Firle Beacon Hill Climb

Alexander Cornell (Parlay CC) took victory by a single second in the East Sussex CA hill climb on Firle Bostal, while Nikki Ray (Brixton Cycles Club) finished two seconds clear of her nearest rival in the women’s event.

Scratch rider Cornell also won the Westerham CC hill climb earlier this season and took his second victory of the season recording a time of four minutes and eight seconds.

The East Sussex CA HC on Firle Bostal was the first of a double header of events on Saturday. The climb over 1,433 yards led to some exciting racing with seconds separating the fight for the podium places.

Riders headed away from Firle in Sussex along the road named Firle Bostal and finishing just before the road ends at Firle Beacon carpark.

Cornell, aged 22, from St Leonards on Sea, finished fifth in both the Catford CC and Bec CC hill climb events last weekend but took victory this time out.

Veteran rider Richard Cartland (HuntBikeWheels.com) led the chase behind finishing just one second behind in 4-09.

The fight for third couldn’t have been closer with Daniel Pink (Bigfoot CC) posting a time of 4-11.11 which was just one hundredth of a second quicker than junior Ben Neal (LVC Racing) in 4-11.12.

In the women’s competition Ray set a winning time on the climb of five minutes and 49 seconds.

Ray had only previously ridden one other open event this season placing fifth in the Kingston Wheelers HC but took victory this time out.

Last woman starter Kate Parrish (Lewes Wanderers CC) pushed the winner all the way but eventually finished two seconds down in 5-51.

Completing the podium positions was quickest veteran Liz Halliday (Sussex Nomads CC) 6-56 who completed the climb in 6-56.

Winner of the team award was the Sussex Revolution Velo Club trio of Jonathan Saks, Olly Thomas and Graham Winstanley.

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

Results:

Men:
1 Alexander Cornell (Parlay CC) 4.08
2 Richard Cartland (HuntBikeWheels.com) 4.09
3 Daniel Pink (Bigfoot CC) 4.11.11
4 Ben Neal (LVC Racing) 4.11.12
5 Michael Sleeman (Horsham Cycling) 4.12
6 Jacob Arnell (Eastbourne Rovers CC) 4.17

Women:
1 Nikki Ray (Brixton Cycles Club) 5.49
2 Kate Parrish (Lewes Wanderers CC) 5.51
3 Liz Halliday (Sussex Nomads CC) 6.56
4 Erica Martin (Eastbourne Rovers CC) 7.03
5 Amelia Culshaw (Brighton Phoenix) 7.12
6 Jessica Lam (Woolwich CC) 7.41