Nick Munro and Gemma Mitchell claimed victories in the open and female categories respectively at the Cleveland Wheelers hill climb on Sunday morning.

Riding for Outlands, Munro posted a winning time of 3-17, with a time of 3-28 helping Fietsen Tempo rider Elliott Holt to second and a new Junior course record, while Tom Harcourt (Team Judge Tyrekey) set 3-44 for third place.

In the women’s event Mitchell led Team Boompods to a one-two in 4-22, with Hannah Farran-Rees taking second in 4-46, and Deborah Jeffries (Manilla Cycling) sealing third spot in 7-43.

“It was unexpected,” said Mitchell afterwards. “I’ve never done this climb before and didn’t get a chance for a recce so went in blind, apart from looking at the Strava segment.

“I prefer the shorter climbs, and this was a good practice for Nationals.

“I paced the first part of the climb, then went as hard as I could in the second half.

“I could have probably gone a bit faster but as I did t know the climb I didn’t want to blow up.

“I am pretty happy with today, it was a very well ran and fun event.”

This was Munro’s third open win from seven CTT hill climbs this season, and his first since triumphing in his first two events of the season at Darlington Cycling Club in March and then at AIMS Cycling in April.

After his win, Munro said: “I was very pleased with my performance today.

“It is the third time I’ve raced this event as I really like the climb although there was a bit of a headwind and the road was damp with leaves so I was worried about grip, especially up the steep hairpins at the end but thankfully I didn’t slip.

“I wanted to finish strong and I was able to put out good power all the way to the line, coming away with a personal best which gives me some confidence as I build towards the Nationals.”

Elsewhere, the V40 prize went to Mike Jeffries in the open category and Mitchell in the women’s category, with V50 won by Mark Campbell and Hilton Armstrong picking up the V60 award, while Holt was top Junior but deferred his prize to Lewis Maynard with Matthew Best the top youth.

The Rob Hughes Memorial Shield, awarded to the fastest Teeside veteran male and scratch female, went to Jeffries, Marcel Schubert, and Farran-Reese

Riders enjoyed bright cold conditions out on the course in an event that incorporated the Teesside District Hill Climb Championship and VTTA North Group Hill Climb Championship.

This event used the THC33 course which is a 0.88-mile course on Clay Bank with 300 feet of climbing at an average gradient of 8% and a maximum of 16%.

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

Results:

Open:

1. Nick Munro (Outlands)       3.17

2. Elliott Holt (Fietsen Tempo)           3.28

3. Tom Harcourt (Team Judge Tyrekey)         3.44

4. Joe House (Venture Racing)           3.53

5. Simon Robinson (Fietsen Tempo)  3.57

6. Rohan Rayner-Smith (Cleveland Wheelers)           4.01

7. Marcel Schubert (Zurbaran Racing)           4.02

8. Mike Jeffries (AIMS Cycling)        4.02

9. Lewis Maynard (Cleveland Wheelers)       4.17

10. Philip Speight (Fietsen Tempo)    4.26

Women:

1. Gemma Mitchell (Team Boompods)          4.22

2. Hannah Farran-Rees (Team Boompods)    4.46

3. Deborah Jeffries (Manilla Cycling)            7.43