Harry MacFarlane (TAAP Endura) and Anna Boniface (Reading CC) powered to the men’s and women’s victories respectively on the Streatley Hill Climb, organised by Reading CC.

MacFarlane, aged 26, took his first open hill climb victory of the season in a time of two minutes and 16 seconds – four seconds quicker than his nearest challenger.

Meanwhile, Boniface marked her debut open hill climb by taking a single second victory in the women’s event.

The Streatley Hill Climb was used for the National Championships three years ago amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

At just 800 metres long the climb starts with a gentle gradient to allow competitors to gather speed before shooting up with a maximum gradient of 25%.

After a tough middle section the gradient eases towards the top allowing riders to finish with a final burst.

The course records of 2-04 by Andrew Feather and 2-41 of Bithja Jones remain intact for now.

MacFarlane won the Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Hill Climb on Streatley last season in 2-12 and was four seconds slower on this occasion.

Joshua Aiken (Elevate RT) took three open hill climb wins last season but had to settle for second on his first outing of this campaign in 2-20.

Completing the men’s podium was Tobi Ng (Team PB Performance) who stopped the clock in 2-27 for third position.

“I was four seconds slower than last year but came away with the win so I’m happy with that,” said MacFarlane.

“I tried to save energy for the top and a massive sprint for the line. However, I saved a bit too much energy.

“It was quite humid and faster than other years. It almost looked as if it was going to rain but didn’t until after the event.

“It was also nice to see a lot more entrants than last year. I only did a few hill climbs last year, I’m hoping to do a few more this year.”

Next weekend MacFarlane is returning to the Kingston Wheelers event he won last year and then the Watford Velo Sport climb the following day.

Host club rider Boniface took victory in her first open hill climb stopping the clock in three minutes and 24 seconds.

A single second behind was Maria Holdcroft (Cowley Road Condors CC) who finished second in 3-25. The battle for third was also close with Katrina Tse (Oxford University CC) finishing in 3-32 which was a single second faster than her team-mate Olivia Kelly.

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Results:

Men:
1 Harry MacFarlane (TAAP Endura)  2.16
2 Joshua Aiken (Elevate RT)  2.20
3 Tobi Ng (Team PB Performance)     2.27
4 Ewan Tuohy (Dartford Road Club) 2.28
5 Matt Melville (Elevate RT) 2.34
6 Calvin Cheung (Go Fast Turn Left) 2.36

Women:
1 Anna Boniface (Reading CC)          3.24
2 Maria Holdcroft (Cowley Road Condors CC)        3.25
3 Katrina Tse (Oxford University CC)           3.32
4 Olivia Kelly (Oxford University CC)          3.33
5 Kate Tidmarsh (Peckham Cycle Club)        3.40
6 Kimberley Burrows (Onyx RT)       3.45