What’s that blocking the cycle lane? A rental bike company’s truck…; #GetYourWiggleOff: Fallout from the Mike Ashley’s WiggleCRC buyout; CPA accused of not standing up to Lefevere’s “bullying”; UCI launches campaign to stop betting + more on the live blog

If you somehow missed this huge news that has the potential change the shape of the UK’s cycling industry in the years to come, Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group – which owns fellow online cycling retailers Evans Cycles and ProBikeKit — appears set to complete its purchase of the company, according to information sources have provided to road.cc.

And from what we understand, this move is the likely catalyst for this latest wave of job cuts, with several employees appearing to confirm the news on LinkedIn, with one now former staff member writing that the “administrators have closed the shutters”.

> Mike Ashley set to take over Wiggle Chain Reaction as administrators “close the shutters” amid mass redundancies, sources suggest

As the news has spread since yesterday evening, with more and more employees being informed of their redundancies, LinkedIn has flooded with posts from employees disappointed at the turn of events and looking for new opportunities.

Jenny Goodley, former brand development manager at WiggleCRC wrote: “Nobody wants to hear the news they’ve been made redundant two weeks into their maternity leave, but here we are. Wiggle Chain Reaction has been a part of my life for nearly 10 years and to hear that the journey has come to an end is gutting.

“Starting as one of the first Trading Assistants and working through multiple roles and promotions it has given me a truly incredible career. But what I am most sad about is the people. They are truly the best, most dedicated and hardworking teams I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with and to think I won’t see them all again is what’s truly upsetting.”

Ben White, another employee laid off from the company said: “What a sad way for the Wiggle/Chain Reaction story to end. After over 8 years with the business, yesterday was my last day. Not the way any of us wanted to go, not the way any of us expected to go.”

And this little anecdote from Sean Igoe, our own head of video partnerships at F-At Digital, shining a light on the people and stories behind Wiggle: “An extremely tough day for the Wiggle/CRC staff today, sad news for the staff today. I have watched the Wiggle brand with interest over the last 25 years or so, the journey and growth was incredible.

“I'll never forget it was the late 90s I was working at Future Publishing on the sales team for MBUK magazine. I received a call from a chap called Mitch Dall (top fella) who had just launched a website called Wiggle with his partner Harvey. He was asking for prices on a 1/2 page. I of course quoted rate card (ah print - the good old days) and he booked a 6 series if my memory serves me correctly. I used to enjoy my visits to Portsmouth for a bite to eat with Mitch and it was amazing to see the company grow over the years. Happy memories.

“Hope all the staff find new roles soon, fingers crossed for you all.”

Meanwhile, here are some comments on the road.cc readers:

quiff: “Oh great. Soon to be another outlet for Karrimor, Muddy Fox et al then.”

jaymack: “Whenever Capitalism seems to have eaten itself there's always someone left to pick over the bones; arise Mr. Ashley”

Over on Facebook, Fraser Wilson believed that “surely the Monopolies Commission will have something to say on Mick Ashley taking it over?”, while Sean Dowden chimed: “Wiggle and Evans owned by the same person? That’s the end of them then.”

The UCI has launched a campaign today aimed at ensuring that cycling remains fair and there's no "compeition manipulation", especially through sports betting and as such.

The Fair Cycling campaign is set to raise awareness about all forms of competition manipulation, which is any arrangement aimed at an improper alteration of the result of a cycling event, removing the unpredictable nature of our sport with the goal of obtaining a benefit.

The UCI said: "Cycling must remain free from any such manipulation so that athletes can be confident they are taking part in competitions where the rules will be observed and where their aim is to do their best. Through this vast campaign, the UCI issues a reminder that we all have a responsibility to protect our sport and the integrity of cycling competitions in line with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Code of conduct."

The organisation added that taking part in IOC's Integrity Betting Intelligence System (IBIS) allows for the exchange of information on potential competition manipulation, particularly concerning sports betting, with the aim of preventing any such activity at UCI World Championships. The UCI also added that it encourages everyone to educate themselves on this topic and learn how to handle different situations in order to protect themselves and cycling.

UCI President David Lappartient said: “The UCI’s Cycling Integrity programme is dedicated to ensuring our sport is safe, clean and fair. Ten months after launching our campaign to protect individuals in cycling, we are now highlighting the importance of guaranteeing cycling competitions are fair. There is no place in our sport for any form of competition manipulation and we must be true to our sport. Everybody must be sure that the best athlete on the day is the winner. This is essential for the credibility of our sport.

In episode 71 of the road.cc Podcast, we’ve got two great guests and two compelling topics to discuss… namely sportswashing and low traffic neighbourhoods

> “Our sport will wither and die if we refuse these sponsors”: Sportswashing and pro cycling’s carbon footprint discussed, plus LTNs vs dodgy data on the road.cc Podcast

We are two sleeps away from the first classic of the season, anticipation is running high in the peloton as to who will take the first win at the Flemish cobbles, and fans are rubbing their hands at the thought of good ol' racing...

