Purist crashed round bend in cycle race (7)
I believe the answer is:
pursuit
'cycle race' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot see how one could define the other.
'purist crashed round bend' is the wordplay.
'crashed' indicates anagramming the letters.
'round' is an insertion indicator.
'bend' becomes 'U' (a U-bend is a kind of bend - pipe under sink).
'purist' anagrammed gives 'pursit'.
'pursit' enclosing 'u' is 'PURSUIT'.
'in' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for pursuit that I've seen before include "An activity not entirely innocent" , "recreational activity" , "Hobby" , "Search" , "The chase or the occupation" .)