Tony Doyle (cyclist)

Doyle was world pursuit champion in 1980 and 1986. He was a professional between 1980 and 1995, riding for British teams.

Doyle represented England and won two bronze medals in the 4,000 metres individual and team pursuit events, at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.[3]

He finished seventh in the team pursuit at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow as part of the British team.[4] He was not selected for the individual pursuit even though he was the national champion. The place went to Sean Yates. As a result, Doyle turned professional and won the world professional pursuit championship, beating Bert Oosterbosch and Herman Ponsteen. He then raced six-day track races with a variety of partners before achieving great results partnering the Australian Danny Clark.

Doyle became a regular in six-day track races during the 1980s, winning 23 six days. As a result, he was and still is Britain's most successful six day rider. He was noted for fluid and rapid pedalling, which brought him an unofficial UK time-trial record for 25 miles on a 72-inch gear in 56m 30s.

In 1989 Tony Doyle suffered from a serious head injury and multiple fractures at the Munich Six day. He was given the last rites and was in a coma for ten days. He spent six weeks in ITU, followed by two months in a rehabilitation centre. Due to the extent of his injuries it was predicted that he would be unable to return to professional racing.

Doyle received the Bidlake Memorial Prize in 1980 following his first world championship.[5] He received an MBE for services to cycling in 1989.

He took silver in the team pursuit at the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.[6]

Unfortunately, a broken back as a result of a crash at the Six Day in Zurich ended his professional career. After, he remained in sport and in particular cycling. Doyle was elected President of British Cycling in late 1995 on a platform of increasing transparency and accountability. However, British Cycling's board attempted to remove him shortly afterwards: two weeks after this, he resigned.[7][8] He was the founder director of the Tour of Britain which restarted in 1994.[9] In 2009, he was inducted into the British Cycling Hall of Fame.[10] Tony Doyle is currently Chairman of the Olympic Delivery Board for the London Borough of Southwark.

His son George, was born in 1992. Daughter Gemma, was born in 1995 and his youngest son James was born in 1999.

• Interview with Tony Doyle, Cycling News, 8 September 2004
• BBC Interview with Tony Doyle, 2 September 2006 (Video)