Preview – Monsal Hill Climb This Weekend

Bioracer_Example

Commonwealth Games riders head up a star studded field for the 84th HMT Hospitals Monsal Hill Climb on Sunday

RST Cycle Clothing & Trigon Bikes

Preview – Monsal Hill Climb This Weekend

NOTE: Send your results as well as club, team & event news here

EVENT PRESS RELEASE

2013_Monsal_Album_Pullar

Jack Pullar a big winnner in the event races through the crowd.

The 84th running of this hill climb classic, organised by Marc Etches and Sheffrec CC, has the best ever field of entries including ProConti and Commonwealth Games bronze medalist, Scott Thwaites riding for NetApp Endura. Former National Mens Hill Climb Champion and double defending Monsal Champion, Jack Pullar (Starley Primal Pro Cycling) leads the charge with Jessie Walker (Matrix Vulpine) aiming to retain her Ladies crown.

The mens field is a mix of pro riders and local big guns, all in search of a slice from the £2,000.00 prize fund. Russell Downing, NFTO Pro Cycling is looking to stop Jack Pullar’s winning streak of 3 straight Monsal hill climb wins. Russell has longed to break the 1 minute 14.2 course record set by Malcolm Elliott in 1981 and will again be trying to become the master of Monsal and claim the Dick Aldridge Memorial Trophy.

The NFTO rider came close back in 2003 with a 1:18.3 when he rode for Life Repair. Russ won’t have it all is own way as Pullar has posted times of 1:19.9 and 1:18.9 which has taken him to victory in front of huge crowds for the past 2 years.

Can Pullar do the same this weekend or even beat the 23 year old record? He’ll certainly be up there that’s for sure. Scott Thwaites visits Monsal for the first time this weekend and has already been spotted on Monsal checking out the climb. The European Pro has the talent and explosive power to strike fear into all the pre race favourites making Scott the one who could cause an upset amongst the Monsal regulars.

Graham Briggs (Rapha Condor JLT) is showing excellent form on the cyclo cross scene and is in with a big shout for a place on the podium. Local hill climb specialist Lee Baldwin (Champion System/ClubRoost/Maxgear) is again aiming to break onto the podium along with Commonwealth Games track sprinter Chris Pritchard. Chris is more than capable of putting the pros behind him, but is in the same situation as Thwaites having not ridden on the climb before.

Adam Kenway, Team Zenith – www.buzzcycles.co.uk rides well at Monsal and current Monsal Junior champion James King, Haribo Beacon returns and will be looking to break the 1:25 barrier as a senior and so will Bike Box Allan / Whiston Velo rider, Ashley Proctor.

Monsal_women

The ladies podium in 2013 led by Jessie Walker

VETERANS
The vets race is also looking very competitive. Defending Vets Champion is set the miss the event so the Cope Trophy will be up for a new name to be engraved on magnificent piece of silverware. First year vet Lee Brown, Homfirth CC will be aiming to convert his road form into hill climbing form and Richard Middlemiss, Sheffield Sports CC is looking to win the vet prize to give him a quartet of titles at Monsal.

Middlemiss has won at Schoolboy, Junior and Senior level and just needs the Vets title to become the most successful rider at the 84 year old event. The vets category will be a great battle with Simon Warren (Norwood Paragon CC) and local rider Ben Lowe, La Squadra all in the mix for the £100.00 first prize.

With 13 ladies on the start sheet defending champion Jessie Walker wont have an easy ride with Iona Sewell and her gbcycles.co.uk team mate, Nicola Soden well capable of claiming the £100.00 first prize.

The whole field is a great mix of youngsters, ladies and seniors with many local clubs represented. Writer of 100 Greatest Climbs, Simon Warren, Norwood Paragon CC is again at Monsal and knows the climb well having written about the famous climb in his much publicised books. First run in 1930, Monsal Hill Climb has been on the hill climb calendar for an amazing 84 years. This event was first started by a few mates riding out to Monsal Head at the end of the track season and timing each other up the hill, at this time it was an unmade road.

How times have changed. The course is a one-in-six and 675 yards long with fans expected to be lining the route in scenes reminiscent of this year’s Tour de France which visited the region.

This years headline sponsor and confirmed for at least the next 3 years is the Healthcare Management Trust. HMT were founded in 1985 as a registered charity to provide consultancy services to healthcare providers. HMT’s aim has always been to develop and promote the services offered by associated charitable hospitals and care homes so that they can be a viable alternative to the commercial companies both now and into the future. Event organiser, Marc Etches commented “This is a great partnership and the support from HMT has made this prestigious event now very prestigious. We are excited to be able to offer such a great prize list to all the riders and we will now continue to lead the way in setting the standard very high in hill climb promotion nationally”.

2012_MonsalHillClimb_Fonzy_FB

Russell Downing on his ‘hill climb’ bike back when he was racing with Endura racing

The Healthcare Management Trust Chief Executive, Tony Barrett commented, “It is an honour for HMT Hospitals to be supporting such a historic event, and one that really brings professional cycling close to communities. The Monsall Hill Climb gives local club cyclists the opportunity to compete against world-class athletes and serves to promote cycling in general. Cycling is a sport that aligns with our goal of promoting health and wellbeing to all ages and abilities, and that is epitomised in this event. Each year we see more and more people coming back to compete and spectate, and encouragingly for us we are seeing families riding their bikes to cheer on those racing.”

