Feature: Harry Hudson Q&A

Equal third in the British Hill Climb Championship, Harry Hudson is a young rider who races many different disciplines – we quiz Harry on his 2023 season

Feature: Harry Hudson Q&A

1.How do you feel about your performance being third overall and Junior Champion? IE: Pleased with the ride and the result?
Harry: I am very pleased with my result at the national Hill Climb Champs. It was one of my targets for the year. I knew I had great legs, having put in good rides at the recent Mam Nick and Snake Pass hill climbs. I had hoped I would put in a good ride on the day and maybe get some sort of result in the Junior, but joint 3rd spot overall with Paddy Clark was more than I was expecting.

Top step of the podium for Harry at the Hill Climb Championships in Cumbria. Thanks to Anne Morley for posting this pic on the VeloUK Facebook page.

2. When you have big crowds like there was on the Struggle climb, do you find they help you go deeper with your effort.
Harry: The crowd on the Struggle were epic. When I hit that last ramp, the noise and chaos was crazy. It really helped me dig deep in the last few 100 meters.

3. Do the crowds make it more ‘fun’ despite the intensity of the effort in racing up a mountain
Harry: I really love riding through the crowds on the final sections of Hill Climbs. All the noise and encouragement makes the last few minutes a bit more enjoyable and makes an incredible atmosphere for everyone.

4. Do you like the longer hill climbs like the one up the Struggle?
Harry: I love longer climbs; they definitely suit my power curve and riding style. I was particularly excited about this year’s National being on the Struggle because its steepness and length played to my strengths. Id love it if the nationals would visit an even longer climb like Great Dunn Fell.

Harry does like it when the road goes up!

5. Do you have a special bike for hill climbs or just a normal road bike
Harry: Yes. My dad gave me a budget to build a lightweight machine for the National. We got it weighed at the top, it came in at 5.85kg which is quite light to say it has a double chainring which I used so I could still push on the flat and descent sections. We managed to build the whole bike for about £750.

6. You seem to race cyclocross, road, hill climbs, MTB etc … do you have a favourite cycling discipline?
Harry: I have really enjoyed the road season this year. I much prefer hilly attritional races, but also love a fast-paced hectic crit. I also enjoy cyclocross however I have focused on the Hill Climb season this year so haven’t attended any of the national series. Maybe more of that next year.

7. Overall, how was your season on the bike?
Harry: I have loved this year on the bike. I have managed to stay healthy for the majority of the road season. I have had two of my best ever results, these being at the North West Youth Tour and the National Hill Climb. Both were events I targeted, so I am mega pleased with the outcomes.

Harry racing a support race at the Sheffield Grand Prix

8. What was your best performance in 2023?
Harry: Tough question that. Performance wise, I would say the National champs hill climb, I put out my best ever power numbers for a 13 minute effort. However I am also very proud of my time up the Alpe D’Huez, 41:53, currently 5th fastest under 19 on the strava segment. I hope to return in summer 2024 and try to go sub 41 minutes.

9. What race was the most fun in 2023?
Harry: Definitely stage 2 of the North West Youth Tour. I had been looking forwards to it all year. Things went really well on the day, I took my first road race win of the season. I really enjoyed the high intensity and aggressive nature of the race on the day.

10. Will you being do more cyclocross in the winter or taking a break from racing?
Harry: Definitely more cross as I really enjoy it and it keeps the winter season interesting. I plan to have a break at some point before I start next season with my new team, Harrogate Nova Race Team. I am really looking forwards to racing with them as we have a great group of lads in the team.

Thank you Harry for that excellent Q&A! Great to get some insights into your racing .. #futurestar

Harry on the podium with the other stars of the day at the Hill Climb Championships. L-R: Ruby Isaac, Harry Hudson, Illi Gardner and Andrew Feather. Photo from Cold Dark North.