Barry Hoban, the British cyclist whose remarkable career spanned across the golden era of European cycling, has died at the age of 85. Born on February 5, 1940, in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, Hoban rose to prominence as one of the first British cyclists to make a significant impact in the world of professional cycling. Over a career that lasted almost two decades, Hoban achieved notable success in some of the sport’s most prestigious races, particularly the Tour de France, where he cemented his place in cycling history.
Hoban’s career was highlighted by his extraordinary consistency in the Tour de France, a race he started 12 times and finished 11, a record that stood until 2024 when it was surpassed by fellow Briton Geraint Thomas. He also claimed eight stage wins in the Tour, a British record that held for 34 years until Mark Cavendish eventually surpassed it. Hoban’s stage victories were testament to his natural sprinting ability, but he was more than just a sprinter. He was known for his keen tactical sense, a crucial attribute in cycling’s one-day classics, where a combination of intelligence and race knowledge is essential. His most celebrated victory came in 1974 when he won the prestigious Ghent-Wevelgem, a feat that has yet to be matched by any other British rider.
Before his professional career, Hoban’s background was humble. He was the son of a bricklayer in a working-class family, and he started cycling using his father’s old kit. Leaving school at the age of 15, he worked in the local coal mine before pursuing cycling full-time. His talent was evident early on, and by the age of 17, he was already modeling himself after Tom Simpson, one of the most iconic figures in British cycling at the time. Hoban represented Great Britain at the 1960 Rome Olympics and soon turned professional, moving to northern France to race as an independent. After winning 35 races in two years, he secured a spot with the prestigious Mercier team, where he began to make a name for himself on the European circuit.
In 1964, in his first professional season, Hoban set a target of earning £1,000 and quickly proved his worth by claiming two stage wins in the Tour of Spain. His first stage win in the Tour de France came in 1967, the day after Simpson’s tragic death on Mont Ventoux, and although the circumstances were clouded in controversy, it marked the beginning of a successful relationship with the Tour de France.
Throughout his career, Hoban’s tactical nous shone through. His ability to read race situations, especially in breakaways, was instrumental in his victories. His 1969 stage wins, for example, came after he forged temporary alliances with other riders, showcasing his race-craft and strategic thinking. One of his final triumphs in the Tour was in 1975, at Bordeaux, where he won a stage that took place on a banked velodrome – a skill honed on cinder and grass tracks in Yorkshire years before.
Hoban’s cycling legacy extends beyond his on-the-road achievements. Despite his success, he often felt overlooked by the British cycling establishment. In 1979, a controversial disqualification from the UK national championship, coupled with his failure to gain recognition as national coach, left Hoban feeling that his contributions to the sport had been undervalued.
After retiring in 1980, Hoban continued to stay involved in cycling, working for a bike manufacturer in Powys, Wales, where he contributed to the production of Barry Hoban bikes. His connection to the sport remained strong, and a portrait of his late friend and fellow racer Tom Simpson hung in the reception area of the bike company.
Barry Hoban is survived by his wife Helen, their daughter Daniella, stepdaughters Jane and Joanne Simpson, and his brother and sister. His contributions to British cycling and his enduring legacy in the sport will be remembered by fans and cyclists alike.
