Former pro cyclist Phil Gaimon, now social media influencer and part-time TikTok celebrity, climbed to the top of the podium at snow-capped Mount Baker Hill Climb north of Seattle last Sunday.

The 2017 USA Cycling Hillclimb National Champion, riding for Jukebox Cycling Team, finished the 22 mile switchback route with 4462 feet of vertical ascent in first place with a time of 1:14:42. On his way to victory, the 37 year-old broke the record, defeating Alexander Fraser-Maraun’s 2019 race time by almost six minutes.

Finishing without crashing is somewhat of a milestone for Gaimon, in 2022 he embarrassingly crashed on the finish line at the Mt. Washington Hillclimb when a banner “clotheslined” him. In 2021 he crashed in his first ever race on a velodrome, breaking his collarbone, scapula and five ribs, resulting in over $200,000 USD of medical bills.

Rounding out the top-five Mount Baker Hill Climb finishers were Robin Watson (1:16:51), Manuel Fehlmann (1:16:51), 2021 & 2022 champion Cal Skilsky (1:17:36) and Rex Li (1:21:36).

Canadian Alesha Miller won the women’s category and finished 27th overall in 1:30:27. Ellexi Snover (1:33:11) and Davis Brooke (1:36:42) completed the podium.

370 riders participated in the 6th Mount Baker Hill Climb.

Photo Credit: Whatcom Events

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