Hafren CC Pentre’r Beirdd Hill Climb

Two seconds separated first from second in Hafren CC’s Pentre’r Beirdd Hill Climb as David Scott narrowed the gap to Series leader an reigning hill climb champion Kirk Vickers in Round 5 of The Coaching Revolutions Hill Climb Series – and the Women’s course record was shattered. The 0.9 mile climb offers a tough challenge to competitors, with an average gradient of 7.2% and the left hand kick at the half mile point ramping up even harder to make rider’s legs protest. Mule CC’s Scott reversed the top two from 2018 after stopping the watch in 3 minutes 33 seconds on a climb that is difficult to judge, as Scott’s post-race comments revealed: “I thought I’d put a little too much in on the first half, but the cross tailwind just about pushed me to the finish for the win“.

Vickers meanwhile is putting in a determined defence of the championship he has made his own for the last three years and moved up to 94 points on the strength of this round, tantalisingly within grasping distance of the maximum 100 point tally available in this best 5 from 9 Series. That steep left turn appeared to be the deciding factor in Vickers’ race as he missed out on the maximum 20 points by just two seconds after crossing the line in 3:35,  nine seconds slower than his 2018 ride showing the tougher conditions. Vickers is a determined competitor and pushed himself beyond the pain barrier in what is turning out to be a terrific battle with Scott in a Series that provides a wide range of challenges. The Holohan Coaching racer commented: “I gave it all I had. My legs were beginning to fade at the left turn, in and out of the saddle from there trying to turn the pedals but it wasn’t enough for the win in the end“.

Taking the honours for the promoting club and making his first appearance in the 2019 Series Tyler Brennan was first Hafren CC rider, who came home in 3:47 for third spot. Brennan took that same position in 2018 and lost two seconds on that time. He commented: “The Hafren CC hill climb is always my favourite one of the year. Happy with 3rd overall and to be club champion. Thanks to organisers, well done everyone“. But Brennan wasn’t the only Hafren rider in the winning positions as Sam Holwill took the Junior win and finished a strong 4th overall. The youngster posted an excellent ride of 3:53 to just push out Mid Shropshire Wheelers’ Jack Morris by a single second, although like all the top three posted a slower time than 2018, losing three seconds which was a source of frustration: “The result was good, but I was disappointed to be slower than last year, though I reckon I started a little too hard“.

In the Women’s race Rebecca Richardson was one rider who bucked the trend by going faster than her 2018 time – and moved the Women’s course record down to 3:58. Richardson was a strong 6th Overall amongst a field of 21 riders as she fine tunes for the biggest race of her season. She stated: “I had good feelings in my legs! I took my course record by 8 seconds, giving confidence in my growing form towards the Nationals! Thanks to all the volunteers at Hafren CC“. Meanwhile another Hafren rider moved into sole lead of the Women’s Series after an intriguing three-way tie from Round 4 was finally split. Emma Serjeant posted a fine time of 5:34 to take the maximum 20 points available.

In the Veteran’s Series North Shropshire Wheelers’ Richard Kay continues to pile on the pressure in his first season entering this Series. Kay has won all four rounds he has entered and risen to second place in the Veteran’s standings just six points behind leader Chris Riley who has entered every event. Kay ended his evening with a fine effort of 4:14, with Riley taking the runner-up spot in 4:45. Kay stated: “Talk of a tailwind was pure myth! It’s great to see Dave and Kirk separated by a breath once again though. Thank you Hafren for a great event“. Riley meanwhile was concise with his post-race comments, merely stating: “It was bloody hard“!

Result:

Pos’n Name Club Cat Time Points
1 David Scott Mule CC S 3:33 20
2 Kirk Vickers Holohan Coaching RT S 3:35 18
3 Tyler Brennan Hafren CC S 3:47 16
4 Sam Holwill Hafren CC J 3:53 14
5 Jack Morris Mid Shropshire Wheelers S 3:54 12
6 Rebecca Richardson Brother UK Fusion RT W 3:58  
7 Aled Lees Mid Shropshire Wheelers S 4:06 10
8 Richard Kay North Shropshire Wheelers V 4:14 8
9 Fred Meredith Hafren CC J 4:18 6
10 Henri Bedford Revolutions Racing J 4:26 4
11 Steve Morgan Mule CC S 4:33 2
12 Lucy Lee VC Melyd W 4:35  
13 Max Bufton Hafren CC J 4:40 2
14 Chris Riley Paramount CRT V 4:45 2
15 Neil Coles Oswestry Paragon CC V 4:59 2
16 Emma Serjeant Hafren CC W 5:34 2
17 Simon Jones Hafren CC V 5:55 2
18 Darrell Walsh Oswestry Paragon CC V 6:12 2
19 Louise Hurdley Hafren CC WV 6:20 2
20 Charlie Price Mid Shropshire Wheelers J 6:25 2
21 Sahrah Wilding Hafren CC WV 7:19 2

