Jason McRoy

Jason McRoy
Personal information
Full nameJason McRoy
NicknameJMC
Born(1971-11-26)26 November 1971
Luton, Bedfordshire
Died24 August 1995(1995-08-24) (aged 23)
Woodhead Pass, Derbyshire
Team information
DisciplineBMX, MTB
RoleRider
Rider typeDownhill
Professional teams
1992Team MBUK
1994–1995Specialized/2 Calorie Quest

Jason McRoy (26 November 1971 – 24 August 1995) was an English professional mountain bike racer. McRoy was the first British rider to join an American professional mountain bike team – Specialized/2 Calorie Quest – and was a UK National downhill champion.

Cycling career

Despite being born with a hole in his heart and enduring a childhood beset by illness,[1] McRoy developed an early love of cycling. Following childhood success in BMX racing – curtailed by a serious injury to his knee, and a consequent period off his bike to recuperate – McRoy first tried downhill mountain bike racing at age 17.[1] In his first race, despite still being registered as a Junior, his time was sufficiently quick for him to take third place overall.[1] McRoy rose to international prominence after taking second place in the prestigious Mammoth Kamikaze race in 1993,[2] the first year that the event was held to the 'Eliminator' format. It was following this success that Specialized USA signed him for the 1994 season.

Death and legacy

He was killed in a motorcycle accident on the A628 Woodhead Pass between Manchester and Sheffield, England. There is currently a memorial up on this road where flowers and banners have been placed.

In 2009, he was inducted into the British Cycling Hall of Fame.[3]

Results

  • 2nd Reebok Eliminator (1993)
  • Great Britain national downhill champion (1993)

References

  1. ^ a b c McKay (12 April 2011). "Dad of Washington biker Jason McRoy speaks about his son". Chronicle Live. Trinity Mirror North East. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  2. ^ "Jason McRoy". UK MTB Hall of Fame. Pacific Edge Events. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  3. ^ "50 Cycling Heroes Named in British Cycling's Hall of Fame". British Cycling. 17 December 2009.