Andrew Feather mounted a comeback to snatch overall victory at the Otley Cycling Club two-stage hill climb in Yorkshire on Saturday morning, while Olivia French was fastest female.

Having seen Kieran Wynne-Cattanach take victory on stage one, reigning national champion Feather summoned a strong ride to beat his rival on the longer second stage and claim the overall win by two seconds.

Stage one had seen Wynne-Cattanach finish in 3-08 with Feather conceding a seven-second lead in 3-15, while Cunningham was also third in 3-27, to leave the younger rider seemingly set for a shock win.

However Feather’s experience showed as he posted a 4-51 for leg two, with Wynne-Cattanach only managing 5-00 to concede nine seconds and be pushed down to second place, with Cunningham’s 5-01 helping him secure third overall.

This ultimately meant a cumulative time of 8-06 for Feather (HuntBikeWheels.com) and 8-08 for Wynne-Cattanach (Team Lifting Gear Products) while Cunningham took the final podium spot in 8-28 for Ilkley Cycling Club.

This sees Feather continue to build towards an expected defence of his national title at the end of October, having won three of his four open hill climbs so far this season, with successes at Cheshire Maverick Cycle Club and Exeter Wheelers Cycling Club.

After his win, Feather said: “I’m almost 40 and still beating the youngsters!

“That was a surprise to be behind as I rode the first stage better than the second stage.

“Keiran rode really well but I managed to get it back in the afternoon. He is certainly going to be one of the big contenders at the nationals.

“My power numbers are good, and I was happy with my ride. I’m going to try and lose a couple of kilograms before the end of October as I’m not quite at race weight.

“I’ve managed to recce the national course this weekend too so I’m in a good place at the moment.

“I want to focus on the nationals and the shorter climbs, I find the shorter ones a different mentality, a different physiological performance so that is the focus throughout October.”

In the women’s event, French (Stolen Goat Race Team) posted 4-26 for stage one and was able to hold onto her lead with a time of 6-45 for stage two for a total finishing time of 11-11, with Emily Middleton (Otley Cycling Club) sealing second with times of 4-58 and 7-12 for 12-10, ahead of Sophie Yarwood’s combined efforts of 5-10 and 7-43 for 12-52 overall.

“We just moved to Otley a few weeks ago so I had a chance to ride the climbs are few times,” said French after her win.

“I was really happy with my effort on the first climb, but definitely paid for that on the second one!

“It was a great event so thanks to everyone at Otley CC for putting it on, and to everyone I chatted to who made it such a fun day out!”

In the other categories fastest veterans were David Chell and Yarwood, fastest juniors Louis Herring and Middlebrooke, while her younger brother Daniel Middlebrooke was fastest youth.

Riders enjoyed a chilly but sunny and clear day on the courses of Guise Cliff and Norwood Edge.

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

Results:

Open:

1. Andrew Feather (HuntBikeWheels.com)    8:06

2. Kieran Wynne-Cattanach (Team Lifting Gear Products)    8:08

3. Andy Cunningham (Ilkley Cycling Club)  8:28

4. Louis Herring (Ilkley Cycling Club)          9:32

5. Jonathan Motteram (Albarosa Cycling Club)         9:44

6. Daniel Middlebrooke (Otley Cycling Club)           9:46

8. Adam Baker (Royal Air Force Cycling Association)          9:50

9. Nicholas Hamilton (Rapha Cycling Club)  9:54

10. Ellis Pullinger (Rugby Velo)         10:27

Women:

1. Olivia French (Stolen Goat Race Team)     11:11

2. Emily Middlebrooke (Otley Cycling Club)            12:10

3. Sophie Yarwood (Macclesfield Wheelers)  12.52

4. Helen Auden (Otley Cycling Club)            13:43

5. Josie Cram (Venture Racing)          14:47