Bell and Wilkinson charge to victories on Pea Royd Lane
National hill climb champion Tom Bell (High North Performance) climbed to his second victory in as many weeks on Pea Royd Lane, while Mary Wilkinson (Team Boompods) was a convincing women’s winner.
Despite a tough headwind which slowed times Bell completed the 700-metre long climb in a time of two minutes and 26.8 seconds.
Bell, aged 32, won the national title on Winnats Pass last season by seven seconds and continued his winning start to the season on Pea Royd Lane.
The Yorkshire climb has been used in multiple national hill climb championships and is short and steep with a few corners to challenge competitors.
This year’s event raised money for Yorkshire Cancer Research.
Rising out of Stockbridge the climb varies in gradients with an average of 14% and maximum of 20%.
Andy Nichols holds the men’s course record of 2-17.5 set in 2019 but unfavorable conditions meant this was safe for another year.
Bell also won the Geared Up and CN Cycles RT event on New Mill Bank last weekend and took a second victory in Yorkshire.
Host club rider Kieran Wynne-Cattanach was Bell’s nearest challenger finishing second just seven seconds behind.
Gregg Booker (Summat CC) completed the podium positions stopping the clock in 2-42.7.
“I wouldn’t say it was a fast day but I’m happy to win against Kieran (Wynne-Cattanach) who is in good form at the moment,” said Bell.
“Everything went fairly to plan I would say.”
Quickest junior was Ryan Williams (Beeston Cycling Club) who finished sixth overall in 2-47.6 while Harley Widdowson (Clancy Briggs Cycling Academy) was best juvenile in 3-02.8.
In the women’s event Wilkinson, who placed second in at the National Hill Climb Championship female event last season, posted a winning time of three minutes and 4.6 seconds.
The 42-year-old was taking part in her first hill climb event of the season after spending the season road racing.
She finished almost a minute ahead of second placed rider Maya Branfoot (Wahoo Endurance Zone p/b Le Col) in 4-03.2 while junior Lilja Raine (JRC Interflon Race Team) placed third in 4-13.9.
Wilkinson was also the quickest veteran rider male or female.
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