Is This The New King Of Strava? We Go KOM Hunting With A Pro Cyclist

Is This The New King Of Strava? We Go KOM Hunting With A Pro Cyclist with GCN


Source: GCN Youtube Channel: Is This The New King Of Strava? We Go KOM Hunting With A Pro Cyclist

Video Is This The New King Of Strava? We Go KOM Hunting With A Pro Cyclist with Global Cycling Network

Video Is This The New King Of Strava? We Go KOM Hunting With A Pro Cyclist with Global Cycling Network YouTube Channel.

Is This The New King Of Strava? We Go KOM Hunting With A Pro Cyclist

Global Cycling Network: A Challenge for the Crown

The cycling world is abuzz with excitement as a new challenger steps up to the plate to take on the reigning climbing superstar, Andrew Feather. Over the last few years, Andrew Feather has built a reputation for himself as the out-and-out climbing superstar, dominating uphill Strava segments with remarkable ease. With an impressive 4,458 uphill Strava KOMs under his belt, Andrew Feather has almost made a career out of conquering the toughest climbs. However, a new contender has emerged, ready to challenge Andrew Feather for the crown. Can this newcomer dethrone the climbing king? Today is the day we find out.

Setting the Stage

The scene is set south of Simon Rich’s beloved hometown of Bristol, on the formidable Hell Climb. This challenging ascent, with an average gradient of 5.7% over 2.3 kilometers, is the first test for the young gun looking to make a name for himself in the cycling world. But before we dive into the challenge, let’s take a closer look at the challenger.

Introducing Matt Holmes, a former World Tour rider, stage winner at the Tour Down Under, and a multiple top-10 finisher at World Tour level races. With an impressive palmarès, Matt Holmes is a force to be reckoned with on both road and gravel. The question on everyone’s mind is: can a pure road and gravel racer defeat a pure climber in a head-to-head battle on the unforgiving slopes of the Hell Climb?

The First Challenge: The Hell Climb

As Matt Holmes and Andrew Feather line up at the start line for the first hill climb challenge, anticipation is high. With a rolling start and a phenomenal lead-out from Andrew, Matt is off to a flying start. The windy conditions and oncoming traffic add an extra layer of challenge to the ascent, but Matt is determined to give it his all.

As Matt pushes his limits and tackles the steep gradient, it becomes clear that this climb will test his climbing prowess to the fullest. Despite the grueling effort and the sound of his bottom bracket groaning under the strain, Matt gives it his all and crosses the finish line at St. Michael’s Archangel Church in Dundry. The clock stops, and the results are in: Matt Holmes has set an impressive time of 4 minutes and 44 seconds, besting Andrew Feather’s KOM time of 5 minutes and 8 seconds.

The Second Challenge: East Dundry Climb

Moving on to the next challenge, the East Dundry Climb proves to be a different beast altogether. With a steeper gradient of 12.9% over less than a kilometer, this climb is a true test of strength and determination. As Matt prepares to take on this formidable ascent, the stakes are higher than ever. Without a lead-out from Andrew this time, Matt is left to conquer the climb on his own.

Despite the challenging conditions and the less-than-ideal road surface, Matt pushes through the pain and gives it his all. Crossing the finish line with a time of 2 minutes and 50 seconds, Matt shaves off 11 seconds from the KOM time set by Andrew Feather, proving that he is a force to be reckoned with on the climbs.

The Final Challenge: Blackden Hill

The final challenge on Matt’s hit list is Blackden Hill, a grueling ascent with a length of 2.64 kilometers and an average gradient of 8.6%. With Andrew providing a 100-meter lead-out to give Matt a flying start, the stage is set for an epic battle to the finish line.

As Matt digs deep and pushes his limits on the steep slopes of Blackden Hill, it becomes clear that this climb will test his mettle like never before. With the clock ticking, Matt gives it his all and crosses the finish line with a time of 7 minutes and 30 seconds, a remarkable 33 seconds faster than Andrew Feather’s KOM time of 8 minutes and 3 seconds.

The Results Are In

With all three climbs completed and the results tallied, it’s time to see how many scalps Matt Holmes has taken from the climbing king, Andrew Feather. In a surprising turn of events, Matt emerges victorious on all three climbs, besting Andrew Feather’s KOM times and proving that he is a force to be reckoned with in the world of cycling.

As the dust settles and the excitement of the challenge fades, one thing is clear: a new contender has arrived on the scene, ready to challenge the established order and make a name for himself in the cycling world. From gravel to road, from climbs to flat sections, Matt Holmes is a versatile and talented rider who is poised to shake up the cycling world with his impressive performance and determination.

In Conclusion

The challenge between Matt Holmes and Andrew Feather has captivated the cycling world, showcasing the talent and skill of two exceptional riders. With Matt emerging victorious on all three climbs, the cycling community is abuzz with excitement and anticipation for what the future holds for this rising star.

Whether it’s conquering challenging ascents or pushing the limits on flat sections, Matt Holmes has proven that he has what it takes to compete at the highest level and make a name for himself in the competitive world of cycling. As he sets his sights on future challenges and races, one thing is certain: Matt Holmes is a name to watch in the world of cycling, and his journey is just beginning.


The opinions expressed in this space are the sole responsibility of the YouTube Channel Global Cycling Network and do not necessarily represent the views of Bicycles4ever Cycling Culture.