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{{Short description|Australian cyclist (1928–1958)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2015}}
{{Use Australian English|date=August 2011}}
{{Use Australian English|date=August 2011}}
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| image_size = 250px
| image_size = 250px
| caption = Russell Mockridge (left) and [[Hubert Opperman]] arrive in Sydney from Melbourne in 1948
| caption = Russell Mockridge (left) and [[Hubert Opperman]] arrive in Sydney from Melbourne in 1948
| fullname = Russell Mockridge
| fullname = Edward Russell Mockridge
| nickname =
| nickname =
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1928|7|18}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1928|7|18}}
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{{MedalSilver |[[1950 British Empire Games|1950 Auckland]]|Pursuit}}
{{MedalSilver |[[1950 British Empire Games|1950 Auckland]]|Pursuit}}
| show-medals = yes
| show-medals = yes
| updated = 13 April 2008
}}
}}


'''Russell Mockridge''' (18 July 1928 – 13 September 1958) was a racing [[cyclist]] from [[Geelong]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], Australia. He died during a race, in collision with a bus.
'''Edward Russell Mockridge''' (18 July 1928 – 13 September 1958) was a racing [[cycle sport|cyclist]] from [[Geelong]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], Australia. He died during a race, in collision with a bus.

⚫
== Family ==
The son of Robert Glover Mockridge and Aileen Claire Mockridge, née Riley,<ref>[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2171426 Marriages: Mockridge—Riley, ''The Argus'',(Saturday, 5 December 1925), p.13.]</ref> Edward Russell Mockridge (known as Russell) was born in Melbourne on 18 July 1928.<ref>[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3949600 Births: Mockridge, ''The Argus'', (Thursday, 9 August 1928), p.1.]</ref> Mockridge married Irene Pritchard (-2004), widely known as "Rene",<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=USUQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6pQDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3023%2C2177803 Deaths: Mockridge, ''The Age'', (Monday, 15 September 1958), p.12.]</ref> in London, in 1953;<ref>[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/61104541 Olympic Cyclist Weds, ''The (Launceston) Examiner'', (Tuesday, 6 October 1953), p.16.]</ref> they had a daughter, Melinda, who was born in [[Ghent|Ghent, Belgium]] in December 1954.<ref>[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/71784026 This is home, Bubs, ''The Argus'', (Saturday, 3 December 1955), p.48.]</ref>


==Career==
==Career==
Mockridge started in 1946 by winning his first race of 40&nbsp;km with Geelong Amateur Cycling Club. For his upper-class accent he was dubbed ''Little Lord Fauntleroy'', but his wins soon earned him the [[nickname]] of ''The Geelong Flyer''. He became described as 'Australia’s greatest all-round cyclist for all time'.<ref>Meeking, M. (15 September 1958) [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=USUQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6pQDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5507%2C2253802 "Russell Mockridge Was Our Greatest Cyclist"]. ''The Age'', p. 17.</ref>
Mockridge started in 1946 by winning his first race of 40&nbsp;km with Geelong Amateur Cycling Club. For his upper-class accent he was dubbed ''Little Lord Fauntleroy'', but his wins soon earned him the [[nickname]] of ''The Geelong Flyer''.<ref>[http://www.queens.unimelb.edu.au/history/the-geelong-flyer "The Geelong Flier", ''Queens News & Updates'', Queen's College, The University of Melbourne.]</ref> He became described as 'Australia's greatest all-round cyclist for all time'.<ref>Meeking, M. (15 September 1958) [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=USUQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6pQDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5507%2C2253802 "Russell Mockridge Was Our Greatest Cyclist"]. ''The Age'', p. 17.</ref>


