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Cycling Legends Podcast

From the Archives - Barry Hoban: My First Tour


In April this year, the world of cycling lost a giant and the Cycling Legends family lost an uncle, a friend and an inspiration when legendary British racer Barry Hoban passed away at the age of 85. 


Barry rode no fewer than 12 Tours de France between 1964 and 1978. He would go on to win 8 stages along the way, setting a British record that would stand until Mark Cavendish surpassed that total in 2009


In 2022 Chris Sidwells sat down with Barry to record a series of chats about his first experiences of riding cycling’s iconic races.


In this episode Barry talks to Chris about riding his first Tour de France, in support of no lesser name than the great Raymond Poulidor in 1964. That year’s race would be eventful for both riders, but I’ll let Barry tell you about that.


So enjoy the chat. Vive le Tour and vas y Barry!


Photo: Barry Hoban (number 15, nearest) would spend his first Tour in the service of no lesser talent than Raymond Poulidor (number 19). Both would go on to have an eventful race. (Credit: via Chris Sidwells/Cycling Legends Collection)


Episode Music (title/closing): A Month of Sleep - “Starry Eyes”, courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com


Book: Barry’s autobiography, Vas y Barry! is available now from the Cycling Legends store


Get in touch

Drop us a line at cyclinglegendspodcast@gmail.com! We’d love to hear from you.


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