Hog Hill, 14th Feb 09, Hell of the North.

Hog Hill WInter Series, No. 10 - Sat 14th February 2009 

Heavy rain and thawing snow from the previous week left parts of the Hog Hill lower course underwater, limiting the field to the North Circuit. Although much shorter than the full circuit, the reduced distance meant less recovery time after the hill and everybody knew they were in for a tough race.  The two NRCC riders, Jamie Anderson and Jonathan Appleby started at the back of the bunch and instantly found themselves in the red zone trying to stay with the leaders as the bunch ground its way slowly round the tight corners.  The early pace was gruelling and within fifteen minutes two thirds of the field had been dropped.

Jamie and Jonathan, feeling confident with several recent good results in the bag, had plotted to push the pace on in the last half of the race but instead they found themselves hanging onto the tail of the lead group.  Several riders went down on the fast right hander at the bottom of the hill but Hugo Humphreys, Henry Martin, Ashley Cox  and Rob Jeffroy were consistently fast round the tricky corner leaving the remaining contenders with the tiring job of closing a gap up the hill every two minutes.  With muddy water spraying off the wheels of the leaders, those behind were treated to an authentic “Hell of the North (circuit)” mock up.

After working hard on the front for much of the race, Henry Martin was forced to take a lap out to change his wheel but he quickly rejoined the race and continued to push the pace.  With the 5 laps to go board up, the leaders maintained control showing impressive power and fitness, though it was evident that all the riders were becoming tired.  As the bunch fought their way up the hill for the thirty second and final time Jonathan and Jamie stuck to their task and finished a reputable 4th and 5th respectively, with Hugo Humphreys (Jnr) Ashley Cox and Rob Jeffroy securing well deserved podium positions having battered everybody else with a very impressive display.

*Our condolences to Ruth Middleton who sadly broke her collar bone in a fall during the race.