Paradise Bank Hill Climb

Kieran Wynne-Cattanach powered to victory at the Protech Velo hill climb on Saturday morning, while Madeleine Bell finished fastest in the women’s category in the event in County Durham.

Riding for Team Lifting Gear Products, Wynne-Cattanach recorded 3-06 to seal the win ahead of Hugo Storey (Muckle Cycle Club), who had to settle for second place with 3-10, while Alex Storey’s (GS Metro) time of 3-11 saw him finish just behind in third.

Wynne-Cattanach lived up to his billing as Spindata pre-race to claim victory in an enthralling race to the line which saw just five seconds between the top three finishers.

"As always, it's definitely worth the trip up to the North East as this morning's event by Protech Velo was superb,” said Wynne-Cattanach.

“The club sorted everyone out with drinks and snacks afterwards and there were lots of spot prizes on offer. This is normally a pretty fast course, but today's strong headwind meant the competition was very close!

“I’m racing the Birdwell Wheelers event on Green Moor tomorrow followed by the Halifax Imperial Wheelers CC and Withington Wheelers events next weekend, so a busy week coming up!”

In the women’s category Bell (Musselburgh RCC) topped the standings in 4-08, ahead of Bronwen Jenkinson (Saint Piran) in second with 4-20, while third position was sealed by Elspeth Chatto (Blaydon CC) in 4-23.

It is a fifth win of the season for Bell, and a fourth in succession after coming out on top at the North Tyneside Riders last week as well as other successes.

On her win, Bell said: “We were faced with a really strong headwind which made for quite a tough effort! I wasn't sure how I would fare on this climb given its undulating nature and shallower gradients, and couldn't decide whether to do it out of the saddle or try and stay aero.

“I was chuffed with my effort and felt really strong. Thank you so much to all the work that goes into making these events happen - the hill climb scene in the North East is brilliant and I'm looking forward to the next one already!”

The first veteran to cross the line was Colin Atkinson (Muckle Cycle Club) in 3-28, a time good enough for sixth overall, while Charlie Thew, also of Muckle Cycle Club, clocked 3-41 to finish as the fastest junior.

Tom Sailes (Manilla Cycling), the youngest rider on the course at just 13-years old, recorded 4-29 to improve on his hill climbing debut last year by 35 seconds.

This event used course MH26 on the 0.96-mile Paradise Bank Road near Shadforth in County Durham.

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

* Photos by Zach Haigh.

 

Results:

Open:

1. Kieran Wynne-Cattanach (Team Lifting Gear Products)   3.06

2. Hugo Storey (Muckle Cycle Club)  3.10

3. Alexander Storey (GS Metro)         3.11

4. Marcus Cram (Muckle Cycle Club) 3.14

5 Nick Munro (Outlands)         3.19

6. Colin Atkinson (Muckle Cycle Club)           3.28

Women:

1. Madeleine Bell (Musselburgh RCC)          4.08

2. Bronwen Jenkinson (Saint Piran)   4.20

3. Elspeth Chatto (Blaydon CC)         4.23

4. Angela McGurk (Blaydon CC)       5.07

5. Gemma Fletcher (North Tyneside Riders CC)      5.08