Bec C.C 56th Annual Hill Climb

BEC C. C. 56th ANNUAL HILL CLIMB. SUNDAY 9th OCTOBER 2011 14.00HRS   

G301, White Lane, off of Titsey Hill, nr Limpsfield Surrey

Rider List    Past Events

 After his exceptional win in 2010, when young 15yr old Germaine Burton (De Ver Cycles) took the scalps of many of his peers, including the then reigning National Hill Climb Champ, as well as several well known ‘home Pro’ riders it would seem that other Juniors wish to follow in his Wheeltracks at this years Bec C.C. Hill Climb... 

 After nearly 30yrs of organising the Bec CC event, Garry Beckett is glad to report that from a class field of 85 riders, 10 of them are in the Junior Category, the most he has ever received...And for a couple of them it is their first ever event, much the same as was for Germaine ( aged 13) and his ex pro father, Maurice Burton, who also cut his teeth at the Bec event many many years ago.... A trend that Beckett hopes, is an encouraging sign that cycle racing amongst the younger ranks is on the increase across the board & not just for Hill Climbs... The womens category which is traditionally not as high in entrants, also shows an encouraging trend with 6 ladies gracing the start list, to fight out what should be a close battle to become Queen of the Hill..

 17 Vets bulk out the field (maybe some in more ways than they’d like ! ) with the evergreen Roy Instrall Morden CRC, riding his 27th edition of his annual effort, and Dave Marshall G.S.Avanti being the Grand old Statesman of the day, who will be flying the flag for the 65+’s...  Despite being in the ‘old uns’ category, some of the Vets will still be giving the youngsters a run for their money & may well find themselves included in the team award which might find them receiving a healthy share of the £900.00 team prize.... 

 In the team category, (fastest 3 of club/team) the competition will again be fierce, with no less than 8 clubs/teams being eligible... Probably, the most fancied in this category has to be Alpha R.C./Team Corley Cycles/Cervelo who for the past few years have either won or run a close 2nd and who are including previous 2009 Bec HC Champ Michael Smith in their line up ... Hot on their heels will be strong teams from London Phoenix CC & London Dynamo..Sigma Sport/Specialized Pro Team have sent 3 of their climbing strongmen in Simon Richardson, Daniel Duguid & Russell Hampton... La Fuga/Sigma Sport also show strong representation as do Norwood Paragon CC, Redhill CC, and the Dark Horses of the comp Adeo Cadence RT, who include last years 2nd place rider Robert Gough, and hardened Hill Climb competitor James Dobbin...

 Although entries are slightly down on the previous 2 years (a factor that the organiser Garry Beckett is convinced has come about due to his being away ‘on the road’ so much with Pro Tour Team Garmin Cervelo this year & not having as much time to pester the hell out of people to get their entries in) Plus also the financial implications of running an event feeling the pinch this year, the organiser & his clubmates at the Bec CC, are very pleased with the quality of the entrants on the start sheet this year..

 One encouraging thing that has been noted is the amount of ‘new names’ to the event, and some of the far flung places in the UK from which they are willing to travel.. Hopefully the message that we have been pushing out there for a few years now, ‘that there are 2 quality events in the South of England (Catford CC in the a.m) always on the same day that are well worth entrants AND SPECTATORS  travelling to, is getting out there at last!!

 Across the main part of the field, there are some very strong individuals, who will be pitching themselves up the mainly 1in6 (with a short 1in4 section) 700 yard course, in an attempt to steal the crown of ‘Prince of the Hill’ & defending Champion 16yr Old Germaine Burton. An afternoon of real quality uphill TT’ing is on the cards as a result of these entries. As well as In addition to those many riders that ride just for the ‘fun’ of it, support the event, attempt to beat their own PB’s, or just to soak up the unique ‘Noisey & party atmosphere’ for which the Bec event has a reputation....And of course to take advantage of the Famous Bec CC ‘Teas, amongst the trees’ tea stall, with its traditional fantastic fayre of Cakes, sandwiches, etc etc...

 Burton, who as is tradition, will be the last man (15.25hr) to launch himself up the hill & attempt to win the £1,000.00 1st prize & add his name for a 2nd time to the Mr & Mrs R.G.Beckett trophy will be the first Junior ever in the 56 yr history of the event to have the honour of top seed... He has recently returned from some succesful & hard racing in Belgium, and is very much in form to retain his title... But such is the depth of quality of this years field, that his Triumph, should it happen, will not come easy & will be a very hard fought for win..It will be interesting to see if the young De Vers CC rider can hold his nerve, as last man off & against such so many riders of good climbing ability...A gambling man would have a hard job picking the winner from what promises to be a serious exhibition of anti gravity men at their best...

Garry Beckett.. Event organiser on behalf of the Bec Cycling Club

For further details contact: 07802 898 259 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            07802 898 259      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

                                     Email: Garrybeckett1@aol.com

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