Harry MacFarlane overcame “horrible” conditions to claim victory in the men’s event at the Sussex Nomads Ditchling Beacon hill climb on Saturday morning, with Iona Mitchell winning the women’s event.

Riding for TAAP Endura, MacFarlane set a time of 4-09.41 to take a second successive win after success at the Bec CC hill climb on October 8, with the runner-up spot sealed by LVC Racing rider Ben Neal who clocked 4-32.96, while a time of 4-39.93 helped Matthew Ferguson (Redhill CC) to claim the final spot on the podium in third place.

In the women’s event, Mitchell (Hastings & St Leonards CC) managed 6-15.15 to triumph ahead of Penge Cycle Club’s Wendy Mathie in 6-22.43, while Tina Lohr of Horsham Cycling was third in 6-50.52.

This continues a fine season for MacFarlane who now has five wins from six events this season, including an opening-weekend win at Reading CC Streatley Hill then Kingston Wheelers CC and Watford Velo Sport to set himself up for next weekend’s National Hill Climb championships.

On his victory, MacFarlane said: “It was absolutely horrible, it was probably the worst hill climb I’ve ever done in terms of conditions.

“It was a massive block headwind, it was rainy and cold, it was absolutely horrendous, but I somehow managed to win despite the headwind in horrible conditions.

“It was a very hard climb, I hadn’t done it before, hard to pace, but it was a good climb, great turnout, and I am delighted with the win.”

This event, run on the GH/90 course, starts in Ditchling Bostal and sees riders head southerly uphill to finish just past the car park at the summit.

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

Results:

Men:

1. Harry MacFarlane (TAAP Endura) 04:09.41

2. Ben Neal (LVC Racing)                  4:32.96

3. Matthew Ferguson (Redhill CC)    4:39.93

4. Robert Wildsmith (Poole Wheelers)           4:42.90

5. Calvin Cheung (Go Fast Turn Left)            4:47.43

6. Francis Schofield (Cambridge University CC)      4:48.43

Women:

1. Iona Mitchell (Hastings & St Leonards CC)          6:15.15

2. Wendy Mathie (Penge Cycle Club)            6:22.43

3. Tina Lohr (Horsham Cycling)        6:50.52

4. Liz Halliday (Sussex Nomads CC) 7:53.46

5. Megan Costello (Preston Park Youth CC)  9:06.10

6. Elizabeth Taylor (Sussex Nomads CC)      9:36.73