"Poor countries like the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany?": Chris Boardman leads the way as cyclists school David Frost on claim rich countries don't use bikes; Irn-Bru paint job steals the show ahead of World Championships + more on the live blog

David Frost, eh? That's a name I'd gone without hearing for a glorious forgetful spell, until now... Boris Johnson's former chief negotiator for exiting the European Union, who later served in the same PM's cabinet in a role created just for him (that was abolished on his departure) has today got more than a few people questioning if he's ever even travelled to the continent he was negotiating our exit from...

It's not a 'problem', it's a good thing.

In poorer countries people depend on public transport & bikes. When they get richer they want cars because they bring freedom.

Public transport will *never* be good enough for a free people to move around on. https://t.co/4dtYH0iMjW

— David Frost (@DavidGHFrost) August 1, 2023

Who's going to tell him? Time for the 'Cycling Avengers' to assemble...

Poor countries like Holland, Denmark, Germany....?
This looks like freedom to me. https://t.co/0dUZVXcYqY pic.twitter.com/qTwMyImMtu

— Chris Boardman (@Chris_Boardman) August 1, 2023

ITV commentator and cycling journalist Ned Boulting reckons: "Of course, as is quite often the case I fear, the truth is almost the perfect opposite of what you claim."

While CyclingMikey was keen to share the view from the Netherlands on Frost's comment: "I'm from the Netherlands, Frostie, and we're doing rather a lot better than the UK thanks. Part of that is because we don't waste as much on cars."

Jon Burke, fresh from schooling Nick Ferrari about LTNs live on LBC, was keen for some more...

Embarrassing.https://t.co/IfwVuo6n19

— Jon Burke 🌎 (@jonburkeUK) August 1, 2023

If you truly believe this I suggest you take a gander at most of Europe where they are making massive changes to their transport systems to pull people out of car dependency.

I'm sure this is because they're poor though. 😄

— Jon (@Jontafkasi) August 1, 2023

In fact, such was the response to Frost's thoughts, he got replies from people in... *deep breath*... the Netherlands, Barcelona, Ireland, Armenia, Switzerland, Sweden, Czech Republic, Germany all united in replies calling 'rubbish'... 

When you were Ambassador in wealthy Denmark did you venture out of your Embassy? 🚴‍♂️

— Nicholas Davies (@MrMiniHolland) August 1, 2023

Thought I'd round up some of the almost 200 comments we've got across Facebook and the website about this story...

> Locals slam "disgrace" of "100-mile diversion" to cross town during UCI Cycling World Championships Gran Fondo

Kevin 'Herbie' Blackburn: "Locals anywhere else in the world would relish stopping to watch it."

Susanne Reid: "Really ashamed to be a Scottish person at the moment. Scotland depends on tourism yet when it inconveniences wee Jimmy for a couple of hours locals are up in arms."

Ollie Craig: "Better headline: Local car owners who have their roads subsidized and use them for free 355 days a year whinge about momentary disruption on a single day so that other people can use the road."

Kris Jackson: "The town that takes about 15 minutes to walk from one end to another, I'm sure they'll survive."

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Robert Stannard (@robert_stannard)

Australian rider Rob Stannard, who twice finished in the top ten of stages at this year's Criterium du Dauphiné, has been provisionally suspended after his Alpecin-Deceuninck team was notified of an alleged 'Anti-Doping Rule Violation' dating back to 2018 and 2019.

There will be questions about how it has taken so long to come to light, but the team says it "respects the decision" made by the UCI and noted the violation came well before Stannard joined the team.

"We respect the decision of the UCI and will conform to this. In the meanwhile, we will further inform us with the rider, his management, and the UCI," a team statement said. "Alpecin-Deceuninck will not be commenting further until we have full clarification from the three parties mentioned above."

Looks like @petosagan's bus & a Slovak National Cycling Team van have stopped for a @GreggsOfficial on the way to @CyclingWorlds

(cc @Trudgin) pic.twitter.com/b1JcJyZZkP

— James Lucas (@RabAusten) August 2, 2023

> Biniam Girmay reportedly refused UK visa, as Eritrean star pulls out of Glasgow world championships citing injury

Full credit to Jo for the headline, superb stuff, and a proper feel-good news story for your Wednesday...

This August, 90 year old retired vicar Peter Langford is taking on the challenge of cycling from Lands End to John O'Groats to raise money for the homeless.

To support his journey, please listen to his story, share this video and donate what you can https://t.co/zID5Lp85Ql🧡 pic.twitter.com/mdat3JtNgx

— Access Community Trust (@access_ourwork) July 26, 2023

Peter Langford, an 89-year-old retired vicar from Suffolk is hoping to become the oldest man to cycle the famous 1,100-mile route. It will be his fourth time, having completed the challenge aged 75, 80 and 85, and he'll be raising money for two homelessness charities along the way...

"I'm getting more confident that I will actually be able to manage it," he told the BBC. "Devon and Cornwall are far, far, the hardest part of the whole route — much harder than Scotland — because the hills are so steep and you get them over and over again.

"'I've been doing about 120 miles a week but recently I thought I should do a few long rides together. Last week I did 50 miles on Monday and 50 miles on Tuesday and I felt perfectly alright afterwards."

Mr Langford will set off on 22 August, four days after his 90th birthday, hoping to finish a month later on 21 September.

"You achieve these things in your head — more than with your knees and if you're darned determined."

 

 

 

 

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10/10 for this paint job from Fatcreations near Chichester, ready to be used by Aimi Kenyon up in Scotland at the World Championships...

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by aimi (@aimi__kenyon)