James Hayward (Woolwich CC) came from behind after the opening stage to clinch victory in the Reading CC two-stage hill climb by six seconds.

The 37-year-old from London had been six seconds behind Richard Gildea (Didcot Phoenix CC) following the opening stage up Goring Hill but reversed the deficit on the steeper final climb.

Hayward, who finished eighth in the National Hill Climb Championships last season, was second in the same event last season. On that occasion, he clocked a combined time for both stages of seven minutes and 26 seconds but was one second slower this season.

Gildea took first blood on the long ‘road man’s climb’ Goring Hill stopping the clock in 4.59, beating Hayward’s 5.05.

However, the second climb up Streatley Hill, one of the steepest in the area maxing out at 18 per cent and 0.9 kilometres in length would prove pivotal.

Hayward took revenge on the second ascent, winning in a time of 2.22. His advantage over Gildea was 12 seconds, and with this he took first place overall in a combined time of 7.27.

Thomas Robb (Bedfordshire Road RT) was fastest veteran in a combined time of 8.40.

The junior category was also closely fought with Matt Grey (Spokes BPC Racing) clocking a combined 8.50, beating Jacques Coates (Performance Cycles CC) by 13 seconds.

Event organiser Stewart House (Arctic Tacx RT) competed on the only tandem up the Goring Hill with his team-mate, Paul Gaida, in a time of 6.31, to set a benchmark tandem time but didn’t take part in the second stage.

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

Overall Results:

1 James Hayward (Woolwich CC) 7.27

2 Richard Gildea (Didcot Phoenix CC) 7.33

3 Joe Norledge (Bristol South CC) 7.57

4 David Ross (LFGSS) 8.03

5 Daniel Watts (RAF Cycling Association) 8.08

6 Tom Frickler (Farnham RC) 8.13

7 Tom Bolton (Cowley Road Condors CC) 8.19

8 Oliver Bridgewood (Spokes BPC Racing) 8.35

9 Thomas Robb (Bedfordshire Road RT) 8.40

10 James Scrivener (Reading CC) 8.44

Veteran: Thomas Robb (Bedfordshire Road RT)

Junior: Matt Grey (Spokes BPC Racing) 8.50