Rees rides to dream finish at the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100

Prudential RideLondon 2014
Rees rides to dream finish at the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100
A desire to raise money for charity drove Ian Rees to be first across the line at the end of the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 this morning, completing a journey of recovery for the 43-year-old Bristol-based diabetic who was inspired by watching last year’s event.
Twelve months ago the former pro stood leaning on his crutches beside The Mall watching the first ever Prudential RideLondon sportive and promised himself that he would lead the mass riders under the finish gantry in 2014 to raise money and the profile of diabetes research.
After 86 of the hardest rain-drenched miles he’s ever ridden, Rees achieved his dream with the aid of his Bristol Dymag TID clubmates Paul Merryweather and Matthew Franklin, and believes his Herculean efforts will bring in some much-needed funds for the diabetes charity JDRF.
“I couldn’t do it last year because I broke my leg, but I watched it with people from the charity and told them that I would be first across the line this year to raise their profile,” said Rees, his mud-splattered face breaking into a smile of pure relief.
“Here I am a year on, and I did it. I can’t believe it. That was the hardest ride I’ve had since I was a pro in France in the 1990s.”
Rees, who’s never done a sportive before, set up the Dymag club with Merryweather to raise money for diabetes research two years ago after being forced to abandon his pro cycling career when he was diagnosed with the condition.
Prudential RideLondon 2014“This is what we really wanted to do,” said Merryweather, who followed Rees safely across the line at the head of a 60-strong bunch of early-finishing sportive riders.”
“I helped Ian set up the team two years ago so this was all about getting him home first and giving JDRF some profile. So it’s mission accomplished; it’s all quite inspirational.”
The group had a plan to stay near the front of the pack, avoiding as far as possible any problems caused by the adverse weather, and were full of praise for the organisers’ decision to shorten the 100-mile route by 14 miles, cutting out the potentially treacherous climbs up and down Box Hill and Leith Hill.
Prudential RideLondon 2014“We worked so well as a team,” said Rees. “The rain and the speed we were going at the front made it so hard.”
“But it was such a good decision to cut out the hills. I hit a cat’s eye at one point and nearly came off, and there were a few crashes, so I’m really glad they took the hills out because coming down Box Hill or Leith Hill would’ve been deadly.”
“RideLondon have done an absolutely brilliant job. The organisation is as good as a pro race on the continent. I was so impressed, they should do these all over the country. I will do it again next year, definitely.”
Nicola Roberts and Bella Leach were impressed too. The two London friends rode the route together and crossed the line side-by-side, the first women to complete the sportive.
“It was wet but it was great fun,” said Roberts, a member of the Dulwich Paragon club. “It wasn’t too windy so you could still ride. Everyone was just getting on with it really and smiling and chatting.”
“Some of the corners and descents were quite sketchy but people were very considerate, slowing down and talking to each other.”
“I really enjoyed it, it was really good fun to just get out there and stretch the legs,” agreed Leach, a London Phoenix rider. “Nicola and I rode the whole way together so we wanted to cross the line together.”
“I’ve never been up Box Hill or Leith Hill and after today it feels like I’m destined to never ride them!”

Wiggle Honda’s Neil Towns was also among the early finishers, completing his second Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100.

“Riding at the front was really exciting,” he said. “I did the event last year. It was slighty damper than last year but still fantastic, still good riding. It’s a lovely bike ride that isn’t too challenging so you can just get out there and ride for the fun of it.”
“There were fewer supporters than last year but the ones who were out gave it some welly. I’ll definitely be back next year.”
“This event’s like the London Marathon for cyclists – if you can get a place you jump at it. A beautiful bike ride; the spirit of the London Olympics carries on.”
Ben Knapp backed up the other riders’ support for the shortened route, relishing a ride started by three world greats of women’s cycling: world and Olympic road race champion Marianne Vos, double Olympic track champion Laura Trott and multiple Paralympic gold medallist Dame Sarah Storey.
Ian Rees - post race

Ian Rees – post race

“It was a bit disappointing to have the route shortened but coming across the top of Newlands was pretty nasty so everyone understood why the organisers did it. It was the right decision,” said the Dulwich Paragon rider.”

