Pro cycling thread

[Biffer]

Anyone keeping up with the Tour of Britain? Looks really competitive this year. Heading to Holyrood park to watch the finish of the stage on Saturday (hoping this is another wee rehearsal for a Grand Depart in the future), hopefully a good sprint finish.

[Slick]

Oh, didn’t know about this, will take a look!

[SaintK]

Bernal badly injured in training and in intensive care. Sounds awful!

Two-time Grand Tour winner Egan Bernal remains in intensive care after undergoing surgery on his spine following a serious crash suffered while training in his native Colombia.

Bernal, 25, underwent multiple rounds of surgery following the accident, with doctors working to repair fractures in his right leg and kneecap as well as a collapsed lung. The 2019 Tour de France winner has since had further surgery to repair dislocated fractures in his spine.

Chris Froome, pictured racing in Italy back in October, has been forced to delay his pre-season training due to a knee injury.
Chris Froome suffers knee injury in setback to preparations for new season
Read more
A statement from the Clinica Universidad de La Sabana in Bogota said the operation “kept intact the neurological integrity and conserved the functionality of the segments involved”.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022 ... cycling

[Blackmac]

Bernal badly injured in training and in intensive care. Sounds awful!

Two-time Grand Tour winner Egan Bernal remains in intensive care after undergoing surgery on his spine following a serious crash suffered while training in his native Colombia.

Bernal, 25, underwent multiple rounds of surgery following the accident, with doctors working to repair fractures in his right leg and kneecap as well as a collapsed lung. The 2019 Tour de France winner has since had further surgery to repair dislocated fractures in his spine.

Chris Froome, pictured racing in Italy back in October, has been forced to delay his pre-season training due to a knee injury.
Chris Froome suffers knee injury in setback to preparations for new season
Read more
A statement from the Clinica Universidad de La Sabana in Bogota said the operation “kept intact the neurological integrity and conserved the functionality of the segments involved”.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022 ... cycling

Sounds like a horrendous crash. Poor lad will sadly struggle to come back from that.

[Jim Lahey]

Yes really sad news about Egan.

I lived in Colombia for a few years and can testify that bus drivers there are the biggest set of cunts known to man, which is amazing as most other Colombians are the nicest bunch you could ever hope to meet. All privately owned and won't think twice about pulling across 3 lanes of traffic at speed over the course of 20 metres to pick up a fare of someone standing at the side of the road, never mind a designated bus stop.

Easy to imagine Bernal trucking along minding his own business then some imbecile cuts in front of him.

[Blackmac]

Yes really sad news about Egan.

I lived in Colombia for a few years and can testify that bus drivers there are the biggest set of cunts known to man, which is amazing as most other Colombians are the nicest bunch you could ever hope to meet. All privately owned and won't think twice about pulling across 3 lanes of traffic at speed over the course of 20 metres to pick up a fare of someone standing at the side of the road, never mind a designated bus stop.

Easy to imagine Bernal trucking along minding his own business then some imbecile cuts in front of him.

I think the bus was parked, but yeah bus drivers more or less everywhere are cunts when it comes to cyclists.

[Hugo]

That's terrible news. Hopefully he will fully recover.

[Jim Lahey]

Yes really sad news about Egan.

I lived in Colombia for a few years and can testify that bus drivers there are the biggest set of cunts known to man, which is amazing as most other Colombians are the nicest bunch you could ever hope to meet. All privately owned and won't think twice about pulling across 3 lanes of traffic at speed over the course of 20 metres to pick up a fare of someone standing at the side of the road, never mind a designated bus stop.

Easy to imagine Bernal trucking along minding his own business then some imbecile cuts in front of him.

I think the bus was parked, but yeah bus drivers more or less everywhere are cunts when it comes to cyclists.

https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/ineo ... ins-in-icu

Sounds like the bus pulled over. I follow him on Strava and some of his regular routes involve going up the autopista norte leaving Bogota or the ring road around Zipaquira, both of which are relatively flat (in comparison to the surrounding areas). He was on the TT bike apparently so likely on a flat, busy, 2 or 3 lane route, so I'd imagine the bus slammed on the breaks to pull over to let passengers off, not bothering to check their blind spot.

Hopeful he makes a full recovery with no major life-changing injuries but its a disaster for the cycling season. Was really looking forward to seeing him, Pog and Roglic all scraping for the TdF this year.

[Blackmac]

Yes really sad news about Egan.

