R2 Little Sweetpea Gardens/BBR Opticians Hill Climb Series: Nova Raiders Jiggers Bank climb

Rain didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of competitors in Round 2 of The Little Sweetpea Gardens/BBR Opticians Hill Climb Series as the second event in as many evenings saw a pattern start to emerge amongst the winning names – with Jonny Morris making it two wins in two nights and lowering the course record by just over four seconds in Nova Raiders climb of Jiggers Bank. Morris finished, by his high standards, a below par third in the inaugural event on this 0.82 mile course in 2019 when the rolling nature of the lower part of this unfamiliar climb seemed to unsettle him, but this time made no mistake as he put in a huge effort on the final 8% ramp to cross the line in 2 minutes 51 seconds. Morris acknowledged that he had unfinished business on this climb, stating: “I had a disappointing ride up Jiggers last year, so was really motivated for it to go well this year. Stoked to get everything out on the night and put down a good time! Great organisation and support on the night as always”!

One of the features of this Series is it’s attraction to Junior riders, with a huge 13 under-18’s amongst the 37-strong field – with Halesowen A&CC rider Tomos Pattinson taking a major scalp in ex-professional Liam Holohan, posting the only other sub-3 minute ride on the night – just. Pattinson set a fine time of 2:59 to take Overall runner-up spot on his first attempt at the climb, roared on by the second big crowd of spectators in as many nights, roaring the field on skywards. Pattinson commented: “I really enjoyed the climb, a tremendous atmosphere. I was really looking forward to The Nova Raiders event and it didn’t disappoint”.

Holohan meanwhile took the County honours and moved into an eight point lead at the top of the Overall Series standings thanks to his 3:01 effort, just beating off the attentions of Loughborough Students CC rider Sam Morris by a second. Holohan commented on one of the main features of this Series, the significant variation in the types of climb offered, showing the richness of the local topography – and the adaptability required of the climbers: “The weather wasn’t quite as nice as the evening before, however another wonderfully organised event that I was grateful to take part in. The climb wasn’t perfectly suited to me, with the first part been quite flat, so I was happy to be in the mix”.

Holohan’s closest challenger in the Series is another Junior, Mid Shropshire Wheelers’ James Satoor, who has 32 points to show for his efforts as well as stretching his lead at the top of the Junior Series, Satoor crested the climb in 3:13 for 6^th spot Overall, a very impressive effort, with Henri Bedford 13 seconds back for SCCA Junior runner-up. This was Satoor’s first experience of Jiggers Bank under racing conditions, and he clearly enjoyed the experience after recovering: “I was happy to get full points at the Nova Raiders hill climb, it’s a tough climb, made tougher in the rain, but good to do another hill climb – thanks a lot to Nova Raiders for putting on such a well organised event”. 

With no women racing the 2019 sopping wet edition there was a guaranteed Women’s Course Record in the making, with Hannah Pearson, Morris’ partner taking a second Women’s win is just over 24 hours. Pearson set a blistering pace of 4:01 to beat off the attentions of Wrekinsport’s Beth Till, who moved into a commanding lead of the Women’s Series with her 4:35, showing the standard Pearson has laid down for all who follow. Pearson was more than satisfied with her effort, stating: “I was happy to leave everything on the road again, although I paced things a little better this time”!

It was a familiar 1-2 at the head of the Veteran’s Series too as Mark Hammond showed just why he won the 2018 Veteran’s Series with maximum points. The Paramount CRT rider stopped the watch on 3:16, 7 seconds ahead of CC Bridgnorth’s Scott Palmer – although with 11 seconds of the difference between the two from Round 1 shaved off Palmer had definitely honed his methodology overnight, and this should be an entertaining battle. Hammond’s comments reflect how not paying due respect to the lower slopes of this climb can come back to haunt a rider as the road rears up: “I went off a little too hard and ended up really hanging on at the end – I was pleased with the time and my result”. Palmer added: “After knowing my mistake at The Wrekin I tried to pace Jiggers a lot better. It seemed to work, but I definitely have more in the tank”!

Full result:

SCCA:

Veterans on Actual:

Juniors:

Women:

Cumulative standings after two rounds

Overall Top 10:

Veterans Top 10:

Junior standings:

Women’s standings: