Hayley Simmonds (AeroCoach) followed her 26th place at the World Time Trial Championships with a course record in the Sunderland Clarion CC Hill Climb.

The 31-year-old, from Bar Hill in Cambridgeshire, was a surprise entry for the Silverhills event but tackled tough conditions to complete the two-mile long climb in seven minutes and 53 seconds, over a minute clear of her nearest woman rival.

Meanwhile, Colin Atkinson (Muckle Cycle Club) marked his return from a serious illness with a six-second victory in the men’s event.

Atkinson, aged 53 and from Jarrow, clocked a winning time of seven minutes and 29 seconds to take his first win of the season after finishing second in the Cestria CC climb the previous day.

The Silverhill climb starts from Lamesley and rises gently before kicking up to a maximum of 13.2 per cent and easing up over the top, with a total distance of 3.4 kilometres.

Some six seconds behind Atkinson was Nick Spencer (Blumilk.com) in 7.35 while Graeme Wardale (Team Bikestop Tyrekey) finished third a further 13 seconds behind.

“It was my first ever outright hill climb win so I’m pretty chuffed about that,” said Atkinson.

“The conditions were pretty horrendous; it was like riding up a stream in some places. There was also a headwind at the top, so I have gone a lot quicker up there in 7.10.

“I had to beat Nick Spencer for the veteran’s league. Also, Marcus Cram broke his wrist in two places on Friday and he’s been on fire this year and was down to ride and would have beaten me.

“For myself personally I was ill in December with pneumonia and was in hospital for six nights. I was seriously ill and didn’t think I would race again.

“It was only riding with the Muckle CC guys who have been looking out for me and it was only when I came back from the Pyrenees in July that I thought I was fit enough to race again.”

Simmonds, who finished third in the National Hill Climb Championships in 2017, missed the hill climb season last year.

She was a clear victor on this occasion, finishing over a minute ahead of Hannah Farran (Team Boompods) who clocked 8.58 while Sarah Wilkinson (Blaydon CC) finished a further five seconds behind.

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

Results:
1 Colin Atkinson (Muckle Cycle Club) 7.29
2 Nick Spencer (Blumilk.com) 7.35
3 Graeme Wardale (Team Bikestop Tyrekey) 7.48
4 Hayley Simmonds (AeroCoach) 7.53
5 Dave Diston (Muckle Cycle Club) 8.11
6 Clive Allen (Allen Valley Velo) 8.17
7 Joe Stringer (Muckle Cycle Club) 8.22
8 Sam Leng (AIMS Cycling) 8.24
9 Paul Hague (Gosforth RC) 8.25
10 Michael Todd (Derwentside CC) 8.32

Women:
1 Hayley Simmonds (AeroCoach) 7.53
2 Hannah Farran (Team Boompods) 8.58
3 Sarah Wilkinson (Blaydon CC) 9.03