“More than a quarter of Dulwich Paragon’s 600 members were riding today so it’s a really great event for everyone.”
“Having Marianne Vos, Sarah Storey and Laura Trott starting the ride was great. We set off feeling really inspired.”
All three women then rode the sportive themselves – Vos delighted to be back on the roads where she won Olympic gold two years ago.
“I’ve never done a ride as big as this; it was really something special,” said the Dutch rider who finished second in yesterday’s Prudential RideLondon Grand Prix.
“Just to ride with all these people and see everyone coming out riding, not caring about the rain was fantastic. It was great fun.”
“It was great to back on the roads of London 2012 and to see more than 20,000 out there too was fabulous. I saw quite a lot of them, I think, and everyone was taking care of themselves and each other.”

London Women’s Cycle Racing 2012

LWCR 2012 Presentation Image © Josephine Hartfiel

It’s been another great, year for the LWCR league, sponsored by Rapha and Motion Junkies in 2012.
Rapha hosted the League Awards party last Friday at their new Rapha Cycle Club in Soho, with lots of pink, and black goodies handed out.

Lydia Boylan from Look Mum No Hands! RT finished first individual for the second year running, having maintained her position at the head of the league from start to finish. Second and third places went to Emily Bagnall of WyndyMilla UK Youth and Astrid Wingler of London Phoenix, who both put up a good fight throughout the season. The team prize was won by Look Mum No Hands! RT for the second year in a row, with WyndyMilla UK Youth and Pearson CC in second and third, respectively.

Other 2012 awards:
Most Improved Rider — Alexie Shaw, Dulwich Paragon
Best New Rider — Jasmijn Muller, Kingston Wheelers
Rapha Award: Most Tenacious Rider of the Season — Charlie Easton, Look Mum No Hands! RT
Best 3rd cat – Helen Ralson, Pearson CC
Lanterne Rouge (lowest placed rider who is present on the night) – Sarah Strong, Dulwich Paragon

Lydia commented, “I honestly didn’t think I’d win the league again this year. The talent in ladies racing in London is growing year on year. I knew this year the competition would be tough and that’s exactly how it was. The girls are really showing more tactical knowledge and racing as a team which is giving really exciting racing that always gives a deserving

LWCR 2012 Toast – Image © Josephine Hartfiel

winner at the end. It ended up being a really close match between me and Emily which meant every race in the league mattered to improve on overall points. I’m really looking forward to another exciting league next year.”

Sarah Cary of Corvida Allpress, a novice racer in 2012, said “I really enjoyed learning how to race this year. After many years of club riding, sportives and a trial circuit or two last summer, this year was a fun challenge. The start line and the first 10 minutes are always nerve-racking, but the as the season went on I got better at reading the race and started feeling confident enough to join in breaks and enjoy the competition. Everyone’s been friendly and supportive.”

The 2012 league consisted of 11 race and time trial events in London and the South East between April and August, with prizes up for grabs for both individuals and teams. With over 75 riders competing from 18 teams in 11 races from March to September, there was a big field to learn from and make friends with. The league is open to everyone, from novices to elites.

For more information visit: www.londonwomenscycleracing.com

RESULTS
Rank    Rider         Club 
                           Points
1 
Lydia Boylan – Look Mum No Hands! RT – 220
2 
Emily Bagnall – Wyndymilla UK Youth – 212
3 
Astrid Wingler – London Phoenix – 170
4 
Anna Grundy – Look Mum No Hands! RT – 166
5 
Elise Sherwell – Look Mum No Hands! RT – 162
6 Karla Boddy 
- High Wycombe CC – 160
7 
Elinor Winter 
 – Corvida Allpress – 126
8 
Helen McKay – 
Look Mum No Hands! RT – 124
9 
Helen Ralston 
 – Pearson CC – 114
10 
Joanne McRae 
 – Look Mum No Hands! RT – 108
11 
Nicole Oh 
- Pearson CC – 108
12 
Rachel Przybylski 
- Wyndymilla UK Youth – 108
13 
Alexie Shaw 
 – Dulwich Paragon – 97
14 
Julie Granshaw 
 – Wyndymilla UK Youth – 
96
15 
Coralie Glaunes 
 – Pearson CC – 95
16 
Natalie Creswick – Mulebar Girls – 
90
17 
Jasmijn Muller 
 – Kingston Wheelers – 89
18 
Maryka Sennema 
- Kingston Wheelers – 82
19 
Vikki Filsell – 
Pearson CC – 79
20 
Siobhan McNamara 
- Look Mum No Hands! RT – 78

 

 

 

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