One of the giants of Irish cycling, Peter Doyle, has sadly passed away. A member of Bray Wheelers, Peter was a legendary figure in the sport, including riding the Olympic Games for Ireland for twice, in 1968 and 1972.
Peter's passing was announced by his lifelong club, with Bray Wheelers saying it was with "deep sadness" they were paying tribute to "one of Ireland’s true cycling legends".
Peter's place in Irish cycling history was perhaps best captured by Paul Kimmage in his seminal book 'Rough Ride', first published in 1990. Kimmage's father, Christy Snr, was a leading Irish road racer and a contemporary of Doyle's.
"I often asked him if he was the best," Kimmage writes of his conversations with his father. "Here, he never lied. No, he was not the best. He was good, but not the best. Peter Doyle was the best.
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"He used to point out Peter Doyle to me, and on occasions when the great man came to our house he would ask: 'Paul, do you know who this is?' And, finger in my mouth, I would shyly reply 'Peter Doyle'. To me, my Da was God, but Peter Doyle was also God."
Peter was in his pomp in the 1960s and 1970s, winning the Shay Elliott Classic, Tour of Ireland and National Road Race Championships in 1968.
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As well as representing Ireland at two Olympic Games, he also won both the Tour of Ireland and Rás Tailteann, the latter in 1974. His 1968 win in the Shay Elliott was repeated in 1973.
However, 1968 was perhaps his biggest year as he also rode the Tour of Britain, winning two stages, finishing 3rd overall and winning the mountains and points classifications. Though he was offered professional contracts and declined them, he went to race in France for periods and won the Essor Breton stage race in 1969.
Bray Wheelers led the tributes to Peter, describing "our own Peter Doyle" as "one of Ireland’s true cycling legends" and a member of the Cycling Ireland 'Hall of Fame'.
"Peter was not only a champion on the bike – representing Ireland on the world stage, including the Olympic Games – but also an inspiration to countless riders who followed in his wheeltracks," the club said in its warm tribute.
"His dedication, courage, and achievements brought pride to Irish cycling and left a legacy that will never be forgotten and a trophy trail that may never be equalled.
"On behalf of everyone at Bray Wheelers, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Peter’s family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him. He was the greatest of Wheelers. May he rest in peace."
