Illi Gardner (Cardiff Ajax CC) won the women’s event at the Welsh CA Hill Climb Championship on the Tumble by almost three minutes, while Kieran Wynne-Cattanach (Team Lifting Gear Products) clinched the open event.

Gardner, who turns 25 this week, won for the second consecutive week - covering the 2.64-mile course in a winning time of 14-55

The Tumble starts with gradients of 10% in a wooded area as it climbs away from Abergavenny. The gradient eases towards the top of the climb but becomes more exposed.

The average gradient of the Tumble is 8% with a maximum of 15%.

Despite the headwind on the exposed section hindering times Gardner was just nine seconds slower than her winning ride in last year’s event.

Lois Brewer (Ystwyth CC) placed second in 17-47 and quickest veteran Tammy Lewis-Jones (Clwb Beicio Egni Eryri) was third (18-26).

Meanwhile, junior female rider Helen Stevenson (Cwmcarn Paragon Cycling Club) completed the course in 21-04.

“Today was wet with a bit of a headwind on the relatively flat upper slopes,” said Gardiner.

“Warming up was challenging but I went pretty much the same time as last year so can’t complain too much. It’s always great to have a championship event nearby!

“I’m planning on travelling up north for the Huddersfield Star Wheelers Jackson Bridge hill climb next weekend. I’m looking forward to racing a climb I’ve never ridden before.

“It’s quite short but I’ve heard it’s a tough one! I’m still deciding whether or not I will race the following weekend.”

Meanwhile, Wynne-Cattanach continued his good form, winning his sixth open event of the season.

The 27-year-old recorded a winning time of 13-16 which was 14 seconds clear of his nearest opponent.

Joshua Hall (Elevate RT) led the battle behind finishing second in 13-30 and Joe Rees (Cardiff Ajax CC) was third (13-57).

“It always feels really special to ride a Welsh Championship event, and it means a lot to me to win,” said Wynne-Cattanach.

“I'm really pleased I was able to put in a good ride on the Tumble to take my third Welsh Championship title of 2024, alongside the two mountain bike titles I won over summer.

“My focus hasn't been longer climbs this autumn, and this meant I was pretty relaxed coming into it, which maybe helped the mental side of things, I didn't put any pressure on myself.

“Thank you to all the riders, marshals and timekeepers who did a great job today, braving the howling rain up on the hill, so thank you to everyone that made it happen!”

Wynne-Cattanach is targeting the National Hill Climb Championship later this month.

He added: “I do really like the nationals course, there's a few things about it that suit me, so I'm really excited to see what happens.

“Other riders are looking really strong this year, so I think it is wide open.”

Quickest junior rider was Mathys Venter (Cardiff Ajax CC) whose time of 15-14 was good enough for sixth position overall. Meanwhile, the fastest youth rider was Ben Cleave (Celtic Tri) in 17-35.

* All reports are copyright of Cycling Time Trials/Snowdon Sports. Not to be used without permission.

Results:

Open:
1 Kieran Wynne-Cattanach (Team Lifting Gear Products)     13.16
2 Joshua Hall (Elevate RT)     13.30
3 Joe Rees (Cardiff Ajax CC) 13.57
4 Max Duckworth (Cardiff University Road CT)      14.31
5 Rob Samuel (Clwb Beicio Egni Eryri)        14.52
6 Mathys Venter (Cardiff Ajax CC)    15.14
7 Rob Cowell (Ogmore Valley Wheelers)      15.50
8 Rhys Lloyd (Port Talbot Whs CC)  16.05
9 Euan Campbell (Royal Air Force CA)        16.20
10 Adrian Thorpe (Velotik Racing Team)       16.32

Women:
1 Illi Gardner (Cardiff Ajax CC)        14.55
2 Lois Brewer (Ystwyth CC)  17.47
3 Tammy Lewis-Jones (Clwb Beicio Egni Eryri)       18.26
4 Bronwen Jenkinson (Saint Piran)    18.34
5 Leah Brewer (Ystwyth CC) 19.09
6 Helen Stevenson (Cwmcarn Paragon Cycling Club)          21.04
7 Lianne Lusty (Cwmcarn Paragon Cycling Club)    21.19