Andy Nichols (Team Lifting Gear Products) took a slender victory by four seconds in the Matlock CC hill climb on Riber, while Hannah Clough (University of Nottingham CC) was the women’s winner.

Scratch rider Nichols, aged 34, took his fourth hill climb victory of the season on Riber in wet conditions.

The Riber climb starts outside Highfields School in Matlock before starting on Starkholmes Road and then turning onto Riber Road for the final corners.

The climb just short of 1.2 kilometres starts at 9% before rising up to 15% and with a maximum gradient of 25%.

Nichols finished runner-up in the Lancashire Road Club event on Ramsbottom Rake last weekend but went one better on this occasion.

Cameron Biddle (HUUB WattShop) was the favourite on Spindata coming into the event but had to settle for second on this occasion in 3-47.

Completing the podium positions was David Fellows (Solihull CC) who was the only other rider to beat the four-minute barrier in 3-56.

Quickest junior rider was Harley Widdowson (Clancy Briggs Cycling Academy) in 4-09 and Alfie Nott (Sheffield Youth Cycling Club) was the best youth rider (4-30).

Meanwhile, the quickest veteran was Tony Cope (MagCAD Designs) who finished in 4-37.

“It was a pretty bizarre day really - probably the worst weather I've ridden Riber in,” said Nichols.

“I was a bit disappointed with my effort and felt like I took the middle section a bit too easy.”

Under-23 competitor Clough took a fine victory in the women’s event stopping the clock in 5-22.

Clough was taking part in her first open hill climb for three years and was a relatively unknown quantity coming into the event.

Junior competitor Maia Howell (Matlock CC) finished runner-up in 5-29 and Becky Hair (FTP ( Fulfil The Potential ) Race Team) completed the women’s overall podium in 5-34.

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

Results
1 Andy Nichols (Team Lifting Gear Products)    3.43
2 Cameron Biddle (HUUB WattShop)   3.47
3 David Fellows (Solihull CC)    3.565-
4 Ashley Wilcox (Congleton CC – MyWindsock)              4.02
5 Joseph Walker (Velo Bavarian)             4.06
6 Harley Widdowson (Clancy Briggs Cycling Academy)              4.09
7 Laurence Fryer-Taylor (Macclesfield Wheelers)           4.10
8 Mark Proctor (Matlock CC)     4.16
9 Dan Letherbarrow (Cheltenham & County Cycling Club)        4.21
10 Ellis Pullinger (Rugby Velo)   4.22

Women
1 Hannah Clough (University of Nottingham CC)            5.22
2 Maia Howell (Matlock CC)      5.29
3 Becky Hair (FTP ( Fulfil The Potential ) Race Team)     5.34
4 Elspeth Chatto (Blaydon CC) 5.43
5 Helena Shapton (Brother Uk - Team OnForm)               5.47

Junior: Maia Howell (Matlock CC)          5.29