Dave Rayner

Cycling career

Rayner joined his first club, East Bradford CC, at 12 in 1979. He then joined the Bradford Wheelers - Ellis Briggs - Saturne in 1984, and won the national junior road race championships at Stoke on Trent. Early in 1984, he moved to Italy, joining the G.S.Porcari-Fanini-Berti Team, with which he stayed until 1986.

Memorial fund

The Dave Rayner Fund was set up in his memory on 12 January 1995, to help riders make a career from racing on the continent. A plaque and seat in his memory were unveiled at Gargrave, North Yorkshire on 9 July the same year. The first Rayners Ride around the Yorkshire Dales was held on 10 September and the first Dave Rayner dinner was held at Norfolk Gardens, Bradford on 4 November. Guests at the dinner were the comedian Tony Capstick, journalist John Morgan and Keith Audas. This dinner has become an annual event with guests such as Miguel Indurain, Bradley Wiggins, Mark Cavendish, and Eddy Merckx attending.

David Millar became the first beneficiary of the fund. He went on to turn professional with Cofidis. More recent beneficiaries who have joined the professional peloton include Adam Yates and Dan McLay.

Palmarès

1985 14th Junior World Road Race Championships 5th Junior World Team Time Trial Championships, Stuttgart 1987 1st Under 22 award, Milk Race 1988 8th Overall, Milk Race 1st Under 22 award, Milk Race 1989 8th Overall, Milk Race 1st Under 22 award, Milk Race 1990 1st Scottish Provident Criterium Series 1991 57th Overall, Vuelta a España 1994 2nd British National Circuit Race Championships