Bowditch sheds the pounds to retain title

ANN BOWDITCH dropped three pounds in weight and cut out treats including her favourite mocha coffee to make all the difference and retain her national hill-climb title. She produced a classy ride on the fearsome Rake Hill in Ramsbottom, Lancashire, the most difficult and technical one used for the competition, and won by a 17sec. margin, slightly more than the difference between her and the nearest challenger in 2004.

Bowditch said: 'It is harder retaining a title than winning it for the first time.

'When the pain really set in, I just told myself that I wanted the win more than any of the other competitors: that was all the motivation I needed. I am ecstatic to retain the title for another year and finish off my season on a high.'

She said she could not have done it without her support team.

'Although I do the riding, it is a team effort. Mike, my partner, is a huge part of that team.

'He ensures my bike is in top mechanical condition which includes researching the best and most appropriate equipment.

'He also chauffeurs me to the races as well as encouraging me through the training and on race day.

'Other members of that all important team, to name just a few, are my long-time mentor Ian Goodhew and my employer and sponsor MeesPierson Reeds, who have been hugely supportive since I joined them in 2004.'

With new carbon-fibre wheels and tubular tyres, the weight of Bowditch's machine was pared down to a featherweight 14.5lb.

With the bike and the training in place, an already light Bowditch dropped her weight by 3lbs, which is equal to four seconds on a climb of this length, but kept her all-important strength up for the fearsome climb.

With an average gradient of 20% and the final 300 yards rearing up at 25%, which is one in four, gearing and pacing are crucial on the Rake.

Having ridden the hill on her way back from another competition a few weeks ago, the talented all-rounder knew that normal gearing would not be enough to conquer it.

She would normally use a 39-tooth front ring and a 25 tooth rear sprocket, but after considering various scenarios, decided to go for an eight front, 32 rear.

This unusual set-up required Guernsey's top bicycle mechanic, Leigh Taylor, to swap various components from her mountain bike: unusual in the cycling world.

During the eight-week build-up to the event, nothing was left to chance, preparation was crucial.

Training comprised many short but extremely high-power efforts.

Even at this late stage in the season, tests with her power-measuring equipment showed that she was getting stronger by the week.

Although the training and diet were very complex, the simple equation is more power and less weight.

Heavy rain and strong wind were forecast for the first half of the event, and, for once, the weather forecasters had it spot on, as the heavens opened early in the morning.

Bowditch was off at 1pm and good fortune shone as the sun came out when the Sarnian started her warm-up. With the fastest riders seeded every 10, Bowditch was off at number nine out of 150.

She started as quickly as she dared, spinning her legs and remaining seated for as long as she could, saving herself for the final kick.

By now there were more than 300 spectators lining the route and the knowledgeable cycling crowd were cheering all the brave competitors. When she came into sight, turning right on to the final section, she looked smooth but was clearly suffering. The atmosphere was electric as the spectators shouted and cheered the champion all the way.

The choice of gearing had paid off, as even when she stood to cover the final quarter, her style was not compromised and she was visibly quicker than many of the men over this section.

An unusual sight at this particular event were the 'catchers', volunteers who literally grab the riders after they cross the finish line and marshal them along the road until they have regained enough composure to continue safely unaided.

A tense wait followed until the results were collected and there was massive relief as the pocket-sized star was confirmed as champion again.

Bowditch's winning time was 3.34, beating second-placed Hannah Bussey by 17sec.

However, as the Rake is half the length of the 2004 hill, her ride was all the more impressive.