I always thought that those people who insist on trying to take souvenir WWI shells on the Eurostar and end up closing down Gare du Nord win the prize for the dumbest use of historic munitions. I was wrong . . .

As we look ahead to another Pogi-MVDP match-up in the spring Classics, I can't help wondering how things might play out if they were to contest the CX Worlds. What a duel that could be

A romp to a record-breaking eighth world title for MVDP, beautiful to watch, especially on the banks where his power advantage was so evident

Lots of disappointment over the TDF wild card choice of Caja Rural over Unibet Rockets (who are as French as fish and chips), but should there even be a 23rd team given safety concerns? Wasn't having 23 in 2025 supposed to be a one-off?

Interesting read on how Saudi investment in golf looks doomed. The LIV Tour has shaken up golf, to its benefit in some ways, but ultimately status and heritage count far more than cash it seems. Lessons for cycling perhaps

The cycling equivalent of a pre-season friendly

Lidl dominate the top of these rankings detailing how closely aligned European supermarket chains are to the Paris Climate Agreement and to the sale of more vegetable-based products. Not surprised to see Leclerc floundering as my local outlet doesn't sell any veggie "meat" products at all

The UK version of “Project 2025” by the Reform party includes a British ICE, a concentration camp for 24,000 people, mass surveillance and withdrawing from refugee, anti-torture and anti-trafficking conventions. It’s on their website. That’s how comfortable fascists are in the UK today.

Rest in Peace Alex Jeffrey Pretti🙏🏾 The VA ICU Nurses send him off right 💔

Alex Pretti was one of us. Rest in power.

“Everyone should be allowed to carry a gun for their safety but the government can murder you in the street if you have a gun” is an incredible endpoint for the conservative moment

457 UK armed forces personnel died in Afghanistan during the 20-year deployment. This is a fucking hideous thing to say. Even by his non-existent standards.

These numbers will get another boost from the UK's investment in the 2027 Tours

Great to see the TDFs coming to the UK, but I don't buy this from BC's Jon Dutton: “This is a once‐in‐a‐generation chance to build a healthier, more active and more connected nation... to help deliver a legacy that will be felt long after the peloton has left UK shores.” Didn't happen in 2007/2014

I don't hold to this rule. As far as I'm concerned any of my books will do

Just seen Grok putting the body of the victim of the ICE shooting in Minneapolis into a bikini. Digital corpse desecration now available to the public.

Forensic analysis of objective video evidence. This is how you serve readers searching for clarity.

Wow. This was a surprise. Simon Yates has decided to retire from professional cycling.

Absolutely fucking tremendous from the FT.

🇪🇺 What a week, huh? 30 Dec.: Eurotunnel blocked due to power failure 31 Dec.: Finnish subsea cable cut in Gulf of Finland 2 Jan.: Latvian subsea cable cut in Baltic Sea 3 Jan.: Power failure affecting 45k Berlin households due to sabotage 4 Jan.: Greek airspace shut down due to "airborne jamming"

A quote to end 2025.

Interesting background on Paul Doyle, who drove his car into the Liverpool parade www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/art...

Wonder if this issue will be mentioned at the UAE team launch today? www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/d...

One the biggest transfers during this off-season

Premier Tech indeed new sponsor for Alpecin!

Who's replaced the financial backer? That's what we all want to know

"You seem happier" Thanks, I deleted all my emails and went to look at birds instead.

The Backpedal - I've landed on The Monuments by Peter Cossins What do we find therein? Come and see.. open.substack.com/pub/cilliank...

one of the coolest things about ChatGPT is how you can actually just never use it. you can fill your whole entire life with simply not once using it. it's incredible.

//INRNG: Some thoughts on the Never Say Never takeover of IPT inrng.com/2025/11/neve...

Read 'em and weep. (www.nber.org/system/files...)

This skewers the red herring of an argument that charging fans to spectate is an answer to bike racing’s issues

A reminder…

French Basque wins 100km desert race wearing one of his region’s emblematic products - espadrilles. Chapeau! 🧑‍🎨

It's so cool that when the right person lands a direct hit on ol' Elon he can't stop from lighting up and spinning his bowtie like a carnival game clown

Apart from L’Equipe who probably have a duty to do so, I don’t know why anyone reports on the Saitama criterium and other similar events that are the WWE of bike races

Everything that @barneyronay.bsky.social says here applies equally to cycling. The Israel team has been the focus of widescale protests that have undermined it while UAE Team Emirates have collected almost every prize worth having with barely a hint of criticism or scrutiny

Pollution from Ineos’s Antwerp plastic plant ‘will cause more deaths than jobs created’

The Halland Johannessen twins 🎶 Tobias & Anders 💛

Wish I knew what brand of paint this was near the top of the Col d’Agnes, could do with some of the outside of our house

When we look at this massacre and many more perpetrated by the RSF, let's be clear who funds, equips & sustains them. It's the UAE. Yes, the same UAE that might own your football club, fly you on your holidays, invests in our national infrastructure. If boycotts work, we should be boycotting now.

The UAE has its fingerprints all over this

Private Eye hits it every time @chadbourn.bsky.social

For anyone who enjoyed last year's "Skyfall" investigation, this is one for you. It's a biggie. Wiggins' EXPLOSIVE new 'Jiffy' theory lays the groundwork for Team Sky game of Traitors sportingintelligence832.substack.com/p/wiggins-ex...

The 8th edition of The Roadbook is now on sale - complete with a signature from editor @nedboulting.bsky.social if you follow the link below - and with insights from the likes of Isaac Del Toro, Cat Ferguson, Alexei Sayle and me. Be quick, as they're selling fast... theroadbook.co.uk/products/the...

It is very windy up here today, easing now thankfully

Rainbow colours over Les Angles this lunchtime. I’m not sure which way the Tour de France is coming up here but I’ve ridden from the Quillane pass and it’s easy, big ring even for me. Great the race is coming to the Capcir as it’s a stunning place to ride, so many quiet roads