Charlotte Dalton (Jadan-Vive le Velo) and Charlie Godfrey (Oxford Univ CC) were quickest female and male riders respectively at the Farnham Road Club hill climb on Brockham Hill Lane, Holybourne, Hampshire, on Sunday morning.

A chilly but bright and sunny morning greeted the riders to the HHC018 course, and with several riders putting in fast times it was a close run thing with just four seconds separating the top three riders.

Oxford University CC rider Godfrey was three seconds quicker than predicted by Spindata, who had him tipped to finish second behind veteran Matt Melville (Elevate RT).

But in reality Melville had to settle for third, 15 seconds slower than expected, while second spot behind Godfrey went to trainSharp espoir Conor Williams.

Godfrey covered the course in exactly four minutes, while Williams was just three seconds back and Melville another one second off the pace.

The only female riding the event, Dalton placed seventh overall in a time of 4.41.

This victory was Godfrey’s first win of the season so far in open time trials and hill climbs, with his previous best hill-climb performance of the season so far being 12th place at Reading CC’s event at Streatley.

He is next due to be in action at the Oxford University CC climb next Saturday which uses the Keeper’s Hill Lane course near Wytham. However, having ridden last year’s National Championships, he has chosen not to travel to The Struggle for this year’s title race.

Dalton has not ridden any open hill climbs this season, but is a talented rider and one to watch. She placed fourth at the British Universities Hill-Climb Championship in 2021 before a crash caused her to spend a long period off the bike recovering.

Last season she was second behind former national champion Bithja Jones at both the Bec CC and Catford CC hill-climbs as she return to racing following her accident.

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

Results:

1. Charlie Godfrey, Oxford University CC, 4.00

2. Conor Williams, trainSharp, 4.03

3. Matt Melville, Elevate RT, 4.04

4. William Collie, Elevate RT, 4.08

5. Aaron Borrill, Farnborough & Camberley CC, 4.15

6. James Nichols, Oxford University CC, 4.37

7. Charlotte Dalton, Jadan Vive le Velo, 4.41

8. Chris Potts, Farnham Road Club, 4.49

Women: Charlotte Dalton, Jadan Vive le Velo, 4.41

Espoir: Conor Williams, trainSharp, 4.03

Veterans: Matt Melville, Elevate RT, 4.04