Ricky Gervais goes cycling, says stop "acting like t*wats" (no, not you); Zwift peaks at 35,000 users... but are pros spoiling the fun?; Motorbiking Zwifter goes viral; 'Coolest car in cycling' stolen; Kitchen CX with Frank Schleck +more on the live blog

The comic decided to go for a bike ride at the weekend - and during this YouTube vlog, opened to the tune of "Wouldn't It Be Nice" by The Beach Boys, Gervais exclaimed: "Wouldn't it be nice if people would stop acting like tw*ts?"

Gervais was referring not to his fellow cyclists, but to families allegedly "blocking the whole pavement", which he argued isn't exactly conducive to social distancing:

"I thought the bike would be safer than running because you're on the road, no one's nearer except for cars... no", he explains. 

"Because there were so many people, like families going out - which is fair enough - but they block the whole pavement, and they dawdle. So people are walking in the street, in the road, to overtake them. So I have to keep stopping. 

"And all I can do is tut. And even that you know. People go "who does he think he is?". Oh god."

He goes on to suggest that for the police to deter people who were reportedly out catching rays during the warm weekend, they should approach overweight sunbathers, record them on mobile phones and threaten to put the footage online. We're not completely sure if that will become official government policy any time soon...

Stay safe at home everybody pic.twitter.com/DVAuvKX4Cj

— Peter Sagan (@petosagan) April 4, 2020

No idea what we've just saw... but who cares it's Peter Sagan and he wants us to stay at home, so we'll do just that. 

Excellent use of a telephoto lens by @thetimes, misleading image and reporting.
How about a photo of the 6 superbike riders at the top of the hill in conversation about how they don't care about the rules because they can outrun police?

Thx @_D415Y_ for the other perspective pic.twitter.com/ZgznnJrLNT

— Francis Cade (@Francis_Cade) April 6, 2020

The accusations were made by former pro cyclist-turned filmmaker Francis Cade, with The Mirror also accused of using the same technique to make cyclists appear like they are riding in a group in this article. Neither newspaper has confirmed or denied using a telephoto lens on their articles yet, although we'll be contacting them for comment and publishing a full article later this afternoon. 

I see the legend @LukeRowe1990 has sorted him out ☺️

— Chris Froome (@chrisfroome) April 6, 2020

The four-time Tour de France champ saw that Rowe had bought a bike for a Cardiff doctor who had theirs stolen; although a nice yellow Pinarello wouldn't be a bad idea for the commute surely?

10 percent of the dudes on @GoZwift are trolling 😂 pic.twitter.com/qGOJac6lWH

— Chris Carlson (@Kiss_my_Panache) April 5, 2020

So as a solution to our earlier question, it looks like this gentleman has nailed it by overtaking the competition at warp speed using a motorbike. In all seriousness, please don't really do this... 

Last Sunday we hit a new high of 28,305, then yesterday we broke the 30k mark for the first time in Zwift's history.
But this morning we blew away our record again - hitting a peak of ~34,940 at precisely 2am PDT, or 9am GMT. Ride… https://t.co/9Mjkz12kIp pic.twitter.com/NARihcpDdY

— Zwift Insider (@zwiftinsider) April 5, 2020

The already popular virtual training app has hit new heights since the coronavirus pandemic has forced many cyclists indoors; and according to Zwift Insider, a peak of almost 35,000 users were riding simultaneously at 8am yesterday morning. Considering that is double what the peak was in January - and Zwift Insider also claims the number has grown by over 6,500 in a week - its popularity is still very much on the rise. 

However, it's not all virtual hugs and kissed in Watopia, as a number of users on the Zwift Riders Facebook page have expressed their frustration at pro riders stealing their thunder and making it impossible for mortals to compete in the game's 'A-Grade' rides. 

One says: "With the number of pros jumping on Zwift I think we need a new grade above the current A grade. I used to be competitive now I have no chance to even hold on to the top tier despite being 4w/kg."

Another has even started a series on Instagram documenting getting dropped by pro avatars on Zwift, and another has counted that 131 known pro cyclists are now signed up to the game. Does it need a level above the current four for the elite, or are Zwifters being too precious? Tis only a game after all...

The Belgian and 12 other pros including Thomas De Gendt and Jasper Stuyven 'faced off' for the last hour of a virtual Tour of Flanders course using Bkool's training app from the discomfort of their homes, with Van Avermaet clinching the victory. Oliver Naesen beat Irishman Nicholas Roche for second, while De Gendt was fourth. 

The race was set to be held yesterday​, but instead took place over the final 30km of the course in Bkool's virtual world because of the coronavirus pandemic. There was also a Zwift version that Mathieu Van der Poel took part in, because he has contractual obligations with Zwift. 
CCC rider Avermaet was thrilled with his victory in the 'Lockdown' version of the race, but hopes it will be the last nonetheless... 

Happy with my 1st victory (and hopefully the last) in today’s lockdown @RondeVlaanderen! Slightly different but I enjoyed it. Stay safe you all! 🤞 #RideForMore pic.twitter.com/8RuPoHKOoP

— Greg Van Avermaet (@GregVanAvermaet) April 5, 2020