Gary's career

Yallourn (VIC), 20th November 1952 - Newcastle (NSW), 25th January 2008
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professional since 1976

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1976 Falcon Cycles (from August)
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1977 Falcon Cycles

Australian Champion, Kilo

Australian Champion, teams pursuit (with L.Norris, L.Venn and P.Sawyer)

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1978 Harry Quinn - Freewheel

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1979 Marc -Superia

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1980 Marc - Carlos - VRD (till end March)

Marc - Clement - VRD (in April)

Marc - IWC - VRD (from May)
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1981 Fangio - Sapeco
Melle (Belgium)

Eeklo (Belgium)
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1982 Galli - Sannino

Van de Ven

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1983 Marc - Ecoturbo

J.Aernoudt - Marc

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1984 Kotter's Racing Team (till end June)

Fangio - Marc - Ecoturbo (from June)

European Madison Champion (with Anthony Doyle)

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1985 Marc - Ecoturbo

Fangio - Ecoturbo - Eylenbosch
Bremen 6 (with Anthony Doyle)

2 stages in the Griffin 1000 Tour (WA)

Melbourne Cup on Wheels (VIC)

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1986 Marc - Ecoturbo

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1987 Marc - Ecoturbo - Heydens (till March)

individual (from April)

Centurion (occasional)

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1984 Ghent "Kuipke" with his European champ-colors

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he also finished 2nd in the Rotterdam 6, Bremen 6 and Grenoble 6, won many track events alover Europe.

he finished many times top 10 in Belgian kermesses.

Gary Wiggins

My first message is a very sad one, cause my good friend Gary Wiggins died last friday, 25th of January in a hospital in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
This man that i met the first time at the Ghent 6 back in the early 80's became one of my best friends ever. He was the reason for my neverending interest in the wonderfull country of Australia. He talked me in to it. He made me going on holiday to Melbourne in 1985. Since then i would go back as much as i can. He introduced me into the cycling world. He "dropped" the first Aussies at my house to stay for a few days. (they ended staying the season, lol).
I went to several races with Gary, in Belgium, Holland, England, Germany. We had great times drinking a few beers now and then.
But on top of that he was a great rider. He won the Bremen 6, he was European Madison champion, he won stages in the Griffin tour and he won Belgian kermesses.
Unfortunatly he had also bad luck, specially last thursday when somebody bashed him on the head, or hit him with a car. Police still try to figure out what really happened.
He was also proud of his son, Bradley.
We saw eachother last a few years ago. Gary, we will miss you!

Australian cycling

I've been several times to Australia to visit good old friends that used to be bikeriders in Europe. Many times i spoke with this people (with a few VB's or MB's) about the Australian cycling history. No one seems to know of any book or site where all names of the former champions, a list of professionals or even results of the most important races are kept for the future. Well, i will try to get as many information on this subject on my blog. All help is welcome!
See how far we can get in the coming weeks, months or even years!
Dirk Van Hove