A British race organiser has incurred a significant financial setback after a fallen tree led to the cancellation of a major cycling event. The Wally Gimber Trophy, hosted by Dulwich Paragon CC, was called off on Sunday when a large tree obstructed the course, and tree surgeons were unable to clear it in time.
The National B race, which has seen winners such as Sir Bradley Wiggins, was scheduled to take place in Surrey, with around 80 riders and 50 volunteers in attendance. However, the event was cancelled after it became clear that the course could not be cleared in time for the scheduled start.
Patrick Hawkins, the race organiser, expressed his disappointment in comments shared with Cycling Weekly. “We were bitterly disappointed to have to cancel the race,” he said. “At 8:30 AM, we faced two major obstacles: emergency traffic lights on the course and a large tree blocking the road, bringing down a phone line and causing a full closure.”
Though the traffic lights were removed by 9:30 AM, the contractor needed to clear the tree was unavailable. The race’s start time was delayed to 1 PM, with a final decision to be made two hours before the scheduled start. However, by 11 AM, the tree was still in place, and no tree surgeons had arrived, leaving organisers with no option but to call off the race.
In the aftermath, Dulwich Paragon CC faced a “hefty financial loss.” The club refunded all rider entry fees and also had to cover costs for catering, venue hire, and medical staff. The total financial impact was over £1,000. Hawkins noted, “That money belongs to our members, and we wondered if British Cycling could assist clubs with the financial risks involved in hosting events.”
The cancellation marks the second time in three years that the Wally Gimber Trophy has been called off. The 2023 race was cancelled following a collision between a rider and a vehicle, while the 2024 edition nearly faced cancellation due to a shortage of accredited marshals.
Despite the setback, Hawkins remained hopeful, stating, “While we’re disappointed, we’re heartened by the supportive response we’ve received, and we plan to be back next year.”
This year’s edition of the Wally Gimber Trophy was set to be its 65th, first held in 1960. The event continues to be a staple in British cycling, but as costs rise and participation dwindles, grassroots cycling clubs are finding it increasingly difficult to organise races.
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