Sports Poets Society

https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/gent-wevelgem-2021/preview/?fbclid=IwAR0o1ATU7ETJS5d_kSoPmeJYdVKtvVoGRZcnOR-K3OOrso-RNuhD7F1Qe-M Sprinters and puncheurs in with equal chances on versatile parcours By Stephen Puddicombe   cyclingnews.com - March 27, 2021 After the pandemic-enforced novelty of an October edition last season, Gent-Wevelgem is back where it belongs this year, returning to its familiar spring-time slot on the last Sunday before the Tour of Flanders . Now into its 83rd edition having first been held in 1934, and at a brutal 232.5 kilometres in length, Gent-Wevelgem has all the hallmarks of a top Classic and is often one of the most entertaining races of the spring. The secret to its appeal lies in the balance it strikes between sprinters and attackers. As Milan-San Remo becomes increasingly dominated by puncheurs, a case can be made for Gent-Wevelgem as the most-finely poised of all the major classics. Over the past 10 years, exactly half have been decided by bunch spri

  https://www.lookleft.ie/2014/12/the-ras-a-political-contest/ Jimmy Dignam recalls the days when cycling was also a form of political expression By Jimmy Dignam -December 1, 2014 The Irish Civil War divided many facets of Irish society . Cycling was no different. The legendary Rás Tailteann staged cycle race came to encapsulate the political differences that existed between those loyal to the new 26 county state and republicans who refused to recognise it or the partition of the island. In 1947, a concerted attempt was made internationally by the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale – cycling’s main governing body) to force cycling associations to abide by post-war borders across Europe. The UCI demanded that the National Cycling Association (NCA) restrict its activities to the 26 counties . The NCA refused to endorse partition and consequently was expelled from the UCI. In 1949, the Cumman Rothaiochta na hÉireann (CRE was established to organise solely within the 26 counties, consequen