Tony Hoar of Emsworth born 10 February 1932 was a British racing cyclist in the 1950’s. Part of a sporting family Tony Hoar famously was selected for the first British team ever to participate in the Tour de France in 1955. Then the Tour was for national and regional teams only. The aim was for the Hercules Team to be made up of all British racing cyclist, but although Great Britain managed to qualify not as many of team were British as Hercules had intended. A number of the possible racers returned to Britain overwhelmed by the challenge of the tour. After a gruelling 24 days on the Tour Tony finished in 69th and last, lanterne rouge. Nevertheless it was heralded an amazing achievement as only two of the team survived to the finish. The other British rider to finish was Brian Robinson in 29th overall. The winner of the 1995 Tour de France was Frenchman Louison Bobet. Also in 1995 Tony Hoar rode in the Daily-Express Tour of Britain. He won the 145 km fourth stage from Filey, North Yorkshire to Sheffield in 3 hrs 57 m 44 secs. He finished the Tour 19th in the general (finishing) classification.