Comment & Analysis: Researchers were surprised by how much schoolchildrens lung capacity in London has improved since the controversial, yet highly popular, ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) was implemented, The Guardian andthe BBC reported this today.Users of cars, vans, minibuses, motorcycles and other vehicles which do not meet the Ulez standards must pay 12.50 daily charge to drive in the zone, which is nearly as wide as the M25 motorway. It was introduced in April 2019 and expanded in 2023.Its important to stress that while the air quality measure was controversial, it was more popular than it was disliked yet another case of a loud minority against human health and environmental measures pretending to be a majority and, at first at least, a lot of misinformation soured original public opinion.A large volume of media commentators were against the Ulez, and enforcement cameras were vandalised, including the standalone camera poles and sometimes even traffic light poles being cut down. DeSmog, a climate investigations journalism outlet, reported in 2023 that: polling suggests that voters vastly overestimate the proportion of vehicles that will be charged when the scheme expands. The polling found that voters favoured ULEZ-like measures, but DeSmog covered how misinformation spread around a by-election that year likely didnt help perceptions. Only 18% of respondents nationally (and 22%of those living in London) correctly said that 90% of vehicles would be exempt from the ULEZ expansion. Nearly half (48%) suggested that the 12.50 charge would apply to over half of vehicles, while 20% of people guessed that 70% of vehicles would be charged, DeSmog said, Writing in The Guardian today, Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said he pushed ahead with Ulez expansion because he put Londoners health ahead of appeasing the opposition.For years, politicians and pundits opposed to the Ulez have cynically sought to turn questions of public health into a crude culture war. Today, though, its clear that were winning the battle against toxic air in the capital and its Londons children who are reaping the rewards, he said.When Khan was reelected for what was called a historic third term, this website covered how the Tory partys London mayoral candidate, Susan Hall, promised to support groups that were anti-Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), anti-Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs), and anti-cycle paths. But despite making these issues central election promises, she gained just 32.7% of the vote, falling far short of Khans 43.8%. Whats happened in Ireland? Under a package of measures aimed mainly at reducing congestion, Irish councils were supposed to get the powers to implement low-emission zones like Ulez and congestion charges. But in the last Government, Fianna Fil and Fine Gael resisted so much of the package of measures that the Green Party failed to get any of them over the line.Some in Government said the then transport and environment minister and Green leader, Eamon Ryan, was too slow to bring the policy package to Government, and when he did, it was too close to the general election to be palatable to the coalition partners. As reported earlier this year, the output of the congestion-busting strategy was watered down to a vague promise of a general legal review. This is what happens when a government is propped up by reactionary independents the health of children and adults suffers.The problem of air quality in Dublin is not as bad as in London; that can be taken as a given. But the problem exists, as outlined by Anne Bedos in a 2023 article titled Dublins dirty air secret: Its officially not a problem because its not being measured,As she outlines, the current monitoring sites are poorly located, many areas lack monitoring, and other data sources show the problem is larger than the EPAs main data suggests.This year, EU limits a somewhat arbitrary, politically negotiated baseline for an acceptable level of pollution people should be exposed to have been lowered and will be lowered again in 2030. It is expected that even the limited monitoring sites in Dublin will be in breach of the EU limitsIts also worth highlighting that the World Health Organisations limits are even lower, but the EU opted not to follow them. The Lancet called the EUs new targets a long-overdue step forward, but not ambitious enough. The medical journal said: Air pollution is associated with adverse health effects including cardiovascular and respiratory disease, stroke, cancer, and dementia. Even low levels of air pollutants harm health, and that is why WHO has recently tightened its limits in revisedguidelineson air quality.But like Ireland, the EU is also facing politics to suit culture warriors over the evidence.

The 2026 Vuelta a Espaa will see Tadej Pogacar make his return to the Spanish Grand Tour, seven years after his debut. UAE Team Emirates - XRG had this possibility taken into account at the beginning of the year, and the planning between Tour de France and La Vuelta has been explained in the meanti...