I lived in Colombia for a few years and can testify that bus drivers there are the biggest set of cunts known to man, which is amazing as most other Colombians are the nicest bunch you could ever hope to meet. All privately owned and won't think twice about pulling across 3 lanes of traffic at speed over the course of 20 metres to pick up a fare of someone standing at the side of the road, never mind a designated bus stop.

Easy to imagine Bernal trucking along minding his own business then some imbecile cuts in front of him.

I think the bus was parked, but yeah bus drivers more or less everywhere are cunts when it comes to cyclists.

https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/ineo ... ins-in-icu

Sounds like the bus pulled over. I follow him on Strava and some of his regular routes involve going up the autopista norte leaving Bogota or the ring road around Zipaquira, both of which are relatively flat (in comparison to the surrounding areas). He was on the TT bike apparently so likely on a flat, busy, 2 or 3 lane route, so I'd imagine the bus slammed on the breaks to pull over to let passengers off, not bothering to check their blind spot.

Hopeful he makes a full recovery with no major life-changing injuries but its a disaster for the cycling season. Was really looking forward to seeing him, Pog and Roglic all scraping for the TdF this year.

[Blackmac]

Yes really sad news about Egan.

I lived in Colombia for a few years and can testify that bus drivers there are the biggest set of cunts known to man, which is amazing as most other Colombians are the nicest bunch you could ever hope to meet. All privately owned and won't think twice about pulling across 3 lanes of traffic at speed over the course of 20 metres to pick up a fare of someone standing at the side of the road, never mind a designated bus stop.

Easy to imagine Bernal trucking along minding his own business then some imbecile cuts in front of him.

I think the bus was parked, but yeah bus drivers more or less everywhere are cunts when it comes to cyclists.

https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/ineo ... ins-in-icu

Sounds like the bus pulled over. I follow him on Strava and some of his regular routes involve going up the autopista norte leaving Bogota or the ring road around Zipaquira, both of which are relatively flat (in comparison to the surrounding areas). He was on the TT bike apparently so likely on a flat, busy, 2 or 3 lane route, so I'd imagine the bus slammed on the breaks to pull over to let passengers off, not bothering to check their blind spot.

Hopeful he makes a full recovery with no major life-changing injuries but its a disaster for the cycling season. Was really looking forward to seeing him, Pog and Roglic all scraping for the TdF this year.

Sadly I still think he is likely at fault. Clearly behind the bus which is perfectly entitled to be pulling over to disembark passengers. The only thing I would expect a bus driver to do is check his nearside mirror to ensure there is not a cyclist coming up on his inside.

As a cyclist I'm pretty shocked at some of the latest Highway Code rules being introduced here which takes a lot of the responsibility of cyclists and to me will only encourage some to ride even more carelessly than they do.

When I am behind a bus I will always be riding in the expectation it is going to pull over.

Anyway as you say, tragedy regardless and I hope he makes a full recovery.

[Jim Lahey]

Yeah purely speculation on my part based on seeing how these bus drivers drive, never using indicators and usually in bangers with non-functioning break lights, and a tendancy to make last minute decisions with little to no regards to other road users. But you're right, could have easily been his fault cycling on a busy road head down in a tuck position and a lapse of judgement.

Anyone here have a GCN+ account? I normally activate a monthly Eurosport subscription for the cycling season but have heard some of the GCN documentaries are good watches.

[Blackmac]

Yeah purely speculation on my part based on seeing how these bus drivers drive, never using indicators and usually in bangers with non-functioning break lights, and a tendancy to make last minute decisions with little to no regards to other road users. But you're right, could have easily been his fault cycling on a busy road head down in a tuck position and a lapse of judgement.

Anyone here have a GCN+ account? I normally activate a monthly Eurosport subscription for the cycling season but have heard some of the GCN documentaries are good watches.

Do most of the GCN documentaries not appear for free a couple of months later. It's a superb channel.

We are so lucky here to have Eurosport as a Freeview channel.

[shaggy]

I think the bus was parked, but yeah bus drivers more or less everywhere are cunts when it comes to cyclists.

https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/ineo ... ins-in-icu

Sounds like the bus pulled over. I follow him on Strava and some of his regular routes involve going up the autopista norte leaving Bogota or the ring road around Zipaquira, both of which are relatively flat (in comparison to the surrounding areas). He was on the TT bike apparently so likely on a flat, busy, 2 or 3 lane route, so I'd imagine the bus slammed on the breaks to pull over to let passengers off, not bothering to check their blind spot.

