Matt Tupman (Okehampton CC) took victory by a clear margin of 39 seconds in the Mid-Devon CC event on the Haytor hill climb, while Illi Gardner (CAMS Racing) won the women’s event in a time which placed her third overall.

Tupman, who turns 34 next week, gave himself an early birthday present by taking victory in a time of 13 minutes and 42 seconds over the 3.125-mile climb.

The Haytor hill climb starts outside Bovey Tracey starting on Chapple Road in the Dartmoor National Park before riders join the B3387 for the majority of the climb past Haytor Vale to the top of Haytor.

The climb has an average gradient of 6.1% with a maximum of 14.1% on short sections of the long climb.

There was little wind for riders to compete against on the climb but poor visibility due to the foggy conditions.

Haytor was used for the 2019 National Hill Climb Championships with course records set by Ed Laverack (11-37) in the men’s and Hayley Simmonds (14-17) in the women’s event.

Tupman was taking part in his first open hill climb taking victory by 39 seconds ahead of quickest veteran Peter Norris (Cycle Sport South Hams) in 14-21.

Junior riders Callum Start (Mid Devon CC) and Felix Whetter (St Austell Whs CC) were locked in a tight battle for third male overall with Start’s time of 14-33 just a single second faster than Whetter.

Meanwhile, Reuben Heal (Mid Devon CC) was third junior rider completing the course in 15-31.

Daniel Eastment (1st Chard Wheelers) was second veteran in 14-48 while Ben Turner (Wellington Wheelers Cycling Club) was third in the age category (15-33).

Gardner, from Cardiff, put in an impressive ride to win the women’s event in 14 minutes and 26 seconds.

The 21-year-old has now won three hill climbs from as many events this season after also winning the Minehead CC (Porlock) HC and Dursley RC events earlier this month.

Rosie Wayland (FTP (Fulfil The Potential) Racing) was the only other women’s rider completing the course in 17-31.

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

Results
Men
1 Matt Tupman (Okehampton CC) 13.42
2 Peter Norris (Cycle Sport South Hams ) 14.21
3 Callum Start (Mid Devon CC) 14.33
4 Felix Whetter (St Austell Whs CC) 14.34
5 Daniel Eastment (1st Chard Wheelers) 14.48
6 Reuben Heal (Mid Devon CC) 15.31

Women
1 Illi Gardner (CAMS Racing) 14.26
2 Rosie Wayland (FTP (Fulfil The Potential) Racing) 17.31