Giro stage winner Demare pays tribute to dad's scooter - but Thomas out of the race; Cyclist given police warning for swearing after being punched for filtering; Why Premier League clubs may start hiring out bikes; Join the Evil Cycle Lobby + more

Delft is on its fifth straight day of rain, yet the bike lanes are still full.

“The only interesting number for cyclists is the minutes of travel time, not the millimeters of rainfall.” - @copenhenken

Make cycling the most convenient option, and people will do it rain or shine. pic.twitter.com/Kq6bQvV9bM

— Modacity (@modacitylife) October 6, 2020

👀 pic.twitter.com/9jba84t63V

— Équipe Cycliste Groupama-FDJ (@GroupamaFDJ) October 6, 2020

🔻 The last, uncertain km, Stage 4!

🔻 L'ultimo, combattutissimo, chilometro della Tappa 4!#Giro pic.twitter.com/BhXJoh71UB

— Giro d'Italia (@giroditalia) October 6, 2020

Speaking after the stage finish, the stage winner Arnaud Démare said: “Behind my dad's scooter I often train for the last jump. Today it paid off but I wasn't sure that I'd won when I crossed the line. It was so tight. It's fantastic to have won a Giro stage already in the first days of the race.”

Meanwhile race leader João Almeida grabbed a couple of seconds at the intermediate sprint.

“I tried to go for the time bonus at the intermediate sprint,” he said. “I can be fast in a small group. I am very happy to wear the Maglia Rosa another day.”

Impressive job by Peter Sagan and BORA-hansgrohe on #Giro Stage 4 as they drop several sprint rivals by upping the pace on the Portella Mandrazzi climb 💪

On the same 4km section...
Sagan: avg 420w & 29.5kmh
Gaviria: avg 340w & 26.4kmh

Follow live data: https://t.co/V1cH8whCIY pic.twitter.com/5cQJLPrzel

— Velon CC (@VelonCC) October 6, 2020

In October 2019, David Brennan encountered a queue of slow-moving traffic on his commute to work in Glasgow.

As he filtered up the inside, one driver appeared to take exception, accelerating to within inches of Brennan’s rear wheel.

This video features a lot of swearing.

“I thought I was in danger and reacted to the fast approaching vehicle by slapping the bonnet with the palm of my hand,” he said.

“The driver got out and was incredibly aggressive, hurling abuse at me. He pushed me and then punched me in the face. I was left with a swollen lip and in a state of shock.”

Brennan reported the incident to police. He said he had video footage from front and rear facing cameras, plus a witness from the driver of the vehicle behind who confirmed that the man had driven at him.

Brennan repeatedly chased the force and was eventually told that the driver had been given a written warning.

After later seeing the footage online, the police told Brennan they were going to investigate ‘further criminality’.

This turned out to be Brennan’s own behaviour. He was given a written warning stating that he ‘Did shout and swear causing fear to others’.

After taking advice from Cycling UK and Cycle Law Scotland, and with Cycling UK committed to covering legal costs through its' Cyclists’ Defence Fund Brennan appealed the warning.

Seven months later he was informed that the case had been dropped as it was ‘disproportionate’.

Cycling UK is calling for significant changes in the way vulnerable road users are treated in Scotland.

Jim Densham, Cycling UK’s policy and campaigns manager in Scotland, said: “David’s experience on the road that morning must have been frightening and the shock compounded by his subsequent treatment. Too often we hear of people who are out enjoying a cycle ride but experience a dangerous situation through no fault of their own.

“Dangerous incidents reported to the police on the road must be dealt with fairly and they must recognise that people who cycle are vulnerable road users. We believe that helmetcam and dashcam technology can help the police do their job and that’s why we are calling for Police Scotland to introduce a straightforward system which enables anyone to submit this footage.”

More on this here.

Confirming Geraint Thomas's withdrawal, Ineos Grenadiers Doctor Phil Riley said: “Geraint had an MRI and a CT scan this morning which revealed a small undisplaced fracture in the lower part of the pelvis which wasn’t picked up on the X-rays yesterday. As a precaution he will be withdrawn from the race as it's an injury that could easily be aggravated.”

Thomas said: “It’s so frustrating. I’d put so much work in to this race. I did everything I could and feel like I was in just as good, if not better shape, than when I won the Tour. I was feeling really good. So for it just to end like this is gutting.

Don’t forget the evil cycling lobby monthly meeting is next Friday at the parish hall, everyone please bring something for the buffet (but not that horrible coleslaw again Jill I swear to god I will ban you)

— Hannah 🚲 (@theeyecollector) October 1, 2020

T-shirts and other clobber available here.

All profits donated to cycling campaigns.

Asi vivió la familia de Jonathan Caicedo su victoria en el @giroditalia x @ESPNBike@mario_sabato @PROFE_RESTREPO
📷#alexcardenas pic.twitter.com/qX1VFe6xwh

— Victor Hugo Pena/ OLY (@victorhugopenag) October 6, 2020

Nothing too obviously remarkable terrain-wise. That hefty looking climb only averages 4%.

This year's edition of the Giro is promising toddler-at-mealtimes levels of messiness though, so who knows what'll happen.