But wait, the cycling gods have another script planned for us, because with all this off-road drama going on, I feel I'm losing grip of my focus! 

In case you missed our old friend Patrick Lefevere's comments about Julian Alaphilippe, let me run it back for you. The controversial Quick-Step boss   accused two-time world champion of "too much partying" and "too much alcohol", adding that in November he told one of his star riders that "if you mess up one more time, I'll fire you on the spot".

And adding to the already fiery allegations, Lefevere added that he believed the explanation for Alaphilippe's lack of results last year is his partying, as well as suggested "Julian is seriously under the spell of Marion [Rousse, his partner]".

Goodness me, that's not going to do down well at the dinner table is it?

> Patrick Lefevere accuses Julian Alaphilippe of "too much partying and alcohol", says he threatened to fire two-time world champion "on the spot" if "you mess up one more time"

Julian Alaphilippe (Zac Williams/SWpix)

Well, Rousse hit back promptly at Lefevere, releasing a response on social media aiming to address the shocking claims made by him without much basis to a rapturous applause from fans.

But it seems that the dominoes toppled by Lefevere's now-usual clickbaity remarks haven't seen the end yet, with riders' union president Adam Hansen also getting involved after Lidl-Trek Australian pro cyclist Chloe Hosking took shots at the CPA.

Hosking claimed that the CPA shouldn't have stayed silent about Lefevere's comments about Alaphilippe, referring to it as a case of "workplace bulluying". She's now also posted an "example statement" on her blog, that the CPA should have actually released defending him.

Yesterday, Patrick Lefevere made comments to the media about his employee, @alafpolak1. The @cpacycling should have made a statement defending their rider. They haven't, so I drafted one. Feel free to use it @HansenAdam.

Read the full statement here: https://t.co/AfqCcYoCLN pic.twitter.com/Bo0M4Qgxpf

— Chloe Hosking (@chloe_hosking) February 22, 2024

"The unique, institutionalised nature of professional sport makes it difficult for athletes to report bullying behaviour," she wrote. "The authoritarian character of sport can lead to abusive and coercive environments, significantly impacting the athletes ability to report and address the issue."

Hosking further brought up the recent instance of Israel Premier-Tech owner Sylvan Adams' comments criticising Chris Froome for not being "absolutely value for money".

She added: "The recent public outburst by Patrick Lefevere, where he attacked Julian Alaphilippe in the media, was unprofessional. A senior staff member within a professional setting is mistreating someone at work, which can lead to a detrimental impact on their mental and emotional well-being. This is workplace bullying.

"These remarks by Mr Lefevere are unacceptable and they violate the fundamental principles of respect and dignity, undermining a healthy and collaborative work environment. Behaviour like Mr Lefevere’s causes emotional and psychological harm. It impacts an athletes ability to perform optimally and contributes to work related stress. Should Mr Alaphilippe wish to take legal action against Mr Lefevere and Soudal Quick-Step for bullying at work we will support him in this endeavour."

Chloe Hosking, Commonwealth women's road race 2018 (Alex Whitehead/SWpix)

The story doesn't end here. Adam Hansen responded to the tweet with some interesting tone and choice of words for the 2018 Commonwealth Games women's road race winner.

Thank you very much for your help, Chloe. I actually had 2 journalists reach out to me and explain that Chloe is once again attacking the CPA, asking what is her problem? I told them not to worry about you, we have our job and she has hers. However, it's very nice you would like…

— Adam Hansen (@HansenAdam) February 22, 2024

Hansen wrote: "Thank you very much for your help, Chloe. I actually had 2 journalists reach out to me and explain that Chloe is once again attacking the CPA, asking what is her problem? I told them not to worry about you, we have our job and she has hers.

"However, it's very nice you would like answers and maybe other people too. However, we don't work for you or other people on Social Media. We work for the riders. We have reached out regarding this case personally and like all cases that are related to the private life of a cyclist, we don't want to add fuel to the fire. Exactly what you are doing by keeping this in the public eye to district cyclist from their difficult jobs. The last thing a cyclist wants to hear people on twitter fighting about them.

"On cases like this, we follow the riders wishes, not yours."

I'll let you all make of this as you will...

> From the wild 'Badlands' to the pristine Tuscan countryside: here's how to find the best gravel riding in Spain and Italy

Here's another edition of "Why cyclists don't use bike lanes". Will the sequels ever stop?

Why don’t cyclists always use the cycle lanes in Dulwich?! 🤬

⚠️When there is one, invariably a car will park itself in the lane. Nothing to do with the driver, of course…

College Rd/Fountain Drive: pic.twitter.com/rmhROkx8ON

— Dulwich Roads (@DulwichRoads) February 21, 2024