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Red Bull Hill Chasers: Wiggle's Ben Simmons edges out road.cc's John Whittington + video

Second place for Bristol-born John as fastest qualifier Simmons beats the elites to claim the prize

Bristol's Park Street played host to the second annual Red Bull Hill Chasers event on Saturday night, with the fast and furious hillclimb contested by 16 invited athletes and 16 qualifiers, many of them local riders. In the end it was the qualifiers who won the day, with Wiggle's Ben Simmons taking the win in the final to claim his gold Charge Plug bike. But wait? who's that holding up the silver bike? It's only road.cc reviewer and Bath Uni rider John Whittington!

"Our" John (we're claiming him), who rides for Orbea-CNP was the beaten finalist on the night but got a lot further than he expected. "I was almost out in the first round, enjoying the atmosphere rather than getting in to the racing zone!," he told us. "As the heats went on I was getting the hang of the effort and gearing; opting for the middle ring to 'spin it to win it'"

John's sternest test on the way to the final was to overcome 4X racer and Cobble Wobble winner Lewis Lacey in the semi final. But although Lacey was quick out of the blocks a last minute lunge for the line from John put him in the final against Wiggle-sponsored Ben Simmons. Simmons was the fastest qualifier, and had looked strong throughout; 4X rider Michal Prokop set the fastest time on the night but a broken chain put paid to his chances of the win.

"The final up against Ben and already in the prizes with fatigue setting in, I think I lost my head a bit - he had dominated right from the qualifiers though so the best man won," said John. "It was a great experience racing up a hill close to my heart as a Bristol born boy and I'll definitely hope to do it next year"

Simmons said he was, "shocked and surprised" at his win. "I've never taken part in anything as short and punchy as this before in such a great location. It's so exciting. It's a tough race and I never thought I'd win."

Dave is a founding father of road.cc, having previously worked on Cycling Plus and What Mountain Bike magazines back in the day. He also writes about e-bikes for our sister publication ebiketips. He's won three mountain bike bog snorkelling World Championships, and races at the back of the third cats.

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9 comments

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John Whittington | 12 years ago
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John Whittington | 12 years ago
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Well I was in two minds for a powertap analysis blog but will definitely get on it now! Cheers for the support guys.

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amazon22 | 12 years ago
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Way too many 'dudes' from that commentator, maaaaan.

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Gkam84 | 12 years ago
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The guy on the BMX was a bit unsporting with his lines  14

Also, around 4:30-40 it says he can get 250 revolutions per second??  39

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ashleybrookes86... replied to Gkam84 | 12 years ago
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I can do 200 revs and I don't do any high rev training... rollapulza if you dont believe me google rollapaluza

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pj | 12 years ago
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i'm sure he'll stick it on strava soon.

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koko56 | 12 years ago
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Powah tap! Powah tap! Powah tap!

(please please please)

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JonMack | 12 years ago
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Seconding that power comment!

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Trev Allen | 12 years ago
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J-Whitt can you upload you PowerTap stat? Would be interesting reading for some!  1

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