Sussex Revolution Velo Club Hill Climb

Matt Ferguson made it two consecutive wins with victory at Sussex Revolution Velo Club Brantridge Lane hill climb on Sunday morning, with Tina Lohr triumphing in the women’s event.

Having taken top placing at the Sussex CA Steyning Bostal hill climb on Saturday morning, Redhill CC rider Ferguson produced another strong display to finish in 4:50-30, ahead of clubmate Ben Elliott who was second in 4:53-40 while Chris Barker, riding for the promoting club, clocked 5:12-40 for the final spot on the podium.

“I really enjoyed attending this event last year, which is really well organised and a good test over a slightly longer duration than other south-east hill climbs,” said Ferguson.

“It's a difficult climb to pace with some quick flatter sections. I focused on trying to tuck up for the faster sections and kick hard on the steeper parts, which seemed to work well.

“It was a close battle with team-mate Ben Elliot with only a few seconds separating us, and both taking a big chunk off the course record I set last year.”

Having earned two wins from six hill climbs so far in 2024, Ferguson will next compete at Firle Bostal and Bec CC events next weekend as his last two events before tackling the National Championship.

In the women’s event, Horsham Cycling’s Tina Lohr was the class of the field in 6:55-90, beating Sussex Nomads CC rider Emma Simpkins who finished in 7:29-90, while a time of 7:59-40 helped Sally Symes (Sussex Nomads CC) to third place.

This is just the second event of the season for Lohr, having finished fourth at Kingston Wheelers hill climb on course GH/42 on September 21, as she seeks to make a strong end to the campaign.

This event, held on course GH/85, starts just east of Staplefield and curves northwards on Brantridge Lane for 1.6 miles to finish just before Bucklands Farm.

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

Results:

Open:

1. Matthew Ferguson (Redhill CC)    4:50.3

2. Ben Elliott (Redhill CC)     4:53.4

3. Chris Barker (Sussex Revolution VC)       5:12.4

4. Olly Thomas (Sussex Revolution VC)       5:16.5

5. Richard Cartland (HuntBikeWheels.com)  5:17.2

6. Luke Burgess (Horsham Cycling)  5:23.6

7. Finley Andrews (4T+ Cyclopark)               5:28.7

8. Steve Coombs (Sussex Revolution VC)     5:32.6

9. Ben Griffin (Sussex Nomads CC)  5:34.2

10. Kevin Newlyn (Sussex Revolution VC)   5:42.4

Women:

1. Tina Lohr (Horsham Cycling)        6:55.9

2. Emma Simpkins (Sussex Nomads CC)      7:29.9

3. Sally Symes (Sussex Nomads CC) 7:59.4

4. Julie Hill (Horsham Cycling Club) 8:41.8