R6 BBR Opticians Hill Climb Series: Ludlow CC Wigmore Road climb

Richard Bussell became the first rider to beat the seven minute mark as the course record was blown away in Round 6 of the BBR Opticians Hill Climb Series. Previously held by Kirk Vickers in 2021 with 7:01, this is the third straight year the record had been lowered, but this time Bussell knocking an almost inconceivable 12.1 seconds off the 5.4% average, 1.95 mile climb of Wigmore Road in the Ludlow CC promotion in 6 minutes 48.9 seconds. The AeroCoach rider is well used to the climb, which features a couple of steep ramps in the first mile, but not normally flat out, and he was delighted to take the record, commenting: “Ludlow was great, a bit damper under the trees but quite a shallow climb so no real risk of wheel slip. It was a course record for me, so very pleased with that! I’ve ridden the climb plenty of times, but only for pleasure, not as a race”.

Mid Shropshire Wheelers’ Junior Alex Hart had a close battle with Series leader Tomos Hales to take the County honours, with the Church Stretton-based youngster putting familiarity with a local climb to good use as he took the maximum 20 points on offer to narrow the gap to Hales at the top of the Overall standings to 44 points, as well as extending his Junior Series lead to 42 points with an excellent 7:35.5. The youngster is however occupied with another cycling discipline, leaving others to make up lost ground until he can return for the finale of the Series, recently extended to 12 rounds with new October events just added. He was also looking forward to the hopeful return of The Burway to the Series in 2023: “Other dates clash with Cyclo-cross races, but I will try and do more rounds next year. Let’s hope The Burway will be in it as it’s my home climb”!

The beauty of this Series is that it offers climbs with a rich variety of features, some shallow, some steep, some constant, some constantly changing; as well as short, sharp explosive efforts contrasted with long ones. The longest climb in the 2022 Series proved not to be to Tomos Hales’ strengths, but this was about damage limitation and keeping the pressure on at the top of the standings as the Wrekinsport rider stopped the watch on 7:42.2, stating: “A stunning climb, but this one is a little too long for me. I was lucky not to get caught by my minute man Richard who did a stunning time. It was a great ride by Alex for the SCCA win, and thanks for Ludlow for hosting”.

Steven Prince continues to make up for lost ground with his third straight win in the BBR Veteran’s Series, taking fourth spot Overall in 7:47.8 – beating Chris Riley by 59.9 seconds and Veterans Series leader Neil Coles by 1:00.7. This is the Ludlow Brewery RT’s local climb, but like Hales suffered with the longer distance, but was happy to set a personal best: “Ludlow is my favourite climb and my local one, even if it’s a bit long for me. Really happy with another personal best, and to get under eight minutes which was a personal target – thanks to Ludlow CC for hosting”.

Hayley Wells seems to be thoroughly enjoying her first serious tilt at the BBR Women’s title as she took another win to extend her Series lead to 44 points in 9:16.0, with Ludlow CC challenger Gwyneth Bowyer ending her evening on 14:23.5. Wells was another rider who suffered with the distance, stating: “The Ludlow hill climb provided another challenging element to the Series – stamina! An all out effort just shy of two miles which required me to save enough energy for the final few metres, which plateaued to cross the line – thanks to Ludlow CC”.

Result:

Veterans on Actual:

Women’s:

Juniors:

Cumulative standings after six rounds

Overall Top 10:

Veterans Top 10:

Women’s standings:

Junior standings: