NEW From the archive

ranville Sydney aka ‘the Beard’ powers to his fifth National Hill-climb title on Winnats Pass in 1972. Roadman John Clewarth had taken the national title the previous year on the Horseshoe Pass, and promised at the time to give specialist climbers like Sydney a rematch the following autumn. But when he went off last he was unable to match Sydney.

The Beard, however, was blissfully unaware of this. He was still prostrate on the ground despite having finished around 15 minutes earlier. He was, Cycling reported, “White-faced and inert, scarcely comprehending the news that Clewarth had come and gone and he was champion.”

Cycling continued: “When a man gives his all and is ‘out’ for 15 minutes, yet has judged his effort to winning perfection, that man is a true champion.”