Wheelers quartet hit the heights in France

The four riders, Andy Webb, Andy Wearing (both from Kenilworth), Richard Lewis (Warwick) and Steve Howes (Southam) were competing in the Cingles de Mont Ventoux challenge, roughly translated as the Screwballs of Mont Ventoux.

The challenge requires the riders to complete a gruelling six ascents of the 1,912-metre-high mountain in 24 hours, using all three of the roads to the summit, twice.

In doing so, the riders covered 170 miles and climbed a staggering 8,886 metres (the height of Mount Everest) and all within 24 hours.

The riders braved riding in the dark, extreme temperature changes and the high winds that Mont Ventoux is renowned for.

Wearing said: “Every time we approached the summit I was lucky not to get blown off the bike.”

Mont Ventoux is part of cycling folklore, famous not only as a regular destination in the Tour de France but as the scene of the death of British cyclist Tommy Simpson. It is widely regarded as one of the hardest climbs in professional cycling.

The four riders became the first British and Commonwealth riders to have officially completed the challenge and add their names to an exclusive list of only 25 others in the world to have achieved the same feat since the challenge was launched in 1988.

n Kenilworth rider Ciara Horne finished third in round three of the National Omnium Series in Halesowen.

It was Horne’s first experience of an omnium event, which comprised a one-lap time trial, a 20-lap scratch race, a 2k time trial, a sprint and finally a 20-lap points race.

The Irish international won the individual pursuit by 11 seconds from Jan Birkmyre and also claimed the points race.

As a result of her performance, Horne has been selected to ride the omnium event at the European under-23 track championships.

Meanwhile, in the Midland Time Trial Championships, Horne finished runner-up to Team Jewson’s Michelle King.

Leamington C&AC’s Nadine Mayhew was fifth, with Horne’s Cult Racing team finishing second in the team competition.

In the men’s event, Leamington C&AC’s John Herring won the 55-59 age group, while Pete Ellis was second in the 70-74 category.