Welcome to Imperial Racing Team.
A cycle racing club: to race, to promote racing across the sport and promote races for others.

Imperial / im’pIerIal / a. majestic : derived from imperiale (Fr.), a great cyclist: for example Laurent Jalabert ; not to be confused with imperial rule.

News

Richard races in Russia

Congratulations to Richard Collins who has been selected for the USIC Cycling Championships, which will take place in St Petersberg, Russia in May, this year.

Richard will represent the Railsport GB Railways team at the USIC (Union Sportif International De Cheminots) in Russia. This is the "World Railways Cycling Championships" and is held every four years.

Based on previous events, the format of the event is likely to be over four days as follows:

1. Opening Ceremony / 6 Man Team Time Trial (50km)
2. Road Race (150 km)
3. Rest Day / Cultural Visit
4. Individual Time Trial ( 30km) / Closing Ceremony

The GB Railways team will be competing against 10 / 12 other European Railway teams.

We wish him and the GB Railway team the best of luck!

Imperial Winter Series 2007/2008

A cold but brilliantly sunny day saw another good entry for the final race in the series. Most of the overall positions were settled with Paul Pickup starting but feeling under the weather. For each category the series was a great success thanks to everyone’s involvement. Lucy Collins accepted a thank you from the Dulwich Paragon Club which was greatly appreciated.

The 4th cat race was enlivened with three £10 primes with a very close finish with Paul Elcock (Reading CC) just taking it. There were many new entries for the last race with everyone keen to finish on a high. Overall the 4th cat racing was a great success with all credit going to the riders for generally riding sensibly and within themselves. Marcus Atkins (Twickenham CC) was awarded the prize for the Most Consistent 4th Cat performer.

In the E123 race, the Doug Collins award for the Most Combative Rider was incredibly close between the top six, with Paul Pickup finally being awarded the prize. In recognition of his contribution and impact during the series Mick Hill (Team Quest) will be awarded a special prize.

In the race itself an attack started almost immediately with Chris Moores (Norwood Paragon), Andrew Bye (Sigma Sport) and first time rider in the series Chris McNamara (Wild Side RT), Clive Nicholls (High Wycombe CC) and Ben Moores (Norwood Paragon) (defending his brothers position) saw the danger and latched onto Clive Nicholls and Chris McNamara coming together to make an awesome group. Paul Pickup was suffering and rode comfortably to defend his position; meanwhile the front group were riding steadily and forged a minutes lead. Ben Moores had done his job and dropped back; Mike McManus (RT316) and Mick Hill were still attacking hard but to no avail. Mick Hill really was the revelation of the series of the more established riders and perhaps deserved more.

The leading trio caught the main group with 8 km to go and sat in causing confusion at the finish with Chris McNamara threading his way through to win from Clive Nicholls and Jerone Walters (Sigma Sport). Young Chris Legg (AWcycles) looked impressive and with Andrew Bye and Chris Moores pulled away from a very fast main group. Chris Legg stayed clear to head Chris Moores and Andrew Bye at the finish. Jake Hales (Lotto Olympia Team Interbike) led the main group in ahead of Ed Graefe (Team Economic Energy) and Thorsten Klassen (Kingston Wheelers). With a crash in the last 3 km it became a bit untidy; Phil Sheehan (Mosquito Bikes RT) came down heavily with other riders taking to the grass; he was treated but clearly upset that it happened so close to the finish.

Imperial Racing Team would like to thank all the riders who participated and wish them the best of luck with the coming season.

See you back at the circuit on the 6th December for the 2008/2009 Imperial Winter Series.

Winner Paul Pickup, 2nd Chris Moores (Norwood Paragon), 3rd Steve Golla (Sigma Sport)

Most Combative Rider 2007/2008 Paul Pickup presented by Harry Lodge

We were delighted to welcome Harry Lodge of the KFS Special Vehicles racing team to present the prizes. Harry’s team got the season off to a flying start with a win by James Stuart in the previous weekends Perfs Pedal race.

Class of 2007/2008

Round of applause for Dennis Sackett cycling photographer

Richard Collins wins a prize in the free draw

Racing in the 4th Cats