Cycling club to hold races in tribute to member who died after RideLondon crash

The Outdoor Traders Cycling Club (OTCC) has named a series of races in honour of a member who died three weeks after crashing during a sportive. 71-year-old Richard Kell – who was fundraising for the British Red Cross – crashed into a tree during July’s Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 event.

Kell was airlifted to St George’s Hospital in Tooting where he spent three weeks in a coma before his life support machine was switched off.

He was one of two cyclists to die after taking part in this year’s RideLondon event. Robin Chard from Bicester, Oxfordshire, sustained a cardiac arrest and later passed away in Kingston Hospital.

The London Evening Standard reports that the Abingdon-based Outdoor Traders Cycling Club has renamed its autumn series of races in Kell’s memory.

Held at Abingdon Airfield/Dalton Barracks, the first round of The Richard Kell Memorial Series took place on Saturday. Future rounds are scheduled for Saturday September 17, Saturday September 24 and Saturday October 1. More information is available here.

A post on the Outdoor Traders Race Team’s (OTRT) Facebook page says that a trophy will be awarded by Kell’s family to the rider with the highest accumulated points over the course of the series, regardless of category or gender. A shield will also be held in Outdoor Traders and will include the name of the winning rider for the 2016 series as well as for future years.

“Richard showed great interest in OTRT and would often attend races where he would offer words of encouragement to the team. Him passing will leave a void in OTCC and OTRT which will not be filled,” said OTRT.