Ed Laverack overcame a high-quality field to win the men’s event at the VC Cumbria Whinlatter hill climb on Saturday afternoon, with Victoria Wilkinson top of the standing in the women’s category.

Laverack, who finished fifth at last year’s National Hill Climb Championship, has enjoyed five wins from seven events so far this season and, on Whinlatter Hill, inflicted a first defeat on reigning national hill climb champion Andrew Feather since the 2021 national championships.

The Backpedal rider clocked 6-27 on his way to success with Feather (HuntBikeWheels.com) second in 6-47 while a time of 6-53 helped Kieran Wynne-Cattanach (Team Lifting Gear Products) to the final spot on the podium in third.

In the women’s event, Kendal Cycle Club’s Wilkinson set an unmatched time of 9-13 ahead of Sue Cheetham (North Lancashire Road Club) in 11-34, while third place went to Border City Wheelers Cycling Club’s Rachael Maxwell in 11-53.

Elsewhere, Laurie Lambeth was fastest male veteran in the Veteran 40 category, with the veteran 50+ prize going to Bryan Pool, while the women’s veteran 40+ went to Heather Witham and the veteran women’s 50+ claimed by Cheetham.

In the Espoir category, Luke Tamblin was fastest with Jude Davison the quickest junior and the top Juvenile going to Charlie Brennan.

On his victory, Laverack said: “I would say conditions were okay, but could have been better. There wasn’t any wind, it was a bit slippery because the climb isn’t that straightforward, it’s a little bit technical with a couple of bends on it, so you just had to be careful.

“I am happy with my time, I paced it as well as I could and had nothing left at the finish for the big sprint at the end.

“With a month to go until the Nationals I seem to be coming into form and every week I am building confidence and it is still important to keep that attention and keep that drive and not become complacent.”

This event, run on the L824 course, starts on Whinlatter Pass and sees riders ascend Whinlatter Hill on the B5292 to finish just short of Whinlatter Forest Park Visitor Centre.

* 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)    6.27

2. Andrew Feather (HuntBikeWheels.com)    6.47

3. Kieran Wynne-Cattanach (Team Lifting Gear Products)    6.53

4. Ian Duffield-Mikkelsen (PMRR)    7.09

5. Martin Barron (Velo Club Cumbria)           7.12

6. Laurie Lambeth (Kendal Cycle Club)        7.15

Women:

1. Victoria Wilkinson (Kendal Cycle Club)                9.13

2. Sue Cheetham (North Lancashire Road Club)       11.34

3. Rachael Maxwell (Border City Wheelers)  11.53