Remembering Paul 'Porky' Bennett, the man who beat the booze to win again

Legendary time-trialler Paul Bennett died this month at the age of 75, after a turbulent life that saw him beat alcoholism to return to winning ways

Paul 'Porky' Bennett, time trial legend

To break a competition record is a rare feat, but to break one and then come back after 15 years of alcoholism, six stones overweight and go even faster is much rarer. This is exactly what time trial legend Paul ‘Porky’ Bennett did.

In 1965, Bennett, who died this month aged 75, became the first man to break 54 minutes for 25 miles. With his 53-31 the Watford rider joined the greats of British time trialling, but his achievement was — for him — overshadowed by his non-selection for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.

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