Welcome to Imperial Racing Team.
A cycle racing club: to race, to promote racing across the sport and promote races for others.

Imperial / im'pIerIal / a. majestic : derived from imperiale (Fr.), a great cyclist: for example Laurent Jalabert ; not to be confused with imperial rule.

Imperial Winter Series 2016/2017

Haregreaves triumphant twice at High Nuun

So it's the end of an era for the Imperial Winter series, the event that was started 20 years ago by Doug and developed over the last 12 with Lucy and Rich. We've thought long and hard and believe that it's time to handover to someone new who will bring fresh ideas and make it different if not necessarily better! We're rightly proud of what we have developed particularly the 4th cat races and continuing to support the women's events when numbers were low. It's has also provided the platform for sponsors to raise their profile for new products and emerging services: but in most cases it's just because they love the sport!

The overall series has been a close run thing from the start and was finally secured by Tom Hargreaves (Nuun-Sigma Sport-London RT) who becomes the only rider to win twice; Tom was either the best on the day or rode consistently and intelligently to keep everyone else at bay. Well done Tom, we're so pleased that you're our last ever winner!

So back to this year our sponsors have provided some great prizes across the board, particularly Ryders Eyewear (www.ryderseyewear.com) the Canadian company which put up a pair of their excellent glasses for any rider moving up a category. Check out their website for the full range, technically they're superb and so cool.

For the women we have had support from Nicole Oh of Peloton Physio (www.pelotonphysiotherapy.co.uk) also team captain of Les Filles RT. New clothing company Queen of the Mountains (www.queenof themountains.co.uk) introduced us to their women specific performance cycling brand. Look Mum No Hands! probably needs no introduction being the most established, original and best of the café cycle shop destinations, now branching out into other areas with on-site events appealing to the changing demographic that is modern cycling.

This year our Combativity award is sponsored by La Ferme des Bélugues (www. lafermedesbelugues.com), a small but delightful cycling specific holiday destination in the heart of Provence near Mount Ventoux. The owner is a previous rider in the series and was keen to reciprocate with a super prize for this hard fought out category. This year this is won by Rupert Graham (Sigma Sport) who started as a 4th cat winning both his first two races and then riding strongly in the e123, culminating in a fine solo win in the last round.

Finally but definitely not least Lucy and Rich are indebted to our team of helpers who make these events possible:

All les filles at Les Filles RT for helping at sign on
Doug in the judges hut
Michael ensuring the results are captured
Alan helping the race run smoothly
All the marshalls who have braved the cold
Sally for first aiding
Our various photographers for capturing the best images
The Commissaires who have ensured fair play

We're not completely disappearing and have a number of ideas for the future so hopefully see you around!

Rich & Lucy

Imperial Winter Series 2016/2017

Look Mum No Hands!

The original and best London cycle café and workshop based in Old Street EC1, now with a new venue at Whitechapel; not content with a bar serving craft beers and great food now hosts to a series of events including maintenance workshops, jumbles, cycle speed dating plus the odd after show party. You can show your admiration by donning their range of cycle clothing, the bobble hat being a particular favourite of ours.
LMNH has been a long time advocates of women's cycling and are supporting the races this year with prime prizes for the 2nd/3rd races and a combativity award in each of the 4th cat races.

Imperial Winter Series 2016/2017

La Ferme des Bélugues

We are delighted to announce a new partner for the series - Patrick and Karen from La ferme des Bélugues - will be welcoming the series winner of the Most Combative rider award at their chalet near Mont Ventoux. Patrick says 'having raced in the Winter Series in previous years it is really nice that we are able to give something back'. Check out the details below and get attacking!

Located at the bottom of Mont Ventoux La ferme des Bélugues is ideally placed for miles of amazing riding both on Ventoux and around the stunning Provence landscape. La Ferme des Bélugues has been set up for cyclists by cyclists with great facilities to ensure you have the best time on and off the bike. Whether its relaxing by the pool, having a massage from an ex grand tour sognieur or exploring the amazing food and wine of the region we can organise it all for you to ensure you have a great stay. Able to cater for groups or individuals along with cyclists or non cyclists we have something for everyone.

In their 2016 launch year they achieved great reviews for 2016 and was used as a base by grand tour rider and director sportive for their recces of the Mont Ventoux Tour de France stage.

For further information about cycling stays at La ferme des Bélugues please visit www.lafermedesbelugues.com/ventouxcyclecamps/

Prize:
Free two night stay in 2017 for two people (can be a couple or two sharing), breakfast included. Free guided ride in the region, or supported ride up Mont Ventoux.

Patrick and Karen
La ferme des Bélugues

Imperial Winter Series 2016/2017

Ryders Eyewear

Ryders Eyewear were founded over 30 years ago when, soon after winning the inaugural Canadian Mountain Bike championships, a young Brent Martin set out to create performance glasses and goggles which would resist the most arduous conditions. Rooted in the damp North Shore Vancouver mountains provided the ideal environment to test products to meet Ryder's goal both then and now - to provide high quality, performance eyewear using the latest materials and technology. Their veloPolar, antiFOG, tractionPolar and Photochromic options are at the forefront of cycling eyewear technology.

Ryder's other aim is to give back whenever possible by supporting riders and their local trail societies; they are now keen to break into the UK market which has led to them supporting the Imperial Winter Series. There may be nearly 8,000 kms between us but our aims are remarkably similar!

This year Ryders will be awarding a new pair of either Strider, Seventh or Invert models to any rider moving up a category in the series.

Check out all their products at www.ryderseyewear.com

A very short video (just 3 minutes) rounding up the feel of the
2009/2010 Imperial Winter Series. Includes out takes.

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