British cycling championships heading to Denbighshire

For the first time in more than four decades, the British National Hill Climb Championship will be taking place in the Llangollen area in October.

It was back in 1981 that the championships were held on the Horseshoe Pass, with the winner being Jeff Williams.

This year's event is being jointly organised by Velotik and Wrexham Roads Club, with the race running along the old Horseshoe Pass, from Pentredwr.

Velotik's David Williams said: "It's got a bit of a niche following the hill climb championships.

"I'm hoping that supporters do turn up on the day.

"It's like an amphitheatre.

"It's perfect for supporters.

"We're hoping it will look like a stage from the Tour de France!"

Brian Robinson

The championships were first staged in Kent in 1944 and the list of former winners reads as a who's who of British cycling.

Brian Robinson, the first British winner of a Tour de France stage, triumphed in 1952, while Olympic gold medalist and Tour de France yellow jersey wearer Chris Boardman won the event for four successive years, between 1988 and 1991.

This year's event will take place on Sunday, October 30 and David added: "It's kind of a one-off to have it over here.

"Last year it was at Winnats Pass (Derbyshire).

"It's good to have it on the doorstep."

Hundreds of competitors are expected to descend on the region - and not just British competitors!

"We have even got someone coming from America to compete!" said David.

"He has always wanted to do the British Hill Climb Championships.

"We are hoping to have 400 cyclists and that's split between men's, ladies, junior men's and junior ladies' categories."

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Competitors will set off from the start line every 30 seconds.

Bithja Jones, the women's winner in 2020, will be looking to defend her crown, while organisers hope last year's men's winner Tom Bell will be competing.

"We are trying to make it a bit more of an event," said David.

"We have got the Llangollen Pavilion hired out as the headquarters.

"We are hoping to have a bike expo area and a few stalls there."

It won't be an easy route for the competitors on the day and gradients will hit an eye-watering 25 per cent, with an average of 12 per cent on the climb.

"It's a super tough climb," said David.