Martin Vinnicombe

Summary

James “Martin” Vinnicombe (born 5 December 1964) is a former professional Australian track cyclist who competed at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, winning a silver medal in 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) time trial.[1] He tested positive for steroids in 1991, but accusations were overturned and Vinnicombe received $240,000 in compensation for false allegations in defamation. His former manager, Phill Bates, told the Sydney Morning Herald in 1996: "If you’re not cheating, you’re not trying."[2][3] At 22 years of age, Vinnicombe won the world championship in 1 km (0.62 mi) time trial in 1987, being the first ever Australian to become world champion, He also won the silver medal three times (1986, 1989 and 1990) and the bronze medal once (1985). Vinnicombe has placed 9 times at the world championships in 1,000m time trial event.

Martin Vinnicombe
Personal information
Full nameJames Martin Vinnicombe
Born (1964-12-05) 5 December 1964 (age 59)
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Weight86 kg (190 lb)
Team information
DisciplineTrack
RoleRider
Rider typeSprinter
Professional team
1992–1994Giramondo Cycles & Clarence Street Cyclery
Medal record
Men's track cycling
Representing  Australia
Olympic Games
Silver medal – second place 1988 Seoul 1 km time trial
World Championships (Amateur)
Gold medal – first place 1987 Vienna 1 km time trial
Silver medal – second place 1986 Colorado Springs 1 km time trial
Silver medal – second place 1989 Lyon 1 km time trial
Silver medal – second place 1990 Maebashi 1 km time trial
Bronze medal – third place 1985 Bassano del Grappa 1 km time trial
Commonwealth Games
Gold medal – first place 1986 Edinburgh Time trial
Gold medal – first place 1990 Auckland Time trial

As part of the lead up to the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, Vinnicombe had been selected to be in charge of coaching Chinese cyclists in the Fujian province, but in 2005 was banned from the country for four years and fined after one of his cyclists tested positive for steroids but was overturned and received compensation for false charges, Vinnicombe denied any wrongdoing.[4]

In 2012 he was offered to be in the cycling hall of fame. [5]

References edit

  1. ^ Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Martin Vinnicombe". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 4 December 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
  2. ^ Wells, Jeff (20 July 1996). "DRUG RUNNERS; How cheating athletes beat the system The new Olympic challenges: tackling the dopers, keeping a lid on growth and containing commercialism". Sydney Morning Herald. p. 32.
  3. ^ Time.com article
  4. ^ "Vinnicombe nonplussed about Chinese coaching ban", The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  5. ^ "Senior Australian Cycling Figure Assisted Injection, Alleges Vinnicombe". Cyclingnews.com. 15 September 2005. Retrieved 20 November 2012.

External links edit

  • Official website
  • Martin Vinnicombe at databaseOlympics.com at the Wayback Machine (archived 2007-03-08)
  • Martin Vinnicombe at Cycling Archives