Daily Cycling Facts 16.11.2012

Dave Rayner, 1967-2004

Today is the anniversary of the death of professional cyclist Dave Rayner, three time winner of the Under-22 Category at the Milk Race (Tour of Britain), who died a day after becoming involved in an incident outside a Bradford nightclub when he was just 27 years old. One year later, a memorial fund was created in his name to provide financial assistance to promising British riders, allowing them to compete in European races - the first rider to benefit was David Millar.

It's also the anniversary of the death of "Big" Piet Moeskops, aged 71 in 1964 - three days after his birthday.

Jules Banino was born on this day in Nice, but there is some argument as to which year: some sources claim 1872, which means that in 1924 when Banino rode his second Tour de France he'd have been the oldest rider ever to take part at 51 years; however, in other sources the year of his birth is given as 1892, in which case he would have been 32 - and the honour of being the oldest Tourist would remain that of Henri Paret, ageds 50 when he competed in 1904. Either way (and perhaps the root of the confusion), Paret is the oldest rider to have completed a Tour, finishing in 1904 with a total time of 128h 24' 34" (32h 18' 39" behind Henri Cornet who, coincidentally, is the youngest ever winner), as Banino did not finish either of his Tours in 1921 or 1924. Sources in support of Banino include Les Woodland, a factor that carries significant weight round these parts.

Other cyclists born on this day: Stefan Kueng (18), Alessandro Mazzi (24), Ginji Kurokawa (22), Raul Granjel (24), Anibal Andres Borrajo (29), Carlos Mario Oquendo Zabala (24), Rasim Reis (19), Kevin Neirynck (29), Aksana Papko (23), Bas Van Der Kooij (16), Pavel Korolev (23), Ramiro Marino (23), Hannes Genze (30), Esther Olthuis (33)