Stuart Miler powers to the finish
It’s hard to explain the attraction of hill climbs. Pain? Suffering? The reward of the descent? Views? Whatever it is, Scrabo has it in bucket loads.
After a wet and windy day, the clouds cleared long enough this evening to give the riders a dry ride, with a strong tailwind on the final steep metres to the top.
Stuart Miller was in dominant form, posting an excellent 5:03 to take a clear win. The battle for second was much tighter, with Andrew Hedley finishing just 1 second ahead of Marc Allen.
It was encouraging to see a couple of younger riders carrying on the strong history of hill climbing in the Ards club, with Karl Rockett (U16) posting a fast 6:17, and Jamie Rockett (U14) recording 3:21 over the final kilometre (new Cycling Ireland rules limit U14 riders to 1km hill climbs).
| No. | Name | Club | Time |
| 1 | Stuart Millar | Ards CC | 5:03 |
| 2 | Andrew Hedley | Ards CC | 5:28 |
| 3 | Marc Allen | Ards CC | 5:29 |
| 4 | David Spalding | North Down CC | 5:39 |
| 5= | Ian Carson | Ards CC | 6:00 |
| 5= | James Alexander | McConvey Cycles | 6:00 |
| 7 | Joseph Giles | Ards CC | 6:14 |
| 8 | Karl Rockett | Ards CC | 6:17 |
| 9 | Richard Hanna | Ards CC | 6:36 |
| 10 | Colin Wilson | Ards CC | 7:54 |
| – | Jamie Rockett | Ards CC | U14 – 3:21 |
Most finishers didn’t make it too far past the line before collapsing.
Andrew Hedley took second place by one second…
..from Marc Allen
Former winner David Spalding (North Down) was fourth tonight.
Ian Carson looks in control on his way to 5th equal..
..with James Alexander (McConvey Cycles)
Joseph Giles clearly enjoying the country air..
Karl Rockett measured his effort to perfection.
Richard Hanna
Colin Wilson defines the word stalwart.
Due to Cycling Ireland restrictions on U14 riders, Jamie Rockett was only officially timed over the final 1 kilometre – a very impressive 3:21.
Thanks as always to the timekeepers..
..marshals and pusher off for their help.
The Stuart Miller supporters club. I reckon they’ll be on the lookout for a tandem in a couple of years. Maybe one with a highly adjustable rear seat post…I wonder where they could get such a wonderful machine?