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:

Pos’n Name Club Cat Time Points
1 Richard Bussell AeroCoach S 6:48.9 .
2 Alex Hart Mid Shropshire Wheelers J 7:35.5 20
3 Tomos Hales Wrekinsport CC S 7:42.2 18
4 Steven Prince SCCA Private Member V 7:47.8 16
5 Jack Young Oswestry Paragon CC S 8:12.4 14
6 Robbie Disney Ludlow CC S 8:24.6 12
7 Simon Thwaites Luctonians CC S 8:33.4 .
8 Chris Riley Paramount CRT V 8:47.7 10
9 Neil Coles Oswestry Paragon CC V 8:48.5 8
10 Hayley Wells Paramount CRT W 9:16.0 6
11 Rob McGregor Paramount CRT S 9:34.4 4
12 Clancy Wilson Ludlow CC V 10:54.9 2
13 Bob Annling Ludlow CC V 11:07.8 2
14 Andy Bryant Walden Tri V 11:10.1 .
15 Charles Edwards Ludlow CC V 11:43.0 2
16 Gwyneth Bowyer Ludlow CC WV 14:23.5 2

Veterans on Actual:

Vets Pos’n Name Club Cat Time Vets Points
1 Steven Prince SCCA Private Member V 7:47.8 20
2 Chris Riley Paramount CRT V 8:47.7 18
3 Neil Coles Oswestry Paragon CC V 8:48.5 16
4 Clancy Wilson Ludlow CC V 10:54.9 14
5 Bob Annling Ludlow CC V 11:07.8 12
6 Andy Bryant Walden Tri V 11:10.1 .
7 Charles Edwards Ludlow CC V 11:43.0 10
8 Gwyneth Bowyer Ludlow CC WV 14:23.5 8

Women’s:

Women’s Pos’n Name Club Cat Time Women’s Points
1 Hayley Wells Paramount CRT W 9:16.0 20
2 Gwyneth Bowyer Ludlow CC WV 14:23.5 18

Juniors:

Junior Pos’n Name Club Cat Time Junior Points
1 Alex Hart Mid Shropshire Wheelers J 7:35.5 20

Cumulative standings after six rounds

Overall Top 10:

Position Name Club Cat Best 6
1 Tomos Hales Wrekinsport CC S 112
2 Alex Hart Mid Shropshire Wheelers J 68
3 Jack Young Oswestry Paragon CC S 62
4 David Scott Mule CC S 60
5 Scott Palmer Bridgnorth CC V 54
6 Matthew Redworth Mid Shropshire Wheelers S 52
7 Steven Prince SCCA Private Member V 48
8 Phil Roberts Wrekinsport CC S 38
9 Chris Riley Paramount CRT V 30
10 Neil Coles Oswestry Paragon CC V 26

Veterans Top 10:

Position Name Club Cat Best 6
1 Neil Coles Oswestry Paragon CC V 94
2 Chris Riley Paramount CRT V 86
3 Scott Palmer Bridgnorth CC V 76
4 Steven Prince SCCA Private Member V 60
5 Andy Collins Mid Shropshire Wheelers V 34
6 Ben Thompson Wrekinsport CC V 30
7 Neil Wilson Paramount CRT V 20
8 Martin Waters Mule CC V 18
=9 Clancy Wilson Ludlow CC V 14
=9 Mark White Mid Shropshire Wheelers V 14
=9 Oliver Rodwell Wrekinsport CC V 14
=9 Steve Jennings Mule CC V 14

Women’s standings:

Position Name Club Cat Best 6
1 Hayley Wells Paramount CRT W 80
2 Robin Jones Bridgnorth CC W 36
=3 Becky Griffiths Paramount CRT W 20
=3 Liz Breeze Mule CC WV 20
=5 Daphne Jones Mid Shropshire Wheelers WJ 18
=5 Gwyneth Bowyer Ludlow CC WV 18
=5 Victoria Doran Wrekinsport CC WV 18

Junior standings:

Position Name Club Cat Best 6
1 Alex Hart Mid Shropshire Wheelers J 80
2 Ben Southgate Wrekinsport CC J 38
3 Daphne Jones Mid Shropshire Wheelers WJ 16