Knights Hill Hill Climb

Wendy Mathie (Penge CC) was fastest female by the narrowest of margins at the Blazing Saddles climb of Knights Hill near Goodwood, while Matthew Ferguson (Redhill CC) completed a weekend double with a win in the men’s event.

Ferguson’s time of 3-36 gave him victory by just one second on the one-mile climb of Knights Hill, and it came after he was also victorious in the previous day’s Sussex CA climb of Steyning Bostal.

Second overall was Michael Wykes (Elevate RT), while GS Mossa’s Sam Fox was third quickest, 18 seconds behind in-form Ferguson.

Mathie tied for the win in the women’s event with Kate Parrish (Lewes Wanderers CC) both with 4-52, but Mathie was given the verdict by a hundredth of a second, while the third and final podium spot went to Olivia Sloan, the Chichester City Riders member who was just one second further back in an incredibly tight podium.

And spare a thought for Tina Lohr, the Horsham Cycling veteran who was only one second further back in fourth.

After his win, Ferguson said: “It was a very tough effort.

“The steepest segment of the climb comes at the start which means you have to start hard but hold something in the tank for the exposed section over the top where the wind wasn't in our favour today. As a result I was very pleased to take the win and back up my win from Saturday.”

Ferguson’s two wins this weekend come in addition to his victory in VC Venta’s climb on Old Winchester Hill two weeks ago, while he was second at CC Basingstoke’s Watership Down climb as well as third in both the Kingston Wheelers and Wigmore CC climbs last weekend.

Wendy Mathie’s shared win this week comes after she was second at the Kingston Wheelers climb last weekend where she was quickest veteran female.

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

Results:

1. Matthew Ferguson (Redhill CC)    3.36

2. Michael Wykes (Elevate RT)          3.37

3. Sam Fox (GS Mossa)          3.54

4. Olly Thomas (Sussex Revolution Velo)      3.57

5. Steve Coombs (Sussex Revolution Velo)   4.01

6. James Nichols (Oxford University CC)     4.07

Women:

1. Wendy Mathie (Penge CC) 4.52

2. Kate Parrish (Lewes Wanderers CC)          4.52

3. Olivia Sloan (Chichester City Riders)        4.53

4. Tina Lohr (Horsham Cycling)        4.54

5. Vivienne Tomlin (Fulfil the Potential Racing)       5.13

6. Liz Halliday (Sussex Nomads CC) 5.50

Male Veterans: Steve Coombs (Sussex Revolution Velo)      4.01

Female Veterans: Wendy Mathie (Penge CC) 4.52