Champions head up star-studded Monsal climb
National Mens Hill Climb Champion and defending Monsal Champion, Jack Pullar, of Madison Genesis, leads the charge with Lynn Hamel, of Herbalife-Leisure Bikes.com, looking to take the Monsal title from Jessie Walker, of Matrix Fitness Racing Academy.
The men’s field is a mix of pro riders and local big guns all in search of a slice from the £1,350.00 prize fund.
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Hide AdRussell Downing, of Net App Endura, is looking to stop Jack Pullar’s winning streak of 11 straight hill climb wins.
Russell has longed to break the one minute 14.2 second 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 Net App rider came close in 2003 with 1:18.3 when he rode for Life Repair.
Downing won’t have it all his own way as Pullar posted a 1:18.9 last year and claimed a well deserved win in front of huge crowds.
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Hide AdCan the Madison Genesis rider do the same from 11am, this Sunday, October 6, or even beat the record? He’ll certainly be up there that’s for sure.
Graham Briggs, of Rapha Condor CC, is fresh from winning at Pea Royd Lane on Sunday and is showing excellent form so he will be in with a big shout for a place on the podium.
Local hill climb specialist Lee Baldwin, of Buxton CC / Sett Valley Cycles, finished second to Briggs at the Stocksbridge CC event, and always posts a fast time up the 675 yard climb and is hoping to repeat his good run of form.
Team Hope Factory rider, James Gullen is on the start sheet and could spring a surprise along with local favourites including James Allen, of Langsett Cycles RT, and current Monsal Junior champion Jacob Scott, Team Sportscover and ex junior champion Ashley Proctor, of Sheffrec CC, are all looking to break the 1:30 barrier.
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Hide AdThe vets’ race is also looking very competitive. Defending Vets’ Champion Michael Brammall, of Sugarcane Velo Club, is looking to keep his name on the Cope Trophy but will be pushed hard by first year vet Richard Middlemiss.
The Sheffield Sports rider is looking to win the vet prize to give him a quartet of titles at Monsal.
Middlemiss who has won at Schoolboy, Junior and Senior level just needs the Vets’ title to become the most successful rider at the 83 year old event. Previous Monsal winner, now vet Chris Walker, of RST Racing Team, is looking to rejuvenate the past and find the form to give him a win in his category.
Chris miss-timed his run last year and left too much in the tank at the top. He is more than capable of walking away with the silverware.
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Hide AdThe whole field is a great mix of youngsters, ladies and seniors with many local clubs represented.
Writer of 100 Greatest Climbs, Simon Warren, of 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 83 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. This year again sees the road closure in place with around 300-400 spectators expected to the Peak District beauty spot.
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Hide AdSpectators 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 James Glover at Simplyhealth, Derbyshire Times, Neil Armitage at Pelican Cycles, Derbyshire Dales District Council, Litton & Cressbrook Parish Council, Keith Adamson and Little Longstone Village Group, Derbyshire Police and Hobb’s Café. Without their help this event just simply wouldn’t happen.
Action kicks off at 11am at Monsal Head. Live commentary from ex-Olympian Mark Barry along with Brent Storey will provide a great atmosphere for all cycling fans. As always record holder since 1981 Malcolm Elliott will be presenting the prizes to all categories shortly after 1.15pm.
For coverage of this year’s event see the Thursday, October 10 edition, of the Derbyshire Times and visit www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk for details.
