Matthew Ferguson made it two wins from two over the weekend with success in the men’s event at the Sussex CA hill climb in Steyning, with Wendy Mathie taking the honours in the women’s event.

A time of 4-04.71 helped Redhill CC’s Ferguson to top spot ahead of the competitive 4-09.04 posted by runner-up Jacob Arnell (Eastbourne Rovers CC), while HuntBikeWheels.com’s Richard Cartland took the final spot on the podium in a time of 4-11.45.

Ferguson also managed to win the popular Blazing Saddles hill climb in Charlton on Sunday from a competitive field of riders, adding these two wins to his previous success at VC Venta’s Old Winchester Hill event earlier this season as he eyes a strong finish to a campaign that has so far seen him race six hill climbs and one 18-mile time trial – finishing sixth at Redhill CC.

“I was very happy with this ride, and of course to take the win,” said Ferguson. “Having done the event last year and paced it poorly I was very focused on saving my legs for the steeper parts of the climb towards the back end and finished strongly.

“In the end I took 17 seconds off my time from last year which shows very pleasing progress for myself.”

In the women’s event, Mathie (Penge Cycling Club) managed 5-50.35 to take victory over the course, while Sussex Revolution Velo Club rider Gemma Freeman posted 5-54.50 for the runners-up position, with a time of 6-04.04 seeing Horsham Cycling’s Tina Lohr secure third place in the field.

The event doubled up as the Sussex Championship for qualifying riders, with the titles going to Richard Cartland and Gemma Freeman.

This event, run on the GH/92 course, starts on Bostal Road and sees the riders head eastbound up Steyning Round Hill to finish at the summit on the opposite side of the hill just before Castle Lane Park.

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

Results:

Men:

1. Matthew Ferguson (Redhill CC)    4:04.71

2. Jacob Arnell (Eastbourne Rovers CC)        4:09.04

3. Richard Cartland (HuntBikeWheels.com)  4:11.45

4. Thomas Willan (Elevate RT)          4:14.09

5. Matt Melville (Elevate RT) 4:17.21

6. Daniel Pink (Bigfoot CC)   4:22.76

Women:

1. Wendy Mathie (Penge Cycle Club)            5:50.35

2. Gemma Freeman (Sussex Revolution Velo)           5:54.50

3. Tina Lohr (Horsham Cycling)        6:04.04

4. Rosie Wingate (Liv CC-Halo Cycles)        7:11.11

5. Liz Halliday (Sussex Nomads CC) 7:11.28

6. Elizabeth Taylor (Sussex Nomads CC)      13:59.67