The longest climb in the BBR Hill Climb Series gives riders a different challenge – one of staying power. The 1.95 climb of Wigmore Road run by Ludlow CC as Round 5 of the Series might not be the steepest at 5.4% average, but requires stamina for a relatively long climbing effort. With a headwind added into the mix Richard Bussell’s course record of 6 minutes 48.9 seconds from 2022 was unlikely to be challenged, as Wrekinsport’s Tomos Hales extended his BBR Series lead with a fine effort of 7:44.9. By his own admission Hales is more suited to the short, sharp, explosive type of climb; but stretched that lead to 22 points. He commented: “Not really my type of climb, but I had a game plan of trying to pace it up in the seat due to the headwind up the climb. I managed to pace it well and finish strong; thanks to Ludlow CC for hosting”.
Ludlow Brewery RT rider Steven Prince made his first appearance of the season on his local course and took the Veteran’s win – as well as overall runner-up spot in 7:57.3 ahead of BBR Veterans Series leader Will Witterick on a course seemingly favouring over-40’s riders. The 2022 and 2023 Veteran’s Champion felt the test of stamina towards the end of the climb but dug deep to push the Series leader out. He stated: “This is the first SCCA hill climb I’ve done this season, but I couldn’t miss my local event. I struggled a bit towards the end as it’s longer than my preferred distance, but pleased overall – congratulations to Tomos on the win; and thanks to Ludlow CC for hosting”.
Witterick came in 3rd Overall and took another 18 points as Veteran’s runner-up as he extended his Series lead to 34 points on an unfamiliar climb, stopping the watch on 8:10.6. He now has 96 points from a maximum possible 100 over five rounds and was gracious in his post-race comments towards Prince: “I was happy with my ride, there is a bit more margin for error on a longer course. A very pretty climb I’ve not been up before; thanks to Ludlow CC and the supportive cheers from those spectating. It was well worth the trip down, only shame was to not take maximum points but I was well beaten on the night”.
One rider who has taken the maximum 100 points possible is Hayley Wells as she took her fifth straight win in the BBR Female Series with a fabulous time of 9:16.1 ahead of Claire Blackwell-Smyth on 11:34.5. This was good enough for fifth spot overall showing her form, but like others the longer climb seemed to affect her: “With a headwind to contend with the plan was to try and remain seated most of the way. This mostly went to plan, but the body felt tired on the night. I managed to match my previous effort on this climb to the second though – thanks to Ludlow CC”!
Full:
| Pos’n | Name | Club | Cat | Time | Points |
| 1 | Tomos Hales | Wrekinsport CC | S | 7:44.9 | 20 |
| 2 | Steven Prince | Ludlow Brewery RT | V | 7:57.3 | 18 |
| 3 | William Witterick | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | V | 8:10.6 | 16 |
| 4 | Anthony Corbett | Ludlow CC | V | 8:56.0 | 14 |
| 5 | Hayley Wells | Wrekinsport CC | F | 9:16.1 | 12 |
| 6 | Chris Edwards | Ludlow Brewery RT | V | 9:19.4 | 10 |
| 7 | James Saunders | Shibden Apex RT | J | 9:22.5 | . |
| 8 | Neil Coles | Oswestry Paragon CC | V | 9:26.4 | 8 |
| 9 | Jack Young | Oswestry Paragon CC | S | 10:06.4 | 6 |
| 10 | James Elgar | Paramount CRT | V | 10:28.6 | 4 |
| 11 | Andy Bryant | Ludlow CC | V | 11:28.4 | 2 |
| 12 | Claire Blackwell-Smyth | Paramount CRT | FV | 11:34.5 | 2 |
| 13 | Callan Croft | Ludlow CC | S | 11:35.2 | 2 |
Veterans on Actual:
| Vets Pos’n | Name | Club | Cat | Time | Vets Points |
| 1 | Steven Prince | Ludlow Brewery RT | V | 7:57.3 | 20 |
| 2 | William Witterick | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | V | 8:10.6 | 18 |
| 3 | Anthony Corbett | Ludlow CC | V | 8:56.0 | 16 |
| 4 | Chris Edwards | Ludlow Brewery RT | V | 9:19.4 | 14 |
| 5 | Neil Coles | Oswestry Paragon CC | V | 9:26.4 | 12 |
| 6 | James Elgar | Paramount CRT | V | 10:28.6 | 10 |
| 7 | Andy Bryant | Ludlow CC | V | 11:28.4 | 8 |
| 8 | Claire Blackwell-Smyth | Paramount CRT | FV | 11:34.5 | 6 |
Females:
| Female Pos’n | Name | Club | Cat | Time | Female Points |
| 1 | Hayley Wells | Wrekinsport CC | F | 9:16.1 | 20 |
| 2 | Claire Blackwell-Smyth | Paramount CRT | FV | 11:34.5 | 18 |
Juniors:
| Junior Pos’n | Name | Club | Cat | Time | Junior Points |
| 1 | James Saunders | Shibden Apex RT | J | 9:22.5 | . |
Cumulative standings after five rounds
Overall Top 10:
| Position | Name | Club | Cat | Best 6 |
| 1 | Tomos Hales | Wrekinsport CC | S | 92 |
| 2 | William Witterick | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | V | 70 |
| 3 | Troy Rimell | Mule CC | S | 62 |
| 4 | Dave Scott | Mule CC | S | 60 |
| 5 | Paul Bailey | Bridgnorth CC | V | 36 |
| 6 | Hayley Wells | Wrekinsport CC | F | 28 |
| 7 | Mason Durant | Paramount CRT | S | 22 |
| =8 | Kirk Vickers | Holohan Coaching RT | S | 18 |
| =8 | Steven Prince | Ludlow Brewery RT | V | 18 |
| =10 | Anthony Corbett | Ludlow CC | V | 14 |
| =10 | Tom Herbert | Bridgnorth CC | S | 14 |
Veterans Top 10:
| Position | Name | Club | Cat | Best 6 |
| 1 | William Witterick | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | V | 96 |
| 2 | George Kirby | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | V | 62 |
| 3 | Paul Bailey | Bridgnorth CC | V | 56 |
| 4 | Neil Coles | Oswestry Paragon CC | V | 38 |
| 5 | Chris Riley | Paramount CRT | V | 26 |
| =6 | Claire Blackwell-Smyth | Paramount CRT | FV | 20 |
| =6 | James Elgar | Paramount CRT | V | 20 |
| =6 | Steven Prince | Ludlow Brewery RT | V | 20 |
| 9 | Matt Davies | Holohan Coaching RT | V | 18 |
| =10 | Anthony Corbett | Ludlow CC | V | 16 |
| =10 | Ernie Evans | Ludlow Brewery RT | V | 16 |
Female standings:
| Position | Name | Club | Cat | Best 6 |
| 1 | Hayley Wells | Wrekinsport CC | F | 100 |
| 2 | Claire Blackwell-Smyth | Paramount CRT | FV | 54 |
| 3 | Becky Griffiths | Paramount CRT | F | 18 |
| 4 | Emma Richards | Paramount CRT | F | 16 |
Junior standings:
| Position | Name | Club | Cat | Best 6 |
| 1 | Jude White | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | J | 20 |
| 2 | Connor Gatfield | Mid Shropshire Wheelers | J | 18 |