting their own cyclists, but more importantly improving driver standards, rather than picking on riders who don't have a scooby doo about the Australian Highway Code.

The Pros are there to race and promote cycling to a country which could do with a more positive approach to cyclists.

Avatar
BehindTheBikesheds replied to Ush | 6 years ago
3 likes

Ush wrote:

BehindTheBikesheds wrote:

Bang to rights I'm afraid, the right turn was dumb enough and their haphazard riding tells you they aint no skilled road riders in the city but running the red is totally unecessary and simply retarded, and no not all the pedestrians had finished crossing.

Set an example, this arrogant attitude isn't acceptable, typical modern day noddy hat cycling IMHO. If it's ok for the pros then kids follow right!

I disagree.  They did not follow the laws, but they rode courteously and carefully.  I have zero problems with how they rode and I wish some of the Skinner trained "rule followers" were as aware of their circumstances.

Look at their positioning, they are all over the shop before and approaching the right turn, they filter through past large motors on the inside, then cut across three lanes to position themselves in a clearly marked no right turn lane that is cordoned off and has not just the no right turn sign blocking it but also a directional arrow pointing back toward lanes 1 and 2. They push in front of a taxi to do so. One of them is on their phone literally cm away from the offside of the white car and still in the wrong lane, this is atytpical strava wanka I don't give a fuck attitude and is horrible positioning for safety but it also can easily intimidate the driver (who is on the same side given it's a RHD vehicle) as he is virtually sitting right on their blindspot.

They then cycle through the no right turn 5-6 abreast confronting pedestrians crossing and several stop right in the middle of the junction blocking the traffic, again another contravention, they then rode straight through a solid white STOP line thus contravening the red light and pushed in front of the grey car needlessly (MGIF), they then pushed their way through the pedestrians forcing some to stop from crossing or hesitated because they didn't know what they were going to do.

Some then ran a red at the next set of lights before they changed, they then MGIF'd yet again at the next right turn pushing in front of the red ute who was waiting patiently and making the right turn from a straight on lane to do so thus potentially blocking other road users from going on ahead.

Is that enough for you?

So yes, the way they rode was shite, total fucking MGIFs that didn't save them shit but blocked a junction, made peds worry about crossing several times and generally acted like we don't give a shit so long as we can get in front/ahead. I'd be giving them a few words to not be dicks because they way the acted is bad for everyone concerned including them.

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alansmurphy replied to BehindTheBikesheds | 6 years ago
2 likes
BehindTheBikesheds wrote:

this is atytpical strava wanka I don't give a fuck attitude and is horrible positioning for safety but it also can easily intimidate the driver (who is on the same side given it's a RHD vehicle) as he is virtually sitting right on their blindspot.

I'm not sure whether your ascertion that anybody using a useful app behaves in a particular way is more frightening or your belief that you can intimidate a driver by sitting in their blind spot...

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Sniffer replied to BehindTheBikesheds | 6 years ago
3 likes

You are very angry (again). While they broke some rules, it was hardly the worst use of the roads I have seen this week.

Save the frothing at the mouth for serious infractions. It might be better for your blood pressure.

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BehindTheBikesheds replied to Sniffer | 6 years ago
0 likes

Sniffer wrote:

You are very angry (again). While they broke some rules, it was hardly the worst use of the roads I have seen this week. Save the frothing at the mouth for serious infractions. It might be better for your blood pressure.

If that's aimed at me I suggest you reign your neck in, you have no idea what my mindset is, you can't deduce anger from what I wrote, you're way off the mark as for frothing, just lol.

They broke the rules not just once or twice but many times in a very short period of time with a don't give a fuck attitude that if displayed by motorists like the MGIFs and cutting up other road users and deliberately ignoring traffic signs people including yourself would be all over it.

They put themselves at risk and others all because they were too selfish and too impatient to follow the rules and they saved themselves precisely fuck all time in doing so!

Suggest you froth somewhere else sonshine.

