Illi Gardner (Wahoo Endurance Zone p/b Le Col) was fastest female at the University of Bristol hill climb as she beat reigning National Champion into second spot, while Ben Millar (Primera-Teamjobs) and Joshua Aiken (Orwell Velo) shared top spot in the men’s event.

Gardner clocked a final time of 3:15.8 to come out on top of the rest of the field in the women’s event, most notably the reigning National Champion Bithja Jones.

While Bithja Jones (Pankhurst Cycles) rode a time of 3:19, third spot went to Jennifer Hudson (Bristol RC) who completed the course in 3:43.

Since her top five finish in the National Hill Climb Championship at the end of last year Gardner has been on her revenge tour, winning each and every one of her seven hill climb contests this year.

This one on Belmont Hill was the seventh and her biggest test of the season, but even reigning national champion Bithja Jones wasn’t going to end her win streak.

In the men’s event the spoils were shared between Ben Millar and Joshua Aiken who both clocked 2:49.4, while Charlie MacTear (73 Degrees Bicycles) finished off the men’s podium as he finished five seconds later in 2:54.7.

Of the two hill climbs that Millar has participated in this season he has now won them both. He also has another event scheduled for this weekend as the Chew Valley CC HC is due to take place the day after this.

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

Results:

Men:

=1. Ben Millar (Primera-Teamjobs) - 2:49.4

=1. Joshua Aiken (Orwell Velo) - 2:49.4

3.   Charlie MacTear (73 Degrees Bicycles) - 2:54.7

4.   Carl Jolly (73 Degrees Bicycles) - 3:02.8

5.   Jake Sargent (FTP) - 3:04.5

Women:

1. Illi Gardner (Wahoo Endurance Zone p/b Le Col) - 3:15.8

2. Bithja Jones (Pankhurst Cycles) - 3:19

3. Jennifer Hudson (Bristol RC) - 3:43

4. Kate MacTear (Bristol South CC) - 3:47.08

5. Josie Harcourt (Avid Sport) - 4:16.4

6. Katie MacKinnon (Clevedon & Dist RC) - 4:26.8