Mid Shropshire Wheelers Stiperstones Hill Climb.

Both the Overall and Women’s course records went in the opening round of the Coaching Revolutions Hill Climb Series at The Stiperstones, ensuring the Series started with a bang. Brand new tarmac laid under a fortnight earlier ensured fast times for the Mid Shropshire Wheelers event, with reigning champion Kirk Vickers getting a shock thanks to visiting rider Jonny Morris. Morris charged up the 1.02 mile climb in 3 minutes 55.7 seconds, the first rider to break the four minute mark on this tough climb despite Vicker’s attentions.

Morris was pleased to take the record and enjoyed his evening out, stating: “I hadn’t done the climb before so it was useful being able to ride it a few times when I got there to help think about gearing at the different points, as it was a hard hill to judge the effort on. The volunteers were all great, it being my first (but not last) SCCA event I’ve entered“.

Vickers meanwhile took the maximum 20 points on offer in defence of his County title with a fine effort of 4:05.9, beating Rhino Velo team mate Ollie Hayward by exactly a second after lopping two seconds off his 2017 winning time, showing the high standard of competition. Morris’ trial runs proved to be a vital factor contributing towards victory as Vickers was acutely aware of being capable of more: “I made the error of not going hard enough and had a lot left in the tank towards the end. It’s a fine line but a good benchmark of where I’m at for the upcoming events“.

Whilst Morris was setting the Overall benchmark Hafren CC’s Rebecca Richardson was busy reducing the Women’s record to 4:37.8. The strength of her form can be judged against Richardson’s last attempt at the course in 2016 – 4:56, and her winning margin against Mid Shropshire Wheelers’ Lucy Hart, who finished in the runner-up spot on 5:20.4. Richardson clearly enjoyed her evening out, stating: “My first hill climb of the season. I went too hard at the beginning and wanted another go! Thank you to all for organising, always a good atmosphere“.

Hart was one of six Juniors taking the line in a 22-strong field, showing the popularity of this format amongst teenagers. It was another visting rider who took the honours in this category, with Abergavenny RC’s William Truelove taking a win at first attempt. Truelove stopped the watch on 4:12.9. Hailing from Herefordshire, Truelove was another enjoying the atmosphere of this Series, stating: “A great event and the challenging course was an enjoyable but tough first hill climb as a Junior“.

Taking Junior honours for the County was the promoting club’s James Satoor, who ended his evening on 4:29.3 – good enough for eighth spot overall in a quality field. He commented: “It was really tough, there was a bit of a headwind as well but I was pleased with the time, I was a minute faster than last year. Hopefully I will be faster again“!

2017’s Veteran’s Champion Ian Coupland opened a successful defence of his title with a winning time of 4:36.4, beating new Veteran Mark Hammond by nearly 12 seconds. Coupland will be a tough cookie to crack as he improved on his 2017 effort by nearly four seconds, stating: “I’m glad to have made a winning start to the Hill Climb Series, it’s always a good test on The Stiperstones. Thank you to marshals“. Hammond isn’t likely to take being runner-up lightly however, improving by 16 seconds over his 2017 effort in his first year as a Veteran and evidently has a medal in his sights as a result. He knew precisely what he could have done to narrow that gap, adding: “I went off too slowly so I was a little disappointed to feel that I had a bit leftover at the finish. A great climb on fresh tarmac. Thanks to the organisers“.

Result:

Veteran’s Result:

Juniors Result:

Women’s Result: