Alexander Storey broke the course record to claim victory at the Vector Racing two-mile hill climb event on Friday, while Rachel Galler took home the prize in the women’s category in County Durham.

Riding for GS Metro, Storey recorded an impressive 6-49 to top the standings and finish ahead of Colin Atkinson (Muckle Cycle Club) who set 7-07 to secure second, while Lee Agger, also of Muckle Cycle Club, recorded 7-08 to finish in the final podium position.

This was Storey’s second overall win of the season after having come out on top in Vector Racing’s 8-mile event only six days prior.

“I’m happy to take my first hill climb win of the season and post a course record on a climb I hadn’t done prior to the event day,” said Storey. “Thanks to Vector Racing and all the Marshalls involved.”

In the women’s category Saint Piran rider Galler clocked 8-31 to fend off competition from Sarah Wilkinson in thrilling style, the Blaydon CC rider finishing a mere one second behind the winner with 8-32, while Joanne Rea of Team Kirkley Cycles sealed third in 8-54.

Galler had already achieved success at the Allen Valley Velo 24.8-mile event this season, finishing as the fastest female, and now has two victories to her name thanks to a fine ride in County Durham.

On her win, Galler said: “I took a few things into consideration going into this climb and I planned to ride it conservatively.

“I kept a lid on it for the first half knowing it was a cross headwind and quite a drag going into the finish, so I saved something for the end and it seemed to pay off.

“It was great to have a Friday night summer hill climb, courtesy of Vector Racing.”

The team prize, judged by combining the fastest male and female rider from the same club, one of whom has to be a veteran, was taken home by Tim Nichol and Sarah Wilkinson of Blaydon CC, who recorded a combined time of 16-47.

This two-mile event, run on the MH19 course, starts in Ebchester, County Durham, where it climbs Whittonstall South Hill.

* Photos by Jamie Tyerman.

Results:

Open:

1. Alexander Storey (GS Metro) 6-49

2. Colin Atkinson (Muckle Cycle Club) 7-07

3. Lee Ager (Muckle Cycle Club) 7-08

4. Michael Charlton (GS Metro) 7-40

5. Michael Noble (Muckle Cycle Club) 7-41

6. Graeme Wardale (South Shields Velo Cycling Club) 7-47

Women:

1. Rachel Galler (Saint Piran) 8-31

2. Sarah Wilkinson (Blaydon CC) 8-32

3. Joanne Rea  Team (Kirkley Cycles) 8-54

4. Angela McGurk (Blaydon CC) 9-35