Goodwood TTT - 10 June 2025
Tuesday 10th June saw a healthy gathering of Worthing Excelsior members gather at Goodwood Motor Racing Circuit for a 4Up Team Time Trial event (run by RCR FatCreations and supported by Strada Wheels RT - Lucentsys), involving 10 laps of the circuit, approx. 23.5 miles.
The original goal of finding four hardy individuals to test their mettle and represent the club was far exceeded by having 4 teams of four filling the sign-on office, together with another half-dozen members who had admirably come to support the club, some having ridden over in their WECC kit. This was quite a club turn-out!
With a number of elite sponsored teams competing, the WECC goal was not to flood the podium, but rather to encourage members to participate in a team event, to try a new sporting discipline, and to learn some new skills on the way. And to have a good crack!
The original goal of finding four hardy individuals to test their mettle and represent the club was far exceeded by having 4 teams of four filling the sign-on office, together with another half-dozen members who had admirably come to support the club, some having ridden over in their WECC kit. This was quite a club turn-out!
With a number of elite sponsored teams competing, the WECC goal was not to flood the podium, but rather to encourage members to participate in a team event, to try a new sporting discipline, and to learn some new skills on the way. And to have a good crack!
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So all teams were formed with a mix of experience, age and power, to comprise two Mixed teams and two Open teams, each focusing on delivering their own best performance (and maybe just a little competition between WECC teams):
Open Teams: Team Bonkers: Ben Toovey, Simon Jezard, Adam Inch, Emilio Polaco Team Last-Draft: James Amy, Mark Sole, Matt Nixon, Shaun Pimley Mixed Teams: Team Di4: Dominic Maxwell, Carlos Castro, Mark Newnham, Verity Lacey Team Drag-Stars: Steve Summers, Mat Chapman, Noah Stepney, Liz Billett |
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Prior to the event, a number of training sessions had taken place to practice the techniques required to ride at the optimum speed in a team of four. It’s harder than you think! The sessions quickly proved to be a good source of humour, and an outlet for the nerves that were starting to build.
The inevitable WhatsApp group was on fire, with a mix of subjects from leg-shaving to theoretical power required to stay in the wheel of Dom - all good stuff to entertain your partners with over dinner.
The first major hurdle was achieved by all teams being present and correct on the night (no mean feat….) Other clubs might have wondered if they were at the right event, given the sea of blue that was waiting for them as they arrived in the car park.
Pumps were in use, kit was being loaned out, race numbers were pinned onto backsides, and much discussion was taking place on where you put your timing chip. Lord Amy looked imperiously over the car park, calming the troops with his very presence.
The inevitable WhatsApp group was on fire, with a mix of subjects from leg-shaving to theoretical power required to stay in the wheel of Dom - all good stuff to entertain your partners with over dinner.
The first major hurdle was achieved by all teams being present and correct on the night (no mean feat….) Other clubs might have wondered if they were at the right event, given the sea of blue that was waiting for them as they arrived in the car park.
Pumps were in use, kit was being loaned out, race numbers were pinned onto backsides, and much discussion was taking place on where you put your timing chip. Lord Amy looked imperiously over the car park, calming the troops with his very presence.
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Eventually it was time for teams to head out on track. Each team with a separate starting time, and with 45 teams registered, it was going to be a busy night on track. And it was.
Most teams passed each other at one point, and it was great to experience the camaraderie of the teams urging each other on, boosted by the cheers from WECC members in the pit-lane grandstand.
Needless to say, all teams performed fabulously, all coming home around the hour mark. Team Di4 was the first team home, (time 57:24) hauled along by Dom’s ambition (but slowed by the amount of facial hair in the team). Drag-stars were next over the line (time 1:00:35) closely followed by the Last-Draft and Bonkers.
This meant our two Mixed teams came in before the two Open teams - demonstrating the power and guile of the women in our WECC squad! Well done Verity and Liz - top effort.
Most teams passed each other at one point, and it was great to experience the camaraderie of the teams urging each other on, boosted by the cheers from WECC members in the pit-lane grandstand.
Needless to say, all teams performed fabulously, all coming home around the hour mark. Team Di4 was the first team home, (time 57:24) hauled along by Dom’s ambition (but slowed by the amount of facial hair in the team). Drag-stars were next over the line (time 1:00:35) closely followed by the Last-Draft and Bonkers.
This meant our two Mixed teams came in before the two Open teams - demonstrating the power and guile of the women in our WECC squad! Well done Verity and Liz - top effort.
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It’s fair to say there was quite a buzz at the end. Some members had just worn a number on their back for the first time. Most of the squad had never done a team time trial before, and it was a long time since we had so many club members out competing in an event together. Whatever the experience levels, everyone had learned something for sure.
The fact that it was a team event made it all the more special. New skills and new experiences shared through new friendships. We look forward to the next time.
Thanks to Seb and the RCR team for making the event possible. And a huge thanks to Darren for capturing the action for us!
The fact that it was a team event made it all the more special. New skills and new experiences shared through new friendships. We look forward to the next time.
Thanks to Seb and the RCR team for making the event possible. And a huge thanks to Darren for capturing the action for us!
European Duathlon Championships - 26 April 2025
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One of our junior members, Noah, took to the start line to represent Great Britain at the European Duathlon Championships held in Poland.
Here's what he had to say about the event: The whole event was well organised as you'd expect it to be for such a large race but it was a good 25 minute walk from the team hotel to the start and main race HQ. It was very busy at the start line but I managed to get a good spot on the right hand side. The first 5km run began at a 3m 10s km pace which is too fast - as the group spread out a bit I dropped it down to something more comfortable and finished with an 18m 35s 5km. First transition was smooth if a little slippery running with cleats on pavement, should have left cleats on the pedals and run in socks but it wasn't carpeted to the dismount line so I felt cleats were the better option. The 20km bike was fast but very windy as the course was flat and open. Managed to jump on to a group and ride with them for around 10km but then found myself at the back before a switchback so as the front accelerated off the corner I was spat out the back and couldn't make the junction due to the headwind. Did another couple of km's on my own then picked up another group where I learned my lesson from the last corner and stayed with them until transition completing the bike course in 33m 10s. Unfortunately I cramped as I was putting on my running shoes in that transition which cost me around a minute but I managed to run through it completing the final 2.5km run in 9m 28s and finishing with a time of 1.03.58s and 7th place. |
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The Gralloch - 17 May 2025
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A very busy weekend for 8 of our first and second claim members who headed up to Scotland for The Gralloch - one of the biggest races on the UCI Gravel World Series calendar.
The race was 110km long with over 1,750m of climbing and was a chance to qualify for the Gravel World Championships being held in Limburg later this year. The top 25% of finishers in each age group would qualify.
Quote of the day - "All you roadies out there, get gravelling!" 
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