Cunningham and Wilkinson win in Halifax
Andy Cunningham and Mary Wilkinson were amongst the winners at the Halifax Imperial Wheelers hill-climb on Saturday afternoon.
There were 38 riders that took on the V9919 climb that measures just 900 yards but with inclines that reach nearly 30 per cent, is said to be one of the toughest courses around.
Cunningham (All Terrain Cycles) was on song though, winning the event for the second year running.
The 28-year-old from Ilkley stopped the clock in a winning time of 4:51.6, just half a second slower than his time in 2016 giving him a margin of eight seconds.
Cunningham is hitting good form at the right time, adding the success to other September victories at the Weaver Valley CC and Border City Wheelers hill climbs.
Richard Gildea (Didcot Phoenix) was second, the only other rider under five minutes by a tenth of a second, whilst espoir Kieran Wynne-Cattanach completed the podium for Maxxis 4 RT.
It was 36-year-old Mary Wilkinson who took a comfortable victory in the women’s competition, stopping the clock in 6:12.6.
The Yorkshire RC rider not only registered a winning margin of in excess of two and a half minutes over her nearest challenger, Holly Norris of host club Halifax Imperial Wheelers, but Wilkinson’s efforts were enough to see her break into the overall top ten.
Wilkinson was second at last weekend’s Bolsover & District hill-climb at Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire so is also picking up some good results at the right time.
Amongst the winners were James Storey (SportCity Velo) who’s time of 6:45 exactly was enough for 17th overall and take the first junior prize, whilst 12th place Nicholas Després (Guernsey Velo Club) was fastest veteran.
* All reports are copyright of Cycling Time Trials/Snowdon Sports. Not to be used without permission.