steve roberts 9,246 Posted May 31, 2023 Certainly during my era Bob Kilby took some beating when on form. Obviously when tape touching became an offence (1984?) it tended to catch many riders out (took Erik Gundersen a good season to properly adjust) but my guess is that the likes of Ivan Mauger would make most of his starts whatever the rules in place...he just had this natural ability to make fast starts. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chunky 6,110 Posted May 31, 2023 The fastest alive over the first 25 - Todd Wiltshire! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GiveusaB 1,146 Posted May 31, 2023 1 hour ago, steve roberts said: Certainly during my era Bob Kilby took some beating when on form. Obviously when tape touching became an offence (1984?) it tended to catch many riders out (took Erik Gundersen a good season to properly adjust) but my guess is that the likes of Ivan Mauger would make most of his starts whatever the rules in place...he just had this natural ability to make fast starts. Totally agree! Greg Hancock from the modern era for me! Back in the 80's at Brum (Finn Jensen) ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve roberts 9,246 Posted May 31, 2023 25 minutes ago, GiveusaB said: Totally agree! Greg Hancock from the modern era for me! Back in the 80's at Brum (Finn Jensen) ? Finn was an enigma...world beater one minute and novice another. A remember when I went to Perry Barr and Eastbourne beat the "Brummies" and Finn scored 17 points (?) that night! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve roberts 9,246 Posted May 31, 2023 44 minutes ago, chunky said: The fastest alive over the first 25 - Todd Wiltshire! When he rode for the "Cheetahs" his gating was usually good but not as dominant as it once was. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve roberts 9,246 Posted May 31, 2023 George Hunter was definately a quick starter but he also measured up well with his team-riding abilities certainly when he was a "Cheetah". 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GiveusaB 1,146 Posted May 31, 2023 10 minutes ago, steve roberts said: Finn was an enigma...world beater one minute and novice another. A remember when I went to Perry Barr and Eastbourne beat the "Brummies" and Finn scored 17 points (?) that night! Totally agree! If he gated, he was un-catchable! But I don't think I ever saw him go passed anyone? LOL 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve roberts 9,246 Posted May 31, 2023 (edited) 3 hours ago, GiveusaB said: Totally agree! If he gated, he was un-catchable! But I don't think I ever saw him go passed anyone? LOL ...yes there were/are a few like that! I'd much rather see someone miss the gate and work their way thru'. Gordon Kennett was never the best of gaters but one of the best when it came to passing in my opinion. He used to catch out John Davis many a time! Edited May 31, 2023 by steve roberts 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
norbold 7,118 Posted May 31, 2023 (edited) Funnily enough, one of the fastest gaters I've ever seen is Ron Johnson, who rode in some second halves at New Cross and a few matches for Edinburgh in 1960. He was then 53 years old but still lightning fast out of the gate. The problem was he was so frail he could hardly hold his bike up and was very quickly passed by the other three riders! The reactions were there but not the strength. Edited May 31, 2023 by norbold 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BL65 657 Posted May 31, 2023 Peter Moore was regarded as one of the fastest gaters in the sport in the 1950s and early 1960s, particularly during his association with Wimbledon and Ipswich. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
norbold 7,118 Posted May 31, 2023 1 hour ago, BL65 said: Peter Moore was regarded as one of the fastest gaters in the sport in the 1950s and early 1960s, particularly during his association with Wimbledon and Ipswich. Ray Cresp was another. Whenever Dave Lanning mentioned him in the West Ham programme, his name was always prefixed by "droll slick gating leathery faced Aussie". 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve roberts 9,246 Posted June 1, 2023 Colin Gooddy was another cosistantly fast starter as was Ken McKinlay...long careers for both and I was fortunate to witness both as "Rebels" during my first season. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
briggo 29 Posted June 1, 2023 In my era (70’s) it would have to be Bob Kilby all day long. I seem to recall a Golden Greats meeting at Blunsdon circa 1988 and one race where you would have thought the opposition were on bicycles, Bob was that quick, happy days. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StephenMiller 76 Posted June 6, 2023 Hans Nielsen surely must be up there with the best in the 80's / 90's ? He was usually so sharp away from the gate 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