This year again sees the road closure in place with around 1000 spectators expected to the Peak District beauty spot. Spectators are urged to use the car park provided and arrive early to witness the action unfold. Parking will be signposted and very close to the event HQ.

Event organiser, Marc Etches of Sheffrec Cycling Club would like to thank Tony Barrett at HMT Hospitals, Neil Armitage at Pelican Cycles, Simon at 100 Greatest Climbs, Velotastic, Derbyshire Dales District Council, Litton & Cressbrook Parish Council, Keith Adamson and Little Longstone Village Group, Derbyshire Police and Hobb’s Cafe. Without their help this event just simply wouldn’t happen.
Further information here: http://www.monsalhillclimb.org.uk

1 11:01 Matthew Withycombe Sheffrec CC V
2 11:02 Louis Jacobs Sheffield Sports Cycling Club SB
3 11:03 Brian Hygate Farnborough & Camberley CC V
4 11:04 Andy Middlemiss Sheffield Sports Cycling Club V
5 11:05 Tom Lloyd-Hughes Common Lane Occasionals J
6 11:06 Lewis Phillips Mansfield Road Club SB
7 11:07 Richard Thorpe Bolsover & District CC V
8 11:08 Pete Laud Common Lane Occasionals V
9 11:09 Sarah Harrison Sheffield Triathlon Club LV
10 11:10 Nicky Dick Matlock CC LV
11 11:11 Bruno Schooling Rutland CC SB
12 11:12 Ed Brown Clifton C.C. York V
13 11:13 Thomas Booth Stocksbridge CC SB
14 11:14 John Jacobs Sheffield Sports Cycling Club V
15 11:15 Robert Gray Clifton C.C. York J
16 11:16 Stewart Bates Beeston RC
17 11:17 Helen Ibbitson Stocksbridge CC LV
18 11:18 Steven Hollowood Kiveton Park CC V
19 11:19 Matthew Bacon Sheffrec CC SB
20 11:20 Louise Kelly Mansfield Road Club L
21 11:21 Graham Walton Common Lane Occasionals V
22 11:22 Stewart Smith Team Swift V
23 11:23 Sam Smith Sheffield Sports Cycling Club J
24 11:24 Christopher Green Matlock CC V
25 11:25 Emily Watson-Thoday University of Sheffield CC L
26 11:26 Tony Cope Leek Cyclists Club J
27 11:27 Sandra Mackay gbcycles.co.uk LV
28 11:28 Paul Bailey Manchester Wheelers Club
29 11:29 Garth Sinclair I Cycle CC V
30 11:30 Simon Hall Rugby Racing CC
31 11:31 Patrick Murphy Bolsover & District CC
32 11:32 Jordan Hayes Doncaster Whs CC
33 11:33 Ian Shapiro Heanor Clarion CC
34 11:34 Arthur Green Matlock CC J
35 11:35 Jayati Hine RST Racing Team SG
36 11:36 Andrew Benson Common Lane Occasionals
37 11:37 Neil Armitage Matlock CC V
38 11:38 Theo Jefferies Westmead Team 88 J
39 11:39 Steve Tait Mapperley CC
40 11:14 Xavier Scott Bolsover & District CC
41 11:41 Alan Bullock Stocksbridge CC V
42 11:42 Lee Woodhead Sheffrec CC V
43 11:43 Owen Mitton Huddersfield RC V
44 11:44 Lee Ibbitson Stocksbridge CC V
45 11:45 Dominic Watts Sheffield Sports Cycling Club V
46 11:46 Jonathan Harvey Dinnington Racing Club
47 11:47 Sidney Wilson Derby Mercury RC J
48 11:48 John Sanderson Manchester Wheelers Club V
49 11:49 David Chapman Newbury RC
50 11:50 Paul Newton Derby Mercury RC
51 11:51 Paul Kippax Rutland CC V
52 11:52 Peter Morris Planet X Racing Team
53 11:53 David Brearley Team Zenith – www.buzzcycles.co.uk
54 11:54 Andy Hibberd North Hampshire RC V
55 11:55 Jim Brown Holmfirth C C SB
56 11:56 Paul Heggie Birdwell Whs V
57 11:57 Dan Ogden Shutt Velo Rapide V
58 11:58 Mark Cuckson Sheffrec CC
59 11:59 Matt Blythe Newport (Shropshire) CC V
60 12:00 Nicola Holloway Sheffrec CC L
61 12:01 Rupert Pearson Rutland CC V
62 12:02 Brad Hatfield Out of the Saddle
63 12:03 Martin Rigby Mansfield Road Club V
64 12:04 Alan Holloway Sheffrec CC
65 12:05 Jamie Raven Rutland CC
66 12:06 Alex Kinderman Pedalsport CC J
67 12:07 Cameron Orr Sherwood Pines Cycle Racing Team SB
68 12:08 Alex Jones Team Cystic Fibrosis V
