Preview: Monsal Hill Climb

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Hill Climb Champion Jack Pullar, Graham Briggs (Rapha Condor CC) and Russ Downing (Netapp-Endura) just two of the names racing the Monsal Hill Climb on Sunday at Monsal Head in Derbyshire this Sunday

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Climb: 675 yards with a gradient of 1 in 6 – Above – Jessie Walker races through the crowd …

Two National Champions head up a star studded field for the 83rd Simplyhealth Monsal Hill Climb.

The 83rd running of this hill climb classic, organised by Marc Etches and Sheffrec CC has the best field ever with both the mens and ladies National Champions on the start sheet. National Mens Hill Climb Champion and defending Monsal Champion, Jack Pullar, Madison Genesis leads the charge with Lynn Hamel, Herbalife-Leisure Lakes looking to take the Monsal title from Jessie Walker, Matrix Fitness Racing Academy.

The mens field is a mix of pro riders and local big guns all in search of a slice from the £1350.00 prize fund. Russell Downing, NetApp Endura is looking to stop Jack Pullar’s winning streak of 11 straight hill climb wins. Russell has longed to break the 1 minute 14.2 second course record set by Malcolm Elliott in 1981 and will again be trying to become the master of Monsal and claim the Dick Aldridge Memorial Trophy.

The NetApp-Endura rider came close in 2003 with a 1:18.3 when he rode for Life Repair. Russ wont have it all is own way as Pullar posted a 1:18.9 last year and claimed a well deserved win in front of huge crowds. Can the Madison Genesis rider do the same this weekend or even beat the 22 year old record? He’ll certainly be up there that’s for sure.

Graham Briggs, Rapha Condor CC is fresh from winning at Pea Royd Lane on Sunday and is showing excellent form so will be in with a big shout for a place on the podium. Local hill climb specialist Lee Baldwin, Buxton CC / Sett Valley Cycles finished second to Briggs at the Stocksbridge CC event, always posts a fast time up the 675 yard climb and is hoping to repeat his good run of form. Team Hope Factory rider, James Gullen is on the start sheet and could spring a surprise along with local favourites including James Allen, Langsett Cycles RT, current Monsal Junior champion Jacob Scott, Team Sportscover and ex junior champion Ashley Proctor, Sheffrec CC all looking to break the 1:30 barrier.

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Rus Downing in 2012

The vets race is also looking very competitive. Defending Vets Champion Michael Brammall, Sugarcane Velo Club is looking to keep his name on the Cope Trophy but will be pushed hard by first year vet Richard Middlemiss. The Sheffield Sports rider is looking to win the vet prize to give him a quartet of titles at Monsal. Middlemiss has won at Schoolboy, Junior and Senior level just needs the Vets title to become the most successful rider at the 83 year old event. Previous Monsal winner, now vet Chris Walker RST Racing Team is looking to rejuvenate the past and find the form to give him a win in his category. Chris miss timed his run last year and left too much in the tank at the top. He is more than capable of walking away with the silverware.

The whole field is a great mix of youngsters, ladies and seniors with many local clubs represented. Writer of 100 Greatest Climbs, Simon Warren, Norwood Paragon CC is again at Monsal and knows the climb well having written about the famous climb in his much publicised books. First run in 1930, Monsal Hill Climb has been on the hill climb calendar for an amazing 83 years. This event was first started by a few mates riding out to Monsal Head at the end of the track season and timing each other up the hill, at this time it was an unmade road. How times have changed. This year again sees the road closure in place with around 300-400 spectators expected to the Peak District beauty spot. Spectators are urged to use the car park provided and arrive early to witness the action unfold. Parking will be signposted and very close to the event HQ.

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Jack Pullar in 2012 on the climb

Event organiser, Marc Etches of Sheffrec Cycling Club would like to thank James Glover at Simplyhealth, Derbyshire Times, Neil Armitage at Pelican Cycles, Derbyshire Dales District Council, Litton & Cressbrook Parish Council, Keith Adamson and Little Longstone Village Group, Derbyshire Police and Hobb’s Café. Without their help this event just simply wouldn’t happen.

Action kicks off at 11.00am at Monsal Head. Live commentary from ex Olympian Mark Barry along with Brent Storey will provide a great atmosphere for all cycling fans. As always record holder since 1981 Malcolm Elliott will be presenting the prizes to all categories shortly after 1.15pm.

Further information here: http://www.monsalhillclimb.org.uk

Start Sheet (first ride off at 11.01)
Callum Stewart Sheffrec CC
Louis Jacobs Sheffield Sports CC SB
Helen Ibbitson Stocksbridge CC L
Martyn Dransfield Thurcroft CC Vet
Liz Barber-Lilley Rutland CC L Vet
Andrew Rodgers Norton Wheelers
Daryl May Sheffrec CC
Theo Jefferies Ashley Touring CC SB
Nicola Holloway Whirlow Wheelers L
Peter Morris Sheffrec CC
Richard Thorpe Bolsover & District CC Vet
Matt Bacon Sheffrec CC SB
Jonathan Poole Ashley Touring CC Vet
Cameron Orr Matlock CC SB
James Clarke Bolsover & District CC
Ben Lowe La Squadra
Lee Ibbitson Stocksbridge CC Vet
Clara Sandelind Sheffrec CC L
Andrew Roberts La Squadra Vet
Jamie Flaxman Chesterfield Spire RC Vet
Michael Cox Ashley Touring CC SB
Jonathan Cooper Norton Wheelers Vet
Vincent Johnson Mansfield RC Vet
Trevor Mayne Birdwell Wheelers Vet
Luke Milnes La Squadra
Jim Brown Holme Valley Wheelers SB
Sidney Wilson Derby Mercury RC Jun
Matthew Cosgrove Sportcity Velo SB
Jason Goulty Sugarcane Velo Club Vet
Robert Barnard Team Cystic Fibrosis Vet
Patrick Murphy Bolsover & District CC
David Swingler Zenith – Buzz Cycles Vet
Brad Dransfield KCA SB
Louise Collins Beeston RC L
Alan Holloway Sheffrec CC
Simon Kelly Leicester Forest CC Vet
Neil Armitage Matlock CC Vet
Daniel Trainor Mansfield RC
Alex Kinderman Pedal Sport CC SB
Mark Cuckson Sheffrec CC
Ivan Paul Ashley Touring CC Jun
Daniel Chaib Sharrow CC Jun
Rupert Pearson Rutland CC Vet
Paul Winwood La Squadra
Felicity Gledhill Sport City Velo SG
Steve Wood Stocksbridge CC
Nicola Soden Champion Systems Maxgear L
Andrew Cutts Birdwell Wheelers
Jayati Hine Sheffield Sports CC SG
Shaun Randall Rossington Wheelers Vet
David Staniland Sheffrec CC Vet
Xavier Scott Bolsover & District CC
Luke Thomas Ashley Touring CC Jun
Will Boyes Team Cystic Fibrosis
Alain Gordon-Seymour Rutland CC
Joseph Drane University of Sheffield CC
Thomas Taylor Sugarcane Velo Club Vet
Shue Fan Clay Cross RT
Samuel Garner Buxton CC / Sett Valley Cycles Jun
Keith Ainsworth Sheffrec CC Vet
Alex Jones Team CF Vet
Thomas Humphrey Sheffrec CC SB
Paul Kippax Rutland CC Vet
Tom Llewellyn Mansfield RC
Liz Bullivant Whirlow Wheelers L
Stephen Carley Sheffrec CC Vet
Stewart Bates TFN Triathlon Club
Eamonn Cox Sheffield Sports CC Vet
Nick Decker Congleton CC
Dave Archer Bolsover & District CC
Jake Carlisle Mansfield RC Jun
James Hill RST Racing Team Jun
Melanie Armstrong Shutt VR L
Christiaan Smith Zappis CC
Cian O’Leary Base2Race Bikeshack
James Hunt Sheffrec CC
Carl Sawyer Kiveton Park CC Vet
Michael Brown Birdwell Wheelers
Nick Downham Sheffrec CC
Oliver Humphreys Shutt VR
Andrew Sedgewick Langsett Cycles RT Vet
Patrick Smart Matlock CC Jun
Robert Hayes Manchester Wheelers
Adam Machan Sheffrec CC
Matt Williams Fusion CC Dronfield Vet
Stephen Price Derby Mercury RC
Mike Blair Matlock CC
Aaron Handley Sheffrec CC Jun
Ben Harvey Rutland CC
Kevin White Matlock CC Vet
Lee Brown Holme Valley Wheelers
Robin McKinnon Harworth & District CC Vet
Sam Mansfield Buxton CC / Sett Valley Cycles Jun
Darren Otter Rutland CC Vet
Graham Waller Sharrow CC
Neil Bentley Sheffrec CC Vet
Steve Strange Matlock CC
Paul Armstrong Sheffrec CC
Helen Eborall Born to Bike – Bridgtown Cycles L
Chris Walker RST Racing Team Vet
Jahan Hunter Ashley Touring CC
Will Glover Sheffrec CC
Struan McInnes RST Racing Team Jun
Jessie Walker Matrix Fitness Racing Academy L
Steve Roper Team Cystic Fibrosis Vet
Simon Warren Norwood Paragon CC Vet
Levi Moody RST Racing Team Jun
Peter Colledge Matlock CC Vet
Mike Birkby Rutland CC
Richard Middlemiss Sheffield Sports CC Vet
Chris Dyke Manchester Wheelers
Michael Brammall Sugarcane Velo Club Vet
Gavin Evans Rutland CC
Lynn Hamel Herbalife-Leisure Bikes.com L
Liam O’Toole Sheffrec CC Jun
Andy Nichols Neon Velo.com
James King Team Sportscover Jun
Jamie Burgan Langsett Cycles RT
Nicholas Latimer Rutland CC
Matthew Pilkington Metaltek-Knights of Old
Sam Clark Buxton CC / Sett Valley Cycles
Ashley Proctor Sheffrec CC
Jacob Scott Team Sportscover Jun
Adam Kenway Zenith – Buzz Cycles
James Allen Langsett Cycles RT
James Gullen Hope Factory Racing
Graham Briggs Rapha Condor CC
Lee Baldwin Buxton CC / Sett Valley Cycles
Russell Downing Team Net App Endura
Jack Pullar Madison Genesis

Reserves
Simon Froberg Dinnington RC Vet
Frans Schrijver Sheffrec CC
Robert Fowler Rutland CC Vet
Robert Lankester Sheffrec CC

 

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