Reigning national champion Tom Bell (High North Performance) claimed top spot in the Protech Velo HC, while Hannah Farran (Team Boompods) was the victor in the women’s event.

Protech Velo staged their first open hill climb near Shadforth on Saturday morning, the 0.96-mile climb on Paradise Bank in County Durham being bathed in autumn sunshine to mark the first running of the Steve Goodings Memorial Trophy. Steve was a much loved and respected rider of the host club, who sadly was fatally injured in a car accident earlier this year.

The fixture brought together many riders, not only from the host club and those from across the region, but there was a real buzz of excitement as Tom Bell brought the national jersey to start as the final rider in the event. He justified the scratch position by winning the event in 2:49.0.

Hugo Storey (Muckle CC) was the rider finishing second, he finished ten seconds off the pace as he clocked a time of 2:59.3. Following that time and claiming the final podium position was Colin Atkinson also of Muckle CC, his final time was 3:06.6.

Bell managed a couple of recce rides before his effort and said: “I’m very lightweight so tend to rely more on power to weight, so in that respect this climb maybe doesn’t really suit me.”

However that wasn’t enough to stop him claiming his first victory of the season in his first open hill-climb since capturing the national title.

In the women’s event it was Hannah Farran that was quickest, riding a time of 3:41.4 to secure her place on top of the podium.

Sarah Wilkinson (Blaydon CC) took second place, clocking a time of 3:46.9. Lois Jarvis (North Tyneside Riders CC) was the rider that took the final available podium spot with a time of 4:12.6.

Farran said: “The climb is a difficult one to pace with the gradient being undulating but I really enjoyed it. This is only my second hill climb event of the season.

My training for hill climb season was delayed by a week or so due to getting Covid in June which took me about 10 weeks to fully recover from but I’m heading in the right direction now – another month or so and I should be ready for the Nationals.”

Next up for Farran should be riding the Cleveland Wheelers climb which is scheduled for next weekend.

Brian Ward of Protech Velo being the fastest rider from the host club collected the Steve Goodings Memorial Trophy, paying tribute to his former friend and club rider.

* All reports are copyright of Cycling Time Trials/Snowdon Sports. Not to be used without permission.

Results:

Men:

1. Tom Bell (High North Performance) - 2:49.0

2. Hugo Storey (Muckle CC) - 2:59.3

3. Colin Atkinson (Muckle CC) - 3:06.6

4. Brian Ward (Protech Velo) - 3:08.1

5. Noel Stoddart (Blaydon CC) - 3:16.6

6. Lee Ager (Muckle CC) - 3:16.6

Women:

1. Hannah Farran (Team Boompods) - 3:41.4

2. Sarah Wilkinson (Blaydon CC) - 3:46.9

3. Lois Jarvis (North Tyneside Riders CC) - 4:12.6

4. Angela McGurk (Blaydon CC) - 4:25.0