It is with great sadness that Madison has shared news of the passing of John Oakes on 26th August, following a courageous battle with cancer.
Reflecting on a lifetime spent as a cyclist, friend to many, and widely respected industry colleague, Madison CEO Dominic Langan shares the following thoughts:
John’s life was defined by his passion for cycling. Originally from Brighton, he began his racing career with the Brighton Excelsior before moving to Bromley, Kent, where he was working as a draftsman. His talent on the bike was clear from the start, racing for the Anglia Sport HURET team and securing a silver medal in the team time trial. While riding for the Geoffrey Butler-sponsored club, John broke the national 30-mile time trial record with an outstanding time of 1:01:46, and he went on to achieve many race victories across all disciplines, including with VC Etoile.
Despite his many achievements, John’s love for the simple joy of riding his bike never faded. Even after his cancer diagnosis, he continued to ride, embodying the resilience and spirit that defined him both personally and professionally.
John’s career in the cycle trade was just as distinguished. He worked with Ron Kitching’s cycle distributor in the 1980s, managed Evans Cycles in Woking, and later represented respected brands including Pearl Izumi, Basso, and PRO. His journey took him to Fishers of Finchley, Zyro Fisher, and Muc-Off before he joined Madison in 2023.
John quickly became a valued member of our sales team, working both on the road and in telesales, bringing his energy, warmth, and deep knowledge to everything he did.
John was always full of energy—whether in a race, on a club ride, or during a sales call. His enthusiasm, determination, and kindness shone through in every aspect of his life. He was the kind of colleague who always went the extra mile and great company to be with.
John will be deeply missed by his family, friends, colleagues, customers, and the wider cycling community. His contribution to the sport and the trade leaves an enduring legacy, and his spirit will continue to inspire us all.
Rest in peace, John.
