Even just a day on, the success of this new format is resulting in calls for it to become a staple event up there with the Bec and Catford CC climbs. The final on the day was fought out between Matt Pilkington, winner of the 2013 Catford event, and Conall Yates of the InGear Quickvit team, one of the bright new stars of British domestic cycling. But let's set the scene...
On the morning, work started early. Volunteers were on site before 8am to commence the huge logistical challenge. The course was cleared of leaves and general debris ahead of the event by Dorking company Johnstons Sweepers and some dedicated club members with shovels.
The course meanders through the vineyard, is approximately 1.25miles long and rises to the same elevation as Boxhill on the opposite side of the Mole Valley.
Weather conditions were perfect, with clear blue skies and sunny conditions, but with a consistent south west breeze, occasionally gusting - particularly unwelcome on the long straight approaching the finish, where the competitors had to ride into it.
The event was sold out and all sixty competitors paired up for the first round that was timed as a traditional hill climb - albeit with each having a useful foil in a head-to-head competitor.
The fastest sixteen from this first timed round went through to the head to head duels heats. One rider from each of the promoting clubs made it through to the final sixteen for the head-to-head duels in Round 2: Andy Ross from Dorking CC and Matt Peel from Redhill CC. Chapeau to both. Their progress ended in this second round but by this time, the quality of the field was very high indeed. Andy was beaten by Jonathan Harris and Matt by Jon Hughes.
The Chairman of Norwood Paragon - Marcus Brueton - who ended up winning the Veterans' prize for the day rode with huge strength making his way to the Quarter Final. Fellow NP rider, Dan Sullivan went one step further reaching the semis with some super-strong riding.
Up at the finish line a large crowd had gathered and commentary was being relayed by mobile phone-linked-to-microphone to those down at the start line. For them, the spectacle of Matt Pilkington - still making waves after his success at the Catford CC hill climb - vs Jon Harris - a first Category rider from GS Avanti. And then Conall Yates (young super talented brother of the great Sean Yates) vs Dan Sullivan. Despite being four ascents into the morning, this proved a great round with some of the most exciting racing of the day.
So, we were down to Yates vs Pilkington for the £250 first prize.
The two finalists gathered pace after a tactical track racing style start of the last round and wound themselves into their fifth and final ascent of Ranmore for the day. We were heading for duel fought to the finish, when an unfortunate touching of wheels resulted in a spectacular but not serious crash just metres from the finish line. Matt Pilkington stayed on his bike and continued - as Yates fell to the tarmac - to win the inaugural Denbies Duels event 2013.
Fastest time of the day: perhaps something to take the doubt out of the eventual result, the only rider of the day to crack the 5 minute barrier was Matt Pilkington with a first round ascent time of just 4:57. Wow!
Overall Results (First Round Times)
1st Matthew Pilkington - (4.57)
2nd Connall Yates - (5.01)
3rd Jonathan Harris - (5.06)
1st Vet Male - Marcus Brueton - (5.16)
1st Female - Deborah Perceval - (6.39)
1st Junior - Freddie Phillips - (6:23)
Huge thanks go from both organising clubs to both the Sub-Committee whose hard work over six months made the event possible - notably Rick Gregory and Nathan Chamberlain from RCC working with Jonathan Dewar and Neil James of DCC. Also to the many Marshals who kept walkers off the course and guided the riders safely all morning. And to Denbies whose generosity in allowing us to use their land and road gave the perfect backdrop for a morning that was dramatic in every sense.
Will it be back? I don't think anyone who was there would let it NOT happen again. Certainly, we can expect to see many more top riders in future as word spreads.
For all the results, click here: http://goo.gl/8kfBXK
And for some amazing photos taken by Jimbo Ford, click here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/98086873@N07/sets/72157637279244094/