Results Now In of London’s First Ever Urban Hill Climb

London’s first ever hill climb TT, held on Swain’s Lane, a 750m kicker on the fringes of Highgate, was a great success yesterday.

An early shower half an hour before the first competitor took to the slope, which starts gently next to Highgate Cemetery but then brutally ramps up to around 20%, left the conditions slippery, but the event passed smoothly and saw lung-busting efforts on featherlight road bikes, fixies and even Bromptons, as the city’s cycling population united in pain.

Winner was Chris Metcalfe of Matlock CC in 1:32.86, closely followed by Germain Burton of De Ver Cycles in 1:33:70 and Dave Clarke of British pro tour team Pendragon-Le Col-Colnago in 1:34:06. It’s a fantastic result by 15-year-old Burton, who beat scores of decent club riders to mark himself out as one to watch for the future.

In the women’s competition, meanwhile, Claire Beaumont of London’s Condor bike shop took top podium position in 2:08:35, ahead of Alexandra Marzec in 2:14:90 and Jo Perriam in 2:17:83.

For a full race report and more fantastic photos by Andy Waterman, click below.

Rollapaluza Urban Hill Climb with support and prizes from Condor Cycles
Swains Lane, Highgate, London 22.07.10

The Inaugural Rollapaluza Urban Hill Climb was a huge success, despite the heavy rain showers early on in the evening which mimicked the conditions encountered on the Tourmalet in the Tour de France earlier on in the day, a huge crowd gathered to cheer on over 100 competitors in London’s first ever closed-road hill climb.

The Urban hill climb inspired cyclists to get out and race up the fantastic Swains lane, a tough little climb hidden away in the centre of london. Simon Warren’s book “100 greatest cycling climbs“ features this road and another 99 hills all over Britain that are just waiting to be discovered. Racing in the event Simon set an early fast time of 1m 42.09 seconds, however spectators were stunned when only 38 minutes in to the event 15 year old Germain Burton set a blistering time of 1m 33.70seconds, seven seconds faster than the quickest adult time at that point. Racers from commuters on folding bikes through veteran cycle couriers, first-time racers and club riders were unable to beat this time and it wasn’t ’til the elite cyclists and top hill-climbing talent took to the hill over an hour later that Germain’s time was threatened. Londoner Matt Theobalds, elite cyclists Justin Hoy and Dave Clarke came close but only Chris Metcalfe of Matlock CC was able to beat the youngster.

Claire Beaumont rode stongly in the women’s category to win by over 6 seconds from Alexandra Marzec and Veteran John Storms rounded out the top 10 overall to take the Vets category 8 seconds faster than comeback rider Don Wiley.

Generous prizes were provided by Condor Cycles with cash prizes from Rollapaluza.

Brief Results:

Overall

1. Chris Metcalfe 1-32.86
2. Germain Burton 1-33.70
3. Dave Clarke 1-34.06
4. Justin Hoy 1-34.70
5. Matt Theobalds 1-35.80

Women

1. Claire Beaumont 2-08.35
2. Alexandra Marzec 2-14.90
3. Jo Perriam 2-17.83

Youth

1. Germain Burton 1-33.70
2. Alex Cozens 1-58.70

Vets

1. John Storms 1-42.26
2. Don Wiley 1-50.57
3. Kevin Knox    1-50.67

See the event website for full results and links to photos: http://www.urbanhillclimb.com