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From road bikes to eMTBs, Focus makes a wide range of bikes for all types of riding. The lineup includes numerous electric mountain bikes designed for everything from e-enduro to eMTB touring. For 2027, Focus is updating four of its eMTB models, starting with a change in their naming structure to bring a little more clarity and simplicity to consumers. Focus is dropping the exponents on the JAM, SAM, THRON, and THRON EQP models.Additionally, some JAM models are being updated with more streamlined display integration. All Focus JAM, SAM, and THRON models are also being updated with fresh colorways and component upgrades. Lets see whats new.Focus dropped the exponent on its latest eMTBs to simplify the naming. New NamingIn an effort to make their eMTB models easier to understand and differentiate, Focus has chosen to simplify its naming system. While the brand had previously added the squared exponent to the model names JAM, SAM , THRON , and THRON EQP the exponents are being removed, as there will be no equivalent bikes without an e-drive. Moving forward, they will simply be known as the JAM, SAM, THRON, and THRON EQP.Focus JAM UpdatesThe JAM LTD, JAM 9, and JAM 8 all come with the Bosch Kiox 400C display. The JAM is the all-mountain all-rounder in the Focus eMTB lineup, and its geometry, kinematics, and ride performance are all carried forward. What is changing is a modification to the frame on the higher-end builds LTD, 9, and 8 in the form of a custom recess to house the Bosch Kiox 400C display. This gives the JAM a sleeker look while also providing more protection for the screen.Otherwise, all of the JAM models continue to roll on 29 wheels and have 150/160mm of suspension. They continue to use the proven Gen 5 Bosch CX drive system, with up to 120Nm of torque unlocked with the Performance Upgrade 2.0. Buyers can pick between 600Wh and 800Wh batteries to suit their needs and preferences.JAM LTD: 7,499The JAM LTD comes with the Focus One Piece cockpit made from recyclable carbon fiber.Limited to just 200 units, the JAM LTD is a truly limited-edition high-end build intended to leave nothing to be desired. It includes Shimano XT Di2 with Autoshift, Shimano XT 4-piston brakes, Fox Factory Suspension, DT Swiss HX1700 wheels, and Schwalbe Radial tires. It comes with a Focus One Piece cockpit thats made with recyclable carbon fibers, and its intentionally paired with the 600Wh battery to achieve a lower weight. It comes in a cool green fade-to-black colorway.JAM Builds and PricingThe rest of the JAM lineup can be purchased with your choice of 600Wh and 800wh batteries, with the latter costing 300 extra. Again, the JAM 9 and JAM 8 come with the integrated Kiox 400C display, while the JAM 7 is equipped with the Purion 200 all-in-one control/display unit.JAM 9: 6,399 / 6,699Fox 36 Performance Elite fork, Fox Float X Performance shock, SRAM Eagle 90 Transmission drivetrain, TRP EVO Pro 4-piston brakes, DT Swiss H1900 wheels, Schwalbe Radial tires. Colors: Green or SilverJAM 8: 5,399 / 5,699The Focus JAM 8RockShox Lyrik Select fork, RockShox Super Deluxe Base shock, SRAM Eagle 70 Transmission drivetrain, SRAM DB8 Stealth 4-piston brakes, DT Swiss HX LN wheels, Schwalbe Radial tires. Colors: Dark Green or PurpleJAM 7: 4,399 / 4,699RockShox Psylo Silver fork, RockShox Deluxe Select shock, Shimano CUES 10-speed drivetrain, Tektro HD M5141 4-piston brakes, WTB STi30 wheels, Maxxis Minion DHF tires. Colors: Black or