Press
John Appleby (API-Angliasport) produced the performance of the day to beat Dave Mitchinson (SaddleDrunk Race Team) by a bike-length to win the Alex Pendleton 5km Memorial Trophy race on the grass-track in this year’s Mildenhall Cycling Mini-Fest.
In an entertaining and skilful race on the hard and dusty playing field, after several early attacks, a leading group of five riders formed consisting of Appleby and Mitchinson, together with Gavin Mitchell (Twickenham CC), Martin Smith (Chesterfield Coureurs) and Samuel Brook (West Suffolk Wheelers). The lead changed rider several times but when they came into the final bend it was the twenty-year-old from Spalding who was decisively in front to power on up the finishing straight, to the delight of the many spectators around the track.
Mitchinson certainly gave everything in pursuit of the magnificent glass trophy that he won in its inaugural running last year and is in memory of former grass-track organiser and National 8km Grass-Track Champion, Max Pendleton’s son Alex. Alex, twin to Olympic Champion Victoria, had suffered from childhood leukaemia and sadly succumbed to a brain tumour in 2023, at the age of just 42!
The quiet unassuming Appleby has had an interesting beginning to his cycling career with taking part in the Human Powered Vehicles Championships, before progressing to Cyclo-Cross and just two years ago venturing into grass-track. This win sees him extend his lead still further in the Lloyds National Endurance League.
Afterwards one of the organisers and Club Chairman, Mark Burchett said “I think the spirit showed by Appleby embodied how Max Pendleton approached grass-track racing who would also have been delighted by the up-and-coming rider’s victory. It was also a fitting tribute to my great friend Alex.”
“Although this event isn’t as big as it used to be in its heyday, it is so rewarding for our Club that people still travel from across England to visit and enjoy our event and the local area.” He added.
In a nod to Max Pendleton, who is now in a care home suffering from Parkinson’s Disease, organiser of the grass-track racing for the first time, Mandy Burchett brought back the Hoop Race, although unlike Max she didn’t make the Men’s and Ladies winners sing the ‘Over the rainbow’ song, instead presenting them with their own hoops!
The day’s sporting action had started on the track in the morning, when Justin Layne (Hitchin Nomads CC) riding the Fenland Flyer Gravel Time-Trial for the first time, produced a phenomenal ride to win this year’s event in just 36minutes 49seconds!
Whereas regular supporter of this unique event, Gary Fendick (Velouse Flyers) who knows the course consisting of farm tracks, fenland droves and by-ways very well, must have thought he was on to a winner completing the 20km fenland course in just 37minutes 59seconds! Despite shaving over five minutes off his previous best time, he had to be content with the runners-up spot.
Third place went to Lee Woodcock from Thetford, who having had time out from racing off-road came back with vengeance to record a time of 39minutes 35seconds.
The winner suggested afterwards, that he shouldn’t really have been at the event, as his family were going away on holiday, literally that afternoon!! Both he and Fendick comfortably smashed the course record of 38minutes 39seconds, set last year by Ian Day (ROTOR Race Team).
The fastest lady was Caroline Murfitt (Kings Lynn CC) who completed the 20km’s in 42minutes 26seconds.
It was very noticeable that of the many riders who, also competed in last year’s Fenland Flyer, improved on their times which reflected the almost ideal conditions. Derek Gallagher from local club Newmarket Cycling & Triathlon Club comfortably finished inside 40 minutes to take fourth place, riding 2minutes 45seconds quicker that in 2024.
And for the promoting club Garth Collier finished in sixth slicing nearly six minutes off his time recorded last year stopping the clock at 41minutes 26 seconds. His partner Darcy Fairchild completed the course in 1hour 5minutes 31seconds.
Throughout the day there was the Cycle Jumble from a car boot around the grass-track, allowing visitors and competitors to buy and sell from their vehicles. Also on show was Chris Hurcomb, a mobile bike-fitter who covers the Cambridgeshire and West Suffolk area. He is part of UK’s fastest‑growing network of fully mobile professional bike fitters and was very pleased with the enquiries he had.
The annual cycling event, now in its 39th year in various guises, was held at its now traditional venue of West Row Village Hall, near Mildenhall, where Mildenhall Cycling Club members were serving home-made refreshments and at lunchtime Jacket Potatoes with a variety of fillings.
Although camping is no longer be available on site, with West Row boasting three campsites there were many familiar faces from previous Mildenhall Rallies and Festivals renewing friendships as well as also enjoying the local area.
