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Devon | 1.1 miles | Peak Hill
Natalie Grinczer (Roland) finished over a minute clear of her nearest female competitor to win the Sid Valley CC hill climb on Peak Hill, while Andrew Feather (HuntBikeWheels.com) won the open event.
Grinczer, aged 30, took her first open hill climb victory of the season, winning the women’s event in 6-32.
Meanwhile, National Hill Climb Champion, Feather, finished three seconds off his course record of 4-53 set in 2022.
Starting on the sea front in Sidmouth competitors started on The Esplanade and then travelled up Peak Hill Road to finish approximately 20 metres past the entry to Peak Hill car park at the top of Peak Hill.
The hill climb is 1.7 kilometres long with an elevation gain of 161 metres. The average gradient is 9.0% with a maximum gradient of 23%.
In her first hill climb event of the season last weekend Grinczer finished runner-up in The University of Bristol CC hill climb.
However, she was not to be denied this time out with Katrina Tse (Oxford University CC) finishing second in 7-53 and Claire Pile (05/03) third (7-55).
“It was a very enjoyable morning and worth the early start,” said Grinczer.
“The event was really well run, marshalled and organised. The weather was a bit on the chilly side but dry and very scenic.
“I rode from my home to recce the climb in the week and the week before. I had a vague idea of the sort of time I was expecting up there and knew the gearing I needed.”
Meanwhile, National Hill Climb Champion Feather, aged 39, has won five open hill climb events this season and took a sixth on this occasion - finishing in 4-56.
Joe Rees (Cardiff Ajax) led the battle behind finishing second in 5-28 and quickest junior of the day George Watch (Mid Devon Cycling Club) was third overall (5-39).
Feather will bid to retain his national title in two weeks’ time and believes that the event is wide open.
“My legs felt good and I did a power personal best, despite being very cold,” said Feather. “It was very different to a three-minute climb though.
“It’s all to play for in a couple of weeks (the nationals). It seems to be wide open with lots of riders in the mix to take the top spot.”
* All reports are copyright of Cycling Time Trials/Snowdon Sports. Not to be used without permission.
Results
1 Andrew Feather (HuntBikeWheels.com) 4.56
2 Joe Rees (Cardiff Ajax) 5.28
3 George Watch (Mid Devon Cycling Club) 5.39
4 Thomas Gardner (University of Exeter CC) 5.55
5 Robin Dafforn (Exeter Whs CC) 6.27
6 Daniel Eastment (1st Chard Wheelers) 6.28
7 Russell Powell (Sid Valley CC) 6.37
8 Martin Falle (Exeter Whs CC) 6.42
9 Philip Hannaford (Mid Devon Cycling Club) 6.43
10 James Surmon (Army Cycling) 6.54
Junior: George Watch (Mid Devon Cycling Club) 5.39
Women
1 Natalie Grinczer (Roland) 6.32
2 Katrina Tse (Oxford University CC) 7.53
3 Claire Pile (05/03) 7.55
4 Antonia Evans (Sid Valley CC) 9.13