Feather obliterates the competition at National Hill-Climb

Reigning champ smashes Struggle course record

- Snowdon Sports 

It had been billed as a battle between reigning national champion Andrew Feather and former national champion Ed Laverack, but in the end Feather (HuntBikeWheels.com) powered to a convincing victory at the National HillClimb Championship in Cumbria.

Laverack (Backpedal) had to settle for second spot, 18 seconds down on Feather, who smashed the course record by 41 seconds with a time of 11-48 on the Struggle near Ambleside.

Third went to Paddy Clark (Team Lifting Gear Products) while fastest junior Harry Hudson (Matlock CC) matched Clark’s time of 13-05.

Feather became the first rider to win the event with disc brakes, riding a machine that weighed 5.7kg, 300g heavier than when he won the 2022 title race.

But that mattered little, as the 38-yearold from Bath powered up the 2.67-mile climb with all the confidence of a man who had recced the course several times.

“There were so many people at the top of the course that I wasn’t sure where the finish line was,” he said.

“I’m really pleased to win again. I knew the last two minutes would be decisive. I did my best ride and got it all out and it was an amazing atmosphere at the top.”