Veterans Result:

Veteran’s Pos’n Name Club Cat Time Veteran’s Points
1 Richard Kay North Shropshire Wheelers V 4:14 20
2 Chris Riley Paramount CRT V 4:45 18
3 Neil Coles Oswestry Paragon CC V 4:59 16
4 Simon Jones Hafren CC V 5:55 14
5 Darrell Walsh Oswestry Paragon CC V 6:12 12
6 Louise Hurdley Hafren CC WV 6:20 10
7 Sahrah Wilding Hafren CC WV 7:19 8

Juniors Result:

Junior Pos’n Name Club Cat Time Junior Points
1 Sam Holwill Hafren CC J 3:53 20
2 Fred Meredith Hafren CC J 4:18 18
3 Henri Bedford Revolutions Racing J 4:26 16
4 Max Bufton Hafren CC J 4:40 14
5 Charlie Price Mid Shropshire Wheelers J 6:25 12

Women’s Result:

Women’s Pos’n Name Club Cat Time Women’s Points
1 Rebecca Richardson Brother UK Fusion RT W 3:58  
2 Lucy Lee VC Melyd W 4:35  
3 Emma Serjeant Hafren CC W 5:34 20
4 Louise Hurdley Hafren CC WV 6:20 18
5 Sahrah Wilding Hafren CC WV 7:19 16

Cumulative standings after five rounds

Overall Top 10:

Position Name Club Cat Best 5
1 Kirk Vickers Holohan Coaching RT S 94
2 David Scott Mule CC S 58
3 Jack Morris Mid Shropshire Wheelers S 34
=4 Richard Kay North Shropshire Wheelers V 32
=4 Sam Holwill Hafren CC J 32
6 Henri Bedford Revolutions Racing J 30
7 David Hiatt Mid Shropshire Wheelers S 26
8 Liam Holohan Holohan Coaching RT S 20
=9 Aled Lees Mid Shropshire Wheelers S 16
=9 Chris Riley Paramount CRT V 16
=9 Dave Saunders Mid Shropshire Wheelers S 16
=9 Dean Callister Nova Raiders S 16
=9 George Nistor Paramount CRT S 16
=9 James Satoor Mid Shropshire Wheelers J 16
=9 Robbie Disney Ludlow CC S 16
=9 Tomos Hales Wrekinsport CC S 16
=9 Tyler Brennan Hafren CC S 16

Veterans Top 10:

Position Name Club Cat Best 5
1 Chris Riley Paramount CRT V 86
2 Richard Kay North Shropshire Wheelers V 80
3 Neil Coles Oswestry Paragon CC V 66
4 Neil Wilson Paramount CRT V 50
=5 Rich Smith Wrekinsport CC V 14
=5 Simon Jones Hafren CC V 14
=7 Andy Collins Mid Shropshire Wheelers V 12
=7 Darrell Walsh Oswestry Paragon CC V 12
=7 Fraser MacKinnon SCCA Private Member V 12
=10 Louise Hurdley Hafren CC WV 10
=10 Paul Page Mid Shropshire Wheelers V 10
=10 Pete Mulloy Wrekinsport CC V 10
=10 Will Baugh Ludlow CC V 10

Junior Top 10:

Position Name Club Cat Best 5
1 Henri Bedford Revolutions Racing J 76
2 Charlie Price Mid Shropshire Wheelers J 60
3 Sam Holwill Hafren CC J 40
=4 Alex Hart Mid Shropshire Wheelers J 18
=4 Fred Meredith Hafren CC J 18
=4 James Satoor Mid Shropshire Wheelers J 18
=7 Henry Fleming Wrekinsport CC J 16
=7 Lewis Page Mid Shropshire Wheelers J 16
=7 Noah Killeen Mid Shropshire Wheelers J 16
=10 Max Bufton Hafren CC J 14
=10 Nick English Mid Shropshire Wheelers J 14

Women’s standings:

Position Name Club Cat Best 5
1 Emma Serjeant Hafren CC W 40
=2 Bethan Till Wrekinsport CC W 20
=2 Natalie Brooks Paramount CRT W 20
4 Louise Hurdley Hafren CC WV 18
5 Sahrah Wilding Hafren CC WV 16