Velo Club de Londres

A year long series contested at tracks all around the country, the national endurance league includes races from many of the biggest open meetings of the season.  The club was represented by at least one member in 6 of the 8 rounds of the series.

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Along with around 10 of London’s other top youth cycling clubs, VCL was invited to race at the Tour of Britain. Over 100 under 12 riders would race a road circuit race on British Cycling’s mountainbikes along the prestigious Victoria Embankment, inbetween the Time Trial and Circuit race comprising the final stage of the Tour of Britain. Riders were split into 5 heats on a simple, but tough course, with two 130m straights and two 180 degree hairpin corners.

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Sunday 11th saw one of the 25 or so events VCL are organising this year. This one was different though, it would be the biggest race meeting VCL had organised for many years, in tribute of our late club president, Dave Creasy,

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An amazing 9 VCL riders made it through to the 2011 Youth Omnium Finals at Manchester, something to celebrate in itself given that only the top riders from a series of regional heats get to qualify. No other team had as many participants in Sunday’s event. Unfortunately Under-14 rider Max Bergin, who was particularly impressive in qualifying, couldn’t make the finals having crashed in training. Always an exciting rider to watch, Max was much missed and we all hope he gets back to racing soon. But we still had plenty of talent on display across the age categories.

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1st-6th August saw five VCL riders compete in the 47th European Junior Tour in Assen. The 6-day stage race boasts participation from riders from as far afield as the United States and New Zealand as well as attracting many national and talent teams.

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VCL sent seven of our youth riders to the National Youth Circuit Championships in Bradford on 24th July for what turned out to be some very tough racing. A fabulously sunny summer’s day and a beautiful location – Bradford’s Lister Park, was possibly lost on many of the riders tackling the park’s 400m 12% climb, the U16 riders 22 times. Continue reading →

It was great to see VCL well represented at our friends, Rollapaluza’s second Urban Hill Climb event last week. The race was up Swain’s Lane in Highgate which is widely regarded to be the toughest hill in London. The event was won by professional rider Michael Smith in 1:26, but our riders held up well against field ranging from specialist hillclimbing whippets, to overgeared fixie hipsters.

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London’s top track cycling club were happy to act as subjects as the lighting and cameras were tested recently in the Olympic velodrome. Continue reading →

Ride-leader Steve ‘Caveman’ Cave was so impressed by the riding of young Isaac Brown on this week’s club run that he nominated him for the perhaps never-to-be-repeated award of VCL Club-Run Rider of the Week. Isaac stayed with the fast group for the whole of the 52miles as we wound our way to a delightful tea room near Turners Hill. This was a brisk ride, with an average moving speed of 16mph. Isaac stayed with pace the whole time. Chapeau Isaac!

The good weather brought VCL riders out in force on Sunday. We rode as one group for the first hour and then spit into two, with stronger riders heading off towards Hever and the slower group heading back.

With the track closing, there’s more reason than ever to get out on the road. Club runs start at 9:30 at the junction of Layhams Road and Birch Tree Avenue in West Wickham.