road.cc recap: 10 of our top stories this week

1. Geraint Thomas wins SPOTY - reaction

From our monday live blog, the internet went G-mad after he bagged Sports Personality of the Year ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Harry Kane.   
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2. Uber warned over safety issues with its self-driving cars days before cyclist killed

A manager at Uber warned bosses at the company of the risks associated with self-driving cars just days before a cyclist was killed when she was hit by an autonomous vehicle the company was testing as she crossed the road in Arizona.
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3. Driver admits killing Chris Boardman’s mother by careless driving 

A pick-up truck driver admitted causing the death by careless driving of Carol Boardman, the mother of former pro rider turned cycling campaigner Chris Boardman. Liam Rosney, aged 33, pleaded guilty to the charge at Mold Crown Court.
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4. Man jailed after admitting 30-plus bike thefts in Sussex

A man who admitted stealing 34 bikes worth more than £21,000 in Brighton and Hove and nearby towns has been jailed for 30 months at Lewes Crown Court. Sussex Police say that John James Smith, aged 32 and of no fixed address, used bolt-cutters to steal bicycles from bike racks at railway stations and educational establishments over the course of a year.
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5. Pippo Pozzato retires from professional cycling at age 37

Filippo 'Pippo' Pozzato has retired from professional cycling at the age of 37 following a career in which he won Milan-San Remo, the Italian national championship, and two stages at the Tour de France plus one at the Giro d’Italia.
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6. Belgium's word of the year? "Murderstrip"

From our Tuesday live blog, the Belgian's word of the year is apparently "murderstrip", coined to describe a painted bicycle lane on a dangerous street next to fast-moving cars.
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7. Trek launch their first e-road bike, the Domane+

Trek have ventured into e-road with an electrified version of their popular Domane endurance bike, the Domane+. They say its Bosch drive system "sustains Tour de France speeds at cycling-around-the-block efforts."
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8. Garneau launches annual Don't Text and Drive day - and is calling on cyclists to highlight dangers on social media

The cycle clothing and footwear business Garneau has launched an annual Don’t Text and Drive day commemorating cyclists who have been killed by drivers using their mobile phones at the wheel. The date chosen is 22 December, which this year marks the first anniversary of the death of Australian pro cyclist Jason Lowndes, who rode for Garneau Factory Racing.
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9. Tom Dumoulin’s Vincent van Gogh inspired Giant road bike - yours for €19,500

When Giant Bicycles wanted to create a special bike to gift Tom Dumoulin for his recent wedding, and as a gesture of their appreciation for all the victories he has brought the bike brand as they part company in 2019, Vincent van Gogh was the inspiration...
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10. Spanish bikepacking blogger "could have died" after being rescued in Siberia camping in summer tent in temperature of -50C 

A bikepacking blogger from Spain who was cycling across Siberia was rescued by locals who found him camping on a mountain pass in temperatures of -50 degrees Celsius. Andres Abian Pajares, from Zaragoza, had pitched his tent – suitable for summer camping but not the depths of a Siberian winter – in Russia’s Kolyma region. 
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