Lieuwe Westra wins Three Days of De Panne
Lieuwe Westra (Astana) overtook previous race leader Alexander Kristoff (Team Katusha) to win the Three Days of De Panne with a strong final stage time trial performance finishing fourth behind stage winner Maciej Bodnar (Tinkoff) and Tony Martin (Etixx – Quick-Step).
Westra was the overall winner of Three Days of De Panne by 13 seconds from Kristoff with Alexey Lutsenko (Astana) third.
“It was stressful until the end — I did not want to finish second again,” said Westra “My legs felt good, and I set a good time. Not good enough for a double win, but I am already very happy with the final victory.”
“Some people are a bit choosy about this time trial, but not me. I’m just pleased to have written my name into the history of the race.”
Alexander Kristoff was happy with his second place and downplayed being the favourite for Sunday’s Tour of Flanders.
“I think I’m not the biggest favourite,” he said “I think that I will be among the favourites but Cancellara, Sagan and Greg they are maybe bigger favourites.”
Overall Results of the Three Days of De Panne
1. Lieuwe WESTRA, Astana Pro Team, in 12:08:19
2. Alexander KRISTOFF, Team Katusha, at :13
3. Alexey LUTSENKO, Astana Pro Team, at :16
4. Tony MARTIN, Etixx–Quick Step, at :35
5. Sylvain CHAVANEL, Direct Energie, at :59
6. Luke DURBRIDGE, Orica–GreenEDGE, at 1:04
7. Stefan KUENG, BMC Racing Team, at 1:06
8. Mads PEDERSEN, SSG, at 1:19
9. Nils POLITT, Team Katusha, at 1:19
10. Johan LE BON, FDJ, at 1:19
“Finally, I won” @lieuwewestra #3DPK https://t.co/IqLB7nfOMK @bettiniphoto pic.twitter.com/1Oncz2iFFE
— Astana Pro Team (@AstanaTeam) March 31, 2016
100,000 Bike Journey’s on Auckland’s Lightpath Cycleway
More than 100,000 cycle journeys have now been made over Auckland’s Lightpath Cycleway since its opening in December, cementing its place as a favourite cycling destination.
Since its opening on 3 December 2015, there has been an average of 848 cycle journeys each day across the Lightpath leading to a five-fold increase in people cycling on Nelson St during the week.
Lightpath was popular over Easter with an average of more than 1,000 cycling journeys each day.
Seeing these big numbers at the weekends and on holidays tells us that the Lightpath is well-used by Aucklanders for leisure and recreation as well as for commuting, says Kathryn King, Auckland Transport’s Cycling and Walking Manager.
“We know lots of parents are taking their kids on it during the weekend. Children seem to love the pink colour, the artwork and the lights at night.
“It confirms what the all research says, if you make a city bike-friendly, more people will cycle and they will cycle more often,” she says.
The numbers
An average of 848 cycle journeys per day across Lightpath since opening 3 December 2015.
7.4% increase in cycle counts across Auckland 2015/2014.
29% increase in people new to cycling in city centre (2015 survey).
27% (up from 20% in 2014) of Aucklanders do some cycling (2015 survey).
38% increase in people cycling on Grafton Gully (February 2015 compared with February 2014).
Read more at Auckland Transport
Knog raises $1 million on Kickstarter to crowdfund bike bell
Melbourne bike accessory company Knog successfully raised $1,078,634 AUD with 20,787 backers with it’s Kickstarter campaign for a “bike bell that doesn’t look like a bike bell”.
Knog set about redesigning the bike bell that has existed in it’s current form since 1877, the result is the “Oi” and it looks and sounds fantastic, can’t wait to try one.
Read more here
Dan Bilzerian rides from Vegas to LA in less than 48 hours
High stakes gambler Dan Bilzerian completed his ride from Las Vegas to Los Angeles winning his $600k bet with Sam Perkins and reportedly at least the same amount again in side bets.
Dan Bilzerian took some coaching advice from Lance Armstrong for the winning ride but I’m not sure if Armstrong would have approved of the choice of bike or the massive draft from the van he was allowed as part of the bet rules. In any case it’s an epic ride from someone that’s had heart attacks and hadn’t ridden a bike for two decades.
Charges laid over Lake Wendouree hit-run / Cowards Run
Police arrested Rebekah Stewart, 23, and charged her with negligently causing serious injury, dangerous driving causing serious injury, failing to stop after an accident when someone has been seriously injured, failing to render assistance when someone has been severely injured, driving an unregistered vehicle and driving while disqualified.
Rebekah Stewart, of Mount Pleasant, appeared before an out-of-sessions hearing at North Melbourne police station on Thursday evening.
Detective Sergeant Mark Amos of the major collision investigation unit told the hearing that Ms Stewart was driving down the wrong side of the road on Wendouree Parade shortly after 6am on Good Friday when she collided with a cyclist, Christian Ashby who remains in hospital with serious injuries.
Rebekah Stewart is appearing in Melbourne Magistrates Court this morning after being remanded in custody overnight.
The hit and run / cowards run was one of several incidents over the last two weeks with two cyclists also being hit in Sale and the driver slowing but then driving off. Police have issued an arrest warrant for John Allen Reid who was last seen in Warrnambool.
There were at least three similar incidents in Western Australia.
This weeks posts on The Bike Lane
Monday: Weekend Racing Wrap
Tuesday: Review: Knog Blinder MOB
Wednesday: 2016 Tour of Flanders Preview
Thursday: Review: Scosche RHYTHM+ Optical HR Band
Friday: Cycling Australia announces a National Road Series working party
Have a great weekend Ride!
