SCA 30 mile championships - 19th July 2026
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A great showing from WECC this morning at the SCA 30 mile championships.
Ian C (TT) - 1.12.29 4th Simon J (TT) - 1.13.63 5th Mat (RB) - 1.14.52 8th Vez (TT) - 1.21.16 13th and 1st female. To cap it off Ian, Simon and Mat won the team prize as well. Not bad when Mat and Simon had never ridden a 30. |
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Marly Grav 150km UCI Gravel Race 50-54 - 9th May 2026
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I’d been training hard for this over the winter months, but my meticulous preparation was undone a week before the race when I realised it was actually 35 miles longer than I thought.
I’ve raced the Gralloch twice and been completely gassed at the end — and that’s only four hours, not 5.5! Add in racing against Dutch and Belgian masters and things were definitely going to get interesting. 😬 James Amy, Chris White and I were all due to race, but two weeks beforehand James and I both crashed on different parts of the same ride. I escaped with road rash and some bike damage, but unfortunately James’ crash was more serious and meant he’d have to miss Marly Grav. |
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His loss was my gain though, because I’d recruited a first-class soigneur for the trip. (Apparently post-race leg massages were not included in his duties 😂).
We set off for Holland on Friday via the tunnel and arrived in Valkenburg around 5:30pm. Being the cheapest hotel in Valkenburg, I can only describe it as resembling Butlins… but what a town Valkenburg is. Absolutely stunning. I’d highly recommend visiting, even without bicycles.
After a fine breakfast on Saturday morning, we met Chris at the Shimano Experience Centre and headed out to recce one lap of the three-lap course. It was brilliant having James with us for his first outdoor ride since the crash, and he was buzzing just to be riding again. I think racing must have crossed his mind — the legs were there — but his chest and lungs still weren’t fully recovered.
The course started with the Cauberg, famous from the Amstel Gold Race, before heading onto a sketchy muddy descent a few miles later that looked certain to claim a few riders the next day. We all agreed we’d take it easy there in the race.
We stopped for tiffin where I had possibly the best cake I’ve ever eaten. I’m pretty sure we also chatted to Tim Declercq… although it could equally have been another very tall Belgian. We definitely saw Lorena Wiebes, the Gravel World Champion, looking immaculate in the rainbow bands.
We also met a Dutch beach racer called Martin and shared coffee and cake with him. You get the feeling the cycling community in Holland is completely interconnected — everyone seemed to know everyone.
And did I mention the weather? Absolutely glorious for both the recce and race day.
On race day we got to the start pen an hour early, but the organisation was actually far better than the Gralloch. Licensed racers and non-licensed riders were separated, meaning you didn’t need to camp overnight at the barriers just to avoid starting at the back.
James was once again the perfect soigneuer — delivering espressos and looking after our discarded clothing. I’d asked him to meet me with carb bottles at 50km and 100km and had sent him a route to the feed locations.
The race started straight up the Cauberg. If you’ve seen the Amstel Gold Race, you’ll know it’s a steep three-minute road climb.
As soon as we started I was doing 500 watts. Halfway up I was still doing 400 watts… and getting dropped. I waved goodbye to any hopes of World Championship qualification as three quarters of the licensed field disappeared over the top.
Then came the sketchy descent and the race really got underway.
Lap one actually felt pretty good. I kept the power on and settled into a decent rhythm.
At the end of lap one I looked out for James at 50km… but he wasn’t there! I’d already emptied both bottles and started worrying about getting through another lap. Thankfully people were handing out bottles around the course, so after stopping and asking very nicely, I managed to scrounge one.
Then, 10km later, I was greeted by the beautiful sight of James standing exactly where I’d directed him to be — just not where I thought the feed zone was.
Quick bottle swap and off again.
I did lose about a minute because I absolutely had to stop for a pee. Apparently Wout van Aert did too… but he must’ve peed quicker than me given he went on to win.
Halfway through lap two — around 75km — the wheels physically came off. Cramp became a constant issue. Gravel racing is relentless compared to road racing because you’re almost always on the pedals, and my legs finally made me pay for the earlier efforts.
There were a few points where I had to back right off to around 200 watts just to spin the cramps away. I’d also completely blown my doors, so by the final steep climbs on lap three I’d become more of a slow-moving obstacle for others to dodge.
From 120km onwards it was simply a countdown to the finish. My revised target became very straightforward: just finish.
Crossing the line was a huge relief. It was painful — really painful at times — but I loved every minute of the weekend.
James and Chris were brilliant company throughout, and my favourite moment of the whole trip was probably sitting in the sunshine after the race sharing a Kwaremont beer together.
Reflecting on it afterwards, if you want to qualify for the Worlds in Belgium or Holland, you genuinely need to be operating at near-pro level. The standard is outrageously high.
Race Stats:
Distance: 95 miles / 150km
Elevation: 4,974ft
Cauberg: 2:33 @ 406w
Average Power: 212w
Normalised Power: 247w
TSS: 324
Calories Burned: 4,655
Time: 5:30
Placing: 57th / 120
We set off for Holland on Friday via the tunnel and arrived in Valkenburg around 5:30pm. Being the cheapest hotel in Valkenburg, I can only describe it as resembling Butlins… but what a town Valkenburg is. Absolutely stunning. I’d highly recommend visiting, even without bicycles.
After a fine breakfast on Saturday morning, we met Chris at the Shimano Experience Centre and headed out to recce one lap of the three-lap course. It was brilliant having James with us for his first outdoor ride since the crash, and he was buzzing just to be riding again. I think racing must have crossed his mind — the legs were there — but his chest and lungs still weren’t fully recovered.
The course started with the Cauberg, famous from the Amstel Gold Race, before heading onto a sketchy muddy descent a few miles later that looked certain to claim a few riders the next day. We all agreed we’d take it easy there in the race.
