Barry Hoban dies aged 85 as tributes pour in for British cycling and Tour de France icon

British cycling legend Barry Hoban has died aged 85. He won eight stages of Tour De France throughout an illustrious career that included 19 years as a professional.

Hoban was Britain's most successful Tour de France rider, with his stage wins coming between 1967 and 1975, before Mark Cavendish came onto the scene. He remains the only British rider to win the Gent-Wevelgem event, which has been held since 1934.

Hoban spent the majority of his career as a rider for Hutchinson-Mercier and held the record for most Tours completed by a British rider at 11. That was broken by Geraint Thomas last season, but his place in the history books remain with tributes pouring in.

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Cycling commentator Jez Cox wrote: "What a sad day but also what an important day to celebrate what a massive impact Barry Hoban had. He paved the way for Cav, G, Wiggins and Frome. I'll never forget my interview I did with him about his 1974 @GentWevelgem win for TV. What a passion for our sport. RIP Barry xx."

Hoban enjoyed a storied career and took on some of the legends of the sport. He competed with the the likes of Merckx, and a young Bernard Hinault and was also a teammate of Raymond Poulidor.

Hoban was good friends with Tom Simpson, Britain's first champion, and was present the day Simpson died on Mont Ventoux in 1967. He was allowed to win the next day's stage in tribute. His CV also boasts two wins in the Vuelta a Espana, both coming in 1964.

Esteem cycling photographer Graham Watson said: "Sad news that Barry Hoban has passed away, he was a genuine legend from the glory days of old, and a hero to so many future pros'. He was the first British cyclist I photographed in a Tour de France, in 1977, and I'm extremely glad to have this one image of the man in action. RIP".

Hoban grew up in Yorkshire and joined local club Calder Clarion at an early age, where he initially saw himsefl as a sprinter, before discovering he could excel in the climbs. At 22 he headed to continental Europe in search of a pro career and achieved it after two years as a semi-professional.