Jiří Prchal

In 1968 and 1969 Czechoslovak cyclist Jiří Prchal finished third overall at the Tour of Bohemia before riding in the Peace Race in 1970. The following year Prchal had some success in England, where he won the points classification at the Milk Race, in addition to placing fifth overall in the general classification. In 1972 he returned to the Tour of Bohemia, this time finishing as the runner-up to earn a spot on the Olympic team. At the München Games he then finished 18th in the road race, only 36 seconds behind the winner.

Prchal continued to be consistent in races across Europe, finishing second at the Tour of Bohemia for three consecutive years from 1974 to 1976, in addition to four podium finishes at the 1975 Tour of Austria. In 1976 he went back to England to ride in the Milk Race, winning the opening stage, finishing second in the points classification, and placing sixth overall. Prchal then won two stages of the Tour of Austria in 1977 before retiring from the sport. He was only 46-years-old when he died in September 1994.