Since 1987 The US Bicycling Hall of Fame has inducted 51 bicycling greats into the Hall of Fame located in Somerville, NJ. Ernie Seubert, selection committee chairman, announced that the six new members of the Hall of Fame for 1997 are:

MODERN COMPETITOR POST-1945

George Mount, "SMILING GEORGE": Remembered for his sixth place finish in the MONTREAL OLYMPIC ROAD RACE which brought George and the USA into the INTERNATIONAL CYCLING SPOTLIGHT.

Arnie Uhrlass: Because of his aggressive riding in the late 1950’s and 1960’s, Arnie earned the nickname “THE GOVERNOR”. He was a member of two Olympic Teams as a speed skater in the Winter Olympics in 1960 and as a cyclist in the Summer Olympics were he competed in the 4,000-meter pursuit team in the Tokyo Olympics in 1964.

MODERN CONTRIBUTOR POST-1945

Jim Ochowicz: One of the leading riders of the 1970s, Jim made a greater contribution to US cycling as general manager of two trade teams, TEAM 7-ELEVEN and its successor, the MOTOROLA cycling team. TEAM 7-ELEVEN was the first American team to ride in the TOUR DE FRANCE in 1985.

VETERAN COMPETITOR PRE-1945

Frank Connell was remembered for his 10th place finish in the 1932 OLYMPIC GAMES 62-1/2 mile senior men time trial. He went on to break nine unpaced records from one to ten miles in 1930.

John Sinibaldi was a member of two OLYMPIC TEAMS in 1932 and 1936. He set records for the 100K Time Trial of 2:25:09 which stood for 50 years before it was broken. At 80 years old he owns five NATIONAL MASTERS TIME TRIALS CHAMPIONSHIP JERSEYS.

VETERAN CONTRIBUTOR POST-1945

Charles E. Pratt (DECEASED), was elected as the first president of the LEAGUE OF AMERICAN WHEELMEN, which is now the LEAGUE OF AMERICAN CYCLISTS. He wrote a handbook titled "THE AMERICAN BICYCLER" which contained the first set of road signals in use in the US. He was considered the highest American authority on cycling matters.

A SPECIAL INDUCTION WAS GRANTED THIS YEAR TO:

Team 7-Eleven, the first American team to race successfully in Europe in the late 1970s. They were instrumental in paving the way to American success at the 1984 Olympic Games.