The severe climb takes place in the lane of Rue de Hurel, just off Rocquaine, and is named after the ‘OMG hill’ segment on popular activity tracking and networking site Strava.
It is comparatively short but features some brutal gradients, reported by organisers as reaching 26% over the last 30m.
When asked where the idea had come from, organiser Mark Smith replied, ‘my sadistic mind’.
‘It’s going to be a challenge,’ he said.
‘You’ve got to pace yourself on the flat and know it’s going to get worse and worse as you get up to the top.’
Current GVC president Gary Wallbridge added: ‘It’s just something different.’
Organisers are otherwise sticking with the tried and trusted in the four-day racing festival.
Good Friday’s Chouet Criterium, Sunday’s L’Eree Road Race and Monday’s Cobo 10-Mile Time-Trial are all modern classics in Velo Club competition. However, time trial bikes will not be allowed at any of the stages.
Support from Guernsey bike business Wheels & Co means that the prize money has been increased, with £50, £30 and £20 available not only to the overall adult top-three but the podium finishers in various other categories. There are smaller prizes within a similar structure for U12s.
A turnout of around 50 riders is expected, including Sam Culverwell returning to domestic racing after coming back from a nasty crash last year.
He will line up against several strong domestically-based riders, which includes the full cohort of Guernsey riders who will be racing on the roads at Orkney 2025, together with a few mountain-bikers.
‘We hope the weather’s kind to us,’ Wallbridge added.
‘We do it because it honours Paul Van Katwyk. It’s a big thing for the club members to celebrate Paul’s memory by taking part. It’s all about the atmosphere and taking part.’
Each event is set to start at 7am.
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