Steyning - Titch Hill Hill Climb

Harry MacFarlane picked up his second win of the day with success in the open category at the Brighton Mitre Cycling Club Titch Hill climb on Saturday afternoon, while Wendy Mathie was fastest female.

Having already taken victory at the Brighton Mitre Cycling Club Steyning Bostal climb in the morning, MacFarlane again came out top and, in the process, set a new course record by eight second for his fifth win from seven time trials so far this season.

The TAAP Kalas rider set 8:26-41 to see off the challenge of host club rider George Bentley, also claiming a second runners-up spot of the day, in 8:50-44, while trainSharp’s Samuel Benge posted 8:56-87 for the final spot on the podium.

In the women’s event, Mathie (Penge Cycle Club) set 11:08-45 to win from 16-year-old Rianna Mahoney (4T+ Cyclopark) in 11:22-02, with Horsham Cycling’s Tina Lohr taking third in 11:32-60.

“I was curious about Titch Hill pre-race as I'd never ridden it before,” said Mathie.

“Conditions were perfect and the longer course length of 4.5km suited me as a rider, but the descents within the course made it a bit tricky for a reason I hadn't imagined: cars.

'In particular, big cars pulling out of lay-bys without looking. This meant I had to brake and swerve, go through a deep muddy puddle and regain balance before making the turn.

“I probably lost a few seconds there at least, but now I had anger in my belly and tried my best to convert this into watts. It would be great to have more, longer distance hill climbs on the racing calendar.”

Cesare Masset (Brighton Mitre Cycling Club) and Mahoney again picked up junior wins, with both having completed impressive days with high overall placings.

Host club Brighton Mitre took another team victory with strong individual performances throughout the day.

This time trial forms the second part of a two-part event hosted by Brighton Mitre Cycling Club.

With the first event in the morning tackling Steyning Bostal, this event goes up the same hill from the south side, a longer shallower climb which includes a short downhill section before an undulating set of corners to navigate, followed by a long straight which gradually flattens toward the summit.

Following rain before the morning event, this time riders enjoyed mild conditions with plenty of sun and a gentle wind.

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

 

Results:

Open:

1. Harry MacFarlane (TAAP Kalas)   8:26.41

2. George Bentley (Brighton Mitre Cycling Club)     8:50.44

3. Samuel Benge (trainSharp) 8:50.44

4. Olly Thomas (Sussex Revolution Velo Club)        8:58.44

5. Cesare Masset (Brighton Mitre Cycling Club)       9:10.41

6. Sam Fox (Racing Club Ravenna)   9:12.09

7. Finley Andrews (4T+ Cyclopark)   9:15.66

8. James Nichols (Oxford University Cycling Club) 9:39.31

9. Jack Smith (Brighton Mitre Cycling Club) 9:57.75

10. Michael Maxwell (Hastings and St Leonards Cycling Club)       10:07.99

Women:

1. Wendy Mathie (Penge Cycle Club)            11:08.45

2. Rianna Mahoney (4T+ Cyclopark) 11:22.02

3. Tina Lohr (Horsham Cycling)        11:32.60

4. Hayley Plummer (Sussex Nomads Cycling Club) 11:50.38

5. Sally Symes (Sussex Nomads Cycling Club)         12:39.91

6. Julie Hill (Horsham Cycling)          14:18.20