John Trevorrow

John Trevorrow is a former road cyclist whose career achievements reflect both resilience and excellence. 

He captured the Australian national road race title three years in a row (1978–1980) and in stage racing triumphed three times in the Sun Tour (1975, 1977, 1979). Internationally, Trevorrow represented Australia at the 1972 Olympics and earned a bronze medal in the road race at the 1970 Commonwealth Games.

“I guess my biggest thrills were racing in Europe against the big hitters of the day, and beating them on occasions,” Trevorrow said.

“My first Aussie title in 1970 was pretty special. It was the first one I'd ever contested and got me a trip to the Comm Games in Edinburgh when I was 20. Got to race in Europe for the first time and that was brilliant. 

“In 1973, an expat Aussie named Ron Webb invited an Aussie team to race the season in Europe and we raced all the major amateur tours. Unfortunately, our Olympic teammate Graeme Jose was killed during the Tour of Austria, which was very tragic.

“Munich was another major memory, although not for all the best reasons. My daughter Lisa was born on the night of the terrorist attack, which was the night before we were supposed to race the road race. I didn't find out I was a dad for a couple of days - no mobile phones back then.

“Winning three Sun Tours was very special, as I had grown up watching the race.”

After retiring from competition, Trevorrow turned to event creation and management: he founded the Bay Cycling Classic (originally the Bay Crits) in 1989 and began serving as race director of the Herald Sun Tour from 2017.

“The Bay Crits were pretty special for me as I believed we needed to take the racing to the people, so I set-up the criteriums in the summer at holiday destinations, and they were hugely popular,” he recalled. “They became part of the Summer of Cycling, with the Mt Buller Classic and Tour of Tassie. We brought out Credit Agricole, and ONCE, and it was brilliant.

“I ran an Aussie pro road title around Botanic Gardens out over Westgate Bridge, then a loop out in the big climbs behind Lara, before returning over the bridge and finishing in the Gardens. Neil Stephens won the title, but a young amateur named Robbie McEwen beat them all.

“I was also proud of a mid-week mountain series I organised - all shown on Network Ten.”

Apparently not one for retirement, Trevorrow still contributes to race commentary, the 76-year-old this year covering Aussie exploits at the Tour de France for News Corp Australia publications.

His enduring influence on Australian cycling is also recognised by his appointment as an AusCycling Life Member.  

“I'm very honoured to be inducted,” he said.