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Hide AdBelow is the 2013 Monsal Hill Climb list of entered riders:
Ivan Paul, Ashley Touring CC
Jonathan Poole, Ashley Touring CC
Luke Thomas, Ashley Touring CC
Michael Cox, Ashley Touring CC
Theo Jefferies, Ashley Touring CC
Cian O’Leary, Base2Race Bikeshack
Andrew Cutts, Birdwell Wheelers
Michael Brown, Birdwell Wheelers
Trevor Mayne, Birdwell Wheelers
Dave Archer, Bolsover & District CC
James Clarke, Bolsover & District CC
Patrick Murphy, Bolsover & District CC
Richard Thorpe, Bolsover & District CC
Wayne Rollinson, Bolsover & District CC
Xavier Scott, Bolsover & District CC
Lee Baldwin, Buxton CC / Sett Valley Cycles
Sam Clark, Buxton CC / Sett Valley Cycles
Sam Mansfield, Buxton CC / Sett Valley Cycles
Samuel Garner, Buxton CC / Sett Valley Cycles
Nicola Soden, Champion Systems Maxgear
Jamie Flaxman. Chesterfield Spire RC
Shue Fan, Clay Cross RT
Nick Decker, Congleton CC
Sidney Wilson, Derby Mercury RC
Stephen Price, Derby Mercury RC
Simon Froberg, Dinnington RC
Robin McKinnon, Harworth & District CC
Lynn Hamel, Herbalife-Leisure Bikes.com
Jim Brown. Holme Valley Wheelers
Lee Brown, Holme Valley Wheelers
Brad Dransfield, KCA
Carl Sawyer, Kiveton Park CC
Andrew Roberts, La Squadra
Ben Lowe, La Squadra
Luke Milnes, La Squadra
Paul Winwood, La Squadra
Andrew Sedgewick, Langsett Cycles RT
James Allen, Langsett Cycles RT
Jamie Burgan, Langsett Cycles RT
Jack Pullar, Madison Genesis
Daniel Trainor, Mansfield RC
Jake Carlisle, Mansfield RC
Scott Harrison, Mansfield RC
Tom Llewellyn, Mansfield RC
Vincent Johnson, Mansfield RC
Cameron Orr, Matlock CC
Neil Armitage, Matlock CC
Patrick Smart, Matlock CC
Peter Colledge, Matlock CC
Steve Roper, Matlock CC
William Alves, Matlock CC
Jessie Walker, Matrix Fitness Racing Academy
Jacob Nicholson, Medway VC
Andy Nichols, Neon Velo.com
Russell Downing, Net App Endura
Andrew Rodgers, Norton Wheelers
Jonathan Cooper, Norton Wheelers
Simon Warren, Norwood Paragon CC
Alex Kinderman, Pedal Sport CC
Shaun Randall, Rossington Wheelers
Chris Walker, RST Racing Team
Alain Gordon-Seymour, Rutland CC
Ben Harvey, Rutland CC
Darren Otter, Rutland CC
Mike Birkby, Rutland CC
Nicholas Latimer, Rutland CC
Paul Kippax, Rutland CC
Robert Fowler, Rutland CC
Rupert Pearson, Rutland CC
Gavin Evans, Rutland CC
Eamonn Cox, Sheffield Sports CC
Louis Jacobs, Sheffield Sports CC
Richard Middlemiss, Sheffield Sports CC
Aaron Handley, Sheffrec CC
Adam Machan, Sheffrec CC
Alan Holloway, Sheffrec CC
Ashley Proctor, Sheffrec CC
Callum Stewart, Sheffrec CC
Clara Sandelind, Sheffrec CC
Daryl May, Sheffrec CC
James Hunt, Sheffrec CC
Keith Ainsworth, Sheffrec CC
Liam O’Toole, Sheffrec CC
Mark Cuckson, Sheffrec CC
Matt Bacon, Sheffrec CC
Mayor Ranchordas, Sheffrec CC
Nick Downham, Sheffrec CC
Stephen Carley, Sheffrec CC
Thomas Archer, Sheffrec CC
Thomas Humphrey, Sheffrec CC
Melanie Armstrong, Shutt VR
Oliver Humphreys, Shutt VR
Sarah Kennedy, Shutt VR / Squadra Donne
Matthew Cosgrove, Sportcity Velo
Jacob Scott, Sportscover
Steve Wood, Stocksbridge CC
Michael Brammall, Sugarcane Velo Club
Graham Briggs, TBC
Alex Jones, Team CF
James King, Team Sportscover
Martyn Dransfield, Thurcroft CC
Joseph Drane, University of Sheffield CC
Liz Bullivant, Whirlow Wheelers
Nicola Holloway, Whirlow Wheelers
Christiaan Smith, Zappis CC
Adam Kenway, Zenith - Buzz Cycles
David Swingler, Zenith - Buzz Cycles