The 6th Brompton World Championship Sunday 21st August
The 6th Brompton World Championship was held on Sunday
21st August 2011; for the fourth year in succession, it was held in the
UK, as part of the Breast Cancer Care Bike Blenheim Palace Festival Of
Cycling.
The field maintained its impressive 750 registrants
and the glorious weather ensured a bumper turn out, with 673riders
taking to the track in 20°c conditions. Competitors were spurred on
by a large number of enthusiastic
spectators.
Katharine Horsman, the event organiser, commented:
“We’ve set new records for the event including the biggest ever turnout
and the fastest time ever set, thirty seconds faster than the previous
record set by Robero Herras. Not only that but we’ve also had a lot of
fun with afternoon tea, music and games, all in all, a great day.”
First place for the Fastest Male category was taken by time trial
specialist and Commonwealth Games competitor Michael Hutchinson, he
completed the course in 21 minutes 15 seconds; Rachael Elliott,
returning to defend her title
of Fastest Female, made it two in a row by taking 1st place this year
with a time of 23 minutes 35 seconds; both Brompton World Champions won
white S6Ls, with unique London themed illustrations by artist Vic Lee.
The 2011 event was an international affair, with 31
nationalities represented. Six first place winners from three of the
four Brompton National Championships held this year were also present.
Aaron Ritz and Julie Secor of the U.S came closest to upgrading their
national titles to that of World Champion, both collecting third in
their respective
categories.
Employees of Brompton Bicycle also made a strong
showing, many of them taking advantage of the training that commuting to
the factory in West London, on a Brompton, each day bestows. Gavin
Morton, Management
Accountant and keen cyclist with Charlotteville Cycling Club, will
undoubtedly be talk of the factory with his 2nd place in the male
competition and first place as part of team Brompton Factory 1. The full
results list is now available online.
Despite the hot weather the rules for the event remained the same: helmets were an absolute must, as was a blazer
or suit jacket, collared shirt and neck tie. Prizes were also awarded
for the best-dressed, those that had managed to add an air of sartorial
elegance to the proceedings; the winners were Fokko Bakker, of The
Netherlands, and Rachael Jackson, of the United Kingdom.
Will Butler-Adams, Brompton’s Managing Director, commented:
“What started out as a fun little event six years ago is fast becoming a
slightly eccentric British institution, a rite of passage for Brompton
riders to get together at this amazing venue and show that these bikes
can
really perform and have a bit of a laugh along the way. It’s great to
see all types here: élite to casual riders, all dressed up and
having fun on the same ride.
“I think the best dressed category is the one that
everyone wants to win, this year we really upped the stakes by offering
the fantastic Brompton Oratory Jacket as a prize. We saw everything from
grand moustaches, to boating outfits and even more creative
interpretations such as a Rupert the Bear inspired offering. It all
ensures that we don’t take it too seriously, although I will point out I
got 78th this year which is my best position yet…”
Post-race, the competitors and supporters decamped to
the Brompton Sturmey Archer marquee to claim their reward for completing
the course: afternoon tea with the Brompton team and Andrew Ritchie,
the inventor of the Brompton folding bike. The atmosphere was convivial,
if not downright rowdy, with dozens of Bromptoneers embracing the
Brompton folding bike challenge whilst London Pride, provided courtesy
of Fullers, ensured the crowd did not go thirsty. A showdown was had on
the main stage with the winning time being 9.7 seconds.
DIE BESTEN BROMPTON-FOTOS VOM FALTRADRENNEN BEIM BICYCLE FILM FESTIVAL 2010 IN WIEN
Fotos © Albert Maresch