Live blog: NYC mayor to commit $58m to cycle safety after fifth death this month; Brailsford talks as Rowe and Martin appeals fail; Who will win the TdF poll; Biizarre Santander Cycle rider vs bus driver stand-off; Cool Spengle wheels+ more

Mayor of New York City Bill de Blasio is reportedly set to announce funding of $58.4 million for cycle safety initiatives including adding 30 miles of segregated bike lanes, with a focus on 10 “bike priority districts” and early start traffic lights, after five cyclists lost their lives in the city this month, bringing the total this year to 17.

Earlier this year, the mayor came under intense criticism from cycling advocates due to the New York Police Department’s policy of responding to cyclist fatalities – often in hit-and-run incidents – by fining cyclists in streets near the scenes of fatal crashes in the days that followed.

That policy was reversed earlier this month, and the NYPD has said that from now on, such operations following the death of a cyclist will focus on motorists.

More here on 6sqft.com

Quintana's now got over six minutes on the peloton, and if he doesn't put a pedal stroke wrong on the descent to the finish he'll have seriously put himself back into GC contention. Bernal and Thomas has now also gapped the GC group, with Alaphilippe falling off the back. 

Smarter more aero and more comfortable: read all about it here. 

The clip shows a man on a London hire bike involved in a stand/sit-off with a London bus driver after he allegedly wasn't allowed to board with the bike. 

London Economic report that onlookers said the man began to shout at the driver of the 149 bus, and before the footage was taken he had already hit it with his bike and accused the driver of racism for refusing to let him on.  

Full-sized bikes are not allowed on TfL buses, however folded bikes are accepted 'at the driver's discretion'.

"Sometimes a little bit of context wouldn't go amiss."

Sir Dave Brailsford reflects upon Luke Rowe's expulsion from @LeTour pic.twitter.com/GXVYl1c3EH

— ITV Cycling (@itvcycling) July 25, 2019

His ire seems to be directed at the lack of consistency with which the highly nuanced rules of cycling are applied... that inconsistency is, at least, rather consistent!   

Brailsford reiterated that he thought it was the wrong decision: "there's the spirit of the law and the actual application of the law, sometimes a little bit of context wouldn't go amiss really."

Brailsford said he was fully prepared for the team to race no matter if they had seven or eight riders - it's since been confirmed that they are indeed down to seven, as neither Rowe or Martin started stage 18. 

Subject to Guinness verification, Richard Thoday claims to have completed the route in 4 days, 11hrs and 52 mins - full story here.  

The already pretty out-there Spengle tri-spoke wheels are now available in an array of eccentric colourways, including iridescent and 'lava'. Their range of all-carbon monocoque wheelset currently consists of a 27.5” MTB wheel plus 650B gravel and urban rims, but a 700c prototype will be shown at the Eurobike show in Germany this September.

The coloured wheels are limited to just 10 sets apiece, more info on Spengle's website. 

Neither Rowe nor Martin has rolled out with the peloton so we think that's the decision confirmed.

Correct call from the commissaires? Let us know in the comments!

Is Groupama's cleaning regime even more evidence to convince you their man will triumph? Will G still succeed even without his wingman Luke Rowe? Have a vote in our poll - you win nothing other than bragging rights if you end up being correct when the Tour rolls into the Champs-Élysées on Sunday...

Team INEOS and Team Jumbo-Visma have tonight released a joint statement, following the disqualification of Luke Rowe and Tony Martin

— Team INEOS (@TeamINEOS) July 24, 2019

Martin and Rowe were expelled from the race yesterday after a disagreement over positioning, with Ineos and Jumbo-Visma now releasing a joint statement saying they are appealing the decision. Here it is in full: "We believe this is a very harsh decision by the race commissaries and against the spirit of what has been such a fantastic race to date. It was the sort of incident that merits a fine and a warning but certainly not expulsion from the race - a ‘yellow card’ but not a ‘red’. Luke and Tony recognised it for what it was - a minor spat on the road at the end of a sweltering day in the saddle. It didn’t affect any other rider and it didn’t disadvantage any other team. They rode to the end of the stage together where they both shook hands. There was no ill will and they clearly still have a lot of respect for one another. We believe it is unjust that their Tour could come to an end over something like this at this point in the race."