Lampern Hill in Gloucestershire proved a happy hunting ground for Ross Howcroft-Jones and Emily Lockwood, who were victorious at the Dursley Road Club climb on Saturday morning.

Lockwood (Performance Cycles CC) covered the climb in 7-14 to win the women’s prize by 50 seconds from Esther Ive (Bristol South CC), with third being Diana Gardalits (Bristol South CC).

And in the open category Howcroft-Jones’s time of 4-54 gave him the win by just four seconds from Josh Coyne (Pump and Pedal Racing), while third was Matthew Skeats (Univ of Bristol CC), another six seconds off the winner’s pace.

“I was pleased to take the win, especially with it being another ride where it was the first time seeing the climb on the morning of the event,” said Howcroft-Jones.

“The conditions were tough making it slower than predicted, but I was happy to hold the power to the end.

“It was a nice start to the season, but I’ve got some work to do now ahead of my next event! I’m riding the Halifax Imperial Wheelers climb on 21st September.”

This win was Howcroft-Jones’s second in a row having also won the Farnham Road Club climb of Holybourne hill in East Hampshire.

And fastest female Lockwood – who went on to place second in Sunday’s Elevate RT climb of Dean Hill near Salisbury – said: “It was nice to start the season today at the Dursley, it's always a great event and a nice climb.

“It's a long climb, with a slight headwind today, and as the first one of the season I was getting myself used to the mental challenge again.

“I was quite a lot slower than last year on the same climb so hope I can get my head in the game for the next ones!”

Lockwood is next due to be in action at the Minehead CC climb of Porlock Toll Road in two weeks, as well as the Cheltenham and County CC climb of Bushcombe Lane and Chippenham and District Wheelers’ Bowden Hill event later in the month.

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