69 12:09 Stuart Baker Buxton CC
70 12:10 John Smith Out of the Saddle
71 12:11 Henry Cash Holme Valley Whs SB
72 12:13 Jamie Flaxman Chesterfield Spire Cycling Club V
73 12:13 Anthony Bromley Barnsley RC
74 12:14 Keith Ainsworth Sheffrec CC V
75 12:15 Stuart Kendall Mansfield Road Club
76 12:16 Alexander Foster Border City Whs CC J
77 12:17 Thomas Humphrey Kirklees Cycling Academy SB
78 12:18 Eamonn Cox Sheffield Sports Cycling Club V
79 12:19 James Mappin Sheffrec CC
80 12:20 Jack Stephenson Out of the Saddle
81 12:21 Jonathan Knapp Derby Mercury RC V
82 12:22 Andrew Cutts Birdwell Whs
83 12:23 Paul Armstrong Sheffrec CC
84 12:24 Daniel Kubon Birdwell Whs
85 12:25 Kevin White Matlock CC V
86 12:26 Richard Dean Barnsley RC
87 12:27 Zack Williamson Clay Cross Road Team
88 12:28 Aaron Handley Bike Box Allan / Whiston Velo J
89 12:29 Neil Bentley Sheffrec CC V
90 12:30 Darryl Wall Out of the Saddle
91 12:31 Luke Allen Sheffrec CC
92 12:32 Matt Lawton Macclesfield Wheelers
93 12:33 Tom Llewellyn Mansfield Road Club
94 12:34 Joseph Clark Team Zenith – www.buzzcycles.co.uk
95 12:35 Helen Eborall Born to Bike – Bridgtown Cycles L
96 12:36 Chris Dyke Manchester Wheelers Club V
97 12:37 Lou Collins Beeston RC L
98 12:38 Robin Mckinnon Harworth & District CC V
99 12:39 Adam Machan Sheffrec CC
100 12:14 Robert Howson Leek Cyclists Club
101 12:41 Andrew Sedgewick Rutland CC V
102 12:42 Iona Sewell gbcycles.co.uk L
103 12:43 Courtney Blockley-Campton Leicester Forest CC
104 12:44 Ben Lowe Nonna La Squadra V
105 12:45 Martin Smith Chesterfield Couriers
106 12:46 Simon Warren Norwood Paragon CC V
107 12:47 Oliver Humphreys Shutt Velo Rapide
108 12:48 Julian Ramsbottom Pedal Pushers V
109 12:49 Callum Stewart Sheffrec CC
110 12:50 James Baillie Langsett Cycles RT
111 12:51 Richard Middlemiss Sheffield Sports Cycling Club V
112 12:52 Nicola Soden gbcycles.co.uk L
113 12:53 Alastair Hepworth Bike Box Allan / Whiston Velo
114 12:54 Daniel Featherstone Bolsover & District CC
115 12:55 Matthew Cosgrove SportCity Velo J
116 12:56 Chris Limberger Derby Mercury RC
117 12:57 Dominic Smith Retford & District Whs
118 12:58 Jonathan Harper Mansfield Road Club
119 12:59 Jessie Walker Matrix Vulpine L
120 13:00 Lee Brown Holmfirth C C V
121 13:01 Karl Baillie Haribo Beacon J
122 13:02 Jack O’Neill Mike Vaughan Cycles
123 13:03 Kieran Simcox Bike Box Allan / Whiston Velo J
124 13:04 Andy Nichols Langsett Cycles RT
125 13:05 Richard Teare Rutland CC
126 13:06 Alex Braybrooke Velocity WD-40 J
127 13:07 Sam Clark Buxton CC
128 13:08 Nicholas Latimer Rutland CC
129 13:09 Connor Swift Bike Box Allan / Whiston Velo J
130 13:10 Liam O’Toole Sheffrec CC
131 13:11 Chris Metcalfe Matlock CC
132 13:12 Chris Pritchard Foreign (UCI registered)
133 13:13 Ashley Proctor Bike Box Allan / Whiston Velo
134 13:14 Lee Baldwin Champion System/ClubRoost/Maxgear
135 13:15 James King Haribo Beacon
136 13:16 Adam Kenway Team Zenith – www.buzzcycles.co.uk
137 13:17 Scott Thwaites Team NetApp-Endura – Foreign (UCI registered)
138 13:18 Russell Downing NFTO Pro Cycling
139 13:19 Graham Briggs Rapha Condor JLT
140 13:20 Jack Pullar Starley Primal Pro Cycling

Reserves
141 John Johnson Matlock CC
142 Alastair Goldman Common Lane Occasionals V
143 Martyn Sanders Barnsley RC V
144 Marc Hughes Sheffield Sports Cycling Club V
145 Charles Rowe Stowmarket & District CC V
146 Wesley Inskip Newcastle Racing Club 2001/Vekta Velosport
147 Byron Buck Derby Mercury RC

Send your results as well as club, team & event news here

Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)

Other News on VeloUK

Tags: , ,