Russell Mockridge

Russell Mockridge was best known as a track sprint cyclist, although he competed on the roads, notably at the 1948 Olympics. His greatest event was the 1952 Helsinki Olympics where he won two golds on the track, in the sprint and the tandem sprint, alongside Lionel Cox.

Earlier in 1952 Mockridge had won the Paris Grand Prix in the amateur division and then raced against the professionals in the open division, defeating the renowned Reg Harris. This led to amateurs being barred from competing in the open division for many years.

At the 1950 British Empire Games Mockridge won gold medals in the kilometre time trial and the match sprint, adding a silver medal in the individual pursuit. Mockridge turned professional after the 1952 Olympics and competed for six years as a pro, primarily on the roads.

In 1955 Mockridge won the Paris Six-Day, riding with Sid Patterson and Reginald Arnold. Later that year he rode and finished the Tour de France, placing 64th in general classification. He won the Australian road race title in 1956-58. His other palmarès included winning the 1955 Tour de Vaucluse in France, and the 1957 Tour of Tasmania, in which he won four stages.

Sadly, Mockridge died young and in competition. While riding in the 1958 Tour of Gippsland, only two miles after the start, he was hit by a bus and succumbed to his injuries.