On a stormy February day in Lancashire, I'm riding back to the future with a peloton of Olympians, world and national champions. They all rode the original women's Tour de France which ran concurrently with the men's Tour for six years in the 1980s. Between them they have 16 finishers' medals and one white jersey.
While some believe this year's Tour de France Femmes, due to start in Paris on the day the men's race finishes, will be the first ever, the women I'm riding with know differently. Until CW organised today's reunion, they believed their achievements from almost 40 years ago had been largely forgotten. Their medals, road books, race numbers and other memorabilia had remained neglected in attics or at the back of cupboards.
“I'm proud of what we did but I don't talk about it unless someone asks me. No one likes a show-off," says Louise Moore (née Garbett) who, as a 19-yearold, stood on the podium next to Laurent Fignon, Greg LeMond and Bernard Hinault after winning the young rider's white jersey at the 1984 Tour.
As we ride up Pendle Hill towards a cake stop at the 110-year-old Clarion House - the last surviving 'refuge' of the National Clarion Club - tales of suffering, heroism and humour emerge from behind the riders' veil of modesty.
By the time we are enjoying mugs of tea in front of a roaring coal fire, the stories of Team GB's adventures at the Tour de France Feminin from 1984 are 1989 are starting to unfold...
SUE GORNALL (NEE THOMPSON)
Rode the Tours of 1986-89. Works as a nursery assistant and rides for Barnoldswick Clarion
I was getting good results for Weaver Valley CC in Cheshire when I was selected for the '86 Tour. I'd finished 23rd at that year's Worlds road race so had already used up all my time off from my job at a shoe shop so had to quit.
Denne historien er fra March 24, 2022-utgaven av CYCLING WEEKLY.
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Denne historien er fra March 24, 2022-utgaven av CYCLING WEEKLY.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
CLASSIC BIKE - JOHNNY BERRY
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The man himself - subject of this special issue - explains the key performance changes behind his record-breaking year
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REVIEW OF THE YEAR
An Olympic year is always special and the cycling season once again delivered a year of highs and lows, from Pogi's triple to Katie Archibald's pre-Olympic trip
MEET THE PARENTS
What made Tadej Pogačar the phenomenon he is today? Chris Marshall-Bell went to Slovenia to meet his mum and dad, Mirko and Marjeta
HALF MAN HALF GOAT
Tadej Pogačar may have had a phenomenal season, but has he done enough to cement his status as the greatest of all time? Chris Marshall-Bell weighs the arguments for and against
Lefevere cashes in his chips and leaves cycling management
The news that Patrick Lefevere will step down as Quick Step boss marks the end of an era, after 22 years in charge
Mathieu van der Poel weighs up skipping Tour de France
Dutchman hints at missing Tour in favour of mtb Worlds bid, reports Tom Thewlis from Dénia, Spain
