Andy Nichols (Team Lifting Gear Products) led a one-two-three for host club Team Lifting Gear Products during their event on Pea Royd Lane near Sheffield, while Joanna Cebrat (360cycling) was fastest female.

Nichols, aged 33, was event organiser and posted a winning time of two minutes and 29 seconds.

Starting just outside Stocksbridge, the 700-metre climb has an average gradient of 14% and maximum of 21.2%.

Nichols holds the course record of 2-17 for men while the women’s record of 3-00 is held by Lou Bates.

In still conditions Nichols was 12 seconds slower than his course record on his way to taking a fourth open victory of the year.

Scratch rider Kieran Wynne-Cattanach (Team Lifting Gear Products) came into the event having won both of his first two opening events of the season.

However, he had to settle for second this time out finishing three seconds back in 2-31. The battle for third saw veteran rider Nicholas Latimer (Team Lifting Gear Products) finished third in 2-45 – just one second quicker than James King (OVB).

“It is usually either a big headwind or big tailwind up there, but it was very still this time,” said Nichols.

“The course has been around for quite a while, it has a pretty consistently steep gradient and not a great road surface.

“It’s a simple hill climb in terms of you don’t have to worry about any changes in pace. You just get up it at the speed that you can.”

Nichols finished third in the National Championships on Winnats Pass in 2021 and will once again be competing for national honours on The Struggle next month - but does not tip himself for glory.

“I’ll be riding, but it’s a bit long for me this year,” added Nichols.

“If I can contribute towards the team prize then that’s as good as I can hope for. It will be a great event and one not to miss, but I haven’t got any personal ambitions.”

The women’s event was only ridden by veteran rider Cebrat who covered the climb in a time of 4-33.

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

* A gallery of images from this event is available here

Results:

Men:
1 Andy Nichols (Team Lifting Gear Products)          2.29
2 Kieran Wynne-Cattanach (Team Lifting Gear Products)    2.31
3 Nicholas Latimer (Team Lifting Gear Products)    2.45
4 James King (OVB)  2.46
5 Matthew Brown (Team Lifting Gear Products)      2.48
6 Niko Raine (Myhillcycling.co.uk)    2.49

Women: Joanna Cebrat (360cycling)  4.33