Howcroft-Jones is Bunsall Cob top dog

High North Performance man takes second consecutive victory by a whisker in the Buxton CC hill-climb

- Snowdon Sports & Adam Becket

Managing his weight has been a key factor in Ross Howcroft-Jones starting his hill-climb campaign on top form with a win on Bunsall Cob.

The 33-year-old went 11 seconds faster than last year when he won the Buxton CC-Sett Valley Cycles event. However, after that win in 2022, the High North Performance rider failed to hit form again and blamed rapid weight loss for his dropoff in performances, something he plans to avoid this year.

"I learnt a hell of a lot last year," said the Conwy-based rider. "My natural weight is about 55 kilograms. Everybody goes on this hill-climb diet, but I went too low and too quick. I started [the season] quite strongly, but by the end of September, I melted. I was hardly holding threshold by the time it came to the National Championships last year.

"This year I set out a plan and just flatlined my weight, and my numbers are better. I'm probably a kilogram and a half heavier than I was for the Nationals last year, but my numbers are 50 or 60 watts up. You can compromise a bit of weight when your watts are higher."