WhiteFocus SAMThe SAM is a longer-travel e-enduro bike.The SAM is Focuss e-enduro bike, and it has an aluminum frame, rolls on a mixed wheel setup, and has 165mm of rear travel paired with a 170mm fork. The updates to the SAM are limited to new colorways and component upgrades. It is available in two builds, both of which feature the Bosch Performance Line CX motor, the Bosch System Controller, and are available with the 600Wh or 800Wh (+300) batteries.SAM 9: 7,199 / 7,499RockShox ZEB Ultimate fork, RockShox VIVID Coil Ultimate shock, SRAM Eagle 90 Transmission drivetrain, SRAM Maven Silver 4-piston brakes, DT Swiss HF1900 mullet wheels, Schwalbe Gravity radial tires. Colors: Champagne or BlueSAM 8: 5,699 / 5,999FOX 38 Rhythm fork, FOX DHX Performance coil shock, SRAM Eagle 70 drivetrain, TRP EVO Comp 4-piston brakes, WTB STi30 Tough wheels, Maxxis tires. Colors: Lilac or Green/BlackFocus THRON and THRON EQPThe THRON is Focuss versatile, trail-oriented eMTB, and it has an aluminum frame, rolls on 29 wheels front and rear, and gets 140mm of travel paired with a 150mm fork. The THRON EQP (equipped) is the touring version, which comes equipped with features like fenders, lights, and a rear rack. All THRON models use the same Bosch CX drive system, with up to 120Nm of torque.The main changes to the THRON and THRON EQP are fresh frame colors and updated builds. Focus also tells us that they have upgraded battery capacity, replacing the 600Wh option with 720Wh batteries. Buyers also still have the 800Wh (+300) battery option when purchasing.THRON 9: 5,699 / 5,999Bosch Kiox 300 display, Fox AWL HD Sport fork, Fox Float Rhythm shock, Shimano Deore 12-speed drivetrain, Magura Louise Elite ABS 4-piston brakes, WTB STi30 wheels, Maxxis tires: Colors: Maroon or SilverTHRON 8: 4,699 / 4,999Bosch Purion 200 Controller, RockShox Psylo Silver fork, RockShox Deluxe Select shock, Shimano Deore 12-speed drivetrain, Shimano MT420 4-piston brakes, WTB STi30 wheels, Maxxis tires. Colors: Blue or Light GreenTHRON 7: 3,699 / 3,999Bosch Purion 200 Controller, SR Suntour XCR 36 fork, SR Suntour Edge XR R shock, Shimano CUES 10-speed drivetrain, Tektro Gemini SL 4-piston brakes, WTB STi30 wheels, Maxxis tires. Colors: Black and CampagneTHRON 8 EQP: 5,499 / 5,799Bosch Kiox 500 display, SR Suntour Zeron fork, SR Suntour Edge EVO R shock, Shimano Deore 12-speed drivetrain, Magura CT ABS 4-piston brakes, WTB STi30 wheels, Schwalbe Knobby Nic tires, fenders, lights, cargo rack. Color: SilverTHRON 7 EQP: 4,699 / 4,999Bosch Purion 200 Controller, SR Suntour Zeron fork, SR Suntour Edge EVO R shock, Shimano CUES 10-speed drivetrain, Shimano MT420 4-piston brakes, WTB STi30 wheels, Schwalbe Knobby Nic tires, fenders, lights, cargo rack. Colors: Blue or Light GreenAvailabilityAll of the updated Focus eMTBs are listed on the brands website. Head there to see full specs or find a dealer near you.focus-bikes.com

Bahrain-Victorious will be hoping for a repeat of their Giro d'Italia fairytale that saw Afonso Eulalio grab the pink jersey for a period of the race. They've named an exciting Vuelta a Espana line-up fronted by an expereicned general classification and stage challenge, backed by promising young rid...

Alberto Contador has weighed in on Nairo Quintanas omission from Movistar Teams selection for the Vuelta a Espaa 2026, a decision that has sparked debate after leaving out the Colombian, winner of the race in 2016 and one of the Spanish teams great historic references. Asked whether the team s...