Cycling 9 August 1951

Crowds flock to the Bath Road 100 as our Reg meets his match

The famous Bath Road 100 took priority this week with the battle between Victor Gibbons and Les Willmott being the highlight. Gibbons overcame cramp and a 10-second deficit in the final miles to take a seven-second win over Willmott, the competition record holder for the blue-riband distance.

In the years before massed-start road racing featured prominently in the UK, it was the longer-distance time trials, with the Bath Road at the top, that captivated both the fans and Cycling magazine. The high-profile 100s, with the 50s and 12hrs just behind in terms of status, were most revered as they afforded comparison between Britain’s best riders and those from the Continent.