On Wednesday, 30th July, Raptor Factory Racing delivered a textbook display of teamwork, timing, and grit - claiming the Box Hill KOM and etching their name atop one of British cycling’s most contested leaderboards.
On Wednesday, 30th July, Raptor Factory Racing delivered a textbook display of teamwork, timing, and grit - claiming the Box Hill KOM and etching their name atop one of British cycling’s most contested leaderboards.
It Almost Didn't Happen
The plan was to recce the climb on Tuesday morning, and during their warm-up attempt the team clocked 4:18. Fast, but not enough to take the existing KOM set at 4:05.
With upcoming national and international races, Wednesday morning would be the team’s only day to achieve the feat. So, the team lined up outside the entrance to Box Hill and went full-gas into the first corner, losing riders up turns and hairpins like a rocket dropping fuel cells, only to come up short.
4:09.
The larger-than-anticipated gap meant the team had to re-group, re-fuel, and reconsider lead-out tactics. At this stage, those seconds seemed too far out of reach.
The plan was to recce the climb on Tuesday morning, and during their warm-up attempt the team clocked 4:18. Fast, but not enough to take the existing KOM set at 4:05.
With upcoming national and international races, Wednesday morning would be the team’s only day to achieve the feat. So, the team lined up outside the entrance to Box Hill and went full-gas into the first corner, losing riders up turns and hairpins like a rocket dropping fuel cells, only to come up short.
4:09.
The larger-than-anticipated gap meant the team had to re-group, re-fuel, and reconsider lead-out tactics. At this stage, those seconds seemed too far out of reach.
With the knowledge that there was only enough gas in the tank for one more earnest effort, the team set-off again. The first few riders pushed harder. The middle headwind section was attacked, and the final stretch saw a three-man sprint train deliver Dylan Hicks to the finish line.
4:02.
A full 7 seconds faster than their previous attempt, and 3 seconds clear of the record - Raptor Factory Racing went up Box Hill’s 2.2kms at 34.2 km/h, pushing 7.5 w/kg to take the coveted KOM.
With the knowledge that there was only enough gas in the tank for one more earnest effort, the team set-off again. The first few riders pushed harder. The middle headwind section was attacked, and the final stretch saw a three-man sprint train deliver Dylan Hicks to the finish line.
4:02.
A full 7 seconds faster than their previous attempt, and 3 seconds clear of the record - Raptor Factory Racing went up Box Hill’s 2.2kms at 34.2 km/h, pushing 7.5 w/kg to take the coveted KOM.
It’s just a hill after all, but this meant a lot.
It wasn’t a solo effort - it was a collective commitment. Riders Archie Waller and Judicaël Clair attacked out of corners whilst Sam Llewellyn-Jones kept the tempo high to ensure Rowan Baker, Alex Franks, and Dylan Hicks were delivered atop Zig Zag Road with a sprinter’s chance. Every rider played a key role.
Behind the scenes, team managers David Streule and Tony Poole dialled in the plan, which was months in the making. The film crew captured the chaos, calm, and focus of a team going all-in.
It wasn’t a solo effort - it was a collective commitment. Riders Archie Waller and Judicaël Clair attacked out of corners whilst Sam Llewellyn-Jones kept the tempo high to ensure Rowan Baker, Alex Franks, and Dylan Hicks were delivered atop Zig Zag Road with a sprinter’s chance. Every rider played a key role.
Behind the scenes, team managers David Streule and Tony Poole dialled in the plan, which was months in the making. The film crew captured the chaos, calm, and focus of a team going all-in.
We’re here to give riders real chances to showcase their talent, not just in races, but on iconic British roads with meaning and history. Committed riders with the right support can accomplish memorable feats through teamwork-and if we can do that at Box Hill, we can do it anywhere.
This wasn’t just about chasing speed - it was about trust, resilience, and execution under pressure . A collective belief that even when the legs scream out, one more spin of the cranks might just deliver some magic.
The Fastest Bike on Box Hill
Every rider in the lineup was on a Raptor RL1 - the same frame available to every customer who walks through our doors.
Light, responsive, and built for the kind of power transfer efforts like this demand, the RL1 wasn’t just part of the story - it defined the outcome.
This isn’t wind tunnel theory or pro team talk.
This is real-world performance. On one of the most ridden segments in the UK, Box Hill now belongs to Raptor.
We’re incredibly proud of this. It’s not just a KOM - it’s a reflection of who we are. Riders, staff, support crew - everyone showed up. That’s what Raptor is all about.