Jason McRoy (26 November 1971 – 24 August 1995) was an English professional mountain bike racer. McRoy was the first British rider to join an American professional mountain bike team – Specialized/2 Calorie Quest – and was a UK National downhill champion.
Despite being born with a hole in his heart and enduring a childhood beset by illness,[1] McRoy developed an early love of cycling. Following childhood success in BMX racing – curtailed by a serious injury to his knee, and a consequent period off his bike to recuperate – McRoy first tried downhill mountain bike racing at age 17.[1] In his first race, despite still being registered as a Junior, his time was sufficiently quick for him to take third place overall.[1] McRoy rose to international prominence after taking second place in the prestigious Mammoth Kamikaze race in 1993,[2] the first year that the event was held to the 'Eliminator' format. It was following this success that Specialized USA signed him for the 1994 season.
He was killed in a motorcycle accident on the A628 Woodhead Pass between Manchester and Sheffield, England. There is currently a memorial up on this road where flowers and banners have been placed.
