Bank Road Hill Climb

Hannah Clough (University of Nottingham CC) and Andy Nichols (Team Lifting Gear Products) made it a day to remember by taking their second wins of the day at the Matlock CC hill climb event on Bank Road.

Both riders triumphed in wet conditions in the morning event on Riber and also took victory on the shorter Bank Road event.

At just 700 yards long the Bank Road event in the middle of Matlock has an average gradient of 12% and a maximum of 25%.

Clough, aged 20, from Littleborough in Lancashire, was an unknown quantity coming into the events having not ridden a hill climb in three years.

After winning on Ribber her time of 2-45 on Bank Road was enough for a 14-second victory on this occasion.

Second woman was Becky Hair (FTP ( Fulfil The Potential ) Race Team) in 2-59 and quickest veteran on scratch was Alice Larkin (High Peak Cycles RT) who finished third overall (3-10).

The fastest junior female competitor was Maia Howell (Matlock CC) who covered the climb in 3-12.

Meanwhile, scratch rider Nichols had also enjoyed success in the morning event on the Riber climb.

With tired legs the 34-year-old, from Sheffield, recorded a time of 1-48 which was over a second clear of his nearest opponent in the open category.

Harry MacFarlane (TAAP Kalas) was narrowly pushed into second in 1-49 and Josh Coyne (Pump & Pedal Racing) placed third (1-52).

The quickest veteran was Steven Prince (Ludlow Brewery Race Team) whose time of 1-59 was good enough for eighth overall.

The quickest junior was Harley Widdowson (Clancy Briggs Cycling Academy) in 2-05, and Alfie Nott (Sheffield Youth Cycling Club) was the fastest youth (2-28)

“The roads were a bit wet still but nothing like it was in the morning,” said Nichols.

“They are very different courses too - Riber is very technical with a lot of gradient changes, potholes, tight bends and wet leaves to contend with.

“For Bank Road I think I used two gears for the whole thing and it is wide and straight enough that you could probably get up it with your eyes closed.”

Nichols is one of the many riders targeting success at next week’s National Hill Climb Championships.

He added: “I really wouldn't like to guess how it will go.

“I'm confident we can win the team prize again, but there are probably at least seven or eight riders that are capable of getting on the podium and I'll just be giving it my best effort and enjoying the event.”

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

Results
1 Andy Nichols (Team Lifting Gear Products)    1.48      
2 Harry MacFarlane (TAAP Kalas)            1.49
3 Josh Coyne (Pump & Pedal Racing)    1.52
4 David Fellows (Solihull CC)    1.52
5 Cameron Biddle (HUUB WattShop)   1.53
6 Ryan Oldam (Elevate RT)         1.55
7 Charlie MacTear ("73 Degrees Bicycles, WestSide Coaching rt")         1.58
8 Steven Prince (Ludlow Brewery Race Team)  1.59
9 Ashley Wilcox (Congleton CC – MyWindsock)              2.04
10 Laurence Fryer-Taylor (Macclesfield Wheelers)        2.05

Veteran: Steven Prince (Ludlow Brewery Race Team)   1.59
Junior: Harley Widdowson (Clancy Briggs Cycling Academy)   2.05
Youth: Alfie Nott (Sheffield Youth Cycling Club)               2.28      

Women
1 Hannah Clough (University of Nottingham CC)            2.45
2 Becky Hair (FTP ( Fulfil The Potential ) Race Team)     2.59
3 Alice Larkin (High Peak Cycles RT)     3.10
4 Maia Howell (Matlock CC)      3.12
5 Helena Shapton (Brother Uk - Team OnForm)               3.20
6 Mary Higgs (Derby Mercury  RC)          3.41
7 Michelle Tindall (Derby Mercury  RC) 4.06      

Junior: Maia Howell (Matlock CC)          3.12