OBITUARY Martin Ayres 1943-2023

Celebrated editor who led Cycling Weekly through the 1980s

- Graham Snowdon

Martin Ayres, who was editor of Cycling Weekly throughout the 1980s, has died at the age of 79 after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease more than two years ago and recently suffering from Covid-related complications.

Martin was born in Meriden, Warwickshire, in April 1943, and cycling soon became part of his life. While still at school he worked part-time at Pollard Cycles in Coventry and started racing for Coventry Road Club. He took the bronze medal behind Baz Lycett and Fred Booker in the national five-mile grass track championship in 1963 before trying his luck in Belgium with a Rizla-sponsored club team based on Antwerp, though his season there was dogged by illness.