Chris Boardman riding for Gan in the 1990s (Image credit: AFP)
British Cycling has announced the first 50 cyclists to be honoured in the British Cycling Hall of Fame. The list includes well-known names Chris Boardman, Phil Liggett, Graeme Obree and Tom Simpson.
The “50 Cycling Heroes” will be inducted into the Hall of Fame at British Cycling's 50th anniversary gala February 20, in Manchester.
The selection panel chose from 300 nominations made by the public, ranging from riders to coaches to administrators and volunteers. The panel, consisting of journalists and representatives from British Cycling, purposely excluded those who are still active.
"We made a conscious decision not to select elite riders who are still competing at an international level or coaches and managers at the top of their game,” said panel member Victoria Pendleton, Olympic and six-time World track champion.
“We also agreed we should recognise administrators and volunteers who have been active in the sport over many years and have made a significant contribution to it during that time. There have also been several posthumous awards."
Brian Cookson, British Cycling's president, was thrilled with the public's response, calling it "phenomenal ,” and adding, “With such a fantastic number of nominations this year we have decided to make the Hall of Fame an annual event to enable us to recognise more recent and current cycling successes."
The Cycling Heroes include Chris Boardman, who claimed the hour record three times (later known as the athletes hour) in addition to Olympic gold and World time trial and track titles; former amateur rider and cycling journalist Phil Liggett; two-time World hour record holder and two-time World track champion Graham Obree, and Tom Simpson, who rode professionally from 1959 to 1967.
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The 50 Cycling Heroes to be inducted are:
Pat Adams Caroline Alexander Brian Annable David Baker Sid Barras Stuart Benstead Chris Boardman MBE Bill Bradley Beryl Burton OBE Keith Butler Arthur Campbell MBE Brian Cossavella Doug Dailey MBE Tony Doyle MBE Ian Emmerson OBE Malcolm Elliott Benny Foster OBE Tim Gould Eileen Gray CBE Dave Hemsley Barry Hoban Dale Holmes Mandy Jones Peter Keen OBE Peter King CBE Stan Kite Phil Liggett MBE Craig Maclean Paul Manning MBE John & Doreen Mallinson Yvonne McGregor MBE Gerry McDaid Jason McRoy Chas Messenger George Millar Robert Millar Graeme Obree Hugh Porter MBE Jason Queally MBE John Rawnsley Brian Robinson Alan Rushton Tom Simpson Eddie Soens Colin Sturgess Dot Tilbury MBE Graham Webb Les West Sean Yates Tony Yorke OBE
