Russell Mockridge
Encyclopedia
Russell Mockridge was a racing cyclist from Geelong, Victoria
, Australia. He died during a race, in collision with a bus.
Mockridge started in 1946 by winning his first race of 40 km with Geelong Amateur Cycling Club. For his upper-class accent he was dubbed Little Lord Fauntleroy, however his wins soon earned him the nickname
of The Geelong Flyer. He became described as "Australia’s greatest all-round cyclist for all time".
His ride in the 1948 Summer Olympics
road race in London was ruined by two punctures and his team was eliminated in the quarter-final of the 4000m team pursuit. He represented Australia at the 1950 British Empire Games
in Auckland
. He took gold in the 1000m sprint and the 1000m time trial, and silver in the 4000m pursuit.
In Paris in July 1952 he won the Amateur Grand Prix and the following day the Open Grand Prix, beating world professional champion Reg Harris
, becoming first to win both amateur and professional Paris Sprints. His humiliation of the professionals led to amateur riders being barred for many years. Later that year he won Manchester Wheelers' Club
Muratti Cup again beating Reg Harris
.
Selection for the 1952 Summer Olympics
in Helsinki
was in doubt as he refused to sign the Australian Olympic Federation fidelity bond, which demanded he remain amateur for two years after the Games. A former great cyclist, Hubert Opperman
, then Federal parliamentarian for Geelong
, negotiated a reduction to one year. Mockridge won gold medals in the tandem event with Lionel Cox
, and in the 1000m time trial. He turned professional a year later with success in Europe and Australia. He teamed with Sid Patterson
and Roger Arnold to win the Paris 6-Day race in 1955. Mockridge was one of 60 of 150 entrants to finish the 1955 Tour de France
. He won 12 consecutive Australian championships.
In 1958, at 30, he was killed by a bus in Melbourne
at the Dandenong Rd and Clayton Rd intersection two miles from the start of the 225 km Tour of Gippsland race.
Mockridge was married and had a daughter, Melinda (1955).
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
, Australia. He died during a race, in collision with a bus.
Mockridge started in 1946 by winning his first race of 40 km with Geelong Amateur Cycling Club. For his upper-class accent he was dubbed Little Lord Fauntleroy, however his wins soon earned him the nickname
Nickname
A nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
of The Geelong Flyer. He became described as "Australia’s greatest all-round cyclist for all time".
His ride in the 1948 Summer Olympics
1948 Summer Olympics
The 1948 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XIV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in London, England, United Kingdom. After a 12-year hiatus because of World War II, these were the first Summer Olympics since the 1936 Games in Berlin...
road race in London was ruined by two punctures and his team was eliminated in the quarter-final of the 4000m team pursuit. He represented Australia at the 1950 British Empire Games
1950 British Empire Games
The 1950 British Empire Games was the fourth edition of what is now called the Commonwealth Games. It was held in Auckland, New Zealand between the 4th and 11th of February 1950, after a 12-year gap from the 3rd edition of the games...
in Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
. He took gold in the 1000m sprint and the 1000m time trial, and silver in the 4000m pursuit.
In Paris in July 1952 he won the Amateur Grand Prix and the following day the Open Grand Prix, beating world professional champion Reg Harris
Reg Harris
Reginald - 'Reg' - Hargreaves Harris OBE was a leading English track racing cyclist in the 1940s and 1950s. He won the world amateur sprint title in 1947, two Olympic silver medals in 1948, and the professional title in 1949, 1950, 1951 and 1954...
, becoming first to win both amateur and professional Paris Sprints. His humiliation of the professionals led to amateur riders being barred for many years. Later that year he won Manchester Wheelers' Club
Manchester Wheelers' Club
-Formation and early history:The club was formed on 7 July 1883, as Manchester Athletic Bicycle Club, the name being changed to Manchester Wheelers' Club in 1890.The Manchester Wheelers are the most successful cycling club in Britain having produced countless international riders and several World...
Muratti Cup again beating Reg Harris
Reg Harris
Reginald - 'Reg' - Hargreaves Harris OBE was a leading English track racing cyclist in the 1940s and 1950s. He won the world amateur sprint title in 1947, two Olympic silver medals in 1948, and the professional title in 1949, 1950, 1951 and 1954...
.
Selection for the 1952 Summer Olympics
1952 Summer Olympics
The 1952 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Helsinki, Finland in 1952. Helsinki had been earlier given the 1940 Summer Olympics, which were cancelled due to World War II...
in Helsinki
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is...
was in doubt as he refused to sign the Australian Olympic Federation fidelity bond, which demanded he remain amateur for two years after the Games. A former great cyclist, Hubert Opperman
Hubert Opperman
Sir Hubert Ferdinand Opperman, OBE , referred to as Oppy by Australian and French crowds, was an Australian cyclist and politician, whose endurance cycling feats in the 1920s and 1930s earned him international acclaim....
, then Federal parliamentarian for Geelong
Division of Corio
The Division of Corio is an Australian Electoral Division in Victoria. The division one of the original 75 divisions contested at the first federal election. It is named for Corio Bay. It has always been based on the city of Geelong, although in the past it has also included parts of the western...
, negotiated a reduction to one year. Mockridge won gold medals in the tandem event with Lionel Cox
Lionel Cox
Lionel Malvyne Cox OAM was an Australian Olympic cyclist.-Results and awards:*1948 – 49 1st N.S.W. 1000 metre Sprint Title*1949 – 50 1st N.S.W...
, and in the 1000m time trial. He turned professional a year later with success in Europe and Australia. He teamed with Sid Patterson
Sid Patterson
Sid Patterson was a world champion amateur and professional track cyclist from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. While a teenager, Patterson won every Victorian and Australian title between 1,000 metres and ten miles...
and Roger Arnold to win the Paris 6-Day race in 1955. Mockridge was one of 60 of 150 entrants to finish the 1955 Tour de France
Tour de France
The Tour de France is an annual bicycle race held in France and nearby countries. First staged in 1903, the race covers more than and lasts three weeks. As the best known and most prestigious of cycling's three "Grand Tours", the Tour de France attracts riders and teams from around the world. The...
. He won 12 consecutive Australian championships.
In 1958, at 30, he was killed by a bus in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
at the Dandenong Rd and Clayton Rd intersection two miles from the start of the 225 km Tour of Gippsland race.
Mockridge was married and had a daughter, Melinda (1955).