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.”
This story is from the November 02, 2023 edition of Cycling Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 02, 2023 edition of Cycling Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Is pro racing getting more dangerous?
There are many factors that contribute to the perceived greater risks. One that does not get any attention is the greater importance of UCI points and the need to constantly collect them to avoid relegation.
A Saturday in Hell
It's the most brutal race of the year - 29.2km of the worst cobbles northern France has to offer, over 17 agonising sectors, starting in Denain and finishing in the iconic Roubaix velodrome. For the men, it's referred to as a Sunday in Hell, but for us, hell comes a day early.
Gitane - Tour de l'Avenir
Classic French brand's homage to a revered amateur race
6 WAYS TO THINK YOURSELF FASTER
However flawless your physical preparation, the mind has a tendency to throw a spanner in the works come the big day. James Witts offers six ways to keep the brain onside with the body
MAURICE BURTON'S - SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS
9 life lessons from Britain's first Black cycling champion
PEAKS PRACTICE
The Peak District is home turf for Manchester-based British pro riders and has been the formative terrain of top domestic riders for decades. Adam Becket finds out why it's so effective
Zeb Kyffin: stepping out of the fish bowl
TDT-Unibet's British rider tasted the team's first World-Tour event at the Amstel Gold Race. Adam Becket finds out how the day went
Thomas to go for 'very top step' at Giro
Welshman and Ineos ready for duel with Tadej Pogačar, reports Adam Becket
Brown and Niewiadoma beat Vollering
SD Worx-Protime are far from unbeatable in 2024, as team misses out in Ardennes Classics
Pogačar lays down marker for Giro d'Italia
Liège win signals Slovenian's readiness for clash with Geraint Thomas, reports Adam Becket