150 riders set to punish themselves up Long Hill in Derbyshire chasing Hill Climb Title
Related Link: Matlock CC Hill Climb Photo Special
I’ll be the first to say I know bloody little about hill climbs and how significant they are in the world of cycling in Britain but a field of 150 plus more reserves says it all really, this event is a big deal to a lot of riders!
And not just the average clubman wanting to test themselves against the hill but quite a smattering of ‘names’ including a rider with a few World titles to his name as well as Olympic medals. That being Rob ‘killer’ Hayles of Endura Racing. Rob, a former British Road Race championship is, bless him, not exactly in the peak of his career but he’ll be worth a lot of shouts because he’s great value is ‘our’ Rob. He was always one of the best descenders in the business … will he prove to be the best the other way round!
Having come out of the British Cycling bubble after ten years, it’s a learning curve getting to know who’s who in this world of hill climbing but even so, it wasn’t hard to find at least a few dozen names that I recognise. Names, some at least, who will be figuring in the results for one category or another.
From the rather elderly (sorry Mick) Mick Ives to the rather spritely and much younger Chris Lawless. Now I’m going out on a limb here because his name is also down to ride Revolution the night before at Manchester but Chris Lawless is one talented youngster and will perhaps take a few scalps should he ride. And speaking of youngsters, no Germain Burton, winner of the BEC CC Hill Climb which is a shame.
There is even an icon in the field. Mark Lovatt (champion in 2002). Haven’t seen Mark for a long time but I do remember the years when he was winning year in, year out, the Tour of the Peaks and big ringing Snake Pass. Perhaps, like Rob, Mark is not at his peak (sorry, couldn’t help the pun) but his presence at any race will always make it special.
Mark Lovatt winning the 2003 Tour of the Peaks. Classic days in more ways that one! We had a lot of classics back then!!
The championship isn’t just for men by the way and lots of top girls are entered including one, Sarah Byrne, who studies locally and has just signed for the country’s top women’s team, Horizon Fitness-Prendas Ciclismo along. Other names are Rebecca Slack and Lyn Hamel, a former champion.
The biggest battle though is in the Men’s event and on a climb that is not exactly steep but rather longer than the 400 yard one I watched last week, I’m not sure if it’s more hilly time trial rather than a hill climb. Different types of climbs will suit different types of riders. The really steep ones require the dead skinny types weighing less than a few bags of sugar while this will probably suit the powerhouses and one name was being bandied about at the climb I was at last week, Michael Hutchinson.
Some did say he was on the ‘big’ side (and we’re being kind …) but then it will be about power to weight and he’ll probably have that over and above most, if not every other rider in the field. It’s safe to say that many of the out and out ‘climbers’ are disappointed with the course this year but there are plenty worth a shout for a medal.
Shame Alex Dowsett doesn’t make the short journey from Manchester to Long Hill to again take on ‘Hutch’ but alas, he hasn’t entered. Instead there are the names that have figured all season long at the top of the Hill Climb results. Former champion Matt Clinton(2008) is entered as has two time champion James Dobbin.
Endura Racing’s Dave Clarke may find the more roadman like nature of the climb to his liking as may Trigon equipped Gunnar Gronlund won the Matlock double header last weekend. Youngsters who may spring a surprise include Mike Cumming (Twenty3C-Orbea) , Adam Yates and Ryan Mullen whilst the rider who was king of the mountains in a Majorcan UCI stage race, Richard Handley is also on the start sheet. Hmmm…
Scottish Hill Climb champion and runner up in the RTTC Circuit Time Trial Championships this year (Under 23) George Atkins is on the start sheet as is Robert Gough who won one of the oldest hill climbs of all, the Catford CC event this year. That was an effort of under two minutes but the 4.4 mile Long Hill climb will take quite a few more minutes.
In fact, if we go back to a ‘test’ event, the Trevor Yeoman Memorial Open Hill Climb held on Sunday 11th September, the winner there was Tejvan Pettinger in a time of 13.49.3 with George Atkins second in 14.00.5 and Gunnar Gronlund in 14.01.5.
With the course being a little on the shallow side, we can still hope that a ‘climber’ is the winner at the end of the race as it won’t be right if it isn’t but I’m sure with the right weather, the day on Long Hill will be a memorable one!
Three of the contenders for the title, L-R: Gunnar Gronlund, Matt Clinton, Mike Cumming
Discuss! Find me on Twitter (AussieLarry)
Details:
Headquarters:Â Whaley Bridge Bowling Club, Buxton Rd, Whaley Bridge, High Peak. SK23 7HX.
Start: 11.01am – remember that the clocks go back!
COURSE DETAILS: Long Hill, A5004 Whaley Bridge – Buxton | Distance: 4.44 miles | Average Gradient: 3.2%
START SHEET
1   Jonathan Baines   Buxton Cc/Sett Valley Cycles   11:01
2   Joanne Harcourt   Nova Cc   11:02
3   Kurtis Rowe   Yeovil Cc   11:03
4   John O’callaghan   Barrow Central Wheelers   11:04
5   Daniel Gee   Ashfield Rc   11:05
6   Connor Fearon   Weaver Valley   11:06
7   Nige Wood   Wills Wheels   11:07
8   Robert Gallagher   Buxton Cc – Sett Valley Cycles   11:08
9   Dave Fearon   Weaver Valley   11:09
10   Rob Watkinson   Doncaster Wheelers – Don Valley Cycles   11:10
11   James Carter   Witham Wheelers Cc   11:11
12   Robbie Harcourt   Nova Cc   11:12
13   Tom Clark   Buxton Cc – Sett Valley Cycles   11:13
14   Jonathan Schubert   Ystwyth Cc   11:14
15   John Findley   Southport Cc   11:15
16   Jenny Spurrett   Blackburn & District Ctc   11:16
17   Jess Watts   Tyneside Vagabonds   11:17
18   Benedikte Joergensen   Glossop Kinder Velo   11:18
19   Neil Souter   Gs Metro   11:19
20   Stewart Gregory   Nottingham Clarion   11:20
21   Stuart Baker   Buxton Cc – Sett Valley Cycles   11:21
22   Richie Case   Tyneside Vagabonds   11:22
23   Daniel Watts   Royal Air Force Cc   11:23
24   Jane Kilmartin   Cult Racing   11:24
25   Ken Roberts   Preston Wheelers   11:25
26   Diane Lee   Zepnat Rt   11:26
27   Tom Yeatman   Zappi Cycling Club   11:27
28   Kyle Watts   Tyneside Vagabonds   11:28
29   Stuart Stirland   Edinburgh Rc   11:29
30   Ben Lane   Gs Metro   11:30
31   Dougi Hall   Border City Wheelers   11:31
32   Thomas Colton   Matlock Cc   11:32
33   Ian Shapiro   Stockport Clarion Cc   11:33
34   David Crawley   Activcycles Corbridge   11:34
35   Karen Brooks   Lincoln Wheelers Cc   11:35
36   Edward Palfreeman   45 Road Club   11:36
37   Christopher Danby   Drighlington Bc   11:37
38   Carl Mustill   Ferryhill Wheelers Mountain High Rt   11:38
39   Helen Eborall   Velo Club Rutland   11:39
40   Rob Yeatman   Team Jewson – Mi Racing – Thule – Cnp   11:40
41   Paul Thirling   Westbrook Cycles   11:41
42   Gez Taylor   Clevedon & District Rc   11:42
43   Bronwen Ewing   Rye & District Wheelers   11:43
44   Shaun Walsh   Yeovil Cycling Club   11:44
45   Nathan Veall   Clifton Cc   11:45
46   Andrew Pearson   Huddersfield Road Club   11:46
47   Philip Astfalck   Team Jewson – Mi Racing – Thule – Cnp   11:47
48   Dawn Sherrin   Gs Metro   11:48
49   Steve Hargreaves   Warrington Road Club   11:49
50   Neil Blessitt   Severn Rc   11:50
51   Jack Reed   Team Qoroz   11:51
52   Tony Kiss   Stratford Cc   11:52
53   Sarah Blackburn   Pbscience.Com   11:53
54   Steve Roper   Barnsley Road Club   11:54
55   William Staveley   Clifton Cc   11:55
56   Sam Ward   Otley Cycle Club   11:56
57   Anne Plant   Herbalife/Wheelbase   11:57
58   Andrew Leigh   Manchester Wheelers   11:58
59   Carlo Berton   Border City Wheelers   11:59
60   Jacob Peatfield   Bolton Hot Wheels Cc   12:00
61   Richard Birkin   Nottingham Clarion   12:01
62   Peter Middlehurst   Crewe Clarion Wheelers   12:02
63   Andy Ward   Leicester Forest Cc   12:03
64   Mike Adams   Mapperley Cc   12:04
65   Nicola Soden   Maxgear Rt   12:05
66   Ben Hetherington   Ferryhill Wheelers Mountain High Rt   12:06
67   Daniel Thorogood   Ystwyth Cc   12:07
68   Richard Lilleker   Cleveland Wheelers Cc   12:08
69   Rex Facey   1st Chard Wheelers   12:09
70   Rebecca Slack   The Altitude Centre   12:10
71   Fergus Roberts   Hambleton Rc   12:11
72   Mick Ives   Team Jewson – Mi Racing – Thule – Cnp   12:12
73   Nicolas Latimer   Rutland Cc   12:13
74   Mike Cotgreave   Westmead Team 88   12:14
75   Melissa Bury   Maxgear Rt   12:15
76   James Risk   Sportcity Velo   12:16
77   John Bettison   Lvrc   12:17
78   Hugh Carthy   Team Jewson – Mi Racing – Thule – Cnp   12:18
79   Carl Saint   Yorkshire Road Club   12:19
80   Eve Dixon   Maxgear Rt   12:20
81   Josh Bee   Stratford Cc   12:21
82   Jonathan Lloyd   Westmead Team 88   12:22
83   Thomas Marshall   Adeo Cadence Rt   12:23
84   Steve Fidler   Team Elite   12:24
85   Sarah Byrne   Abergavenny Rc   12:25
86   Jack Fearon   Weaver Valley   12:26
87   Rob Jackson   Inverse/Cyclaim Rt   12:27
88   Danny Lowthorpe   Rutland Cc   12:28
89   Andrew Grace   Crewe Clarion Wheelers   12:29
90   Alex Deck   Planet X R.T   12:30
91   George Goodwin   Mike Vaughan Cycles   12:31
92   Rob Weare   Leamington C & Ac   12:32
93   Stuart Murfin   Ashfield Rc   12:33
94   John Brown   Manchester Wheelers   12:34
95   Hannah Walker   Motorpoint Pro Cycling Team   12:35
96   Liam O’toole   Sheffrec Cc   12:36
97   Andrew Askwith   Bridington Cycling Club   12:37
98   Tony Parker   North Hampshire Rc   12:38
99   Paul Brierley   Huddersfield Rc   12:39
100   Lyn Hamel   Herbalife/Wheelbase   12:40
101   Tony Greenhalgh   Maxgear Rt   12:41
102   Ryan Ballard   Team Jewson – Mi Racing – Thule – Cnp   12:42
103   Mark Tickle   Leigh Premier   12:43
104   Sam Mansfield   Manchester Wheelers   12:44
105   Chris Baines   Buxton Cc – Sett Valley Cycles   12:45
106   Chris Edmondson   Blackburn & District Ctc   12:46
107   Paul Jones   Bristol South Cc   12:47
108   Josh Teasdale   Team Jewson – Mi Racing – Thule – Cnp   12:48
109   Simon Rushton   Phoenix Cc Aintree   12:49
110   Rob English   Arctic – Premier Rt   12:50
111   Neil Skellern   Congleton Cc   12:51
112   Conall Yates   In Gear Quickvit Trainsharp R.T   12:52
113   Luke Clarke   Team Milton Keynes   12:53
114   Robin Wilkins   Velo Ecosse-Montpeliers   12:54
115   Mark Lovatt   Planet X R.T   12:55
116   Ian Stott   Blackburn & District Ctc   12:56
117   James William Tucker   South Pennine Rc   12:57
118   Ashley Proctor   Sheffrec Cc   12:58
119   Finlay Young   Velo Ecosse-Montpeliers   12:59
120   Peter Tadros   In Gear Quickvit Trainsharp R.T   13:00
121   Josh Ferguson   Coveryourcar.Co.Uk Rt   13:01
122   James Dobbin   Adeo Cadence Rt   13:02
123   Harry Shackleton   Maccelsfield Wheelers   13:03
124   Chris Myhill   Peak Road Club   13:04
125   David Clarke   Endura Racing   13:05
126   Adam Yates   Maxgear Rt   13:06
127   Richard Handley   Team Raleigh   13:07
128   James Coleman   Witham Wheelers Cc   13:08
129   John Storms   Kingston Wheelers   13:09
130   Gunnar Gronlund   Rst Racing Team – Trigon   13:10
131   Andy Tinsley   Maxgear Rt   13:11
132   George Atkins   Velo Ecosse-Montpeliers   13:12
133   Danny Axford   Arctic-Premier Rt   13:13
134   Michael Hutchinson   In Gear Quickvit Trainsharp R.T   13:14
135   Rob Hayles   Endura Racing   13:15
136   Wayne Greenhalgh   Maxgear Rt   13:16
137   Ryan Mullen   Planet X R.T   13:17
138   Will Mangar   In Gear Quickvit Trainsharp R.T   13:18
139   Peter Greenwood   Clayton Velo   13:19
140   Tejvan Pettinger   Sri Chinmoy Cycling Team   13:20
141   Matthew Pilkington   Progressive Cycle Coaching Development Squad   13:21
142   Chris Lawless   Maxgear Rt   13:22
143   Dan Evans   Rhos On Sea   13:23
144   Glyndwr Griffiths   Bristol South Cc   13:24
145   Mike Cumming   Twenty 3 C – Orbea   13:25
146   Edward Addis   Velo Ecosse-Montpeliers   13:26
147   Robert Gough   Adeo Cadence Rt   13:27
148   Carl Helliwell   Blackburn & District Ctc   13:28
149   Alistair Kay   Herbalife/Wheelbase   13:29
150   Matt Clinton   Mike Vaughan Cycles   13:30
Reserves
151   Marc Allen   Swindon Road Club
152   Timothy Hastie   Rugby Rcc
153   Alexander Royle   Scienceinsport.Com
154   Sarah Hartley   Blackburn & District Ctc
155   Imran Mughal   Ystwyth Cc
156   Daniel Warwick   Activcycles Corbridge
157   Clive Upton   Hambleton Rc
158   Paul Armstrong   Sheffrec Cc
159   John Cornfield   Born To Bike – Bridgetown Cycles
160   Ben Amesbury   Fibrax Wrexham
161   Trevor Pain   North Hampshire Rc
162   Charles Carraz   Seamons Cc
163   Chris Sharp   Matlock Cc
164   Simon Lees   Stone Wheelers
165   Matthew Plant   Rugby Rcc
