Commonwealth Chaos

When the sun went down on the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham it seemed that it would be a long wait until the Friendly Games, as they are known, graced these shores again.

The baton was passed to Australia and the State of Victoria for 2026. Then it was expected that in its centennial year the games would move on to Canada in 2030 with Hamilton playing host as it had for the first games in 1930. Sadly for Australian and Canadian sports fans this wasn’t to be.

While there are many considerations when it comes to the cost of sporting events it is always a shame when hard work and hope are thwarted by cold political reality.

Pride, Joy and a Little Sadness

But, as they say, every cloud has a silver lining and in this case Australia and Canada’s loss was Glasgow and 2030 host, Ahmedabad in India’s gain.

For all the pride and joy that will come with the surprise hosting of the 2026 Games in Glasgow it will, itself, be tinged with a little sadness for fans of certain sports.

The news that the 2026 games were to be scaled-down and would omit road cycling and mountainbiking among others was a huge disappointment for many, ourselves included.

Cycling Fatigue

Yes, the wider sport will be represented within the confines of the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome. A move which clearly is to be welcomed. As are the greater number of para events set to be raced. That can’t hide the fact that track cycling is the most elite version of the sport by some way. A reality that seems to entirely miss the point of the Commonwealth Games.

Whether this omission is due to road cycling fatigue in a city that has previously hosted these games in 2014, the European Road Championships in 2018 and the first combined Cycling World Championships in 2023 can only be speculation. As is the reason that mountainbiking has been overlooked despite the hugely impressive Cathkin Braes which hosted the event in 2014 being within the city limits.

The Heart of the Games

Whatever the reasons, one of the very few events that was free to the public and, in many cases, went right by the doorsteps of the people that are indirectly paying for it will be absent. A sport which has been ever present, on the men’s side at least, since the second Games in 1934.

The reason road cycling is such an important part of these games in particular goes to the very heart of what the Commonwealth Games are about.

Winning Isn’t Everything

In a sport obsessed with marginal gains, tenths of seconds and watt advantages it’s easy to forget that winning isn’t everything. While that statement will make some sit up, aghast at the notion, The Commonwealth Games proves it beyond any doubt.

In an often paraphrased quote, Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Games said:

"The important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win, but to take part; the important thing in life is not triumph, but the struggle; the essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well."

Birmingham 2022

In the 21st Century it’s fair to say The Commonwealth Games represents this spirit far more than de Coubertin’s magnificent creation. The lack of qualifying times for participation gives those dedicated enough the opportunity to represent their nations alongside some of the best there has ever been. Professionals, champions and even legends rub shoulders with security guards, councillors and teachers, all with the same goal. To do the very best they can.

So, with that in mind we’d like to look back misty eyed at the last time that road cycling was raced in the Commonwealth Games:

The triumph that was Birmingham 2022.

TIME TRIALS

Early on Thursday, Day 7 of the games, the road cycling began in the environs of Wolverhampton.

Deck chairs and bunting lined the route as people settled in to watch a succession of international sportspeople fly by their garden gates.

The looped time trial course started and finished in West Park in Wolverhampton, taking a tour of the Black Country. Visiting Sedgley and Dudley before crossing Penn Common, our home for the day. An island of countryside in the suburban outskirts of the city.

The Importance of Taking Part

Unlike Glasgow 2014, no competitor needed to borrow equipment from the local bike shops, but the difference in kit could still be seen among the riders. Some with state of the art time trial bikes costing many thousands of pounds, skin suits and modern aero helmets and some riding road bikes. It was clear though that taking part was most important thing.

The women’s race began before many of the locals had put their gazebos in place and were still taking their dogs for a morning walk. The local church rang out its bells heralding every rider as they passed, while cakes were taken to the church hall to treat the volunteer games makers.

Barriers Broken

Proving that age doesn’t need to be a barrier Ghanaian time trialist, Christopher Symonds lined up for his fourth Commonwealth Games having competed in 2006, 2010 and 2014 previously. At 48 he was the oldest cyclist taking part in the games. Christopher had also competed in the Triathlon in 2006 as well as the 50m and 100m Freestyle Swimming in 2010. Symonds balances his Commonwealth Games exploits with his day job as doorkeeper at the House of Commons.

Only slightly younger at 46 Jim Horton was the first cyclist to compete for the Falkland Islands in the history of the games. Jim rode in both the time trial and road race. Originally hailing from Walsall, it had long been an ambition, finally fulfilled.

“I always had it in mind, as soon as we moved to the Falklands, simply because it is possible. If you are good, if you are the best in the country, you can come to something like this. It is amazing. A unique opportunity.”

ROAD RACES

On Sunday, Day 10, the penultimate day of the 2022 Games a mixed field of riders, diverse in origin, background and ability, gathered near the banks of the River Avon focused on the course before them.

