Life of Brian 11 - March 2008

European Cycling Union, UCI and ASO

 

Spent a weekend earlier this month in Halkidiki, Greece, attending the Congress of the Union Europeen de Cyclisme (UEC). The meetings were held in a huge hotel complex called Porto Carras, all very nice, but a bit soulless out of season. It was a long way to go to spend most of the time in one meeting or another, whilst outside the sun shone and the Aegean Sea sparkled. I didn't even have my bike with me to take the chance of a bit of winter sun, so I made sure I made the most of the networking opportunities.

BC Vice Chairman Barry Broadbent, who is a Vice President of the UEC, and our Chief Executive Peter King, who is an auditor of the UEC, were both also present, and made sure that we spread our influence and made our views known to the delegates from 34 other European countries. (By the way, before anyone starts worrying about the cost to BC members, both Barry and Peter's expenses were covered by the UEC, whilst mine were paid from a special grant from UK Sport for such occasions).

Though not strictly the business of the UEC, top of everyone's agenda was of course the ongoing dispute between the UCI and ASO, organisers of the Tour de France and many of the top road races. Much has been written about this subject, and a blog is not the place for me to comment further in any detail, but I wanted to say a couple of things.

First, I think that the motion that the UEC adopted, which I composed and proposed to the Congress, contained two elements, both equally important and both aimed at encouraging the disputing parties to come to a settlement. Everyone involved wants to see this dispute over as soon as possible, and most accept that the ProTour concept, which is at the base of the dispute, is flawed and in need of a radical review. However, there is a structure to the UCI, and an established way of doing things, which everyone really needs to respect.

Secondly, I think that, having escalated the dispute to the level at which it now stands, both sides bear a very heavy responsibility to find a solution. I spent many hours in the run-up to Paris-Nice, trying to find some common ground between the two, but sadly failed. As things stand, frankly I now have no idea how to assist in resolving the situation and no idea what the outcome will be.

Many of the delegates to the UEC will be in Manchester for the World Track Championships, as will UCI President Pat McQuaid, and national federation officials from around the world, so perhaps the way forward will become more evident then. As and when I have something to say on this important matter, I'll make my views known through a further statement on the BC website. Meanwhile, both sides know that if there is anything I can personally do, or BC as an organisation can do, we will make ourselves available and will continue to work behind the scenes, as and when appropriate.

 

Book Reviews

 

From time to time, I'll try to review some of the latest books on cycling, particularly where there is a British context. Here's the first couple.

It Wasn't That Easy by Tommy Godwin. This is a fascinating life story by a man who is one of the legends of British cycling, and a really nice bloke too. The book is full of interesting stuff about what one might call the previous "golden era" of British track racing, when Tommy won Olympic, Commonwealth and numerous world championship medals, as well as seemingly dozens of legendary trophies, many outright after three or more victories.

As well as masses of results and reports from the great man's past, there are lots of fascinating stories from behind the scenes - he pulls no punches about his rivals, their tactics and, sometimes, their personal behaviour and ethics. These were the bits that I found most interesting, the human insights into the pressures and problems of the time - an entirely different era from today, with the aftermath of the Depression, World War Two, and the austerity of the post-war years providing a stark backdrop to one man's total commitment to sporting excellence.

If you thought doping was a modern phenomenon, think again. It was going on fifty years ago and more. So was race-fixing and dodgy tactics between unexpected allies. Through all this however, Tommy maintained his own standards, his belief in fair play and his faith that dedication and hard work would bring him the results he desired and deserved.

Tommy is particularly interesting and frank on the subject of Reg Harris, the revered multiple world sprint champion, whose statue now graces Manchester Velodrome. Reg was always hugely popular with the British public and became a household name, but Tommy paints a somewhat different picture from his personal experiences of the man, with whom he clashed on many occasions, though they got on a little better in later life.

