The longest climb on the Shropshire calendar isn’t the steepest, but isn’t as suited to the type of rider who prefers short, sharp explosive efforts – as Dave Scott almost found out to his cost. Averaging 5.4%, the 1.95 mile climb saw Scott go into the race trying to break Richard Bussell’s fabulous course record of 6 minutes 48.9 seconds recorded in 2022, which set the benchmark by knocking an incredible 12.1 seconds off the previous record. However, sustaining long efforts is a slightly different ballgame if you find yourself in the red but unable to ‘punch through’ the pain of a shorter climb. Scott got into difficulties after 4½ minutes, and from thereon in it was a matter of clinging on for dear life. Nevertheless winning the event in 7:10.9, 14.3 seconds ahead of Train Sharp Development Team’s Sam Holwill, Scott knew he’d been in a race, as usual riding down from Oswestry for extra training which on a warm evening could potentially have caused dehydration issues. The Mule CC rider explained: “I went in with the sole aim of targeting Richard Bussell’s course record but exploded spectacularly 4½ minutes in. Luckily I managed to drag myself over the line in a relatively good time – a lesson on how not to pace a hill climb”! Holwill put in everything he had, registering a terrific new personal best for the climb, but just not enough to beat Scott. He commented: “The hill climb went better than I thought; I set a new personal best by 10 seconds despite not feeling like I could get everything out. Ludlow is one of my favourite climbs in the Series and it was great to get a result out of it”.

Scott consolidated his Silver medal position and narrowed the gap to Series leader Tomos Hales who finished fourth on the day in 7:50.0, losing out to Ludlow Brewery rider Steven Prince, who took the final podium place in a superb effort of 7:34.2 to win the BBR Veteran’s contest. Prince narrowed the gap to 18 points behind Veterans Series leader Chris Riley who finished third Veteran on the evening in 8:53.4, exactly 41 seconds behind Aerologic’s Scott Palmer. Prince is well-versed in the Mount Road climb being on his doorstep and took full advantage of local knowledge despite the hill not suiting his preferences scored a personal best: “The Ludlow hill climb is my local one, and even though it’s a bit long for me it’s probably my favourite. A great night for it weather wise, and great to get a personal best by over 10 seconds – thanks to Ludlow CC for hosting, and congratulations to Dave Scott on the win”.

Unusually there were no women in competition which has been a great feature of the 2023 Series – but there was a new Junior. 13 year-old Ludlow CC member James Saunders made his first appearance in the Series having only just found he has a taste for the discipline and stopped the watch on a solid 9:13.9. He explained: “I started doing hill climbs a few weeks ago. I wanted to try to practice pacing over short distances, and think I’m starting to get the hang of it. I really enjoy the challenging nature of them and looking forward to do more hill climbs in the future”.

Result:

Pos’n Name Club Cat Time Points
1 David Scott Mule CC S 7:10.9 20
2 Sam Holwill Train Sharp Development Team S 7:25.2 .
3 Steven Prince Ludlow Brewery RT V 7:34.2 18
4 Tomos Hales Wrekinsport CC S 7:50.0 16
5 Scott Palmer Aerologic RT V 8:12.4 14
6 Robbie Disney Aerologic RT S 8:14.0 12
7 Chris Riley Paramount CRT V 8:53.4 10
8 Grant Womack Ludlow Brewery RT V 9:06.2 8
9 Richard Bacon Unattached V 9:10.7 .
10 James Saunders Ludlow CC J 9:13.9 6
11 Jack Young Oswestry Paragon CC S 9:47.0 4
12 Neil Taylor Ludlow CC V 11:14.3 2

Veterans on Actual:

Vets Pos’n Name Club Cat Time Vets Points
1 Steven Prince Ludlow Brewery RT V 7:34.2 20
2 Scott Palmer Aerologic RT V 8:12.4 18
3 Chris Riley Paramount CRT V 8:53.4 16
4 Grant Womack Ludlow Brewery RT V 9:06.2 14
5 Richard Bacon Unattached V 9:10.7 .
6 Neil Taylor Ludlow CC V 11:14.3 12

Junior:

Junior Pos’n Name Club Cat Time Junior Points
1 James Saunders Ludlow CC J 9:13.9 20

Cumulative standings after six rounds

Overall Top 10:

Position Name Club Cat Best 6
1 Tomos Hales Wrekinsport CC S 102
2 Dave Scott Mule CC S 78
3 Steven Prince Ludlow Brewery RT V 70
4 Scott Palmer Aerologic RT V 58
5 Ben Southgate Wrekinsport CC J 48
6 Chris Riley Paramount CRT V 38
=7 Jack Young Oswestry Paragon CC S 26
=7 Robbie Disney Aerologic RT S 26
=7 Troy Rimell Mule CC S 26
10 John Woodward Mid Shropshire Wheelers V 22

Veterans Top 10:

Position Name Club Cat Best 6
1 Chris Riley Paramount CRT V 98
2 Steven Prince Ludlow Brewery RT V 80
3 Scott Palmer Aerologic RT V 72
4 Neil Coles Oswestry Paragon CC V 54
5 John Woodward Mid Shropshire Wheelers V 36
6 Andy Collins Mid Shropshire Wheelers V 28
=7 Claire Blackwell-Smyth Paramount CRT WV 22
=7 Neil Wilson Paramount CRT V 22
9 Ian Townsend Paramount CRT V 20
=10 Daniel Lipson Mule CC V 18
=10 Simon Romei Paramount CRT V 18

Women’s standings:

Position Name Club Cat Best 6
1 Hayley Wells Paramount CRT W 90
2 Becky Griffiths Paramount CRT W 78
3 Claire Blackwell-Smyth Paramount CRT WV 64
4 Sara Willhoit Paramount CRT W 20
5 Vikki Jones Oswestry Paragon CC WV 18
6 Victoria Doran Wrekinsport CC WV 14

Junior standings:

Position Name Club Cat Best 6
1 Ben Southgate Wrekinsport CC J 80
2 James Saunders Ludlow CC J 20
=3 Chester Romei Paramount CRT J 18
=3 Noah White Mid Shropshire Wheelers J 18
=3 Will Hyde Newport Shropshire CC J 18
6 Jude White Mid Shropshire Wheelers J 16