Andy Cunningham earned victory in the men’s event at the Fibrax Wrexham Roads Club Horseshoe Pass hill climb on Sunday, with the women’s event won by Rebecca Richardson.

Having triumphed at the Otley CC two-stage hill climb on Saturday, Cunningham followed this up with another win on the Horseshoe Pass.

A time of 9-29 helped the Wheelbase-CabTech-Castelli rider to success, narrowly ahead of Velotik Racing Team’s Chris Mann in 9-30, while Kieran Wynne-Cattanach (Team Lifting Gear Products) took the final spot on the podium in third in 9-32.

On his win, Cunningham said: “I felt good today, I measured my effort pretty well. This is one of my favourite climbs to do and I always do pretty well.”

After finishing 11th at the National Championship in 2022, Cunningham has started his 2023 season with third place at the Border City Wheelers CC Hartside Moor climb on September 10 followed by finishing runner-up at the GS Metro Hedley on the Hill climb on September 17.

In the women’s event, Richardson (Team Lifting Gear Products) rode to victory in 11-24, with a time of 15-09 seeing Port Sunlight Wheelers’ Penny Thorn to second and Louise Johnson (Liverpool Phoenix Aintree) taking third in 15-22.

After her win, Richardson said: “I have been coming back to race fitness slowly this year after I broke my back in a freak accident in April. Although I knew my form wasn’t as good as previous years, if felt good to turn up at a local hill climb and give it a go!

“The weather didn’t disappoint with biblical rain just as the last few riders set off, but overall conditions seemed quite good. I was really chuffed to take the win, and reflected that whilst my numbers are down from previous years it was the same sensations of pain, suffering and type II FUN that is universal to any hill climber!

“Fibrax Wrexham RC put on a great awards presentation with equal prizes and trophies and there was a big turn out as usual for this iconic hill climb. I’m happy to see progress with my form and will continue to train and hope to be in a better place next year!”

Elsewhere, fastest junior went to Chester Romei (Paramount CRT) in 11-46, while Ben Williams (Total Tri) was quickest juvenile in 14-27, and a time of 9-30 meaning Mann was the top Espoir.

There was also reason to celebrate for the promoting club, with Ben Goodwin, Steve Aston, and Jan Kardasz finishing as fastest team in a combined time of 35-12.

This event, run on the DHC/1 course, starts north of Llangollen and sees riders ascend the A542 up Horseshoe Pass to finish at the summit.

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

Results:

Men:

1. Andy Cunningham (Wheelbase-CabTech-Castelli)            9.29

2. Chris Mann (Velotik Race Team)   9.30

3. Kieran Wynne-Cattenach (Team Lifting Gear Products)  9.32

4. Jude Taylor (Team PB Performance)         9.33

5. Daniel Piercy (Royal Navy & Royal Marines Cycling Association)         9.52

6. Laurence Fryer-Taylor (Macclesfield Wheelers)   10.10

Women:

1. Rebecca Richardson (Team Lifting Gear Products)          11.24

2. Penny Thorn (Port Sunlight Wheelers)                   15.09

3. Louise Johnson (Liverpool Phoenix Aintree)         15.22

Junior: C Romei. Paramount CRT. 11:46

Juvenile. B Williams. Total Tri. 14:27

Espoir. C Mann. Velotik RT. 09:30

Veterans:

40-49: Thijs Geurts. Macclesfield Wheelers. 11:05

50 - 59. Chris Riley. Paramount CRT. 13:02

60 - 69. Jan Kardasz. Fibrax Wrexham. 13:11

70 - 79. David Williams. Fibrax Wrexham Roads Club. 20:06

Woman. 40 - 49. Penny Thorn. Port Sunlight wheelers. 15:09

Woman. 50 - 59. Louise Johnson. Liverpool Phoenix. 15:22

Woman. 60 - 69. Sally Cunliffe. Velotik RT. 16:11

Woman. 70 - 79. Margaret Docking. Ruthin CC. 18:24

Team: Fibrax Wrexham Roads Club (Goodwin 10:17, Aston 11:44, Kardasz 13:11)          35:12