Jeff Williams (cyclist)

Jeff Williams
Personal information
Born	(1958-08-18) 18 August 1958 England United Kingdom
Team information
Discipline	Road
Role	Rider
Rider type	Climber
Amateur team(s)
1979	GS Strada
1980	Manchester Wheelers' Club
1981	ACBB
Professional team(s)
1986	Raleigh - Weinmann
1987	Raleigh - Banana
Major wins
National Champion (1982)

Jeffrey "Jeff" Williams (born 18 August 1958) is an English former professional road racing cyclist from Manchester. He rode for Great Britain at the Olympic Games,^[1] and won several national championship titles.

Cycling career

In 1979 Williams won his first British National Hill Climb Championships^[2] setting a new course record that still stands to this day.^[3] A rival, Andy Hitchens, who remembers it well, said: "Williams looked like he'd been on starvation rations for months — he was built like a sparrow. Some people assume that there was a howling tailwind that day, but there wasn't. It was sunny, but cool.”^[3] In 1980 Williams joined the Manchester Wheelers' Club and was expected to win International honours during the next two or three seasons.^[4] Later that year he won his first stage in the Sealink International finishing four minutes clear.^[4] However Williams was left disappointed in the National Hill Climb Championships that year beaten into second place by Malcolm Elliott by only one fifth of a second after being knocked off his bike whilst warming up and receiving a broken nose and severe bruising.^[4] At the age of 21 Williams competed for Great Britain in the individual road race at the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games.^[5]^[6] He was sponsored by Harry Hall Cycles.^[7] Williams finished 47th, alongside Stephen Roche.^[6] At the end of the 1980 season Williams publicly declared his intention of living and racing in France for the 1981 racing calendar with a view to turning professional^[4] therefore joining the French club ACBB (Athletic Club de Boulogne Billencourt), Europe’s most successful sports club.^[8]

In 1982 Williams completed a unique double, of the British Road Race Championship and Hill Climb Championship becoming the first person ever to do so in the same season.^[4] Williams competed in the individual road race at the 1982 Commonwealth Games in Brisbane.^[9]

In 1986 he joined Raleigh riding with Paul Sherwen, Mark Bell, Paul Watson and Jon Clay.^[10] Williams retired at the end of the 1987 season. He was famed for his hill climbing ability and considered by many to be one of the most exciting riders, he scaled the heights throughout his career, but also plumbed the depths.^[4]

Trivia

Williams starred in the intro for the Channel 4 coverage of the Tour de France throughout the late 80s to mid 90s (see video Video on YouTube). The music was composed by Pete Shelley of the Buzzcocks.^[11]

Family Links

Jeff was brother-in-law to fellow Olympic cyclist Peter Longbottom (13 May 1959 – 10 February 1998).^[6]^[12] He is also the younger brother of Mike Williams a former professional rider.^[12]