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 4000 m team pursuit. He represented Australia at the [[1950 British Empire Games]] in [[Auckland]]. He took gold in the 1000 m sprint and the 1000m time trial, and silver in the 4000 m pursuit.
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 4000 m team pursuit. He represented Australia at the [[1950 British Empire Games]] in [[Auckland]]. He took gold in the 1000 m sprint and the 1000m time trial, and silver in the 4000 m 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]].
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 great former cyclist, [[Hubert Opperman]], then Federal parliamentarian for [[Division of Corio|Geelong]], negotiated a reduction to one year. Mockridge won gold medals in the tandem event with [[Lionel Cox (cyclist)|Lionel Cox]], and in the 1000 m time trial.<ref name="sports-reference">{{cite web |url=http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/mo/russell-mockridge-1.html |title=Russell Mockridge Olympic Results |accessdate=1 January 2013 |work=sports-reference.com}}</ref> He turned professional a year later with success in Europe and Australia. He teamed with [[Sid Patterson]] and Roger Arnold to win the Paris six-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. He won the [[Australian National Road Race Championships|Australian national road race title]] in 1956, 1957 and 1958.<ref name="CyclingArchives">{{cite web |url=http://www.cyclingarchives.com/coureurfiche.php?coureurid=6094 |title=Russell Mockridge |accessdate=7 May 2014 |work=Cycling Archives}}</ref>
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 great former cyclist, [[Hubert Opperman]], then Federal parliamentarian for [[Division of Corio|Geelong]], negotiated a one-year reduction. Mockridge won gold medals in the tandem event with [[Lionel Cox (cyclist)|Lionel Cox]], and in the 1000 m time trial.<ref name="sports-reference">{{cite web |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/mo/russell-mockridge-1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417235843/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/mo/russell-mockridge-1.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 April 2020 |title=Russell Mockridge Olympic Results |access-date=1 January 2013 |work=sports-reference.com}}</ref> He turned professional a year later with success in Europe and Australia. He teamed with [[Sid Patterson]] and [[Reginald Arnold]] to win the Paris six-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. He won the [[Australian National Road Race Championships|Australian national road race title]] in 1956, 1957 and 1958.<ref name="CyclingArchives">{{cite web |url=http://www.cyclingarchives.com/coureurfiche.php?coureurid=6094 |title=Russell Mockridge |access-date=7 May 2014 |work=Cycling Archives}}</ref>


== Death ==
== Death ==
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&nbsp;km Tour of Gippsland race.<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=USUQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6pQDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3023%2C2177803 "Russell Mockridge Killed in Road Race"], ''The Age'', 15 September 1958, p.3.</ref><ref>[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/103120924 Mockridge Killed In Collision With Bus, ''The Canberra Times'', (Monday, 15 September 1958), p.10.]</ref>
In 1958, aged 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&nbsp;km Tour of Gippsland race.<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=USUQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6pQDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3023%2C2177803 "Russell Mockridge Killed in Road Race"], ''The Age'', 15 September 1958, p.3.</ref><ref>[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/103120924 Mockridge Killed In Collision With Bus, ''The Canberra Times'', (Monday, 15 September 1958), p.10.]</ref><ref>There was a court case: see [https://www.theage.com.au/news/National/How-it-feels-to-be-hit-by-a-bus/2005/01/18/1105810893181.html Taylor, Jim, "How it Feels to Be Hit by a Bus", ''The Age'', Wednesday, 19 January 2005.]</ref>

⚫
== Family ==
Mockridge married Irene Pritchard, in London, in 1953;<ref>[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/61104541 Olympic Cyclist Weds, ''The (Launceston) Examiner'', (Tuesday, 6 October 1953), p.16.]</ref> they had a daughter, Melinda (1955).


