Mid Devon Cycling Club Awards Night / AGM 2023
After a fantastic year for the club with 450 riders enjoying a great Social side and Racing, with many of the youth riders are trying to form path ways like the riders before them, with the rich history and a reputation for producing some of the country’s leading riders including Tour de France riders Colin Lewis and Jeremy Hunt, Yanto Barker and more recently riders like Harrison Wood and Harry Birchill have progressed from our Junior ranks to the highest levels of the sport. Pfeiffer Georgi, who currently rides for UCI Women’s World Team Team dsm-firmenich. She won the 2023 British National Road Race Championships.
The club has enjoyed one of it’s most successful years of racing, dominating the South West racing scene and retaining it’s status as the top ranked club in the region and the third highest ranked club of our type nationally. We’ve benefited from the progression of our Junior and U23 riders which is built on a stable base of seniors who are keen to share their experience and pass on their hard earned knowledge. As always it’s a team effort with 15 riders contributing to the points tally, but stand out contributions came from Felix Whetter achieving 1st category status and James Williams heading up the regional standing. For 2023 the club introduced a bonus system to reward riders for their seasons points tally and placings, an evening was held at Café 360 to celebrate their successes and this was well received
This year saw the return of the promotion of the Grand Prix De La Jumelage organised by our twin club the Velo Club Bocage in Vire. We gained an invite to the event with six riders and two support staff enjoying the hospitality and gaining experience from a higher level of racing. The event inspired two riders Henry Howells and Callum Start to compete in France once they had completed their study’s. Some hard work and good results has led to both riders gaining places in French teams for the 2024 season.
MDCC ran a number of time trials including the Teign Valley Hilly on Easter Friday organised by Andy Perkins attracting a good field of over 45 riders with James Pearcy being the first club rider finishing in second with a time 46.50; the 10 mile TT held on the S4 Buckfastleigh course on 17 May saw Callum Start finishing third with 19:54. On 16 July the club promoted the 25 mile TT organised by Peter Loader and incorporating the SW District Championships again on the Buckfastleigh course (James Pearcy again being first MDCC rider) and the Haytor and Widdecombe Hill Climbs 23 September organised by Lee Sanderson which were won by ex hill climb National Champion Ed Laverack and current hill climb champion Andrew Feather respectively. Unfortunately, a number of events over the season had to be cancelled because of weather and road works. MDCC were selected to run the National Circuit Series Championship incorporating the Ken Robertson Memorial on 11 June. The course was a circuit covered twice around the Modbury and Ermington course. Ron Keegan was the guest of honour and fittingly praised Ken for his massive contribution to cycling after which he presented the prizes. There were a number of notable club performances including Piers Mahn and Robin Delve with the overall win going to Will Lowden of HUUB Watt Shop. Along with other helpers for this event of which there were over twenty, MDCC wish to thank everyone who gave up their time for to assist in running these events. Other achievements were a personal best of 19:03 by James Pearcy and 19:33 in the 10 mile TT Icknield event 16 September, Don Brooks won the Plymouth Corinthian 50 in 1:47:46 in June. Andy Perkins won a number of South West TTs coming back to top form and Felix Whetter won the Penzance Wheelers 10. Peter Loader, Steve Dummett and Kevin Weymouth improved their times from last season. A number of riders travelled outside of the SW with Ian Deakin and Mark Sanders competing in the UCI masters events in Scotland
Youth academy for CX, MTB and Road, In 2023, the youth academy had an exceptional year as 20 young riders displayed their dominance in the south-west region across three different disciplines: mountain biking, cyclocross, and road cycling. These talented riders ranged from under 8 to under 16 years old and achieved an impressive total of 113 podium finishes. Among these podiums, 43 were earned on the road, 31 in mountain biking, and 52 in cyclocross. Notably, Jacob Start made history for the club by winning a stage in a national stage race in his category, while Bayley Woodger displayed great determination and won the combativity award in the same race for under 14 boys. In the under 14 girls category, Lauren Fox achieved a significant milestone by securing a 3rd place finish at the National Trophy cyclocross event held at Cyclopark Kent.
Furthermore, Edward Fraile-Whysall and Bayley Woodger had the opportunity to participate in European racing, competing in the European Youth Tour in Assen, a prestigious 5-day stage race. They showcased their skill.
