9 February 2012
As many readers will remember, 1948 Olympic medallist Bob Maitland died in August 2010 and left his estate to British Cycling. He asked that it be used to provide a suitable legacy in the names of his late wife Muriel Maitland and himself.
The Solihull Cycling Club is now set to benefit from Bob's estate which will go towards the installation of floodlights at their Tudor Grange circuit facility, enabling it to be used all year round by the club.
Solihull Cycling Club is one of British Cycling’s top performing Go-Ride clubs and the installation of floodlights at Tudor Grange will have a very positive effect on participation. Solihull Cycling Club has also committed to hosting high profile “Bob & Muriel Maitland” youth races at Tudor Grange in accordance with Bob’s wishes.
Bob’s links with Solihull were strong. Before establishing the Concorde Road Club, Bob competed at a high level for Solihull Cycling Club in his formative years and maintained a close relationship throughout his life, latterly becoming honorary Solihull Cycling Club vice president.
The money from Bob's estate will free up additional match funding from Sport England's Inspired Facilities scheme.
Bob also left an extensive collection of memorabilia, including his Olympic medals and various jerseys which British Cycling has loaned to the National Cycle Museum in Landridodd Wells, where they can now been seen on display - pictured above.
Bob Maitland - Olympic & Tour Hero
Birmingham's Bob Maitland, who was part of the Silver medal winning Great Britain team in the London Olympic Road Race (1948), has died in France aged 86. Racing both road and track, Maitland was born in 1924 and as well as making his name in the Olympics where he placed sixth individually in the road race (London), he also won multiple British Road Race championships. He was also a member of the first British national team to ride the Tour de France in 1955.
A lifelong member of the Solihull CC, he joined them after winning a Junior Road Race in 1939 and his occupation meant that he was able to continue racing through out the war (World War II). In doing so, he set several national Time Trial records before the Olympics in 1948.
Bob Maitland continued to race and keep fit through out his career and in 1989, won a UCI Masters World Road title in the 65–69 age category. Not only did he continue to ride his bike until his death but he was also an avid volunteer, marshalling at local events and known for being a quiet and unassuming gentleman.
