Reigning national hill climb champion Andrew Feather continued his unbeaten start to the season with success at the Mid Devon Cycling Club Widecombe Hill Climb on Saturday morning, with fastest female going to Olivia French.

HuntBikeWheels.com rider Feather finished in 4-38.3 to take the win ahead of Laverack in 4-42.7 while a time of 5-31.5 helped Daniel Eastment (1st Chard Wheelers) to the final spot on the podium.

After winning on Horseshoe Pass at the 2022 National Hill Climb Championship, Feather has opened his season with three straight wins, adding to previous success at the Team Bikestop Tirekey hill climb on September 10 and the Minehead Cycling Club Porlock Hill Climb on September 17.

However, he had to overcome a nasty virus that ultimately ruled him out of riding on Sunday.

He said: “I feel achy and have a nasty cough. I did okay on Widecombe, although it was hard to get going and I was 15 to 20 watts down on power.

“Hopefully I will make more of a recovery during the week for next weekend in the Lakes.

“Like lots of parents it is difficult fending off numerous viruses with two children full time at nursery.  I got away with it last year unscathed!”

In the women’s event, Stolen Goat Race Team’s French made it two wins from two on the day after also winning the Haytor Down climb earlier on, finishing in 6-49.1, while second place went to Wellington Wheelers Cycling Club’s Vikki Voysey in 7-33.4.

Feather’s rival for the upcoming national hill climb championship Laverack had earlier won the Mid Devon Cycling Club Haytor Down hill climb in convincing fashion.

On his encouraging performances across the weekend, Laverack said: “It was a great double header event held in favourable conditions. The Widdecombe climb is a cool one, a big tailwind and great support from those that had already hurt themselves once already that day!

This hill climb event, run on the S/WIDECOMBE course, starts on the B3387 and heads east to climb to the top of the hill and finish by the entrance to the car park 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. Andrew Feather (HuntBikeWheels.com)    4.38.3

2. Ed Laverack (Backpedal)    4.42.7

3. Daniel Eastment (1st Chard Wheelers)        5.31.5

4. Elliott Colyer (University of Exeter Cycling Club)           5.32.4

5. Ollie Pennington (1st Chard Wheelers)       5.33.7

6. Lloyd Copp (Okehampton CC)      5.41.7

Women:

1. Olivia French (Stolen Goat Race Team)     6.49.1

2. Vikki Voysey (Wellington Wheelers Cycling Club)           7.33.4