Paul Sherwen facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Paul Sherwen

Sherwen in 2009
Personal information
Full name	William Paul Sherwen
Nickname	Climber
Born	(1956-06-07)7 June 1956 Widnes, Lancashire, England
Died	2 December 2018(2018-12-02) (aged 62) Kampala, Uganda
Team information
Discipline	Road
Role	Rider
Rider type	Domestique
Major wins
National Circuit Race Championship (1986) National Road Race Championship (1987)

Paul Sherwen (born June 7, 1956 – died December 2, 2018) was an English professional racing cyclist. After his racing career, he became a well-known broadcaster for cycling, especially for the famous Tour de France race. He competed in the Tour de France seven times, finishing five of them. He was known for his amazing ability to keep going through very tough mountain stages.

Paul Sherwen's Early Life and Start in Cycling

Paul Sherwen was born on June 7, 1956, in Widnes, Lancashire, England. He grew up in Kenya, where his father managed a factory. Paul first started as a swimmer. He even placed second in the under-14 Kenyan swimming championship!

When he was 16, Paul decided to switch to cycling. He joined the Weaver Valley CC in Cheshire. He got help from a coach named Harold Nelson. Paul also trained with other young riders who later became professionals, like Graham Jones and John Herety.

Paul Sherwen's Cycling Career Highlights

When Paul was 19, he rode for the Altrincham Road Club. In 1976, he won the Star Trophy series, which lasted all season. He also won the Manx International and the Archer Pernod GP.

A year later, he won the Folkestone-London race by attacking right from the start. He joined a French team called ACBB. With them, he won several races like Paris-Barentin. He also came in third in the amateur Paris–Roubaix race. Paul won the Archer Grand Prix cycle race twice, in 1976 and 1977.

Turning Professional and the Tour de France

In 1978, Paul Sherwen became a professional cyclist for the Fiat team. He often rode as a domestique. A domestique is a teammate who helps the team leader. They might carry water, block the wind, or even give their bike to the leader if needed.

Paul finished 70th in the 1978 Tour de France. In 1980, he almost had to leave the Tour. He finished a stage too slowly, outside the "cut-off time." This is a time limit based on the winner's speed. But because he crashed and chased alone, he was allowed to stay in the race. He did this again six years later, showing his incredible determination.

Key Races and Challenges

Paul Sherwen also did well in other big races. He finished 19th and 11th in the Milan–San Remo race in 1979 and 1980. In 1984, he was 15th in Paris–Roubaix, a very tough race. He came third in the Tour du Haut Var in 1982. He also won a stage in the Tour of the Mediterranean. In 1983, he finished second in the Four Days of Dunkirk and won a stage there. He also won the Grand Prix de Denain that same year.

In the Tour de France, Paul finished 111th in 1982 and 116th in 1984. During a mountain stage in 1984, he was again close to the cut-off time. He and another cyclist, Australian Allan Peiper, were riding up a mountain. Allan was knocked off his bike by a fan! Paul, knowing they were running out of time, told Allan to get back on. They crossed the finish line just in time.

The 1985 Tour de France and Retirement

In the 1985 Tour de France, Paul Sherwen crashed right at the start of the first mountain stage. He had to ride alone for six hours over six mountains! He was more than an hour behind the winner. He also finished 23 minutes after the cut-off time. Even the Tour's publicity vehicles had started going back! But again, because of his bravery and effort, he was allowed to stay in the race. This was his last Tour de France.

Paul joined the Raleigh team in 1986. He retired from racing after two more seasons. In his final season, 1987, he won the British road race championship. After retiring, he managed the Banana-Raleigh team for a while.

Paul Sherwen's Later Career in Broadcasting

While managing the team, Paul Sherwen also started working as a cycling commentator. He teamed up with Phil Liggett for Channel 4's coverage of the Tour de France in 1986. This was the start of their famous partnership.

Paul and Phil became the main commentators for many TV networks around the world. They worked for Australia's SBS Network and the United States' NBC Sports. They were known for their exciting and knowledgeable commentary, making cycling races fun to watch. They continued to commentate together until the 2018 Tour de France.

Personal Life and Passing

Paul Sherwen lived in Kampala, Uganda. He traveled often between Uganda and the United States for his broadcasting work.

Paul Sherwen passed away on December 2, 2018, at his home in Kampala. He was 62 years old. He is survived by his wife, Katherine, and their two children, Margaux and Alexander.

Paul Sherwen's Career Achievements

Major Results

Grand Tour Results Timeline

This table shows how Paul Sherwen finished in the biggest cycling races, called Grand Tours.

Grand Tour	1978	1979	1980	1981	1982	1983	1984	1985
Giro d'Italia	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Tour de France	70	81	DNF	DNF	111	—	116	141
Vuelta a España	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—