Matthew Ferguson earned his first win from five events so far this season with success at the Sussex Cycling Association’s Steyning Bostal hill climb on Saturday morning, with Lucy Deschamps finishing as quickest female in Sussex.

Defending champion Ferguson, of Redhill Cycling Club, celebrated his third year of riding this event with a win in 3:57-5 to secure a comfortable winning margin of more than nine seconds over clubmate Ben Elliot who sealed the runner-up in 4:07-00, while third place went to local rider Richard Cartland (HuntBikeWheels.com) with 4:19.6.

On his win, Ferguson said: “It was great to get the win and take six seconds off my time from last year. It was also brilliant to take a one-two with my team-mate Ben Elliot.

“It is definitely a good confidence booster working towards my last few races of the year after a slow start to the hill climb season.

“I spent a week in Mallorca in early September so has taken a few weeks getting over the fatigue from a big week’s riding.”

Ferguson will next compete at Firle Bostal and the Bec CC climbs next weekend as his last two events before tackling the National Championship.

First female was Lucy Deschamps (Onyx Race Team) who was the clear winner in 5:09-9 with Emma Simpkins of Sussex Nomads Cycling Club second in 7:08-6, ahead of Sally Symes of the same club in 7:20-4. 

At the age of 14 Finley Andrews (4T+Cyclopark) was first youth with 5:04-3 ahead of Jack Patten (Southdown Velo) in 5:38-6.

Elevate Race Team took the team prize thanks to the efforts of Thomas Willan, Luke Walton and John Blight, defeating Brighton Mitre CC by 47 seconds, while Redhill Cycling Club were not eligible despite taking the top two overall spots as they did not enter a third rider.

Riders enjoyed a sunny morning in largely sheltered conditions and temperatures of between 13 to 16 degrees, with a southerly breeze challenging riders over the final 100 yards at the top of the hill.

Brighton Mitre CC host a re-run of this event on Saturday 19 October with a 11:00am start followed by Titch Hill nearby and a 2:30pm start.

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

Results:

Open:

1. Matthew Ferguson (Redhill Cycling Club) 3:57.5

2. Ben Elliot (Redhill Cycling Club)  4:07.00

3. Richard Cartland (HuntBikeWheels.com)  4:19.6

4. George Bentley (Brighton Mitre Cycling Club)     4:19.7

5. Thomas Willan (Elevate Race Team)         4:20.9

6. Luke Walton (Elevate Race Team) 4:28.8

Women:

1. Lucy Deschamps (Onyx Race Team)         5:09.9

2. Emma Simpkins (Sussex Nomads Cycling Club)  7:08.8

3. Sally Symes (Sussex Nomads Cycling Club)         7:20.4