We stopped for tiffin where I had possibly the best cake I’ve ever eaten. I’m pretty sure we also chatted to Tim Declercq… although it could equally have been another very tall Belgian. We definitely saw Lorena Wiebes, the Gravel World Champion, looking immaculate in the rainbow bands.
We also met a Dutch beach racer called Martin and shared coffee and cake with him. You get the feeling the cycling community in Holland is completely interconnected — everyone seemed to know everyone.
And did I mention the weather? Absolutely glorious for both the recce and race day.
On race day we got to the start pen an hour early, but the organisation was actually far better than the Gralloch. Licensed racers and non-licensed riders were separated, meaning you didn’t need to camp overnight at the barriers just to avoid starting at the back.
James was once again the perfect soigneuer — delivering espressos and looking after our discarded clothing. I’d asked him to meet me with carb bottles at 50km and 100km and had sent him a route to the feed locations.
The race started straight up the Cauberg. If you’ve seen the Amstel Gold Race, you’ll know it’s a steep three-minute road climb.
As soon as we started I was doing 500 watts. Halfway up I was still doing 400 watts… and getting dropped. I waved goodbye to any hopes of World Championship qualification as three quarters of the licensed field disappeared over the top.
Then came the sketchy descent and the race really got underway.
Lap one actually felt pretty good. I kept the power on and settled into a decent rhythm.
At the end of lap one I looked out for James at 50km… but he wasn’t there! I’d already emptied both bottles and started worrying about getting through another lap. Thankfully people were handing out bottles around the course, so after stopping and asking very nicely, I managed to scrounge one.
Then, 10km later, I was greeted by the beautiful sight of James standing exactly where I’d directed him to be — just not where I thought the feed zone was.
Quick bottle swap and off again.
I did lose about a minute because I absolutely had to stop for a pee. Apparently Wout van Aert did too… but he must’ve peed quicker than me given he went on to win.
Halfway through lap two — around 75km — the wheels physically came off. Cramp became a constant issue. Gravel racing is relentless compared to road racing because you’re almost always on the pedals, and my legs finally made me pay for the earlier efforts.
There were a few points where I had to back right off to around 200 watts just to spin the cramps away. I’d also completely blown my doors, so by the final steep climbs on lap three I’d become more of a slow-moving obstacle for others to dodge.
From 120km onwards it was simply a countdown to the finish. My revised target became very straightforward: just finish.
Crossing the line was a huge relief. It was painful — really painful at times — but I loved every minute of the weekend.
James and Chris were brilliant company throughout, and my favourite moment of the whole trip was probably sitting in the sunshine after the race sharing a Kwaremont beer together.
Reflecting on it afterwards, if you want to qualify for the Worlds in Belgium or Holland, you genuinely need to be operating at near-pro level. The standard is outrageously high.
Race Stats:
Distance: 95 miles / 150km
Elevation: 4,974ft
Cauberg: 2:33 @ 406w
Average Power: 212w
Normalised Power: 247w
TSS: 324
Calories Burned: 4,655
Time: 5:30
Placing: 57th / 120
Wiltshire Classic Sportive (UKCE) - 15 March 2026
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After all the wet weather endured over winter, it was a fabulous sign that the sun was forecast for our first road Sportive of the season, taking place on rolling hills of Wiltshire in an event organised by UK Cycling Events*.
Sportives like this give an opportunity to ride a curated route through some of the best English countryside, and starting from Salisbury racecourse this was only a short trip for the riders from Worthing Excelsior. While the clear skies did deliver on the promised sunshine, it did also mean you were chipping ice off the car windscreen to the sound of the larks, and the wise man still chose a long-sleeved jersey for the event. In true WECC fashion, despite having agreed we’d all go off the line together, we ended up going in three entirely separate waves, giving the fast trio of John, Carlos and Dom something to chase down. As it turned out, Dom would be chasing all day. Ben made strong solo progress, when not surfing the wheels of other riding groups, while Steve and Robin attempted a 72 mile 2Up time trial. This was working well up until the point Robin had a dispute with his bike and parted company. Luckily both bike and rider bounced off the grass bank and avoided a plunge into the river. Only to then see Carlos and John pass through, eventually followed by Dom. The weather held up, the village pubs looked inviting (but were ignored), and most of the overtaking seemed to be done by the boys in royal blue. Of course many of the other entrants were enjoying a relaxed and social day out (perfect!), whereas the fact that we had a number on our backs and a timing chip on our helmet, meant we were taking it all rather seriously, but nevertheless having a great time. |
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All riders made it safely to the finish, after a cracking ride; one to kick off the season and test your fitness. Much banter was to be had over the WhatsApp group, about who exactly had been gifting victory to who, and excuses about punctures and ‘the wrong bike’, but the timing chips tell the real story, and the club points were awarded accordingly.
We now look forward to the New Forest Classic, where 22 WECC members will be mixing it with the wildlife, along with their equally unruly club mates.
Members of Worthing Excelsior CC enjoy a club discount from UKCE events, who provide a range of excellent sportives across the south of England.
We now look forward to the New Forest Classic, where 22 WECC members will be mixing it with the wildlife, along with their equally unruly club mates.
Members of Worthing Excelsior CC enjoy a club discount from UKCE events, who provide a range of excellent sportives across the south of England.
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Sportive Trophy Standings
Rider |
Total Points |
Participation pts |
Pts AG/dist. |
John McGrath |
8 |
3 |
5 |
Carlos Castro |
7 |
3 |
4 |
Dom Maxwell |
6 |
3 |
3 |
Rob Lenharth |
5 |
3 |
2 |
Steve Summers |
4 |
3 |
1 |
Ben Cooper |
3 |
3 |
