Yet Another Cycling Forum

Off Topic => The Pub => Topic started by: Plug1n on 19 June, 2018, 09:53:58 am

Title: "violence broke out at a cycling festival in Manchester"
Post by: Plug1n on 19 June, 2018, 09:53:58 am
What exactly is an "Eritrean Cycle Festival"?

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/injured-appalling-violence-manchester-eritrea-a8404221.html (https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/injured-appalling-violence-manchester-eritrea-a8404221.html)

Title: Re: "violence broke out at a cycling festival in Manchester"
Post by: Jakob W on 19 June, 2018, 11:11:48 am
Apparently the Italians brought over their cycling culture to Eritrea in the 1930s when it was a colony, and the country produces small numbers of international cyclists; Daniel Teklehaimanot is currently the most prominent. Wonder what the relationship of the festival was to the Eritrean government, which is one of the most repressive regimes in the world.
Title: Re: "violence broke out at a cycling festival in Manchester"
Post by: lahoski on 19 June, 2018, 11:14:34 am
Wonder what the relationship of the festival was to the Eritrean government, which is one of the most repressive regimes in the world.
I have read anecdote that the gov't of Eritrea is keen on using cycling to promote a positive image of the country. I might be being unnecessarily cynical and this certainly doesn't excuse what looks like an unjustifiable use of violence as protest, but very much echo this question.
Title: Re: "violence broke out at a cycling festival in Manchester"
Post by: Plug1n on 19 June, 2018, 11:36:24 am
I remember coming across the African Continental Road Cycling Championship on satellite TV several years ago from Addis Ababa.  The crowd for the mens race was just huge. 

I think one of the RSA riders won it.