| Charles Snell | |
| Fullname: | Charles Snell |
| Birth Date: | 10 January 1888 |
| Birth Place: | Kialla West, Victoria, Australia |
| Death Place: | Foster, Victoria, Australia |
| Role: | Rider |
| Ridertype: | Long-Distance Road Race |
| Proyears1: | 1914 |
| Proteam1: | Cycles Gladiator |
| Majorwins: | Barnet Glass Road Race from Bendigo to Melbourne 1911 |
Charles Snell (10 January 1888 – 1 April 1977)[1] [2] was an Australian racing cyclist who was a member of the first team of Australians that was to take part in the 1914 Tour de France.
Snell's cycling career started in 1909 when he participated as a courier in the Dunlop Relay Despatch Ride from Adelaide to Sydney, racing close to his hometown from Balmattum to Baddaginnie.[3] After taking his career more seriously the next season, he went on to his first success in 1911, winning blue ribbon (fastest time) in the Barnet Glass Road Race from Bendigo to Melbourne.[4]
In 1914 Snell, together with Iddo "Snowy" Munro, Don Kirkham, Charlie Piercey and George Bell, became part of the first team of Australian Cyclists to head off for racing in Europe, with the objective to be competing in the Tour de France. Initially the team rode as professionals for the Paris-based Gladiator Cycles & Clement Tyre team, competing in classic races like Milan–San Remo.,[5] Paris–Roubaix,[6] Paris-Bruxelles,[7] Paris-Nancy[8] and the Tour of Belgium.[9] Eventually only Munro and Kirkham were selected for participation in the Tour de France[10]
After the Tour de France Snell returned to Australia; in early August 1914 he left for Melbourne with Don Kirkham and George Bell. He continued to race in Australia until the mid 1920s. His younger brother, John George, was active in road racing as well.[11]