Brompton World Championships

The Brompton World Championships are BACK!

Mark your calendars for Saturday, 22nd June, the BWC is returning to London after five years. Held alongside the Via Criterium circuit race at the first edition of the londoncyclefestival.

With our iconic Brompton racing as its centrepiece, the weekend celebration of cycling is also packed with live entertainment, activities, workshops, ride outs and much more.

So, if you’re planning on racing, get ready to dress your best, bring your Brompton and gear up for an experience like no other. The race is ticketed, but it's free to watch, so bring your friends and family along to support you, and enjoy the free entertainment around the race circuit in the heart of Coal Drops Yard, Kings Cross.

Tickets are sold out!

If you missed the chance to race, don't worry! It is free to attend as a spectator and there will be plenty going on. Keep your eyes on our social channels for more information:

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Race Format:

This year’s race consists of 10 heats with 50 riders in each heat. Each heat will consist of 5 laps around a 900m urban track. Riders heats are determined according to the average times provided during the ticket registration process. For each heat, there will be the traditional Le Mans style start, where you dash to unfold your Brompton and race around the track. Please note the unfolding will be included in the time to complete the course.

The top 50 fastest riders across all 10 heats will then compete in a final heat to determine the winner of the London Brompton World Championships 2024. For the final, there will be the traditional dash to unfold your Brompton and race around the track. Please note the unfolding will be included in the time to complete the course.

Prizes:

Details of the prizes can be found here as and when they are confirmed.

• 1x Fastest Female
• 1x Fastest Male
• 1x Fastest Female Veteran (Aged 55+ on the day of the event)
• 1x Fastest Male Veteran (Aged 55+ on the day of the event)
• 1x Best Dressed
• 2x Fastest Fold Winners (no BWC Race ticket required)

Rules & Regulations

General:

This year’s race consists of 10 heats with 50 riders in each heat. Each heat will consist of 5 laps around a 900m urban track. Riders heats are determined according to the average times provided during the ticket registration process.

The top 50 fastest riders across all 10 heats will then compete in a final heat to determine the winner of the London Brompton World Championships 2024.

For each heat, and the final, there will be the traditional dash to unfold your Brompton and race around the track. Please note the unfolding will be included in the time to complete the course.

You must be 18 years of age or older, of reasonable good health, and a competent Brompton Rider on the day of the Event in order to participate.

What you need to bring:

• Photo identification
• Brompton bike
• Cycle helmet
• A valid ticket
• Approved clothing (see Dress Code section below)

The Brompton World Championship race involves 50 riders on a fast and exciting urban circuit. All riders share a collective responsibility for the safety of themselves and all other participants in the event and must consider the safety of all participants at all times. Specifically:

• Absolutely NO electric bikes or bikes with motors will be allowed to participate in the races.
• Riders must ensure that all bikes are correctly assembled in line with Brompton guidelines.
• All competitors must observe and exercise extreme care when contesting racing.
• Riders must overtake slower riders on the right, with slower riders keeping to the left.
• When lapped, competitors must allow riders to pass safely.
• The onus of keeping to the course rests with the rider.
• Competitors who ride dangerously shall be liable to disqualification.
• Lapped riders are allowed to continue in the race but shall not give pace nor shelter to a rider by whom they have been lapped. Otherwise riders in the circuit race may take pace or shelter from each other.

Equipment and Clothing:

Helmet and Bicycle:

A rider, while racing any BWC event, shall wear properly affixed protective headgear which must be certified to appropriate bicycle helmet safety standard and be of a hard / soft shell construction. ‘Aero style’ helmets are not permitted.

Bikes shall comply with the spirit and principles of the BWC, namely that cyclists compete in the event on an equal footing.

For the BWC races, a folding Brompton with two wheels carrying one rider is required:

• Handlebar ends shall be plugged, not merely covered by tape, and other projections shall be protected as far as possible.
• Tri-bars, arm extensions and/or arm pads shall be prohibited.
• Water bottles, pumps, spare tyres and race computers must be securely fastened. All other equipment not essential for racing purposes must be removed.
• Water bottles must be carried in water bottle holders only and be deformable when ridden over.
• Children or pets may not be carried on bicycles during the event.
• No adaptations that provide motorised assistance to the rider are permitted.
• Bicycles must be in a safe condition; organisers reserve the right to refuse participation, should a participant’s bike, in our sole judgement, be considered unsafe for competition.
• Where a rider is found to be using a bike which, in the opinion of the Championship Referee, is considered to be outside the spirit of the competition, or presents a danger to themselves or others, they shall be withdrawn from the event.

Dress Code:

When competing all participants must be completely clothed from neck to no shorter than mid-thigh in a costume which showcases your personality. Have fun with it!

• Sports attire (eg visible Lycra shorts/leggings, tracksuit pants, etc) is not permitted.
• There are no restrictions on footwear.
• No competitor shall wear a political sign or badge on his/her racing costume.
• Any form of eye protection or spectacles worn must be of a non-splinterable material.
• No competitor who is dirty or untidily dressed shall be permitted to start.
• If weather conditions dictate, especially heat, the Championship Referee can amend the dress code for the event; shorten the race as necessary; neutralise the race. Notice will be given at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the event.

Safety:

• Subject to applicable laws, all participants taking part in the Event do so entirely at their own risk and no liability shall attach to Brompton Bicycle Ltd in respect of any loss or injury sustained or caused by anyone competing in such events.
• It is your responsibility to ensure that you are medically fit to participate and it is extremely important that you are realistic and truthful about your capabilities and level of experience.
• You acknowledge that the correct assembly of bikes is an important safety consideration and must be completed in accordance with Brompton guidelines.
• The race may be stopped at any point if deemed necessary to ensure the safety of participant(s) and/or the public. This will be indicated via the event PA and use of the black race stopped flag. If the event is stopped riders should follow instructions and make their way safely to the Start /Finish Line. If safe to do so, the race may be restarted.
• The use in competition of cameras attached to riders, or helmets is prohibited. Only cameras securely attached to the bike will be permitted.
• Use of mobile phones, headphones or other media devices is prohibited while you are taking part in the race.
• Any rider who interferes with another rider during the course of an event as a consequence of any race incident shall be liable to disqualification.
• The administration to, or use by, a rider of a banned substance or method shall be a breach of these Regulations and will lead to disqualification.
• Any rider under the influence of drugs or alcohol will not be permitted to start the race, or will be immediately disqualified from the race and withdrawn from the circuit.
• If instructed by the Championship Referee or a race official, riders can be retired from the race and must make their way to the circuit exit point located beyond the Start / Finish Line

BWC Officials

The control of races shall be conducted by the Race Management and Championship Referee whose decision shall be final on all matters relating to the competition. The Championship Referee shall have power to decide:

• Whether a competitor is properly entered
• If a competitor is eligible for a race, including clothing and bike meeting these regulations
• Hear challenges to the results
• Disqualification from the event
• Changes relating to the event