A recent convert to cycling, Bithja Jones (Pankhurst Cycles) broke women’s course records for both Goring Hill and Streatley Hill on her way to overall women’s victory in the Reading CC two-stage climbs on Sunday.

And former national junior hill-climb champion Harvey Weinberger (AS Test Team) made it three course records broken on the day as he set a new mark for Goring Hill.

Jones, 39 and a former runner, clocked 5-32 for Goring Hill to beat Maryka Sennema’s old mark by five seconds, while an hour later she set a stunning 3-03 on Streatley Hill, beating Sennema’s previous best by six seconds.

19-year-old Weinberger clocked 4-44 for Goring Hill to beat Richard Gildea’s previous best by ten seconds.

Runner up in the event was Jack O’Brien (Rapha Cycling Club) who was fastest on Streatley with 2.27. Jack also led the Rapha team to victory, backed up by Guy Bridgewood and Alexander McMillan.

The weather was mild, with rain holding off until the tail end of the first event. The rain did cause some wheel slip on the Streatley climb, which possibly slowed times.

Next year, 2020, Streatley Hill is the venue for the National Hill Climb Championships. For now course record remains at 2.16 set by Rob Gough in 2012, but for how long?

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

Results:

1st Male Harvey Weinberger (AS Test Team)

2nd Male Jack O’Brien (Rapha Cycling Club)

1st Female Bithja Jones (Pankhurst Cycles)

2nd Female Rosamund Bradbury (Sigma Sports)

1st Male vet 40: Danny Lake (Swindon Wheelers)

1st Male vet 50: Thomas Robb (Bedfordshire Road RT)

1st female vet 40: Gemma Hobson (Sussex Nomads CC)

1st female vet 50: Sandra Mackay (Data-Parenesis Cycling)

1st Junior Male: Matthew Coulson (Palmer Park Velo)

1st Juv Male: Thomas Caine (North Hampshire RC)

1st Juv female: Isabella House (Arctic Aircon RT)

Team: Rapha Cycling Club (Jack O’Brien/Alexander McMillan/Guy Bridgewood)