Rachel Galler recorded a course record to secure her fourth season win at Team Lifting Gear Products’ climb of Mill Lee Road on Saturday afternoon, while Josh Coyne finished fastest in the open category.
FTP (Fulfil the Potential) Race Team rider Galler posted 1-07 to take the stage win ahead of Lilja Raine (Loughborough Students Cycling Club), who set 1-36 for second, while Lydia Turan (Sheffrec CC) came in third with 1-41.
Galler’s victory saw her record an overall time of 4-33 to take home the general classification title in the Team Lifting Gear Products hill climb series ahead of Raine, who clocked 5-47 to finish runner-up.
“I’m happy to have taken the win and the course record on Mill Lee Road, as well as post a power PB,” said Galler. “I'm also delighted to have delivered this result in my debut for FTP Racing.
“I’ve got the GS Metro hill climb next before the National Championships in October which I'm very much looking forward to, as well as the chance to race on home turf and in front of home crowds.
“I’m planning to get some good climbing in the legs on the run up to the nationals as it’s my main focus now until the end of the season.”
In the open category, Coyne (Pump & Pedal Racing) sealed the stage win in 52.9 to stave off competition from Marcus Cram (Muckle Cycle Club), who set 53.7 for second, while stage one winner Andy Nichols (Team Lifting Gear Products), finished in third position with 55.4.
Nichol’s top three finish meant he secured the overall classification win with a combined time of 3-21, piping Cram to the title who posted 3-25, while youth rider Ezra Bateman (Clifton CC York) sealed the final podium position with a time of 3-43.
Host club rider Charlie Openshaw was the first veteran to cross the line on Mill Lee Road hill climb in 1-00, a time which saw him earn fifth on the stage, while Benjamin Rawsthorne (Waldy Wheelers) was the fastest espoir rider on the course with 1-04.
After both stages, it meant Bateman was crowned champion of the youth category, while Chris Kaye of Backpedal claimed the veteran title in an overall time of 5-01, good enough for 11th place.
This hill climb event, run on the OHC18 course, begins on Mill Lee Road where it heads north before finishing next to The Bradfield Plough pub.
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Results:
Open:
1. Josh Coyne (Pump and Pedal Racing) 52.9
2. Marcus Cram (Muckle Cycle Club) 53.7
3. Andy Nichols (Team Lifting Gear Products) 55.4
4. Matthew Meanwell (Velo Bavarian) 55.9
5. Charlie Openshaw (Team Lifting Gear Products) 1.00
6. Robert Sansby (Leicestershire RC) 1.01
Women:
1. Rachel Galler (FTP (Fulfil the Potential) Race Team) 1.07
2. Lilja Raine (Loughborough Students Cycling Club) 1.36
3. Lydia Turan (Sheffrec CC) 1.41
4. Ellie Wildbore (Yorkshire Rose Cycling Club) 2.17
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