Jacob Vezey (Harrogate Nova CC) knocked six seconds off his course record on his way to winning the AIMS Cycling hill-climb, while Sophie Heighton (Ferryhill Wheelers) won the women’s event.

Vezey, aged 31, set a new benchmark time of two minutes and 59 seconds over the one-kilometre climb.

Starting in Kildale the first 300 metres of the climb is virtually flat before the climb kicks up at different variants with a maximum of 20%.

Vezey won the same event last season, held in September, clocking a winning time of 3-05.3 which was the course record before he knocked six seconds off that mark on this occasion.

Under-23 rider Dan Taylor (Leicester Forest CC) got his season underway with a respectable second place finish in 3-14.

A further 10 seconds back was third placed Michael Sleeman (Horsham Cycling) who recorded 3-24.

Fastest junior Lawrie Dryden (Cleveland Wheelers CC) just missed out on the overall podium positions finishing fourth in 3-40, while Mason Bulfin (North Tyneside Riders CC) was quickest juvenile boy in 4-27.

Stephen Belbin, of host club AIMS Cycling, was the quickest veteran on scratch covering the course in 3-54.

Juvenile girl Sophie Heighton (Ferryhill Wheelers) was the only female competitor and clocked a time of 4-46.

Heighton has already shown her talent this season winning the National Road Bike Championship in the junior category and placing second in the opening round of the Merlin Cycles Classic Series.

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

Results

1              Jacob     Vezey (Harrogate Nova CC)        2:59

2              Dan        Taylor (Leicester Forest CC)       3:14

3              Michael Sleeman (Horsham Cycling)      3:24

4              Lawrie   Dryden (Cleveland Wheelers CC)             3:40

5              Christopher        Murkin (AIMS Cycling)  3:51

6              Stephen               Belbin (AIMS Cycling)    3:54

Women

1 Sophie              Heighton (Ferryhill Whs)              4:46