Campaigners say Labour’s new homes plan “shouldn’t be granted” without cycling measures; Pro cyclist kicked off race for racist gesture; National road safety group slammed for “dangerous” mandatory bike helmet poll; Crocodile Ewan + more on the live blog

Sir Keir Starmer’s promise to build the “next generation” of new towns, and 1.5 million homes, as part of a “decade of renewal under Labour”, must be designed and implemented alongside “transport options fit for the future”, which will allow people living in these new homes to cycle, walk, or use public transport easily, Cycling UK says.

Yesterday at the Labour party conference, the glitter-covered leader of the opposition pledged to accelerate building on unused urban land to create a swathe of new towns close to “good jobs and infrastructure”, similar to those built by the Labour government in the wake of World War Two.

Starmer also promised to build 1.5 million new homes during the five years of what he hopes will be the next Labour-dominated parliament.

> Rishi Sunak’s ‘Plan for Motorists’ will “rob people of choice” and force them to drive, say cycling and walking campaigners

However, Cycling UK has called on the Labour leader to ditch the “roads-only network” typical of recent large-scale housing developments and to “demonstrate bravery” by setting out a transport plan that gives people “real opportunities” to walk and cycle short journeys, ending the reliance on cars.

“Labour has promised a decade of national renewal, including building 1.5 million new homes,” Sarah McMonagle, director of external affairs at Cycling UK, said in a statement following Starmer’s speech.

“These new neighbourhoods will also need transport options fit for the future, not the roads-only network that typifies so many recent large housing developments, leaving people with no option but to rely on cars.

“These new homes must have excellent links to public transport, be close to the services people need, and designed and planned so that walking or cycling for short journeys are obvious, safe, and attractive options for most people. Planning permission shouldn’t be granted without these elements designed in.”

> Cycling charity accuses Conservatives of "ill-fated attempt to win" votes with pro-motoring policies "undermining" active travel success

She continued: “But we needed to hear more from [Shadow Transport Secretary] Louise Haigh about Labour’s long-term plans for transport – in particular, taking into account the needs of people and families who don’t have access to a car.

“Keir Starmer mentioned the need for bravery, and we now need Labour to demonstrate that bravery by setting out the party’s plans for a transport future that gives more people real opportunities to walk or cycle short journeys. That’s a far better way to tackle the cost-of-living and climate crises, but also to massively improve our health, wealth, and well-being.”

Intermarché-Circus-Wanty have withdrawn their rider Madis Mihkels from the Tour of Guangxi, which starts tomorrow in the south of China, after a photo showing the Estonian making a racist gesture was posted on social media by teammate Gerben Thijsen.

The 20-year-old neo-pro, who took his first professional win at the Tour of Germany in August, made a crude, offensive gesture with his eyes as part of an Instagram story on Thijsen’s account, taken in Beihai, where the six-stage race begins tomorrow, images of which are circulating on social media.

**Warning: The following material contains a racist, offensive gesture**

In a statement released this morning, Intermarché-Circus-Wanty say they have pulled Mihkels out of the race and “necessary disciplinary steps” will be taken. However, there was no mention of Thijssen in the statement, though the 25-year-old Belgian’s Instagram story and account has since been removed.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Intermarché-Circus-Wanty (@intermarchecw)

“We sincerely regret the behaviour of our rider Madis Mihkels and the image shown on the social media,” the team said.

“We would like to apologise to the Chinese people and fans, to the government of Guangxi, to the Chinese Cycling Association, and all parties involved in the organization of Tour of Guangxi for the image given of our sport.

“For ever, our team Intermarché-Circus-Wanty, composed of more than 15 nationalities in our project, and our partners always defend firmly equal opportunities and fight daily against racism.

“We will withdraw Madis Mihkels from the race and take necessary disciplinary steps to close this incident.”

