IT MAY be 45 years since he last rode a bicycle but that wasn’t going to stop one 78-year-old Newport ex-international cyclist from taking to the track again at the Wales National Velodrome.

George Jensen, of St Brides Gardens, set the ride at the velodrome as a target of his when he underwent a triple heart bypass two years ago.

Yesterday he finally saw this ambition achieved after his local health board organised for Mr Jensen to cycle the couple of laps.

The ride not only marked his first cycle after 45 years but his first experience of cycling on an indoor track too.

The grandfather of four first came up with the idea after being referred to a pulmonary rehabilitation course following a triple heart bypass which left him with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This narrows the airways in his lungs.

The former champion said: “At the start of the course I gave two targets which I wanted to achieve. One was that I would be able to walk to my local church without having to gasp for breath while the other was to be able to return to my bicycle and ride a couple of laps at the velodrome.

“I wanted to do it purely for the novelty if nothing else and had an amazing time.”

At the peak of his career Mr Jensen, who worked as a butcher at the old James Street in Cardiff while cycling, enjoyed much success representing Wales in the sport during the 1950s. His titles included Match Sprint Champion in 1952 and 1953 and he was also named as one of the fastest cyclists in the UK in 1952 by the National Cyclists' Union.

In addition to this, in 1954, he was selected to represent Wales in the England-Wales International 1000m sprint, coming in second place.

After last competing in 1954 Mr Jensen then retired from the sport and last rode a bicycle in 1964 on a camping trip.

He added: “It felt absolutely exhilarating to be back on a bicycle again after so many years away from it.”

George Jensen’s cycling career

  • 1947 - Joins the Cyclist Touring Club based in Cardiff. Enters a 10-mile time trial at Cardiff achieving a time of 33 minutes.
  • 1952- At the peak of his career, he enters the 10 mile time trial again, cutting his time by one third and completing the race in 22 minutes. He is named by the National Cyclist Union as one of the fastest cyclists in the UK.
  • 1952 - Mr Jensen also enters a 12-hour distance trial achieving 217.5 miles which places him in the winning team.
  • 1952 and 1953 - Named as Match Sprint Champion for two years running at Maindy track, Cardiff.
  • 1954 - Selected to represent Wales in the England-Wales International 1000m sprint and gains second place.

He is also picked to represent Wales in the British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Vancouver but has to pull out due to leg injuries.

  • 1954- Competes for the final time with more than 40 other cyclists in the Madison competition at Maindy track, Cardiff.