Tour de France: Yorkshire’s cycling heritage - Brian Robinson

Where Barry Hoban and Tom Simpson followed, Brian Robinson led. Born in Huddersfield in 1930, he joined his local cycling club at age 13 and would go on to be a pioneer in the Tour de France.

Robinson was the first Briton to complete the race, doing so for the British team Hercules in 1955.

He was the first Briton to win a stage in 1958. Robinson crossed the line second on stage seven into Brest but was promoted into first because Arigo Padovan, who crossed the line first, was relegated for his tactics in a hot sprint.

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A year later, Robinson splintered the peloton by winning the 20th stage by a massive 20 minutes.

He retired at 33 but has remained active and has been a big part of his home county’s bid to bring the Tour de France to Yorkshire.