All of the results and images of the Mini-Fest action can be found at www.mildenhallfestival.bike
26th August 2025
The top grass-track riders in the country will be competing in Suffolk this weekend at the Mildenhall Cycling Mini-Fest.
Mildenhall Cycling Club’s annual cycling event takes place on Sunday (24th August) at West Row Village Hall, near Mildenhall and as well as the Grass-Track racing also offers the Fenland Flyer Gravel Time-Trial, and a Cyclists’ Car-Boot sale.
There will be a full range of events for Seniors, Ladies and Juveniles on the grass from 1pm, with signing-on from midday to the start. The highlight, after its successful inaugural running at last year’s event, the Alex Pendleton 5km Trophy race will be contested again, in memory of Alex ‘who always strived to win in life’. This will also be the counting event for the Lloyds National Grass-Track Series Endurance League.
The track will also stage the start & finish of the Fenland Flyer Gravel Time-Trial in the morning. The riders will be racing individually against the clock over a 20km course of almost entirely off-road consisting of farm tracks, droves, by-ways and a small section of minor road. This is a unique type of course that only the Fens can offer.
The Juveniles race for 13–16-year-olds will start at 9am with them going off at one-minute intervals, followed very quickly
by the senior riders.
Taking place from 10am will be the Cycle Jumble from a car boot around the grass-track, letting visitors and competitors to buy and sell from their vehicles, with sellers having to pre-book their pitch.
In attendance all-day will be Chris Hurcombe, a mobile bike-fitter who covers the Cambridgeshire and West Suffolk area. He is part of UK’s fastest‑growing network of fully mobile professional bike fitters and will be able to answer your questions and explain how a professional bike fit can transform your ride.
Camping is no longer offered by the organisers on site, but West Row has three campsites, and the organisers are very much encouraging new as well as regular visitors to previous events to still come and spend the weekend in Suffolk cycling and at the Mini-Fest.
Mildenhall Cycling Club will be providing light refreshments and drinks all day in the village hall and at lunchtime Jacket Potatoes with a variety of fillings.
The Mini-Fest and its predecessor the Cycling Rally, have always attracted many up-and-coming names from the world of cycling including the Mildenhall Club’s very own Golden Member Victoria Pendleton CBE who was a multi-Olympic and World Champion before retiring and more recently Laura Kenny CBE, who is Great Britain’s most successful female Olympian winning five gold medals in a glittering career.
Further details of the Mini-Fest will be available at www.mildenhallfestival.bike
19th August 2025
Mildenhall Cycling Club have released details of their annual cycling event which will take place on the August Bank-Holiday weekend.
“The Mildenhall Cycling Mini-Fest will take place on Sunday 24th August at its traditional venue of West Row Village Hall, near Mildenhall and offers the Fenland Flyer Gravel Time-Trial, Grass-Track racing and the Cycle Jumble,” confirmed Chairman of the organisers, Mildenhall Cycling Club, Mark Burchett.
There will be a full range of events for Seniors, Veterans, Ladies and Juveniles on the grass in the afternoon, with the track staging the start & finish of the Fenland Flyer Gravel Time-Trial in the morning.
In addition to the main Senior Gravel event, the separate Juveniles race for 13–16-year-olds will, this year, be over the same course.
The riders will be racing individually against the clock over a 20km course of almost entirely off-road consisting of farm tracks, droves, by-ways and a small section of minor road. This is a unique type of course that only the Fens can offer.
Taking place from 10am will be the Cycle Jumble from a car boot around the grass-track, letting visitors and competitors to buy and sell from their vehicles, with sellers having to pre-book their pitch.
Camping is no longer offered by the organisers on site, but West Row has three campsites, and the organisers are very much encouraging new as well as regular visitors to previous events to still come and spend the weekend in Suffolk cycling and at the Mini-Fest.
Mildenhall Cycling Club will be providing light refreshments and drinks all day in the village hall and at lunchtime Jacket Potatoes with a variety of fillings.
The Mini-Fest and its predecessor the Cycling Rally, have always attracted many up-and-coming names from the world of cycling including the Mildenhall Club’s very own Golden Member Victoria Pendleton CBE who was a multi-Olympic and World Champion before retiring and more recently Laura Kenny CBE, who is Great Britain’s most successful female Olympian winning five gold medals in a glittering career.
Other well-known cyclists to have ridden at Mildenhall before going onto international fame include Welsh starlet Nicole Cooke MBE, Ben Swift, Jason Kenny OBE and Steve Burke MBE.
Further details of the Mini-Fest will be available at www.mildenhallfestival.bike
15th April 2025