R4 Coaching Revolutions Hill Climb Series: Nova Raiders Jiggers Bank climb

Nova Raiders Jiggers Bank Hill Climb

A brand new course guaranteed someone would set a course record in Nova Raiders’ hill climb as riders steeled themselves for a vertical challenge for the third evening in a row in Round 4 of The Coaching Revolutions Hill Climb Series. The club hosted a 0.82 mile climb of Jiggers Bank accompanied by wet conditions two nights on the trot – a distance short enough to mean that competitors had to put the hammer down yet leave enough in the tank to save blowing up on the final 8% ramp. For the unfamiliar where the crest of the climb is doesn’t get revealed easily as the road twists around whilst passing Leasow’s Farm.

Taking that initial course record was Mule CC’s David Scott, one of only two riders to beat the three minute mark in an excellent time of 2 minutes, 55.64 seconds. Scott elevated himself into the Silver medal position in the Championship as he beat Series leader Kirk Vickers for the first time this season. Scott was delighted with becoming a course record holder and with beating the reigning hill climb champion stating: “I’ll take that! I knew it was going to be short so I went full gas and just clung on at the end! Happy to hold on for the win“!

Vickers was just over two seconds behind Scott in 2:57.90 and realised too late that he should have laid the power down more in the rolling middle section which although shallower is difficult to judge. The Holohan Coaching rider still extended his defence of his title to a commanding 38 points, exactly double Scott’s points tally and was complementary to the winner post-race: “A new climb for most riders, I saved all my efforts for the final kick but should have gone harder on the flatter middle section as I lost a lot of time I couldn’t get back. A solid performance from David Scott“.

Round 3’s winner became Round 4’s third place, showing just how the widely differing characteristics of the hills in this Series play to the strengths of different climbing styles. Stopping the watch on 3:03.43 Fishface Cycles’ Jonny Morris was already looking forward to testing himself again against the riders who beat him after an ‘off’ night by his high standards, commenting: “I never felt like I was able to get the power down so I wasn’t surprised to hear Dave and Kirk had smashed it when I got to the top. It’s always great competing with those two, you never know who’ll come out on top at each event“!

In the Veteran’s Championship Paramount CRT’s Chris Riley took the win by a narrow margin from team mate Neil Wilson, with Riley crossing the line in 4:00.15 to Wilson’s 4:01.56. This elevated Riley into the top spot in the Veteran’s Series in his first season racing hill climbs. More usually spotted in Road Races Riley has entered all four rounds of the Hill Climb Series to date and stated: “I’ve really enjoyed this Shropshire series so far, it has been a good buzz“. Turning to the Jiggers Bank climb he added: “Lung-busting, great fun! The shorter they are the more difficult they are because you’ve got to go faster“.

Whilst Riley took over the lead in the Veteran’s in the Juniors Henri Bedford was consolidating his Series lead, stretching it by another two points over Mid Shropshire Wheelers’ Charlie Price. Bedford ended his evening with an excellent time of 3:45.09 whilst 13 year-old Price put in a dogged effort of 5:22.45 to dig his heels into the Silver medal position. Bedford stated: “I liked the Jiggers Bank climb, although I wasn’t expecting the rain. I’m happy with my performance on such a short effort. Thank you to Nova Raiders for hosting“.

Result:

Veterans Result:

Juniors Result:

Cumulative standings after four rounds

Overall Top 10:

Veterans Top 10:

Junior standings:

Women’s standings: