Welsh cycle café plan rejected due to lack of parking; Rat-run anger sees protesters D-lock themselves to Regent’s Park gates; ASO changes tack on ‘podium girls’; Kruijswijk out of Tour de France; Yates chasing stage wins + more

When traffic engineers put up a 'road closed' sign, this is what it really means!

(via @NQManchester) pic.twitter.com/1DlQyKZmtU

— Cycling Professor (@fietsprofessor) August 20, 2020

Ineos have owned clothing brand Belstaff – who are most closely associated with motorcycling – since 2017.

Last month Belstaff became the official outfitter of the Grenadier, the new 4x4 from INEOS Automotive.

Creating something of a brand soup, this relationship has now also extended to the cycling team that, as of the Tour de France, takes its name from the vehicle.

INEOS Grenadiers CEO Fran Millar said: “Belstaff is an iconic British brand who have a long and rich pedigree in racing. Belstaff is already providing the clothing for the Grenadier, so this was a natural progression as we begin to race as the INEOS Grenadiers for the first time.

“We look forward to developing the partnership as we work on future collaborations that are built for purpose – a British racing heritage brand supporting the needs of a modern day racing team.”

Who’s up for some photos of pro cyclists looking faintly awkward because they’ve been asked ot model clothing that isn’t made out of Lycra?

Thought so.

We are pleased to announce that British racing heritage brand @Belstaff will become the official outfitter for the INEOS Grenadiers.https://t.co/PWqjUHtx4b pic.twitter.com/LvNgyqitlt

— Team INEOS (@TeamINEOS) August 20, 2020

An opaque campaign group pushing for the removal of the Oval Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) has claimed that the London Fire Brigade has safety issues with the scheme.

Brixton Buzz reports that OneOval – supposedly “an apolitical volunteer network of concerned residents” but of somewhat opaque membership – has this week released a press statement saying that London Fire Brigade have questioned the ‘rationale’ for the Oval Triangle LTN.

The release states that one fire service representative expressed concern about access to sites in the LTN area.

However, Save Oval Streets – which comprises residents associations in the area – says this is grossly misleading.

Save Oval Streets points out that all emergency services concerns were immediately addressed by Lambeth Council and that the design of the LTN was in fact altered to take into account the views of the fire, ambulance and police services.

Councillor Claire Holland echoed the comments of Save Oval Streets.

Completely irresponsible from One Oval spreading fear through misinformation. You might not like emergency LTN but at least discuss it honestly.

I wonder why they didn't release the full email exchange to @brixtonbuzz? Maybe because the emergency services signed them off? 🤦🏼♀️👇🏼 https://t.co/Lbmj0kMM0V pic.twitter.com/2FkLZr9X2T

— Claire Holland (@clairekholland) August 20, 2020

Cycling Industry News reports that Storck Bicycle founder, Markus Storck, and Decathlon have both sold 25% stakes in the firm to Stefan Lohwasser.

Storck and Lohwasser have consequently become equal partners in the business.

Lohwasser said: “Storck enjoys the highest reputation in the industry. Thanks to progressive innovation, timeless design and high quality, the brand has managed to develop an unmistakable image. I am therefore very happy to join the well-established company and to shape the growth story together with Markus Storck.”

Markus Storck said: “In Stefan Lohwasser, Storck has gained an active, future-oriented partner. To shape the company together with him is an enrichment for the whole team. I would like to thank Decathlon for ten years of trusting cooperation and look forward to further mutual successes.”

No joke. Wout van Aert's defending his Belgian title today and this is his support team.

One bus, one truck, three teamcars and two soldiers for defending TT-champ Wout van Aert #BKTijdrijden #BKKoksijde pic.twitter.com/4SfNNt4ICb

— Guy VD Langenbergh (@guyvdl) August 20, 2020

Jumbo-Visma's Tour de France tilt has suffered a significant blow with the withdrawal of Steven Kruijswijk, who finished third last year.

The Dutchman suffered a nasty crash during the recent Critérium du Dauphiné and his injuries are more significant than initially thought.

He'll be replaced by Norwegian national champion, Amund Grondahl Jansen.

With dissatisfaction, but sense of reality we’d like to share Steven Kruijswijk’s announcement⤵️ pic.twitter.com/vnZQMgZr55

— Team Jumbo-Visma cycling (@JumboVismaRoad) August 20, 2020

Sportive director Merijn Zeeman confirms that Amund Grondahl Jansen will replace Steven in the Tour de France.

Get well soon, Steven!🤞🏼 pic.twitter.com/1RsxMXuHNw

— Team Jumbo-Visma cycling (@JumboVismaRoad) August 20, 2020

This year it will be a man and a woman presenting jerseys on the finish podiums at the Tour de France, rather than two 'podium girls'.

Europe 1 reports Tour director Christian Prudhomme as saying: "You used to see the winner surrounded by two hostesses, with five dignitaries on one side and five representatives of the sponsors on the other.

“Now it will be different with only one dignitary and one representative of the yellow jersey sponsors, as well as a hostess and a host for the first time.”

He pointed out that while such a balance would be seen as ‘new’ for the Tour de France, “we have already been doing it in other races for 20 years, as in Liège-Bastogne-Liège."