🌟Charity Auction🌟
To raise money for @YorkshireAirAmb and @yorkshirecancer we are auctioning off a skinsuit signed by the GB Cycling Team

To be in with a chance of winning, donate on our justgiving page https://t.co/oBc2b1xrSZ - the highest donation will win!
Good luck 🚲 pic.twitter.com/9kCEyQKRFw

— Charlie Tanfield (@CharlieTanfield) October 10, 2023

Ahead of their second annual charity sportive in the North York Moors, British racing brothers Harry and Charlie Tanfield are auctioning off a skinsuit signed by members of the Team GB squad to raise money for Yorkshire Cancer Research and Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

The highest donation will win the scrawled-over skinsuit (I wonder if pen marks will make it more aero?), with all the money raised being split evenly between the two charities.

The Tanfield brothers are both ambassadors for Yorkshire Cancer Research, following the passing of their mother in 2019, while their father required the services of Yorkshire Air Ambulance after a “life-changing” fall while riding his bike in 2016.

You can donate to both charities, and try to win the signed Team GB skinsuit, at the sportive’s Just Giving page.

> Google Maps collaborates with Transport for London to provide cyclists with safer and quieter navigation showing dedicated cycling infrastructure

Now, that seems like a much better and more universally popular idea than mandatory helmets, eh?

Jasper Philipsen with another win at the Tour of Turkey - he times his Stage 4 finish to 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏! 🙌

Philipsen now has three stage wins at the @tourofturkiye 🥇🥇🥇@JasperPhilipsen | #TUR2023 pic.twitter.com/PmYT7zqXVu

— Eurosport (@eurosport) October 11, 2023

Like a sixth former who’s just finished his A Levels, Jasper Philipsen is having a great week in Turkey, sprinting to the win this afternoon in the tourist port of Marmaris for his third stage victory out of a possible four so far (and to be fair to the Belgian, that missing stage went up a whacking great mountain).

He did have to work for today’s stage win, however, fighting his way through the pack in the final kilometre to just about overhaul Eolo-Kometa’s Giovanni Lonardi before the line.

Philipsen’s Turkey hat trick means the Alpecin-Deceuninck is now sitting on 18 wins for 2023, the most any male rider has achieved in a single season since Elia Viviani in 2018.

He’s inevitable…

A trio of up-and-coming British riders are set to follow in the wheel tracks of Max Poole and Oscar Onley by joining DSM-Firmenich’s development squad for 2024.

Poole and Onley have both impressed during their neo-pro seasons with DSM’s WorldTour squad this year after coming through the ranks at the Dutch team’s youth setup, with Poole picking up top fives on stages of the Vuelta and Dauphiné, as well as fourth overall at the Tour of Romandie, while his fellow 20-year-old Onley has battled for stage wins at the Tour of Poland and Romandie.

And now, Jacob Bush, Oliver Peace, and Benjamin Peatfield are hoping to replicate Poole and Onley’s path to the WorldTour by also signing for DSM’s development team for next season.

Jacobs Bush

Multidiscipline star Bush has been snapped up by DSM after a successful 2023 which saw him win the junior British time trial championships, claim third at the national cyclocross champs, finish fifth at the junior worlds TT in Stirling, and finish fourth at the Ain Bugey Valromey Tour in France in July.

“What attracted me most about the team when we initially got in contact is their thoroughness and detail into the components you need to create the most complete bike rider and person, on and off the bike, such as the nutrition, coaching, and material on offer,” the 18-year-old from Peterborough said in a statement today.

“In the juniors I saw myself as a GC rider, I believe I can climb well and also have a good TT and this is something I’d like to continue to develop on with the team in the coming seasons, but as well as this, I think the team and its environment and ethos will most importantly help me to develop my weaknesses in order to make me a more complete rider.”

Oliver Peace

Meanwhile, Peace – an 18-year-old from Keighley – won the hilly Vuelta a Las Comarcas in Spain, ahead of Bush, last year and finished 13th at the junior Liège-Bastogne-Liège in May, while 20-year-old Peatfield (who finished eighth at an epic, muddy edition of Paris-Roubaix as a junior) remains highly sought after despite injury and illness hampering his 2023 season. However, a second place at the Prix Marcel Bergereau in August, behind fellow British prospect Adam Mitchell, underlines his potential.

