Belle Vue v Halifax, Challenge, Friday 4 April 1969

It’s 50 years since Ivan’s debut for Belle Vue

And it’s 50 years since I took this picture at Hyde Road on Ivan’s debut in the Easter weekend challenge against Halifax.

During the meeting I moved towards the pits

to see if I could get a picture of Ivan

When the bike with the name ‘Ivan Mauger’ clearly

visible on the rear mudguard was pushed on to

the track I knew that I would only have a moment

to get the picture composed and in focus

I pressed the trigger and hoped for the best

I was delighted when I finally got to see the result

after the film was processed and the picture printed

And what a season 1969 turned out to be for Ivan!