Hopeful he makes a full recovery with no major life-changing injuries but its a disaster for the cycling season. Was really looking forward to seeing him, Pog and Roglic all scraping for the TdF this year.

Sadly I still think he is likely at fault. Clearly behind the bus which is perfectly entitled to be pulling over to disembark passengers. The only thing I would expect a bus driver to do is check his nearside mirror to ensure there is not a cyclist coming up on his inside.

As a cyclist I'm pretty shocked at some of the latest Highway Code rules being introduced here which takes a lot of the responsibility of cyclists and to me will only encourage some to ride even more carelessly than they do.

When I am behind a bus I will always be riding in the expectation it is going to pull over.

Anyway as you say, tragedy regardless and I hope he makes a full recovery.

BMac, the media coverage of the changes to the Highway Code is astonishing. Yes, there will likely be some cyclists that take the piss deliberately because of the changes but overall the purpose is to protect the more vulnerable and hold to account those in vehicles who do drive dangerously and with no respect for anyone else. I, as almost every cyclist, has been subject to driving that is totally not acceptable so pushing that boundary back is the right thing to do.

Sadly the media will actually make this a war and there will be an uptick in cyclist injuries and deaths, some due to their own fault and some the motorists.

We are seeing major deterioration in driving behaviours since a 20mph was imposed across the borough. Drivers are pissed off at people driving at 20 and doing reckless things to get past. As the new limit is seemingly not policed or controlled through cameras drivers are simply ignoring the limit and in fact have lowered their safe driving skills through frustration of being held up by someone doing 20mph. I am glad we don’t have guns here.

Anyway, the HC changes although well intentioned will mean a greater danger to cyclists in my opinion.

[Blackmac]

https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/ineo ... ins-in-icu

Sounds like the bus pulled over. I follow him on Strava and some of his regular routes involve going up the autopista norte leaving Bogota or the ring road around Zipaquira, both of which are relatively flat (in comparison to the surrounding areas). He was on the TT bike apparently so likely on a flat, busy, 2 or 3 lane route, so I'd imagine the bus slammed on the breaks to pull over to let passengers off, not bothering to check their blind spot.

Hopeful he makes a full recovery with no major life-changing injuries but its a disaster for the cycling season. Was really looking forward to seeing him, Pog and Roglic all scraping for the TdF this year.

Sadly I still think he is likely at fault. Clearly behind the bus which is perfectly entitled to be pulling over to disembark passengers. The only thing I would expect a bus driver to do is check his nearside mirror to ensure there is not a cyclist coming up on his inside.

As a cyclist I'm pretty shocked at some of the latest Highway Code rules being introduced here which takes a lot of the responsibility of cyclists and to me will only encourage some to ride even more carelessly than they do.

When I am behind a bus I will always be riding in the expectation it is going to pull over.

Anyway as you say, tragedy regardless and I hope he makes a full recovery.

BMac, the media coverage of the changes to the Highway Code is astonishing. Yes, there will likely be some cyclists that take the piss deliberately because of the changes but overall the purpose is to protect the more vulnerable and hold to account those in vehicles who do drive dangerously and with no respect for anyone else. I, as almost every cyclist, has been subject to driving that is totally not acceptable so pushing that boundary back is the right thing to do.

Sadly the media will actually make this a war and there will be an uptick in cyclist injuries and deaths, some due to their own fault and some the motorists.

We are seeing major deterioration in driving behaviours since a 20mph was imposed across the borough. Drivers are pissed off at people driving at 20 and doing reckless things to get past. As the new limit is seemingly not policed or controlled through cameras drivers are simply ignoring the limit and in fact have lowered their safe driving skills through frustration of being held up by someone doing 20mph. I am glad we don’t have guns here.

Anyway, the HC changes although well intentioned will mean a greater danger to cyclists in my opinion.

That was essentially my take. Some of the changes are ideal in a real world but unfortunately we don't live it one. Rules like encouraging cyclists to "take the lane" are all well and good but it will definitely increase animosity and bad driving towards cyclist who do it inappropriately and excessively.

Bizarrely the news here highlighted a case of bad driving where a cyclist got wiped out by a left turning taxi, however the taxi was clearly indicating left and the cyclist decided to undertake at speed. It was almost a Darwin Award but something I see all too frequently.

