Tom Bell warmed up for the National Hill Climb Championships with a dominant win in the men’s event at the Matlock Cycling Club hill climb on Riber, with Becky Hair victorious in the women’s event on Sunday morning in Derbyshire.

High North Performance rider Bell set 3-23.3 on the 0.7-mile climb as he finalises preparations for the defence of the title won on Winnat’s Pass in 2021.

Despite a season disrupted by covid infections and health concerns, Bell has claimed four wins and two second place finishes from the six races he has competed in so far, and is confident ahead of his showdown with close rival Andrew Feather on Horseshoe Pass in Denbighshire on October 30.

Bell said: “A few things got in the way at the start of the season and when I finally started the season I was maybe even a month or two behind schedule.

“That is why I am playing catch-up a bit but hopefully, fingers crossed, it seems to be coming together now. I’m feeling more confident now than where I was a few weeks ago.”

On Sunday in Derbyshire, the runners-up spot was narrowly clinched by Matthew Dennis (University of Nottingham CC) in 3-51.1, a second ahead of Team PB Performance rider Jude Taylor who clocked 3-52.1.

In the women’s event, Team Watto’s Hair clocked 5-07.0 to beat Alison Dockney (Macclesfield Wheelers) who finished in 5-16.7, while the final podium place was secured in a time of 5-28.5 by Velo Bavarian’s Melissa Denman.

This event, run on the AHC/1 course, starts by St Giles Primary School before proceeding up Starkholmes Road, forking left onto Riber Road, then the first right up the hill and through the S-ben to finish just past the steep hill sign on top of Riber.

* All reports are copyright of Cycling Time Trials/Snowdon Sports. Not to be used without permission. This report by James Ayles.

Results:

Men:

1. Tom Bell (High North Performance)    3:23.3

2. Matthew Dennis (University of Nottingham CC)             3:51.1

3. Jude Taylor (Team PB Performance)   3:52.1

4. Will Gratton (The Yomp Bonk Crew)    4:02.2

5. Adam Morris (Fibrax Wrexham RC)      4:04.8

6. George Stephen (Beeston Cycling Club)             4:07.0

Women:

1. Becky Hair (Team Watto)         5:07.0

2. Alison Dockney (Macclesfield Wheelers)           5:16.7

3. Melissa Denman (Velo Bavarian)          5:28.5

4. Rebecca Lineker (Velo Bavarian)           5:29.2

5. Maia Howell (Matlock CC)       5:29.9

6. Lilja Raine (JRC Interflon Race Team)  5:41.4