Feather and Gardner go fastest in the Sid Valley CC HC
Former national champion Andrew Feather (HuntBikeWheels.com) claimed the top spot in the Sid Valley CC hill climb, while in-form Illi Gardner (Wahoo Endurance) was the winner of the women’s event on Sunday morning.
37-year-old Feather clocked a time nearly 15 seconds than anybody else riding in the event. 4:53.3 was his final time, throwing down a marker for his rivals as he builds towards the 2022 national championships in South Wales.
Finishing second was another former national champion Ed Laverack (Backpedal), who clocked a time of 5:08.1, while just shy of 40 seconds off the pace was Josh Coyne (Bpm Coaching) at 5:47.2.
This was the first open event ride of the season for Feather who finished his 2021 with a second placed finish in the National Hill Climb Championship. His next scheduled event is the Minehead CC HC next weekend.
In the women’s event it was Illi Gardner that set the pace, clocking a winning time of 5:46.25 which was actually third quickest overall.
Occupying the only remaining spot on the women’s podium due to their only being two riders was Angharad Berriman of Penzance Wheelers CC, she was able to complete the course in 8:12.23.
Similar to Feather, Gardner had a strong showing in the National’s last year also, finishing in the top five. She has started off her 2022 HC season with back-to-back victories and will look to extend that to three when she is next scheduled to ride at the Minehead CC hill-climb.
* All reports are copyright of Cycling Time Trials/Snowdon Sports. Not to be used without permission. This report by Neral Buckley.