Cycling 9 August 1951

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

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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.