Celebrating Success
- smithc486
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Southend Wheelers brought the curtain down on a memorable year on Saturday evening, honouring riders of all ages and abilities at a packed annual awards celebration. The night recognised not only racing success across road, time trial and off‑road disciplines, but also the volunteers and supporters who keep the club thriving.
The club also had cause for wider celebration as Chairman Matthew Stock announced that Southend Wheelers has been awarded British Cycling Focus Club status — placing it among just 25 clubs nationwide recognised for excellence in rider development, community engagement and grassroots racing.
Guest of honour Sarah King, a leading figure in the British domestic road racing scene and a champion for women’s cycling, joined members to present trophies and applaud the club’s achievements.
Above: Marc & Phil Brant; Bob Barber, Cheryl Perry; Wilbur Morgan-Hobbs
Father-and-son dominate the podium
The headline story of the night belonged to father‑and‑son duo Phillip and Marc Brant, who between them collected an astonishing 14 awards.
Marc claimed the Handicap Championship Trophy — awarded for the best combined average speed across 10, 25 and 50‑mile events — along with the Easter Egg 10 Cup and a haul of league podiums.
Phillip, meanwhile, secured two of the club’s most prestigious committee awards: Best All‑Rounder and Most Improved Rider. He also set two age‑related records over 7 miles and added multiple league podiums to his tally.
Rising Stars shine bright
The club’s younger riders also enjoyed a standout year.
Henry Jago topped the Junior and Youth categories in the Saturday league, won the junior title in the Wednesday evening league, and finished second junior in the Sunday league.
Wilbur Morgan‑Hobbs, already the club’s Hill Climb Champion, swept the Junior and Youth categories in the Sunday league and claimed both Junior and Novice titles in the Road Race Championships. His impressive off‑road form earned him a special award for finishing first in his age group in the Travers MTB Series.
Veterans and time trialists' make their mark
Veteran rider Stuart Jago lifted the Roy Godbeer Cup, awarded to the rider scoring the most points across seven age‑related road races. He added three third‑place league finishes and an age‑related 7‑mile medal.
Paul White collected five first‑place awards, dominating the evening and Sunday TT scratch, handicap, non‑aero and veterans categories, as well as winning the Over‑65 Masters Road Race Championship.
David Carey secured the W. Hinds 25‑mile Championship Trophy with a time of 59:44 and added three third‑place league finishes, whilst Martin Harris took home the Fat Tyre Trophy for the fastest 10‑mile TT on a mountain bike, clocking an impressive 31:29.
Road racing success
Cheryl Perry retained the Women’s Road Race Championship title for a second consecutive year, underlining her consistency and determination.
In the veterans’ ranks, Daniel Pugh claimed the Eric Carter Vets Road Race Cup, while Jon Rouse won the Senior Road Race Points Trophy for the highest points total across the season.
Prestigious honours
The coveted Jack Ivory Cup, awarded to the club’s most successful rider in open competition, went to Bob Barber — his ninth win and second in a row.
Finally, Kevin Smith received the Ted Parsons Rosebowl in recognition of his exceptional service and support to the club over the past year.
*Success starts here...
Looking ahead
With British Cycling Focus Club status secured and a new generation of riders making their presence felt, Southend Wheelers head into the new season with momentum and pride.
For the full list of winners and a look inside the club’s trophy cabinet, click here:https://www.southendwheelers.org/trophycabinet
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*Success means different things to different riders—joining your first club run, competing in an event, conquering an off-road challenge, finishingyour first charity rideor standing on the podium.
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