Feature Articles
The Irish cyclist killed in World War I
By Graham Healy This year marks the 100th anniversary of the start of World War One, and Ghent-Wevelgem and the Tour de France are amongst the races which have marked the centenary. Numerous top cyclists of the day from Belgium, France and Italy were killed in action, including three Tour de France winners, François Faber, Lucien Petit-Breton and Octave Lapize. Tens...
The Rise, Fall and Rise of Johan van der Velde
By Graham Healy The retired Dutch cyclist, Johan van der Velde, has recently been announced as being one of the bus drivers for the new Roompot Orange team. The news brought to mind the highs and lows that the Dutchman has seen in the sport. Van der Velde, from Rijsbergen near the Belgian border took victory in the Tours of Britain...
Ian Moore – The Pioneering Ulsterman
By Graham Healy The first ever Irish cyclist to take part in the Tour de France was Shay Elliott who made his debut in the 1956 race. Five years later, Elliott would be joined in the Tour by a compatriot. Ian Moore from Antrim had impressed as an amateur when he raced on the Irish team at the Tour of...