Brian Robinson Pioneer

Brian Robinson, the first Englishman to complete the Tour de France, went on to make a career as a professional cyclist in what is generally regarded as one of the toughest eras in a very tough sport. He adapted to French life, the continental style of racing and the taxing demands of a long season with clear-headed tenacity. For all the British riders who later followed him to Europe - and there have been many since his days as a lone coureur anglais - he was, without dispute, the great pioneer.