Catford CC Hill Climb Results

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

If [quote]In riding for Blue Sky Cycles for the hill climbs they haven't broken any rules, as that is their first claim CTT team.

[-Adam-]

At the end of the day, it's just a bike race.

But then I guess money talks.

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

So we can stop bickering then

[Tony]

I don't believe any fuss is being made because they won. Not from me anyway and I don't believe from any one else who has raised this either. People don't complain for arbitrary, selfish reasons like that.

The facts of the matter are that a number of people both at the time and since have expressed surprise how a team that appears never to have ridden together before can turn-up at the end of the season and win the team prize - especially as a number of their riders had associations with other distinct, separate teams. Quite rightly, it has been questioned how they managed to do that. By CTT standards it was quite a big prize too!

We know what they did was compliant with the rules. In turn that raises the question whether the rules are correct. As has been suggested in previous posts there are possible changes to the rules that may improve them. That would doubtless improve the spirit of cycling!

I'm sure this area has been looked at before and will be again. As per previous posts, the current system seems to confer an advantage on groups of riders whose road team does not CTT affiliate. That doesn't look right to me.

[Ben]

I thought it was a great spectacle to watch and may be if I get fit, compete next year, if not I will be on the sidelines cheering.

As for the team competition, what's interesting is that Evans sponsors and Co-sponsors the teams placed 2nd and 3rd, quick shuffle round on the day ?

[kieran]

blue sky cycles - a bike shop in Hoddesdon (Herts) with a race team, is that them?

I think one thing that shows up here is people different peceptions of what a 'team' is. To some it is obviously more than just a group of cyclists grouped together for an event and should have some history behind it etc

One question in my mind is seeing as they'd never raced as a team before, why did they enter as a team? They could all have entered as individuals. What meaning does winning a team competition mean for people who just got together for this specific race? Have they trained together, shared loses, suffered together etc? A team in name only?

My guess is some publicity for Blue Sky Cycles (and they're getting it, a thread also on veloriders forum)

[Andrew G]

Apologies if I was misinformed about Dave Clarke, and I'm not suggesting Blue Sky shouldn't compete because I've not heard of them (I have heard of Blue bikes though). I also agree that it adds to the occaision to have big names riding.

It's never going to affect me personally, and I'll never be in a team that contests prizes.

I only think it's a bit unfair for people to (if they did, and again apologies if misinformed) ride for a team that isn't their 1st claim club/team to split a large prize pot. That said Evans sponsor the event and have a lot of top hill climbers so 9 out of 10 times they'd be giving the money to their own riders.

I know I can be old fashioned in some of my views, but it seems a shame that such a minor branch of a minority sport seems to be throwing up certain comments. (Not just me I've seen others on other forums, again I can't comment for the validity). Dave Clarke for example has ridden the Premier Calendar unattached all year, so why if he was such a part of the Blue Sky outfit did he not wear their jersey in any of these events - he even rode in plain colours on Sunday. The team prize in these CTT events is meant to go to the club with the best placed riders, if you start having composite teams and expecting ACC to compete it is hardly fair. Even Hutch, Tadros and co are valid members of In-Gear and ride in their colours all year even if they don't train together, so I have no problem with pro / semi-pro outfits competing. It's taking the piss if they then start manipulating this to beat the likes of Bec CC.

Clarke rode for HBM Mercia CC in the Halifax HC [url]http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/Clarke_beats_Dobbin_in_Halifax_Road_Club_HillClimb_article_150613.html[/url]

[Elliot M]

aside from that, some good ACC photos on the LCS site: http://www.londoncyclesport.com/editori ... p?uegn=503

i like this one of Jon: http://www.londoncyclesport.com/editori ... 46&sp=&v=1

[Sylv]

Seen this pic before?

[img]http://www.badbean.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/catford2007_6.jpg[/img]

http://www.badbean.com/blog/?p=459#more-459