44th Perfs Pedal Road Race
February 8, 2009; Rowlands Castle, Hampshire
by Larry Hickmott (the live report)
Photo Albums: More photos in the galleries, 1 is from Graham Robins, 2 is from Larry Hickmott
A lone and very happy winner, William Bjergfelt for Sport Beans/Wilier.
The Velo Club St Raphael/Waite Contracts/Hewitt Cycles Perfs Pedal kicked off the 2009 road season on February 8 in Hampshire on the roads around Rowlands Castle. This race is a true British classic with a host of classic winners and joining them after his victory today is William Bjergelt who the race ahead of Steven Calland and Alex Murison.
After a week of freezing weather, the day dawned cold and dry for the 44th Perfs Pedal Road Race held around the historic village of Rowlands Castle. The organiser Mick Waite and Tim Knight, spent the morning putting down 25 kilograms of salt on the road and Chief of the NEG, Colin Docker said it was okay to go at 11.30 after talking to chief comm Tim Knight.
A break of around six riders got away early on but failed to make the break stick.
As the hours went past, the temperatures rose as the sun came out and at 11.30am, a field of around 80 riders lined up outside the Robin Hood public house as they have for the last few years and were soon on there way under the railway bridge and onto the circuit.
With no wind, and only long drags for climbs, the field was pretty all together when I saw them as they came through Forestside for the first time. Off the front by a few seconds was Justin Hoy but no-one was getting far. Half a lap later, and a small group had managed to get a gap but it was a few seconds and the next time they came past, the field was together again although riders could be seen applying the pressure on the front.
There seemed to be just as much action at the back of the peloton than at the front with puncture victims keeping the Liphook Cycles neutral spares car busy as riders punctured on the gritty circuit, more so towards the end of the race than at the start apparently.
As for the field staying together, it didn't appear to be a lack of trying at the front of the bunch but a lack of hard conditions that kept them compact. More lone attackers tried though and the field came right back at them. Peter Dibben had a good spell off the front and was joined by one of the host clubs riders, VC St Raphael, but it was to no avail. Last time through it was all together and it looked like a bunch sprint. It wasn't.
Justin Hoy acclimatises in the Perfs after getting back from a holiday in the sun.
As we waited for the race to come to us, a lone rider could be seen and it was William Bjergfelt, who has come to the road from mountain biking, who was leading the race home. The Sport Beans/Wilier rider had attacked at Rowlands Castle after his teammate, Marcin Bialoblocki, had been caught after his attack. William was first past a group of horse riders and was well on his way to victory but there was trouble for the riders as the bunch came past the horses.
The leaders chasing Bjergfelt apparently got past okay but the horses then impeded the riders at the back of the bunch or at least that was one rider's account. Other riders spoke of a young girl being thrown off her horse and then attended to by the race medical officier. The organiser later explained that farms on the course had been emailed to be warned of the race being held.
Despite the incident with the horses, the race carried on however and Bjergfelt crossed the line well clear of the bunch where Steve Calland (Norwood Paragon) won a big bunch gallop on the narrow roads packed with people. Third, was junior Alex Murison of the Glendene CC.
Bjergfelt attacking on the far side of the course to try and split it.
William Bjergfelt: “I have just switched over to the road racing scene this year. I have always been a mountain biker in the past and Simon Richardson is a good friend of mine, and he said I should have a crack at the road. Last year I did a couple of Premier Calendar races, was fifth in the Tour of Pendle and Rob Hayles said I should have a proper crack at it next year.”
“I have known Ben Luckwell and Marcin for a couple of years now and they said to us, we’ll look after you so I have taken up a deal with Sport Beans/Wilier and this was my first race with them so I’m over the moon with the first win!”
“There were a lot of horses on that climb most laps and when I went past them, they were as good as gold. To be honest, I was already 15 seconds up the road and on my own by then. Marcin and I had an agreement that if he attacked and was caught, I would attack straight afterwards. We rode to our own plan, as a team and split the winnings between us, and it worked out really well for us.”
Asked if he was worried about a bunch finish, William replied “not at all. Had it come down to a bunch sprint, I would have lead Marcin out but the pair of us were always going to attack come the last few climbs and have a crack at splitting it.”
