Iranian cyclists sprint to freedom in Ireland
Months of negotiations between the organizers of the FBD Insurance Rás bike race and "what appeared to be a legitimate vice-president of the Iranian national cycling federation" took place. That Irish Times "what appeared to be" there is classic, isn't it? But it gets better. "Finally, visas were granted for five riders and four team officials to travel to Dublin, marking the first entry from the Middle Eastern country in Ireland's most prestigious bike race." Now it gets really good: "The first indication that something was amiss was when four of the group arrived a week earlier than scheduled." Uh, oh. Early, those Iranians. And this is the best bit: Race organizer Dermot Dignam "arranged for them to check in early to the official pre-race accommodation venue but they did not show up." Surprise, surprise.
Embarrassing 3 May blurb from the FBD Insurance Rás website: "We are absolutely delighted with the news that Iran has chosen the FBD INSURANCE RÁS as one of its target events for this year. It's a huge tribute to the race and a sign of the growing popularity of the race throughout the world, it also gives Irish cycling a wonderful opportunity of establishing cycling links with such a vast and powerful nation." Er, yes. Vast and powerful is may be, but everyone, apart from the gangsters who run Iran, would sprint out of the place in the morning if they could. Can we get more bikes to Teheran?
