Kevin Blackwell (cyclist)

Kevin Edward Blackwell (1955 or 1956 – 16 August 1980) was a New Zealand road and track cyclist who won a silver medal in the team pursuit representing his country at the 1978 Commonwealth Games.

Kevin Blackwell
Personal information
Birth nameKevin Edward Blackwell
Born1955 or 1956
Died (aged 24)
Sport
CountryNew Zealand
SportTrack cycling
Medal record
Representing  New Zealand
Men's track cycling
Commonwealth Games
Silver medal – second place 1978 EdmontonTeam pursuit

Biography

Blackwell was born in about 1956, the son of Alison and Claude Blackwell, and educated at Rotorua Boys' High School.[1][2]

In 1976, Blackwell competed in road cycling tours in Europe. He participated in the Ster Van Henegouwen (Etoile Hennuyere) in Belgium, with a best stage result of seventh place on stage 6. He was 52nd on general classification in the Tour of Britain (Milk Race), and 42nd on general classification in the Tour of Scotland.[3]

Blackwell represented New Zealand in the men's team pursuit—alongside Anthony Cuff, Neil Lyster and Jack Swart—at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, winning the silver medal.[4] The New Zealand combination had the second-fastest time in qualification and beat England in the semi-final, before losing to Australia in the final.[5][6]

Blackwell was selected in the New Zealand cycling team for the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, but did not compete because of the partial boycott by New Zealand.[7] Blackwell died on 16 August 1980, and he was buried at Kauae Cemetery in Ngongotahā.[1]

Legacy

In Blackwell's memory, his family donated the Kevin Blackwell Memorial Cup to Cycling New Zealand. The trophy is contested annually at the New Zealand national hard track cycling championships, and is awarded to the winner of the under-17 boys' 500 metres time trial.[8] Blackwell has been inducted into the Rotorua Boys' High School hall of fame.[2]

References
  1. "New Zealand, cemetery records, 1800–2007 for Kevin Edward Blackwell". Ancestry.com Operations. 2014. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
  2. "Ngā Raukura i te Ao – Hall of Fame". Rotorua Boys' High School. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
  3. "Kevin Blackwell". Cycling Archives. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
  4. Kevin Blackwell at the New Zealand Olympic Committee
  5. "Cycling". The Guardian. 10 August 1978. p. 18.
  6. "Cycling track 4000m team pursuit – men Edmonton 1978". Commonwealth Games Federation. 2018. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
  7. "Swimming: Overlooked 'Olympic' team recognised after 30 years". New Zealand Herald. 4 September 2010. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
  8. "Cycling New Zealand road & track technical regulations" (PDF). Cycling New Zealand. August 2018. p. 58. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
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