Louise Scupham and David Fellows were fastest female and male respectively at the Kent Valley Road Club 9.1-mile climb to the summit of Shap in Cumbria on Bank Holiday Monday.

Scupham, the 25-year-old from Scarborough who rides for Jadan Vive le Velo, covered the course in 34-14 to win the women’s prize by just over two minutes from veteran Joanna Cebrat (360 Cycling) with 36-16, while third fastest female was Border City Wheelers’ Rachael Maxwell with 37-56.

There were some equally impressive times in the men’s event with 30-year-old Fellows (Solihull CC) clocking 25-56 to win by 57 seconds from Thomas Brazier (HUUB-WattShop), while Ben Granger (Kendal CC) was just six seconds further back in third place.

“It went well considering I’m coming back from illness,” said Fellows. “The wind was coming from the left this year and it was slightly warmer than last year. So it was all about staying aero as possible on the flatter parts and leaving enough for the steep 2km ramp to the finish.”

25 seconds quicker than his winning time last year, Fellows competed on a time trial bike while both Brazier and Granger were on road bikes.

“I’d always use a full TT setup for this course because of its place in the season,” explained Fellows. “But if there was a strong tailwind I’d potentially consider a road bike.

“A road bike has the edge on the steeper section to the line and if there’s a tailwind it’s more equal on the flatter parts. But because of the average gradient I think a time trial bike is always the best bet.

“The one issue I’ve found with the road bike or time trial bike selection upon entry is that you can’t change your equipment on the day if you feel it’ll be beneficial. You have to hope the weather forecast stays as is when you enter.”

Bryn Lawrence (Anexo Group RC) clocked 27-06 on his time trial machine to finish fifth overall and was the fastest junior, 1-34 quicker than fellow under-18 Jude Davison (Beacon Wheelers) in second on a road bike.

The course takes riders from a start just north of Kendal Rugby Club and heading up the A6 to Shap Summit, a challenging climb of 316 metres and 9.1 miles.

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