1958 Liberation Day Grand Prix Cycle Race

Race Report

Picture of the start

The 1958 Liberation Day Grand Prix Cycle Race for the Sir Edmund Crane Cup was won by Donald Ecobichon who in a sprint finish just got the verdict from B.Hubert and G.Audoire. After a very heavy shower of rain which threatened to effect the event the riders left the paddock one by one being introduced to the spectators as they lined up on the road 20 yards from the start. As the flag was raised they slowly rode forward to get away to a good start as Deputy John Le Marquand brought down the starters flag. The start was witnessed by Lady Crane and her daughter who both stayed to watch the complete race in spite of the inclement conditions.

From the start and finish point situated at the western end of the lower park on Victoria Avenue the course was around the West Park hairpin along the inner road to First Tower and then back along Victoria Avenue a distance of 1.385 miles which had to be covered 20 times to make an overall distance of 27.7 miles.

As an incentive to the riders throughout the race there was an award of 5.4.3.2.and 1 points for the first 5 positions in each lap and the competitor with the highest aggregate qualified for the special trophy. Also there were awards for the winners of four separate laps chosen by the judges and announced to the riders by loud speaker at the start of the selected laps. These special lap awards had the effect of ensure that there were plenty of thrills and interest for each lap was fought out by the main bunch with a terrific sprint up to the finishing line.

Although the speed dropped off around West Park and up the hill at no time did the lap average drop below 20.61 m.p.h. The first lap was covered in 3 mins 35 sec with S.Perchard leading from G. Audoire and B.Hubert, B. Clark fourth and D.Ecobichon fifth. The second lap was taken by D. Ecobichon and the third and forth by Audoire and Perchard and as they begun the fifth they were given the warning that it was to be a prime lap. Soon around the circuit back onto the home straight it could be seen that Perchard, Audoire, Hubert and Ecobichon were battling for the prize at the line, the verdict of the judges went to G.Audoire.

By this time there had been two retirements D. Le Roux and G.Laurent, the latter the only French entry who sustained slight injury when he come off his bike on the slippery road. Also by this time P. Le Saux who had taken a tumble at West Park and thus lost valuable seconds had paired up with veteran “Bill” Aubert who had been dropped by the main bunch.The next casualty was the Irish representative B.Sheehan who come off on the seventh lap at the end of which it was announced that once again the next lap would be a prime one.

This time the prize went to D.Ecobichon who just beat S.Perchard and J.Richardson. So the race continued with the main bunch of nine riders interchanging positions and with W.Aubert and P Le Saux one and a half minutes behind. It was on the 14th lap that the judges decided to give the prime lap to the two stragglers and “Bill” took the prize by a length from P.Le Saux. In the 16th lap there was great disappointment when John Richardson was seen walking along the road for that meant the last years winner was out of the race , put out by a flat tyre. Throughout the whole race the spectators were kept in touch by Stan Brewer at the start and finish point and by Bob Le Sueur at the lap-scoring position at West Park. On to the last prime lap the 17th, when in a great finish Graeme Audoire took the first position from Ecobichon and Perchard. As the 18th and 19th laps were covered excitement mounted around the finishing line as more and more people gathered to see the finish. Past the line for the 19th time and on down to the tricky hairpin at West Park round and up past the lap scorers to get the bell as they went for the last lap down to First Tower, slow around the corner onto the finishing straight and then every rider putting his greatest effort in to the final sprint. With traffic at a standstill and amid great applause “Don” Ecobichon came up on the outside of the bunch to take the first place with B.Hubert second and G.Audoire third.

Immediately afterwards Lady Crane presented a magnificent bouquet of flowers to the winner who then perched up in the back of an open car, completed a lap of honour receiving a well deserved ovation from the thrilled spectators. Lady Crane then presented the trophies to the victorious riders. The Silver cup and engraved trophy went to the winner Donald Ecobichon, B.Hubert received the second prize and G.Audoire the third. S.Perchard took the prize for the greatest number of points. The Caesarean Cycling Club who organised the event would like to express their appreciation at the services rendered by the St John Ambulance Brigade and the Paid Police.