Porlock Toll Road Hill Climb

Former national champion Ed Laverack was fastest male at Minehead CC’s Porlock Toll Road hill-climb in Somerset on Sunday, while Illi Gardner was fastest of the females.

The winner in this event for the last two years, Laverack (Backpedal) had placed second to Andrew Feather in the earlier Main Road climb but took the top step of the podium and the overall two-stage victory thanks to his performance in this longer Porlock Toll Road climb.

Meanwhile Illi Gardner was overall best female after winning both the Minehead CC climbs.

Laverack covered the longer climb in 14-53 which was 23 seconds quicker than second-placed Will Lowden (WattShop) while third was Morgan Curle (Rogue Racing) with 15-33.

Illi Gardner (Wahoo Endurance Zone) is in impressive form recently and she showed this by clocking 16-53 to finish well inside the overall top ten and was fastest female by 2-37 with Jessica Rhodes-Jones (AeroCoach) second and Janet Hewlett (Minehead CC) third.

As well as winning the earlier Porlock Main Road climb that morning, Gardner has also been fastest female at the Sid Valley CC Peak Hill climb in Devon the week before and the Dursley Road Club Lampern Hill climb a fortnight ago.

Next weekend Gardner is down to ride the Cheltenham and County CC climb of Bushcombe Lane near Bishop’s Cleeve.

Laverack also moves on to the Cheltenham and County CC event next Saturday and has entered the Fibrax Wrexham Road Club Horseshoe Pass event in Wales, near to the course for the national championships next month.

In other categories on the Porlock Toll Road climb, George Watch (Team Zoyland) clocked 16-52 to win the junior category by 26 seconds from Felix Whetter (Mid-Devon CC).

The fastest 40-49 veteran was Daniel Eastman (1st Chard Wheelers in 17-46, while best 50-59 was Karl Norris (360RT) in 17-06 and the over-60s prize went to Andrew Quye (Southborough & Dist Wh) in 19-49.

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Results:

Men:

1.    Ed Laverack        Backpedal                14:53

2.    Will Lowden        WattShop                15:16

3.    Morgan Curle      Rogue Racing        15:33

4.    William Jeffery    Saint Piran              16:31

5.    Arion Oates        PDQ Cycle Coaching    16:34

6.    George Watch    Team Zoyland            16:52

Woman:

1.    Illi Gardner            Waho Endurance Zone        16:53

2.    Jessica Rhodes-Jones    AeroCoach                    19:30

3.    Janet Hewlett           Minehead CC                      25:54

4.    Zoe Shepherd            Rugby Racing Cycling       26:43

5.    Bonita Waddams       Minehead CC                    30:10

Junior:

1.    George Watch        Team Zoyland            16:52

2.    Felix Whetter           Mid Devon CC          17:18

Vet 40-49:

1.    Daniel Eastman        1st Chard Wheelers        17:46

Vet 50-59:

1.     Karl Norris               360VRT                                17:06

Vet 60+:

1.    Andrew Quye        Southborough & District Wheelers    19:49