Mick Ives: Death of Coventry 'cycling legend' announced

Mick Ives has died at the age of 84.

The death has been announced of "true cycling legend" Mick Ives.

The 84-year-old from Coventry, who amassed 81 British Championship titles and eight World Masters Cycling titles, died in the early hours of Thursday, his friend Rory Hitchens said.

Ives had been admitted to hospital and then a hospice in early October after suffering a series of heart attacks.

He was an "incredible man" who had given so much to the sport, Mr Hitchens said.

The veteran cyclist managed teams as well as representing GB in many dsciplines

Ives' 60-year career saw him represent GB internationally at road racing, track, time trial, mountain biking and the cyclo-cross disciplines.

He had also managed teams such as Peugeot Cycles and Ever Ready and set up his own MI Racing team in 1997 "that is still successful today," explained his friend of 35 years Mr Hitchens.

"Always popular with the athletes, Mick knew how to blend his experienced training methods with a light-hearted and motivational persona that brought out the best in countless professional and amateur cyclists alike," he said.

"Through MI Racing as a team and a club he's helped so many people come into cycling, enjoy cycling and racing, and has propagated champions through that."

In 2005, aged 65, he became the first pensioner to complete the Tour de France route solo.

He did it "in one day less than the race itself," said Mr Hitchens.

Ives undertook solo rides of the Tour de France and Giro D'Italia routes

In 2017, then 78, he took on the 3,400 km route of the Giro D'Italia, raising thousands of pounds for charity.

"The list of what he has achieved is going on ridiculous," Mr Hitchens said. "He really is a legend."

He said Ives had died peacefully in a hospice in Coventry, leaving behind wife Sheila and daughter Angela.

Mr Hitchens added: "Even from his hospice bed, Mick penned a letter to British Cycling that secured national championship titles and jerseys for the 70+ age category in mountain biking and cyclo-cross.

"He was pioneering to the end. There will only ever be one Mick Ives."

'He was pioneering to the end" said friend Rory Hitchens