Matthew Ferguson claimed a third successive victory with a win at the East Sussex Cycling Association’s Firle Bostal hill climb on Saturday morning, while Wendy Mathie (Penge CC) was fastest female.

After winning at the Sussex Cycling Association hill climb last weekend and then at the Sussex Revolution climb the following day, Ferguson has maintained his form with the national hill climb championship now just two weeks away.

The Redhill Cycling Club rider posted 4:04-5 to finish ahead of Cesare Masset of Brighton Mitre Cycling Club in 4:13-5, while a time of 4:20-0 helped Daniel Pink (Bigfoot Cycling Club) to third place.

On his win, Ferguson said: “Conditions were tough, damp with a slight headwind.

“As a result, I was pleased to go just a few seconds off my time from last year, which was enough to upgrade my second from last year to first.

“I'm also happy with my execution of my planned pacing, focusing on starting and finishing hard, while trying to recover a bit on the flatter middle section.”

In the women’s event Mathie (Penge Cycling Club) clocked 5:57-7 to see off the challenge of 16-year-old Rianna Mahoney, of 4T+ Cyclopark, who set 6:06-8, while Team De Ver rider Helga Rahim clinched the final spot on the podium in 6:13-0.

“It was my third hill climb race there, and weather conditions were similar to 2021 - wet and windy,” explained Mathie.

“I rode to the start with about eight layers on, which warmed me up well for the race. But to play it safe (for the commuting part of the trip) I used the much heavier training wheels that are safer to brake with.

“They held up fine, and cannot be my excuse for a slower time: I blame the headwind and lack of coffee!”

This was the first of two East Sussex Cycling Association events of the day, with the Beachy Head hill climb on Butts Lane held in the afternoon where Mathie went on to win again.

This event, held on course GH/84, starts south west of Firle, and heads southbound for 0.8km on Firle Bostal to finish at the summit.

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

Results:

Open:

1. Matthew Ferguson (Redhill Cycling Club) 4:03.4

2. Cesare Masset (Brighton Mitre Cycling Club)       4:13.5

3. Daniel Pink (Bigfoot Cycling Club)           4:20.0

4. Luke Walton (Elevate Race Team) 4:26.4

5. Richard Cartland (HuntBikeWheels.com)  4:26.8

6. Samuel Benge (trainSharp) 4:29.1

7. Olly Thomas (Sussex Revolution Velo Club)         4:32.2

8. Jeremy Henwood (Hastings and St Leonards Cycling Club)         4:33.5

9. David Ross (Elevate Race Team)   4:33.6

10. Chris Barker (Sussex Revolution Velo Club)       4:34.8

Women:

1. Wendy Mathie (Penge Cycling Club)         5:57.7

2. Rianna Mahoney (4T+ Cyclopark) 6:06.8

3. Helga Rahim (Team De Ver)          6:13.0

4. Eleanor Thompson (4T+ Cyclopark)          6:14.4

5. Megan Godber (Brighton Mitre Cycling Club)      6:26.8

6. Emma Simpkins (Sussex Nomads Cycling Club)  7:09.9

7. Alice Connor (London Academy Racing)  7:19.7

8. Sally Symes (Sussex Nomads Cycling Club)         7:24.5