Has the Tour de France deliberately tried to make Tadej Pogacar's pursuit of a sixth yellow jersey more difficult in 2027? The decision to include 71 kilometres of individual time trialling and just three summit finishes has fuelled debate about whether the organisers are attempting to bring the Slo...

Dublin City Councils planned Gardiner Street cycle route and public realm enhancement is set for public consultation soon, a report to councillors said in September.The Dublin City Centre Transport Plan included proposals for a two-way cycle path with a green buffer in 2024. The overall plan did not require councillors to sign off on it with a vote, but those against it pushed it to a vote more than once. Those votes showed clear support for the transport plan from councillors.Like other measures in the city centre plan, the project needs a more refined plan before it proceeds. But the Gardiner Street project was planned for delivery between 2024 and 2026, so with consultation happening this late in the year, delivery will be delayed.Councillors received the update as part of their information packs for the councils monthly meeting. It was contained in the Traffic Department Quarter Two Report 2026, and said: Gardiner Street Cycle route: As part of the measures contained in the Transport Plan 2023, design work is ongoing at present. It is anticipated a non-statutory consultation on the proposals will be launched in September/October.Progress is also being made on a linked part of the transport plan. As reported by this news website in June and again at the end of August when the lanes were being closed, a two-way cycle path is being placed in the middle of the carriageway on Amiens Street to link the Clontarf to City Centre route to the quays. The route from Amiens Street to the south quays includes a two-way path on the street outside the back of Customs House, which suggests it may link to the Gardiner Street project at that point. MAIN IMAGE AND ABOVE: Part of a draft concept for the street from the Dublin City Centre Transport Plan.Dublin City Centre Transport Plan vision for Garnder StreetIn the Dublin City Centre Transport Plan, the council said: As a 1.2km-long corridor, Gardiner Street is a primary north-south link for North Dublin with high flows of traffic. As traffic interventions take effect, the street can be reconfigured to better facilitate public transport, pedestrian and cycle movements, while providing a much-improved public realm. Safeguarded by a verge lined with trees, a 2-way cycle lane across the whole length of the corridor can afford fast cycling journeys.Additionally, a dedicated bus lane can be created for the southern half of the scheme, between Beresford Place and Parnell Street/Summerhill, the 2024 plan said.The plan said: The intersection between Beresford Pl and Gardiner St could become an attractive Gateway into the area through the use of signage, colour and lighting along the Loopline bridge and its arches. The interface of the street with Diamond Park can be developed as a landscape buffer to protect the space and the playground from vehicles and noise.It added: This also affords the opportunity to create a landmark mid-street, with a light sign that announces Diamond Park. Lighting along the entire corridor can be used to reinforce the proposed intervention. Using the green verge as a the key unifying feature of the proposal, lighting will be provided at two levels, both shedding a light across the street at higher level and over the near-side pedestrian and cycling below canopy level.IMAGE: Part of a draft concept for the street from the Dublin City Centre Transport Plan.

Deutschland Tour director Fabian Wegmann has warned that tougher safety requirements could leave organisers unable to afford to stage their races. He supports minimum standards throughout cycling, but says events already struggling financially face substantial costs while police support is declining...