Andy Nichols powered to victory at the Pea Royd Lane hill climb on Saturday morning, with Abi Plowman finishing fastest in the women’s category.

Riding for host club Team Lifting Gear Products and the organiser of the event, Nichols posted 2-25 to take the win ahead of Marcus Cram (Muckle Cycle Club), who finished runner-up in 2-31, while Jude Taylor’s (Team PB Performance) time of 2-34 saw him seal third.

Nichols’ success on Pea Royd Lane, the first of two stages in the Team Lifting Gear Products hill climb series, helped the senior rider to victory in the general classification, clocking an overall time of 3-21 for the series win.

Cram’s combined time of 3-25 saw him secure second position in the GC, while Clifton CC York rider Ezra Bateman set a new youth course record on the first stage to seal a top three finish with 3-43.

“I probably had a little bit too much pressure in the tyres for the wet roads in the morning and was slipping slightly on the new tarmac, but nothing too dramatic,” said Nichols.

“We had a tailwind for once in the afternoon for Mill Lee Road (Stage Two) so were expecting some quick times. I was happy with my performance and would be the first to congratulate Josh Coyne on his winning effort.”

In the women’s category, Plowman (Alba Development Road Team) clocked 3-13 for the stage win, ahead of Rachel Galler (Fulfil The Potential Race Team) in second with 3-26, while espoir rider Lilja Raine (Loughborough Students Cycling Club) took third in 4-11.

It would be Galler who would go onto secure the general classification win in the Mill Lee Road hill climb, recording an overall time of 4-33 to stave off Raine in second with 5-47.

Nicholas Latimer of Team Lifting Gear Products was the fastest veteran with 2-47, a time good enough for fifth on the stage, while Harley Widdowson (Clancy Briggs Cycling Academy) was the first junior rider to cross the line in 2-47.8.

This hill climb event, run on the OHC9 course, begins on Hunshelf Road before proceeding up Pea Royd Lane, finishing just before the brow of the hill.

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

Results:

Open:

1. Andy Nichols (Team Lifting Gear Products) 2.25

2. Marcus Cram (Muckle Cycle Club) 2.31

3. Jude Taylor (Team PB Performance) 2.34

4. Ezra Bateman (Clifton CC York) 2.40

5. Nicholas Latimer (Team Lifting Gear Products) 2.47

6. Harley Widdowson (Clancy Briggs Cycling Academy) 2.47

Women:

1. Abi Plowman (Alba Development Road Team) 3.13

2. Rachel Galler (FTP (Fulfil The Potential) Race Team) 3.26

3. Lilja Raine (Loughborough Students Cycling Club) 4.11

General Classification:

Open:

1. Andy Nichols (Team Lifting Gear Products) 3.21

2. Marcus Cram (Muckle Cycle Club) 3.25

3. Ezra Bateman (Clifton CC York) 3.43

4. Lee Ager (Muckle Cycle Club) 3.59

5. Adam Pinder (Muckle Cycle Club) 3.59

6. Ashley Wilcox (Congleton CC - MyWindsock) 4.03

Women:

1. Rachel Galler (FTP (Fulfil The Potential) Race Team) 4.33

2. Lilja Raine (Loughborough Students Cycling Club) 5.47