Friday, September 02, 2005

High Peak Council on Tour of Britain

Just had the following email from someone at High Peak out of the blue. I don't remember ever emailing them about Tour of Britain but it's nice to hear fromt hem anyway.

Hi
The reason there is know english team is because england race in the british team along with a welsh rider Geriant Thomas. If the uci were to allow a english team it would mean a re-structure of the olympic games as England don't race in the olympics yet britain do why not have the best british team comprising of riders from England Scotland an Wales and riders from the two other nations having lesser teams.
DAi Larner

Dai Larner
Strategic Director (Planning and Regeneration)
High Peak Borough Council
Council Offices
Hayfield Road
Chapel-en-le-Frith
High Peak
SK23 0QJ
dail@highpeak.gov.uk


Dai, Dai, Dai ... that's a Welsh name isn't it? An interesting email, mainly because what he's suggesting as better is exactly what's in place already.

I sent him a reply back ...

Hi,

Thanks for your email, it's always good to hear peoples' opinions on these things.

"The reason there is know english team is because england race in the british team along with a welsh rider Geriant Thomas."

Whereas the Welsh ride in Team Wales, the Scots ride in Team Scotland and the Northern Irish ride in Team Ireland. Why should the English have to ride in Team Britain without the choice of their own team? Does this not sound like discrimination to you?

"if the uci were to allow a english team it would mean a re-structure of the olympic games as England don't race in the olympics yet britain do why not have the best british team comprising of riders from England Scotland and Wales and riders from the two other nations having lesser teams."

Firstly, the UCI don't disallow an English team - that was a lie peddled by Sport England, the reason for which I should find out when they reply to my Freedom of Information request. It's simply the fact that they won't spend the money setting up an English Cycling Federation, preferringto spend the money on the rest of the UK.

Secondly, you wouldn't have to restructure the Olympics because Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland don't have teams - they also compete in Team GB.

Thirdly, you're just proposing exactly what there is now - a British team and national teams for everyone except England. The British team is open to all the British racers, it's up to them to decide which one they race in. That's exactly what we have now - why shouldn't there be an English team? England is no less a nation than Scotland or Wales despite the government's best efforts.

Regards,

Stuart