Callum Brown and Rebecca Richardson were victorious in the Monsal Hill Climb 2019 event, sealing their wins in the 89th edition of the race on a sunny day in the Peak District.
Brown defended his title, having won in 2018, by posting the fastest time of 1-16, beating both Andy Nichols (B38/Cycles In Motion) and Adam Kenway (Vitus Pro Cycling) who finished in joint second on the same time of 1-17.4.
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However, Brown did miss out on the course record of 1-14.2, set in 1981 by Malcolm Elliott. Brown’s 2019 time was also 1.5 seconds slower than his 2018 attempt, where he posted 1-14.
Monsal Hill Climb 2019
Gabriel Cullaigh (Team Wiggins – Le Col), who will move up to the WorldTour next year after signing with Movistar, finished in 14th overall with a time of 1-26.4.
Rebecca Richardson (Brother UK Fusion), posted the best women’s time, finishing in 1-49.9, beating Emilie Verroken (Maxx), who won the veteran women’s category, by just two seconds.
The Monsal Hill climb is 600m long with an average gradient of 9.5%, starting off flat for the first 100m or so and then ramping up all the way to the finish line.
Monsal Hill (VeloViewer/Strava)
Former pro Russ Downing (Team Giordana) came second in the veteran men’s category, in what was his final ever race, posting a time of 1-28.3, beaten by Steve Tait (OVB) who set a new course record for the category of 1-25.3.
In the other categories, Simon Frohberg (Dinnington Racing Club) won the 50+ veteran men’s category with a time of 1-41.7, Kieran Smith (Team Jewson – MI Racing) took the junior boy’s with a time of 1-25.2 and Sarah Briggs (Matlock CC) the junior girl’s with 2-20.3.
Rebecca Richardson at Monsal Hill Climb 2019
Meanwhile, Sebastien Cuming (East Bradford CC) was the fastest schoolboy with a time of 1-40.5 and Erin Avill (RFDA) the fastest schoolgirl at 2-15.8.
Craig Malkin and Peter Howard (Worrall Wheelers) also set a new fastest tandem course record, completing the climb in 2-57.5. The full list of provisional results can be found here.
Result (Provisional)
HMT Monsal Hill Climb 2019
1. Calum Brown (B38/Cycles In Motion S), in 1-16
2. Andy Nichols (B38/Cycles In Motion S), at 1-17.4
2. Adam Kenway (Vitus Pro Cycling powered by Brother UK S), at same time
4. Josh Coyne (Bpm Coaching S), 1-21.1
5. Cameron Biddle (Morvelo Basso RT S), 1-21.6
6. Craig Rogers (Cambridge University CC S), 1-22.4
7. Callum Dixon (Go Below – Kingud S), 1-22.6
8. Gregg Booker (Loughborough Students CC S), 1-22.9
9. Benjamin Harmer (Wold Top The Edge RT S), 1-23
10. Jim Brown (Team Inspired S), 1-23.2
Others:
14. Gabriel Cullaigh (Team Wiggins – Le Col), at 1-26.4
18. Russell Downing (Team Giordana V), at 1-28.3
86. Rebecca Richardson (Brother UK Fusion RT L), at 1-49.9
