Pothole crisis worsened by heavy vehicles... but make cyclists pay road tax, concludes GB News journalist; Philippa York responds to Lance Armstrong trans comments; Alex Dowsett battles the club 10 (+ state of TT scene discussion) + more on the live blog

Let's kick off the live blog with some thoughts from GB News presenter Martin Daubney, whose Twitter bio proudly points out he was a "MEP [member of European Parliament] who voted the UK out of the EU" and works for "Britain's most-loved news brand"... I'll give you a second to work through that...

Daubney started off by sharing analysis by the University of Leeds, reported in the press, which suggested the average electric car puts 2.24 times more stress on roads than a similar petrol vehicle — and 1.95 more than a diesel, concluding that larger electric vehicles can cause up to 2.32 times more damage to roads.

Britain's pothole crisis made worse by electric cars - they weigh more & can cause X2 damage. It’s time to slap a pothole tax on bloated EVs - which currently pay zero road tax https://t.co/YTLWcG2i7Z

— Martin Daubney 🇬🇧 (@MartinDaubney) June 27, 2023

One replier called it an "excellent point"... adding, "I only use bicycles and a 125cc motorcycle that weighs 136kg, often two-up. Yet most people need 1200kg+ cars to move around alone. Let's quadruple council tax for anyone needing more than 500kg of vehicle per person, that's very lenient still." 

Say the line, Martin, say the line...

I think cyclists should pay road tax TBF, and be insured

— Martin Daubney 🇬🇧 (@MartinDaubney) June 27, 2023

Our intrepid engager's response? 

That's not called thinking, Martin. It's opining, cluelessly. Cyclists pay council tax just like drivers do, but they don't pay VED because there's no emissions. Most are also insured and as risks are low so are the premiums.

— NetherSchot 🇪🇺 (@NetherSchot) June 27, 2023

And a few more for luck...

Media law trainer David Banks asked: "Is that the best you can do? I was batting away idiots like you when I was writing about biking 30 years ago and road tax was ancient history back then. You must be truly desperate for attention to dig up that old myth."

Can you please point me in the direction of where I can reclaim the "Road tax" I should have been exempt from as I'm a cyclist

— georgesmith@75 (@georgesmith1975) June 27, 2023

Zwift has launched a new climb portal, allowing users to climb ascents featured in the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes Avec Zwift. From 8pm BST on 30 June, Zwifters can ascend imaginary versions of real-world cols.

There will be two portals in Zwift: one just outside the volcano in Watopia, and one in France. The climbs available through the portals will change, but will take Zwifters to legendary climbs used in the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes Avec Zwift during the month of July.

To access the portals, Zwifters can choose the portal climb options via a dedicated tile on their homepage, from within the routes list, or they can navigate their own way to the portals in-game if riding in Watopia or France. The Climb Portal routes will all feature a flat warmup, before Zwifters enter the portal and begin climbing. 

Some of the climbs included include Col d'Aspin, Puy de Dome and the Col du Tourmalet and each will see "the pitch and direction of the climbs perfectly match their real-world inspirations, giving Zwifters the realistic challenge of these climbs, as well as a completely new visual experience". In short, all of the suffering, just without the views...

> Teenage cyclist injured by alleged hit-and-run, red light jumping motorist – hours before another 13-year-old was knocked off his bike in same town by pavement-mounting motorcyclist

FRANCE!!!!

Drum & Bass On The Bike Makes it’s way to FRANCE (Paris) for the FIRST TIME EVER THIS SUNDAY 2nd July Starting at 14:00Hrs from Pl. De Hôtel De Ville, 75004 pic.twitter.com/KKigQT5YF7

— Domonic (@domwhiting) June 28, 2023

The Climate Change Committee, a government watchdog, has warned that the UK has lost its leadership on climate issues, citing government backing for new oil and coal, airport expansion and slow progress on heat pumps as evidence of the "worryingly slow" action.

The CCC report also warned that "continued delays in policy development and implementation" meant reaching emissions targets was "increasingly challenging".

Commenting on the report, Cycling UK's chief executive Sarah Mitchell said it shows there is an "urgent need to rebalance transport funding and stop relying on technological solutions to address tomorrow's problems".

"To meet net-zero the government needs to tackle its addiction to building roads, reverse the cuts to cycling and walking and invest in helping people drive less and cycle more," she said.

You might have seen Monday's live blog...

> Lance Armstrong says he is "all too familiar" with being cancelled and is "uniquely positioned to have these conversations" as he enters trans athletes row

Armstrong couldn't help but nibble on a tweet pointing out a certain irony in "Lance Armstrong lecturing people about sports fairness", whatever you think, the no longer seven-time Tour winner responding: "I'm actually not lecturing anyone rather bringing all sides to the table and inviting rational and open dialogue. And I might add, having a conversation that almost nobody dares touch".

Hey Lance everyday in the UK there’s a ‘debate’ over my rights to participate fully in society. This isn’t the topic that’s going to aid your image outside of right wing echo chambers https://t.co/NZP7C6hXSY

— Philippa York (@pippa_york) June 27, 2023

In reply to the reply, Armstrong wrote: "Philippa, allow me to make a few things clear. 1. I will never 'debate' you on this. I have a personal connection here which, if you took the time to listen, you would have heard. I support you.

"2. If you think I do anything these days to 'aid my image' you're grossly mistaken. I live the life that i want to lead and am cool w/ that. The only ones i want to impress are my family and loved ones. Spoiler alert — I'm winning this one.

"3. I'd encourage you (and others) to listen to the entire body of work. My goal was to speak to ALL sides of the dynamic and let folks decide for themselves. I am proud of the series and grateful to the folks who gave of their time."

A pretty glitzy 10 at the Lee Valley VeloPark, mind. No car park sign-on or grass verge starts here...

Haven't been able to track down the results, but arguably the more interesting thing is the discussion it has prompted on event entries and participant numbers. Reporting that he was one of 80+ entries, Dowsett said he was "blown away" by the event's popularity.

"TTs up and down the country seem to be struggling for attendance so really awesome to see this so busy," he added.

The event was apparently sold out in under a minute, a different world to many club TTs...

"We at Andover Wheelers are really struggling with our club TTs we had six for our last event," one person replied to Dowsett's post.

Steven Pink: "At Poole Wheelers we get >40 every week. The keys seems to be making it open and inclusive, easy to follow and consistent (and recognising road bike results severally helps). We have several club league tables too. Including scratch league in separate divisions and a handicap league."

Lizzy Archer: "Good to hear there are more popular ones. We get 40 for the flatter courses in Milton Keynes for the Monday night 10s. A few less when it's the more 'sporting' courses but still decent numbers."

James Pugh: "Latton TT in Wiltshire is going strong on a Thursday night. Regularly 40-50 riders."