Gabriel Dellar successfully defended his crown at Chippenham and District Wheelers Bowden Hill climb, with Grace Reynolds winning the female category on Saturday morning in Wiltshire.

In posting 4:22-61, Stolen Goat Race Team rider Dellar managed to improve on his winning 2023 time by eight seconds on his way to retaining his title ahead of runner-up Joshua Hall (Elevate Race Team) who set 4:31-87, while a time of 4:32-99 helped Cardiff Ajax CC’s Joe Rees to third place.

This event marked Dellar’ first hill climb of the 2024 season and first race since the 2023 National Championship on The Struggle where he took 21st place.

This was also Dellar’s first open win since the Severn Road Club hill climb on October 7 last year on course UH90.

After the win, Dellar said: “It was great to start off my hill climb season with a win at my most local event.

“It was a cold but sunny morning and really well organised. I can't ask for any more.”

In the women’s event Brother UK – Team OnForm rider Reynolds posted 5:41-92 to win from promoting club rider Emily Lockwood in 6:09-93, while Bradford-on-Avon Cycling Club rider Hayley Wood earned third place in 8:02-93.

In the veteran categories, V40 went to Kevin Thomas, with Andrew Metherall quickest V50 and Paul Winchcombe topping the standings in V60, while Charlie Hoy claimed the fastest junior title and quickest Espoir going to Hall alongside his overall second place.

Riders enjoyed near perfect conditions, with light winds and glorious blue skies and temperatures that warmed up through the day aiding the field of 35 riders who had a sizeable crowd of supporters waiting at the top of the hill.

This event, held on the UH80 course, starts just north of Mead Farm and heads along Bewley Crescent and then across Bewley common, climbing Bowden Hill past the Rising Sun Public House to cross Bowden Hill Common, turning the left-hand corner at Bowden Hill House and finishing at the top of the hill by Spye Park.

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

Results:

Open:

1. Gabriel Dellar (Stolen Goat Race Team)         4:22.61

2. Joshua Hall (Elevate Race Team)       4:31.87

3. Joe Rees (Cardiff Ajax Cycling Club) 4:32.99

4. Ben Elliot (Redhill Cycling Club)         4:38.39

5. Matthew Ferguson (Redhill Cycling Club)      40.55

6. William Mead (Army Cycling)              4:41.89

7. Matthew Skeats (myhillcycling.co.uk)             4:44.65

8. Harry Chamberlain (Bynea Cycling Club)      4:56.3

9. Thomas Key (SPRNT)               4:57.4

10. Kevin Thomas (Bradford-on-Avon Cycling Club)      4:59.1

Women:

1. Grace Reynolds (Brother UK – Team OnForm)             5:41.92

2. Emily Lockwood (Chippenham and District Wheelers)           6:09.93

3. Hayley Wood (Bradford-on-Avon Cycling Club)           8:02.93

4. Begum Rice (Bath Amphibians Triathlon Club)           10:22.82