Ed Laverack earned victory in the men’s event at Bristol South CC’s Burrington Combe hill climb with Celia Brown sealing success in the women’s event on Sunday morning.

With the National Hill Climb Championships now just a week away, Laverack warmed up for a shot at the title by recording 7-04.60 over the 1.98-mile course to beat Bristol Road Club pair Archie Cross (7-15.90) and Phil Stonelake (7-26.90) into second and third place respectively.

In the women’s event, Brown’s time of 9-25.40 helped the Beacon Roads CC rider take victory ahead of Bristol South Cycling Club’s Ellie Armstrong in 10-36.60 and Armstrong’s team-mate Katherine Brand, who clocked 10-36.90 to narrowly miss out on the runners-up position.

The climb, on course UH26, sees riders begin on Broad Road and ascend Burrington Combe in the Mendips before completing the 1.98-mile route just north of Aveline’s Hole.

Laverack’s second victory of the campaign, after winning on Minehead Cycling Club’s climb of Porlock Toll Road on September 18, comes after a consistent season that has seen him finish no lower than third over the eight races he has entered including four runner-up finishes.

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

Results:

Men:

1. Ed Laverack (Backpedal)           7:04.6

2. Archie Cross (Bristol Road Club)            7:15.9

3. Phil Stonelake (Bristol Road Club)         7:26.9

4. Carl Jolly (73 Degrees Bicycles Club)    7:28.8

5. Morgan Curie (Rogue Racing) 7:39.1

6. Adam Baker (Royal Air Force Cycling Association)          7:42.2

Women:

1. Celia Brown (Beacon Roads CC)             9:25.4

2. Ellie Armstrong (Bristol South Cycling Club)      10:36.6

3. Katherine Brand (Bristol South Cycling Club)    10:36.9

4. Wiebke Rietz (1st Chard Wheelers)     10:44.6

5. Josie Harcourt (Avid Sport)      10:55.3

6. Emily Kate Welton (Bristol South Cycling Club)               11:33.2