Husband and wife pair Dan and Jessica Evans were both crowned Welsh hill-climb champions after victory in Gwynedd on Sunday.

The D19-0 course was located in Snowdonia national park in North Wales, and the couple - who both ride for ASSOS Equipe UK - were in top form on familiar ground.

Dan, 36 and from Colwyn Bay, powered to victory in a time of 10.12, a winning margin of just over 40 seconds.

He last won the title back in 2015 after being pipped to victory last year be Ed Laverack, but this victory secured his fifth Welsh crown.

“It was really good day for Snowdonia, it was dry, not too windy and a decent course,” he said after victory.

“It is nice to have the event in North Wales, it has been moved from the South and there was a much better turnout with around 90 participants.

“I matched my personal best for power over 10 minutes and after being beaten last year it is good to be back on top,” he added.

Dan Evans has already been in good hill-climbing form this year with victories at Buxton and the East Lancs RC two-stage events in the last two weekends.

“It’s always a great honour to win the Welsh championships, but the British champs come with a lot more prestige and there is a lot of importance on it for me.

“It certainly has been a good build up to at least an attempt at reclaiming the national title, but there are five or six weeks still to go,” Dan said.

Second place in the men’s competition went to Kieran Wynne-Cattanach (Maxxis 4 RT), a time of 10.53 also giving him the espoir title.

There was a tight battle to complete the podium, but it was Mike Morris (NFTO Race Club) that held off the challenge of Sion Harlow to take third place.

In the women’s competition, Jessica Evans clocked 13.38 to claim a 15 second victory over the three-mile course and in doing so claim her fourth consecutive Welsh title with a course record performance.

“It was a bit of a funny one for me today as I felt a lot of pressure riding on home territory,” Jessica said. “I really enjoyed it though and it means a lot to win the Welsh Championship.

Jessica also has ambitions for the national championships in October after continuing her good form which also saw her claim victory last weekend at the East Lancs RC event, adding to wins at Oswestry and Buxton just like Dan.

“I was eleventh last year at the nationals, but I am looking to improve again and if I could move up a couple of places and break into the top 10 that would be great.

“I’ve got the Horseshoe climb and Rake climb, which I did well at last year, coming up in preparation, so I will see how it goes,” she added.

Second place went to Claire Swoboda (Chorlton Velo), a time of 13.53 securing the women’s veteran prize, whilst Claire Dallimore (Cardiff Ajax) claimed third place.

Also amongst the winners on Sunday were Darren Carpenter (Cwmcarn Paragon RC) in the veteran 40+ category, Gwenno Hughes (NCC Group-Kuota-Torelli) in the junior women’s competition and host club Clwb Becio Engi in the team competition.

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

* Photos by Sportpictures.cymru - more available on their website here

* Some sunglasses were left behind at the event. If they are yours please contact organiser John Keightley.

 

Results:

Men:

1. Dan Evans (ASSOS Equipe UK)   10.12

2. Kieran Wynne-Cattanach (Maxxis 4 RT)   10.53

3. Mike Morris (NFTO Race Club)     11.25

4. Sion Harlow (Veloflow CC)           11.27

5. Chris Mann (Marsh Tracks RT)      11.30

6. Mitch Russell (Clwb Beicio Egni)  11.41

7. Graham Kemp (Team Bottrill/HSS Hire)   11.48

8. Mathew Pritchard (Clwb Beicio Egni)       12.03

9. Tyler Brennan (Hafren CC)            12.05

10. David Scott (Rhino Velo RT)       12.07

Women:

1. Jessica Evans (ASSOS Equipe UK)           13.38

2. Claire Swoboda (Chorlton Velo)    13.53

3. Claire Dallimore (Cardiff Ajax)      14.46

Veterans:

Vet 40 Men: Darren Carpenter (Cwmcarn Paragon RC)        12.10

Vet 50 Men: Garry Ellis (Clwb Beicio Egni)  13.10

Vet Women: Claire Swoboda (Chorlton Velo)          13.53

Junior Boys: Chris Mann (Marsh Tracks RT) 11.30

Junior Girls: Gwenno Hughes (NCC Group-Kuota-Torelli)   15.56

Juvenile Boys: Cynan Smith (Clwb Beicio Egni)       13.38

Team: Clwb Becio Engi (Mitch Russell, Mathew Pritchard, Huw Owen)     35.58.