BROMPTON 48 INVITATIONAL
To clarify, as if it wasn't evident enough, a Brompton Bicycle is not race bred. It is a machine designed to improve day to day life, and built to last, there is no other bicycle in the world engineered to such reliable spec, and all of it is done in a state-of-the-art factory in London.
It is their collaboration with CHPT3 that has pushed them to try new things, racing being one of them, the 48 Invitational at the World Cycling Revival in London provided the first opportunity to try something completely different.
What was it? An invitational race at Herne Hill Velodrome: 48 competitors, two heats of 24 riders, elimination race rules, 12 from each round into final of 24, winner takes all, £10,000 first prize making it the biggest first prize of any bike race in the UK, oh, and a Le Mans start.
Here are a few photos from the day...
David Millar and Will Butler Adams (Brompton CEO) try and explain to onlookers why they believe what they've organised is such a good idea. Photo: Alex Jacobs
The Brompton CHPT3 bicycle. Each rider invited to compete was supplied with a brand new factory spec bike to race upon. Photo: Alex Jacobs
The cheque to be awarded to the winner of the race - making the Brompton 48 Invitational the bike race with the biggest first prize in the UK. Photo: Holbeck Ghyll
David Millar, having sworn to never pin a number on a again, pins a number on, again. Photo: Alex Jacobs
Master and apprentice. Photo: Alex Jacobs
The bikes lined up trackside in Le Mans start formation - qualifying position having been determined earlier by timed fold up. The racers take part in a mass start sprint to their bike from a coralling position 50m further up the track. Photo: Alex Jacobs
Le Mans eat your heart out. Photo: Alex Jacobs
The first round, David Millar did not make it on to the back of this group. He had excuses. He was eliminated. Photo: Alex Jacobs
Roger Seaton, our Transbromptonental star, asking for advice from David Millar before the start of his heat ('Don't get eliminated.'). Photo: Alex Jacobs
David Millar, having been released from the weight of expectation of competing in the final trawls the pit lane making videos for Instagram. Photo: Alex Jacobs
The final was fast. Photo: Alex Jacobs
And got faster. Photo: Alex Jacobs
And Alec Briggs cruised it. Legend. Photo: Holbeck Ghyll
All laps completed, the richest race in British cycling done. Thank you for all those who came and joined in the fun. Photo: Alex Jacobs
Find out more about the CHPT3 Brompton bike and sign up to be the first to hear of the next edition, on sale in February 2019 here.