“I just want to keep it going if I can”: Dellar moves to save the Victor Berlemont Trophy
Gabriel Dellar has the riders, the course, and the outgoing organiser's blessing. What the RideRevolution Coaching CT rider needs to save the 75-year-old Victor Berlemont Trophy is the one thing only British Cycling can provide: permission.
The fight to keep one of Britain’s most prestigious National B road races on the calendar is underway, with RideRevolution Coaching CT’s Gabriel Dellar leading an eleventh-hour bid to save the Victor Berlemont Trophy.
In a widely shared Instagram story posted this morning (11 June), Dellar appealed to riders to express their interest in the race, noting that if the event were to go ahead it “would need every bit of rider support”, with a follow-up note adding that “there are lots of hurdles to overcome but a show of interest at least shows the demand and passion for the event is still there.”
Speaking to The British Continental, Dellar confirmed he hopes to stage the historic race on 30 August, the slot it has occupied for much of its history since its inception in 1951, with the event remaining on the Woodcote course in Oxfordshire that has been used since 2014.
I’ve got no qualification or reason to be trying to save the race at all, really, other than I’m a rider that loves the race and I just want to keep it going, if I can
“I’m basically just trying to run it as similar as possible. I’ve got no qualification or reason to be trying to save the race at all, really, other than I’m a rider that loves the race and I just want to keep it going, if I can,” he says. The project began after he heard rumours the 2026 event would not go ahead—rumours then confirmed by the existing organiser, Andy Pearce, who has offered Dellar as much support as possible to help keep the race alive.
“In just two hours I’ve had 65 people click yes [expressing an interest in the race]. The interest is there for sure, it’s just if BC [ed. British Cycling] will give us the green light.
“Everything else, in terms of getting sponsorship to break even and make it go ahead—I’m confident in doing all of that.”
Gabe Dellar (Ride Revolution Coaching). Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
One of the main issues facing Dellar is that British Cycling have so far not given permission for the race to proceed. The governing body’s position, Dellar says, is that the calendar is already full heading into September, with the Central region playing host to a number of regional events as the season nears its end.
“That weekend I’ve looked at doing the race, there’s no other racing at all in the region,” he notes. The main issue is the availability of accredited marshals, with a minimum of 11 needed to allow the race to take place and around 30 currently active in the Central region.
“I’ve already had three extras message me,” Dellar says, extending the plea for volunteers across the regions to help make the event happen.
It’s still 10 weeks away—there’s no reason for that to be too short to get all the permits, so once BC gives the green light, it then just goes down to the regional board
“It’s just a bit unconventional in the sense most of these races are basically approved in January, and it’s obviously June,” he continues. “But it’s still 10 weeks away—there’s no reason for that to be too short to get all the permits, so once BC gives the green light, it then just goes down to the regional board.”
Dellar’s commitment is the latest example of riders taking matters into their own hands and organising races. The Leicester Forest CC race, a traditional end to the season, was saved last year by Max Sillifant and transformed into the Rider’s Collective GP, while Elliott Colyer of Aero CLCTV has discussed the potential of a Dorset-based National B in future, and stepped in to save the Royal Navy Cup earlier this year.
“I just think it’d be such a shame for it to not go ahead,” he adds. “Key point is, if it’s not run this year, I can’t see it coming back.”
The fight to keep one of Britain’s most prestigious National B road races on the calendar is underway, with RideRevolution Coaching CT’s Gabriel Dellar leading an eleventh-hour bid to save the Victor Berlemont Trophy.
In a widely shared Instagram story posted this morning (11 June), Dellar appealed to riders to express their interest in the race, noting that if the event were to go ahead it “would need every bit of rider support”, with a follow-up note adding that “there are lots of hurdles to overcome but a show of interest at least shows the demand and passion for the event is still there.”
Speaking to The British Continental, Dellar confirmed he hopes to stage the historic race on 30 August, the slot it has occupied for much of its history since its inception in 1951, with the event remaining on the Woodcote course in Oxfordshire that has been used since 2014.
“I’m basically just trying to run it as similar as possible. I’ve got no qualification or reason to be trying to save the race at all, really, other than I’m a rider that loves the race and I just want to keep it going, if I can,” he says. The project began after he heard rumours the 2026 event would not go ahead—rumours then confirmed by the existing organiser, Andy Pearce, who has offered Dellar as much support as possible to help keep the race alive.
“In just two hours I’ve had 65 people click yes [expressing an interest in the race]. The interest is there for sure, it’s just if BC [ed. British Cycling] will give us the green light.
“Everything else, in terms of getting sponsorship to break even and make it go ahead—I’m confident in doing all of that.”
One of the main issues facing Dellar is that British Cycling have so far not given permission for the race to proceed. The governing body’s position, Dellar says, is that the calendar is already full heading into September, with the Central region playing host to a number of regional events as the season nears its end.
“That weekend I’ve looked at doing the race, there’s no other racing at all in the region,” he notes. The main issue is the availability of accredited marshals, with a minimum of 11 needed to allow the race to take place and around 30 currently active in the Central region.
“I’ve already had three extras message me,” Dellar says, extending the plea for volunteers across the regions to help make the event happen.
“It’s just a bit unconventional in the sense most of these races are basically approved in January, and it’s obviously June,” he continues. “But it’s still 10 weeks away—there’s no reason for that to be too short to get all the permits, so once BC gives the green light, it then just goes down to the regional board.”
Dellar’s commitment is the latest example of riders taking matters into their own hands and organising races. The Leicester Forest CC race, a traditional end to the season, was saved last year by Max Sillifant and transformed into the Rider’s Collective GP, while Elliott Colyer of Aero CLCTV has discussed the potential of a Dorset-based National B in future, and stepped in to save the Royal Navy Cup earlier this year.
“I just think it’d be such a shame for it to not go ahead,” he adds. “Key point is, if it’s not run this year, I can’t see it coming back.”
Featured image: Tom Springbett Photography
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