Unfortunately I'm my opinion, as a very defensive cyclist, there are too many like that and this will just empower them more.

[Slick]

I have to say that Edinburgh is a fucking awful place to cycle

[Guy Smiley]

I'd just like to point out for the lame of hearing, that the word is fucking brakes.

[Guy Smiley]

https://cyclingtips.com/2022/01/egan-be ... r-surgery/

Egan Bernal has provided an update on his condition four days after suffering a horror crash while training at home in Colombia.

“Having had a 95% chance of becoming a paraplegic and nearly losing my life doing what I love to do most,” Bernal wrote to his online followers. “Today I want to thank God, the Clínica Universidad de La Sabana, all the specialists for doing the impossible, my family, friends and all of you for your wishes. I’m still in the ICU waiting for more surgeries but trusting in God everything will be fine.”



The 2019 Tour de France champion has been in the ICU since Monday January 24 after crashing into a parked bus while training on his time trial bike. He was rushed into emergency surgery to stabilise his spine, the first of a number of operations to treat a daunting list of traumatic injuries.

The extent of his spinal injury generated serious concerns as to the 25-year-old’s future, but the picture became more optimistic when a couple of days after surgery, it was reported that he was conscious, responsive and able to move all four limbs.

Bernal remains in ICU and is due to undergo a couple more minor surgeries on his face and hand fracture in the coming days.

[Hugo]

https://cyclingtips.com/2022/01/egan-be ... r-surgery/

The extent of his spinal injury generated serious concerns as to the 25-year-old’s future, but the picture became more optimistic when a couple of days after surgery, it was reported that he was conscious, responsive and able to move all four limbs.

Bernal remains in ICU and is due to undergo a couple more minor surgeries on his face and hand fracture in the coming days.

This is great news.

[duke]

Tom Pidcock currently well ahead of the field at the World Cyclocross Champs with 7 of 9 laps done

[Guy Smiley]

Marianne Vos won her 8th World CX title yesterday...

making her the CX GOAT.

She's phenomenal.

[duke]

Pidcock wins by about 30 seconds - great result

[clydecloggie]

Marianne Vos won her 8th World CX title yesterday...

making her the CX GOAT.

She's phenomenal.

Add to that three road world championships, two track world championships, Olympic gold on the road and track and apparently 303 road race victories and 117 cyclocross victories (plus presumably a bag of track victories). Utterly ridiculous numbers and that's without going to other podium finishes. Oh, and she won the Giro three times as well. Her first CX title was won as an 18-year old in 2006.

Tough call between her and Jeannie Longo for overall women's cycling GOAT.

[Guy Smiley]

They're both in the frame and with numbers like that it's not just the womens' GOAT you're talking about but the Big GOAT.

[clydecloggie]

Pidcock wins by about 30 seconds - great result

[Dinsdale Piranha]

They're both in the frame and with numbers like that it's not just the womens' GOAT you're talking about but the Big GOAT.

It was a shame that Nicole Cooke's career didn't overlap with Vos for longer. Them racing against each other was good to watch.

Pidcock's victory was pretty much a rerun of the Olympics. Wait until about halfway, disappear up the road for a couple of laps and stay there.

[SaintK]

Tom Dumoulin retires with immediate effect

Former Giro d'Italia winner and double Olympic silver medallist Tom Dumoulin has announced his retirement from cycling with "with immediate effect".
The Dutch cyclist posted his decision on Twitter, two months after saying he would retire following September's Road World Championship in Australia.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/62555383

[Jim Lahey]

Lads, can't find the other cycling thread but need advice.

Got knocked off my bike by some old tosser in a car a few weeks back. Landed ontop of another car to break my fall so not injured apart from a badly bruised hand, which has healed.

I was a bit shooken up on the ground and a lot of bystanders were making sure I was OK, while the old prick skulked off and no one got his details ffs.

Anyway, have a crack in my carbon frame. Was told it would be £1800 for a replacement, which is out of my league atm due to other family expenses at present. I am doing Mallorca 312 at the end of April so need a solution quickly.

Has anyone experiemce with frame repairs, and do they work? My bike mech gave me the details of someone who he highly regards for doing them so taking the bike to see him next week. But I've also heard mixed reports over the durability. From my POV, as long as it gets me through Mallorca I'd be happy, and I'll re-assess my options afterwards. Its on the saddle stem. I had hoped it was just paintwork damage but a mate said its definitely a crack, but not a bad one.

