England cricket captain Joe Root thanks new cycling regime for century in India; Cyclist suffers broken bones in "serious assault" by ten youths; UK's safest city for winter cycle commuting; UCI bans riders from top tube descending + more on the live blog

So just before the stage I was answering questions about riding on the top tube. Please @UCI_cycling think about the real risks, like oil on the road today. Don't blame us for causing crashes. There is so much to do on safety and organization side of cycling... @Etoile_Besseges pic.twitter.com/3SV3dmOyDF

— Michał Kwiatkowski (@kwiato) February 5, 2021

British Cycling has named the first members of its new external Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group. The move is part of a five-year strategic framework to tackle the diversity and inclusion gap and hopefully ensure that the sport is reflective of Britain's communities. The group brings together 14 experts who will advise the Executive Leadership Team, Board of Directors and British Cycling staff. Julie Watts will be the co-chair and senior clinical manager, while former professional cyclist Philippa York is also part of the group. 

British Cycling's business services director Rob Findlay said: "This is a long-term mission which requires a real organisational and culture change, and covers all levels of the sport, including our membership, programmes, volunteer workforce, staff and decision-making governance structures, and we are committed to providing updates on our progress over the months and years ahead.”

A cyclist was left with fractures to his jaw, ribs, leg and wrists after being punched and kicked to the ground by a group of ten youths on a disused railway track in Walsall. The cyclist in his 50s was set on as he tried to ride past the group just off Cartbridge Lane South. The Birmingham Mail reports the attack only stopped when a passer-by shouted at the group, who then fled the scene. Due to his injuries the cyclist is still recovering in hospital.

West Midlands Police has launched an appeal to catch the group, who fractured the cyclists jaw in two places during the attack. A spokesperson for the police force said: "We're asking for your help to identify a group of lads who left a cyclist with several broken bones, including a fractured jaw, after a serious assault on a disused railway track in Walsall.

"The man in 50s went to cycle past a group of about 10 youngsters on the path off Cartbridge Lane South at about 1.45pm on Saturday, January 23. But they began kicking and punching at him, before two of the youths who were on a motorbike, knocked him to the ground, where the attack continued until a passer-by shouted and the group fled.

"The group of lads were all described as white and were wearing dark clothing, face coverings and scarfs. Our enquiries are continuing and if you were out on the path, saw the group of lads or have any other information please get in touch."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the police on 101 or via the live chat at www.west-midlands.police.uk and quote the crime reference: 20WS/21739H/21.

Every kid deserves to grow up with a good dog... pic.twitter.com/fyhnrIwB0n

— Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) February 3, 2021

The Mirror was a repeat offender. Perhaps the most egregious example was this photo (from the same photographer) of an alleged "group" of cyclists shown over almost the entire length of one side of Regents Park pic.twitter.com/12iGA6s68O

— Mark Treasure (@AsEasyAsRiding) February 4, 2021

Just a quick update as we've got a full news story coming shortly. The Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) has upheld a complaint about a story that appeared on the Mirror's website last April. The complaint was made about the use of a photo of cyclists where "the angle of the photo gave a distorted impression of the distance between him and the other cyclists, making them appear closer in proximity. He said that, if the road markings in the image were examined carefully, it was clear that the cyclists were at least 2 metres apart."

Full story to follow on road.cc shortly...

The UCI is cracking down on pro riders descending in the aero tuck or super tuck position. Whatever you want to call it, it involves riders sitting on the top tube to reduce their profile, get more aero and descend faster. The UCI's statement on ongoing attempts to improve rider safety explained that in first instances riders will be given warnings by race commissaires as part of an initial education and awareness phase. However, after April 1st systematic sanctions will come into place, including possible exclusion from competition.

Needless to say the UCI has received a social media backlash from riders and fans who suggested the governing body is putting the blame for the sport's danger on the riders. Cofidis' Simon Geschke tweeted: "What about downhill sprints like the one in the Tour of Poland last year that nearly killed someone?"

Geschke's complaint came just hours after the second stage of Étoile de Bessèges, which was marred by a big crash after the peloton was asked to negotiate a roundabout at 500m to go on a fast sprint stage. Mads Pedersen was caught up in the crash and described it as a "shit way to end a good sprint stage".

In the UCI's statement they reiterated their commitment to increasing rider safety at dangerous parts of the race, including by introducing a standardised barrier for the final of events, particularly bunch sprints.

Literally today. pic.twitter.com/LYioHxuuST

— Cycling out of context (@OutOfCycling) February 4, 2021