R11 BBR Hill Climb Series: Mule CC Bwlch y Ddar climb

The 11^th and final round of The BBR Opticians Hill Climb Series saw seven medals decided, a great turnout of 37 riders and a win for event promoter Dave Scott on the Bwlch-y-Ddar, Llangedwyn in the Mule CC promotion. Scott made it a perfect 120 point score from his best six efforts as the curtain came down on the Shropshire time trialling season on a chilly but dry morning, taking a fine win in 5 minutes 59 seconds to see off the attentions of visiting rider James Pearce of Solihull CC by four seconds. Scott had won the Series after Round 9, but ended his season in emphatic style as he ended up top of the pile for the first time since 2019. He stated: “Really happy to take the win on Bwlch-y-Darr, my ride went to plan and I wouldn’t have done anything differently. It’s a great climb and we had a fantastic turn out for the event which made it all the more special as the organiser – it was nice to have a couple of dozen supporters on the top half of the climb, that really helped eek out the last few watts”.

Mule took four of the Top 5 places with local knowledge of the climb seemingly paying off as Troy Rimell took the third step on the podium in 6:40, 9 seconds ahead of team mate Jed Friskney. Rimell entered the Top 10 standings overall thanks to his fine effort and commented on the nature of the climb and the great support from the sidelines: “It’s a great course – no respite at all. It was a good event and a good atmosphere. My best result out of the few I did, so I was happy with how it all went”.

With Scott winning the Series the Silver and Bronze medallists were decided prior to the race with Steven Prince not making the long trip up from Ludlow as Tomos Hales was on a different continent thanks to work commitments. Prince had already won Veterans Gold, but added overall Silver to a fine season. He commented: “It’s been another great well organised Series with some close racing throughout. I was pleased with overall Silver, and credit to Dave Scott for winning, he’s been great to race against and a worthy winner – thanks to all involved with the SCCA”. Bronze medallist Hales concurred, adding: “It was a great hill climb year even if I was a little heavier than last year. It started off with the super steep Asterton Bank and we had some great events along the way. Well done to Dave Scott for the win, and Steven Prince for second, and thanks to all involved in making such a great Series”.  

Rounding off the morning’s Top 5 was the winning Veteran James Davis, who stopped the watch on 6:56 to see off the attentions of Paramount’s Chris Riley, who ensured he took Veterans Bronze to round off a very competitive season. Davis graphically summarised the ambience of the event and the need to punch through the pain to get to the finish line and the effort required to keep pushing when there is no one to chase: “The climb was never ending. The bells from the supporters kept making me think I was nearing the finish line – I wasn’t. Keeping on the gas when you have nobody to gauge your effort on is hard. If it wasn’t for people watching, I’d have slowed down. It was a great atmosphere; everyone was cheering their friends and competitors. Chips and a chat at the local afterwards attended by all, and it made the event. It was great to see so many people there, thanks to all involved”.

The Veterans Bronze could have gone two ways, with Riley involved in a great head-to-head with Mid Shropshire Wheelers’ John Woodward, but the Paramount rider was modest about taking that medal in a very busy season where he has been supremely competitive throughout. He was pleased to take the medal, stating: “Chuffed to come away with a medal amidst a strong veterans group this year. John Woodward was the real contender for Bronze but fell one event short. Thanks to everyone for another very friendly and competitive Hill Climb Series”

Competition has been fierce in the BBR Women’s Series with two Paramount team mates battling it out for honours. In the end Becky Griffiths just managed to shade Hayley Wells by the narrowest possible margin – two points, to take Gold, with Wells capturing the Silver medal. Griffiths was delighted with her win, commenting: “Really pleased and surprised to take the overall win. Well done to everyone who took part; and thanks to all the volunteers for putting on these great little races”. Wells meanwhile recognised just how close things had been in a fabulous battle for the top spot: “Such a close battle for top spot this year! It’s been a great battle this year between the ladies, but a well deserved win for Becky! I was chuffed to have taken silver. A well organised series, each race with its own challenge; thanks to everyone involved”.

Honours on the day went to visiting rider Rebecca Richardson, a former Hafren CC rider of National Hill Climb podium standard who stopped the watch on 6:59 ahead of former Market Drayton CC rider Alison Dockney on 8:09, no mean rider herself but showing Richardson’s quality. Best placed County rider was Paramount’s Emma Richards in 10:35.

Another young female not only took third in the Women’s climb but also took the Junior win too as 16 year-old Carys Blowers crossed the line in 8:51. She was delighted to have a chance to race a familiar climb, stating: “I really enjoyed the opportunity to race up one of my local climbs; big thank you to the organiser”.

That left the final Junior medals to be settled with Newport’s Will Hyde and Ludlow’s James Saunders tied on 58 points each and unable to be separated even on count back rules sharing Silver. Hyde stated: “I was very happy and surprised to get joint Silver, I really enjoy these friendly events. Thanks to all the clubs and volunteers for putting on the events, I hope to do more next year”.

Full:

Veterans:

Women:

Juniors:

Final Cumulative standings after eleven rounds

Overall Top 20:

Veterans Top 20:

Women’s standings:

Junior standings: