Statement: Surrey League on Event at Henfold Hill

Last Sunday, a Surrey League road race had to be abandoned when the police stopped the race. Here’s a statement from the Surrey League and more …

Glyn Durrant, Surrey League Administrator

The Surrey League has a long history of putting on safe well organised cycle road races in Surrey & Sussex under the “Cycle Racing on the Highways Act 1960” and British Cycling Technical Regulations. The event on July 22nd was no exception and was run to a very high standard by Team Corridori on behalf of the Surrey League with plenty of competent marshals and other race personnel.

As with all cycle road races, in the early stages it takes a while for the riders to settle down into a competitive event. Whilst the commissaires were happy that the early stages were run off with no compromise to the safety of other road users, Surrey Police asked that the race be stopped on the 2nd lap and riders be warned of their conduct. This duly done the race started off again and riders were even more vigilant about their riding conduct.

The commissaire’s and other race officials decided to abandon the race after stopping the riders for a second time on lap 4 due to the actions of Surrey Police compromising the safety of the riders as well as other road users deliberately trying to impede the progress of the riders.

Considering that the Police are supposed to take an unbiased view in altercations between people with different views, Surrey Police in this instance have taken sides and have done everything in their power to work against cyclists who are only trying to participate in the sport they enjoy.

This is not the first time that Surrey Police in Mole Valley have used these tactics to stop a legitimate cycle race over the years.

The Surrey League believe that Surrey Police overstepped their authority at this event and put the well being of the riders and race personnel at risk and will be taking this matter up with the superiors of the Police officers who were in attendance on the day.

Riders Eye View of the Incident: http://firstseasoncycling.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/corri-dorri-sl-23-road-race.html

The Police Statement: http://www.surrey.police.uk/news/online-media-centre/statements/article/686/statement-on-cycle-race-at-leigh-hill