R7 BBR Opticians Hill Climb Series: SCCA Homer Bank climb

From the longest ride in the BBR Hill Climb Series to the shortest in 24 hours – the variety of challenges on offer saw riders favouring short, sharp, steep and explosive come to the fore in Round 7, Shropshire Cycling Clubs Association’s climb of Homer Bank, up the side of Wenlock Edge. Briefly touching 18% with a long, lung-bursting final leg, the half mile climb involves going into the red immediately – and doing homework to get familiar with the frequent twists and turns which mask the finish to help judge effort being essential.

For the first time since the Series’ inception a Veteran rider won the day, with Ludlow Brewery’s Steven Prince taking the win on a climb where narrow margins win prizes. Prince stopped the watch on 2 minutes, 2.58 seconds to beat Overall BBR Series leader Tomos Hales by just 0.43 seconds and take the maximum 20 points available both Overall and in the BBR Veterans category. This saw him narrow the gap at the top of the standings and consolidate his third spot; as well as drawing level with Paramount’s Chris Riley at the head of the Veterans’ standing on 100 points each after Riley finished 3^rd Veteran in 2:38.33 behind Scott Palmer. Prince was delighted with his win, beating some heavy hitters in the process on a climb he knows well. He stated: “Homer Bank is a great climb, and with the sharp switchbacks you can’t see the finish until the last few metres. I went hard early, and the last 20 seconds hurt, but I’m thrilled to have won – thanks to SCCA and all the marshals”.

Hales powered up the climb, but just missed out on taking first place on a beautiful late summer’s evening with a fine 2:03.01. He did however increase his lead over Dave Scott by two points in a tight battle. Hales revealed that the course is just to his liking, and was generous in his post-race comments stating: “The Homer Hill Climb is a course which suits me with the steep finish and short duration. My race went well, but I was beaten by the better man on the day – congratulations to Steve on the win”!

Scott was gaining his first sight of an unfamiliar climb and scoped out the hill several times before his race effort. For the second event in 24 hours he rode down from Oswestry and may have suffered dehydration in the heat, stopping the watch on 2:04.63, 4.43 seconds ahead of Palmer for third spot. Despite that uncharacteristic placing, the Mule CC rider liked the character of the hill – and knew all out effort from the gun is required: “Homer Bank was a great little climb – first time for me and I rode it a little conservatively. Brilliant rides from Steve and Tomos who both smashed the power climb and me in the process”!

Three Paramount team mates made up a strong female contingent – with Sara Willhoit taking her second win in her two appearances from BBR Women’s Series leader Hayley Wells by 2.29 seconds. Highly unusually Willhoit took that victory in 2:52.63 riding a gravel bike – knobbly tyres and all, showing her strength to push a bike not built with lightness as first priority, something usually essential in a discipline of small margins. Wells stretched her Women’s Series lead over Becky Griffiths to 14 points with a fine 2:54.92.

In the BBR Junior Series Wrekinsport’s Ben Southgate made it a perfect five wins from five events he has competed in and has his eye on sealing the Series with a maximum possible 120 points. He registered a fine 2:49.20, seeing off a challenge from Ludlow CC’s James Saunders by 5.7 seconds – but it nearly all went wrong with a pedal issue nearly costing Southgate, as he explained: “A very good climb, one of my favourites, but I was unlucky because I came unclipped twice”.

Result:

Veterans on Actual:

Women:

Juniors:

Cumulative standings after seven rounds

Overall Top 10:

Veterans Top 10:

Women’s standings:

Junior standings: