When Bike Racing Turned Violent: Ireland’s Hidden Cycling War With Mick Cussack

When Bike Racing Turned Violent: Ireland’s Hidden Cycling War With Mick Cussack

April 23, 2026 · 1h 23m · Episode 1266

About this episode

Anthony Walsh interviews Mick Cusack about the turbulent history of cycling in Ireland, marked by violence and rivalries.

Apply to join our Not Done Yet coaching program at www.roadmancycling.com/apply Applying only takes about 90 seconds! Anthony sits down with Mick Cusack to explore one of the most turbulent and little-understood chapters in Irish sporting history. Mick recounts a time when Irish cycling was deeply divided—marked by sabotage, bitter rivalries, and even violence that spilled onto racecourses and international stages. As a rider who lived through this era and competed alongside legends like Stephen Roche, Mick offers a firsthand perspective on what he describes as a “sporting civil war” that lasted decades. This conversation pulls back the curtain on the chaos, politics, and personalities that shaped Irish cycling and left a lasting legacy on the sport. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Parlee Cycles ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ "Whether it's a tough day, a gruelling training session, an epic road trip or sitting on the side of the road, exhausted and wondering how you'll get to the top... The answer is regularly to just get back in the saddle and ride. Ride The F...ing Bike. RTFB!" Go check out their amazing bikes at https://www.parleecycles.com/…

People in this episode

Host: Anthony Walsh

Guest: Mick Cusack

Topics covered

Keywords

Sponsors

Parlee Cycles, 4Endurance, Bikmo

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Ireland

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