R2 BBR Opticians Hill Climb Series: Mid Shropshire Wheelers Stiperstones Hill Climb

Round 2 of the BBR Hill Climb Series saw a return to the one mile climb of The Stiperstones – with a win for four-time Series Champion Kirk Vickers in his own club’s promotion. The Mid Shropshire Wheeler came out on top in 2016-2018, and again in 2021; and here set out his stall with a win of nearly 14 seconds. Vickers stopped the watch on 4 minutes 8.89 seconds on an evening that had seen heavy showers an hour before the event but which had abated in time, just leaving a damp course. A stiff head on breeze meant Vickers’ own 3:55.0 course record set in 2023 was not challenged on a favourite course as he beat Tomos Hales into the runner-up spot in 4:22.81. Vickers commented: “A bit of a headwind on the night, but I paced it well; thanks to Mid Shropshire Wheelers for organising; and well done to all riders”.

Whilst this is a favoured climb for Vickers that isn’t the case for 2022 Champion Hales, who moved into the Series lead on the strength of his runner-up spot by 14 points over Jack Young, who finished fourth on the night. The course is one of those with changing gradient, and even offers a brief descent before the hardest, final push to the finish line. Hales was looking to get points on the board knowing he was missing Round 3 due to representing Great Britain in the European Olympic distance Triathlon in Istanbul. He commented: “Big black clouds and rain put a few off the hill climb this year. I always find this a difficult one to pace; maybe I didn’t go hard enough at the start. Well done for Kirk for a great time; and thanks to Dave and Jenny York for hosting, always a good event with them”.

If there’s one certainty in a Hill Climb it’s that Junior riders are going to outpace many an older hand thanks to their relatively light weight. The evening saw four Mid Shropshire Wheelers’ youngsters in contention, with Noah White not only taking the Junior win in 4:28.63, but capturing third overall as well. White was pleased with both his effort and with the traditional post-race social at HQ The Stiperstones Inn, commenting: “Thank you to Mid Shropshire Wheelers for a fantastic hill climb at The Stiperstones, a tough little climb followed by chip butties in the pub – what’s not to like! I was super happy with my time and position for my first hill climb in a couple of years; hopefully I’ll be able to do a few more in the Series this year. Thank you to everyone that volunteers and helps organise the events”.

White wasn’t the only Junior making an impression as 13 year old Georgia Lloyd took the female win in 8:12.36 and made it a family cause for celebration with father Simeon scoring the Veterans win in 6:05.20. The adrenalin was certainly flying in what appeared to be a last minute, weather-influenced decision to compete, with Simeon commenting: “A last minute decision by myself and Georgia to enter the Mid Shropshire Wheelers hill climb made us late turning up – thanks to Jenny York and Sally White for getting us over the start line on time. There was no time for pre-race nerves as we went straight into the climb. Georgia maintained an even pace throughout and finished strong; I went straight into the red, recovered slightly on the dip two-thirds of the way up, and then pushed again for the line with the help of fellow competitor’s cheers. A little social with chip butties at The Stiperstones finished off a good evening of racing for me, and especially Georgia as it was her first ever hill climb – thanks to Mid Shropshire Wheelers and all the other competitors”.

Full:

Juniors:

Females:

Veterans on Actual:

Cumulative standings after two rounds

Overall:

Veterans on Actual:

Females:

Juniors: