VC Walcot Hill Climb

Cameron Biddle earned a second successive win in the men’s event at the VC Walcot hill climb in Somerset on Sunday afternoon, with Emily Lockwood finishing as fastest female.

Having won this event on the same course in 2021, Biddle returned as pre-race Spindata favourite and lived up to his billing to win by just .07 seconds in 2-08.02 from the 2-08.09 set by Primera-Teamjobs rider Ben Millar for second place, while a time of 2-15.09 helped Ryan Oldam (Elevate RT) seal the final spot on the podium.

Having finished 14th at the Sheffrec CC Monsal hill climb on October 1 in his first race of the season, Biddle now has his first win of the campaign.

Biddle was unable to challenge the current men’s course record of 1-59.8 set by reigning National Hill Climb Champion Andrew Feather, while Lucy Lee’s women’s course record of 2-34.5 also remains untouched.

In the women’s event, Performance Cycles CC rider Lockwood was fastest in 2-53.08, ahead of the 3-12.03 set by Niamh Murphy (Liv CC Halo Cycles) while Josie Harcourt was third, with the FTP Fulfil the Potential Race Team rider registering 2-24.03.

“Considering that was my fourth race of the weekend I’m pleased with my ride!” said Lockwood. “It’s always good crowds on Walcot which gets you over the line – a great event!

“The course suits my style of riding. Anything less than four minutes long and steep seems to be good for me.”

This event, run on the UH35 course, starts at the bottom of Claverton Hill and runs uphill for 900 metres, rising 81 metres mostly under the cover of trees up towards the avenue, and then finishing immediately at the brow of the hill.

* All reports are copyright of Cycling Time Trials/Snowdon Sports. Not to be used without permission. This report by James Ayles.

Results:

Men:

1. Cameron Biddle (HUUB Wattshop)           2:08.02

2. Ben Millar (Primera-Teamjobs)      2:08.09

3. Ryan Oldam (Elevate RT)  2:15.09

4. Steven Prince (Ludlow Brewery Race Team)        2:18.01

5. Daniel MacLean-Howell (University of Bath Cycling Club)        2:18.06

6. Daniel Eastment (1st Chard Wheelers)        2:19.00

Women:

1. Emily Lockwood (Performance Cycles CC)          2:53.08

2. Niamh Murphy (Liv CC Halo Cycles)       3:12.03

3. Josie Harcourt (FTP Fulfil The Potential Race Team)        2:24.03

4. Jessica Bush (University of Bath Cycling Club)    3:48.00

5. Eva Edwards (Albarosa CC)          3:50.00

6. Claudia Westwood (University of Bath Cycling Club)      3:54.05