Michael Leonard SMITH (Team Milton Keynes) Wins Hill Climb
11th October 2009
Report on the 2009 HC, by Garry Beckett
Well that's it over for another year, and I feel safe in saying today's event was pretty successful. Although the weather wasn't the best we have had, a fantastic & enthusiastic crowd of supporters came to urge the riders on their way. And even when the rain fell it didn't seem to dampen their spirits or spoil their afternoons entertainment..
For the riders of course, it was a different matter, and with weather conditions favouring the early third of the field it was always going to be a difficult task for any climber once the hill got wet...
No:17 Michael Leonard Smith of Team Milton Keynes, and a first timer at the Bec event, set an early benchmark with an incredibly fast 1.46.3 and didn't really seem to be out of breath when he passed me at the finish line. Very stylish !!
Even if the course had not fallen foul of the rain, that time would have been a tough one to beat, as only the best on a warm dry day manage to go sub 1.50 And so Smiths gauntlet seemed to be confidently thrown down, to leave others to fight for the minor placings.. In the final standings only 2 other riders managed to get close-ish with sub 2minute rides, the fastest of which was still almost 4 secs off the winning time. So Michael went home to Newport Pagnell, a very happy man & £1,000 richer for his efforts, and we hope he'll be back next year to defend his title
The battle royale in the team competition, was won by Arctic Premier RT, and if you look at the team results you'll see there was a bit of a story there! In the minor placings on the teams, the times were fairly close
On a personal front, I'd like once again to thank all who have supported this event & helped make it possible. The spectators,, the riders, my club mates, and our sponsors 'Big' Dave, owner of Sharmanbuilding@aol.com for all your building projects, Ron Keeble owner of Gem hygiene & gem composites the latter who are the importers of Edge Carbon equipment www.gemhygiene.co.uk & www.gemcomposites.co.uk , Simon Mottram MD of Rapha Performance roadwear clothing & sundries www.rapha.cc , Grant Young owner of Condor cycles, who has just opened newly refurbished premises, stocked out with all sorts of bike bling & goodies to tempt even the most spendthrift of bikies to get their wallets open!! www.condorcycles.com Those nice guys at Rouleur magazine, who publish bike porn with a classy difference www.rouleur.cc plus Greg Rowe an out & out cycling fan who dipped into his personal pocket to help out, thanks to you all..
And finally, my heartfelt thanks & appreciation goes to Trish Bloxham & her colleagues at Tandridge Council, who once again granted us permission for a closed road & used a lot of their own media contacts to try & help publicise our event
Oh & of course a big thanks to the timekeepers Lesley & Bob Donnington and assistant Don Glover
Hope to see you all next year, 2nd Sunday in October, 2.00pm
by Garry Beckett (Event Promotor)
Michael SMITH of Team Milton Keynes, won the £1,000 prize money, and trophy
Team Arctic-Premier RT Take the £900 team prize, and trophy
Jody CRAWFORD - 1 min 52.3 Secs
Danny AXFORD - 2 min 06.8 Secs
Matt HOLMES - 2 min 14.7 Secs
Fastest Lady Juliette Clarke In Gear Quickvit RT……. Rapha Fixed Backpack, value £95
Fastest Vet, Roy Chamberlain Team Corley Cycles………..1 year subscription to Rouleur magazine value ………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………..£34
Fastest Junior , Alexander King, Twickenham CC….A pair of Conti Giro tubs ……………….£30
