Cycling: British Cycling, the governing body of the sport in Britain, faces the possibility of sanction from the Union Cycliste Internationale after it rejected a resolution relating to the running of the sport in Northern Ireland last weekend.
In 1995, BC changed its constitution to extend the organisation's jurisdiction from Britain to the United Kingdom. The UCI's resolution, as put to BC's a.g.m. last weekend, was that the British federation would accept that Cycling Ireland is solely responsible for matters pertaining to the sport on the island of Ireland.
The president of the UCI, Hein Verbruggen, was strongly in favour of the resolution, but at a highly emotive meeting BC rejected the motion. Reports from the a.g.m. suggest many political arguments were put to the delegates, including statements pertaining to the number of RUC officers killed in the North over the past 30 years.
Cycling Ireland president PJ Nolan admitted he was very frustrated by the outcome of the meeting, due in part to the non-consideration of a compromise document from Cycling Ireland which had been presented in advance to the board of BC.
This proposal was one which would have allowed BC members in Northern Ireland to race in all Cycling Ireland sanctioned races, including Irish championships, even if they held a British licence. It also gave them eligibility to be picked on CI representative teams and have representation at CI's a.g.m.
"I am very frustrated by this as it appears the meeting became a political one, rather than dealing with the sporting aspect," Nolan said. "Cycling Ireland's aim is simply to represent the interest of the sport and its riders, to the best of its ability."
Although the UCI has yet to indicate how they it respond to the rejection of the resolution, it is likely the matter will be covered at CI's a.g.m. tomorrow in Nenagh. Nolan is set to be returned as president as he is the sole candidate, while Micheal Concannon, John News and Declan O'Loughlin are unopposed for the position of directors.
Fixtures: Saturday: Cycling Ireland a.g.m., Abbey Court Hotel, Nenagh, Co Tipperary, Starts 11 a.m. Awards presentation and dinner starts at 8 p.m. Tickets from Cycling Ireland.