==Recognition==
==Recognition==
*In 2015, he was an inaugural [[Cycling Australia Hall of Fame]] inductee.<ref name=inugural>{{cite web|title=Inaugural Cycling Australia Hall of Fame inductees|url=http://www.cycling.org.au/News/All-News/inaugural-cycling-australia-hall-of-fame-inductees|website=Cycling Australia|accessdate=12 November 2015}}</ref>
*In 2015, he was an inaugural [[Cycling Australia Hall of Fame]] inductee.<ref name=inugural>{{cite web|title=Inaugural Cycling Australia Hall of Fame inductees|url=http://www.cycling.org.au/News/All-News/inaugural-cycling-australia-hall-of-fame-inductees|website=Cycling Australia|access-date=12 November 2015}}</ref>


== See also ==
== See also ==
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==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Commons category}}
* {{cite web|url=http://canberrabicyclemuseum.com.au/cyclists_Aust.htm#A%20Tribute%20to%20Russell%20Mockridge |title=Russell Mockridge |publisher=Canberra Bicycle Museum |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20051218170445/http://canberrabicyclemuseum.com.au/cyclists_Aust.htm#Russell%20Mockridge |archivedate=18 December 2005 |deadurl=yes}}
* {{cite web|url=http://canberrabicyclemuseum.com.au/cyclists_Aust.htm#A%20Tribute%20to%20Russell%20Mockridge |title=Russell Mockridge |publisher=Canberra Bicycle Museum |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051218170445/http://canberrabicyclemuseum.com.au/cyclists_Aust.htm#Russell%20Mockridge |archive-date=18 December 2005 |url-status=dead}}
* [http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/mockridge-edward-russell-11141 "Mockridge, Edward Russell (1928–1958)"] - ''Australian Dictionary of Biography'', Australian National University
* [http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/mockridge-edward-russell-11141 "Mockridge, Edward Russell (1928–1958)"] - ''Australian Dictionary of Biography'', Australian National University
* [http://www.letour.fr/HISTO/us/TDF/1955/coureurs/70.html Official Tour de France results for Russell Mockridge]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160305215248/http://www.letour.fr/HISTO/us/TDF/1955/coureurs/70.html Official Tour de France results for Russell Mockridge]
* [http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/How-it-feels-to-be-hit-by-a-bus/2005/01/18/1105810893181.html "How it feels to be hit by a bus"] - a detailed account of the accident which killed Russell Mockridge - newspaper article, ''The Age'' (19 Jan 2005)
* [http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/How-it-feels-to-be-hit-by-a-bus/2005/01/18/1105810893181.html "How it feels to be hit by a bus"] - a detailed account of the accident which killed Russell Mockridge - newspaper article, ''The Age'' (19 Jan 2005)


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[[Category:1958 deaths]]
[[Category:1958 deaths]]
[[Category:Australian male cyclists]]
[[Category:Australian male cyclists]]
[[Category:Olympic cyclists of Australia]]
[[Category:Olympic cyclists for Australia]]
[[Category:Cyclists at the 1948 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Cyclists at the 1948 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Cyclists at the 1952 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Cyclists at the 1952 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Olympic gold medalists for Australia]]
[[Category:Olympic gold medalists for Australia]]
[[Category:Commonwealth Games competitors for Australia]]
[[Category:Cyclists at the 1950 British Empire Games]]
[[Category:Cyclists at the 1950 British Empire Games]]
[[Category:Commonwealth Games gold medallists for Australia]]
[[Category:Commonwealth Games gold medallists for Australia]]
[[Category:Commonwealth Games silver medallists for Australia]]
[[Category:Commonwealth Games silver medallists for Australia]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Geelong]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Geelong]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Melbourne]]
[[Category:Cyclists from Melbourne]]
[[Category:Sport deaths in Australia]]
[[Category:Sport deaths in Australia]]
[[Category:Cyclists killed while racing]]
[[Category:Cyclists who died while racing]]
[[Category:Road incident deaths in Australia]]
[[Category:Road incident deaths in Victoria (state)]]
[[Category:People educated at Geelong College]]
[[Category:People educated at Geelong College]]
[[Category:Olympic medalists in cycling]]
[[Category:Olympic medalists in cycling]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 1952 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 1952 Summer Olympics]]
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[[Category:Accidental deaths in Victoria (Australia)]]
[[Category:Sport Australia Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Sport Australia Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Commonwealth Games medallists in cycling]]
[[Category:Commonwealth Games medallists in cycling]]
[[Category:Australian track cyclists]]
[[Category:Medallists at the 1950 British Empire Games]]
⚫
[[Category:Sportsmen from Victoria (state)]]
[[Category:20th-century Australian sportsmen]]

