The BWC Kicks off to a great start!

There's been a whiff of fall in the air this week! Here at the Shopcast, we've been talking Back to School; tomorrow marks the start of the Minnesota State Fair; and the Brompton World Championship (BWC) came to a close on Sunday—capping off Summer 2012, which began for us in earnest with the Brompton US Championship & Open Streets here in Minneapolis on June 10. We were proud to send two Minnesota-based US Champions to the BWC, and we were ecstatic to learn how well both Susan and Wallace did at Blenheim Palace this past Sunday. We hope you'll enjoy these photos from the Brompton World Championship 2012 and stories of the event, as told by Susan and Wallace themselves.

Riders at the Brompton World Championship
Riders of all Stripes & Colors at the Brompton World Championship
Native Minneapolitan cum US Brompton Rep. John leads the "Hoopla" tube toss at the Bropmton World Championship
Native Minneapolitan cum US Brompton Rep. John watches over the "Hoopla" tube toss at the Brompton World Championship
Campeónes de México (left) & U.S. Champions Susan and Wallace (right) at the Brompton World Championship
Campeónes de México (left) & U.S. Champions Susan and Wallace (right)
Wallace & his 2-speed with other World Champions at the Brompton World Championship
Wallace & his 2-speed in Turkish Green & Black meet other World Champions

It was a magical day at Blenheim Palace on Sunday. We got there early and the place was buzzing. Tons of people and a big expo all set up and everybody jazzed. There was a small photo shoot with various Nat'l Champs — it was fun to chat and meet Japanese, Korean, Austrian, Mexican and Swedish racers. We were in and out of London a few times on the train during rush hour and and the number of Bromptons was amazing! —Wallace

Susan clad in Top Shelf's finest at the Brompton World Championship
Susan clad in Top Shelf's finest at the Brompton World Championship

I ended up wearing the linen US flag handkerchief that [Best-Dressed Judge] John Meegan from Top Shelf gave to me on my helmet instead of in the pocket and people cheered for "The American." That was Fun! —Susan

Wallace at the BWC
Wallace among the top-riding men at the Brompton World Championship

The day was so hot and sunny that they made a special ruling that jackets were not required. I had a good race [Wallace is being modest here, he came in 15th WOW! out of hundreds of racers]! There were 700+ racers in 6 waves, 2 laps on narrow roads, 22 minutes flat out. It was a combination of a sprint, time trial and road race on narrow, winding, rolling course around a 300 year old palace. —Wallace

Riders wave before the start of the Brompton World Championship
Riders wave before the start of the Brompton World Championship

England was fantastic. As for the race results, here's how I did: I won 1st place female for the Sprint and I also got 1st place female for the "Brompton Treble"!  The Brompton Treble means having the best average time out of those who participated in all 3 events: biking the Marathon's 26.2 miles, the World Championship's 9 miles, and the Sprint's 300 meters. The prize for the "Brompton Treble" was a trophy of a Brompton crankset and pedals; it looks quite solid and it's super cute. I also got a free night at Stokes Place (which looks like a palace!)... We'll have to use it when we return for the Brompton Race next year! I can't wait! —Susan

Way to go, Susan & Wallace! We can't wait for next year, either! You can read more about the Brompton World Championship 2012 on in Brompton's BWC recap and see the full results here. Don't miss the full album of photos on Brompton's Facebook page.

All images © Anna Batchelor for Brompton Bicycle Ltd.