Kieran Savage (Cycling Sheffield) took his first hill climb victory in three years in style by storming to a clear victory in the Cestria CC event on Peth Bank, while Hannah Farran (Team Boompods) won the women’s event.

Savage, aged 24, has returned to hill climbing after being away racing in France and showed his form clocking a winning time of four minutes and 2.3 seconds – 13 seconds clear of his nearest rival.

The Peth Bank hill climb is one mile in length and ascends out of Lanchester with a steep section at the bottom of the hill before easing off and then another steep section in a wooded part before a long drag to the finish.

The course of mixed gradients has a maximum incline of 16.8% and an average of 8.2%.

A nice autumn morning greeted riders for the event with an unusually warm temperature for the event, but no tailwind to aid competitors.

Earlier this season Savage also won the Common Lane Occasionals 12-mile event for road bikes and the Manchester Wheelers Hilly 20.5 but this was his first hill climb outing taking a clear win.

Nick Munro (Royal Air Force Cycling Association) had won his previous three hill climb events this season and led the chase behind taking second some 13 seconds back in 4-15.9.

Completing the podium positions was John Bowman (Muckle Cycle Club) who finished in 4-21.0.

Quickest veteran was Colin Atkinson (Muckle Cycle Club) who finished fourth overall clocking 4-23.3.

Meanwhile, fastest junior male was Benjamin Johnston (Racing Metro 15) who completed the course in 4-29.7.

Mason Bulfin (North Tyneside Riders CC) was the quickest juvenile covering the course in 6-01.8.

Savage is hoping to improve on his 12th place finish in the National Hill Climb Championships back in 2018 on Winnats Pass later this month.

“I rode Peth Bank about five years ago and remember how nice the town of Lanchester is and that it was a cool climb,” said Savage. 

“I’m probably the most chilled out I’ve ever been riding hill climbs, and I’m entering the climbs in the nicest places to ride.

“My main goal today was to kill myself and I’m happy that I got within 10 seconds of Andrew Feather’s time. 

“My bike is absolutely awful. The back brake was rubbing the whole time.

“Also I’m about three kilogrammes overweight for this kind of stuff, but I’m chuffed with the win.

“I’m buzzing for the Nationals (hill climb championships), even though I’m not looking forward to the effort up Winnats Pass. 

“A top 10 place is the goal, so putting the shout out for someone to lend me a really good bike!”

Meanwhile, Farran continued her hill climb season with a victory in the women’s event setting a winning time of five minutes and 26.5 seconds. 

Farran, aged 27, also won the Cleveland Wheelers hill climb on her last outing and was again victor this time out.

Quickest veteran Sarah Wilkinson (Blaydon CC) was second overall in 5-34.6 ahead of third placed Ellen Powell (Durham Triathlon Club) a further four seconds back (5-38.5).