RIP Barry Hoban.

[djnotts]

As it says. A strong rider.

"The pioneering British road sprinter and Classics rider Barry Hoban has died at the age of 85. Hoban was for many years the UK record holder for stage wins in the Tour de France with a tally of eight during his 17-year professional racing career, a total bettered only by the greatest sprinter of them all, Mark Cavendish, in 2009." (Guardian.)

[pjclinch]

Full link...
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/ ... es-aged-85

[LinusR]

Hoban features prominently in Fotheringham's biography of Tom Simpson "Put Me Back on My Bike". https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/353688/ ... 0224080187

The book is no hagiography and describes in beautiful detail the relationship between Hoban, Vincent (Vin) Denson (now aged 89) and the fallout from the Tour de France in 1967 that Fortheringham mentions briefly in that obituary.

It emerged during research for Put Me Back on My Bike, my account of Simpson’s death, that Hoban was probably not the senior riders’ preferred choice on that emotionally charged day, creating an undercurrent of controversy that persisted for a quarter of a century.

In 2007 I was in Provence at a gathering where Denson, Hoban, and members of Simpson's old cycling club were present, and witnessed first hand some of that controversy. It was quite painful and ugly to watch. Fotheringham was also not popular among some of those present on that evening.

[roubaixtuesday]

Hoban features prominently in Fotheringham's biography of Tom Simpson "Put Me Back on My Bike". https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/353688/ ... 0224080187

The book is no hagiography and describes in beautiful detail the relationship between Hoban, Vincent (Vin) Denson (now aged 89) and the fallout from the Tour de France in 1967 that Fortheringham mentions briefly in that obituary.

It emerged during research for Put Me Back on My Bike, my account of Simpson’s death, that Hoban was probably not the senior riders’ preferred choice on that emotionally charged day, creating an undercurrent of controversy that persisted for a quarter of a century.

In 2007 I was in Provence at a gathering where Denson, Hoban, and members of Simpson's old cycling club were present, and witnessed first hand some of that controversy. It was quite painful and ugly to watch. Fotheringham was also not popular among some of those present on that evening.

Fascinated to hear what was the beef, and who was the preferred choice?

[Mike Sales]

Hoban features prominently in Fotheringham's biography of Tom Simpson "Put Me Back on My Bike". https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/353688/ ... 0224080187

The book is no hagiography and describes in beautiful detail the relationship between Hoban, Vincent (Vin) Denson (now aged 89) and the fallout from the Tour de France in 1967 that Fortheringham mentions briefly in that obituary.

It emerged during research for Put Me Back on My Bike, my account of Simpson’s death, that Hoban was probably not the senior riders’ preferred choice on that emotionally charged day, creating an undercurrent of controversy that persisted for a quarter of a century.

In 2007 I was in Provence at a gathering where Denson, Hoban, and members of Simpson's old cycling club were present, and witnessed first hand some of that controversy. It was quite painful and ugly to watch. Fotheringham was also not popular among some of those present on that evening.

Fascinated to hear what was the beef, and who was the preferred choice?

Vin Denson gives an account in his autobiography The Full Cycle.
He writes that the next day after Tom's death Jean Stablinski rode up to Denson and told him that all the teams had agreed that Denson should be given the stage. The other British riders agreed but Hoban demurred. He thought that as he was one of the younger riders, it would do him more good.
Hoban attacked suddenly and Stablinski suggested to Denson that they should chase him. Denson did not have the heart to, in the circumstances. "I wasn't particularly annoyed with Barry : I was in too distraught a state to be annoyed".

[roubaixtuesday]

Hoban features prominently in Fotheringham's biography of Tom Simpson "Put Me Back on My Bike". https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/353688/ ... 0224080187

The book is no hagiography and describes in beautiful detail the relationship between Hoban, Vincent (Vin) Denson (now aged 89) and the fallout from the Tour de France in 1967 that Fortheringham mentions briefly in that obituary.



In 2007 I was in Provence at a gathering where Denson, Hoban, and members of Simpson's old cycling club were present, and witnessed first hand some of that controversy. It was quite painful and ugly to watch. Fotheringham was also not popular among some of those present on that evening.

Fascinated to hear what was the beef, and who was the preferred choice?

Vin Denson gives an account in his autobiography The Full Cycle.
He writes that the next day after Tom's death Jean Stablinski rode up to Denson and told him that all the teams had agreed that Denson should be given the stage. The other British riders agreed but Hoban demurred. He thought that as he was one of the younger riders, it would do him more good.
Hoban attacked suddenly and Stablinski suggested to Denson that they should chase him. Denson did not have the heart to, in the circumstances. "I wasn't particularly annoyed with Barry : I was in too distraught a state to be annoyed".

Thank you

[Cowsham]

Was on Last Words on Radio 4 tonight. Barry ended up marrying his friend Tom Simpson's widow who he left behind and a daughter plus two step daughters.

[TrevA]

Had the pleasure of meeting Barry once. After he retired he became a rep for Falcon Cycles. I was in my local bike shop, when Barry walked in to talk to the owner. I had a quick chat with him as I recognised him. He won 8 Tour stages and a few semi classics including Ghent- Wevelgem . He was a pioneer for those that came after him.

[mattheus]

The book is no hagiography and describes in beautiful detail the relationship between Hoban, Vincent (Vin) Denson (now aged 89) and the fallout from the Tour de France in 1967 that Fortheringham mentions briefly in that obituary.

Denson's wikipedia page tells the story. It also mentions that his wife was called Vi!