Brompton World Championships Race Report

Earlier this month, Dreamflight supporter Michael Newbold (pictured here with colleague Wayne Spencer) took part in the Brompton World Championships in support of Dreamflight.  Here is his exciting race report:

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The day dawned with no sign of the sun, blue sky or anything to warm you from the outside...just the ‘Old Speckled Hen’ tent, so with a sample in hand (of Old Speckled Hen) it was down the hatch.

Welcome to Blenheim Palace for the 2010 Brompton World championships. This is the third year that the race-consisting of two 6.5 Km laps of the magnificent grounds of the palace-has been held in the UK.  The field consisted of 750 riders, including winners of Brompton races in Spain, Japan and the USA – all of whom must ride their collapsible ‘Brompton’ bicycle.

Undeterred by the lashing rain, wearing compulsory suit jackets with collar and tie, participants placed their bikes (unassembled)on a starting grid and assembled in pens about 50m from their steeds. Then in batches of 150 the riders waited for their allocated start time.

The horn sounded, I ran over to my bike through the mud and puddles, assembled my bike in what seemed like nano seconds - a skill I had been perfecting every day at the railway station. I then pushed my bike to the start line, without stopping to mount, glided onto the seat and across the start line, cheered on by the huge numbers of spectators who had braved the weather to come and encourage us.

As I crossed that start line I was not just any old chap I was Lance Armstrong and my Yellow Jersey was just around the next corner, up that next hill and in front of the person in front of me.  As the photos suggest, I was hardly aerodynamic with my jacket catching air so I used all my knowledge (acquired watching the Tour De France) to gain every inch on the person in front.

On one downhill section whilst others sat bolt upright (perhaps enjoying the scenery on a Sunday afternoon), I was on a mission.  I attempted a brave ‘agricultural’ manoeuvre, passing a fellow rider on the lush wet grass, as he himself attempted to pass the rider in front of him on the saturated tarmac.  Watching Days of Thunder and Topgun as part of my training had obviously paid off as my tactical manoeuvre was a success.  I continued forward on the tarmac, even overtaking my competitors on the descents, now also in pursuit of the ‘King of the Mountains' jersey.

As I completed my first lap (in 14.25 minutes), I heard encouraging cheers from my colleague Robin.  The jerseys were still mine. I knew what lay ahead, the aches in the morning would not last for long.  Harder I pedalled, apexing corners a little tighter, tailgating the bike in front at distances a micrometer would have trouble reading, the police would have your licence for daring to be so close. I cared not, for victory could be mine. I just needed to get past lots of others who had the same idea.

The second lap passed quicker, walkers giving me the odd strange glance. I cared little as I was puffing, cheeks the colour of a Ribena berry, knowing that the pain would achieve a gain. Unlike other racing etiquette, Bromptonians encouraged each other as they overtook, perfectly polite as they fought for every place.  Another rung up the ladder I went.

Then before I knew It, I recognised that the last corner was ahead. The aches had gone, a dose of adrenalin kicked in and up a gear my legs went. The last 400 meters were the quickest of the race, all the riders had found a reserve of energy and there was no passing others, just keeping pace with them. The finish line was there in front, then behind you. The race was over.

The medal was draped over my neck, it was over. No yellow jersey, No King of the Mountains. Just a tremendous feeling of immense pride in what I had been enabled to achieve and the fact that through my endeavour a little more money has been raised for Dreamflight.

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Michael J. Newbold took part in the Brompton World Championship 2010 in aid of Dreamflight. He finished in 168th place with a time of just 29 minutes 10 seconds and has so far raised in excess of £750 for Dreamflight.  It’s not too late to sponsor Michael…please visit www.justgiving.com/MichaelNewbold