Cheers

[Guy Smiley]

If you find someone who knows their shit, then carbon repairs should be ok. You'll need to try and dig up any sort of reviews on the business... if they know what they're doing you should be alright.

[duke]

Lads, can't find the other cycling thread but need advice.

Got knocked off my bike by some old tosser in a car a few weeks back. Landed ontop of another car to break my fall so not injured apart from a badly bruised hand, which has healed.

I was a bit shooken up on the ground and a lot of bystanders were making sure I was OK, while the old prick skulked off and no one got his details ffs.

Anyway, have a crack in my carbon frame. Was told it would be £1800 for a replacement, which is out of my league atm due to other family expenses at present. I am doing Mallorca 312 at the end of April so need a solution quickly.

Has anyone experiemce with frame repairs, and do they work? My bike mech gave me the details of someone who he highly regards for doing them so taking the bike to see him next week. But I've also heard mixed reports over the durability. From my POV, as long as it gets me through Mallorca I'd be happy, and I'll re-assess my options afterwards. Its on the saddle stem. I had hoped it was just paintwork damage but a mate said its definitely a crack, but not a bad one.

Cheers

I managed to crack my carbon frame fairly spectacularly by smacking into a bollard in Brittany at about 20 mph, cracked the top tube just behind the head tube.

I didn't get the frame repaired as it was insured but the guys at Wyndymilla where the frame came from said there were a number of top quality repairers about. One who was mentioned was Rob Hayles, ex pro and now carbon repairer - well worth getting a guy like that to take a look at the damage and give you a quote.

[Dinsdale Piranha]

Lads, can't find the other cycling thread but need advice.

Got knocked off my bike by some old tosser in a car a few weeks back. Landed ontop of another car to break my fall so not injured apart from a badly bruised hand, which has healed.

I was a bit shooken up on the ground and a lot of bystanders were making sure I was OK, while the old prick skulked off and no one got his details ffs.

Anyway, have a crack in my carbon frame. Was told it would be £1800 for a replacement, which is out of my league atm due to other family expenses at present. I am doing Mallorca 312 at the end of April so need a solution quickly.

Has anyone experiemce with frame repairs, and do they work? My bike mech gave me the details of someone who he highly regards for doing them so taking the bike to see him next week. But I've also heard mixed reports over the durability. From my POV, as long as it gets me through Mallorca I'd be happy, and I'll re-assess my options afterwards. Its on the saddle stem. I had hoped it was just paintwork damage but a mate said its definitely a crack, but not a bad one.

Cheers

No problem repairing carbon frames if it's done by somebody with a clue.

This lot local to me are well regarded. A bike mechanic I know sends them plenty of work. Their timescales might be tight for you.

https://carbonbikerepair.co.uk/

[Biffer]

Got a ticket to the World Track Cycling Championships in Glasgow in August.

UCI going the whole hog and doing Track, Road, MTB, BMX World Championships all in the same week in the same place. Should be good.

[Jim Lahey]

Cheers for the advice gents.

Handed the bike over to whiley old retired guy that restores both road and motorbikes just to pass his time, and gets sent a load of customers from all the main bike repair places near Belfast.

Picking it up on Monday for £70

Dodged a big bullet there.

[Jim Lahey]

Some finish on the Adriatico btw. Rog looking strong. Vinegaard needs to shape up after being beasted by Pog the other day.

[Blackmac]

Hope MVDP punctures or gets disqualified. That was a disgraceful bit of riding,

[Guy Smiley]

Hope MVDP punctures or gets disqualified. That was a disgraceful bit of riding,

I hope you have the self awareness to revisit that spiteful and quite wrong statement. Watch carefully...



MVDP is squeezed. Both he and Delkenkob were going for a gap that closed.

[Blackmac]

Hope MVDP punctures or gets disqualified. That was a disgraceful bit of riding,

I hope you have the self awareness to revisit that spiteful and quite wrong statement. Watch carefully...



MVDP is squeezed. Both he and Delkenkob were going for a gap that closed.

Not enough for a disqualification on the cobbles but still a terrible bit of riding. Completely crossed across his line when he didn't have the right. He's getting disqualified every day of the week if that is a sprint finish.

I actually can't see how you can even suggest MVDP is squeezed. He's riding on the crown swerves quite wildly whilst trying to accelerate into a gap that he doesn't have the speed to get to.