In those later years, Tommy became a manager and coach, helping many riders on their way to success, including Hugh Porter. With his bike shop in Birmingham, he helped and advised probably thousands of youngsters, some who made it, some who didn't. These days, we would no doubt have him on the paid staff at British Cycling, indeed he was the first National Coach, but in that era, he did everything on a voluntary basis, often putting his own resources into the things he was involved in.

The other thing I like about this book is that Tommy does not shirk from the personal. He tells us about his family, particularly the influence of his father, and later of the pressures upon his marriage and his business caused by his chosen commitment to our sport. Much is there in black and white, but much can also be read between the lines as well, making this a truly remarkable memoir.

Tommy is well into his eighties now, doesn't ride any more, but is still at his racing weight and still looks as fit as a fiddle. Long may he continue - a real gentleman and a true legend of cycling in this country.

It Wasn't That Easy by Tommy Godwin is published by John Pinkerton Memorial Publishing Fund. ISBN 978-0-9552115-5-3.

The Full English by Mike Carden. This is the story of one man's bike ride from Dorset to Northumberland. As the author is not a regular cyclist, it has to be said that the book may not hold the interest of a more experienced rider, but it contains some amusing incidents and interesting asides as he goes about his journey, using youth hostels and B&Bs along the way.

All things considered, this is probably a book to buy for a friend or relative who expresses an interest in a long-distance bike ride, but has no experience at all of cycling. It should encourage them.

I'm sorry I can't be more enthusiastic about this book, which didn't really grab me, so I've given it to my wife to read as a non-cyclist and I'll report back if she finds it more fascinating than I did.

The Full English by Mike Carden is published by Bike Ride Books. ISBN 978-0-9556602-0-7.

New Mountain Bike

 

I've got a new mountain bike, a Trek, which I'm going to try and get out on. I did some mountain biking again last year, but have lapsed a bit (in fact I've lapsed a bit with all my riding with the terrible weather over the winter). Hopefully the new bike will get my motivation going.

Pendle Pedal

 

Are you 'Eroic enough? An unashamed plug for the Pendle Pedal - probably one of the toughest sportives in the country. Many readers will be aware that in my day job, I work for Pendle Council in Lancashire. It's actually a small part of my job, but one of the things we do is organise the Pendle Cycling Festival, which includes the Tour of Pendle Premier Calendar road race, the Colne Grand Prix circuit race, a Bike Show, a year long series of guided rides aimed at families and novices, and the Pendle Pedal Sportive ride.

The Pendle Pedal is already very hilly, with over 3,200 metres of climbing in 160kms, and very successful too - judged by ex-pro Dave Lloyd to be one of the best organised, and attracting over 500 participants last year. But this year we are adding something extra special.

We are offering a mega-challenge on top of the existing long, hard, route - a choice of a diversion over an unmade road called Salter Fell. Instead of the tough climb over Tatham Fell, participants can take the even tougher ancient medieval "King's Highway" right over the very tops of the north Lancashire Fells, some 15 miles of rough gravel tracks, featuring gruelling climbs and twisting descents. If you've read about the Italian Eroica event over the white roads of Tuscany, well this is the British equivalent. The Pendle Pedal takes place on 3 August 2008, and is sponsored by Eric Wright Construction. Full details at www.pendlebikefest.com

Come and have a go if you think you're hard enough! (And if you're not, there's an easier 100km option instead).

World Track Championships

 

Only a few days to go, as I write. Don't miss it, do everything you can to be there and support our track stars as they take on the rest of the world in the run up to the Olympics. You might not be able to get to Beijing, but in years to come you'll be able to tell your grandchildren about how you saw the great Chris Hoy, the brilliant Victoria Pendleton, the unbelievable Bradley Wiggins, the super-fast Mark Cavendish, the fantastic team pursuiters, and all the other amazing British stars in their absolute prime!

Have a great cycling Easter.

Brian Cookson
President

If you have any comments on any of the above, or there are any other topics you'd like me to cover, please don't hesitate to let me know via info@britishcycling.org.uk. Next time I'll try and do a piece on your feedback.