I guess that it's relevant to note that Ray (and his brother, who was also a good cyclist) developed very succesful careers and "did well for themselves". Some people like to do one thing as well as they can, and then move on to another challenge. Maybe Ron Kitching didn't relate to that so much.
Another Derby resident, Bernard Pusey, (one of Ray's contemporaries) also had a glittering career on the bike, but then decided that that was as far as that went, and then concentrated on building a succesful academic career.