Ed Laverack continued his impressive start to the hill climb season with success at the Mid Devon CC climb of Haytor Down in Bovey Tracey, while Olivia French finished as fastest female.

Laverack has already amassed wins at the Sid Valley CC Peak Hill climb, Bridgwater CC’s hill climb, and Minehead CC’s Porlock Toll Road, alongside a runner-up finish at the Minehead’s second climb last weekend.

The Backpedal rider added another one here, finishing in 12-32 ahead of Elliott Colyer (University of Exeter Cycling Club) who clocked 13-58 with the final spot on the podium going to Bristol Road Club’s Phil Stonelake in 14-04.

On his win, he said: “I knew I wouldn’t be near my National Championship course record time because I had peaked for that event in 2019 but I had an encouraging performance on Haytor.”

Laverack is now aiming to improve on his fifth-placed finish at the 2022 National Hill Climb Championships and will compete at the Velo Club Cumbria hill climb on September 30 and then the Welsh National Championships on October 8 before the season-ending National championships on October 30 – this year held on The Struggle in Cumbria.

On his success, Laverack said: “I knew I wouldn’t be near my National Championship course record time because I had peaked for that event in 2019 but I had an encouraging performance on Haytor.”

Laverack is now aiming to improve on his fifth-placed finish at the 2022 National Hill Climb Championships and will compete at the Velo Club Cumbria hill climb on September 30 and then the Welsh National Championships on October 8 before the season-ending National championships on October 30 – this year held on The Struggle in Cumbria.

In the women’s event French (Stolen Goat Race Team) set an impressive 17-57 for victory, while Wellington Wheelers CC rider Vikki Voysey was second in 18-51, and a time of 18-55 helped Army Cycling rider Eve Newton to third place.

This hill climb event, run on the S20 course, starts on Chapple Road, turns left onto the B3387 and heads uphill to finish on Haytor Down.

* 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)    12.32

2. Elliott Colyer (Univ of Exeter CC) 13.58

3. Phil Stonelake (Bristol Road Club)            14.04

4. Lloyd Copp (Okehampton CC)      14.49

5. Daniel Eastment (1st Chard Wheelers)        15.05

6. Karl Norris (360RVT)         15.12

Women:

1. Olivia French (Stolen Goat Race Team)     17.57

2. Vikki Voysey (Wellington Wheelers)          18.51

3. Eve Newton (Army Cycling)          18.55

4. Alexandra Richards (Salisbury Road and Mountain CC)  28.44

5. Alexandra Durston (Warwick Lanterne Rouge CC)           29.58