CYCLING: Lifetime honour for team boss Mick Ives

Recognition for dedication to the sport
Mick Ives receiving his life membership award from BMCR chairman Nigel ByrneMick Ives receiving his life membership award from BMCR chairman Nigel Byrne
Mick Ives receiving his life membership award from BMCR chairman Nigel Byrne

Cycling team boss Mick Ives has been awarded a prestigious life membership recognising his massive contribution to the sport over more than 60 years.

He is the first person to receive the honour of life membership of the British Masters Cycle Racing Association after decades of dedication to the sport.

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“I was invited to meet the BMCR chairman Nigel Byrne and NEC member Don Parry of the British Masters Cycle Racing Association, which was formerly the LVRC,” explained Mick, 80, owner and director of Team Jewson-MI Racing-Polypipe-McCann-7 formation.

Mick Ives cycling the route of the Giro d'Italia in 2017Mick Ives cycling the route of the Giro d'Italia in 2017
Mick Ives cycling the route of the Giro d'Italia in 2017

“I didn’t know what to expect, so imagine my surprise when they awarded me their first ever life membership.”

The BMCR is a cycling organisation formed in 1986, under the name of The League of Veteran Racing Cyclists, to cater for the cycling needs of riders over the age of 40, with the emphasis on road racing, but later to include all forms of cycle racing and social activities.

“Last year I resigned as an executive committee member after serving in that position for 20 years - and also the Directorship after a 10 year period, giving someone else a chance,” said Mick.

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“But I still remained a member of the Association and a Licence Holder.

“The award was made in recognition of the work I had done over many years and my commitment towards the sport I love.”

This is Mick’s third Life Membership, having already been awarded the honour by both the Coventry Cycling Club in the 1960s and Coventry Olympic Cycling Club in the 1980s.

“I will continue to help and support the sport, especially the Veteran Class in every way I can. It’s a sport that I have been involved in since joining the Warwick Cycling Club in 1956.”

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That sport has taken Mick around the world, winning an amazing eight World Masters Cycling Championships and an even more incredible 81 British Cycling Championships, including a British Professional Championship and representing Great Britain at road racing, on the track, mountain bike and cyclo cross at international level, with victories in every discipline of the sport.

And in 2017 at the age of 77 he organised and rode solo the challenging 3,400km route of the Giro d’Italia in 2017, raising money for several local charities.

Just a few months later he suffered a heart attack and required two stents to be fitted but was soon back training and competing again - and organising and promoting events for the club.

“Awards like this make it all worth while, especially being the first to receive it,” added Mick, who has no intention of retiring yet.

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