The Victor Berlemont Memorial Race

The Victor Berlemont Memorial Race was established in 1951 by Southern Velo in memory of Victor Berlemont, the popular landlord of the York Minster (now The French House) in Soho, who died that year. Victor's pub was a famous meeting place for London’s cycling community. His son, Gaston Berlemont—a member of Southern Velo and Vice-President of the BLRC—was instrumental in founding and promoting the race. Over four decades it built a distinguished list of winners, becoming one of the best-known southern road races before its 1996 hiatus. Revived in 2010 by Doug Collins with Surrey League support, it is now once again an independent National B event.

The Pedal Club has pledged  financial and moral backing to help secure its future.

• Victor Berlemont was a Belgian or French immigrant who settled in London. He took over the York Minster pub in Soho in the early 20th century.
• He was known for his heavy accent, convivial style, and insistence on serving drinks in small measures.
• His pub was an important informal headquarters for the cycling community, especially in the interwar years.
• Members of the Catford Cycling Club, North Road Cycling Club, and other clubs would gather there.
• The York Minster was famous for its welcoming attitude toward cyclists returning from long rides out into Kent or Surrey.
• Berlemont himself was not known as a competitive cyclist, but he was a patron and friend to many riders.
• He embodied the continental café culture that many cyclists enjoyed—talking over rides, racing, and touring plans late into the night.
• During WWII, when many clubs struggled to stay connected, his pub remained a social hub.
• Victor Berlemont died in 1951. The pub remained a landmark for London cycling enthusiasts and was renamed The French House after the war, partly in recognition of its Francophone heritage under Berlemont.
• His son, also named Victor Berlemont, continued running the pub.

In short, while Victor Berlemont was not a racer or organiser in the formal sense, he played a real role in London's cycling history by maintaining one of its most beloved meeting places.

• Founded in 1951 by Southern Velo to commemorate Victor’s life.
• First winner: Chris Hooper (Southern Velo).
• Initially may have been a club event but quickly opened up to other clubs and became an important southern fixture.
• Part of the BLRC calendar and later the BCF calendar after reunification.
• Built up a very distinguished list of winners, including:
• Brian Wilcher (Army CU) 1956
• Dave Bedwell (multiple wins in 1960, ’62, ’64)
• John Froude (Festival RC) 1965
• Peter Chisman (Raleigh) 1966
• Les West (Holdsworth/Campagnolo) 1969–71
• Gary Crewe (National RR Champ) 1972
• Dave Rayner (East Bradford) 1992
• Last held in 1996 before lapsing.
• Revived by Doug Collins and the Surrey League in 2010.
• Has since been re-established as an independent National B level event.



The Victor Berlemont Memorial Race 2025