Concerns young cyclists may copy pros using TT position in road races (+ calls for a ban) ; "Like a boss": Dutch kid grabs best spot for his bike; British Cycling launch project to tackle diversity gap; Roglic wins again + more on the live blog

Not ok! @UCI_cycling pic.twitter.com/zLXdKKrdrx

— Reinardt JvRensburg (@ReinvanRensburg) October 29, 2020

This morning we highlighted the debate raging on social media amongst the professional peloton at the Vuelta over the saftey of riding in a TT position on a road bike.

Team NTT's Reinardt Janse van Rensburg tweeted the picture above with the caption 'not ok' and tagged the UCI in the post.

It sparked a healthy debate with Ineos' Andrey Amador explaining that he was still in control of the handlebars as well as fellow pros Jesus Herrada and Jetse Bol having their say too.

One opinion that appeared numerous times from volunteers working in youth cycling and the wider community was that there have been cases of young riders, lacking the experience and bike-handling skills of the professional peloton, putting themselves in danger by copying the position in junior races.

Jose Been said: "I work at a youth cycling event. We see kids do this from 8-9 years old because they think it’s cool. They don’t have the bike handling skills to do it and they crash. We made it illegal and they get a time penalty now."

"I've seen lots of youth riders in Ireland doing this too. I believe that Cycling Ireland have now banned it for youth, a point of disqualification if caught," Finbar O'Kane added.

Let us know in our poll below what you think?

Fancy a black and gold saddle? Brooks have got you covered with this Chris King collaboration.

Limar have announced they are adding MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) to their Air Pro helmet for added protection.

Here's our review of the brand's flagship model.

Walks off like a boss

— A Maya A (@Nunno_15) October 29, 2020

Dutch kids learn early the supremacy of the bike. 😁

— Alison 😷 #SaveDaredevil (@AliBess) October 30, 2020

Even backed in. Pro move. 🤘🏻💪🔥

— Fred Schultz (@fred035schultz) October 29, 2020

Some guy is gonna be writing a stern letter on a baseball card!

— Name cannot be blank (@Asciid1) October 29, 2020

Following feedback from some residents who said they were unaware the scheme was temporary, the webpage was updated. We know not everyone will have seen the press release or read down to the FAQs so it was added to the main body of the page to make it clearer. Thanks.

— North Tyneside Council (@NTCouncilTeam) October 30, 2020

North Tyneside Council have responded to claims that their website was updated with the intention of misleading people about the 'Sunrise Cycleway' being a temporary initiative.

On Tuesday we highlighted the fact that the council used the cycleway to plug their new fleet of new e-cargo bikes.

OK so we're just going to throw this out there, someone at @NTCouncilTeam has gone into their website page for the @SunriseCycleway and literally inserted the word "temporary" into the text a few times. Thats where we're at. pic.twitter.com/kaifEbrG1V

— Living Streets North Tyneside (@NTyneLivingSt) October 30, 2020

North Tyneside Council denied the changes were intended to mislead people, instead claiming that it was in response to members of the public asking for clarity about whether it was a temporary measure.

The cycleway, which runs from Whitley Bay to Tynemouth, has been heralded by cyclists and advocates of active transport for providing a safe environment for cycling.

However, the council have made it clear that the cycleway will not be a permanent feature and will be restored to allow motorists access.

This petition asking for the cycleway to be kept has 5,600 signatures. 

Plenty of discussion on this one amongst the pros themselves... but what do you reckon? Vote in our poll... for no particular reason, but who doesn't love a good poll?

Should pros be allowed to adopt the TT position in road races?

Yep

Nope

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not ok! @UCI_cycling pic.twitter.com/zLXdKKrdrx

— Reinardt JvRensburg (@ReinvanRensburg) October 29, 2020

The pro peloton at La Vuelta were last night engaged in healthy debate over the safety of adopting a TT position when racing in a bunch.

Team NTT's Reinardt Janse van Rensburg raised the question by sharing a photo of Team Ineos domestique Andrey Amador riding with both arms wrapped over the middle of the bars while travelling at 64km/h in the final of yesterday's stage.

Amador responded, saying that he did still have control of his handlebars.

I’ve seen a shitload amount of world tour riders crashing over dropped bottles while they had even two hands on there drops/shifters.. draw your conclusions..

— Jetse Bol (@JetseBol) October 29, 2020

And that does not mean that I like that position with the hands there but there are so many dangerous things

— Jesús Herrada López (@jesushl90) October 29, 2020

One concern raised was that children were replicating the position after seeing professionals using it in races. 

I work at a youth cycling event. We see kids do this from 8-9 years old because they think it’s cool. They don’t have the bike handling skills to do it and they crash. We made it illegal and they get a time penalty now

— José Been (@TourDeJose) October 29, 2020

One of the world's biggest gravel races has been rebranded.

Formerly Dirty Kanza, the race will now be named Unbound Gravel over concerns the original name was derogatory to the Kaw Nation.

Race co-director Kristi Mohn explained the decision to VeloNews: "We had had concerns brought up from people in the gravel community that the name was causing harm and was derogatory toward the Kaw Nation.

"Through our history of the event, our relationship with the Kaw Nation had been positive, but as things grew more heated, it became apparent the name needed to change."

It's official, the race formerly known as DK is now @unboundgravel
I love it and 🙌 to them for not only talking the talk but walking the walk. pic.twitter.com/ioY1NFo6Bj

— Peter Stetina (@peterstetina) October 29, 2020

*Happy Halloween! 🎃 #GPSart #stravaart #satellitetrackingart #GPSdrawing #Halloween #jackolantern #GPSbaltimore! pic.twitter.com/Eyh1U3V72X

— WallyGPX (@WallyGPX) October 30, 2020

From Baltimore comes this spooky Strava art made by WallyGPX...other recent maps have included a tribute to Eddie Van Halen and Any Given Sunday.