[Guy Smiley]

So you think MVDP should stop his movement past the wheel because Debenkolb wants to come past him?

Ridiculous.

[Blackmac]

So you think MVDP should stop his movement past the wheel because Debenkolb wants to come past him?

Ridiculous.

Degenkolb is abreast of him and had the speed and better road position when MVDP makes his move. If he was ahead, yes, but he has not and he cuts right across onto Degenkolbs shoulder forcing him off the road. He had zero awareness of Degenkolb's position. Because it's MVDP he is getting a free pass but the commentators said straight away that he went for a gap that didn't exist and Degenkolb is clearly raging. As I said if it was something Cavendish had done in a sprint you would all be spitting feathers. Degenkolb or his team clearly have little benefit in lodging a complaint but I'm certain if he or one of his teammates had come second they would be protesting like hell.

[Guy Smiley]

So you think MVDP should stop his movement past the wheel because Debenkolb wants to come past him?

Ridiculous.

Degenkolb is abreast of him and had the speed and better road position when MVDP makes his move. If he was ahead, yes, but he has not and he cuts right across onto Degenkolbs shoulder forcing him off the road. He had zero awareness of Degenkolb's position. Because it's MVDP he is getting a free pass but the commentators said straight away that he went for a gap that didn't exist and Degenkolb is clearly raging. As I said if it was something Cavendish had done in a sprint you would all be spitting feathers. Degenkolb or his team clearly have little benefit in lodging a complaint but I'm certain if he or one of his teammates had come second they would be protesting like hell.

You're putting words in my mouth to justify your argument. Please don't do that.

Both MVDP and Degenkolb are moving up as they both have a right to... it's the closing kms and pressure is on. MVDP needs to gap WVA after his puncture. Degenkolb ran the risk of going up the channel, he could see both riders in front and must have been able to see MVDP was closing and about to pass. MVDP was caught out by his teammate in front moving over to the right... you can even see him trying to correct with his body position as that occurs. He's trying the same thing Degenkolb is doing and they run out of room. It's harsh and terrible luck but it's no more than a racing incident. Rules for final sprints have no bearing, they are judged differently as you must know.

[Blackmac]

So you think MVDP should stop his movement past the wheel because Debenkolb wants to come past him?

Ridiculous.

Degenkolb is abreast of him and had the speed and better road position when MVDP makes his move. If he was ahead, yes, but he has not and he cuts right across onto Degenkolbs shoulder forcing him off the road. He had zero awareness of Degenkolb's position. Because it's MVDP he is getting a free pass but the commentators said straight away that he went for a gap that didn't exist and Degenkolb is clearly raging. As I said if it was something Cavendish had done in a sprint you would all be spitting feathers. Degenkolb or his team clearly have little benefit in lodging a complaint but I'm certain if he or one of his teammates had come second they would be protesting like hell.

You're putting words in my mouth to justify your argument. Please don't do that.

Both MVDP and Degenkolb are moving up as they both have a right to... it's the closing kms and pressure is on. MVDP needs to gap WVA after his puncture. Degenkolb ran the risk of going up the channel, he could see both riders in front and must have been able to see MVDP was closing and about to pass. MVDP was caught out by his teammate in front moving over to the right... you can even see him trying to correct with his body position as that occurs. He's trying the same thing Degenkolb is doing and they run out of room. It's harsh and terrible luck but it's no more than a racing incident. Rules for final sprints have no bearing, they are judged differently as you must know.

I can't see where I have put any words in your mouth. The incident actually happened before WVA's puncture. Degenkolb has anticipated the road better and moved into the gutter 50 yards before and doesn't change his racing line at all. He isn't going for a gap, merely trying to maintain his line and cycle as fast as possible as he has clear road ahead as both the others have mistakenly chosen to cycle on the crown. Philipson realises this first and moves across as he has every right to do so as he is in front, but MVDP is too slow and goes for a gap that isn't there as Degenkolb has closed to his shoulder. Even when they come together and Degenkolb is desperately leaning into him to stay on the road, MVDP does not relent and continues to push across with a total disregard. I'm sorry I appreciate these things happen but you what you are suggesting is the MVDP had the right to crash into a faster rider to prevent him coming past and that's not right. Block him yes, if he has space to take his line but not cut across into him. It was reckless.
We obviously have differing opinions about what constitutes reckless cycling and are clearly not going to change each others mind, so I'll leave it there.