Rapha Supercross 2015

[WillBeresford]

Fountains wont be needed if the weather is anything to go by.

[Stuart]

Good luck supercrossers. Stay safe.

[StevenDrew]

https://www.instagram.com/p/-Ek_heADvP/

[TamalaMcgee]

Not sure what happened. Kids races supposed to start at 10.30am. At 12.30 they were let onto the course to warm up. Very nice marshalls but no one seemed to know what was going on and the course was basically built this morning I think. Racing started at 1pm. My boy was going well in 2nd place in the U8s, him and the leader way out in front but then he went down on the tiled internal floor. He was fine but the very nice marshall made a fuss which of couse is the last thing you should do and then we had tears...My other boy fared better in the U10s. He insisted on taking his BMX and came 6th against all the others on their racing bikes! As soon as I saw the course I knew I would not race - not enough straight bits, would have been a bit like racing round an airport queuing system but on wet shiny concrete. A girl gave me money for my place and I just found out that the later races were cancelled anyway...The village was great as was the venue on a drier day but the course building and race organisation was lacking to say the least. Not the usual presentation for Rapha...

[Astrid Wingler]

Not the usual presentation for Rapha...

I think they've never been great at organising cross races, and this year they were clearly lacking the London Phoenix input. A shame really as with the right promotion through Rapha this could have supported the cyclocross scene in London and beyond. But this also shows what a great job those in our club do who have been responsible for organising races.

[Chris Clague]

It's one of those occasions where I don't feel great about saying it but this was entirely predictable, unfortunately. It will do more harm than good to CX. This was always a circus, but it seems to have descended into farce. They're offering refunds so will presumably lose money too. I'd be surprised if we see the Supercross again in London any time soon (at least as a Rapha event).

[Astrid Wingler]

And there's no more Muddy Hell either, as that clashed with Supercross.
I'm not sure losing the money by paying refunds is such a big issue for Rapha, they'll probably lose more by damage to their brand image.

[Chris Clague]

I take your point, but I don't think they could be accused of over-promoting these events.

[MichelleForster]

The big question is, did anyone turn up on a motocross bike?

[Stuart]

Does sound like an embarrassing farce. And yes, I still bemoan the loss of Muddy Hell. That was my favourite CX race bar none. I think the combination of RSX and also the redevelopment of Herne Hill, making it harder to lay out a cross course, put paid to that.

[Chris Clague]

I never went to muddy hell. My only knowledge is mr Newmans photo

I understand that they have acquired more land and that Max may know more about this with regards to CX. Maybe this presents an opportunity...

[TamalaMcgee]

Nice touch that I just had all entry fees refunded. I hadn't even asked and my daughter didn't even turn up to race. Feel a bit bad as I sold my place to a woman who for some reason was desperate to race and then I left, later finding out that the race was cancelled. So I'm actually up on the deal! I have no idea who she was, so can't put it right!

[TamalaMcgee]

Gets even better. Email from Rapha now apologising for general poor show and saying that people didn't get their complimentary caps, please accept £25 voucher in lieu x 4. Quids up.

[MichelleForster]

"Quick, throw money at it! Lots of money!"

[Astrid Wingler]

It sounds as if there was even free beer too for those who stayed. Good that Rapha have realised that they've got this wrong. Hopefully, it's back to basics next year.