After racing 7.6 miles and 4727 vertical feet up “the world’s toughest hillclimb,” ex-pro Phil Gaimon only had one thing left to do, roll across the finish line and claim his fourth Mt. Washington victory. Just a finish banner stood in his way.
Unfortunately, the banner was stronger than the 36 year-old former professional WorldTour rider and took him down in a most embarrassing crash.
Even with the crash, Gaimon still managed to roll (literally) across the finish line in 50:38, beating 32 year-old Erik Levinsohn (50:45) by 7 seconds and 24 year-old youngster Drake Deuel (53:04) by 2:26.
Courtney Nelson won the women’s race in 1:09:35, followed by Kathryn Cumming at 1:11:36 and Nicole Falcaro at 1:12:25.
The 49th edition of the amateur hillclimb race, officially know as the Mt. Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hillclimb, took place Sunday 20 August in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, USA with 504 registered bicyclists and one unicyclist.
In the unicycle race, Leo Cloutier from Virginia (not surprisingly the only competitor) won in 2:05:22 and placed 315th out of 383 finishers.
The hillclimb features an average leg-breaking grade of 12%, with extended sectors at 18% and culminates just before the finish at a heart-pounding, leg-cramping 22%.
Complete Mt. Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hillclimb results HERE.
Photos: MWARBH
GRAN FONDO DAILY 