Steyning Bostal Hill Climb

Richard Cartland (HuntBikeWheels.com) went fastest in the Brighton Mitre CC hill climb on Bostal Road near Steyning, while Alice Lethbridge (Kingston Wheelers CC) was the clear victor in the women’s event.

A strong performance from 44-year-old Richard Cartland claimed the win with a final time of 4:13.7 seconds. That was ten seconds quicker than a week ago and six seconds quicker than the prediction from national ranking system Spindata.

Second place was shared by John Blight (Rapha CC) and Ben McKie (VC Londres) both with 4:26.6, with the interesting comparison on hundredths of a second saw both with 4:26.52.

This event marks the second win of the season for Cartland who as previously mentioned competed at this course last week, where he managed a second placed finish.

Back for revenge this time out he clocked the fastest time to mark his third podium finish in the last five, the other coming in the Watford Velo Sport HC last month.

First woman was all-rounder Alice Lethbridge who she finished in 5:18.0, well ahead of the competition.

Second spot went to Eline Smit (Laka x Pedal Mafia RT) in 5:32.3, with Harriet Hernando (Maidenhead & Dist CC) claiming the final podium spot in 5:39.6.

Lethbridge, second in the National Road Bike 25-mile Championship this year, got her hill climb campaign off to a start last month just missing out on a podium spot. But in her third hill climb of the year she came away with a convincing victory.

Fastest junior was Henry Weaver (Southborough & Dist. Whs) in 5:07.2.

The team award was hotly contested with four teams in the climb but eventually won by promoting club Brighton Mitre CC led by Robb Cunningham, backed by Jack Smith and Philip Waldman. Their aggregate time was 15:30.4.

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

Results:

Men:

1. Richard Cartland (HuntBikeWheels.com) - 4:13.7

=2. John Blight (Rapha CC) - 4:26.6

=2. Ben McKie (VC de Londres) - 4:26.6

4. David Ross (LFGSS CC) - 4:29.9

5. Olly Thomas (Sussex Revolution CC) - 4:32.5

Women:

1. Alice Lethbridge (Kingston Wheelers CC) - 5:18.0

2. Eline Smit (Laka x Pedal Mafia RT) - 5:32.3

3. Harriet Hernando (Maidenhead & Dist. CC) - 5:39.6

4. Bethan Male (Laka x Pedal Mafia RT) - 5:41.7

5. Henrietta Aitken (Rapha CC) - 6:10.2

6. Liz Halliday (Sussex Nomads) - 7:16.4