Snake Pass Hill Climb

Andrew Feather (HuntBikeWheels.com) battled to victory by a single second in the Glossop Kinder Velo hill climb on Snake Pass, while Olivia French (Stolen Goat Race Team) convincingly won the women’s event.

Two-time National Hill Climb Champion Feather completed the course in a winning time of 12 minutes and two seconds.

The 5.2-kilomete climb leaves Glossop heading towards Sheffield at a steady average gradient of 6.2%.

The men’s course record of 11-36 posted by Tejvan Pettinger ten years ago remains for another season.

Times were slowed somewhat by a slight headwind for the first two-thirds of the climb before a tailwind to finish.

Despite suffering with illness during September the reigning hill climb champion took his fifth open hill climb win of the season on Snake Pass.

Pushing him all the way for victory and finishing just a second behind was Paddy Clark (Team Lifting Gear Products) in 12-03.

A close battle for the final podium spot saw Jude Taylor (Team PB Performance) finish third in 12-30, which was just two seconds quicker than Iain Duffield (PMRR) who clocked 12-32.

“Snake Pass was good for me,” said Feather. “It’s been the first week that I’ve felt better and been able to train normally again.

“I’m really pleased to have won because it’s not my type of climb. It’s a fast climb and I was standing for the whole thing so wasn’t very aerodynamic.

“I feel that my form is moving in the right direction and I’m much more positive for the steeper climbs.”

Fastest junior was Harry Hudson (Matlock CC) whose time of 12-54 was good enough for sixth overall, while Harley Widdowson (Clancy Briggs Cycling Academy) was best juvenile in 13-36.

Quickest veteran was Alastair Ribbands (Congleton CC – MyWindsock) who finished 13th overall in a time of 13-45.

In the women’s event French was on fine form adding another win to her collection and stopping the clock in 16-34 – over a minute clear of her nearest challenger.

A close battle for second saw juvenile Maia Howell (Matlock CC)  finish runner-up in 17-40 just five seconds faster than Faye Sharpley (Holmes Chapel Velo) in 17-45.

“It was a longer climb than what I’m used to and a bit of a headwind up most of it, but good fun,” said French.

“It was a bit tough to pace, I find it harder on the shallower gradient climbs when it’s about pushing the power rather than against the gradient.

“It’s more of a mental challenge to keep pushing.”

* All reports are copyright of Cycling Time Trials/Snowdon Sports. Not to be used without permission.
 

Results:
1. Andrew Feather (HuntBikeWheels.com)    12.02
2. Paddy Clark (Team Lifting Gear Products)            12.03
3. Jude Taylor (Team PB Performance)          12.30
4. Iain Duffield (PMRR)         12.32
5. Alex Raynard (Trek Bicycles Bakewell)    12.50
6. Harry Hudson (Matlock CC)          12.54
Veteran: Alastair Ribbands (Congleton CC)  13.45
Junior: Harry Hudson (Matlock CC)  12.54
Juvenile: Harley Widdowson (Clancy Briggs Cycling Academy)     13.36

Women:
1. Olivia French (Stolen Goat Race Team)     16.34
2. Maia Howell (Matlock CC)            17.40
3. Faye Sharpley (Holmes Chapel Velo)         17.45
4. Joanne Clay (MagCAD Designs)   17.59
5. Alice Larkin (Glossop Kinder Velo)           18.27
6. Georgia Roberts (Team Catenary)  19.50