'Is it a racist sport? I would say it is, yes' - Marlon Moncrieffe on cycling's urgent need to change

Marlon Moncrieffe is on a mission to change cycling. In fact, the Brighton University lecturer would argue that his goal is to help the sport become the best version of itself.

The aim of his work, he says on this week’s Cycling Show, is “to advance the sport, to make it much more accessible for all willing people, of all ethnicities, in all colours.” Through his academic writing, and through his art, Moncrieffe has sought to raise the profile of those he calls Black Champions of Cycling. They are the individuals whose contributions to the sport he believes have been historically under-recognised.

Ad/> They include Russell Williams, whose career in cycling spanned from the late 70s to the early 2000s. Williams won 18 national championships and was “always knocking on the door, but with the setup at the time when he was racing, he just wasn't allowed in.” Cycling'Always nice when your heroes say hello' – Wiggins in awe of current superstar19 HOURS AGO Williams represented Great Britain just once at the World Track Championships, in 1986, and has since said he was left with the impression the selectors «would rather send nobody than send a Black man».

Another name Moncrieffe has highlighted is that of multiple British track champion, and successful six-day racer, Maurice Burton. Despite competing for England at the Commonwealth Games in 1974 and being an obvious pick for the Olympics two years later, Burton was denied a place in the team.

He spoke at length to Eurosport in 2020 about his experience of racism in cycling. British Cycling say they are striving to «ensure that everyone feels free to participate regardless of their age, ability, gender, disability, race, parental or marital status, religion or belief or sexual