News & Features

Ramsbottom in Lancashire is the place to be for top hill climb action this Sunday, as the build-up to the National Championships continues.

Many of the top names in the sport are not competing this weekend, either keeping their powder dry or deciding to hang up their wheels until next season.

The Rake is the venue for Lancashire Road Club’s 947-yard climb on Sunday, with Spindata suggesting that Team Lifting Gear Products team-mates Andy Nichols and Kieran Wynne-Cattanach will be competing for top honours.

However, others to watch out for include Jude Taylor (Team PB Performance) as well as Andy Cunningham (Wheelbase CabTech).

In-form junior Maxwell Hereward (360cycling) could dominate that category, while quickest of the female on paper include Frances Owen (Wahoo Le Col) and Gemma Sargent (Team Boompods).

Elsewhere, Rachel Galler (Saint Piran) could be quickest female up Quarrington Hill at the Houghton CC event in County Durham on Sunday.

Blaydon CC’s Sarah Wilkinson and Madeleine Bell (Musselburgh RCC) could push her all the way though.

And in the men’s events Metro’s Alex Storey and Martin Mikkelsen-Barron (VC Cumbria) are expected to vie for the win, while Muckle CC trio John Bowman, Colin Atkinson and Hugo Storey are also in the mix.

Prior to his ride in Lancashire on Sunday, Andy Cunningham is down to ride the Drighlington BC 1km climb of Scotchman Lane in West Yorkshire on Sunday.

Also down to ride is former national champion Adam Kenway (Team Brother UK), while top female according to Spindata should be Sarah Lewthwaite (Born to Bike).

Olivia French (Stolen Goat RT) will be looking to steal another podium spot this Sunday at the Berkhamsted CC climb of Toms Hill Road near Aldbury.

And in the men’s category Calvin Cheung (Go Fast Turn Left) is among the contenders along with Ryan Oldham (Elevate RT) and Alan Wylie (Amersham RCC) whose last open event was this same event in 2022 when he was third.

Talented juvenile rider Michael Vernon (North Devon Velo) is a top tip for both of the Saint Piran hill-climbs on Sunday, with Mount Wellington near Bissoe being the venue for the morning’s event and Long Hill for the second.

Matt Melville (Elevate RT) is tipped for the top in Farnham Road Club’s climb of Brockham Hill Lane near Holybourne in Hampshire with Charlotte Dalton (Jadan Vive le Velo) the pick of the women taking part.

Other events include the Chew Valley CC climb of Smitham Hill near East Harptree on Sunday, while on Saturday the East Sussex CA host an event on Firle Bostal in East Sussex.

Check back to the CTT website and social media feeds for reports on events as the weekend progresses!

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