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Harry MacFarlane (Rule 28 Outliers) delivered a masterclass in power and precision, successfully defending his 2024 crown with a commanding victory at the National Hill Climb Championships on the infamous Bank Road. In the women's race, Rachel Galler (FTP (Fulfil The Potential) Race Team) claimed her maiden title in a thrilling debut, edging out the defending champion by two seconds.
The event, hosted by Matlock Cycling Club, drew massive crowds that transformed the drizzle-slicked streets into a cauldron of encouragement. With 460 riders tackling the brutal 880-yard climb, the electric atmosphere provided that vital surge of energy, turning soggy conditions into a spectacle of grit and glory.
MacFarlane stormed to the top in a blistering 2:14.7, smashing the course record by nearly four seconds and winning by a staggering 5.1 seconds. Kieran Wynne-Cattanach (Team Lifting Gear Products) chased hard for second in 2:19.8, while four-time champion Andrew Feather (HuntBikeWheels.com) rounded out the podium in 2:20.4.
“It’s been a fantastic day,” MacFarlane reflected post-race. “I don’t generally get nervous before races but this year I did for sure. And being off so late it was hard to know what to eat and how to prepare. The margin that I won by was astounding, I was really happy with that. And to be on the podium with some absolute hitters like Kieran and Andy was great. I’ve got to know them this year and I enjoy being part of the scene and having these people as my friends.”
Rachel Galler powered through the town centre course in 2:59.8 to secure her first national title, finishing just two seconds ahead of defending champion Illi Gardner (Cardiff Ajax CC) in 3:01.8. Madeleine Heywood (Elevate RT) claimed third, another 2.8 seconds back.
“This is massive for me,” Galler said. “I'm not the most gifted rider but I've worked very hard for this. I'm very much looking forward to taking the jersey back home to the North East and getting it on my back for the hill climb season next year. Congrats to everyone else, today was mega and a day I'll never forget.”
The juniors stole the show with record-breaking performances. World Junior Road Race Champion Harry Hudson (Harrogate Nova Race Team) dominated the boys' category in 2:20.8 – a new course record – winning by 6.2 seconds over Ezra Bateman (Clifton CC York) in 2:27.0. Harry's brother, Finley Hudson (Harrogate Nova Race Team), took third in 2:34.7.
In the girls' race, Ruby Isaac (Tofauti Everyone Active) set another course record with 3:24.6, triumphing by 14.5 seconds ahead of Phoebe Langlands (Matlock CC) in 3:39.1. Ayesha Vose (Shibden Cycling Club) completed the podium in 3:42.7.
Team prizes highlighted collective strength: Elevate RT dominated the women's category with Madeleine Heywood, Lucy Deschamps (Elevate RT) and Ellen Reynolds (Elevate RT). In the open category, Team Lifting Gear Products took the win courtesy of Kieran Wynne-Cattanach, Andy Nichols (Team Lifting Gear Products) and Ross Howcroft-Jones (Team Lifting Gear Products).
Among paracyclists, Christopher Scott (Le Col Race Team) led the way in a factored time of 3:05.5, with Morgan Newberry (Loughborough Students Cycling Club) topping the women's field in factored time of 3:21.8. In a remarkable display of determination in the hand-cycling open category, Geoff Pickin (PDQ Cycle Coaching) claimed first place with an inspiring factored time of 11:34.9.
Matlock Cycling Club delivered an unforgettable day with huge crowds roaring riders up the infamous 880-yard, 20% ramp in the drizzle – proving once again why the RTTC National Hill Climb Championships remain the pinnacle of UK hill climbing.
See you on the hills in 2026! 🚀 And in the meantime join us in the Cycling Time Trials Winter Series on Zwift! To find out more see related links.
Cycling Time Trials Winter Series | News & Features article
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Bank Road | Course Profile