Once again the Imbibe bar in South London proved to be a popular venue for the Rollapaluza Winter roller-race league, despite continued cold temperatures and ice still on some roads over 150 riders and spectators packed the venue on a week night.
Surprise of the evening was that Team Trek Livestrong professional Alex Dowsett decided to make this his final competitive outing in the UK before flying to the USA this Friday to start his pro career.
It was a great opportunity for regular Rollapaluza racers and even first-timers to compete alongside a pro cyclist and Alex didn’t disappoint, wearing team Trek Livestrong shorts and a Mellow Johnny’s tee shirt, (the shop owned by his new boss Lance Armstrong) he set the time to beat of 47.67 seconds for the kilometre.
This time stood for a good couple of hours until pre-race favourite and new recruit to top sprinting outfit “Team Terminator” Miles Stovoid took to the Rollapaluza rigs and set a new kilo record or Rollapaluza of 44.58….over three seconds faster than anyone else.
Despite valiant exertions from regular Rollapaluza experts Matt Theobalds, Tim Renowden, Jason Humphries and James Sullivan it was the two stars who lined up for the final and indeed it was Miles who took the win, although by now both riders were looking pretty rough after their 5 efforts over the extended distance. Newcomer Ben Moores took third.
The womens racing at Rollapaluza events is becoming increasingly popular and so far the league is being dominated by Dorchie Cockerell, who once again beat her Twickenham CC clubmate Wiesia Kuczha in the final, whilst Rollapaluza CC’s Estelle Rogers finished 3rd.
