British Cycling Press Release
22nd February 2010
Cycling Heroes Inducted into British Cycling Hall of Fame at 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner
50 cycling legends, from sporting stalwarts to backroom heroes, were inducted into the first British Cycling Hall of Fame on Saturday 20 February at the organisation's 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner held at Manchester Central.
Inductees from decades past represented on the night included seven-time World Champion Beryl Burton OBE, eight times Tour de France stage winner Barry Hoban and Tom Simpson who died during the 1967 Tour while climbing Mont Ventoux.
Among more recent sporting heroes collecting their honours on the night were Chris Boardman MBE, who won three Tour de France yellow jerseys and an Olympic Gold medal, Olympic track heroes Craig MacLean and Paul Manning MBE and mountain bike legends Tim Gould and Caroline Alexander.
Peter King CBE, whose 12 year tenure as British Cycling's CEO set the organisation on its path to success and Peter Keen OBE, who revolutionised British Cycling's performance programme with the aid of national lottery funding, were also inducted.
Eileen Grey CBE, one of the sport's most prominent early pioneers, whose efforts led to women's cycling gaining Olympic recognition, also collected her honour and gave a touching account of British Cycling's early days.
Brian Cookson OBE, British Cycling's President, said: "Our first Hall of Fame ceremony was a truly touching occasion and a fitting finale to a superb evening of reflection and entertainment. 38 inductees and representatives of inductees collected their honours on the night to a great reception from the audience."
Nearly 700 guests from all corners of Britain attended the black tie event, hosted by Sky's anchorman Dermot Murnaghan, among them a host of cycling luminaries including Sir Chris Hoy, Victoria Pendleton MBE, Dave Brailsford CBE, British Cycling's Performance Director and Steve Peat, current Mountain Bike Downhill World Champion.
National Champions and National Series winners collected their honours at the 2009 Annual Awards in the afternoon and a number of Volunteer and Special Recognition Awards were also presented during the Gala Dinner.
