After several years of trying, Ewan Tuohy (Arctic Aircon RT) finally clinched victory at the iconic Catford CC hill-climb on Sunday, while youth rider Rianna Mahoney (4T+ Cyclopark) was fastest female.

Tuohy, 30 and from Swanley in Kent, powered up the 707-yard Yorks Hill climb near Goathurst Common in 1-55.8 to take victory on the day by 2.4 seconds from Harry MacFarlane (TAAP Kalas), while Ben Neal (05/03) was another ten seconds back in third.

Top talent Mahoney, just 15 years old, clocked 3-15.9 to finish as fastest female overall by 0.8 seconds from Horsham Cycling veteran Tina Lohr, while Kate Tidmarsh (Elevate RT) was third female in 3-28.9.

Tuohy, who has placed second on two occasions and fourth twice as well, said afterwards: “I'd almost given up on the thought of getting a win at Catford.

“There was also the lure of the 1983 record that still hadn't been beaten until last year (Andy Nichols, 1.45.2), which always attracted some of the best riders around to contend with, making it an event that you could never take for granted.

“Harry Macfarlane (TAAP Kalas) was rightly tipped for the win this year, so I was relying mainly on a bit of home advantage, living close to the climb and this being my 11th year of riding the event, and experience.”

The event began at 8am on a cold morning, with a fairly damp road surface, although the local council had swept the road to leave a clean and smooth surface.

“In terms of how I executed and poured out the power, it was the best yet,” added Tuohy. “I had a time check on Harry at halfway and was four seconds up, and unlike last year where I almost came to a halt at the top having trialled an all-out approach, I managed to keep a good gear going and roll it home.

“The atmosphere is still fantastic at this event, and while entries seemed to be down on other years due to a number of other big events taking place, it was a special one to open my account for this year, all be it later than expected

“A big thank you to the Catford Cycling Club for continually pulling out the stops. I first did this race aged 16, and it was what got me hooked on hill climbing.”

Fastest female Rianna Mahoney’s victory came after she had placed second at the Beachy Head CC climb of Butts Lane near Willingdon on Saturday.

After winning the Catford CC event, she then went on to place fourth in the Bec CC event in a close finish, with riders second to fourth split by just one second.

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