The club had plenty of riders in action across the categories in the South West Cyclocross League as well as Western League and Wessex League visits, trips to Belgium and also the National Trophy Series that the club also hosted again at the Velopark. In the South West League overall James Bovey claimed 3rd in Vet 50 Men with Cath Kilburn winning the Vet 50 Women. Emily Simcock claimed a 4th spot in Vet 40 Women consistently riding 6 of the 8 events. Ed Selwood took the Junior Men’s overall with some impressive rides against tough competition. In Belgium, Robin Delve claimed a win at Kermiscross in the Vet 60 race as well as winning three South West League races in Vet 60
There have been some great XC MTB events across the region with the Soggy Bottom events and the South West XC Series. We don’t have as many riders across the adult age groups but some notable results from James Bovey in the South West XC Series finishing 4th Overall in Grand Vet. He also gained a podiums at Soggy Bottom Series at Newnham Park. Andy Taylor also producing some strong rides in Vets. With the Cyclocross season drawing to a close soon, hopefully many club riders will shift focus to MTB and Gravel events.
Club gravel rides have been taking place on the first Saturday of each month for a while now and gaining in popularity to increase frequency of rides. A number of club riders also raced in the UCI Gravel World Champs qualifiers among other organised events around the UK and Europe. Robin Delve headed to Holland for the UCI Gravel event and gained 4th, then onto Poland to take 1st place with a 30 minute lead! While on his euro-trip he also raced the UEC/ UCI European hillclimb championships up the half cobbled 8 mile 3000ft St Gothards Pass in Switzerland and took the win in his age group.
For 2024 we are proposing a gravel route for the Dartmoor Classic to further increase the interest in one of the clubs most important events of the year. February’s Gravel ride will aim to recce this in full.
However the Mid Devon isn’t just about elite competition and the club holds regular club and training rides (at 8 different ability levels), social events 50 members enjoyed the 2 long weekend trips to Brittany and 40 have signed up for this year where we have both Perros-Gueric and Le Faou & Huelgoat as an alternative option. . The club van has made these trips much more flexible and we can now offer rides starting at 50 miles and thus open to all abilities and still great value. The ride back from Barnstaple was again very popular and benefitted from dry weather. The 2024 event will start at Looe in Cornwall on 7th April, booking opens in a few days for those who have renewed their membership. ‘Away Day’ rides have continued with East Devon being a regular but also Looe and Exmoor have all enticed members onto different routes. The Ken Memorial Autumn Leaves ride to Exmoor for once had better weather provided you didn’t ride to slow or fast and catch a sharp shower. A definite highlight was the 2 week Channel to Med ride with Peak Tours in September saw 12 riders joined by 4 Americans for a simply fabulous adventure. 12 more have signed up with Peak to do the Portugal End to End this coming September and we are hoping to have a group on the Munich to Rome ride in May 2025.
Youth Academy – To present the awards we are delighted to welcome someone who has
progressed through the Youth Academy and after his performances in 2023 will now ride for a French team this year, – Callum Start
Under 10s – Henry Hatton, Frederik Simcock
Under 12s – James Allen, Jacob Coles, Lauren Fox, Oliver Gray, Benjamin Simcock, Maddy
Woodger.
Under 14s – Isabel Barden, Samuel Gray, Matt Holmes, Ben Picton, Jacob Start, Omar Wilson,
Bayley Woodger
Under 16s – Henry Cadwallader, Eva Fox, Edward Fraille-Whysall, Evie Horsfall, Meryn Kitching
To present the awards we would like to welcome: A serial winner on the world age group Triathlon scene including now being a 3 times British Champion and who won 4 World Titles in a 4 week period last year. Starting with Tri 70.3 Half Ironman in Lahti, Finland then the full Ironman tile in Nice, France then 2 more titles in a 48 hour period in Pontevedra, Spain winning the age 45 -49 Sprint and standard distance Tri titles. This all led to him being voted the British Age Group Triathlete of the year receiving the highest number of votes in the mens category. Donald Brooks
Club 10 Mile TT Series: Run on a handicap system on past performance, where points are awarded for each ride then the average of the best 3 is taken for the final table.
Preston Cup – 1st Junior/Youth – Edward Fraille-Whysall
Bert Northway Trophy – 1st Vet – Mark Sanders
Mumford Cup – 1st Woman – Larraine Gibbins
MDCC Club Points Trophy – 1st Man – Bayley Woodger
Open Event Time Trialling Awards
Kelsteign Cup – 1st Member in Teign Valley Hilly 23 – 46:50 – James Pearcy
WAJ Best Cup – Open 25 mile TT – 49:20 James Pearcy
TH Woods Novices Cup – Most Improved TT Rider – Piers Mahn
Golden Jubilee/Chouings Cup – Fastest Member in an Open 50 mile TT – 1h:47:46 – Don Brooks
Road Racing
Junior Club Champion – Most Points in Road Racing & Circuits – Nick Makin(A)
Palk Cup – Best Junior All Rounder – Ed Sellwood(A)
Vire Trophy – Best performance in the “Prix de Jumelage” – Callum Start
Davey Cup – Road Race Champion – Felix Whetter
Club Rider Awards – Section to recognise the contributions/achievements of some the
hundreds of other club members Nominated by Club Members
De – Vey Cup – Young Rider of the Year Ollie James
Under 16’s Ollie has improved his fitness to be able to ride with the A ride on a regular
basis on Sunday mornings. He’s been training with the Youth Academy for the last six months and he’s looking forward to starting racing this year on the road.
