Despite admitting to misjudging her pacing Illi Gardner (Cardiff Ajax CC) set a new open course record in the Rock to Roll CC hill climb on Great Dun Fell, while Ed Laverack (Backpedal) was quickest in the open category.

Defending National Hill Climb Champion, Gardner, posted a new course benchmark time of 24-46 despite battling tough conditions.

The 24-year-old, from Cardiff, was competing in her first open hill climb of the season and sent a message to those wanting her hill climb title next month.

The 4.4-mile Great Dun Fell course is a test of physical and mental stamina. With only a brief respite mid-way through the climb has an average gradient of 9% and peaks several times at over 20%.

The event was run in clear conditions, the distinct golf ball on the summit rarely out of view, but riders had to also content with a crosswind on the way up with the final section giving a helping tailwind.

It was the first time that Gardner had competed on Great Dun Fell and her time in a new open benchmark.

A close battle for second saw Madeleine Bell (Musselburgh RCC) finish in 29-17 which was 31 seconds quicker than Olivia French (Stolen Goat Race Team)     in 29-48.

 “It was a great event — quite chilly but thankfully dry,” said Gardner.

“I misjudged my pacing a bit but really enjoyed the opportunity to race up such a unique climb and it felt great to pin a number back on.

“I’m excited about riding the Welsh Hill Climb Championships next weekend - and probably more relaxed now I’ve done my first one of the year.

“It’s on another relatively long climb but the upper section is very exposed so you never quite know how the weather is going to affect things.”

In the open event Laverack, aged 30, completed a weekend double after also winning on Whinlatter the previous day.

Laverack has now won four open hill climbs this season as he builds his form towards next month’s National Hill Climb Championship.

Iain Duffield (VENTURE RACING) led the challenge behind taking second in 23-11 after edging out Cameron Biddle (HUUB WattShop) by just 16 seconds (23-27).

An impressive ride by quickest junior Ezra Bateman (Clifton CC York) rider saw him place fourth overall in 24-00. Quickest veteran rider on scratch was Simon Myatt (Matlock CC) who completed the course in 26-22.“It felt good,” said Laverack. “It was a good performance in terms of power and effort.

“The wind was in the wrong direction and times were a bit slow. It’s quite a long climb, I don’t mind long climbs as there is a decent descent to follow and nice views at the top.”

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Results
1 Ed Laverack (Backpedal)        22.46
2 Iain Duffield (VENTURE RACING)        23.11
3 Cameron Biddle (HUUB WattShop)   23.27
4 Ezra Bateman  (Clifton CC York)           24.00
5 James Pearce (Solihull CC)    25.06
6 Tom Andrews (Team Lifting Gear Products)   25.23
7 David Scott (MULE .C.C.)        25.35
8 Matthew Brown (Team Lifting Gear Products)               25.58
9 Ludo Hirst (University of Bristol Cycling Club (UOBCC)           25.58
10 Luke Tamblin (Oxford University CC)              26.08

Youth: Ezra Bateman (Clifton CC York) 24.00

Women
1 Illi Gardner (Cardiff Ajax CC) 24.46
2 Madeleine Bell (Musselburgh RCC)    29.17
3 Olivia French (Stolen Goat Race Team)            29.48
4 Katherine Barnes (University of Bristol Cycling Club) 31.07
5 Caroline Charlton (Rock to Roll CC)   52.10