On the course “I am amazed it happened. I live in Bristol and on Friday we had five or six inches of snow. A very good friend I train with, Oli Beckingsale, he rang me and asked if I was good to go to Majorca on Sunday morning – there is no way the Perfs will be on because of the snow he said. I was very close to cracking and going off to Majorca but I checked the website and it said the race was on, and the first race of the year is a big one especially for us southern guys so I’m over the moon to win such a classic”.
“It’s races like this and the Severn Bridge Road Race and then its straight into the Premier Calendar. It means a lot to win this race for me personally.”
William and the team now have their team training camp in two weeks in Spain.
Steve Calland wins the sprint for second place.
Steve Calland (2nd): Fresh from a skiing holiday, the Norwood Paragon rider explained “I don’t think the incident with the horses affected things that much. I was pretty much riding top 20 as that was where I felt I had to be with 4k to go and when I looked over my shoulder, it was lined out. It was already hard and the gaps were starting to appear. It all came together before we turned left to come back down though. It didn’t affect the result as the guy would have won it anyway.”
On whether there was a chase for the eventual winner, Steve replied “not really. Marcin who was fourth was riding second wheel and discouraging everything and because it was a headwind up the hill, people were not willing to commit. A couple of guys had a go but they died straight away. Everyone was just saving it and starting to fan out which was probably the only reason I was still there because I had struggled the lap before after only getting back from a week long skiing trip yesterday.”
Racing in the winter I asked? “Team mates have been asking me to do the winter series but its too early! I’m not racing again for four weeks but I live locally. I have been doing more than I normally do because I want to ride some bigger races. For the last few years, I have ridden out to see this race and have wished I was riding so this year I entered and am really pleased I did.”
On his club, he says “what is great about our club is we’re not sponsored so nobody gets any kit free, everyone rides for each other out of team spirit and there is no one saying you have to do this or that and I can ride what ever races I want. There is always one person who puts a lot of effort in for a club and in ours its Marcus who does club runs and that. It’s a great club”
Footnote: I would just like to add my thanks to Mick Waite and his team for their help on the day in bringing this report to you and the efforts they went to in order for this prestigious race to go ahead. As well as the thanks from many of the riders who appreciated the organiser's efforts to keep the race going, sadly, there were also public displays of strong criticism for the race officials from at least one rider as well as some members of the public. Some related to the incident at the end of the race and other to do with simply racing on the road.
Such public criticism and arguing is enough to test even the most dedicated of organiser and/or those in his team, and it would be a shame if the calendar was to lose such a race as it has such a great history. All of us who have grown to love this race over 40 years or more, hope that for next year, Mick and his team of officials can return with the event, either at Rowlands Castle or another suitable venue.
Comment: We would remind all members, whether they be riders, organisers or race officials that upon joining British Cycling they sign up to the organisation's code of conduct (link - Policies). The future of the sport depends on maintaining the mutual respect between competitors and officials which cycling rightly prides itself in. It would be a tragedy if the sport were to follow the example of some of the other sports where this relationship has been eroded and where post-event comment is often as much about inter-personal confrontations as it about genuine sporting action and achievement.
Photos
The race is neutralised as it leaves Rowlands Castle.
The race had marshalls on all the corners as well as NEG outriders.
A rider often seen at the front of the race driving it, also punctured and awaits service in Rowlands Castle.
Peter Dibben attacks up the hill out of Rowlands Castle
Peter was joined by a rider from VC ST Rapael/Waite Contracts.
A very talented rider, Yanto Barker, was seen in the peloton and finished 19th.