Chairpersons Cup – Most Reliable Rider – Ian Whitear
Its so pleasing to be able to give this award to Ian for being the most reliable rider but I think that should actually extend to being most reliable club member. Ian is always there to volunteer and give up his time so other people can enjoy their bike riding. Chapeau Ian – well deserved!
Bert Roberts Cup – Most Improved Rider – Claire Baines
Citation: Started as a breeze rider joining the club as a social rider, Claire has continued to improve. Once described as a diesel – just keeps on going!! 2023 saw her doing LEJOG and 5500 miles in 2023 – typical of her when at the cafe with others talking about 5000 she looked and had already reached that total!
QEII Coronation Cup – Long Service Award – Pat Ash
A member for over 40 years. 1980s she raced time trials of 10 miles, 25 miles (including the ladies
national 25 held in Usk against the likes of Denise Burton and the world champion at the time,
Mandy Jones) and 50 miles. Also rode the Club Haytor Hill climbs and actually held the ladies record for a few years. Has ridden the London to Brighton Classic, London Prudential 100 and the Dartmoor Classic rides. Over later years Club ‘Ride backs’ from Looe, Barnstaple, Camelford and Glastonbury and a few touring events with a group of the ladies, Ilfracombe to Plymouth, around Dorset and last year from Whitley Bay to Edinburgh. Has also been involved in organising social events for the Club including the early Treasure Hunts which raised money for charity.
Supporting her over half during road races in this country and in France. Not only does she still cycle but also rows. Last September her team went to London for the Great London River Race, a rowing race of some 21 miles and won the veteran ladies cup.
Cecil Paget Cup – “Goes the Extra Mile” – Liz Butler
Citation: LB – She was so supportive to Jo, Claire, Ruth & I with our cycling & a real credit to
MDCC. Particularly amazing in France when we all cycled longer & further than we had before. She’s also volunteered to do the same this year!
The “Hammer Trophy” – Liz Trinder
For Liz 2023 a very difficult year, mid May an accident breaking her collar bone, off the bike for 3 months, not mending and causing her pain. It did not look like she would be able to do the Channel to Mediterranean 900 mile ride across France with the other club members but through determination and hard work and with only 3 weeks preparation she completed the challenge. Straight after she found that she would have to have an operation – that is how 2024 started for her! Thankfully the op 3 weeks ago went well and she will be set free around mid February for more big adventures.
Off Road
Cyclo Cross – based on points accumulated across the season
Juniors Male – Ed Sellwood
Senior Men – Will Kelly
Vet 40 Women – Emily Simcock
Vet 40 Men – James Williams
Vet 50 Women – Cath Kilburn
Vet 50 Men – James Bovey(A)
Super Vet 60+ – Robin Delve
Mountain Biking
Youth Male – Henry Cadwallader
Youth Female – Eva Fox
Junior Men- Matt Holmes
Vet 40 Women – Georgia Vaines
Grand Vet Men – James Bovey
Off Road Best Overall
Johnston Regatta Cup – Women’s Off Road Rider of the Year – Emily Simcock
Davey ‘Knobly’ Trophy – Mens Off Road Rider of the Year – Robin Delve
President’s Award was the Colin Lewis award
Most Merited Rider of the Year – the committee considered the following candidates – 1. Robin
Delve – July ’23 – won the National BC Masters 65= Road Champion, 4th in the Dutch round of the Trek UCI World Gravel series and qualified for the world final. The following week won the UCI event in Poland by 30 mins! 2. Donald Brooks, 3. Lauren Fox – 3rd in the National Trophy Cyclo Cross event – the first MDCC youth girl to achieve this and a product of the Youth Academy, 4. Jacob Start Many successes but the highlight being winning a National Youth series circuit race – the first time a club member has won a national event in this age group and another product of the youth coaching.
Jacob Start
Max Vautier Cup – Club Member of the Year – Paul Martin
This award was voted on line this year to allow more members of the club to vote and with 60% of the vote it was Paul,
Paul has many hats at the club not just the club Secretary he also runs the French trips organizes club rides and ride backs he is also part of the Dartmoor classic committee and Keeps both committee’s in line through meetings and over the year.
Well done Paul and thank you for all your hard work.
