Five junior cyclists taking part in a race in Belgium are to be fined for urinating on the Menin Gate in Ypres, one of the best-known memorials to British, Irish and Commonwealth casualties of World War One.
They were taking part in the GP André Noyelle yesterday, which preceded the UCI 1.2 Kattekoers race between Ghent and Ypres, reports FlandersNews.be.
Race organiser Bart Vannieuwenhuyze said that those participating in the junior race, allowed to start at the memorial to mark the centenary of the start of the Great War, had been warned beforehand to respect their surroundings.
“We briefed the team leaders clearly that urinating on the Menin Gate would not be tolerated.
"This time we were given special permission to start our race at this symbolic spot as it is 100 years since the beginning of the Great War.
He added: “We can’t let this lie, as we would like to start the race at the Menin Gate again next year.”
Opened in 1927 and owned and maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, the Menin Gate commemorates 54,896 members of the armed forces for whom no known grave exists.
They were among some 300,000 British, Irish and Commonwealth troops killed in the Ypres Salient during the conflict.
I would agree it is a real concern for some. However cycling safety is a real concern for most people. So much so that they don't cycle at all. ...
Attempted murder. I am no legal expert obviously but taking actions deliberately and premeditatedly where the aim is to kill someone is surely...
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Just a warning letter for this on NSL with oncoming traffic. Do I have to wait until I'm hit before Essex Police do anything ?
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Such a shame to hear that....
What do you expect. I would like to know what the police actually do for anyone today? It doesn't matter what it is you report they simply don't...
At least he didnt go as far off course as No 35.
Kudos to the author and road.cc for updating and reposting the review based on new evidence, and for being transparent about it.