The Rake Hill Climb

After finishing runners-up last season Kieran Wynne-Cattanach (Team Lifting Gear Products) and Gemma Mitchell (Team Boompods) were spurred on to win the open and women’s event at Lancashire Road Club’s climb of The Rake.

Wynne-Cattanach, aged 27, finished second behind team-mate Andy Nichols last season, and reversed that result on this occasion to win in two minutes and 18 seconds.

Ramsbottom Rake sees competitors start in Carr Street, Ramsbottom before heading up the 947-yard climb which has an average gradient of 1 in 8.

A picture-perfect autumn day attracted a fantastic crowd to Ramsbottom for the event, organised by Lancashire Road Club.

Wynne-Cattanach was firm favourite coming into the event having won seven events in eight open outings.

One of those wins came the previous day in the Jackson Bridge hill climb, organised by Huddersfield Star Wheelers.

Defending event champion Nichols had a close battle for second, with his time of 2-22 just a single second quicker than Marcus Cram (Muckle Cycle Club) in 2-23.

Fellow Team Lifting Gear Products rider Nicholas Latimer was quickest veteran in 2-36. The three Team Lifting Gear Products competitors also won the team prize.

The quickest junior boy was Joe Watkins-Wilson (North Cheshire Clarion) in 2-29 and Harper Johnson (360cycling) was the fastest youth boy (3-01).

“I wanted to do so well this weekend and put in a couple of good rides - I don't know, it feels like it meant a lot and I'm really proud,” said Wynne-Cattanach.

“Last year, after this event when Andy Nichols beat me by a second, to go any faster I knew I had to try something different as I've done very similar times the last five years here. 

“I knew I had to kick earlier on that last ramp as you turn right onto the actual final ramp. I usually stay seated for another five seconds and then go, but this time I knew I had to go from the last junction. 

“My Dad was there with a big Wales flag and when I saw him, I thought to myself, now's the time - I was seizing up at the top but I managed to hold it.”

Veteran rider Mitchell has also been in strong form in hill climb events this autumn and won the Cleveland Wheelers event two weeks earlier.

Mitchell took a fine victory stopping the clock in a winning time of 3-43 to take top spot.

Bronwen Jenkinson (Saint Piran) had to settle for runner-up position this time out in 3-51, which was two seconds faster than junior rider Ruby Blanc (360cycling) in 3-53.

"The Rake is always tough,” said Mitchell. “I think this is my third year doing this event.

“Last year I was second so I came here today to try and win it, and in getting that win, I'm really happy. 

“I took it quite conservatively up until about the first corner and relaxed a bit when it started to flatten off as I knew I needed to keep a bit for that last ramp.

“It's a climb that I love and hate I think, the beauty being it's over so fast but it hurts so much at the time.

“Team Boompods have now got a team in for Nationals so we will be targeting that and hope to do well.

“For me personally, a top-10 within the overall female category would make me really happy and a veteran women’s medal in my age category (40-44).

“I'm heading to Nationals the day before as I've not been to recce the climb as yet, but shorter climbs suit me.”

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

 

Results
1 Kieran Wynne-Cattanach (Team Lifting Gear Products)     2.18
2 Andy Nichols (Team Lifting Gear Products)           2.22
3 Marcus Cram (Muckle Cycle Club) 2.23

Team: Team Lifting Gear Products (Kieran Wynne-Cattanach, Andy Nichols, Nicholas Latimer)

Veteran: Nicholas Latimer (Team Lifting Gear Products)      2.36
Junior: Joe Watkins-Wilson (North Cheshire Clarion)           2.29
Youth: Harper Johnson (360cycling)  3.01

Women
1 Gemma Mitchell (Team Boompods)           3.43
2 Bronwen Jenkinson (Saint Piran)    3.51
3 Ruby Blanc (360cycling)     3.53

Junior: Ruby Blanc (360cycling)        3.53