Ryan Oldham (Elevate RT) took his first open hill climb victory in the Berkhamsted CC hill climb, while Olivia French (Stolen Goat Race Team) added another win to her collection in the women’s event.

Oldham, aged 28, posted a winning time of two minutes and three seconds on the 800-metre climb in Hertfordshire, which has an average gradient of 7.4%.

Taking place on Tom’s Hill Road competitors started outside Aldbury before heading straight up and going into a tree covered section before rounding a hairpin before the finish.

Oldham finished runner-up in the Matlock CC event on Bank Road and Sheffrec CC hill climb on Monsal last season.

The Elevate RT rider was not denied this time out with his time two seconds quicker than Alan Wylie (Amersham Road Cycling Club) in 2-05, while Calvin Cheung (Go Fast Turn Left) finished a further second back (2-06) in third.

French took another victory in the women’s event posting a winning time of two minutes and 40 seconds.

The 22-year-old, from Wilmslow in Cheshire, took two victories last weekend alone on Snake Pass and Mam Nick and continued her build-up to the National Hill Climb Championship in impressive style.

“It was another great hill climb with an amazing atmosphere on the final hairpin!” said French.

“It was a short (but not sweet!) effort and was a good way to warm up on a freezing morning. I’m really happy to win the women’s event and hoping that I continue to improve ready for [the National Championships] on The Struggle in a couple of weeks time.”

Quickest veteran was Danny Lake (360VRT) whose time of 2-09 was good enough for fourth position overall.

Charlie Hussey (High Wycombe CC) was the fastest junior competitor stopping the clock in 2-31.

Samantha Fawcett (Hutchinson - Brother UK) finished just eight seconds back taking second in 2-48, while quickest veteran Karine Jones (Verulam Really Moving) was third overall (3-04).

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

Results

1. Ryan Oldham (Elevate RT) 2.03

2. Alan Wylie (Amersham Road Cycling Club)         2.05

3. Calvin Cheung (Go Fast Turn Left)            2.06

4. Danny Lake (360VRT)       2.09

5. Andrew Martin (High Wycombe CC)        2.12

6. Cameron Walker (Elevate RT)       2.12

Veteran: Danny Lake (360VRT)         2.09

Junior: Charlie Hussey (High Wycombe CC) 2.31

Women

1. Olivia French (Stolen Goat Race Team)     2.40

2. Samantha Fawcett (Hutchinson - Brother UK)      2.48

3. Karine Jones (Verulam Really Moving)     3.04

4. Serena Wylie (Berkhamsted Cycling Club)            3.36