Maurice Burton (cyclist) explained

Maurice Burton
Fullname:Maurice Joseph Burton
Birth Date:25 October 1955
Birth Place:London, England
Weight:75kg (165lb)
Currentteam:De Ver Cycles
Discipline:Track & Road
Role:Rider
Amateuryears1:–1974
Amateurteam1:VC Londres
Amateuryears2:1975
Amateurteam2:Archer RC
Amateuryears3:?
Amateurteam3:De Ver Cycles[1]
Proyears1:1977
Proteam1:?
Proyears2:1978
Proteam2:Fragel – Norta
Proyears3:until 15 May 1979
Proteam3:Glemp – T.J. Cycles
Proyears4:15 May 1979–1980
Proteam4:Fangio
Proyears5:1980
Proteam5:Solahart – Hercka
Proyears6:1981
Proteam6:Campitello
Proyears7:1982
Proteam7:Xaveer Coffee – Tiga Sport
Proyears8:1982
Proteam8:Viner
Proyears9:1983
Proteam9:Roberts
Proyears10:1984
Proteam10:Nico Sport

Maurice Burton (born 25 October 1955)[2] is an English cycle shop owner and former racing cyclist from Catford, London.

Born in London to an English mother and a Jamaican father, Maurice Burton was the first black British champion in cycling. His first taste of success came when he won the Junior Sprint national title in 1973. He won the amateur scratch title the following year,[3] raced over a 20 km distance although he was booed as he crossed the line. He went on to represent Britain at the 1974 Commonwealth Games, but was not selected for the Olympic squad in 1976.[4]

Burton became frustrated by the racism pervasive in Britain at the time, he moved to Belgium in 1977, basing himself in Ghent. He was described as the first black professional cyclist.[5]

Burton rode 56 professional Six Day events, and retired from competitive cycling after a serious racing accident at the Buenos Aires Six Day in 1984. In 1987, he took over De Ver Cycles, a thriving bike shop in Streatham, South London.[6]

His son Germain Burton is also a racing cyclist who has represented Great Britain on an international level as a junior.[7]

Palmarès

1973
  • 1st Sprint, British National Track Championships – Junior
    1974
  • 1st Scratch race, British National Track Championships – Amateur
    1975
  • 1st Team Pursuit, British National Track Championships – Amateur
  • 2nd Madison, British National Track Championships (with Steve Heffernan) – Amateur
    1980
  • 4th Madison, European Championships

    External links

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: Individual/Points. British Cycling. 9 August 2013.
    2. Telegraph gives his birth date as 29 January 1995: Web site: Germain Burton: Q&A. John MacLeary. The Telegraph. 12 September 2010. 9 August 2013.
    3. Web site: Maurice Burton – British 20km Champion, 1974. veloveritas.
    4. Web site: PEZ Profiles: Maurice Burton. Edmond Hood. PEZ Cycling News. 11 November 2005. 9 August 2013.
    5. Web site: 1923–1980 Riders. SixDay.org.uk. 9 August 2013.
    6. Web site: Profile: Maurice Burton. Bike Culture. 9 August 2013.
    7. Web site: Germain Burton Bio. British Cycling. 24 July 2013. 9 August 2013.