Ken Russell obituary
The Yorkshireman won the 1952 Tour of Britain riding as a one-man Ellis Briggs team
orkshireman Ken Russell, winner of the second edition of the Tour of Britain in 1952, has died after a short illness at the age of 87.
Born in the Bradford district of Idle, Russell’s introduction to cycling was a 16-mile round-trip to school that took him over one of the city’s steep hills. As a teenager, he built up a touring bike from parts laying around in Shipley’s famous Ellis Briggs bike shop, where his elder brother worked.
Russell joined the Bradford Racing Club, where he soon showed his talent, especially in the hills. After completing his National Service, he returned to Bradford, initially working for the Whitaker and Mapplebeck framebuilders, before moving to Ellis Briggs, starting as an apprentice frame-builder.
He rode the inaugural Tour of Britain in 1951 for the ITP team, winning the stage into Wolverhampton. The following year he lined up as the sole rider in Ellis Briggs colours. Victory in Weymouth on the second day gave Russell the leader’s yellow jersey. Although he lost it for two days, the Yorkshireman regained it and held it until the end of the 14-day race at London’s Alexandra Palace.
Harried throughout by the powerful BSA team, Russell’s most testing moment came on the final day, when one of his cranks came loose. During the race, he had become friendly with Belgian rider Marcel Michaux, who was in the front group with him. “Donnez-moi votre bicyclette,” Russell said to his new friend. Sportingly, Michaux did give Russell his bike and the Yorkshireman’s victory was confirmed.
He returned to the race in 1953, devoting his efforts to an upcoming Yorkshireman called Brian Robinson, his only Ellis Briggs team-mate. Robinson held the yellow jersey until the penultimate day, when rival teams made their superior numbers count, and Robinson dropped to fourth place overall.
With a young family to support, Russell called an end to his racing career in 1955. In 2014, the Tour de France paid tribute to his short but illustrious career when Russell waved the flag to start the race’s second stage at York racecourse.
He is survived by his wife of almost 65 years, Renee, and daughters Julie and Linda.