Tom Garnett opened his 2023 season with a maiden hill climb win in the men’s event at the Rossendale Road Club Woodplumpton hill climb in Lancashire on Saturday morning, while Katharine Swithenbank took the honours in the women’s category.

A time of 2-45.3 helped Geared Up & CN Cycles RT rider Garnett to the win, with 360cycling’s Maxwell Hereward second in 2-51.3, while Joe Watkins-Wilkins (Z Junior Race Team) took the final spot on the podium in 2-53.9.

Having withdrawn from all three of the hill climbs he had entered so far this season, Garnett finally completed his first of the campaign and with it earned his first-ever open hill climb win, having previously managed third at the North Lancashire Road Club Nick ‘o’ Pendle climb in October 2021 and runners-up finishes at the 3 RT hill climb and Lancaster Cycling Club Conder Bottoms hill climb in 2019.

On his win, Garnett said: “I am really happy to get the win as I've been struggling with injury and illness the last few weeks, so the win was a bit of a surprise.

“There was still a bit of stream running down the road from the rain the day before with a bit of a headwind toward the top, which made it tricky.”

In the women’s event, Swithenbank managed 4-44.1 to take the win ahead of 360cycling teammate Nicola Cadwallader who finished in 5-04.0.

Elsewhere, Charlie Brennan (ESV Manchester) was first juvenile in 3-07.1m with Watkins-Wilkins quickest in the junior category and first Espoir going to Tristan Pilling (360cycling) who also finished fifth overall in 3-04.6.

In the veteran category, John Flanagan was fastest in 3-40.0 for the top prize.

Riders enjoyed a sunny day with westerly winds which on occasion hampered the riders throughout the course.

This event, run on the L801 course, starts just off the A646 and ascends the hill for 1000 metres with an average gradient of 14%, to finish near Crown Point Road.

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

Results:

Men:

1. Tom Garnett (Geared Up & CN Cycles RT)          2:45.3

2. Maxwell Hereward (360cycling)    2:51.3

3. Joe Watkins-Wilkins (Z Junior Race Team)           2:53.9

4. Archie Fletcher (360cycling)          3:01.3

5. Tristan Pilling (360cycling)            3:04.6

6. Charlie Brennan (ESV Manchester)           3:07.1

Women:

1. Katherine Swithenbank (360cycling)         4:44.1

2. Nicola Cadwallader (360cycling)   5:04.0