John Ibbotson
John Ibbotson, who has died suddenly at the age of 27, never realised his dream of becoming a household name as a cycling professional, but in his short life he was a friend to many and an inspiration to all in the sport.
His gifts as a rider were never in doubt. He had not only the legs but also the brain to win races. But his real gift was his personality. In a sport not noted for its friendliness, where elite riders often disdain to talk to mere amateurs, Ibbotson was the shining exception.
Around his native Surrey hills, he knew not only every quiet lane, every cake shop and coffee stop, but practically every rider by name. As many discovered, a training ride with "Ibbo" was never just a dreary workout; it was a non-stop stream of chat, jokes and horseplay. But Ibbotson took his cycling very seriously. It is just that he was the very opposite of the dour sports nut - always immaculately turned out, he was as happy talking politics and music as bikes.
He grew up in Walton-on-the-Hill, Surrey - not far from Box Hill, a minor Mecca to cyclists in the south east. He turned professional at 20 with the Men's Health team in 1998, and in 1999 won the Espoirs under-23 national championship. His big move was to the RDM Flanders squad in Belgium in 2001. In the spring classics of 2002, he found himself signing on beside such giants as Peter van Petegem, Johan Museeuw and Lance Armstrong.
By his own admission, Ibbotson was not cut out for the relentless grind of life as an anonymous pro. He later wrote about that tough world: when a Belgian team mate asked him what "preparation" he was using, Ibbotson replied that he did not do dope; the team mate looked at him quizzically and asked, "Then why are you here?"
He eventually asked himself the same question, and after that year in Belgium, and another racing in Italy with Team Endurasport, he withdrew from the continental professional scene.
Recently, he had made the transition to a new career in cycle coaching, as a partner in the firm Fit-For. Earlier this year, he ran a race in memory of his father, who had always supported his son's cycling career. And, as a coach, Ibbotson seemed to have found his true metier: he had a real genius for imparting his knowledge and experience with generosity and, above all, humour.
Monday October 10, 2005
The Guardian
His gifts as a rider were never in doubt. He had not only the legs but also the brain to win races. But his real gift was his personality. In a sport not noted for its friendliness, where elite riders often disdain to talk to mere amateurs, Ibbotson was the shining exception.
Around his native Surrey hills, he knew not only every quiet lane, every cake shop and coffee stop, but practically every rider by name. As many discovered, a training ride with "Ibbo" was never just a dreary workout; it was a non-stop stream of chat, jokes and horseplay. But Ibbotson took his cycling very seriously. It is just that he was the very opposite of the dour sports nut - always immaculately turned out, he was as happy talking politics and music as bikes.
He grew up in Walton-on-the-Hill, Surrey - not far from Box Hill, a minor Mecca to cyclists in the south east. He turned professional at 20 with the Men's Health team in 1998, and in 1999 won the Espoirs under-23 national championship. His big move was to the RDM Flanders squad in Belgium in 2001. In the spring classics of 2002, he found himself signing on beside such giants as Peter van Petegem, Johan Museeuw and Lance Armstrong.
By his own admission, Ibbotson was not cut out for the relentless grind of life as an anonymous pro. He later wrote about that tough world: when a Belgian team mate asked him what "preparation" he was using, Ibbotson replied that he did not do dope; the team mate looked at him quizzically and asked, "Then why are you here?"
He eventually asked himself the same question, and after that year in Belgium, and another racing in Italy with Team Endurasport, he withdrew from the continental professional scene.
Recently, he had made the transition to a new career in cycle coaching, as a partner in the firm Fit-For. Earlier this year, he ran a race in memory of his father, who had always supported his son's cycling career. And, as a coach, Ibbotson seemed to have found his true metier: he had a real genius for imparting his knowledge and experience with generosity and, above all, humour.
Monday October 10, 2005
The Guardian
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