Source : Chronicle Live North East News
HE was born with a hole in his heart but went on to become a mountain bike star before he was killed in smash.
The life of the daredevil biker Jason McRoy from Lambton, Washington, was tragically cut short by a motorbike accident in Derbyshire in August 1995, at the age of 24.
Now his parents, James and Rose, have been invited by British Cycling, the sport’s governing body, to next year’s London Olympics in recognition of their son’s achievements.
The invitation comes after Jason was one of 50 cyclists in the UK chosen from thousands of nominees to be inducted into the inaugural Cycling Hall of Fame to celebrate 50 years of British Cycling.
James, a business consultant, said: “Even after all this time we are surprised and delighted that Jason continues to be remembered and honoured.
“He had a huge following and we still receive letters and emails telling us how much he inspired people to greater things.
“We hadn’t even considered trying to go the Olympics because tickets to the cycling events are in so much demand, but now we are planning to go and meet up with some old friends from the world of cycling.
“It makes us really proud that Jason is still so highly-regarded.”
James added: “It is difficult to believe that he would have turned 40 this year.
“It is quite feasible that he would have been doing some TV work at the Olympics next year.
“Jason was more than a son to me, he was my best mate, he was my hero.
“When he died, a part of me died with him, but a part of Jason lives on in me, and is his inspirational life that has given me the strength to carry on.”
Jason was born with a hole in the heart and was prone to illnesses as a child.
As a teenager, health checks showed the hole was beginning to close up and he was encouraged to take part in sport.
James added: “Jason entered and had his first taste of mountain bike competition at 17.
“In his first ever downhill race at Rothbury, riding a bog-standard bike from Halfords, Jason won the novice class, even though still officially a junior, and posted a time that placed him third overall.
“He was hooked. He ‘upgraded’ his bike to a Halford’s Carrera and entered as many races as possible, turning in increasingly better performances.
“He became the first British downhiller to become a professional in the USA and was British national downhill champion.”
Mountain Biking UK magazine features editor Andrew Dodd said: “Jason McRoy was pure inspiration to me. His clear love of riding shone through in images, video footage and in the flesh.
“He was the first Brit to really make impact on the world scene, and although sadly missed, is remembered with a smile – he gave me the get up and go to ride.”
HE was born with a hole in his heart but went on to become a mountain bike star before he was killed in smash.
The life of the daredevil biker Jason McRoy from Lambton, Washington, was tragically cut short by a motorbike accident in Derbyshire in August 1995, at the age of 24.
Now his parents, James and Rose, have been invited by British Cycling, the sport’s governing body, to next year’s London Olympics in recognition of their son’s achievements.
The invitation comes after Jason was one of 50 cyclists in the UK chosen from thousands of nominees to be inducted into the inaugural Cycling Hall of Fame to celebrate 50 years of British Cycling.
James, a business consultant, said: “Even after all this time we are surprised and delighted that Jason continues to be remembered and honoured.
“He had a huge following and we still receive letters and emails telling us how much he inspired people to greater things.
“We hadn’t even considered trying to go the Olympics because tickets to the cycling events are in so much demand, but now we are planning to go and meet up with some old friends from the world of cycling.
“It makes us really proud that Jason is still so highly-regarded.”
James added: “It is difficult to believe that he would have turned 40 this year.
“It is quite feasible that he would have been doing some TV work at the Olympics next year.
“Jason was more than a son to me, he was my best mate, he was my hero.
“When he died, a part of me died with him, but a part of Jason lives on in me, and is his inspirational life that has given me the strength to carry on.”
Jason was born with a hole in the heart and was prone to illnesses as a child.
As a teenager, health checks showed the hole was beginning to close up and he was encouraged to take part in sport.
James added: “Jason entered and had his first taste of mountain bike competition at 17.
“In his first ever downhill race at Rothbury, riding a bog-standard bike from Halfords, Jason won the novice class, even though still officially a junior, and posted a time that placed him third overall.
“He was hooked. He ‘upgraded’ his bike to a Halford’s Carrera and entered as many races as possible, turning in increasingly better performances.
“He became the first British downhiller to become a professional in the USA and was British national downhill champion.”
Mountain Biking UK magazine features editor Andrew Dodd said: “Jason McRoy was pure inspiration to me. His clear love of riding shone through in images, video footage and in the flesh.
“He was the first Brit to really make impact on the world scene, and although sadly missed, is remembered with a smile – he gave me the get up and go to ride.”
