Rebecca Richardson and Ed Laverack powered through tough conditions in the Brecon Beacons to emerge victorious in the Welsh CA hill-climb Championships.
Pro road racer Ed Laverack (JLT Condor) produced a fine ride as he beat national champion Dan Evans to the top spot. 0.4 seconds is what separated the pair in the battle for the Welsh title and it was Laverack who posted an initial time of 11-55.9 as he started third from last.
The 24-year-old has had a rather impressive season so far with four wins in five time trials as of this weekend. He will look to continue the form going into the National Championships in two weeks time across the border in Sheffield.
Two minutes later Dan Evans (ASSOS Equipe UK) powered out of the blocks on the hunt for glory but the win evaded him for the third time this weekend – a time of 11-56.3 meant Evans ended the weekend without a win which will be unfamiliar ground for the time-trialling ace.
Sam Lindsay (73 Degrees CC) couldn’t make it a two-win weekend after topping the timesheets in the University of Bristol hill-climb on Saturday. Lindsay had to settle for third with a time of 13-01.
The women’s category didn’t wasn’t as closely fought as the men’s but it wasn’t for a lack of trying with the winning margin being 1.1 seconds.
Rebecca Richardson (Hafren CC) was the rider to claim the title with a time of 15-34.7.
The hill-climb happened to be the first Richardson had managed to start so far this year but has had a wealth of experience over longer distances, competing in the Welsh 12-hour Championship which she won.
Nicola Juniper (Team Echelon) will be kicking herself knowing the title came down to a matter of feet but much like Richardson, the championship event was her first hill-climb of the season – a time of 15.35.8 gave her a comfortable second place.
Illi Gardner (Veloflow CC) completed the podium spots with a time of 15-53.
Fastest veteran of the day went to Phil Stonelake (Bristol Road Club) who came in seventh place overall, crossing the line in 13-36.
Chris Mann (Velotik RT) beat local Abergavenny RC rider William Truelove to the junior class title. Mann stopped the watches on 13-50.1 to take victory by 25.7 seconds – the time was also good enough for ninth overall.
Samuel Holwill (Hafren CC) was fastest juvenile on the day as the 15-year-old posted a time of 14-48.2.
* All reports are copyright of Cycling Time Trials/Snowdon Sports. Not to be used without permission. This report by Jack Cudworth.