A popular charity cycle challenge held annually in the Pennines around Huddersfield has received the endorsement of Brian Robinson, one of Britain’s most respected cycling pioneers and a former Olympic athlete.

Held on the last Sunday in April (this year 26 April), the event has been developing over the last three years and attracts riders from as far afield as London and Scotland. It follows a 75 mile circuit taking in stunning scenery and iconic Pennine climbs.

In wishing to establish the event firmly and wanting to commemorate Brian’s achievements, ride organiser Martyn Bolt approached Brian and asked if they could use his name for the event.

“After some deliberation and looking at various options for using Brian’s name we chose the Brian Robinson Cycle Challenge,” Martyn says, “as it exactly says what the event is all about. The ride is aimed at allowing riders to enjoy themselves and raise money for good causes, but it is without doubt challenging.”

Brian Robinson is a Mirfield cyclist who represented Great Britain in the 1952 Olympic road race along with his brother Desmond. He later went on to achieve further international acclaim as a pioneering Continental professional cyclist in the 1950s and early ‘60s.

During his career Brian was the first British cyclist to complete the Tour de France, the first British cyclist to win a stage of the Tour de France and the first rider to win the prestigious Criterium du Dauphine Libere, which precedes the Tour.

Speaking of the event, Brian said: “I have ridden every inch of this route many times myself and I know that riders are in for a memorable experience. We hope that the support on the day in terms of HQ, marshals and feeder stations will make sure cyclists can take the route at whatever speed they like, but they will finish the ride knowing they have had a good work out.”

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