Raphapaluza 3 Report
Rapha Roller Race, 19.04.08, London.
Former World Junior Champion Pete Mitchell dominates.
After the huge Success of Rollapaluza IX-Mas the roller-racing resurgence continues with many racers and spectators from that event back in December returning to feed their new – found addiction! Loads of new faces and Rolla-fans from all fields of cycling and for the first time plenty of club racers meant there was a packed bar and intense competition.
Our photos here. Tim’s photos here. xsheepx’s photos here. Selim’s photos here. Jocelyn’s pics here.
All qualifying times here.
Lee Povey and Pete Mitchell warm-up.
Definitely the most highly anticipated event that Rollapaluza have ever been involved in ….and most of the pre-race chatter was all about Pete Mitchell, the rising sprint superstar from Brighton. Lycra-clad “real” cyclists have been conspicuous by their absence at most Rollapaluza events, despite the great atmosphere and great prize lists, could this be because they’re scared of being beaten by guys in casual clothes? so massive props to Pete for stepping up to the plate and putting his name on the line, let’s hope more will follow…..
Male Team Competition.
Qualification started early and times were fast straight from the off and some highly fancied and experienced roller-racers like Jos (Rollapaluza team) and Charlie (Moving Target) suddenly found that rather than being guaranteed semi-final places they really would have to ride “out of their skins” to make it to the later rounds. Previously unknown roller-racers such as Rollapaluza CC member Mike C riding for the LondonFGSS.com team and Ian from team La Fuga set some blistering times but we were all waiting to see what Pete Mitchell from Team Terminator could do, he didn’t disappoint with a new Rollapaluza record of 19.78 seconds! Simon Jacksons long-standing record finally broken, but it has to be said 2/100ths is not “smashed” as some have been saying and it’s amazing that Simon, a jean-wearing bike shop worker from London is that close to a former junior World Champion sprinter…..all qualification times here.
The fastest qualifiers progressed to the knockout rounds by right, whilst the slower qualifiers had to race off against each other in a repecharge round in order to continue:
| Jos | ROLLAPALUZA |
22.1 |
bt | J.Kelly | Phoenix |
23.42 |
| Tim | LFGSS |
23.29 |
bt | Tim Holmes | Brighton |
25.51 |
| Huw | Dynamo |
21.39 |
bt | Johnny | Fireflies |
24.82 |
| Sam | Kingston |
22.42 |
bt | Chris | Fireflies |
23.8 |
| Dazzler | Moving Target |
22.4 |
bt | Renee | BFF |
22.59 |
| Jo Burt | Brighton |
22.5 |
bt | Sam | Dynamo |
22.75 |
| Nigel | Phoenix |
22.24 |
bt | Jeremy | Banker |
22.56 |
| Andrew | BFF |
22.73 |
bt | Nick | Banker |
23.17 |
Male 2nd Round:
The 2nd round followed the formbook with the faster riders knocking out the slower qualifiers and now tiring riders who had to go throught the repecharge, some of the races however were incredibly close as riders struggled for the their last glimpse of glory.
| Pete Mitchell | Terminator |
19.96 |
bt | Andy | BFF |
22.22 |
| Ian | La Fuga |
20.39 |
bt | Nigel | Phoenix |
21.82 |
| Charlie | Moving Target |
20.24 |
bt | Jo Burt | Brighton |
22.5 |
| John B | Kingston |
21.34 |
bt | Dazzler | Moving Target |
22.24 |
| Lee Povey | Terminator |
20.86 |
bt | Sam | Kingston |
22.02 |
| Huw | Dynamo |
21.32 |
bt | Mike C | LFGSS |
21.46 |
| Scarlett | ROLLAPALUZA |
20.82 |
bt | Tim | LFGSS |
21.14 |
| Ross | La Fuga |
21.36 |
bt | Jos | ROLLAPALUZA |
21.48 |
Male quarter finals:
Very close racing in the quarters, excepting maybe Charlie the London courier who clearly beat the now-tiring Huw of London Dynamo. Interestingly Ian from team La Fuga came within 6/100ths of a second to Pete’s best time!
| Pete Mitchell | Terminator |
19.95 |
bt | Ross | La Fuga |
20.5 |
| Ian | La Fuga |
19.84 |
bt | Scarlett | ROLLAPALUZA |
20.42 |
| Charlie | Moving Target |
19.93 |
bt | Huw | Dynamo |
21.56 |
| John B | Kingston |
21.06 |
bt | Lee Povey | Terminator |
21.17 |
Male Semi finals:
As it had looked all evening the two strongest riders Pete and Ian booked their place on the final overcoming John B and Charlie respectively, however these guys had put in performances that could’ve won them any other Rollapaluza….until now! Winston and Caspar strangely didn’t take any times during this round, it was nothing to do with the two burlesque, podium girls sharing the stage and distracting them…
| Pete | terminator | bt | John B | Kingston | |
| Ian | La Fuga | bt | Charlie | Moving Target |
Male Finals:
Rollapaluza tradition dictates that the final is run over 1km and not the 500 that has been the race distance all night, it also dictates that we don’t bother to tell the racers until a few seconds before the start! Both riders follwed the same tactic, carefully pacing themselves over the first 500m then gradually building pace over the last half, culminating in an all-out sprint…it was very close race all the way round the dial but Pete just started to edge away in the closing 100m finishing half a second up on Ian with a fine 43 seconds dead…taking Rollapaluza glory for the first time.
