Abi Plowman (Alba Development Road Team) took advantage of a nice tailwind as to beat her own course record on her way to winning the North Lancs Road Club hill climb on Nick 'o' Pendle, while Kieran Wynne-Cattanach (Team Lifting Gear Products) won the open event.

Plowman, aged 25, made her final preparations for next week’s National Hill Climb Championship by setting a winning time of four minutes and 35 seconds on Nick 'o' Pendle.

Starting in the Lancashire village of Sabden the climb is 1.2 kilometres long with an average gradient of 11% as the climb heads straight up to the moors of Nick O Pendle.

Competitors were met with windy and wet conditions on the exposed climb, but a helpful tailwind which aided times.

Plowman headed into the weekend with four open wins from as many hill climb events this season and added another win to her collection on this occasion.

Over a minute behind was Bronwen Jenkinson (Saint Piran) who finished second in 5-39 and quickest veteran Sophie Yarwood (Macclesfield Wheelers) was third (5-43).

“It was great to be back on the hill climb scene today after missing a few events thanks to house move stress,” said Plowman.

“I love this climb - it's just a bit longer than the Nationals course and a similar gradient, so it was quite useful to see where the form is at before next week as well as to test my bike setup.

“I'm happy with my ride, and pleased to take a chunk off my previous course record, although needless to say, without the tailwind I might not have managed!”

In the open event pre-race favourite Wynne-Cattanach took a clear victory with his time of 3-22 some 18 seconds quicker than his nearest challenger.

The Team Lifting Gear Products rider came into the weekend with nine open hill climb wins this season and was successful once again on Nick 'o' Pendle.

However, Tom Bell’s course record of 3-21 set in 2021 was narrowly missed and remains in place for another season.

A close battle behind saw Ross Howcroft-Jones (Rapha Cycling Club) post 3-40, while
Adam Pinder (Muckle Cycle Club) and Andy Cunningham (Ilkley CC) were third and fourth respectively both stopping the clock in 3-44.

Quickest junior Charlie Brennan (360cycling) finished ninth overall in 4-28 and Simon Warren (Norwood Paragon CC) was the fastest veteran (5-00).

“Up on the side of Pendle Hill was not the place to be this morning, the wind was blowing and the rain was hammering down, it felt very much like the end of October,” said Wynne-Cattanach.

“The timekeepers, marshals and supporters definitely had the toughest job of the day up there. I'm fairly pleased with how I rode, but I can always find room for improvement!”

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

Results:

Open:
1 Kieran Wynne-Cattanach (Team Lifting Gear Products)     3.22
2 Ross Howcroft-Jones (Rapha Cycling Club)           3.40
3 Adam Pinder (Muckle Cycle Club  3.44
4 Andy Cunningham (Ilkley CC)       3.44
5 Iain Duffield (VENTURE RACING)         4.04
6 Chris Mann (Velotik Racing Team)            4.15
7 Jack Evans (Gorilla Coffee Cycling Club)  4.19
8 Daniel Herterick (Rossendale RC)  4.26
9 Charlie Brennan (360cycling)          4.28
10 Simon Warren (Norwood Paragon CC)    5.00
Junior: Charlie Brennan (360cycling) 4.28
Veteran: Simon Warren (Norwood Paragon CC)       5.00

Women
1 Abi Plowman (Alba Development Road Team)      4.35
2 Bronwen Jenkinson (Saint Piran)    5.39
3 Sophie Yarwood (Macclesfield Wheelers)  5.43
4 Gemma Mitchell (Team Boompods)           5.44
5 Sue Cheetham (North Lancashire Road Club)        6.37
Veteran: Sophie Yarwood (Macclesfield Wheelers)  5.43