Sheffrec CC (Monsal)

Reigning women’s national hill climb champion Bithja Jones (Pankhurst Cycles) set a new course record on her way to winning the women’s event on the Monsal hill climb organised by Sheffrec CC, while Andy Nichols (Team Lifting Gear Products/Cycles In Motion) won the men’s crown.

Veteran rider Jones made the trip north from Reading and despite a headwind up the climb she set a new women’s record of one minute and 37.5 seconds.

The previous women’s course record was held by Lou Bates at 1-42.8

The 91st Monsal Hill Climb saw 202 finishers tackle the 675-yard climb in Derbyshire looking to lift the prestigious title.

The closed roads near Bakewell in the Peak District is home to the 1 in 6 climb which starts with a shallow first 150 yards before kicking up to a maximum of 21% with crowds lining the road to the top outside Hobb’s Café.

“It was very tough with a headwind for the last bit anyway,” said Jones.

“The first bit was quite sheltered but the moment you got around the bend it was pretty much straight into the headwind, I was quite exhausted at the end.

“I did ride up it a few months ago on a recce ride but I had never raced up it before. Because it’s such an iconic race I just wanted to take part and I’m pleased I did as it was a great atmosphere and a very special race.”

Jones has won seven races already this season and will be looking to retain her national title later this month on the Winnats Pass climb.

Fellow veteran Mary Wilkinson (Yorkshire Road Club) has a host of wins to her name already this season but had to settle for second this time out in 1-41.6.

Meanwhile, Rebecca Richardson (Team Brother UK) completed the podium positions with a time of 1-49.9.

The quickest junior girl was Erin Avill (Storey Racing) in 2-13.5 while Maia Howell (Matlock CC) was fastest juvenile girl clocking 2-29.4.

In the hard-fought men’s event Andy Nichols (Team Lifting Gear Products/Cycles In Motion) clinched his seventh win of the season in a time of 1-19.5.

Just four hundredths of a second behind were both Adam Kenway (Team Brother UK) and Callum Brown (Team Lifting Gear Products/Cycles In Motion) who shared second position in 1-19.9.

With two riders in the top three positions Team Lifting Gear Products/Cycles In Motion also won the team prize.

Quickest veteran was Dan Evans (ASSOS Speed Club UK) in 1-32.4 which was two seconds quicker than Richard Helm (Barrow Central Wheelers) in second (1-34.3) while Darrell Clarke (Ilkeston Cycle Club) was third (1-34.8).

James Hartley (JRC Shutt Ridley RT) was fastest junior in 1-24.7 while quickest juvenile rider was Ryan Williams (Beeston Cycling Club) in 1-33.2.

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

Results:

Men
1 Andy Nichols (Team Lifting Gear Products/Cycles In Motion) 1:19.5
=2 Adam Kenway (Team Brother UK) 1:19.9
=2 Callum Brown (Team Lifting Gear Products/Cycles In Motion) 1:19.9
4 Gregg Booker (Matlock CC) 1:23.6
5 James Hartley (JRC Shutt Ridley RT) 1:24.7
6 Kieran Wynne-Cattanach (Team Lifting Gear Products/Cycles In Motion) 1:25.9

Junior: James Hartley (JRC Shutt Ridley RT) 1:24.7
Juvenile: Ryan Williams (Beeston Cycling Club) 1:33.2

Veteran Men
1 Dan Evans (ASSOS Speed Club UK) 1:32.4
2 Richard Helm (Barrow Central Wheelers) 1:34.3
3 Darrell Clarke (Ilkeston Cycle Club) 1:34.8

Women
1 Bithja Jones (Pankhurst Cycles) 1:37.5
2 Mary Wilkinson (Yorkshire Road Club) 1:41.6
3 Rebecca Richardson (Team Brother UK) 1:49.9
4 Madeleine Haywood (Team Watto) 1:53.4
5 Becky Hair (Magspeed Racing Ladies) 1:55.5
6 Jessica Evans (ASSOS Speed Club UK) 1:55.8

Veteran Women
1 Bithja Jones (Pankhurst Cycles) 1:37.5
2 Mary Wilkinson (Yorkshire Road Club) 1:41.6
3 Jessica Evans (ASSOS Speed Club UK) 1:55.8

Junior girl: Erin Avill (Storey Racing) 2-13.5
Juvenile girl: Maia Howell (Matlock CC) 2:29.4