Multiple laps winding through streets past 14th Century timber buildings and in the shadow of a castle founded by William the Conqueror. Then onwards, through countryside and suburbia until they returned. Flashing by noisy crowds and waving flags, some new to the sport and others time honoured veterans. The bright sunlight and rising heat gave warm welcome to the riders and fans whose numbers increased steadily throughout the day.

Breakfast and Bike Racing

It’s fair to say that the 8am Sunday start didn’t help the spectator numbers at the beginning of the women’s race. The early birds and well prepared set themselves a good spot for a day that promised far more opportunities to see the race than the normal point to point races on the calendar. Despite the early start the day was already warm when the women got underway.

As the sun rose over the buildings, the people of Warwick took the opportunity to enjoy the fine weather, many setting up barbecues in gardens lining the course and bringing tables onto the street to enjoy their breakfast while watching the first race of the day.

Smaller Nations

While most column inches focus on the success stories, the games belonged to the smaller nations, as they should, and to those that lined the streets, parks and woodland to roar them on.

For one of those nations, Olivia Lett made history as the first Gibraltarian rider to finish a women’s road race in the Commonwealth Games in her debut.

Another debutant, Kaya Cattouse is a former footballer, having played for the Belizean national team from 2008-2011. In 2022 combining her cycling career with a seat on Belize City Council. With a keen eye on sports development, Kaya is a qualified FIFA level 1 coach and became a member of the Belize Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association (BOCGA) in November 2021.

World Class Sport for Free

One of the joys of road cycling is the access it gives to the uninitiated. The opportunity to see world class sport for free truly embeds road cycling in the spirit of these games, both friendly and open to all.

Cycling is well known for its gatherings of fans, often in some of the least likely places. Entire villages come out onto the streets or line the toughest climbs. It is as much a part of the sport as the bike racing itself. Whether it be the beautiful ribboned streets of Northern Italy or the yarn bombing of Yorkshire, the fans put their own stamp on proceedings. They very much make the most of the fleeting moments that the race rushes by.

Ghanaian Corner

Here at the gates of Warwick castle a more laid back but no less joyful gathering was massing under the bright colours of the Ghanaian flag. The red, gold and green with the black star shining in the summer sun. The sounds of reggae pulsed through a portable sound system. Rum and coke adding a different type of warmth to proceedings.

Then, as the shadows shortened in the noon sun a cheer went up as one of the cyclists rode up to a hero’s welcome. One of four Ghanaian riders taking part, Mani Arthur, founder of the Black Cyclists Network had arrived. It was a beautiful moment as friends and family embraced and wished him well for the coming kilometres. Then he was gone but the party continued unabated. Several other competitors dropped by for a few words of encouragement and appreciation. Teniel Campbell was one of those who found the time after her sixth place finish to come and chat to those gathered.

Uplifting Moments

Just before the men’s race started one of Police motorcyclist outriders walked over and, to the melancholy tones and infectious groove of Dawn Penn’s You Don't Love Me, broke into a dance. It was a surprising and uplifting moment fitting of the carnival atmosphere which earned him raucous cheers on every pass throughout the race.

One rider that almost didn’t compete at all was Rwanda’s Moise Mugisha. A few weeks before the games Moise was involved in a crash with a car. Something sadly too common in cycling, but his strength of character carried him through to finish both the time trial and road race in fine style. His 17th place in the ITT and 36th on the road with the same time as Ethan Vernon, Patrick Bevan and Mark Cavendish was a hugely impressive achievement. Adding the question of what might have been possible were it not for the untimely crash.

Sowing the Seeds for the Future

Hassani Hennis became the first ever Anguilian to complete a Commonwealth Games road race finishing 70th. This after finishing the time trial in 35th. Hassani was also the first Anguillian to compete at the UCI Road World Championships which he did in Yorkshire in 2019. A feat which is even more impressive when considered alongside the fact that, with only 15,000 inhabitants, Anguilla has less than half the population of the town of Warwick.

There’s no doubt that events such as these are often the seed that grows to create the next wave of riders that will eventually take their place on the start line. Whether that be a new generation striving for a place on the World Tour or those who decide that their recreational activity is worth taking to another level. It doesn’t matter which as the drive and the determination are the same. As is the pride of stepping out in front of the world to represent your nation, by birth, by ancestry or by adoption. This plurality of competition is the thing that makes the games what they are.

Improbable Victories or Battling Themselves

It’s hard to not be swept up with the romance of events such as these. Though long held allegiances die hard, every sport lover has a place in their hearts for the underdogs. Whether they be striving for improbable victories or battling with themselves simply to finish, they make us remember what’s important. That they have fought well.