Tom Larcombe (1881-1967) was an Australian racing cyclist with notable success in long distance road races.
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Tom Larcombe |
| Born | 1881 Argyle County |
| Died | 1967 (aged 85–86) Campsie |
| Team information | |
| Role | Rider |
Career highlights
edit- 1904
- 1st Australian national road race title and
- Blue Riband for fastest in the Warrnambool to Melbourne Classic [1]
- 1906
- 1st Bathurst to Sydney [2]
- 1907
- 1st Australian national road race title and
- Blue Riband for fastest in the Warrnambool to Melbourne Classic [3]
- 1908
- Fastest Goulburn to Sydney Classic [4]
Australian professional cycling career
editLarcombe twice won the Australian national road race title by winning the Blue Riband for the fastest time in the Warrnambool to Melbourne Classic in 1904 [1] and 1907.[3] In 1904 Larcombe finished second off a handicap of 20 minutes, riding the 165 miles (266 km) in a time of 7h 48' 7" and his prizes were a Speedwell bicycle for finishing 2nd and a Massey-Harris bicycle for the fastest time. In 1907 Larcombe was riding from scratch in a new course record of 7h 40' 10" and his prize for the fastest time was another Massey-Harris bicycle. In 1908 Larcombe was unable to repeat his earlier success, finishing 87th after losing 16 minutes due to a puncture.[5] He continued to compete in the Warrnambool finishing 89th in 1909 [6] and 67th in 1910.[7]
In 1906 Larcombe won the Bathurst to Sydney covering the 133.5 miles (214.8 km) in 9h 11' 5".[2]
Larcombe lived in Goulburn and was a regular competitor in the Goulburn to Sydney Classic. He only set the fastest time once, in 1908, riding from scratch, setting a new course record of 6h 35' 56" for the 131.5 miles (211.6 km).[4] His prize? Another Massey-Harris bicycle. He also received his expenses to travel to the Warrnambool to Melbourne. In 1904 Larcombe finished 3rd and had the 2nd fastest time behind Jack Arnst.[8] In 1905 Larcombe finished well back in 36th.[9] In 1906 Larcombe was the lone scratch rider and his arrival was not officially recorded, having been 1h 20' behind the leaders at Liverpool.[10] Larcombe was 22nd in 1907 [11] and 32nd in 1909.[12]
References
edit- ^ a b "The Dunlop Road Race won by J Wright". The Argus (Melbourne). Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 22 August 1904. p. 7.
- ^ a b "Great Road Race". The Sydney Morning Herald. NSW: National Library of Australia. 20 August 1906. p. 11.
- ^ a b "Dunlop Road Race M. B. Dobie wins". The Argus (Melbourne). Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 30 September 1907. p. 6.
- ^ a b "Goulburn road race". The Sydney Morning Herald. NSW: National Library of Australia. 21 September 1908. p. 11.
- ^ "Dunlop Road Race won by J.T. Donohue, NSW". The Argus (Melbourne). Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 5 October 1908. p. 8.
- ^ "Dunlop Road Race W.E. Knaggs the winner". The Argus (Melbourne). Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 4 October 1909. p. 8.
- ^ "Dunlop Road Race won by C.A. Piercey". The Argus (Melbourne). Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 3 October 1910. p. 5.
- ^ "Cycling". Sydney Sportsman. Surry Hills, NSW: National Library of Australia. 10 August 1904. p. 4.
- ^ "Goulburn to Sydney". The Referee. Sydney, NSW: National Library of Australia. 20 September 1905. p. 6.
- ^ "Goulburn to Sydney Road Race". The Referee. Sydney, NSW: National Library of Australia. 28 November 1906. p. 8.
- ^ "Cycling chatter". Sydney Sportsman. Surry Hills, NSW: National Library of Australia. 11 September 1907. p. 4.
- ^ "Goulburn to Sydney". The Referee. Sydney, NSW: National Library of Australia. 22 September 1909. p. 9.
External links
edit- Tom Larcombe at Cycling Archives (archive)