Bob Maitland, Olympic silver medallist in the 1948 London Games, died yesterday (August 26) in hospital in Metz, France.
He was 86. The Birmingham rider had been in a critical condition since suffering a heart attack on August 4, when in the headquarters of the Semaine Federal cycle event at Verdun in Eastern France, where he was attending a trade show.
He was treated by paramedics immediately and taken to Metz hospital where he was placed in intensive care.
A hero of the 1948 Olympic road race at Windsor Great Park, Maitland was placed 6th, Britain's best finisher, leading the British team to silver medal position in the team race.
Maitland remained fit throughout his life, taking part in the marathon Paris-Brest-Paris when in his 70s.
Reader comments
Add your comments
Darb
August 27 23:40
A nice guy whom I had the great pleasure to meet. Sadly missed.
RichN
August 28 20:51
A very nice guy who would always stop and enjoy a cuppa at the old Patsy's Pantry and in more recent years the Beehive Farm. A colourful chap who I had the pleasure of sitting with and talking to on many occaisions, always ready to offer advice to those aspiring racers such as myself 15 years ago, if you only had the guts to go and talk to a Tour De France rider. If you did get the courage to go and speak to him you'd find he was a really nice and amiable chap and one full of knowledge and experience. He was a great ambassador for cycling and will be missed by his many friends. R.I.P. Bob
George White
August 28 21:02
When I was a young cyclist, Bob was my idol. When I became good friends with him in later years I got to know him personally and spent many hours recalling times past. It was not generally known that Bob was also a mountain climber, having done a number of rock climbs in the Dolomites with Trevor Jones, the brother of his old cycling mate, Stan Jones.
Dave King
September 18 21:53
I first met Bob Maitland at a circuit race in Sutton Park in 1948 when I was just 18 and it was one of my early races. Bob spoke to me after the race and gave me some very helpful tips about riding. I was just a novice and I was grateful to receive advice from such a star as Bob. That was typical of him, always willing to help anyone. R.I.P. Bob.
freda davies
April 18 14:37
There is an exhibition about Bob Maitlands achievements , at the National Cycle Collection, Llandrindod Wells, MId Wales. see www.cyclemuseum.org.uk Freda Davies job share curator