Nova Raiders Ironbridge by-pass Hill Climb.

In a season of Hill Climb course records two more were guaranteed in the first ever use of Ironbridge by-pass for a hill climb, with Round 6 of The Coaching Revolutions Hill Climb Series promoted by Nova Raiders – with the Overall Championship settled. The 1.15 mile course saw youngsters come to the fore as a bitterly cold morning and two major competing hill climbs outside the County combined to produce an unfortunate low turnout which will be addressed for 2019 by a date change.

Despite the turnout level the competitors had positive feedback on the new course, with 15 year-old Mid Shropshire Wheeler James Satoor setting an excellent initial benchmark of 4 minutes 46.3 seconds after powering up the 6.3% average gradient, lifting himself up to both the Overall Silver medal position as well as taking over the lead in the Junior Series in the process making it a good morning’s work. Satoor has posted excellent results in the five rounds he had entered, and his comments echoed the feedback of most riders: “It was good to ride another hill climb, I was pleased to get win. A tough climb made harder by freezing cold temperatures! I had thought of riding Horseshoe but thought I would support Nova Raiders and Shropshire CCA. It will be interesting next year to see how my time compares“!

Veteran’s winner Mark Hammond also took the Overall runners-up spot with a fine 5:00.7, taking full advantage to extend his Veterans Series lead. This is Hammond’s third Veteran’s win on a climb he knows well and trains on – although conditions seemed to have an adverse effect: “I struggled to get warm in the brisk morning conditions which probably contributed to me being 10 seconds slower than my personal record for the climb. I was happy with both the Veterans win and Overall second. A good new climb which offers a constant effort. Thanks to the Nova Raiders for organising“.

Satoor wasn’t the only rider setting a course record with 16 year-old Hollie Owens setting the Women’s benchmark of 7:26.3 in not only her first event for Nova Raiders but her first ever hill climb. Owens seemed to take to the format, stating: “For my first hill climb it was a tough going but enjoyable course“.

Kirk Vickers had all but technically tied up the Series following Round 5 but now cannot be caught, meaning he is named Coaching Revolutions Hill Climb Champion for an incredible third year in a row. Vickers has been the only name engraved on the Hill Climb Trophy since the inception of this Series in 2016, showing his strength at this discipline – even more impressive given the significant number of course records set in 2018. He stated: “I’m pleased with the Series win, there has been some tough competition this year with course records going all over. Well done everyone“.

 Result:

Pos’n Name Club Cat Time Points
1 James Satoor Mid Shropshire Wheelers J 4:46.3 20
2 Mark Hammond Paramount CRT V 5:00.7 18
3 Jordan Stamp Wrekin College Triathletes S 5:16.5
4 Lewis Page Mid Shropshire Wheelers J 5:21.8 16
5 Hollie Owens Nova Raiders WJ 7:26.3 14

Junior Result: 

Junior Pos’n Name Club Cat Time Junior Points
1 James Satoor Mid Shropshire Wheelers J 4:46.3 20
2 Lewis Page Mid Shropshire Wheelers J 5:21.8 18
3 Hollie Owens Nova Raiders WJ 7:26.3 16

 Veterans Result:

Vets Pos’n Name Club Cat Time Vets Points
1 Mark Hammond Paramount CRT V 5:00.7 20

Women’s Result: 

Women’s Pos’n Name Club Cat Time Women’s Points
1 Hollie Owens Nova Raiders WJ 7:26.3 20

 

Cumulative standings after six rounds

Overall Top 10:

Position Name Club Cat Best 5
1 Kirk Vickers SCCA Private Member S 98
2 James Satoor Mid Shropshire Wheelers J 76
3 Sam Holwill Hafren CC J 60
4 Sam Morris Revolutions Racing S 52
5 Mark Hammond Paramount CRT V 46
6 James Davies Oswestry Paragon CC S 40
7 Lewis Page Mid Shropshire Wheelers J 38
8 Tyler Brennan Hafren CC S 36
9 Ian Coupland Mid Shropshire Wheelers V 30
10 Jack Morris Oswestry Paragon CC S 24

Veterans Top 10: 

Position Name Club Cat Best 5
1 Mark Hammond Paramount CRT V 96
2 Ian Coupland Mid Shropshire Wheelers V 78
3 Neil Coles Oswestry Paragon CC V 70
4 Jason Harland Revolutions Racing V 28
=5 Andy Collins Mid Shropshire Wheelers V 24
=5 Darrell Walsh Oswestry Paragon CC V 24
7 Liz Breeze Oswestry Paragon CC WV 20
=8 Dave Allen Bridgnorth CC V 18
=8 Richard Kay North Shropshire Wheelers V 18
=10 Paul Lancaster Ludlow CC V 14
=10 Simon Evans Mid Shropshire Wheelers V 14
=10 Trevor Richards Hafren CC V 14

 Junior Top 10: 

Position Name Club Cat Best 5
1 James Satoor Mid Shropshire Wheelers J 96
2 Lewis Page Mid Shropshire Wheelers J 80
3 Sam Holwill Hafren CC J 78
4 Charlie Price Mid Shropshire Wheelers J 42
5 Lucy Hart Mid Shropshire Wheelers WJ 30
6 Jack Young Mid Shropshire Wheelers J 18
=7 Hollie Owens Nova Raiders WJ 16
=7 Ronnie Tse Mid Shropshire Wheelers J 16
=9 Fred Meredith Hafren CC J 14
=9 Robbie Disney Ludlow CC J 14

 Women’s standings: 

Position Name Club Cat Best 5
1 Rebecca Richardson Hafren CC W 40
=2 Liz Breeze Oswestry Paragon CC WV 38
=2 Lucy Hart Mid Shropshire Wheelers WJ 38
=4 Hannah Lancaster Ludlow CC WJ 20
=4 Hollie Owens Nova Raiders WJ 20
6 Daphne Jones Mid Shropshire Wheelers WJ 16

 

  • Round 7 of The Coaching Revolutions Hill Climb Series takes place at 11am on Sunday when Newport Shropshire CC run their 0.75 mile climb of Station Road, Ironbridge. HQ is The Station car park on the Broseley side of The Ironbridge.