LIFE OF BRIAN

Career highlights from the man who took on the world ’s best riders

1952

While completing his National Service, Robinson takes part in the Route de France, a prestigious amateur race, as part of a joint ARMY/NCU team. He finishes 40th.

1955

The Yorkshireman becomes the first British rider to complete the Tour de France, finishing 29th and the top performer in the short-lived British team Hercules.

1956

The former carpenter places eighth in the brutal 17-stage, 3,537km Vuelta a Espana.

1957

Robinson achieves third place in the 282km Milan-san Remo race, weeks after his first professional win, in the GP de la Ville de Nice.

1958

Despite finishing second on the 170km seventh stage from Saint-brieuc to Brest, Robinson becomes the first Brit to win a Tour stage after Italian Arigo Padovan was relegated for dangerous sprinting.

1959

Robinson wins the 20th stage of the Tour de France, finishing 20 minutes ahead of the field after a 140km breakaway on the 202km journey from Annecy to Chalonsur-saone.

1961

Robinson wins the eight-stage Critérium du Dauphiné, taking victory on the third stage en route to a six-minute GC triumph.