Andy Cunningham (Wheelbase CabTech Castelli) set a new course record as he charged to victory in the Drighlington BC hill climb, while Sarah Lewthwaite (Born to Bike - Bridgtown Cycles) won the women’s event.

Cunningham, aged 33, posted a winning time of two minutes and 29 seconds on the climb of around one kilometre – smashing the previous course record of 2-38 which had stood for five years.

The V9917 saw riders start at the boundary of Morley and Batley near Leeds before proceeding up Scotchman Lane to finish after almost one kilometre west of the M62 motorway bridge.

Cunningham had shown his form last weekend by winning the West Pennine Road Club event on Blackstone Edge last weekend and took his fourth win of the season on this occasion.

Mark Jagger (Team Lifting Gear Products) finished second on this occasion posting 2-51 which was five seconds faster than Jake Wade (COBL Cycling Club) in 2-56.

The quickest veteran on scratch was Andrew Askwith (Vive Le Velo) whose time of 3-15 was good enough for sixth place overall.

Lewthwaite, aged 49, was a clear winner in the women’s event recording a time of 3-47 on the one-kilometre climb.

The veteran rider also won the Yorkshire Cycling Federation 25 in August and showed her hill climbing form to add another victory to her collection.

Kat Handy (Valley Striders Cycling Club) finished second in 4-05 while Emma Barnett (Drighlington Bicycle Club) completed the podium positions in 4-44

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

* A gallery of images from this event is available here

 

Results:

Men:

1. Andy Cunningham (Wheelbase Cabtech Castelli) 2.29

2. Mark Jagger (Team Lifting Gear Products) 2.51

3. Jake Wade (COBL Cycling Club) 2.56

4. Francis Schofield (Brighton Mitre CC) 2.58

5. Matt Janes (Drighlington BC) 3.09

6. Andrew Askwith (Vive Le Velo) 3.15

 

Veteran: Andrew Askwith

 

Women:

1. Sarah Lewthwaite (Born to Bike - Bridgtown Cycles) 3.47

2. Kat Handy (Valley Striders Cycling Club) 4.05

3. Emma Barnett (Drighlington Bicycle Club) 4.44

4. Elizabeth Rose (Alba Rosa Cycling Club) 4.46

5. Alison Pearce (Queensbury Queens of the Mountain) 5.19