Kirk Vickers breaks his own record to reach the top

Vickers excelled on the longest climb of the series, Ludlow Cycling Club’s 1.95-mile route of Wigmore Road, finishing in a time of seven minutes, five seconds.

That was enough to beat his previous best, set in 2016, and send him top of the overall standings.

“I always love the Ludlow climb. It’s a fast, long climb where aero can have an effect,” said Vickers.

“Pacing was also key. I’m pleased to win and lower the course record against tough competition.”

That tough competition came in the shape of Jonny Morris and Ollie Hayward as just seven seconds covered the top three.

Morris, of Fish Face Cycles, had broken course records himself in two of the opening three rounds.

But the relatively shallow and long nature of the Ludlow climb saw him finally succumb to Vickers’ determination as he finished six seconds off the pace in 7:11. Hayward finished a second further back.

Morris said: “It is a very hard hill to pace and I finished much too fresh, so I definitely have unfinished business with it next year.

“Kirk put in a stormer to win on the night and lower the course record, we’ve definitely been pushing each other over the last few weeks.”

Vickers was far from the only rider upping their game on an evening which saw strong performances throughout the field.

Hafren CC’s Sam Holwill took the junior win by slicing more than a minute off his own personal best to finish in a time of 7:35.

That was 21 seconds faster than James Satoor, of Mid Shropshire Wheelers, and also quick enough for fourth overall, while moving Holwill up to joint first spot in the junior series alongside Satoor. The latter’s team-mate, Ronnie Tse, was third.

Holwill said: “I smashed my Ludlow hill climb personal best by more than a minute. It was great to be best junior and less than 30 seconds behind Kirk”.

The Wigmore Road climb is also a favourite of Steven Prince, who took 23 seconds off his time from 12 months ago to win the veterans’ section in 8:16.

“I really like this climb and it’s my local one so was pleased with my time, a personal best and the win,” he said. “Thanks to Ludlow CC and all the helpers. A massive chapeau to Kirk for smashing the course record, there have been some great times this season.”

Paramount’s Mark Hammond sits at the top of the veterans standings after finishing second on the night.

His time of 8:28 was still enough to take the county veterans prize. He said: “This is one of the best climbs in the league but a hard one to judge an effort on given the longer distance.”

There was only one women’s competitor but that didn’t stop Hannah Lancaster setting another personal best of 8:49, an improvement of 43 seconds on 12 months ago despite some tiredness.

“I had tired legs after having had a long season of racing, but was pleased to have beaten last year’s time,” she said.