Results
1. Will BJERGFELT Sports Beans-Willier
2. Steve CALLAND Norwood Paragon CC
3. Alex MURISON Glendene CC / Bike Trax
4. Marcin BIALOBLOCKI Sports Beans-Willier
5. Andrew MAGNIER Planet X / Planet X
6. Alistair CARR COC Fougeres
7. David SINCLAIR GWR Team / Giant / 3Vi / Swindon Cycles / Spiuk / High5
8. Chris McNAMARA Team Corley-Cervelo /Phil Corley Cycles /Cervelo
9. Colin PARRY VC St Raphaël / Waite Contracts / Hewitt Cycles
10. Alex HIGHAM Wyndymilla
11. Joshua CUNNINGHAM In-Gear Development Squad / One Life Sport & Leisure
12. Flavio ZAPPI Oxford University CC
13. Rob FLETCHER Anders Electronics / TMG Horizon
14. Richard MASON Fit-For -Cycles Dauphin / Cycles Dauphin / For Goodness Shakes / Merckx Bikes
15. Jerone WALTERS Sigma Sport / Specialized / Sportful RT
16. Joe PERRETT Glendene CC / Bike Trax
17. Perry BOWATER CC Giro
18. Ben ANSTIE Chippenham & District Wheelers
19. Yanto BARKER Lecol-Colnagno
20. David CREGGAN VC Meudon / Excel / Tiger / Cycle Kingdom
21. Peter DIBBEN Hargroves Cycles / Trant / Next / Gsi
22. Roger SMITH Wildside 707 RT / Wildside / Ewhurst Controls
23. James STEWART Kinesis KUK– Kinesis KUK Upgrade / Powerbar
24. Richard HOULT London Dynamo / Cyclefit
25. Warren JESSE Felt Racing
26. George RICHARDSON Pendragon – Kalas / Pendragon Sports / Kalas / High 5
27. Simon ERNEST awcycles.co.uk / Onefish Twofish/Giant Bikes/Fulcrum Wheels/AW Cycles.co.uk
28. Matthew ULLMER Evesham & District Wheelers CC
29. Ben STOCKDALE Qoroz Novatec
30. Richard COOK Velo Club Montpellier / Dataform / Jsolutions / CPLC / McInnes Communication
31. Jack ADAMS Pendragon – Kalas / Pendragon Sports / Kalas / High 5
32. John WHITTINGTON Bristol Cycling Development Squad
33. Tom HEMMANT London Dynamo / Cyclefit
34. John HEATON-ARMSTRONG Fit-For -Cycles Dauphin / Cycles Dauphin / For Goodness Shakes / Merckx Bikes
35. Geoffrey LULHAM Mule Bar / Mule Bar
36. Henry FURNISS Wyndymilla
37. Simon Mc NAMARA Wildside 707 RT / Wildside / Ewhurst Controls
38. Steve GOLLA Sigma Sport / Specialized / Sportful RT
39. Tom STOCKDALE MJS Racing / MJSection / Independent Chauffeur Services / IFP Insurance / Echelon Cycles
40. Sam ALLEN awcycles.co.uk / Onefish Twofish/Giant Bikes/Fulcrum Wheels/AW Cycles.co.uk
41. Phill SYKES VC St Raphaël / Waite Contracts / Hewitt Cycles
42. Andrew BRIGGS Fit-For -Cycles Dauphin / Cycles Dauphin / For Goodness Shakes / Merckx Bikes
43. Joe HEMMANT London Dynamo / Cyclefit
44. Doug BALDOCK In-Gear Development Squad / One Life Sport & Leisure
45. Matt EWINGS Pendragon – Kalas / Pendragon Sports / Kalas / High 5
46. Douglas DEWEY Pendragon – Kalas / Pendragon Sports / Kalas / High 5
47. Richard TANGUY Pendragon – Kalas / Pendragon Sports / Kalas / High 5
48. Keith JARRETT VC Meudon / Excel / Tiger / Cycle Kingdom
49. Justin HOY Felt Racing
50. Rowan HORNER VC St Raphaël / Waite Contracts / Hewitt Cycles
51. Kevin KNOX Dulwich Paragon
52. Philip JONES Dulwich Paragon
53. Andrew HITCHENS Mid Devon CC / Colin Lewis Cycles
54. Toby NEAVE Southdown Velo / Geared Bikes / Huntersprings Consultancy
55. Samuel PARKER Oxford University CC
56. Jaco EHLERS In-Gear Development Squad / One Life Sport & Leisure
57. Sam REDDING GWR Team / Giant / 3Vi / Swindon Cycles / Spiuk / High5
58. Tom SMITH awcycles.co.uk / Onefish Twofish/Giant Bikes/Fulcrum Wheels/AW Cycles.co.uk
59. Harry BULSTRODE Thames Velo
60. Jake MARTIN Rapha Condor / Rapha / Shimano / Condor
61. Jason EDWARDS Wildside 707 RT / Wildside / Ewhurst Controls
62. Henry MARTIN Oxford University CC
63. Peter WAGER VC Meudon / Excel / Tiger / Cycle Kingdom
RELATED LINKS
Report: 2008 Perfs Pedal 43rd Edition
Report: 2007 Perfs Pedal 42nd Edition
Report: 2006 Perfs Pedal 41st Edition