Jacques Coates earned a second successive win in the men’s event at the Bristol South Burrington Combe hill climb in Somerset on Sunday morning, with Josie Harcourt finishing as fastest female.

Riding for Fulfil the Potential Race Team, Harcourt took the honours with a time of 9-53.60 with Vikki Voysey second in 10-000.50 for Wellington Wheelers, while Performance Cycle CC’s Emily Locked took the final spot on the podium in a time of 10-05.

After consecutive third-placed finishes at VC Walcot and Chew Valley CC hill climbs, Harcourt secured victory as the only female to break the 10-00.00 barrier on the day.

Harcourt said: “I am really pleased with how today went, Burrington is a climb I know well with it being quite local to me so that makes it even more special to take the win.

“I think the climb suits me well since I’m more of a time trial rider and it’s one of the longer hill climbs in the area. It was a great event run by BSCC as always!”

Riding for Team PB Performance, Coates clocked 7-08.10 for victory in the men’s event, finishing ahead of Team Bottrill’s Jake Sergent in 7-27.07, while a time of 7-32.00 helped Gabe Dellar (Stolen Goat Race Team) to third place.

Coates opened his season with a third place at the Bath Cycling Club hill climb on October 8, before winning the Chew Valley Cycling Club hill climb a week later.

On his success, Coates said: On his success, Coates said: “It felt good, I had better power than during my previous two weekends of hill climbs. I feel it was a slower day with a bit of a headwind so I tried to keep seated.

“It was a really brilliantly run event, I really enjoyed competing in it and of course I was really happy to take the win ahead of next weekend.”

In the veteran categories, 45+ was claimed by Thomas’ clubmate Phil Stonelake in 7-41.4, with Daniel Eastment winning 40+ for 1st Chard Wheelers in 8-16.3, while 8-32.1 was enough for Salt and Sham Cycling Club’s Andrew Metherell to win the 50+ grouping, and 55+ going to Bristol Road Club’s Steve Thomas.

The women’s veteran 45 title went to Lisa Elliot of Clevedon & District Road Club in 11-27.6, with Wiebke Rietz (1st Chard Wheelers) registering 11-05.3 for the veteran 55 prize.

Richard Burt of Dursley Road Club went as quickest 65+ in 12-11.2, while Royal Air Force Cycling Association rider Michael Ashurst clocked 13-46.6 on his way to the 70+ crown and Somer Valley CC’s Robert Latchem the quickest 75+ in 13-17.5.

This event, run on the UH26 course, starts just above Burrington Inn in front of the stone Mendip Hills, and heads eastbound up Burrington Combe on the B3134 to finish at the top of the combe just short of Two Trees Junction.

*All reports are copyright of Cycling Time Trials/Snowdon Sports. Not to be used without permission. This report by James Ayles.

Results:

Men:

1. Jacques Coates (Team PB Performance)    7:08.10

2. Jake Sargent (Team Bottrill)           7:27.07

3. Gabe Dellar (Stolen Goat Race Team)       7:32.00

4. Archie Cross (Velo Schills Interbike RT)   7:35.00

5. Phil Stonelake (Bristol Road Club)            7:41.40

6. Ted Cross (University of Bristol Cycling Club)     7:42.80

Women:

1. Josie Harcourt (FTP Fulfil The Potential Race Team)        9:53.60

2. Vikki Voysey (Wellington Wheelers Cycling Club)           10:00.50

3. Emily Lockwood (Performance Cycle CC)           10:05

4. Ellie Hunter (Bristol & District Triathletes)            10:06.20

5. Marie-Louise Kertzman (Fulfil the Potential Race Team) 10:39.30

6. Wiebke Rietz (1st Chard Wheelers) 11:05.30