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Sniffer replied to BehindTheBikesheds | 6 years ago
3 likes

BehindTheBikesheds wrote:

Sniffer wrote:

You are very angry (again). While they broke some rules, it was hardly the worst use of the roads I have seen this week. Save the frothing at the mouth for serious infractions. It might be better for your blood pressure.

If that's aimed at me I suggest you reign your neck in, you have no idea what my mindset is, you can't deduce anger from what I wrote, you're way off the mark as for frothing, just lol.

They broke the rules not just once or twice but many times in a very short period of time with a don't give a fuck attitude that if displayed by motorists like the MGIFs and cutting up other road users and deliberately ignoring traffic signs people including yourself would be all over it.

They put themselves at risk and others all because they were too selfish and too impatient to follow the rules and they saved themselves precisely fuck all time in doing so!

Suggest you froth somewhere else sonshine.

If these posts are not your angry ones.  An angry one may be something to behold.

Have a chilled weekend and I hope you get out on the bike.

PS I don't think he is a troll.  Just a man with very set views on things and little nuance in debate - who somethimes comes across a bit on the angry side.

Avatar
ClubSmed replied to Sniffer | 6 years ago
0 likes

Sniffer wrote:

BehindTheBikesheds wrote:

Sniffer wrote:

You are very angry (again). While they broke some rules, it was hardly the worst use of the roads I have seen this week. Save the frothing at the mouth for serious infractions. It might be better for your blood pressure.

If that's aimed at me I suggest you reign your neck in, you have no idea what my mindset is, you can't deduce anger from what I wrote, you're way off the mark as for frothing, just lol.

They broke the rules not just once or twice but many times in a very short period of time with a don't give a fuck attitude that if displayed by motorists like the MGIFs and cutting up other road users and deliberately ignoring traffic signs people including yourself would be all over it.

They put themselves at risk and others all because they were too selfish and too impatient to follow the rules and they saved themselves precisely fuck all time in doing so!

Suggest you froth somewhere else sonshine.

If these posts are not your angry ones.  An angry one may be something to behold.

Have a chilled weekend and I hope you get out on the bike.

PS I don't think he is a troll.  Just a man with very set views on things and little nuance in debate - who somethimes comes across a bit on the angry side.

I have to agree with BehindTheBikeSheds, they were banged to rights as they ignored no right turn signs and red lights! What would your reaction be if a motorised vehicle had done the same?

Avatar
Sniffer replied to ClubSmed | 6 years ago
3 likes

ClubSmed wrote:

Sniffer wrote:

BehindTheBikesheds wrote:

Sniffer wrote:

You are very angry (again). While they broke some rules, it was hardly the worst use of the roads I have seen this week. Save the frothing at the mouth for serious infractions. It might be better for your blood pressure.

If that's aimed at me I suggest you reign your neck in, you have no idea what my mindset is, you can't deduce anger from what I wrote, you're way off the mark as for frothing, just lol.

They broke the rules not just once or twice but many times in a very short period of time with a don't give a fuck attitude that if displayed by motorists like the MGIFs and cutting up other road users and deliberately ignoring traffic signs people including yourself would be all over it.

They put themselves at risk and others all because they were too selfish and too impatient to follow the rules and they saved themselves precisely fuck all time in doing so!

Suggest you froth somewhere else sonshine.

If these posts are not your angry ones.  An angry one may be something to behold.

Have a chilled weekend and I hope you get out on the bike.

PS I don't think he is a troll.  Just a man with very set views on things and little nuance in debate - who somethimes comes across a bit on the angry side.

I have to agree with BehindTheBikeSheds, they were banged to rights as they ignored no right turn signs and red lights! What would your reaction be if a motorised vehicle had done the same?

I don't disagree they were in the wrong.  Just looking for a little perspective.  There is wrong and there is dangerous.  The fact that they got a gentle reminder from the cops also reflects where they saw matters to be on that scale.

As for my view if it was a car?  I, like many people on this site, ride bikes and drive cars.  I have no sympathy for drivers who blatantly break laws and carry out dangerous acts.  I am also unlikely to be the only one who has not got confused in a strange city and ended up in the wrong lane or similar by mistake.  Again perspective would be required.

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