Jacob Arnell (Eastbourne Rovers CC) won his first open victory in the East Sussex CA hill climb on Firle Bostal, while Becky Hair (Laka x Pedal Mafia Race Team) won the women’s event.

Arnell covered the course of 1,433 yards in a time of three minutes and 50 seconds – some six seconds clear of his nearest opponent.

Competitors were greeted by a fine sunny morning with a good tail wind on the last part of the climb. The climb which starts outside Firle climbs at a maximum of 13.1% up towards Firle Beacon carpark.

Back in August, Arnell broke the Eastbourne Rovers club record for the climb which he improved by another five seconds on this occasion.

On his first open hill climb of the season last month Arnell finished second in the Sussex CA event on Steyning Bostal and he went one better on this occasion.

Matthew Ferguson (Redhill CC) won the Blazing Saddles hill climb earlier this month but had to settle for second this time out six seconds down.

Completing the podium positions was Daniel Pink (Bigfoot CC) whose time of 4-03 was three seconds faster than Calvin Cheung (Go Fast Turn Left) in 4-06.

Quickest male veteran on scratch was Richard Cartland (HuntBikeWheels.com) whose time of 4-10 was good enough for fifth overall.

The quickest team was Sussex Revolution Velo Club with a trio of Olly Thomas, Steve Coombs and Aaron Sparks-Carolan.

In the women’s event Hair added another victory to her collection stopping the clock in five minutes and 12 seconds.

The Laka x Pedal Mafia Race Team rider was competing in her first open hill climb of the season after finishing 16th in last season’s National Hill Climb Championship.

Veteran Wendy Mathie (Penge Cycle Club) finished second in 5-30 which was two seconds quicker than Iona Mitchell (Hastings & St. Leonards CC) in 5-32.

The juniors’ category were all boys with Gabriel Kh Au (Preston Park Youth CC) finishing quickest in 5-37, ahead of Noah Stephney (Worthing Excelsior CC) in second (6-09) and Cooper Aberdour (Preston Park Youth CC) in third (6-27). 

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

Results:
1 Jacob Arnell (Eastbourne Rovers CC)         3.50
2 Matthew Ferguson (Redhill CC)                 3.56
3 Daniel Pink (Bigfoot CC)    4.03
4 Calvin Cheung (Go Fast Turn Left) 4.06
5 Richard Cartland (HuntBikeWheels.com)   4.10
6 Olly Thomas (Sussex Revolution Velo Club)          4.13

Veteran: Richard Cartland (HuntBikeWheels.com)    4.10

Team: Sussex Revolution Velo Club (Olly Thomas, Steve Coombs & Aaron Sparks-Carolan)

Women:
1 Becky Hair (Laka x Pedal Mafia Race Team)         5.12
2 Wendy Mathie (Penge Cycle Club) 5.30
3 Iona Mitchell (Hastings & St. Leonards CC)          5.32
4 Tina Lohr (Horsham Cycling)         5.49
5 Gemma Freeman (Sussex Revolution Velo Club)   5.58
6 Liz Halliday (Sussex Nomads CC) 7.01

Veteran: Wendy Mathie (Penge Cycle Club)  5.30

Juniors:
1 Gabriel Kh Au (Preston Park Youth CC)     5.37
2 Noah Stephney (Worthing Excelsior CC)   6.09
3 Cooper Aberdour (Preston Park Youth CC) 6.27