John Tovell of the Wolsey Road Club who has died at the age of 72 was a racing cyclist and Cycling Time Trials District Committeeman who worked hard for the sport, in particular administering the increasingly important Short Distance Rankings, as well as continuing to compete himself in his characteristic try-all-the-way style.

Tovell made an immediate impact on the racing world when he joined the Suffolk Roads CC in 1956, scoring a junior road race win and placings in his first competitive year. He soon came to prominence in time trialling also, taking the 1958 Norwich CA 100 in a time of 4:15:25. His racing career continued with notable success until, on the very last day of the 2010 season, he won the King Veteran title in the season-long East District Sporting Courses Competition

From the late 1960s he was part of a strong Colchester Rovers team until in 1973 he joined the Ipswich-based Wolsey RC.

He will be sadly missed for his quiet polite ways, always giving support and encouragement to new riders and team mates. He gave careful thought to committee problems, was always approachable and was relied upon for his well-considered opinions.

The funeral is at the Seven Hills Crematorium, Nacton, at 12 noon on Thursday February 10th