Kim, Is spot on about the Milan San Remo being run through the war years, most racing carried on in Nazi occupied Europe as well as Vichy France and Italy. these races were definitely run, Tour of Flanders, Paris Roubaix in 43and 44, Fleche Wallonne, Leige-Bastogne-Liege 43 & 44, Paris-Tours, Grand Prix De Nations, Tour of Lombardy 40.41 & 42. In neutral Fascist Spain the Tour of Spain in 41 & 42 and in neutral Switzerland the Zurich Championship was uninterrupted. Time trials were still held in Great Britain during the war years. I have been told by many that bike frames were still being made by some of the various lightweight makers, Hobbs during the night-shift or fire watch at their Stirling Works where the Stirling machine gun was being made. Claud Butlers who were making radar towers still made a few frames
probably illicitly and at Rensch's.
Finally I have seen Holdsworth Pro's in yellow and black in the shop,
this would be in the early 70's, these might have been Strada's which
are indistinguishable from the Pro's but made bespoke to order and in
the
colour of your choice.
Remember seeing several of these yellow and black Pro's in the shop I
think they were possibly made for the Harp Road Club lads, weren't they
sponsored by Cutty Sark or was it another club who were sponsored by
Lemon Hart? Both booze firms who got into cycling sponsorship back then.
One of the Brit historians on the list such as Pete or Hilary will
definetly no which club colour or teams are these .
--
Michael Francis Butler
michaelbutler@fastmail.fm