Leith Hill Hill Climb

Dannielle Watkinson and Harry MacFarlane proved quickest at the John Bornhoft Memorial climb, organised by Kingston Wheelers CC on the 1570-yard Leith Hill near Forest Green on Saturday.

Watkinson (LDN Academy) was quickest of the women in a time of 4-37.4, while second was Wendy Mathie (Penge Cycling Club) with 5-29.1 and third spot being Tina Lohr (Horsham Cycling) who was another 15 seconds off the pace.

MacFarlane (TAAP Endura) came within 3.1 seconds of the course record. His time of 3-30.6 gave him the win in the men’s category by 6.9 seconds on the day with runner-up being Joshua Aiken (Elevate RT) with third being Matthew Ferguson (Redhill CC) who was another 11 seconds back.

“There was a good turn out and the weather held up with some great crowds, said MacFarlane. “It wasn’t very cold but the air was pretty crisp giving everyone a good set of burning lungs at the top.

“I managed to beat my time from last year by one whole second! My pacing wasn't great had a little too much gas at the end but always I’m happy to take the win.”

Top veteran was Richard Applin (Onyx RT) in 4-09.5 which was 1.8 seconds better than second-placed Richard Cartland (HuntBikeWheels.com) with Ashley Nunn of Addiscombe CC being another couple of seconds back in third.

And Wendy Mathie was the fastest female veteran in 5-29.1, 15 seconds better than runner-up Tina Lohr.

MacFarlane’s victory in this event means he has won both events ridden so far, following his victory in the previous weekend’s Reading CC climb of Streatley Hill where he also left Aiken to settle for second spot.

He goes on to ride Sunday’s Watford Velo Sport event on Whiteleaf Hill, then next weekend will head to Derbyshire for the iconic Monsal climb staged by Sheffrec CC.

Better known as a road rider for Hutchinson-Brother UK, Watkinson will next move on to the Sheffrec CC Monsal climb in Derbyshire on October 1, where she will pit herself against some of the main contenders for the National Championships at the end of October.

* All reports are copyright of Cycling Time Trials/Snowdon Sports. Not to be used without permission.

Results:

Men:

1. Harry MacFarlane (TAAP Endura) 3:30.6

2. Joshua Aiken (Elevate RT) 3:37.5

3. Matthew Ferguson (Redhill CC)    3:48.1

4. Joe Adlam-Cook (Cambridge Univ CC)    3:55.1

5. Robin Marwood (London Dynamo)           3:55.3

Women:

1. Dannielle Watkinson (LDN Academy)       4:37.4

2. Wendy Mathie (Penge CC) 5:29.1

3. Tina Lohr (Horsham Cycling)        5:44.7

4. Rosie Wingate (Liv CC-Halo Cycles)        6:48.5

5. Alessandra Scaduto (Kingston Wheelers)   6:51.4