On Friday May 20 2011 stage 13 of the Giro d’Italia climbed the Grossglockner for the stage to finish in Austria. Anyone watching will have heard the commentators refer on three occasions to Bill Bradley of Southport Cycling Club having held the record for the climb of the Grossglockner.
In fact Bill Bradley took the record in 1957 in the Tour of Austria, by dropping everyone on the ascent of the Grossglockner. Part of Bill’s reward for taking the record was a bike frame, which is reported to have served Bob Robson well for many years. Bill Bradley would go on to become one of England’s greatest roadmen of the day, winning the Tour of Britain Milk Race in 1959 and 1960.