Describing himself as “more of a climber”, Peace said: “I’m really looking forward to working with the team to become the best rider I can be. I think I’m more of a climber, and probably most suited to the Ardennes style of climbs and enjoy any hard and selective race really.

“Of course, the aim is to win races together with the team but also to develop as a rider where I dream of making the WorldTour in the future. I also think I’m a good teammate and hope to try to maximise the team’s result from each race as much as possible.”

Benjamin Peatfield

“I hope to continue to learn, grow, and become the best version of myself with the help of the team,” added Peatfield.

“The classics are always special, and I often produce my best results in these types of races. Although I also like to think I’m quite handy in a bunch sprint or even riding day-in day-out as a domestique so I’m just looking forward to getting stuck in with everything as part of the team.

“I’ve had a tough 2023 with many setbacks and therefore have not performed to my best ability so I can’t wait to build back up to my true level and of course would love to put my hands in the air again.”

Unfortunately, Madis Mihkels and Gerben Thijsen aren’t the first pro cyclists to make rude, offensive gestures while in the full glare of the public eye.

Back in 2019, former Quick-Step pro, banned doper, and sometime six-day partner of Mark Cavendish, Iljo Keisse, was thrown off the Vuelta a San Juan, reported to police, and fined by a judge after mimicking a sex act while posing for photo with a female fan.

The fan, an 18-year-old waitress, said she felt “disrespected and worthless” following the incident, which prompted the race organisers to expel Keisse after it became apparent that his Quick-Step team weren’t going to take any action.

Denuncian abuso sexual de un ciclista en la Vuelta a San Juan con una foto clave https://t.co/J9ezEs5oyo pic.twitter.com/ZcylIS40ZA

— Clarín (@clarincom) January 28, 2019

> Iljo Keisse thrown out of Vuelta a San Juan and fined by judge following sexual harassment of waitress

In a statement, the organisers said Keisse’s behaviour had “damaged the reputation and honour of the organisation of the Vuelta a San Juan, the UCI, and cycling in general.”

The then-36-year-old Belgian was fined £60, the maximum amount possible under the applicable law.

> “Racism is unacceptable” – Trek-Segafredo reacts to rider’s pro-Trump tweet

A year later, Trek-Segafredo came up with a somewhat more convincing response when their rider, a then-teenage Quinn Simmons, responded to cycling commentator José Been’s tweet encouraging anyone who supported US president Donald Trump to unfollow her by posting the word “Bye” accompanied with an emoji of a black hand.

Bye 👋🏿

— Quinn Simmons (@QuinnSimmons9) September 30, 2020

While Simmons maintained that he did not intend for the emoji to be interpreted as racist, he was withdrawn from racing by Trek-Segafredo for the remainder of the season, with the American team adding that “racism is unacceptable. Period.”

> Team Sky suspend Gianni Moscon for six weeks for racial abuse

And in 2017, Team Sky suspended Gianni Moscon – a magnet for offensive behaviour and racing bans – for six weeks after the Italian racially abused FDJ rider Kevin Reza at the Tour of Romandie.

However, many critics noted at the time that the ban – which also saw the Italian forced to attend a “diversity awareness course” – covered a period during which Moscon wouldn’t have been racing in any case. And despite Sky noting that any further bad behaviour would result in the termination of Moscon’s contract, the Italian was involved in another three high-profile cases where he either hit riders, threw his bike at them, or was accused of deliberately causing crashes, before he was finally let go by the British team at the end of 2021.

Cycling fans around the world may still be struggling to get to grips with the whole thing, but it looks like TiboPino is easing into retirement quite nicely, taking some of his Groupama-FDJ mates out for a relaxing day on the go karts yesterday:

Reminds me of the time when we were juniors and Belgian riders would come over to train as part of an exchange programme – expect there wasn’t much training involved. But there was a lot of go karting…

Rudy, stay away from bad influences like Thibaut!