Russell Downing heads up impressive Monsal Hill-Climb start list

Russell Downing (Endura) and reigning British national hill-climb champion Gunnar Gronlund (RST-Trigon) head up an impressive start list for Sunday's 82nd edition of the Simplyhealth Monsal Hill-Climb in Derbyshire.

Downing and defending 2012 Monsal winner Gronlund join Adam Duggleby (Sportscover-Altura), Andrew Magnier (Node4-Giordana), Matt Holmes (Raleigh-GAC), Matt Clinton (Mike Vaughan Cycles), Jack Pullar (Wheelbase), Liam Holohan (Raleigh-GAC), Dean Downing (Rapha Condor) and Graham Briggs (Raleigh-GAC) in the sell-out event promoted by Sheffrec CC.

Gronlund is showing every sign of repeating the form that saw him take the national title last year - he won Stocksbridge CC hill-climb event in South Yorkshire last weekend.

All the riders will be aiming to beat Malcolm Elliott's long-standing course record of one minute and 14 seconds. Downing has come the closest to reaching Elliott's 1981 mark when he clocked one minute and 18 seconds in 2003. Elliott himself will be at this year's event to hand out the prizes.

A large crowd of spectators usually assemble to watch the event - one of the highlights of the annual autumn hill-climb calendar. First rider starts at 11am at Monsal Head.

More information on the race can be found at the Monsal Hill-Climb website.

Downing has been signed to the professional continental NetApp-Endura squad for the 2013 season.

Related links

Gronlund and Pettinger continue build-up to Hill-Climb National Champs

Four Brits retained by Endura in NetApp merger