Over 40 riders stepped up to the mark and pushed their bodies to the limit when they competed in the Wightlink-Wight Mountain Cycle Racing Team Hill Climbs Championship on Sunday 2nd October, raising £2,200 for Mountbatten Hospice.
Bob and Holly Stockton entered again on a tandem to try to beat their time from last year. Wightlink-Wight Mountain CRT rider, Nick Earley, pulled out an impressive performance on his MTB. The riders took on 2 challenging mile climbs in the heavy rain – the punchy ascent of Lynch Lane and the gruelling Brook Shute climb which snakes up from the Military Road – the Overall Winners in the Men’s and Women’s categories would be the riders with the best combined times.
Wightlink-Wight Mountain CRT rider Kev Chant powered up Lynch Lane in 2 minutes 58 seconds, taking the lead over Michael Hoare (Reflex/NAUT Cycling) and James Spencer (NAUT Cycling), who finished in 3.08 and 3.09 respectively, giving him a cushion of 10 seconds leading into the second climb. The WLWM rider pulled out a blistering time of 3.28 on Brook Shute, which was enough to secure the Overall Winner title and the top prize of £100 cash and a £50 Nopinz voucher; James Spencer came home in 3.45 giving him a combined time of 6.54 taking 2nd place by just 1 second over Michael Hoare who had to settle for 3rd.
In the Overall Women’s category, Nadia Lele (NAUT Cycling) took a convincing win and the top prize of £100 and a £50 Wightlink voucher, finishing with a combined time of 9.21. Elizabeth Steward (Wight Tri) – who was competing in her first Hill Climb – took 2nd place with a combined time of 10.45 and her teammate, Jessica Newell, came home in 3rd with a time of 11.15. James Spencer and Michael Hoare also picked up some extra prizes in the Non-WLWM category.
In the Vet 50+ category, Craig Wilson (Wight Tri) took the top spot in a time of 8.14, followed by Russ Mellor (Wight Tri), who was pleased to pick up one of his own trophies for the 1st time this season. Steve Taylor (NAUT Cycling) – who has competed in every round of the Series – finished his season on a high by winning the Supervets 60+ category in 8.33, with Graham Orchard (NAUT Cycling) close behind in 2nd place and Steve Dines (Wight Tri) picking up 3rd.
Lottie Van Der Helstraete (IOW Triathlon Club) – competing for the last time in the Series as a Junior – took the Junior top spot in 10.55. Phoebe Heng (IOW Triathlon Club) and 12-year-old Annabelle Steward (IOW Triathlon Club) finished in 2nd and 3rd place respectively with just 2 seconds between them.
Ewan Cook (Wightlink-Wight Mountain CRT) was on exceptional form, taking the Junior Men’s title in a combined time of 7.03 and finishing 4th overall in the event. Billy Williams (NAUT Cycling) took 2nd place and a top 10 Overall place, with Benjamin Van Der Helstraete (IOW Triathlon Club) picking up 3rd place.
Organisers, Jerry and Julie Cooper, said:
‘We’ve had an absolutely brilliant season and it’s sad to see it come to an end, but it’s great to see so many of the Island’s cyclists and triathletes supporting the events, and we’re looking forward to what 2023 will bring – we’ve got a few ideas we’re exploring and are hoping for bigger and better things next year.
“We really couldn’t do this without our sponsors, who have been more than generous with prizes, and the volunteers who turn up come rain or shine to help out at the events. Last, but not least, we’re really lucky to have Russ Mellor (aka CutLaserCut) as one of our sponsors, who provides us with the stylish trophies.”
