Page 23 - PBCOctober2016

Pickwick Bicycle Club Magazine Volume 13 No.2 October 2016 23

We have an interesting story here told by one of our club members. Much too modest to
blow his own trumpet, so I will do it for him- this story is well worth the read:

Mr. Smithie talks about:
The 1956 West Berlin Vier Tag (4-day International)

Way back in what seems the distant past (1956 actually), the BLRC were invited to
send a British team to this West Berlin event. The team selection consisted of Brian
Coombs (Bournemouth), Mike Dowling (Chichester), Fred Carrol (Manchester) and Gino
Goddard (Kenton), and was managed by the renowned (The Late) Bob Thom (a former
Pickwickian as The Suffolk Bantam). They had all competed against each other in events
such as the Amateur Circuit of Britain, but this was the first time they were together
as a team representing their country.

Without detailing the actual racing, the event consisted of 4 road stages around a
still post war ravaged Berlin, plus a time trial before the second day stage. The British
team was competing against teams from Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Holland, Sweden and
‘West’ Germany, including such names as Peace Race winner Elof Dalgaard, Joss
Hoevenarrs –later TDF Yellow Jersey and Giro Pink Jersey holder. Math van de Burgh-
rd
3 in the World Championship; Frank Rasmussen- winner of the Tour of Egypt; and Edi
Ziegler – 3 in the Olympic Road Race.
rd
Unfortunately, Mike Dowling crashed badly on the first stage & was hospitalised, but
the remainder of the team upheld the honour of Great Britain, and all finished the 4-day
event– with Brian Coombs the best placed rider, 19 on GC.
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Although Brian Coombs has lost touch, and Bob Thom crossed that final finishing line
a few years back, the friendship developed in Berlin lives on, with Mike & Fred joining
Mr. Smithie at the Pickwick Garden Parties where we toast The Suffolk Bantam.

Gino Goddard/Mr. Smithie