An evening with a Tour de France legend
IT was long before Chris Froome, Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish hit the headlines.
Fifty years ago a piece of cycling history was made.
On July 18, 1968, Barry Hoban became the first British cyclist to win a mountain stage in the Tour de France.
Hoban’s win was carved out in the Alps. He rode over the Col des Aravis at 1486 metres, Col de la Colombière at 1613 metres, before finishing on the Col du Cordon under the giant bulk of Mont Blanc.
Tomorrow, to mark the half century since Hoban’s achievement, Start Cycles on Newcastle’s Market Street will host an Evening with Barry Hoban.
The event is sponsored by Lamb and Associates (Financial Planners) of Ponteland.
Mr Lamb said: “When I heard that it was the 50th Anniversary of Barry Hoban’s victory, I just had to do something to mark such a great occasion.
“I’m proud to be able to bring a legend of British cycling to the North East.”
Hoban was born in Yorkshire. After a glittering amateur cycling career, he moved to France in 1962 to race as an independent.
In 1964 he turned professional for Mercier-BP, one of the biggest teams in France.
He would win a total of eight Tour de France stages. The only Briton to win more is Mark Cavendish.
Living in France and then Belgium, Hoban raced at the top of the sport until 1979.
Barry recalls: “It all still seems like yesterday, and I particularly remember the uphill bits, - and there was plenty of uphill on that stage 50 years ago!
“I’m looking forward to talking about the stage, and about the rest of my career.”
Barry’s autobiography, Vas-y Barry - published by www. cyclinglegends.co.uk will be on sale tomorrow night.
An Evening with Barry Hoban takes place on Wednesday, July 18 from 7pm with a 7:30pm start, at Start Cycles, Market Street, Newcastle.
Tickets are on sale online www. eventbrite.co.uk/e/ an-evening-withbarry-hobantickets-47296441931