Rapha Supercross 2015

[Chris Clague]

I wish I shared your optimism. I'd be surprised if we see it again.

[Astrid Wingler]

You may be right, especially as Tamala seems to have found an efficient way of bankrupting Rapha.

[Chris Clague]

Not really. A £25 Rapha voucher still guarantees a profit if a sale is made, otherwise it's not even the cost of a piece of paper. Rapha are not a cycling company, they're a cycle-themed clothing company. I suspect they'll think this whole thing it not worthwhile as the guys who started it have all left, the Rapha guys who were 'into' it have also gone and they handed it over to a third party to run it and this shambles happened. It's a real shame, particularly as their overseas Supercross series seem to be well promoted.

If they were to ever get behind this again, a few of us have some great ideas....

[NickTempleman]

Get yourself a nice free cap with that voucher. I get the feeling there's been a shift in strategy in NW5, there's no need to support grassroots events any more because there's other, better avenues to make money. They won't even be involved in pro events after next year, as the Sky deal won't be continued. Prestige isn't worth the effort when there's money to be made, it seems.

[Stuart]

Interesting. I just got the entry fee refunded (and not the admin fee). No vouchers, no caps, no beer. Though admittedly only the latter would hold any interest.

Maybe its because Tam actually bothered to turn up.

[Chris Clague]

Get yourself a nice free cap with that voucher. I get the feeling there's been a shift in strategy in NW5, there's no need to support grassroots events any more because there's other, better avenues to make money. They won't even be involved in pro events after next year, as the Sky deal won't be continued. Prestige isn't worth the effort when there's money to be made, it seems.

Almost looks like they're consolidating ready sell it off and retire. No costly contracts to pro teams to honour.

[Richard]

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

[Richard]

Sounds like it was a typical CSM cock up. Trying to get students to do anything in a coordinated fashion early on a Saturday morning was always going to be tricky.

[MaxReuter]

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...

As of Sunday night, I am a committee member for the Friends of Herne Hill Velodrome and will hopefully get a better insight into what was, is and will be going on. The new pavilion will be built starting in January and the HH trust got a much better lease in the process. In particular, there is now a 20 year lease for the trails behind the velodrome and plans to make that a much better venue for CX and MTB.

Hopefully these development will also bring more events (back) to the site. I'll keep you posted!

[BruceMackie]

Active Private Equity, owners of a stake in Rapha (not sure what percentage but I think it's majority) recently sold Evans cycles for a reported £100m. I understand they originally bought at £35m in 2008 so they have bit of money spare to spend on bar bills. The sale of Evans may suggest a move to other markets, as perhaps they think it has matured and there are no longer large gains to be made? Perhaps you're not far from the truth Chris...