Paramount CRT Five Chimneys Hill Climb

If there has been one feature of the Coaching Revolutions Hill Climb Series in 2018 it has been the fantastic level of competition amongst the Juniors – and they didn’t disappoint in the 9th and final round, Paramount CRT’s climb of ‘Five Chimneys’ Hughley. With all three Junior medals to be resolved James Satoor and Lewis Page were going head-to-head for Junior Gold, with Satoor putting in a major effort to not only take the Junior win – he also took Overall victory too.

Satoor stopped the watch on 4 minutes 8 seconds, just one second ahead of Mid Shropshire Wheelers’ team mate Ronnie Tse who was on a belated comeback trail from injury. Coping best with the 0.9 mile climb traversing Wenlock Edge, Satoor took Junior Gold and doubled up by sealing Overall Silver too in a glittering hill climb season. With an average gradient of 8% but ramping up towards the top Satoor knew he had been in a race and had to pull out all the stops for victory with Tse and Page on the start line. He commented: “A tough climb – well done Ronnie for coming so close. The cold made it very difficult, but I was pleased to get both the Junior and the Overall win despite missing a few rounds. Well done Lewis for second in the Junior Series! A great hill climb season for me“.

Tse split the medal challengers and surely would have been in contention himself if he hadn’t been sidelined by an untimely injury ruining this short but sharp season-ending season for him. Tse is well aware of the characteristics of this climb and put that knowledge to good use to capture the runner-up spot in 4:09 a she explained: “Five Chimneys is a climb local to me and one that I know well – the steady gradient made it easy to pace. I was very pleased with second given that I’ve just come back from a knee injury. Well done James on taking the win and the Overall Juniors“.

Page meanwhile was also flying the flag for Mid Shropshire Wheelers as the club took an impressive 1-2-3 at the top of the results board with his 4:19 effort. Page took Junior Silver thanks to two wins earlier in the Series and had clearly enjoyed the challenges supplied by a rich variety of climbs with varied characteristics, stating: “It’s been a great hill climb season with very well run events. I’m very happy to make an exciting race for the Junior title and to take two wins along the way“! The final Junior medal was taken by Hafren CC’s Sam Holwill, who won the Welsh Junior Hill Climb Championship during October and has his sights on County honours in 2019: “I’m happy with the result, especially as I was unable to complete all the rounds. Hopefully I will be able to win next year“!

Whilst Mark Hammond sealed Veteran’s Gold in Round 8 his work wasn’t finished as he had sights on an Overall medal too – and he got his wish as he took Overall Bronze after finishing equal 4th on the day, taking the Veteran’s win. Hammond did enough to see off the attentions of Page for that medal and was pleased to double up on hi medal haul, commenting: “I struggled in the cold conditions but I am delighted with Veteran’s Gold and Bronze Overall. Kudos to Paramount CRT for a great event, and also thanks to Shropshire CCA for organising the Series“!

Hammond wasn’t the only rider with eyes on a medal with Oswestry Paragon’s Neil Coles helping himself to Veteran’s Silver with a 4:45 ride. Coles was riding his 7th event of the Series but was another rider not helped by chilly conditions, commenting: “I struggled to warm up on Five Chimneys. The air felt like I was breathing dry ice, but surprisingly I was only two seconds down on last year – but I’ll take that. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the Series this year, Ludlow and Marches climbs were new for me, both brilliant climbs. I’m very pleased with Silver – but only just“!

Coles overhauled another sidelined rider, reigning Veteran’s Champion Ian Coupland at the last gasp who has been frustrated by illness. He addressed this in his comments: “I have mixed feelings as I was pleased with my early season climbs but picked up a bug which has kept me off the bike, so disappointed not to ride and try to defend title. Well done to Mark, and it has been great to see a number of youngsters ride the Series. Thanks to clubs, helpers and all involved“.

Holwill isn’t the only Hafren CC rider to take a Welsh Hill Climb Championship with Rebecca Richardson gaining the Women’s title in the same October event. Richardson went one better by adding the Shropshire Women’s title to her palmares. When told she had taken Gold she commented: “Amazing! I love the hill climbs, illness and work got in the way for much of the season though. Thanks very much, I’m very happy”!

The Silver position saw a rare tie with another Mid Shropshire Wheeler Junior Lucy Hart sharing the honours with Oswestry Paragon’s Liz Breeze. Hart stated: “I was disappointed not to have been able to any more rounds but I am pleased to get Silver. A big thanks to the organisers and volunteers who make the events possible“. Breeze added: “Thank you to fellow cyclists for the support and encouragement in this new challenge ‘to me’ – the hill climb! Enjoyed it, still learning! Looking forward to next year“!

Result:

Junior Result:

Veterans Result:

Final Cumulative standings after nine rounds

Overall Top 10:

Juniors Top 10:

Veterans Top 10: 

Women’s Standings: