The first medals of the BBR Hill Climb Series were settled following Round 8; and it was all change at the head of the Overall standings in an eventful climb of Swayney Cliff, Coalport promoted by Propel CC. Dave Scott headed to the top of the table thanks to a fine win of three seconds from Steven Prince as he coped with another explosive, sharp climb in short order. Only a fraction longer than the Homer Bank climb used in Round 7, the climb ramps to 17% at times, with the hardest effort required at the hairpin near the summit. Scott stopped the watch on 2 minutes 5 second, 7 seconds outside David Fellows’ course record set in 2021, but nevertheless a great effort on a hot, sunny afternoon. Scott rose from third spot on the strength of this ride and holds an advantage of just six points from Prince with three rounds to go. The Mule CC rider had suffered from dehydration in Rounds 6 and 7, and was better prepared for this climb, leaving it all on the road. He clearly had this at the back of his mind, stating: “I didn’t want to make the same mistake as on Homer Bank on another short course. I managed to get it all out on this one, matching my previous best two minute power, so I was very happy with how I rode”.

Prince has been on fire in the 2023 Hill Climb Series. Setting a number of personal bests in a discipline not usually favouring the Over-40’s, but rose to second spot Overall as well as sealing the BBR Veterans Series with a maximum possible 120 points after six wins – a fabulous achievement. His 2:08 pushed out previous Series leader and reigning BBR Series Champion Tomos Hales by five seconds, nudging Hales from top of the Overall standings down to third in the process. Prince stated: “Three great climbs in a week and a great day for it. I was pleased with my effort and another personal best, but just fell short to Dave who had a great ride to win. Thanks to Propel for hosting a great well organised event with a great pub at the bottom. More should do it next season”. When told he had won Veterans Gold he added: “That’s brilliant it’s been a great Series as always and it’s been really competitive this year with Scott Palmer putting in PB’s most weeks and Chris Riley riding well. It was nice to have won the Gold with three events still to go”.

Hales stopped the watch on 2:13 with Mid Shropshire Wheelers’ John Woodward snipping at his heels just three seconds back, showing the tight level of competition in 2023. He commented: “Another hot day which seems to be the norm for this year’s Hill Climb Series. Well done to Dave with the win, and thanks for Propel for organising – efficient as ever”.

In the BBR Women’s Series Hayley Wells tightened her grip on top spot with another win and is within tantalising distance of the Gold medal. She powered up the climb in 3:03 to beat Paramount team mate Claire Blackwell-Smyth in her first attempt at Swayney Cliff: “Blessed with glorious sunshine and pleased to have taken maximum points – thanks to the organisers”.

In the BBR Junior Series Newport Shropshire CC rider Will Hyde took the maximum 20 points on offer to move in joint second spot with a solid 2:35. He enjoyed the atmosphere which is a feature of hill climbs, with spectators roaring riders on: “A good steady climb with great support from spectators and riders – thanks to Propel for organising”. However without turning a pedal Wrekinsport’s Ben Southgate took Junior Gold as he can no longer be caught having won all five events he has entered, and with a 62 point lead and only 60 points maximum possible across the remaining three rounds he ended a trophy-packed season on a high, stating: “Very happy to take Gold, looking forward to the winter training now on Zwift”.

Result:

Pos’n Forename Surname Club Cat Time Points
1 David Scott Mule CC S 2:05 20
2 Steven Prince Ludlow Brewery RT V 2:08 18
3 Tomos Hales Wrekinsport CC S 2:13 16
4 John Woodward Mid Shropshire Wheelers V 2:16 14
5 Alex Hall Wrekinsport CC S 2:25 12
6 Will Hyde Newport Shropshire CC J 2:35 10
7 Chris Riley Paramount CRT V 2:43 8
8 Mason Durant Paramount CRT S 2:47 6
9 Jack Young Oswestry Paragon CC S 2:51 4
10 Rob McGregor Paramount CRT S 2:52 2
11 Hayley Wells Paramount CRT W 3:03 2
12 Claire Blackwell-Smyth Paramount CRT WV 4:05 2

Veterans on Actual:

Vets Pos’n Forename Surname Club Cat Time Vets Points
1 Steven Prince Ludlow Brewery RT V 2:08 20
2 John Woodward Mid Shropshire Wheelers V 2:16 18
3 Chris Riley Paramount CRT V 2:43 16
4 Claire Blackwell-Smyth Paramount CRT WV 4:05 14

Women:

Women’s Pos’n Forename Surname Club Cat Time Women’s Points
1 Hayley Wells Paramount CRT W 3:03 20
2 Claire Blackwell-Smyth Paramount CRT WV 4:05 18

Juniors:

Junior Pos’n Forename Surname Club Cat Time Junior Points
1 Will Hyde Newport Shropshire CC J 2:35 20

Cumulative standings after eight rounds

Overall Top 10:

Position Name Club Cat Best 6
1 Dave Scott Mule CC S 114
2 Steven Prince Ludlow Brewery RT V 108
3 Tomos Hales Wrekinsport CC S 104
4 Scott Palmer Aerologic RT V 72
5 Ben Southgate Wrekinsport CC J 54
6 Chris Riley Paramount CRT V 50
7 John Woodward Mid Shropshire Wheelers V 36
8 Jack Young Oswestry Paragon CC S 30
9 Phil Roberts Wrekinsport CC S 28
=10 Robbie Disney Aerologic RT S 26
=10 Troy Rimell Mule CC S 26

Veterans Top 10:

Position Name Club Cat Best 6
1 Steven Prince Ludlow Brewery RT V 120
2 Chris Riley Paramount CRT V 100
3 Scott Palmer Aerologic RT V 90
=4 John Woodward Mid Shropshire Wheelers V 54
=4 Neil Coles Oswestry Paragon CC V 54
6 Andy Collins Mid Shropshire Wheelers V 42
7 Claire Blackwell-Smyth Paramount CRT WV 36
8 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 112
2 Becky Griffiths Paramount CRT W 94
3 Claire Blackwell-Smyth Paramount CRT WV 82
4 Sara Willhoit Paramount CRT W 40
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 100
=2 James Saunders Ludlow CC J 38
=2 Will Hyde Newport Shropshire CC J 38
=4 Chester Romei Paramount CRT J 18
=4 Noah White Mid Shropshire Wheelers J 18
6 Jude White Mid Shropshire Wheelers J 16