Nick Munro and Nuala Robinson were fastest in the open and female categories as AIMS Cycling hosted an early-season hill-climb on a one-kilometre ascent near Kildale in North Yorkshire.
Munro (Outlands) covered the course in 2-58 to win by just six seconds from Marcus Cram (Muckle CC), with third being youth rider Ezra Bateman (Clifton CC York) who was another 19 seconds off the pace.
Nuala Robinson (Fietsen Tempo) clocked 4-57 to win the women’s prize by 40 seconds from youth rider Annabelle Carter of Manilla Cycling).
Damp and greasy conditions made a challenging climb even more of a test, with an average gradient of 9.1 per cent and a maximum of 16 per cent.
Munro – who was just one second short of the course record – said: “The climb and the area is beautiful. The event was top notch with a good spread on afterwards.
“I love a trophy for an award. There’s something traditional about it and knowing my name will be etched on there alongside other top hill climbers gives it a lot of meaning.”
Munro had to navigate through plenty of leaves and dirt on the road, as well as two e-bikers who he flew past, and some riders coming back down the hill.
Nevertheless, he said: “For a 2:58 effort it was quite action packed but initial concerns of being held up by a car never happened so I’ll take a few obstacles any day!”
Having traversed one kilometre this weekend, the next challenge awaiting Munro is a little longer – the Derwentside CC 40-mile event, which is part of the Lakes and Lancs Sporting Courses Series, next Sunday.
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