Latest revision as of 05:24, 11 October 2024

Russell Mockridge
Russell Mockridge (left) and Hubert Opperman arrive in Sydney from Melbourne in 1948
Personal information
Full nameEdward Russell Mockridge
Born(1928-07-18)18 July 1928
Melbourne, Australia
Died13 September 1958(1958-09-13) (aged 30)
Melbourne, Australia
Team information
DisciplineTrack & Road
RoleRider
Medal record
Representing  Australia
Men's track cycling
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1952 Helsinki 1000 m time trial
Gold medal – first place 1952 Helsinki 2000 m tandem
British Empire Games
Gold medal – first place 1950 Auckland Sprint
Gold medal – first place 1950 Auckland 1000 m time trial
Silver medal – second place 1950 Auckland Pursuit

Edward Russell Mockridge (18 July 1928 – 13 September 1958) was a racing cyclist from Geelong, Victoria, Australia. He died during a race, in collision with a bus.

Family

[edit]

The son of Robert Glover Mockridge and Aileen Claire Mockridge, née Riley,[1] Edward Russell Mockridge (known as Russell) was born in Melbourne on 18 July 1928.[2] Mockridge married Irene Pritchard (-2004), widely known as "Rene",[3] in London, in 1953;[4] they had a daughter, Melinda, who was born in Ghent, Belgium in December 1954.[5]

Career

[edit]

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, but his wins soon earned him the nickname of The Geelong Flyer.[6] He became described as 'Australia's greatest all-round cyclist for all time'.[7]

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 4000 m team pursuit. He represented Australia at the 1950 British Empire Games in Auckland. He took gold in the 1000 m sprint and the 1000m time trial, and silver in the 4000 m 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 great former cyclist, Hubert Opperman, then Federal parliamentarian for Geelong, negotiated a one-year reduction. Mockridge won gold medals in the tandem event with Lionel Cox, and in the 1000 m time trial.[8] He turned professional a year later with success in Europe and Australia. He teamed with Sid Patterson and Reginald Arnold to win the Paris six-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. He won the Australian national road race title in 1956, 1957 and 1958.[9]

Death

[edit]

In 1958, aged 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.[10][11][12]

Recognition

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Marriages: Mockridge—Riley, The Argus,(Saturday, 5 December 1925), p.13.
  2. ^ Births: Mockridge, The Argus, (Thursday, 9 August 1928), p.1.
  3. ^ Deaths: Mockridge, The Age, (Monday, 15 September 1958), p.12.
  4. ^ Olympic Cyclist Weds, The (Launceston) Examiner, (Tuesday, 6 October 1953), p.16.
  5. ^ This is home, Bubs, The Argus, (Saturday, 3 December 1955), p.48.
  6. ^ "The Geelong Flier", Queens News & Updates, Queen's College, The University of Melbourne.
  7. ^ Meeking, M. (15 September 1958) "Russell Mockridge Was Our Greatest Cyclist". The Age, p. 17.
  8. ^ "Russell Mockridge Olympic Results". sports-reference.com. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
  9. ^ "Russell Mockridge". Cycling Archives. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  10. ^ "Russell Mockridge Killed in Road Race", The Age, 15 September 1958, p.3.
  11. ^ Mockridge Killed In Collision With Bus, The Canberra Times, (Monday, 15 September 1958), p.10.
  12. ^ There was a court case: see Taylor, Jim, "How it Feels to Be Hit by a Bus", The Age, Wednesday, 19 January 2005.
  13. ^ "Inaugural Cycling Australia Hall of Fame inductees". Cycling Australia. Retrieved 12 November 2015.
[edit]
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