Ride into Legend: Unveiling a Champion's Track Legacy
The Enduring Legacy of Graham Webb's Achievements
While often celebrated for his victory in the 1967 Amateur Road Race World Championship, Graham Webb's contributions to track cycling are equally remarkable. In 1966, this Birmingham-born athlete clinched both the National 4,000 meters individual pursuit title and the team pursuit. He also established national records for 10, 25 miles, and the hour, with his hour record standing for decades until it was eventually surpassed by Graeme O’Bree and later Chris Boardman. This article features the very bicycle that powered these extraordinary feats.
The Distinctive Craftsmanship of the Tommy Godwin Frameset
Webb's Tommy Godwin frameset is meticulously constructed from Reynolds 531 double-butted tubing, a material renowned for its strength and lightness. A standout feature of the frame is its elevated bottom bracket, precisely set at 11 and a quarter inches, designed to expertly navigate the steep banks of a velodrome track. The frame's original vibrant colors have been meticulously restored. The restoration journey began when Dave Marsh, who encountered Graham in Belgium, brought the bicycle back to the United Kingdom for its comprehensive refurbishment. Marsh subsequently built two additional bicycles for Webb—one for road use and another for track competitions—which Webb utilized to great effect, achieving significant success at the Masters Track World Championships held in Manchester. Both of these custom-built bicycles are currently preserved by Webb's family in Belgium, where he resided until his passing in 2017.
Precision Engineering: Campagnolo Components on a Champion's Ride
A significant portion of the bicycle's construction showcases the exquisite craftsmanship of Campagnolo components. The Record Piste chainset features a 49-tooth, one-eighth-inch chainring paired with 170mm cranks. The pedals, also from the Record Piste series, are equipped with Christophe chrome steel toe clips and high-quality leather straps, ensuring optimal power transfer and rider security. The wheelset comprises 36-hole large flange Record hubs, expertly laced to Mavic Sprint rims, and fitted with Vittoria tubular tires. In a practice common during that era, the spokes are meticulously tied and soldered together, a technique employed to enhance both the strength and rigidity of the wheels.
The Pioneering Plastic Saddle: A Detail of Innovation
The two-bolt Campagnolo seat post supports a particularly noteworthy component: a slightly worn yet historically significant Cinelli Unicanitor saddle. This saddle holds the distinction of being the world's first plastic model. It was originally fitted to Webb's road bike, which he rode to victory in the World Amateur race in Heerlen, Netherlands, triumphing over formidable competitors like Claude Guyot and René Pijnen.