Gregg Booker (SUMMAT CC) clinched victory on Monsal Head after coming close on several other occasions, while national champion Bithja Jones (Pankhurst Cycles) stamped her authority on the women’s event.

Booker, aged 25, finished fourth in last year’s event but went four seconds faster this time out recording a winning time of one minute and 19.4 seconds.

First run in 1930, the Monsal hill climb is one of the most prestigious events on the calendar and once again attracted a bumper entry and big crowds.

At just 675 yards in length the short but explosive climb has a maximum gradient of 21%. Despite starting gently the hill bends to the right and the road heads upwards before concluding outside the Monsal Head Hotel.

The men’s course record of 1-14.2 has been held since 1981 by Malcolm Elliott.

Booker showed his form winning the Team Lifting Gear Products climb the previous weekend and the Bolsover and District CC event at Hardwick Hall earlier in the month, and was again fastest on this occasion.

The fight for the remaining podium places could hardly have been closer with George Wood (Cycling Sheffield) taking second in 1-22.2 which was just three tenths quicker than Adam Kenway (Team Brother UK) in 1-22.5.

Narrowly missing out on the podium positions was Cameron Biddle (Bikestrong-KTM) who was just one tenth of a second further back (1-22.6) while Joe Shillabeer (Saint Piran) was fifth in 1-22.8 but less than a second behind Wood.

The quickest veteran was Nicholas Latimer (Team Lifting Gear Products) whose time of 1-26.4 was good enough for seventh.

Ryan Williams (Beeston Cycling Club) was the fastest junior posting 1-29.0 while Isaac Oliver (Sheffield Youth Cycling Club) was best juvenile in 1-34.2.

Last year veteran rider Jones posted a new women’s course record on Monsal of 1-37.5 before going on to win her second national hill climb championship title on the bounce.

This year the 42-year-old, from Reading, was again victorious on Monsal posting a slightly slower winning time of 1-39.9.

Emilie Verroken (Team Lifting Gear Products) took a fine second place in 1-55.8 while a close battle for third place saw three riders battle it out.

Rebecca Lineker (Velo Bavarian) clinched the final podium position in 1-58.9 one second ahead of Abi Plowman (Kendal Cycle Club) while Gemma Sargent (Saint Piran) had to settle for fifth despite posting 2-00.4.

Quickest juvenile rider Maia Howell (Matlock CC) posted an impressive time of 2-10.4 while the fastest junior was Lilja Raine (JRC Interflon Race Team) in 2-18.2.

“It was a great day for it and great conditions,” said Jones.

“Monsal always has a fantastic atmosphere and is a fantastic location. I’m very happy with my result to come first and was only two seconds slower than my own course record from last year.”

Results:

Men:

1 Gregg Booker SUMMAT CC 01:19.4

2 George Wood Cycling Sheffield 01:22.2

3 Adam Kenway Team Brother UK 01:22.5

4 Cameron Biddle Bikestrong-KTM 01:22.6

5 Joe Shillabeer 05/03 01:22.8

6 Jack Hartley Team Sheffield 01:25.3

Veteran: Nicholas Latimer Team Lifting Gear Products 01:26.4

Junior: Ryan Williams Beeston Cycling Club 01:29.0

Juvenile: Isaac Oliver Sheffield Youth Cycling Club 01:34.2

Women:

1 Bithja Jones Pankhurst Cycles 01:39.9

2 Emilie Verroken Team Lifting Gear Products 01:55.8

3 Rebecca Lineker Velo Bavarian 01:58.9

4 Abi Plowman Kendal Cycle Club 01:59.5

5 Gemma Sargent Saint Piran 02:00.4

6 Erin Avill Storey Racing 02:06.4

Juvenile: Maia Howell Matlock CC 02:10.4

Junior: Lilja Raine JRC Interflon Race Team 02:18.2