Organisers of this weekend's Monsal Hill Climb, Sheffrec Cycling club have secured a £500 sponsorship deal with Action for Employment for the 80th running of the event, held at Monsal Head, Derbyshire.
This sponsorship continues the support from A4e as this is the second year that they have supported the most popular hillclimb event in the Derbyshire area. Together with Science in Sport and JE James Cycles a promised prize list in excess of £700, promoters, Sheffrec CC are hoping to attract a record field for the 80th event.
Last year saw 110 entries - a full field of 120 this year would be a fitting tribute to so many past winners including Tom Simpson, Malcolm Elliott and more recently Russell Downing, Dean Downing and Adam Blythe.
The day before the closing date, organiser Marc Etches had already received entries in excess of 100 so another bumper year for entries, with many young riders, ladies and vets all taking part.
Last year's winner, Charles Taylor, is again on the start sheet and hoping to be the first back to back winner since John Hey in 2006. Taylor will have to be on top form as Buxton CC have a strong entry. The local riders will be hoping to defend their Team Prize which they won last year and have plenty of riders to push for a top three finish. Host Club, Sheffrec CC, has no less than 25 riders taking on the 675 yard assent.
After careful planning with residents and Derbyshire Dales District Council, the road has been closed for the duration of the event so all riders can take part in a traffic free environment. If there is anyone out there who has previously rode the event, please make yourself know on the day as the commentators would love to have a chat with you and share your memories of the oldest hill climb in the area.
The burning question is will anyone get anywhere close the the course record of 1-14.2 set in 1981 by Malcolm Elliott? The only rider to come close was Russell Downing in 2003 with 1-18.3.
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First rider off is at 11.00am and everyone is welcome to come along, grab a cup of tea from Hobb's Cafe and support the riders in this special year for Monsal Hill Climb.
More information available at www.monsalhillclimb.org.uk/
Related links
Catford and Bec hill climbs beckon
Taylor takes 2009 Monsal hill climb
Monsal hill climb 2009 photo gallery by Andy Jones
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