The 92nd Monsal hill climb was another great success with 181 riders battling against the clock up the the 675-yard climb to Monsal Head on Sunday October 2nd. The youngest rider was just 7 years old and the oldest was 77 years old with another 34 under 16's, 57 veteran riders and 22 female riders taking to the start line.
Reigning women’s double national hill climb champion Bithja Jones, Pankhurst Cycles won the ladies category for the second consecutive year whilst Gregg Booker, Summat CC won the men’s crown for the first time. Veteran rider Jones made the trip all the way from Reading to post a very creditable 1:39.9 in dry conditions. Local rider and and 2018 winner, Emilie Verroken, Team Lifting Gear Products was 2nd with Rebecca Lineker, Velo Bavarian in 3rd. Both Jones and Verroken were 1st and second in the lady veterans category with Gemma Sargent, Saint Piran in 3rd.
In a packed men’s event Gregg Booker finally clinched the win finishing 4th last year. Gregg posted a brilliant 1:19.4 ahead of local rider, George Wood from Cycling Sheffield was 2nd with former national hill climb champion and 2016 Monsal winner, Adam Kenway, Brother UK in 3rd. These two riders were split by just three hundredths of a second.
The men’s veteran category was won by Nicholas Latimer, Team Lifting Gear Products with a fantastic time of 1:26.4. This was four seconds faster than Darren Kidson, Onyx RT and Steven Prince, Ludlow Brewery Race Team was 3rd.
Ryan Williams, Beeston Cycling Club was fastest junior and Isaac Oliver, Sheffield Youth Cycling Club was the juvenile boys winner. The fastest junior girl was Lilja Raine, JRC Interflon Race Team
and Maia Howell, Matlock CC was fastest juvenile girl for the second consecutive year.
Many thanks to HMT St Hugh’s Hospital, Bioracer UK Langsett Cycles, Big Bobble Hats, Skyhook Coaching, Velotastic, Simon Warren from 100 Climbs, St John Ambulance, Derbyshire Dales District Council, Chatsworth Estates, Litton & Cressbrook Parish Council, Keith Adamson and Little Longstone Village Group, Monsal Head Hotel and Hobb’s Cafe. Without their help this event just simply wouldn't happen. The event will return on Sunday 1st October 2023.
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