Butts Lane Hill Climb

Wendy Mathie picked up a second successive win with top placing at the Beachy Head CC Butts Lane hill climb on Saturday afternoon, while Cesare Masset won the open category in Sussex.

Riding for Penge Cycle Club, Mathie was the class of the field in 5:35-30, shy of Bithja Jones’ course record of 4:06-27, but enough to finish almost ten seconds ahead of teenage runner-up Rianna Mahoney and her 4T+ Cyclopark clubmate Eleanor Thompson who clocked 5:43-9 and 5:50-9 respectively to complete the podium.

Earlier in the day Mathie had also won the East Sussex Cycling Association Firle Bostal climb with Mahoney taking the runner-up spot there as well to complete a very successful day on the bike.

“I made sure to have coffee en route, so was fully awake and aware of the steepness!” said Mathie after tackling the 0.6km climb near Willingdon.

“I was going to commit to one gear only but somehow the last steep bit, although theoretically similar in gradient, always feels harder than the initial steep bit. The bunting and spectators really keep you going on Butts. There's no place to hide and be lazy!”

In the open category 17-year-old Brighton Mitre CC rider Masset followed up his impressive second place at the Firle Bostal hill climb in the morning with victory here, posting 4:01-1.

His time saw off the challenge of Richard Cartland (HuntBikeWheels.com) in 4:04-1 while a time of 4:11-0 saw Gillingham and District Wheelers rider Michael Sleeman seal the third and final spot on the podium.

* All reports are copyright of Cycling Time Trials/Snowdon Sports. Not to be used without permission. This report by James Ayles.

Results:

Open:

1. Cesare Masset (Brighton Mitre CC)           4:01.1

2. Richard Cartland (HuntBikeWheels.com)  4:03.1

3. Michael Sleeman (Gillingham and District Wh)    4:11.0

4. George Bentley (Brighton Mitre CC)         4:13.0

5. Olly Thomas (Sussex Revolution Velo Club)         4:13.5

6. Samuel Benge (trainSharp) 4:14.5

7. David Ross (Elevate Race Team)   4:22.0

8. Jenny Henwood (Hastings and St Leonards CC)   4:28.0

9. Finley Andrews (4T+ Cyclopark)   4:28.1

10. Owen Vidler (Hastings and St Leonards CC)       4:29.3

Women:

1. Wendy Mathie (Penge Cycle Club)            5:35.3

2. Rianna Mahoney (4T+ Cyclopark) 5:43.9

3. Eleanor Thompson (4T+ Cyclopark)          5:50.9

4. Alice Connor (London Academy Racing)  7:13.9

5. Sally Symes (Sussex Nomads CC) 7:23.8

6. Julie Hill (Horsham Cycling)          9:11.9