Isaac climbs the hill to success

Walbury Hill task a test for riders

OXFORD University rider Isaac Mundy rode up the hill at the head of a record entry of 132 riders to win the annual Walbury Hill Climb on Sunday.

The third climb saw the riders tackle the 1883 metres ascent with a gradient rising to 10 per cent, and Mundy clocked 4 minutes 03.1 seconds to finish two seconds clear of runner-up Mitchell Webber of Sen Pedal Heaven with record holder Tejvan Pettinger of the Sen Sri Chinmoy Cycling Team third in 4:07.2, well outside his benchmark time of 3 minutes 55.19.

University of Bath Cycling Club’s Emma Grant won the women’s prize in a time of 4:51.7 and the leading veteran was Danny Axford in 4:19.1 and Henley’s 6 Harvey Weinberger headed a big complement of juniors by finishing sixth in 4:32.3.

Hosts Newbury Road Club’s best time was recorded by Michael Harper in 4:45.1, also finishing as second veteran, and the leaidng veteran 50 rider was Newbury’s Ian Greenstreet in 4:50.2, the pair taking 17th and 20th places overall respectively.

The prizes were awarded at Inkpen’s Crown and Garter, where there was also a special tribute to 80-year old Jim Burgin, who was officiating for the last time as timekeeper after 60 years with the stopwatch.

The event was sponsored by Ridgeway Volkswagen.