Double whammy

Congratulations to Liam "Crasher" Terry and Tom "Little Bear" Spreckley who both won their events at Portmsouth last weekend. Toby Neave finished second in the elite race to almost make the treble. Full results here.

4th category race:

1st Tom Spreckley
=6th Richard Bevan
=6th Mark Warrington
=6th Richard Parker

3rd category race:

1st Liam Terry
11th Shaun Smart
=15th Richard Broadribb

Elite race:

2nd Toby Neave
Toby was mentioned in despatches in the Daily Telegraph.
I note that Gianluca Capello was riding. Isn't he the new England coach?

Tom Spreckley

No one is to mention that those glasses are so 70s.

I can confirm that no one at Southdown Velo is now or has ever been a member of MI6 ... unless of course they were lying, or I'm lying, or this entire website is part of a wicked plot by HRH Prince or just a figment of my imagination.

Video of Perfs

I am indebted to producer Marco "Scalatore" Hollandini for allowing us to preview his video of the team in action at Perfs. Enjoy!

Tom goes close

4th cat newbie Tom Spreckley went very close to a win at Hillingdon in the 4th cat race. He finished second which takes him within spitting distance of his much desired 3rd cat licence, which unleash him on to the 3rd cat bunches. Well done Tom. Full result here.

Calamity Perfs

Toby Neave, Liam Terry and Mark Trevis started the classic season opener at Rowlands Castle on Sunday. Only Mark finished in the bunch after Toby and Liam had clearly spent too long on the rollers and had forgotten how to go round corners. Only joking boys. They weren't the only ones to succumb to the slippery roads. Well done to Mark in finishing what is always a fast race with a classy field. Better luck next time Tobes and Liam!
In addition to the ones below there are more pictures here, here and here.
Coming soon ... the video!

Pictures copyright of Dennis Sacket.

Team support

Like migratory birds heading north after winter, Team Southdown Velo appeared from every nook, cranny and coppice to appear at Perfs to support our gallant trio. I lost count how many I met, but I did get some pictures ...

Mark, Liam and Toby

Racing round up

Last Sunday saw the last individual cyclo-cross event of the year for the London League held at Dunsfold. Shaun Smart, Pete McGuiness and Mark Holland rode. The latter making his cross debut. Shaun was 17th, Mark 49th and Pete 53rd. The full results are here.

Mike Marchant finished 31st and Paul O'Donavan 46th in GS Stella's traditional season opening, and hilly, 18km time trial. Paul and Mike were both suffering colds so they failed to show at the Sunday event. Full results here.

Mark Trevis finished 36th in the E12 road race at Hillingdon. Full results here.

Perfs

This Sunday sees the real start of the road racing calendar at Rowlands Castle with the classic Perfs Pedal race which was first run in 1964. The list of winners is like a whos who of British national champions and professionals. Full start list here.

This year's race features a classy field including our own Toby Neave, Mark Trevis and Liam Terry. The race starts on the green at Rowlands at 11:00 and finishes 70km later near Forestside.

The bad news is that the cafe at Rowlands is closed! Mama mia!

How many people know why it's called Perfs?

Events update

I have finished updating the new events page on the website. This now includes "local" cyclo-sportives and leisure events including ones suitable for youths and inexperienced riders.

Cross at Dunsfold - look out there's a plane chasing you!

Mark Holland discovers the joys of cross - natty kit Mark

Shaun gets stuck in

All pictures copyright of London Cycle Sport

Gorrick MTB

Pete McGuiness, Mark Holland and Tom Spreckley competed in the Exodus Gorrick Spring MTB Series held on January 27 with Tom Spreckley 17th in the sport men, Pete McGuiness 50th and Mark Holland 78th in the open men.

More about the Gorrick series.

Pictures copyright of Guy Swarbrick.

Hillingdon racing

Tom Spreckley was 9th in the 4ths race and Mark Trevis 31st in the E123 at Hillingdon on 26 January.

Up Avon series

There are races at Up Avon near Thruxton in February. Look like easy points races for the 4ths.

Events calendars

I have added events calendars, e.g. road races etc., to the website which can be found on the Events page. I'll add cyclo-sportvies etc. as I get round to it.

Time trial tips

I'm grateful to Mike Marchant who has written some tips for time trialling. I recommend them to all aspiring testers.