Female Team Competition:
A mixture of experienced roller-racers and newcomers took to the stage for the female competition, with some serious times being set by Kimbers of London Phoenix and upcoming Agata, riding for Trixie Chix….a collective of female fixed wheel trick riders and polo players. qulaification times here.
Female quarter finals:
Agata got faster in this round while Kimbers slowed down a little. All the faster riders from qualification managed to knockout the slower qualifiers despite close races between Tracy and Estelle and Peta and Chandra.
| Agata | Trixie Chix |
24.96 |
bt |
Nhatt | Moving Target |
29.01 |
| Kimbers | Dynamo |
25.65 |
bt |
Claire | Fireflies |
27.4 |
| Tracy | Fireflies |
25.48 |
bt |
Estelle | Trixie Chix |
26.2 |
| Peta | Dynamo |
26.61 |
bt |
Chandra | Moving Target |
27.21 |
Female Semis:
As with the male event two clear favourites had emerged and they both won through to the final, of course it was Kimbers and Agata, Peta set her fastest time of the night but was no match for the improving Agata.
| Agata | Trixie Chix |
24.37 |
bt |
Peta | Dynamo |
26 |
| Kimbers | Dynamo |
25.54 |
bt |
Tracy | Fireflies |
26.51 |
Female Finals:
The atmosphere was electric for the female final and the noise level just as loud if not louder than it was for the boys, though Kimbers had plenty of supporters Agata had a few more and they definitely got behind her and helped her to her victory over Kimbers, a very close race with Agata getting 24.45 and Kimbers 24.87
“Have a go” Heros and Heroins
38 Members of the audience and racers not in teams tried their hand on the second Rollapaluza rig in the beer garden. Battling the fumes from the barbie some pretty competitive times were set, especially considering most of these guys were newcomers to Rollapaluza roller-racing.
All qualification times here.
Heros:
The eight fastest men qualified for the knockout rounds and this time there were some upsets, Andy beat his supposed faster qualifier and there was a no show for one of the racers….a brave (non-male) Emma stepped in to fill the void and set a time of 24.86, Emma normally rides for the Fireflies team, this time would have given her second place…they must be kicking themselves for not selecting her…..
| Matt |
22.37 |
bt | Justin |
22.65 |
| Hillbilly |
22.06 |
bt | Nick |
22.8 |
| Andy |
21.64 |
bt | Emma |
24.86 |
| Janky James |
21.07 |
bt | Tom |
21.56 |
Semis:
Rollapaluza CC club member Janky’s consumption of liquid muscle relaxant (beer) was clearly having a positive affect on his racing and as his peripheral vision diminished his times just got faster!! Andy again upset the odds getting quicker with every ride and knocking out Hillbilly in the “facial hair showdown” race.
| Janky |
20.93 |
bt | Matt |
22.1 |
| Andy |
21.68 |
bt | Hillbilly |
21.98 |
Finals:
Considering the name of the bar (Imbibe) Janky’s performance in the final could not have been more fitting, clearly “tired and emotional” he obviously couldn’t feel any pain and his head-down, elbows out effort overcame Andy Cassons who had finally started to slow down….a very popular win for the very popular Rollapaluza CC rider…Well played!
| Janky |
20.73 |
bt | Andy |
22.02 |
Heroines:
The four fastest female have a go competitors qualified to take their places on the stage inside and face now screaming crowds. One or two of the ladies however were unavailable so a couple of stand-ins and promotions were required so keen roller-racer Muna did get to race despite arriving way too late.
| Rachel |
26.31 |
bt | Muna |
29.24 |
| Priscilla |
28.36 |
bt | katie |
31.58 |
Final:
Rachel, who had looked the favourite all along cleanly beat Priscilla by over 3 seconds, a fine performance and we hope to see her at future Rollapaluza events where she could definitely find herself finishing high up the ranking.
| Rachel |
25.12 |
bt | Priscilla |
28.39 |
Best dressed team: The Bankers.
Winning female team: Fireflies
Winning male team: La Fuga
Once again another night of top quality roller-racing with a great atmosphere, fantastic supporters and brave racers, thanks to Rapha for promoting.
