_(cropped).jpg) Albert Hitchen after winning the 1964 Edition of London-York | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Albert Reginald Hitchen |
| Nickname | King Albert and Albert the Dominator |
| Born | 4 July 1938 Mirfield, England |
| Died | 13 May 2015 (Age 76) Mirfield, England |
| Team information | |
| Discipline | Road Track Cyclo-Cross |
| Role | Rider |
| Rider type | Sprinter |
| Professional teams | |
| 1959 | Ellis Briggs Cycles |
| 1960-1963 | Viking Cycles |
| 1964 | Bertin - Porter 39 - Milremo |
| 1965 | Falcon |
| 1966-1967 | Willem II - Gazelle |
| 1966 | Mottram Cycles - Simplex |
| 1966 | Broadhurst - Milremo |
| 1966 | Bertin - Porter 39 |
| 1968-1970 | Falcon |
| 1971-1972 | Falcon - Tighe |
| Major wins | |
National Championships
| |
Albert Reginald Hitchen (1938 – 13 May 2015) was anEnglish professionalroad racingcyclist, who had also trained as an engineer withBritish Railways, becoming later known for his work in the preservation ofsteam locomotives.
Raised inMirfield,West Yorkshire, Hitchen was a keen cyclist from his boyhood, winning the Yorkshire Junior Championship aged 16. He then touredEast Germany the following year, sponsored by theCorona (soft drink) brand.[1]
First racing as a semi professional from 1959, he turned professional in 1967, and retired in 1973. During this period he recorded 30 victories, including the UK national title in 1963[2] and 1965, as well as two Lincoln Grand Prix victories. In 1963 Hitchen made his one and only appearance in theTour de France, with a best finish of 41st on stage 1a before withdrawing after stage three.[1][3]
The majority of his cycling career was spent withViking Cycles, with whom he won two editions of the 275-mile London-Holyhead race, andFalcon Cycles for the final five years.[1][3] During this time frame he was known as "King Albert" thanks to his cycling success.[4]
After his retirement from professional cycling, he was appointed the racing team manager of the Falcon Sales Team.[1]
Overall Corona - Tour of the South West Overall Corona - Tour of the South West Corona - Tour of the South West
Points Classification Huddersfield R.C. - Hammonds Prize Medal Two Day
Road race Golden Wheel Trophy Merseyside Easter Four Day Golden Wheel Trophy Skelmersdale Reporter Two Day Huntsman Ales - Easter Four Day Tour of East AngliaRoad race
Mountain Classification Tour of the Isle of WightWhilst working his way up towards a professional cycling career, from school Hitchen joinedBritish Railways to work on steam locomotives in Mirfield for 18 months, followed by a further 12 months atWakefield's shed, and then six months atBradford Hammerton Street. He finished his service withBritish Railways (BR) in 1952 as a fitter at Mirfield where he worked for the previous 36 months. After leaving BR, and during his semi-professional cycle racing career, Hitchen spent three years looking after Barclay tanks and fireless locomotives at ICI's Dalton works inHuddersfield.
After retiring from professional cycling, Hitchen returned to BR, initially working atRavensthorpe MPD.[3]
In 1980, Hitchen boughtBulleid West Country Pacific No.34027 "Taw Valley" for preservation fromWoodham Brothersscrapyard. Moved to theNorth Yorkshire Moors Railway for restoration, after running-in she moved to theEast Lancashire Railway in 1982, and then theSevern Valley Railway in 1985. After mainline certification, she was based atStewarts Lane alongsideSR Merchant Navy No.35028 "Clan Line" and operated theVSOE British Pullman alongside other charter trains.
After selling No.34027 in 2001 to Phil Swallow, Hitchen became a quarter-owner ofBR Standard 4 4-6-0 no 75014. Based atGrosmont, the 4-6-0 became a regular on charter train duties, working the first season of the Jacobite along theWest Highland Line fromFort William toMallaig in 1995. Hitchen sold No.75014 to theDartmouth Steam Railway in 2002.
Hitchen's last locomotive wasLMS Black Five 4-6-0 no45231 The Sherwood Forester. After completion of an overhaul atLoughborough on theGreat Central Railway, she moved to theWatercress Line in 2005 for running-in. After a proving run toFratton that year, she entered mainline service. During Hitchen's ownership, she worked the 40th & 45th anniversary trains of 1T57 (Fifteen Guinea Special), in double headed formation with sister engines 45407 &44932. Bert could often be seen travelling with 45231 out on-board railtours as part of the support crew travelling behind his black 5 to locations around the north of England including trips down the famousSettle and Carlisle line, the engine was till Bert's death based atCarnforth MPD. After Bert's death she was sold by the Hitchen family in November 2015 toJeremy Hosking.
Hitchen died of heart failure at home in Mirfield on 13 May 2015, aged 76.[1][3][5]