Cycling legend Brian Robinson gets £15K after accident

Mr Robinson, 84, from Mirfield, was cycling with friends in Thornhill on July 16 last year, when a car pulled out in front of him. The collision threw him to the ground and he suffered a fractured collarbone and ribs, a punctured lung as well as a deep cut on his forearm which took 10 weeks to heal.

In 1955 Mr Robinson became the first British rider to finish the Tour de France and in 1958 was the first to win a stage of the Tour. Today he still rides 80 miles every week and was back on his bike in six weeks after the incident.

As a member of British Cycling, Mr Robinson was able to make a claim following his accident through his membership benefits. He received a £15,000 settlement for the costs of his bike and for his injuries eight months after making the claim.

Andrew Bradley head of the cycling team at law firm Leigh Day, who dealt with Mr Robinson’s claim, said: “Cycling is Brian’s life and we are extremely pleased to have played a role in getting him back on his bike.”

Brian Robinson said: “I would have preferred that it had not happened, but I have been pleasantly surprised by how this incident has been handled through my British Cycling membership. I have had a great medical once over and I am obviously pleased with the compensation which has enabled me to get back on my bike as quickly as possible.”