Updated 15.45 23 March
The 65th edition of the prestigious Wally Gimber Trophy has been cancelled due to a fallen tree blocking the race route.
Organisers Dulwich Paragon CC had been hoping that the local council would be able to remove the tree in time for a delayed start, but this proved unfeasible. With no safe alternative, the club was left with no choice but to make the unfortunate decision to cancel the race.
It marks the second time in three years that the event has been called off. The 2023 edition was stopped mid-race after a rider was seriously injured following a collision with a car.
One of the longest-running and most historic events on the British domestic calendar, the Wally Gimber Trophy has long been an important test of early season form in the South East and has a storied list of past winners, including Sir Bradley Wiggins.
In a statement, the organisers said:
A closed road, due to a large tree falling across it, led to the cancellation today’s race. Having taken advice from Surrey County Council, George Cory, Chief Commissaire, and Patrick Hawkins, Race Organiser and Chair of Dulwich Paragon CC, made the regrettable decision. Whist the tree was scheduled for emergency clearance, work had still not commenced after a two hour postponement of the event’s timetable. Give the uncertainty we had no option but to cancel.
“We were bitterly disappointed to cancel,” said Hawkins. “Approximately 50 volunteers had given up their Sundays, not to mention the 80 or so riders who’d come from all over the country, in some cases at great expense. It’s a terrible shame but we’ll be back next year.”
